Picture a storyteller who turned cozy mysteries into deliciously thrilling adventures—meet Stephanie Cole, the pseudonym of Shelley Costa! This award-nominated mystery author weaves tales of gutsy amateur sleuths and tight-knit family dynamics, earning her a cherished spot in the hearts of crime fiction fans. With a knack for blending humor, suspense, and heart, Cole/Costa’s stories are as captivating as a candlelit Italian dinner.
From her Edgar and Agatha Award-nominated works to her role as a creative writing professor, Cole/Costa’s journey is a testament to perseverance and passion. Let’s dive into the life and legacy of this mystery maestro whose pen crafts worlds where every clue counts.
The Making of Stephanie Cole / Shelley Costa
Raised as an only child in Garwood, New Jersey, Shelley Costa found solace in storytelling, penning tales in her room while devouring Nancy Drew novels. Summers spent at a Delaware River cabin with her thespian parents sparked her love for drama and suspense. After graduating from Rutgers, she worked in publishing before earning a Ph.D. in English from Case Western Reserve University, focusing on the nature of suspense. Despite early skepticism from college professors, her stubborn determination fueled her path to becoming a mystery writer.
Costa’s career began with literary short stories, but her heart belonged to mysteries. Her first mystery story, written at age ten, hinted at the genre’s lifelong pull. This blend of academic rigor and childhood imagination shaped her distinctive voice, leading to her debut novel under the Stephanie Cole pseudonym.
Stephanie Cole / Shelley Costa’s Unforgettable Stories
As Stephanie Cole, she launched the Tuscan Cooking School Mystery series with Al Dente’s Inferno (2020), where American chef Nell Valenti navigates murder and culinary secrets in a crumbling Tuscan villa. Its sequels, Crime of the Ancient Marinara (2021) and Evil Under the Tuscan Sun (2022), blend Tuscan charm with clever sleuthing, earning praise for vivid settings and witty prose.
Writing as Shelley Costa, she penned the Miracolo Mystery series, starting with You Cannoli Die Once (2013), an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. This series follows chef Eve Angelotta solving crimes in her family’s Philadelphia Italian restaurant, infused with humor and heart. The Val Cameron series, beginning with Practical Sins for Cold Climates (2016), features a New York editor tackling murder in the Canadian Northwoods, showcasing Costa’s knack for placing sleuths outside their comfort zones.
Her short stories, published in outlets like Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and The World’s Finest Mystery and Crime Stories, reflect her versatility, while non-fiction works like The Everything Guide to Edgar Allan Poe highlight her scholarly side. Costa’s style—marked by richly drawn characters, complex plots, and a dash of humor—draws comparisons to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, making her mysteries both comforting and exotic.
Why Stephanie Cole / Shelley Costa Matters
Stephanie Cole / Shelley Costa’s impact lies in her ability to craft relatable, courageous sleuths who tackle mysteries with wit and heart. Her novels celebrate family, resilience, and the thrill of discovery, resonating with readers who crave cozy mysteries with depth. As a co-founder of the Northeast Ohio chapter of Sisters in Crime, she’s nurtured a community of mystery writers, amplifying the genre’s reach.
Her work as a professor at the Cleveland Institute of Art, teaching creative writing and screenwriting, inspires the next generation of storytellers. By blending academic insight with accessible storytelling, Cole/Costa bridges literary and genre fiction, proving mysteries can be both fun and profound. Her nominations for prestigious awards underscore her influence in a competitive field.
- Born: Garwood, New Jersey
- Key Works: Al Dente’s Inferno, You Cannoli Die Once, Practical Sins for Cold Climates
- Awards: Edgar and Agatha Award nominee
- Hobbies: Violin lessons, art history, yoga
Ready to savor a mystery as delightful as a Tuscan feast? Snag Al Dente’s Inferno and dive into Stephanie Cole / Shelley Costa’s thrilling world of cozy crime!