Marsala Maroon

An ax murder leaves Franki less than jazzed...

Jazz Fest is in full swing in The Big Easy, but PI Franki Amato is singing the blues. The owner of an historic Italian grocery and deli is murdered in a manner eerily reminiscent of the Axeman of New Orleans, a notorious serial killer who hasn't struck in over a century, and someone Franki knows has been arrested for the crime. Adding to her distress, Franki, her mom, and her meddling Sicilian nonna finally meet her fianc's family, but the tone of their encounter is decidedly downbeat. And just as her personal life strikes a sour note, the killer jazzes up his techniques. The pressure is on Franki to decipher an odd assortment of cluesan old gramophone record, a stolen trumpet, and a bottle of marsala wine. If she doesn't, she could be the next one to get the ax.

Marsala Maroon is book 6 in the Franki Amato Mysteries, but it can be read as a standalone. If you like zany...