Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Christa Nardi

Book Title:  The Itch of Greed: An Izzie De Sante Mystery

Released:  09/22/25

Genre:  Adult Mystery

Interview by Heather L. Barksdale

What inspired you to write “The Itch of Greed”?

Nardi: It was spring and baseball season and trades, some talk about gambling issues in sports, and I loved the movie “Bull Durham.”

How did you come up with the names of your main characters? 

Nardi:  That’s a hard one. They aren’t really from real people – at least that I know of. In the case of the Izzie Di Sante series, I wanted names that went with an Italian American background. I “Googled” Italian surnames. First names for Izzie and Chloe were also from lists of names and I decided they sounded good. Henry Jacobs? I wanted something that contrasted with Izzie and Chloe. Beyond those, I think of names that I think go with the characters.

Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?

Nardi: That’s a hard one. For the last forty years, my identity has been as a psychologist – Christa Nardi is a pen name. That gives me lots of quirky characters and conflicts to meld together in interesting ways and craft a murder mystery. I’ve also lived in five states and worked in a variety of jobs.

If “The Itch of Greed” were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?

Nardi: Another hard one. Eliza Scanlen (Pretty Women) for Chloe; Jessy Schram (Chicago Med) as Izzie; and maybe Austin Butler (Masters of the Air) for Henry.

When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?

Nardi: I take a break - create graphics, go for a walk; sometimes I do what you’re not supposed to do and go back and read what I’ve already written with hopes that will kick start the flow.

Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?

Nardi: All I can say is keep writing, but write what you enjoy writing.

What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?

Nardi: I have one author whose books I always pre-order – romantic suspense by Kathleen Brooks. The characters and the setting draw me in so much, I took a trip to Kentucky to see the hills, took in a horse race, and searched for landmarks. I like mysteries of most subgenre, though I’m not big on supernatural or horror.

What are you working on next?

Nardi: Although I have a title for next in the Izzie Di Sante Mysteries – An Itch for Answers. Right now though, I’m working on the next book in a different series – the Stacie Maroni Mysteries.

Interested in checking out the book for yourself?

Find it for purchase here

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