Picture a Minnesota-born storyteller who spins mysteries with a sprinkle of humor and a dash of magic—meet Gina LaManna! A USA Today bestselling author, LaManna has charmed readers with her cozy and supernatural mystery series, crafting tales that feel like a warm cappuccino on a chilly St. Paul evening. From her beachside home, she weaves stories that blend witty characters, intricate plots, and a touch of whimsy, making her a standout in contemporary mystery fiction.
The Making of Gina LaManna
Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Gina LaManna’s journey to authorship was anything but conventional. After graduating from St. Catherine’s University with a degree in actuarial science and mathematics, she realized numbers weren’t her calling. Ditching equations for storytelling, she moved to Italy and Los Angeles before settling near the beach. Her diverse experiences, from sipping cappuccinos abroad to navigating big-city life, infuse her writing with authenticity and a playful charm that resonates with readers worldwide.
Gina LaManna’s Unforgettable Stories
LaManna’s bibliography is a treasure trove of mystery, spanning cozy, romantic, and supernatural genres. Her Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries, starting with Sprinkled (2014), follows a klutzy heroine navigating mob life with humor and heart, earning comparisons to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. The Magic & Mixology Mystery series, beginning with Hex on the Beach (2016), dives into a magical island where witches and mixologists solve crimes, blending fantasy with cozy vibes. Pretty Guilty Women (2019), a standalone thriller, showcases her versatility, unraveling a wedding-turned-murder with sharp twists. The Detective Kate Rosetti Mystery series, kicking off with Shoot the Breeze (2020), features a sharp-witted detective tackling serial killers in St. Paul, grounded in LaManna’s Minnesota roots.
Her writing style is a delightful cocktail of humor, suspense, and relatability. LaManna crafts heroines who are flawed yet fiercely determined, from burlesque dancers to pizza-parlor owners. Her plots balance lighthearted banter with gripping stakes, making her books perfect for readers who crave both laughs and thrills. Themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery weave through her stories, reflecting her own journey of finding her place in the world.
Why Gina LaManna Matters
Gina LaManna has carved a niche in the mystery genre by blending accessibility with originality. Her ability to juggle multiple series—13 in total, with over 50 books—demonstrates a work ethic as impressive as her imagination. Fans adore her for creating worlds where magic feels real and heroines feel like friends. By writing under her own name and the pen name Libby LaManna for children’s books like Mini Pie the Spy!, she inspires aspiring authors to embrace versatility. Her impact lies in her knack for turning everyday settings into extraordinary adventures, inviting readers to escape and sleuth along.
- Born in St. Paul, Minnesota
- Key works: Pretty Guilty Women, Hex on the Beach, Shoot the Breeze, Sprinkled
- Genres: Cozy mystery, supernatural mystery, romantic suspense, thriller
- Pen name: Libby LaManna for children’s books
About Gina LaManna
Ready to dive into a world of wit, mystery, and magic? Grab Hex on the Beach or Sprinkled and let Gina LaManna’s storytelling sweep you away!