Barbara Seranella's Books

An Unacceptable Death

By: Barbara Seranella

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One thing about Miranda Mancini that has never changed is the name everyone knows her by---Munch. But the child abused by her father and sent into prostitution, the young girl who stole money because she couldn't do without her drugs, the woman who spent awful months in prison---that person no longer exists. Instead, Munch Mancini is the surrogate "mother" of a friend's loving little girl, a woman who can top any male car mechanic's talents with a tool, and the unbelievably happy fiancée of police detective Enrique "Rico" Chacón. It's an ordinary life and it's exactly what she wants. Everything changes when an early-morning call from homicide detective Mace St. John, the nearest thing Munch has to a father, brings unbelievably terrible news. Rico is dead, having been shot during a drug bust. Munch learns that Rico was shot by one of his fellow officers---and not by accident. This news energizes Munch in a way she wouldn't have believed possible. She knows in her head and her heart that Rico could not have been on the wrong side of the drug bust. The police department insists that Rico was working with the drug dealers. But a pair of special officers with Narcotics have other ideas. They ask Munch to go undercover and mix with the suspected dealers. They are certain it will prove that Rico was innocent. Munch agrees. She could easily end up dead herself---but if she can clear Rico's name, she will have what she wants. That's Munch Mancini.

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Page Count

250

Publisher

Minotaur Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1466851503

ISBN 13

9781466851504

No Man Standing

By: Barbara Seranella

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No Man Standing

By: Barbara Seranella

A woman tries to save a friend before her old life catches up to her, in a tale by a writer who “brings rare street credibility to her crime mysteries” (The Miami Herald). Once a junkie biker chick, Miranda “Munch” Mancini has transformed her life to become a high-class mechanic, respected businesswoman, and mother. But life hasn’t been as forgiving for her old friend Ellen Summers. Munch and Ellen were inseparable in their youth, but when Munch went straight, Ellen went to prison. On the day before she’s to be released, Ellen’s mother and stepfather are murdered. When the killer threatens Ellen, she turns to Munch as the only person she can trust. While Munch questions some of her friend’s story, the danger she is in proves to be all too real. Munch is determined to find the murderer and save her friend one last time—before the killer ends her crime-solving days for good. “There’s no more interesting protagonist in crime fiction. . . . Don’t miss this series.” —Chicago Tribune “Munch proves herself again to be a likable and earnest character with a tough side that is explained by glimpses into her dark past. Her romantic entanglement with a police officer promises interesting times ahead.” —Booklist

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Page Count

350

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811717

ISBN 13

9781626811713

No Offense Intended

By: Barbara Seranella

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No Offense Intended

By: Barbara Seranella

A “wonderful” novel of suspense about a woman journeying into her own dark past to protect her child’s future (Michael Connelly). When her ex-lover comes to see her, Miranda “Munch” Mancini has mixed feelings. On one hand, he’s a reminder of all she has left behind in order to stay sober and rebuild her life. On the other hand, he’s Sleaze Garillo, the father of the baby girl she is now raising. When Sleaze disappears, Munch can’t help but get involved. The police don’t see foul play, but Munch is the one with the knowledge—and the friends—to get to the truth behind Sleaze’s suspicious disappearance. To find him, she’ll have to take an unwelcome trip down memory lane to visit people from her shady past. There’s more at stake here than tracking down Sleaze: Munch must also protect the life she’s built for herself, and for the little girl she calls her own. This “fast-paced” mystery (Los Angeles Times) is a “real cause for celebration . . . Seranella keeps the story moving at a brisk pace, with surprises around every corner” (Chicago Tribune). “A splendid read.” —T. Jefferson Parker

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Page Count

303

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811733

ISBN 13

9781626811737

Unwilling Accomplice

By: Barbara Seranella

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Unwilling Accomplice

By: Barbara Seranella

No one knows you like family. That’s what makes them dangerous . . . “One of the most engaging, complex characters in mystery fiction today” (Harlan Coben). Miranda “Munch” Mancini is finally feeling confident in the life she’s carved out for herself and her adopted daughter, Asia. With a good job as an auto mechanic, a house, and a dog, the pair are doing just fine. Until Asia’s aunt and two cousins suddenly reappear, on the run from the Witness Protection Program and in need of Munch’s help. When young cousin Charlotte goes missing after the death of a school friend, Munch turns to her sometime boyfriend and full-time cop, Rico Chacon, for help unraveling Charlotte’s complicated life, before it’s too late to save her from becoming one of Hollywood’s lost street kids . . . or worse. “Munch Mancini, the struggling heroine of this series, is so powerfully depicted, with such exquisitely telling detail, that she seems drawn directly from life. . . . Seranella does not cheapen her mysteries by giving her main character remarkable powers of detection; Munch is an intelligent yet ordinary woman forced to use every contact and every ounce of intelligence she has to figure out what’s going on . . . Beautifully written and harrowing.” —Booklist, starred review

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Page Count

291

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811768

ISBN 13

9781626811768

Unfinished Business

By: Barbara Seranella

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Unfinished Business

By: Barbara Seranella

In this “hard to put down” suspense thriller, a woman who’s put her dark past behind her finds herself in danger once again (Los Angeles Times). Miranda “Munch” Mancini once lived life on the edge and on the streets, but she finally feels like things are falling into place. She’s got a career as an auto mechanic—serving an elite clientele in Los Angeles—as well as a young daughter and a handsome man at her side. But then one of her clients, a wealthy socialite, is found dead on the side of a road, and another is brutally assaulted. The predator is already too close for comfort—and when he starts targeting Munch and her daughter, she’ll have to team up with an adversary from her past to stay safe and bring him down . . . “The writing is crisp, the action fast and furious, the thrills never sag.” —Los Angeles Times “A strong female protagonist, lots of action, and a surprising conclusion drive this solid entry in a strong series that deserves wider recognition.” —Booklist

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292

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811776

ISBN 13

9781626811775

No Human Involved

By: Barbara Seranella

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No Human Involved

By: Barbara Seranella

The first in the mystery series featuring a former addict-turned-auto mechanic is “[a] gritty, gripping novel . . . surprisingly optimistic and funny” (Orange County Register). After some tough times, Miranda “Munch” Mancini just wants to make an honest living. But her hopes for a new beginning are dashed when her abusive father turns up murdered. Staying clean is one thing, but staying off Det. Mace St. John’s radar may prove impossible—especially when he starts viewing her as a suspect not only in this case but also in multiple murders. Her only hope is to cut a deal with the detective, putting her own life on the line to catch a killer. But trust doesn’t come easily for ex-junkies, or for cops. The impulse to betray this precarious alliance may be too strong for either to resist—and may get both of them killed—in this suspenseful mystery that “has grit and authentic street life to spare” (Publishers Weekly). “Seranella drops us right down into the middle of a dark and perplexing world and makes us feel—along with her hero—just how hard it is to get out.” —T. Jefferson Parker “Smart plotting, taut suspense and a highly original heroine.” —Desert Sun “Scenes pulse with such startling immediacy—she’s definitely worth another round.” —Kirkus Reviews

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Page Count

271

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811741

ISBN 13

9781626811744

Unwanted Company

By: Barbara Seranella

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Unwanted Company

By: Barbara Seranella

A female auto mechanic and recovering addict becomes entangled in murder: “There’s no more interesting protagonist in crime fiction” (Chicago Tribune). Miranda “Munch” Mancini has had a tough life—but she’s clean and sober, and back on the straight and narrow. She’s even established her own limo service, though so far her fleet includes only one car. But it’s a start. Times are tough in 1984 Los Angeles, and Munch has an adopted daughter to support, so when a shady federal agent requests her services to ferry around a sleazy diplomat in town for the Olympics, she can’t say no. Then, to help out her old friend Ellen, who’s fresh out of prison, she hands over the driving duties. Trouble is, Ellen disappears with both the car and the client, and now the police are back on Munch’s doorstep. It seems a serial killer is on the loose, and Munch’s client may have been a victim—or the perpetrator . . . This “engrossing” mystery (The Oregonian), a Los Angeles Times bestseller, is “a satisfying novel” full of colorful characters, lethal danger, and international intrigue (Publishers Weekly). “Don’t miss this series.” —Chicago Tribune

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Page Count

334

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

162681175X

ISBN 13

9781626811751

Unfinished Business

By: Barbara Seranella

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Unfinished Business

By: Barbara Seranella

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Page Count

292

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811776

ISBN 13

9781626811775

Unwanted Company

By: Barbara Seranella

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Unwanted Company

By: Barbara Seranella

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334

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Diversion Books

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ISBN 10

162681175X

ISBN 13

9781626811751

Unpaid Dues

By: Barbara Seranella

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Unpaid Dues

By: Barbara Seranella

A gritty tale of suspense starring “one of the most engaging, complex characters in mystery fiction today” (Harlan Coben). Miranda “Munch” Mancini has worked hard to overcome her past life as a hard-living street junkie, including cutting ties with the people she used to run with. She’s got a daughter now, as well as respectable work as an auto mechanic to her wealthy California clients. But she’s caught by surprise when an old friend turns up dead—and Munch’s photo appears in the woman’s criminal file, connecting her to a crime she’s struggled to put behind her. With the police investigation of the murder pointing to a terrifying figure in Munch’s history, she doesn’t know what to fear more: the dangerous killer, or the truth about her past finally being revealed . . . “There’s no more interesting protagonist in crime fiction. . . . Don’t miss this series.” —Chicago Tribune

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Page Count

304

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811784

ISBN 13

9781626811782

No Man Standing

By: Barbara Seranella

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No Man Standing

By: Barbara Seranella

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Page Count

350

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811717

ISBN 13

9781626811713

An Unacceptable Death

By: Barbara Seranella

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An Unacceptable Death

By: Barbara Seranella

When Munch Mancini's fiance, police detective Enrique "Rico" Chacon, is killed by a fellow officer who believed Rico was working with the drug dealers, Munch vows to uncover the truth and clear his name.

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Page Count

256

Publisher

Macmillan

Published Date

ISBN 10

0312347987

ISBN 13

9780312347987

Unpaid Dues

By: Barbara Seranella

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Unpaid Dues

By: Barbara Seranella

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304

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811784

ISBN 13

9781626811782

Pen on Fire

A Busy Woman's Guide to Igniting the Writer Within

By: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

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Pen on Fire

A Busy Woman's Guide to Igniting the Writer Within

By: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett offers fifteen-minute exercises designed to help aspiring writers find the time, and motivation, to write.

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Page Count

292

Publisher

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Published Date

ISBN 10

0156029782

ISBN 13

9780156029780

No Offense Intended

By: Barbara Seranella

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No Offense Intended

By: Barbara Seranella

On parole for dealing in drugs, lady car mechanic Munch Mancini does a friend a favor, only to be sucked back into the world of crime. Arrested, she buys her freedom by helping police catch the criminals. By the author of No Human Involved.

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Page Count

276

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

0060192127

ISBN 13

9780060192129

Deadman's Switch

By: Barbara Seranella

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Deadman's Switch

By: Barbara Seranella

The first in a new mystery series from the "Los Angeles Times" bestselling author of the Munch Mancini crime novels is a fascinating story about a clever homicide and the introduction of a woman who will both charm and amaze readers.

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Page Count

274

Publisher

Macmillan

Published Date

ISBN 10

031236170X

ISBN 13

9780312361709

No Human Involved

By: Barbara Seranella

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No Human Involved

By: Barbara Seranella

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Page Count

271

Publisher

Diversion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1626811741

ISBN 13

9781626811744

Unfinished Business

A Munch Mancini Crime Novel

By: Barbara Seranella

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Unfinished Business

A Munch Mancini Crime Novel

By: Barbara Seranella

California mechanic-cum-sleuth Miranda "Munch" Mancini has seen her share of creeps in her rough-and-tumble life, but the one who has just assaulted two of her customers -- leaving one dead -- really takes the cake. Munch isn't a woman easily cowed, but her own dark history of sexual assault comes flooding back, threatening to drown her in a pool of terrifying memories. For Munch, the best defense has always been a good offense, and so she takes off after the predator...only to find the tables have suddenly turned, and his twisted intentions have shifted to her.

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Page Count

273

Publisher

Simon and Schuster

Published Date

ISBN 10

0743217322

ISBN 13

9780743217323

No Offence Intended

By: Barbara Seranella

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No Offence Intended

By: Barbara Seranella

Munch Mancini is a hardworking, no-nonsense car mechanic in Los Angeles. Having recently recovered from nearly every recognized addiction, she's doing her best to keep the sins of her past behind her. So, Munch is not pleased when an ex-lover shows up, looking for a favour.

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Age

Page Count

224

Published Date

ISBN 10

0709069219

ISBN 13

9780709069218

Book's by Barbara Seranella

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