A Habit for Death: A Nicky D'amico Mystery [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Chuck Zito (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2007

Escaping the heat and heartbreak of New York City for a summer in rural Pennsylvania sounded like the perfect plan to Nicky D'Amico. Little did he know that what began as a heavenly idea would turn out to be a hell of a job!Each year the nuns of rural St. Gilbert's College hire a city slicker to help with their summer theater festival. As the stage manager, Nicky has a lot to handle--a truly awful musical script, bickering school staff, a huge crush on the cute guy in the chorus but things are about to get a whole lot worse. Convent of Fear, the school's play, features a serial nun killer. When several cast members are murdered, the mystery moves from the stage to real life. With its suspenseful plot, loveable characters, and laugh-out-loud humor, A Habit for Death is one habit you won't want to break.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Zito's first novel rings with the authenticity of someone writing about what he loves--in this case, the theater. Zito's funny and lovable protagonist, Nicky D'Amico, is sure to be a favorite, especially of those who have had any connection to summer theatrical festivals. Nicky gives up his hip New York lifestyle to spend the summer working as a stage manager in rural Pennsylvania. If that weren't culture shock enough, he's working at a Catholic college run by nuns who probably wouldn't be thrilled to learn about his lusting after David, a hottie in the chorus. That's a moot point, however, as complications with the production of Convent of Fear, a musical about a serial nun killer, take up every minute of Nicky's free time. First, Sister Sally, an actress in the show, dies a violent death during rehearsal. Then a strange man starts running down nuns on his bicycle, prompting Nicky to turn sleuth. "Helping" him are Paolo and Roger, a gay couple from New York whose constant bickering makes Nicky crazy. Let's hope this laugh-out-loud romp is a preview of coming attractions. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

The panache of theater director Zito’s debut augurs well for a lively series. -- Kirkus --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 409 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (January 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786291427
• ISBN-13: 978-0786291427
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,947,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, located in the mountains of Western Pennsylvania. First stop after Johnstown was Penn State University, State College, PA. I had a great time at Penn State, but only spent two years there before heading off to Carnegie-Mellon's Drama Department (Pittsburgh PA). After receiving my BFA in Theater, I moved to NYC. I've spent most of my adult life in and around theaters ' which is to say, sitting in dimly lit auditoriums with strange and often interesting people. Along the way, I served as Artistic Director of The Spectrum Stage Company; wrote for America Online (a weekly humor column 'A New York Minute,' featuring the dazed adventures of Mo and his cross-dressing shrink, Ansel); and, most recently, spending four years in San Diego as the Executive Director of the Diversionary Theater. These days I'm back home in NYC.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what a mystery novel should be!, March 23, 2006

By 

Avida Reader (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Habit for Death (The Nicky D'Amico Mysteries) (Paperback)

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!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Promising debut novel from new gay mystery author, May 25, 2006

By 

Bob Lind "camelwest" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: A Habit for Death (The Nicky D'Amico Mysteries) (Paperback)

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.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Put it Down!, March 20, 2006

By 

San Diego Mom (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Habit for Death (The Nicky D'Amico Mysteries) (Paperback)

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.