Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Case of the Curved Staircase: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery by S.K. Derban. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Case of the Curved Staircase: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery
by S.K. Derban
Case of the Curved Staircase: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Little Italy, San Diego and San Diego Bay
Publisher : S.K. Derban
Publication date : August 27, 2025
Paperback
Print length : 302 pages
The Little Italy entertainment continues in this second book of the Macaroni on Wheels series. Case of the Curved Staircase has more twists and turns than Terza can handle. And, Detective Nicholas Garza is not on the case. Say it isn’t so, Nico!
Staircases can be fatal, especially on Halloween. After catering a surprise birthday party on the evening of October 30th, Terza returns to the scene of the celebration on the following morning. Instead of being greeted by the happy, party hosts, Terza discovers a dead body at the bottom of the curved staircase. Not again! And this time, Terza’s amateur detective skills are landing her directly into personal danger. She would rather be using her chef’s knife than having one pointed at her face!
As the feisty Italian caterer continues to fill her free time solving crime, she runs head first into a new detective. Unlike Nicholas Garza, the detective now in charge considers Terza a hinderance instead of a help. Fortunately, Jacob Radovan, the medical examiner, continues to be Terza’s ally.
There is also an unexpected wedding in Case of the Curved Staircase. Readers of Uneven Exchange just might cheer out loud. The almost perfect weather in San Diego allows the bride and groom to take a carriage ride from the wedding venue to the reception ballroom. It’s a fairytale come true.
Fans of cozy mysteries will revel in solving another murder along with Terza, and will continue to appreciate her zest for life. Readers will be spending more time with the animated Tiepolo family, and especially Terza’s father. Ezio’s Halloween costume is a moo-ving choice! The Tiepolo’s celebrate their loving, family bond as they join together each Sunday. Food, family, and fun! Once again, you may consider this your personal invitation…
My review
Terza Tiepolo is back along with her lovely family and friends in Case of the Curved Staircase by S.K. Derban. Terza runs Macaroni on Wheels, a catering company, along with her best friend Moheenie. I loved this even more than the first! In this cozy mystery, Terza once again finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery when she finds a catering client’s wife dead at the bottom of his staircase!
I just love the cast of characters in this book! Terza’s family enjoys a very close relationship, and they’re always happy to include friends. Terza calls her mom and reads her Bible every morning knowing that later in the day her dad will ask her if she’s called her mom and read her Bible. Her family gets together every Sunday for dinner and bocce ball. Terza and her sister are still single, but her brother is married with two precocious children. If I had to pick a favorite character, I’d choose her dad, Ezio, because of his loving nature and sense of humor. He’s a butcher in their family run Tiepolo Mercado, and Terza relies on him to always provide the best meat for her catering business right next door. I love Terza’s friendship with Moheenie, and her possible “more than friendship” with Detective Nico Garza.
The murder mystery is filled with plenty of twists though there are only two probable suspects: Terza’s client and his weird sister! I enjoyed dissecting this case with Terza and Moheenie and am really looking forward to seeing what the future holds for all of these characters. Case of the Curved Staircase makes a great autumn read since it takes place during the Halloween season, but no matter what time of year you read it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! I highly recommend it and give it 5 stars!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Character Post: Moheenie Brickman
Greetings! My name is Moheenie Brickman, and I’m Terza’s best friend. We met in high school after my family and I moved to San Diego from Hawaii. Terza and I instantly connected. Our high school years were filled with laughter and great fun. We bonded even more as we shared being cheerleaders together.
The love of my life is Ranger Brickman, my beloved husband. He is a San Diego lifeguard, and also friends with Terza. She employs Ranger as a bartender when needed for her Macaroni on Wheels catering company.
My fulltime job is as a chef’s assistant for Terza’s company. It is the best job ever, especially since I get to work alongside my best friend. Terza is an amazing chef and has taught me how to finally cook! Ranger is a happy camper!
The author of Case of the Curved Staircase, a Macaroni on Wheels Mystery has included a Character Card with my photo. Aloha!
About S.K. Derban
S.K. Derban resides with her husband in Southern California. Although born in the United States she moved to London within the first three months, and remained in England until the age of five. Her father, an American citizen, was a decorated veteran of the Second World War. Her British mother was involved with the London Royal Ballet Company, and a great fan of the arts. After returning to the United States, Derban’s life remained filled with a love of the theatre, and a passion for British murder mysteries.
S.K. Derban’s personal travel and missionary escapades are readily apparent as they shine through into her characters. Readers are often transported virtually across the globe. She has traveled to Hong Kong on five separate occasions to smuggle Bibles into China, and has been to Israel on seven missionary trips. Derban’s other adventures include visits to Bangkok, Greece, Egypt, Italy, and the Caribbean.
Beginning with her faith in the Lord, S.K. Derban relies on all aspects of her life when writing. She hopes her books will allow readers to go on holiday without having to pack!
Author Links
Website – https://childofthecarpenter.com/
The Latest Blog – https://childofthecarpenter.com/the-latest/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/awriterofmystery/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/s.k.derban/
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/sderban/
BookBub –https://www.bookbub.com/profile/s-k-derban
Purchase Links
Kindle – Paperback – Audio
Giveaway Prize
Enter the Giveaway
Case of the Curved Staircase TOUR PARTICIPANTS
January 28 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
January 28 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
January 29 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
January 29 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
January 30 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
January 30 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 31 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 31 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 1 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 1 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 2 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
February 2 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 3 – Salty Inspirations – RECIPE
February 3 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
February 4 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 5 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
February 6 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 6 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Want to Book a Tour?
Click Here