Customer Reviews

A Habit for Death (The Nicky D'Amico Mysteries)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nicky D'Amico is a dynamic witty character that you can't help but fall in love with as he struggles with his love life and the mysterious death of a nun.

Zito has written a fun and exciting murder mystery with three-dimensional characters and just the right amount of suspense!

Nicky D'Amico is a twentysomething gay man from New York City, who decides to put some distance between him and a failed relationship by accepting a summer job as stage manager for a small theatre company at a Catholic college in a Pennsylvania small town. The play, "Convent of Fear", is about a week from opening, and everything seems to be coming along well. Personally, Nicky is enjoying the sabatical from the craziness of Manhattan, and sees some potential in a cute chorus member who seems to return his interest in him.

It all starts to go downhill, when his two best friends from the city, constantly-bickering couple Pablo and Roger, arrive for a surprise visit, just in time to see one of the actors (a real nun who is playing a nun in the show) have a seizure and die on stage ... for real. When an autopsy reveals bug poison was the cause of death, and it seems impossible that it could have been an accident, everyone is left to wonder who would want a nun dead? Complicated by the complex personal relationships of the various actors and crew members (all of whom seem to be related to each other, or have dated each other at some point in this small town), protests from a local group that the play constitutes "blasphemy" against Catholics, a mysterious figure in yellow raincoat who runs down nuns with a bicycle, a crew member who eloped with a nun, and a second murder right before opening night, all amid constant one-liners by his visitors all conspire to bring Nicky close to his breaking point.

This is the first novel from author Chuck Zito, who is already working on a second in the series. I think he may have a winner here, in this unconventional crime-solving team of NYC gay men, all very likeable, realistic and colorful characters with intelligence and distinctive personalties. The secondary characters in this book are also unique for a mystery, as they all seem to be shady, self-centered characters, making it tough to eliminate any of them as potential suspects. The resolution was a surprise to me, and I definitely enjoyed and would recommend the book for fans of gay mysteries. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Not that I'm a literary critic, but I do enjoy a good book, and this is one I'll definitely share with friends and other readers. I almost missed work so that I could keep reading this fun, smart mystery! I can honestly say, "I couldn't put it down."

The book tumbles along at a wonderfully fast pace, with characters that are believable, yet surprising. This maybe Zito's strength. Each character is so full, with foibles and fun, that you are constantly delighted by what they say and do. You almost feel as though they are like your friends, only a little smarter and much wittier.

Zito is a gifted writer, with a real sense of style. This would be a perfect read for a book club. Lots to talk about, and a joy to share.

Chuck Zito is a theater professional with a lifetime of experience who graduated from Carnegie Mellon University. He presently lives in New York City. A HABIT FOR DEATH is his debut mystery, with more Nicky D'Amico mysteries in the offing.

Nicky D'Amico thought a summer job in theater at St. Gilbert's College in rural Pennsylvania would be a great escape from the heat of Manhattan and the craziness of New York. He is hired as a stage manager for an awful script, Convent of Fear. As if that isn't bad enough, the cast is constantly fighting, and Nicky soon discovers that in this small town they are almost all related. When one of the stars of the show, Sister Sally, dies on stage of bizarre causes even as the protesters outside continue their Twilight Zone activities, it seems that only the visage of David Scott, Nicky's fantasy come true, could save the day. Two of Nicky's friends from New York, Paolo and Roger, arrive in the midst of their lover's spat to spice things up even further:

"'This is the worst caesar salad I've ever had,' Roger said.
'Who orders caesar at a family restaurant in backwater Pennsylvania?' Paolo snapped. Then, to David, 'Nothing personal, of course. Lovely place. Really.'
'Oh, you didn't offend me. I can't wait to leave. I'm off to New York myself when the summer is over.'
'Really?' I said.
'Yup. You know, Nicky, we should make sure and exchange--'"

Zito scores big time with this impressive first effort. The story is well plotted, blocked, and the characters are absolutely hilarious. Chuck Zito's intimate knowledge of the theater creates the perfect backdrop for this zany story. There are so many subplots that the reader is kept laughing almost nonstop. A HABIT FOR HEATH is wonderfully thought out, and the reader is immediately drawn to Nicky's plight. The dreadful play implodes, there is more murder and mayhem, and Nicky's fantasy continues to elude him and us. An excellent first effort!

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

Chuck Zito's first effort bodes well for lovers of light mystery. Funny, charming, and with witty characters, the story revolves around the murder of a nun during a Summer music festival.

Zito's main character, Stage Manager and amateur detective Nicky D'amico is at once funny and sympathetic. Joined by his two friends Paolo and Roger, the trio undertake the task of unravelling the mystery that takes place during a horrid production of a horrid musical at a small college.

Full of laugh out loud moments, the tale contains just enough "inside jokes" that Gay and Lesbian theatre lovers will find themselves thoroughly at home.

This makes a wonderful Summer beach read. (In fact Zito suggests that in his opening.) I can't wait for more from Zito and to find out what Nicky is up to next.

I chose this book because I was looking for a good gay mystery series and it sounded entertaining. Unfortunately,the plot and characters are extremely trite and one-dimensional. How tiresome it is to use gay characters for comic relief.

Although it bills itself as funny, I didn't crack a smile or laugh once during the whole book. All in all, it was not very well written and I do NOT look forward to his future work. I was left counting the pages until the ending.

I chose this title because it was a gay mystery. It is more Backstage 101 than, gay, or a mystery. The character, Nicky, is quite charming and funny, but the murder seems to be third in the list of priorities.

Laugh-out-loud humor, that description fits this book perfectly. Nicky's hilarious inner monologue, whacked characters and Paolo's very unique wisdom that he loves to share with Nicky - and with everybody in the vicinity - make this book a keeper. The case was quite interesting and I loved the little sneak-peek into the background of a theater production, with Nicky as the only sane person around. The poor, poor thing. Very funny! The author's style reminds me a lot of Steve Kluger's.

When New Yorker Nicky D'Amico is hired to be the stage manager for the St. Gilbert's College summer theater festival in the small town of Huber's Landing, he expected it to be a pleasant break from The City. But when one of St. Gilbert's nuns is murdered during a rehearsal of Covenant of Fear, Nicky is thrown headfirst into the dark secrets and deep personal entanglements of small town living.

Chuck Zito's first novel in the Nicky D'Amico mystery series is charming, funny and very well written. Zito has a gift for surrounding his protagonist with colorful characters. Nicky's New York friends, battling couple Paolo and Rodger, are worth the price of the book alone. Zito's dialogue is sophisticated and witty and this reader can't wait for the second in the series, Ice in His Veins.

This was one of the most fun books I've read in a long time. Characters were interesting and quirky, and I didn't know who "did it" until it was revealed. I had my suspicions, but no solid conclusions. It was so enjoyable, I gave copies to my 4 best friends as a gift. I'm looking forward to the next adventures of Nicky D'Amico. Hurry up and write, Zito!