THE MAIN CHARACTERS AND SETTING
Izzie Di Sante left small town Pinewood, MD for college in New York City. The daughter of parents who owned and managed a restaurant, Izzie got a degree in business administration. Only her passion was in following crime and she minored in journalism. With the help of a mentor and friend, she wrote stories covering the investigation of murders. That stopped when her mother became ill and died, and as her father also passed, she promised to keep the family restaurant, Cenare, going and help her younger sister, Chloe, to pursue culinary arts. As the series starts, she's in her late 20's, a high school romance rekindled, and co-owner/manager of the Italian restaurant.
Chloe Di Sante, the younger sister, continued to work at Cenare as she completed her culinary arts program. She's in charge of the menu and most of the food preparation, often working twelve hour days, with no life outside of the restaurant. As the series starts, Izzie and Chloe have added a part-time intern so Chloe can work less hours. That doesn't stop her from creating new dishes in her off hours.
REAWAKENING THE ITCH : Prequel
In this charming and suspenseful prequel to the Izzie Di Sante Mysteries, Izzie must navigate her high school sweetheart, cryptic clues, simmering secrets, and too many coincidences—all while keeping the lasagna hot and the espresso flowing. Perfect for fans of small-town whodunits with heart, humor, and a dash of romance.
Mangia before reading—you may experience cravings for Italian food.
"I enjoyed this prequeel to the soon-to-be released first book in the series, 'The Itch for Justice'. The author does an excellent job of setting the scene, developing characters that are easy to care about, and creating a plot that held my interest all the way through." Reader Review
"I love Izzie and Chloe, their talents and their closeness as sisters running their late parents' restaurant. These are smart, interesting characters. This well-written book held my interest from the beginning. There were a couple of surprises along the way and a very satisfying conclusion." Reader Review
Once Izzie gets the taste of following murders again, not only are concessions made to give Chloe time for a social life but time is also carved out for Izzie to pursue stories. Izzie re-activates all the programs and catches a homicide in another small town, not far away.
AN ITCH FOR JUSTICE
While Chloe is spicing things up in the kitchen, Izzie's focus is on the stalled Scanlon murder investigation.
Nothing adds up in Izzie’s mind and the detective in charge let her know he's been told not to ask too many questions as the family is powerful. That only spurs her determination to delve deeper.
While doing her best to balance her search for justice there are some snags at the restaurant. Izzie’s adding security, fearful her digging for information has placed the business at risk.
Enjoy this cozy mystery as the family restaurant provides an appetizing menu and Izzie serves up justice in this first in a new series.
"Christa Nardi introduces what promises to be an engaging detective series with this murder mystery reminiscent of the Agatha Rasin stories." Reader Review
THE ITCH OF MURDER
To start with, no one could provide an explanation for the investment analyst to be on the demolition site late at night. There was no obvious link between him and the demolition or the new Elite Townhomes to be built there. So what prompted him to be there?
In the midst of planning the Easter buffet, Izzie takes time to talk to the people he works with as well as Corcoran’s family. Henry accompanies her at times and their relationship builds. But as she uncovers secrets behind the luxury housing development, a vanishing coworker, and a string of suspicious incidents, it’s clear someone doesn’t want her asking questions. Izzie’s searching for answers.
Enjoy this cozy mystery with just the right mix of small town vibes, mystery, action, and a slice of humor and romance.
"I enjoy this series. The author writes "clean" mysteries but in a good way - the violences mostly occurs offscreen, and you know the characters are having adult relationships (giving the story depth and making it seem more real) but you don't have to wade through excessive detail to figure that out. I like the relationship between Izzie and her retired cop/Uber driver boyfriend." Reader Review
"This well written mystery held my attention as I raced to find out 'whodunit!' I lover the real feel of Chloe, the restaurant staff, and the retired cop/PI/Uber driver boyfriend. These people are family and stick up for each other. I am always eager for the next book in any of Ms. Nardi's series." Reader Review
THE ITCH FOR DANGER
A young woman's life taken and all clues obscured by the storms
Izzie Di Sante, a reluctant restaurateur with a passion for cold cases, loves a challenge but not so many on the menu at once. With sudden personnel changes, she’s juggling the staff schedule for the family-owned Italian restaurant at the same time she’s itching to chase down this new cold case.
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Reluctant restaurant owner, Izzie Di Santa isn't a foodie like her sister, Chloe. She's more interested in the stories behind murders and the victims.
She discovers behind the scenes shenanigans as she searches for clues to the young woman’s death but not all the secrets. The case takes unexpected turns and danger to Izzie and the victim’s sister increases with each new twist. Just when Izzie thinks she’s got everything under control, yet another surprise pops up! She needs to figure out the killer’s recipe for murder and soon before she becomes the next victim.
A suspense-filled cozy mystery with unexpected twists and turns, along with humor and romance.
"Izzie really has her hands full. Anything that could possibly happen happens with the restaurant ad the employees does. Luckily she is able to somehow get through. Then she gets involved in investigating a missing girl. Talk about burning the candle at both ends. ... Lots of action! It is a fast read and will keep you reading until the end." Reader Review
"Another complicated investigation into a cold case, uproar at the restaurant, and budding relationships make this new Izzie Di Sante novel riveting. I love the characters and get sucked into the murder investigation. Get this new installment today and enjoy." Reader Review
Author Note: I was motivated to write this one by a cousin's death when I was 18. She and my uncle had a fight and she left the house. Her body washed ashore and was found the next day. We'll never know who killed her. It's still an open cold case 50+ years later.
THE ITCH OF SCANDAL
When her uncle calls her about a murder, Izzie Di Sante is intrigued by cryptic quotes and puzzling circumstances.
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Her uncle, a retired small town cop, knows this. When he calls Izzie about a recent murder of an English professor, she’s intrigued by the cryptic quotes mailed to the victim and puzzling circumstances.
Izzie delves deeper into the investigation, all the while juggling her responsibilities at the family restaurant.
Amid the pre-Christmas chaos, a friend's urgent plea for help places one more challenge on Izzie’s already overflowing plate.
The victim's home has been broken into twice, with no apparent motive or theft, and the grieving widow fears she will be next. Only the widow isn’t talking. Izzie’s sleuthing uncovers a tapestry of secrets with questionable undercurrents. She must be getting too close as now she’s a target.
Like all cozy mysteries, readers can expect the small town vibe, close-knit relationships, mystery, secrets, surprises, and a bit of romance.
"I felt that this mystery was excellent and I had a hard time figuring out 'who did the killing and why.' The climaz to the restaurant changes was also surprising. Christa Nardi is definitely writing a fantastic cozy... This is a definite TBR book." Reader Review
"As someone with decades of experience as a college faculty, I totally enjoyed this mystery where the victim is a small college faculty member. A well-loved prof is committed to his teaching and service. Without revealing the solution, I found the story very believable, and the charm and appeal of the characters mean I will be back to read the next book in the series." Reader Review
. AN ITCH OF SECRECY
Izzie Di Sante is a reluctant restaurant owner who pines for her short stint years before reporting on murder victims and their families. She’s pulled into the murder of Carson J. Keltce’s murder when her best friend calls sobbing. Though she’s already juggling too much, Izzie can’t ignore Nicole’s plea for help. Nicole lived with CJ and the police have her pegged as a person of interest.
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Known for his immense wealth and his impact on private healthcare services, Keltce’s murder had ripple effects from the small town of Blanton to Baltimore and beyond. On a personal level few people knew of Nicole’s and his relationship. He kept their relationship secret and the details of his business transactions secret from her.
Even though the restaurant is crazy with the Christmas holidays and her sister Chloe's upcoming wedding, Izzie makes time to look into Keltce’s murder.
Her questions ruffle someone's feathers. With each revelation, the danger intensifies, and Izzie must stay sharp to navigate the perilous path ahead and uncover the secrets that led to Keltce’s tragic end.
Unexpected twists and turns, at the restaurant and with Izzie’s sleuthing make this well plotted mystery a delightful way to spend the evening. Experience the joy and warmth of the holiday season along with small town vibes, family and friendships, suspense, humor, and romance.
"I like Izzie as she always seems to be juggling so many balls in the air, and yet, she manages to pursue her passion for investigative journalism. I admire her strength and courage. I like Izzie's relationship with both her sister and her boyfriend as she takes care of them and is supportive of their pursuits." Reader Review
"An Itch of Secrecy is an engaging, cozy mystery. ... Despite her life being crazy busy with the restaurant, Christmas holidays, and Chloe's wedding, Izzie still investigates. ... I love to see how Izzie balances her boyfriend Henry, work, family life and murder. This ver interesting plot kept me reading far too late at night." Reader Review
COMING SOON
THE ITCH OF GREED
It’s baseball season in Rosedale, MD, only pitcher rivalries lead to murder.
When a friend asks for help, reluctant restaurant owner Izzie Di Sante must learn the ins and outs of baseball fast. The friend's brother, Cole Rigley, has been arrested for the murder of rival pitcher Randy Kampton, and the DA points to the fierce competition for a major league trade as motive. Adding fuel to the fire, Kampton stole Rigley’s girlfriend months earlier.
While Kampton’s pitching skills are universally acknowledged, no one, not fans or teammates, has a kind word to say about him, making for a long list of suspects. Rigley, on the other hand, is respected for his talent and team spirit. The wild card is another pitcher recovering from a car accident, whose open roster spot has all three men vying for the same prize.
In Rosedale, loyalty to the minor league team runs deep, and Izzie’s digging into the players’ pasts draws resentment from fans, police, and management alike. When the team’s PR person is targeted after meeting with her, the threats become all too real. The closer Izzie gets to uncovering the truth, on and off the field, the higher the stakes, and the more dangerous the game becomes.
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