An Interview with Noah Oliver from Joe Cosentino’s Drama Pan
Noah, you are the gay Watson!
Next to (or underneath) the gay Holmes.
Congratulations on the release of the twelfth novel in your award-winning and popular Nicky and Noah gay cozy comedy mystery series.
Thank you. We’re cheaper by the dozen.
Since the readers can’t see you, tell them what you look like.
Nicky says I’m tall, with silky golden blond hair, true-blue eyes, milk and honey skin, and a body he loves to hold all night long. Nicky is tall with dark hair and sexy long sideburns, a cleft chin I love to kiss, Roman nose, emerald eyes, and a muscular body thanks to the gym on campus (he calls a masochists’ market). And Nicky has a huge heart. Oh, another of his organs is huge. And that’s just fine with me.
What makes the Nicky and Noah mystery series so special?
Nicky and me! Actually, it’s a gay cozy mystery comedy series, meaning the setting is warm and cozy, the clues and murders (and laughs) come fast and furious, and there are enough plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning, as Nicky would say, “faster than a conservative politician taking away workers’ rights.” At the center is the touching relationship between Nicky and me. You watch us go from courting to marrying to adopting a child, all the while head over heels in love with each other. Reviewers called the series “hysterically funny farce,” “Murder She Wrote meets Hart to Hart meets The Hardy Boys,” and “captivating whodunits.” One reviewer wrote they are the funniest books she’s ever read! Another said Joe is “a master storyteller.” Who am I to argue? Even though Nicky and I tell Joe everything to write.
How are the novels cozy?
Many of them take place in Vermont, a cozy state with green pastures, white church steeples, glowing lakes, and friendly and accepting people. Fictitious Treemeadow College (named after its gay founders, couple Tree and Meadow) is the perfect setting for a cozy mystery with its white Edwardian buildings, low white stone fences, lake and mountain views, and cherry wood offices with tall leather chairs and fireplaces.
Why do you think there aren’t many other gay cozy mystery series out there?
Most MM novels are erotica, young adult, dark thrillers, or supernatural. While that’s fine, I think we’re missing a whole spectrum of fiction. In the case of the Nicky and Noah mysteries, they include romance, humor, mystery, adventure, and quaint and loveable characters in uncanny situations. The settings are warm and cozy with lots of hot cocoa by the fireplace. The clues and red herrings are there for the perfect whodunit. So are the plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning over as Nicky would say, “like an anti-gay politician in the back room of a gay bar during a power outage.” No matter what is thrown in our path, Nicky always end up on top. And that’s just fine with me.
Tell us about Drama Pan, the twelfth novel in your popular, award-winning series.
Drama Pan, centers around our group producing Martin’s uproarious musical adaptation of Peter Pan called Every Fairy Needs a Big Hook! Enter the belligerent Couture family of avant-garde technical designers as guest artists. In no time the Coutures are hung out to dry by a mass murderer. For the twelfth time Nicky and I use our drama skills, including playing outrageous characters, to catch the killer before we get thrown to the crocodiles.
As usual, calamity ensues.
Not only Nicky’s pants are full. Nicky has his hook full as technical dress rehearsals for the show get off to a start more rocky than Captain Hook’s boat, and Taavi and Ty fall unrequitedly in love with the same person.
Who are the new characters in book twelve?
Graduate assistant and technical director Jax Jun insists the play violates his “religious freedom.” Santino Thirio, senior theatre major and stage manager, pumps his muscles while pumping others to invest in his dream to become a producer. Twink Tripp Taleb, the sophomore theatre major playing Tinker Bell, has his fairy dust aimed at Santino. Oscar Romero, tall and brawny sophomore theatre major with the loud singing voice playing the Merman, has his fins in the water over Tripp. All of the actors are exasperated over the avant-garde technical aspects of the show, none more than Tiara Moore, junior theatre major playing Wendy.
Who was your favorite new character?
Adorable Tripp Taleb, wearing a jockstrap and fairy dust glitter as Tinker Bell. His big number in the show is “Tink the Twink.” Tripp starts out on the wrong path but finding his true really does conquer all.
Which new character do you like the least?
Lighting designer Antoine Couture who tries to trap Tripp’s Tinker Bell and take his fairy dust.
Which new character is the sexiest?
Oscar Romero, our nearly seven-foot-tall Merman in a g-string and fins. His heart is as big as his fins.
For anyone unfortunate enough not to have read them, tell us the titles of the first eleven novels in the series.
Drama Queen (Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite LGBT Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Novel of the Year), Drama Muscle (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Dance (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, and Drama Christmas.
What do you like about the regular characters in the series?
I love Nicky’s never give up attitude and sense of humor in the face of adversity. He’s genuinely concerned for others, and he’ll do anything to solve a murder mystery. He’s also a one-man man, and I’m proud to admit that man is me. I make the perfect Watson to his Holmes. I’ll admit I have a large heart and a soft spot (no pun intended) for others. I also enjoy using improvisation to create the wild and wonderful characters for our role plays to catch the murderer. I think it’s terrific how Martin and Ruben throw riotous zingers at each other, but they’re so much in love. You don’t see a lot of older gay characters in books nowadays. Of course Martin’s administrative assistant, Shayla, thrives on her one-upmanship with Martin, and he thrives right back. Our sons Taavi and Ty fit perfectly into our world of thespian crime-solving.
How about your parents?
I get a kick out of my mother’s fixation with taking pictures of everything, and my father’s fascination with seeing movies. I also love how my father is an amateur sleuth like Nicky. As they say, men marry their fathers. Nicky’s parents’ goal to feed everyone and protect their children is heartwarming. His mom’s gambling addiction is also a riot. Both sets of parents fully embrace their sons and their sons’ family, which is refreshing.
I’m sure Joe has been told that the books would make a terrific TV series.
Many many times. Rather than Logo showing reruns of Golden Girls around the clock, and Bravo airing so called reality shows, I would love to see them do The Nicky and Noah Mysteries. Come on, TV producers, make your offers! Joe has written a teleplay of the first novel and treatments for the remaining novels!
How can your readers get their hands on Drama Pan, and how can they contact you?
The purchase links are below, as are Joe’s contact links, including his web site. Nicky and I love to hear from readers via Joe! He tells us everything you say about us!
Thank you, Noah, for interviewing today.
My pleasure. I know you’ll laugh, cry, feel romantic, and love delving into this crackling new mystery with an ending that will shock you more than (as Nicky would say) “a priest passing on an altar boy in the confessional.”
We’re so excited to share our twelfth novel in the series with you. So take your seats and throw the fairy dust. The stage lights are coming up in Never Land on a lad who won’t grow up without Viagra, a pirate with a huge hook, a twink called Tink, a Lily who’s a tiger, a Merman perplexed at what’s between his legs, and murder!
It’s spring break at Treemeadow College, and Theatre professors and spouses Nicky Abbondanza and Noah Oliver, their best friends Martin and Ruben, and their sons Taavi and Ty are sprinkling on the fairy dust in an original musical extravaganza of Peter Panentitled Every Fairy Needs a Big Hook! Pirates shout more than “Yo, ho!” when a family of visiting technical designers, the Coutures, drop like yesterday’s fashions. Once again, our favorite thespians will need to use their drama skills to catch the killer before they get the hook. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining twelfth novel in this delightful series. So take your seats and believe in fairies. The stage lights are coming up in Never Land on a lad who won’t grow up without Viagra, a pirate with quite the hook, a twink called Tink, a Lily who’s a tiger, a Merman surprised at what’s between his legs, and murder!
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Excerpt
I felt a warm, soft, comforting arm around my shoulders. Though I was contemplating jumping off the white steeple of our local Open and Affirming church, I couldn’t resist smiling at my husband’s handsome face so full of love. “The captain always steers the ship out of turbulent waters, Nicky.”
“Tell that to the captain of the Titanic who by the way had nothing over me.”
My husband Noah, my Watson, though thirty-seven (seven years younger than me, but who’s counting) appeared as the spirit of youth in his Peter Pan moss tunic. Glancing down at Noah’s matching tights gave my little Nicky (or not so little Nicky) a stir. “Nicky, we’ve had worse tech dress rehearsals than this.”
“What could be worse?”
“Nobody’s been killed.” Noah adjusted the triangular cap over his blond curly locks, and the scent of strawberry shampoo enveloped me.
“True, but the run-through just began, and I already have five pages of notes.”
“Only five?” Noah’s crystal blue eyes sparkled. “By the way, you look delectably darling in your Mr. Darling tuxedo.”
“And you are the most fetching Peter I know.”
He patted my growing bulge. “I’ll take second place.”
“Don’t take it too hard.” No pun intended.
We shared a delicious kiss.
“Can you two get a room?”
Thanks to my younger (but who’s counting) brother Tony, Noah was in an Abbondanza sandwich. Since Tony has my dark hair, Roman nose, emerald eyes, and Abbondanza abundance, I felt as if looking into a mirror—connected to a time tunnel.
Noah gave Tony a hug. “Have I told you how much I love your choreography in this show?”
“Only three times—tonight.”
Noah grinned. “I’m glad you’re visiting with us, Tony.”
“Me too.” Tony scratched his long sideburns (another Abbondanza trait). “I don’t think I could have gotten through this without you two guys and Taavi.”
“We’re you’re family.”
I reached over Noah and placed my hand on Tony’s shoulder. “Thank you for choreographing.” I added quickly, “But I have a number of notes for you.”
Tony groaned. “Of course you do.” Then noticing our son in the row behind us, Tony mussed Taavi’s dark locks. “How’s my nephew, the star of plays and movies?”
Taavi cocked his head. “You forgot the ballet and the modeling show.”
Noah, Tony, and I said in unison, “He’s an Abbondanza.”
Taavi leaned toward me. “Pop, can I talk to you?”
“No, you can’t get billing over the title, or a solo in the show as Michael.”
Taavi turned to Noah. “Dad, can’t I even get an autograph station at the stage door?”
“Your Pop said no.”
Taavi sighed. “My fans on social media will be disappointed.”
“Leave them wanting more,” Tony said.
Taavi offered my brother a theatrical smile. “Uncle Tony, it’s so cool when you visit. I wish you could live with us all the time.”
Catching on to Taavi’s manipulation, Tony replied, “I can’t get anything for you from your pop.” Then he rose, his muscles filling his white T-shirt and black jeans. “Except dance notes.”
Taavi offered him the hang loose sign from Taavi’s native Hawaii.
Tony said, “Speaking of choreography, since we’re on a technical break, (or breakdown) I can use the time to run the dances with the pirates and the Lost Boys.”
I glanced at Taavi. “Meaning my students in the ensemble who would each burn their dormmate at the stake to play the role of Michael. So stop complaining.” “Listen to your pop.” My younger brother sighed. “I’ve had to do it all my life.”
Giveaway
Post a comment about why you love a gay cozy mystery. The one that tinkers our bell the most will win a complimentary audiobook of Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery novel, by Joe Cosentino, performed by Michael Gilboe.
Praise for the Nicky and Noah Mysteries
Joe Cosentino has a unique and fabulous gift. His writing is flawless, and his plot-lines will have you guessing until the very last page, which makes his books a joy to read. His books are worth their weight in gold, and if you haven’t discovered them yet you are in for a rare treat.
Divine Magazine
a combination of Laurel and Hardy mixed with Hitchcock and Murder She Wrote… Loaded with puns and one-liners…Right to the end, you are kept guessing, and the conclusion still has a surprise in store for you.” “the best modern Sherlock and Watson in books today…I highly recommend this book and the entire series, it’s a pure pleasure, full of fun and love, written with talent and brio…fabulous…brilliant
Optimumm Book Reviews
adventure, mystery, and romance with every page….Funny, clever, and sweet….I can’t find anything not to love about this series….This read had me laughing and falling in love….Nicky and Noah are my favorite gay couple.
Urban Book Reviews
Every entry of the Nicky and Noah mystery series is rife with intrigue, calamity, and hilarity…Cosentino keeps us guessing – and laughing – until the end, as well as leaving us breathlessly anticipating the next Nicky and Noah thriller.
Edge Media Network
This is one hilarious series with a heart and it just keeps getting better. I highly recommend them all, and please read them in the order they were written for full blown laugh out loud reading pleasure!
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
About Joe Cosentino
Joe Cosentino was voted Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery novel. He is also the author of the remaining Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan; the Player Piano Mysteries: The Player and The Player’s Encore; the Jana Lane Mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll; the Cozzi Cove series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Moving Forward, Stepping Out, New Beginnings, Happy Endings; the In My Heart Anthology: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star; the Tales from Fairyland Anthology: The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland and Holiday Tales from Fairyland; the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, The First Noel; and the Found At Last Anthology: Finding Giorgio and Finding Armando. His books have won numerous Book of the Month awards and Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. As an actor, Joe appeared in principal roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Jason Robards, and Holland Taylor. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College, Master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz, and is currently a happily married college theatre professor/department chair residing in New York State.
I absolutely loved listening to Drama Queen! Cozy mysteries are my favorite genre and this one had me (and my spouse) laughing so hard!