Drama TV, the 13th Nicky and Noah mystery novel
by Joe Cosentino
Since the 1950’s, television has become an important part of all of our lives. We travel, learn, laugh, cry, feel romantic, solve mysteries, get our news, and even voice our opinions via that much beloved medium. As our television sets get larger and wider, we also watch from our computers, tablets, and phones. The people we see on television become our trusted friends and family members. They ensure we are not lonely, hungry, or at loss on the latest trends. Our fashion sense, how we decorate our homes, and our eating habits are established after watching our favorite shows. Television takes us back in time, teaches us about history, stretches our imaginations, brings us to new worlds, and heralds us into the future. We learn new crafts, how to cook, where to vacation, and important information about candidates running for public office. We love it. We hate it. But we can’t live without it. So it’s not a surprise that Drama TV, the latest and thirteenth Nicky and Noah mystery, takes place in the wacky world of television.
In the thirteenth novel in this popular series, Theatre professors and spouses Nicky Abbondanza and Noah Oliver, their best friends Martin and Ruben, and their sons Taavi and Ty shoot (no pun intended) the pilot episode for a television series based on their first caper, Drama Queen. Where else would they do the television show but cozy Treemeadow College during winter break. It will come as no surprise to Nicky and Noah fans that cast members drop like cancelled television shows. Once again, our favorite thespians use their drama skills to catch the killer before they get cancelled.
For those of you who haven’t yet ventured to the land of Nicky and Noah (and you should!), it’s a gay cozy mystery comedy series, meaning the setting is warm and cozy, the clues and murders (and laughs) come fast and furious, and there are enough plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning (as Nicky would say) “faster than a priest heading to an altar boy convention.” At the center is the touching relationship between Professor of Play Directing Nicky Abbondanza and Associate Professor of Acting Noah Oliver. We watch them go from courting to marrying to adopting a child, all the while head over heels in love with each other (as we fall in love with them). Reviewers called the series “hysterically funny farce,” “Murder She Wrote meets Hart to Hart meets The Hardy Boys,” and “captivating whodunits.” One reviewer wrote they are the funniest books she’s ever read! Another said I’m “a master storyteller.” Who am I to argue?
The premiere novel, Drama Queen, was voted Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite LGBT Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Novel of the Year! Subsequent novels won many Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions and Favorite Book of the Month awards: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, and Drama Pan.
As a past professional actor and current college theatre professor/department chair, I know first-hand the hysterically funny antics, sweet romance, and captivating mystery in the worlds of theatre and academia. The Nicky and Noah mysteries are full of them! I know you’ll laugh, cry, feel romantic, and love delving into this crackling new mystery with more plot twists and turns than (as Nicky would say) “a QAnon member discovering Democrats don’t really eat alien babies.”
I’m more excited (as Nicky would say) “than a closet gay evangelical during a blackout in the back room of a gay bar” to share this thirteenth novel in the series with you. So relax on the sofa and reach for the remote. The TV screen is exploding with sexy young heartthrobs, egotistical reality TV show contestants, a soap opera diva, a hot rap singer, and murder!
And I love to hear from readers. So drop me a line. I’ll share it with Nicky and Noah! http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
DRAMA TV (the 13th Nicky and Noah mystery)
a comedy/mystery/romance novel by JOE COSENTINO
E-book and Paperback: 233 pages
Language: English
Genre: MM, contemporary, mystery, comedy, romance, winter,
academia, theatre, drama, television
Cover Art: Jesús Da Silva
ISBN-13: 9781005450311
ASIN: B09HN2S373
Release date: December
1, 2021
DISCOUNT PRE-ORDER UNTIL DECEMBER 1 RELEASE DAY ONLY!
https://mybook.to/DramaTV
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1107409
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/drama-tv-a-nicky-and-noah-mystery
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drama-tv-joe-cosentino/1140252043?ean=2940165037245
It’s winter break at Treemeadow College, and Theatre professors and spouses Nicky Abbondanza and Noah Oliver, their best friends Martin and Ruben, and their sons Taavi and Ty are starring in a television pilot for the Nicky and Noah Mysteries series based on their first caper, Drama Queen. More is shot than footage as cast members drop like giant flat screen TVs mounted by an intoxicated carpenter. Once again, our favorite thespians will need to use their drama skills to catch the killer before they get cancelled. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining thirteenth (yikes!) novel in this delightful series. So relax on the sofa and reach for the remote. The TV screen is exploding with sexy young heartthrobs, egotistical reality TV show contestants, a soap opera diva, a hot rap singer, and murder!
Praise for the Nicky
and Noah mysteries:
“Joe Cosentino has a
unique and fabulous gift. His writing is flawless, and his plot-lines will have
you guessing until the very last page, which makes his books a joy to read. His
books are worth their weight in gold, and if you haven't discovered them yet
you are in for a rare treat.” Divine Magazine
“a combination of
Laurel and Hardy mixed with Hitchcock and Murder She Wrote…
Loaded with puns and
one-liners…Right to the end, you are kept guessing, and the conclusion still
has a surprise in store for you…the best modern Sherlock and Watson in books
today…I highly recommend this book and the entire series, it’s a pure pleasure,
full of fun and love, written with talent and brio…fabulous…brilliant” Optimumm
Book Reviews
Excerpt
of Drama TV, the 13th Nicky and Noah mystery novel, by Joe
Cosentino:
Seeing
the glass half full, Noah remarked, “Our cast members are doing a great job.”
I
ran my fingers through Noah’s long silky blond locks. “True, and off camera
they’re so embroiled in their own personal dramas, the title of our TV pilot
seems appropriate: Drama Queen.”
Noah
sat up in bed in the yoga position. “Do tell.”
I
played coy. “Tell what?”
“Nicky,
you’ve been eavesdropping on the cast members. So share the goods, husband,
including what you have on our son’s idol Madame Mirembe.”
I
mirrored Noah’s yoga position. Ow! “Southern beauty Caroline Joy, the
ambitious Madame Mirembe, and rapper Tadeo Torres each made an incomplete pass
at Cam Mark.”
“Just
like in our first case when all three college students were interested in David
Amour.”
“Real
life imitates art.” I put my arm around him, and he nuzzled into my shoulder. Ow!
“Sassy Clark Murata made a play for Cam as well.”
“But
your graduate assistant Scotty Bruno was interested in me, not David
Amour.”
“As
you never let me forget.”
Noah
pinched my shoulder.
Ow!
“What
else did you find out?”
“Our
pal Martin must be rubbing off on you.”
“Inquiring
minds want to know.” Noah giggled conspiratorially.
Recalling
my day, I said, “Cam’s ‘benefactor’ bought him a new body and a ticket from
Oklahoma to LA. Caroline’s Miss Mulch Beauty Pageant win and since failed
marriage brought her from Mountain Brook, Alabama to LA.” I tented my fingers.
“Interestingly enough, stocky Bucky Ray, who plays our graduate assistant Tyler
Thompson, and Cam-fan Stuey Socks, our makeup person, are also both from
Mountain Brook, Alabama. What are the odds of that?”
“Anything
can happen at Treemeadow College.”
“True.
There’s quite a bit of tension between the three Alabama refugees. Not to
mention Stuey’s dagger eyes for out and proud Clark Murata.”
“Tell
me more about our future daughter-in-law from Hell.”
“Madame
Mirembe, originally Jane Jones from Paramus, New Jersey, rearranged her look
and persona and won the Atonal Amateurs TV reality show talent contest.”
“Which
she never lets us forget.”
“Madame
seems quite hungry for fame—and for Cam. So is Tadeo Torres. He was in a big
rap musical on Broadway.”
Noah
chuckled. “Maybe we can turn the TV pilot into a musical.”
“Don’t
give Sam any ideas. He’d do anything if he thought it could bring in high
ratings.”
A
thin crease appeared on Noah’s smooth forehead. “Our young cast members seem to
have a great deal in common, but they don’t have much comradery off the set.
Maybe it’s because so many of them are interested in Cam Mark.”
“And
Cam Mark seems only interested in himself.”
“I
suspect there’s more to it than that.”
“Elementary,
my dear Noah.” I kissed his forehead. “There’s more conflict in our theatre’s
greenroom than backstage at a drag show.”
“But
why all the friction among the cast?”
I
shrugged. Ow! “You got me.”
“And
I’d have it no other way.” Noah kissed one of my long sideburns. Then he slid
under the comforter.
By
the time I spooned him, Noah was lightly snoring.
I
noticed Papa sitting in the rose-patterned wingback chair. He’d been visiting
me most nights since he had passed away. I sat up in bed. “Papa, Taavi’s angry
with me.”
“Sons
get angry with their fathers. It’s part of growing up.” He scratched at his
bald head. “Remember when you were angry with me for being disappointed you
wouldn’t work in the bakery?”
I
nodded. “But you were proud of me when I became a college professor.”
“And
you’ll be proud of Taavi too.”
“I’m
proud of him already.”
“I
know. So does Taavi.” Papa adjusted the tie of his white robe and his belly
covered it.
“Papa,
I miss you so much.”
“I’m
here whenever you need me.”
“I
need you now. Taavi is upset about his childhood in Hawaii.”
“Fine.
He’ll realize how much better he has it here with you and Noah.”
“From
your lips to God’s ears.” I cocked my head. “Papa, do you have a pipeline up
there now?”
“Sure.
So do you. Everyone does.” Papa smiled. “So, tell me what you’ve been up to.”
“I’m
directing a television show at the college.”
“How
many people murdered so far?”
I
groaned. “Why do you think someone will be murdered?”
“Because
you’re directing the show.”
After
twelve mass murders, each during one of my productions, I couldn’t argue with
him. “Papa, if there’s another mass murderer at Treemeadow, I hope I can solve
this case.”
“You
always do. And you always make me proud.”
“Papa,
how did you feel when Grandpapa passed away?”
He
stroked one of his chins. “Like I changed from a boy to a man.”
“Were
you frightened?”
“I
was terrified.”
“How
did you get through it?”
“I
thought about how much Grandpapa loved me, and how much I loved you and your
brother. And I still do.” He leaned toward me. “Nicky, if we’re fortunate
enough to have a long life, we all grow from childhood to adulthood. It’s the
circle of life.”
“That’s
what Noah said.”
“You
have a smart husband.”
“I
agree, and I hope I can follow in your footsteps, Papa.”
“You’ll
walk on your own two feet and achieve even greater things. I have faith in
you.”
“How
do I have faith in myself?”
“Think
about how much I love you. It will help keep you strong.” He winked at me. “Now
listen to your smart papa and get some sleep.”
“Will
you visit me again?”
“I’m
always here, Nicky. And I’ll always be a part of you.” He was gone.
I
slipped back into bed, missing Papa more than ever. As I drifted off to sleep,
each of our television show’s young cast members ran through my mind, and I
realized who would be murdered first.
Joe Cosentino was voted
Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year by the
readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and
Noah mystery novel. He is also the author of the remaining Nicky and Noah
mysteries: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama
Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama
Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan, Drama TV; the Player Piano Mysteries: The
Player and The Player’s Encore; the Jana Lane Mysteries: Paper
Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag
Doll; the Cozzi Cove series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Moving
Forward, Stepping Out, New Beginnings, Happy Endings;
the In My Heart Anthology: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star;
the Tales from Fairyland Anthology: The Naked Prince and Other Tales
from Fairyland and Holiday Tales from Fairyland; the Bobby and
Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect
Gift, The First Noel; and the Found At Last Anthology: Finding
Giorgio and Finding Armando. His books have won numerous Book of the
Month awards and Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. As an actor, Joe appeared in
principal roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce
Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Jason Robards, and Holland Taylor. He
received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College, Master’s degree
from SUNY New Paltz, and is currently a happily married college theatre
professor/department chair residing in New York State.
http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
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