My son Jory and I had a great time collaborating on this book. I wrote the mysteries and he provided the recipes. Together we created some murderous titles for the recipes and decided which types of food would best fit the various mystery stories.
Some of my stories were influenced by being a gangster’s daughter.
Really. My father was a gangster.
He was a bookie, owned a gambling ‘place’ and when he was ready to move on, he and his partner opened a restaurant and bar at the heart of Main Street in Buffalo, New York.
The book is a series of short mysteries all taking place in a restaurant called Manhattan Shadow. The character, Zero the Bookie is fashioned after my father. He also appears in my Senior Sleuths Mystery Series along with Dick and Dora Zimmerman, reminiscent of the Thin Man characters.
Level Best Books, our publisher, suggested putting the recipes before each story.
And so we did, with titles such as: “Chicken Piccata Caper,” “The Sacrificial Lamb,” “The Quiche (Kiss) of Death.” Near the end we added, “A Deadly Delicious Dessert.” Donuts!

Targeted Age Group:: All adults

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
My love of writing, especially mysteries and my sons love of cooking inspired us to work together to write this unique and fun book.
These are some of Jory’s thoughts concerning his love of cooking: “Some of my earliest memories about my grandfather includes making donuts with him. I remember his kindness, patience, and love for the process as well as the end result. It gave me a lifetime passion for cooking. It did, of course, also have the effect of creating a lifetime love affair with donuts (come on, they are nature’s perfect food). I have three kids (2 girls, 9 and 7, and a boy 3): my grandfather would have adored them. What I cook allows my children to get know my grandfather, and for him to live on through every bite of the cuisine he created. I hope these recipes inspire good memories and experiences in others, too.”
As for me, when I considered mysteries stories for the book I thought about places familiar to me.
The story “He’s A Dead Duck,” was a reminder of a duck pond we lived near on Long Island, years ago. I loved the idea of creating a story beginning with a duck recipe.
“The Chicken Piccata Caper” was the easiest. It reminds me of family. I always ask Jory to make his delicious recipe for me when I visit his family.

[Read more…] about The Gourmet Gangster: Mysteries & Menus by The Family by Marcia Rosen & Jory Rosen