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DIET OF  Death

A reluctant food columnist mystery

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Betty Ann Green is the Oprah of the cooking world. No wonder cookbook authors, celebrity chefs, and weight-loss experts alike would kill for a mention in the “Cooking with Betty” column in On Topic Magazine. Diet Guru, Dr. Alan Tolzer, is no exception. 

 

He craves the chance for instant success for his latest Westport Diet Book with an interview by the columnist. It’s enough to make him swallow his pride and try to patch up his long-standing feud with the reclusive Betty. 

 

No surprise there. 

 

Everyone sells their soul in one way or another in the cooking industry. But murder is on the menu when Betty’s assistant, Quincy Lazzaro, arrives for the interview. Quincy becomes entangled and his complicated relationships with both Betty and investigating police sergeant Nina Estevez is nothing less than a recipe for disaster. Bringing the murderer to justice without exposing the secret to Betty’s success proves to be more difficult than a fad diet. 

When It's Time for Leaving

Agatha Award Nominated! Read about it here!

Al DeSantis is ready to get out of Connecticut. Suffering a recent breakup and a gnarly car crash which invokes in him a phobia of bridges, Al sets his sights on Los Angeles, only to have his plans foiled by his estranged father, Big Al, who is passing on the Blue Palmetto Detective Agency in Savannah, Ga., to his son. Begrudgingly, Al finds himself in the South and wrapped up in investigating a dead body found on the agency dock—a murder case that quickly becomes anything but straightforward.

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With an engaging cast of characters, fast-paced dialogue, and an intricate mystery plot that will keep readers guessing, Ang Pompano’s novel is as gripping as a cinematic car chase and as unexpected as a fully-loaded gun. For those who crave a page-turning journey about family and bravery, When It’s Time for Leaving constructs a bridge that readers will be eager to cross.                                                                  –Sara McCrea, News @ Wesleyan

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Ang Pompano CAS ’95 has been writing mystery for more than 20 years. When It’s Time for Leaving, his debut novel, was launched at the Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore in October. It was nominated for a Best First Novel Agatha Award.

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 Praise for When It's Time for Leaving

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"Solid, spare and completely terrific. And though the talented Ang Pompano may wince at this--it's absolutely charming. With an authentic knowing voice and a confident hand, Pompano honors Robert B. Parker's legacy of wry, laconic PI's--smart and engaging detectives with history, honor and heart."

 Hank Phillippi Ryan  Nationally bestselling author of THE MURDER LIST  

 

Ang Pompano’s debut novel, WHEN IT’S TME FOR LEAVING, is a corker. Thoroughly likeable former cop, Al DeSantis, wants to get out of the crime business but inherits one that, fortunately for readers, won’t let him go.

Hallie Ephron, New York Times bestselling author CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

 

Crime fiction has boasted some famous fathers and sons, from Inspector Richard Queen and his son Ellery to Jim Rockford and his dad Rocky. Add to that list the unforgettable duo of Al DeSantis and Big Al—building on that tradition but with some provocative twists. Ang Pompano’s first novel proves tough-minded and warm-hearted in equal measure. A fine, multi-layered debut.

Art Taylor, winner of the Edgar, Anthony, Agatha, Macavity, and Derringer Awards

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Author Ang Pompano serves up the PI for the double 20s. Al DeSantis is a classic, damaged gumshoe but with a youthful energy that pulls you through the pages.

Barbara Ross, author of the Maine Clambake Mysteries and winner 2019 Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction

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Retired police officer Al DeSantis has his plans to flee New Haven for LA sidelined when he discovers he has inherited the Blue Palmetto Detective Agency in Georgia—and his demented father along with it. In When It’s Time for Leaving, debut mystery author Ang Pompano has created the most unusual and appealing duo of detectives since Holmes and Watson.

Lucy Burdette, national bestselling author of A DEADLY FEAST

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In a series of side-splitting scenes reminiscent of Donald Westlake at his best, Al and his dad become partners in trying to stay alive.

Kingdom Books, Mysteries - Reviews 

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A really good and surprising mystery. The characters are great and feel like friends. I loved the snarky humor. I will definitely read more by this author.

Leah H, NetGalley Reviewer

Also by Ang Pompano

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