Dawn's Reading Nook: Discover Drama Merry by Joe Cosentino

Q&A with Joe Cosentino, author of Drama Merry,

the 16th Nicky and Noah mystery/comedy/romance novel

Joe Cosentino, congratulations on the release of the sixteenth novel in your award-winning and popular Nicky and Noah gay cozy comedy mystery series, Drama Merry.

Thank you. I’ll admit I’m feeling very merry about it.

You’ve written five Jana Lane mysteries, two Player Piano mysteries, five Cozzi Cove books, and sixteen Nicky and Noah mysteries. Why so many Nicky and Noah mysteries?

Nicky and Noah keep begging me for more. So do the readers. Plus, the books are so much fun to write. I often laugh out loud when writing them. Each novel has humor, quirky characters, sweet romance, cozy settings, plot twists and turns, a show business background, and a shocking whodunit ending. I even continue to shock my husband, which makes me very merry.

Why do you think the Nicky and Noah mystery series has lasted over a decade now?

I haven’t found any other cozy MM comedy mystery romance series set in the world of academia and theatre. Also, nobody else has my warped sense of humor.

Why did you pick Robin Hood as the show within a novel for the sixteenth novel?

Who doesn’t love Robin Hood with his adorable hat, tight green tunic, and of course the bulging tights? It’s no wonder the Merry Men were so merry. And during these times when billionaires don’t pay taxes, taking from the rich and giving to poor makes a load of sense to me. I’ve watched and rewatched Erroll Flynn as Robin Hood in the classic movie. And I equally adore the newer movies: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Robin and Marian, The Bandit of Sherwood Forest, Robin of Locksley, and of course the hilarious Robin Hood, Men in Tights.

Tell us about Drama Merry, the 16th Nicky and Noah mystery novel.

The sweet (pun intended) sixteenth Nicky and Noah mystery novel has Nicky, Noah, and their theatrical troupe back at Treemeadow College staging an original musical production of Robin Hood entitled, Why the Merry Men Are So Merry. Murder and hilarity ensue as the five Very Merry Men chorus members are murdered.

It's great to see our favorite characters back.

Of course! In my very merry version, Robin Hood (Noah) and the Sheriff of Nottingham (Nicky) begin as adversaries and end up as lovers. Wouldn’t it be nice if feuding world leaders would do that? Also in my play within the novel, Maid Marian is played by Nicky’s best pal and department chair Martin Anderson. Martin’s long-suffering husband, Ruben, is Friar Tuck (a drag queen). Nicky and Noah’s son, Taavi, is Will Scarlet, and his wife Sloane, a transexual, plays Maude Lindsey. Martin and Ruben’s son, Ty, is minstrel Alan-a-Dale, and bumbling Detective Manuello comes along for the ride as (not so little) Little John. Even Nicky and Noah’s dog, Asterisk, and his husband, Tag, are cast as Merry Stud and Tail-wagger. The rest of the cast members are hunky newcomers to the series, so there are plenty of victims and suspects—not to mention sweet romance. As Nicky would say, if you read this novel, you’ll have more fun than a conservative politician taking away people’s medical insurance.

Who are the new characters/suspects in book sixteen?

Things heat up pretty quickly between the assistant professors playing Merry Men David of Doncaster and Arthur a Bland: exotic and muscular Count Choreo and adorably stocky Pierce Falsetto. The same holds true for the theatre majors cast as Merry Men Gilbert Whitehead and Reynold Greenleaf: lean city boy Bass Jazzy and incredibly hunky country boy Spin Vibrato.

What makes the Nicky and Noah mystery series so special?

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 the Proud Boys storming the Capitol at the insurrection. 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?

How are the novels cozy?

Many of them, like this one, take place in Vermont, a cozy state with green pastures, white church steeples, glowing lakes, and friendly and accepting people. Fictitious Treemeadow College (named after its gay founders, couple Tree and Meadow) is the perfect setting for a cozy mystery with its white Edwardian buildings, low white stone fences, lake and mountain views, and cherry wood offices with tall leather chairs and fireplaces.

For anyone unfortunate enough not to have read them, tell us the titles of the novels in the series.

The Nicky and Noah mysteries are: Drama Queen, Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan, Drama TV, Drama Oz, Drama Prince, and now Drama Merry.

Many of your characters are of various ethnicities and sexual identities. Is that deliberate on your part?

Absolutely. We live in a diverse world. A story taking place at a college and/or in the world of theatre would be unbelievable if everyone were the same.

I’m sure you’ve been told that the books would make a terrific TV series.

Many many times! Rather than Logo showing reruns of Golden Girls around the clock, and Bravo airing so called reality shows, I would love to see them do The Nicky and Noah Mysteries. Come on, TV producers, make your offers! I’ve written a teleplay of the first novel and treatments for the remaining novels!

How would you cast the TV series?

Here’s my wish list: Matt Bomer as Nicky, Neil Patrick Harris as Noah, Rosie O’Donnell and Bruce Willis as Noah’s parents, Valerie Bertinelli and Jay Leno as Nicky’s parents, me as Martin Anderson (nepotism!), Nathan Lane as Martin’s husband Ruben, Wanda Sykes as Martin’s office assistant Shayla, and Luke Macfarlane as Nicky’s brother Tony. Or Luke Macfarlane as any character!

Is this the last novel in the Nicky and Noah mysteries series?

Drama Merry has a wonderful ending that I won’t spoil here. It could be the last novel. Only the gay muses know for sure.

How can your readers get their hands on Drama Merry, and how can they contact you?

The purchase links are below, as are my contact links, including my web site. I love to hear from readers! So do Nicky and Noah. I tell them everything!

Thank you, Joe, for interviewing today.

It was my pleasure. 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 (as Nicky would say) with more plot twists and turns than a QAnon member finding out liberals don’t really eat dead babies. I’m more excited (as Nicky would say) than an anti-gay politician tapping his foot in a public men’s room to share this sixteenth novel in the series with you. So don your tunic and tights, wave your arrow, and meet me in Sherwood Forest! I promise you a happy ending!

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 MERRY (the 16th Nicky and Noah mystery)

a comedy/mystery/romance novel by JOE COSENTINO

Genre: MM, contemporary, mystery, comedy, romance, theatre, musical theater, college, Robin Hood

Heat Level: 2

Cover Art: Jesús Da Silva

Release date: April 1, 2023

Spring and romance blossom at Treemeadow College when theatre professors Nicky, Noah, and their thespian cohorts stage an original musical adaptation of Robin Hood entitled, Why the Merry Men Are So Merry. Things are very merry indeed until some Merry Men drop like tights after a drag show. Once again, our favorite thespians will need to use their drama skills to catch the killer before their tights are in a knot—around their throats. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining sixteenth novel in this delightful series. It’s a gas! So hurry to your seat. The stage lights are coming up in Sherwood Forest on a Robin in the hood, a sheriff with a bulge in his tights, a not so little Little John, a Friar Tuck drag queen, more Merry Men than in the back room of a family values’ convention, and murder!

Buy links:

https://mybook.to/DramaMerry

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1333906

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drama-merry-joe-cosentino/1143011153?ean=2940166010896

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/drama-merry-a-nicky-and-noah-mystery

Excerpt of Drama Merry, the 16^th Nicky and Noah mystery novel, by Joe Cosentino:

Emerald Sherwood Forest surrounds a tall, handsome man in a green tunic and hood. His golden hair and sky-blue eyes peek out from a tree branch as thick as the bulge in his tights. Robin of Locksley sadly recalls his family’s estate, seized by Prince John when Robin fought the Crusades in Jerusalem with John’s brother Prince Richard. In a tenor as crisp and luscious as the leaves in the forest, Robin bemoans his fate in the catchy tune, “I’m a Homo Without a Home and a Hottie in the Hood.” For the last verse, Robin’s dog, Merry Stud, lifts his paw and executes three flips in the air at a sign for an inn: “Eat Out, Twink, and be Merry.” The sign falls on the inn which falls on Robin’s dog which falls on Robin.

“Stop!” It’s me Nicky Abbondanza, your favorite Professor of Play Directing, actually the only professor of play directing in picturesque Treemeadow College in picturesque Vermont in picturesque America. Before I begin our sweet (pun intended) sixteenth adventure, let’s do a quick recap for any Nicky and Noah virgins out there. Since you can’t see me, I’m absolutely gorgeous. Okay, back to reality. I’m tall, with dark hair from a bottle, muscles from the campus gym, emerald eyes from contact lenses, and a Roman nose from my Italian American heritage. I can humbly add the little tidbit (though it’s not so little) that yours truly is in the Guinness Book of World Records. Not for directing plays and musicals, a bodybuilding competition, a murder mystery dinner theatre cruise show, a luau show, movies, a runway show, and a television pilot. My heralded listing isn’t for solving fifteen murder mysteries. My claim to fame is a nearly foot long penis—flaccid—an Abbondanza trait from the old country, where my ancestors sold foot long salami. More recently my father, before his passing, owned an Italian bakery in Kansas, where jumbo cannoli were the top seller. Noah Oliver, Associate Professor of Acting (41), and I (48-grr) met here at Treemeadow College named after its original founders, wealthy gay couple Tree and Meadow. Noah is my blond-haired, blue-eyed, creamy-complexioned Adonis. He and I met at Treemeadow, dated, became engaged, married in Alaska, adopted a son in Hawaii, travelled to Scotland, Key West, and San Francisco, and gave our son away in marriage back at Treemeadow. We didn’t really give him away since Taavi and his wife, Sloane, both Treemeadow College theatre majors, live in Taavi’s bedroom at our house. Noah, Taavi, and I wear dress shirts, dress slacks, and blazers. It’s a family thing.

Which brings me to why I am wearing a skintight black leather suit (not what you’re thinking) and standing backstage at our college’s burgundy theatre during spring break. While having dinner at the mansion on a hill owned by my best friend and department chair, Martin Anderson (ancient), his husband Ruben Markinson (equally ancient), and their adopted son Ty Wilde Anderson Markinson (18); my husband Noah accidentally but totally on purpose let it slip out that he would like to play the role of Robin Hood. That sent everyone at the table in motion faster than a past Republican president losing an election and planning an insurrection. Martin cleared the honey mint lamb skewers appetizer and began crafting an original musical entitled, Why the Merry Men Are So Merry. Martin’s husband Ruben, moving away the brie shrimp and crab soup, made calls to arrange the financing. Our son, Taavi Kapule Oliver Abbondanza (19), turned scarlet until I cast him as hot-headed Will Scarlet. His new wife, Sloane Thomas Kapule Oliver Abbondanza (21), sneaked me a clam spinach fontina cheese stuffed mushroom, dropping a hint (and the mushroom) that she’d like to play the sheriff’s maid, Maude Lindsey. Ty used the spoons to rap (on my head) his audition for the minstrel Alan-a-Dale. Martin took caution (and his diaper, dentures, and replaced knees and hips) to the wind (literally), wrapped his silk napkin around his waist, and danced on the table until I cast him as Maid Marian. Ruben followed suit (or dress) by abandoning his hearing aide, defibrillator, and C-Pap, tucking his aging package into a girdle, and claiming his territory as drag queen Friar Tuck. Martin’s office assistant, antagonist, and best gal pal, Shayla Johnson (age indeterminant), claimed the role of Eleanor of Aquitaine, as Shayla said, “To show you queens how a real queen takes the stage.” My nemesis Detective Jose Manuello (55 going on 90) asked or rather begged me for the role of Little John. His wife, Ariella, agreed that “Little” John was the perfect role for him. She also designed our costumes, strapping me (literally) into my skintight black leather Sheriff of Nottingham suit, making me a ham in knots. Speaking of begging, Asterisk, our gray and white bearded collie (4), stood on his hind legs and juggled the chicken kiev main course for the role of Robin’s dog, Merry Stud. Asterisk’s husband, Tag (4), a cream-colored Yorkshire terrier, did the same with the flaming cherries for dessert, winning Tag the part of the sheriff’s dog, Tail-Wagger. Dazzling Count Choreo (32), Assistant Professor of Dance, became our choreographer and took on the role of dazzling Merry Man David of Doncaster. Bland Pierce Falsetto (30), Assistant Professor of Music, signed on as Musical Director and as the not so Merry Man Arthur-a-Bland. That left our theatre majors, whose parents wouldn’t let them come home for spring break, to take on the remaining roles and technical positions. City boy Bass Jazzy (20) won the merry part of Merry Man Gilbert Whitehead. His country boy classmate, Spin Vibrato (19), was cast as equally Merry Man Reynold Greenleaf, creating a rainbow of merriment. Sweet Melody Tempo (20) took on the role of Much the Miller’s Daughter. Try saying that three times fast while putting on glow-in-the-dark lipstick. Sassy Shinelle Jones (18) agreed to be our sassy stage manager. Amply filling out the tights of the chorus of Very Merry Men were senior theatre majors (20-21) Cadence Arpeggio, Tenor Harmony, Pas de Deux, and Adagio Arabesque, and graduate assistant Lyric Baritone (22). The bit roles and tech positions were decided upon a bit later. So here I am during tech week, also known as director-assisted suicide week, in the theatre wing—wishing I could fly away.

After typing more notes for the cast and crew than in the score of a Sondheim musical, I held my electronic tablet and throbbing head in my shaking hands. I felt a warm, comforting hand on my sweaty back.

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

“adventure, mystery, and romance with every page….Funny, clever, and sweet….I can’t find anything not to love about this series….This read had me laughing and falling in love….Nicky and Noah are my favorite gay couple.” Urban Book Reviews

“For fans of Joe Cosentino's hilarious mysteries, this is another vintage story with more cheeky asides and sub plots right left and centre….The story is fast paced, funny and sassy. The writing is very witty with lots of tongue-in-cheek humour….Highly recommended.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews

About the Author

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, Drama Oz, Drama Prince, Drama Merry; 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.