Her plays have been featured in New Jersey and Pennsylvania theaters. Her short stories, including six first-prize winners, have appeared in various print and online literary journals.
Her published work includes a mystery, CRIMSON ICE, and a collection of short works, FATEFUL ENCOUNTERS, COLLECTED STORIES & PLAYS.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joanne Weck novelist, playwright, and short story author is inspired by family history. Many of her tales are set in rural northeastern Pennsylvania where she grew up. Her mother, a natural storyteller instilled in her a love of poetry, drama, and biblical stories.
With degrees in English and Theater (University of Pittsburgh) she also draws on experiences as an actress, director, and teacher. One of her favorite creative projects was mentoring YAWT (Young Artists’ Workshop Theater) for teen writers and actors.
Photo by Elisa Chalem
When she was a teacher, most recently at Union Township High School in New Jersey, Weck also wore many hats, teaching creative writing, theater and television production, in addition to sponsoring a Young Artists’ Workshop play festival.
Since her retirement, she’s devoted herself to writing. Her first novel, Crimson Ice, was inspired by a challenge – when she complained about how formulaic mystery novels could be, her sister dared her to write one. That’s exactly what Weck did.
“I’ve had so many students who have written to me and said, ‘Oh, I’ve ordered your book! Can’t wait to read it,’” she said.
INTO THE FRYING PAN
Zoe Stravos, a single mother, never planned to be an amateur sleuth. After her husband's death, she has returned to Caulfield, along with her small daughter. Once an aspiring Broadway actress, now she manages the family owned Starshine Diner serving delicious Greek food while resisting the attention of a handsome 911 police dispatcher. Her life takes a sudden downward spiral when she is pulled into a world of murder, mayhem, and danger.
FREEZER BURN
A murderer stalks his prey at the Starshine Diner. Amateur female sleuth, target of a vicious murderer--will he strike before she brings him to justice? The Starshine Diner has seen a drop-off in business lately, facing stiff competition from the new Modern Majestic across town. To lure back clientele and attract new customers, Nicos Stravos and his 31-year-old daughter, Zoe, plan a FIFTIES EXTRAVAGANZA. Zoe announces open auditions and local talent responds. The week-long celebration will feature tribute performers of the era-- Johnny Cash, Elvis, Patty Paige, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Alexis Stavros, Zoe's young cousin, an ambitious actress, and a hometown success agrees to perform songs and dances from Grease with her handsome boyfriend, Johnny La Mott. Zoe, herself once an aspiring Broadway actress, takes charge of the big promotion. Her artistic friend, Laura, decorates the diner with retro posters of fifties icons --actors and sports figures and she also supplies wigs and costumes, while her brother's fiancé Cheri does makeup and hairstyles. Opening night proves an overwhelming success. Pleased and satisfied, Zoe and Nicos leave together, anticipating the finale of their EXTRAVAGANZA the following evening. But Saturday morning brings disaster and chaos--murder! When Darieos, the head chef, opens the diner's walk-in freezer, he discovers a shocking sight--the frozen body of a beautiful young performer, still dressed in her fifties costume. Zoe, actor, diner manager, mother of a young daughter, now turns amateur sleuth. Frustrated by the lack of progress in the case, she sets out to find the killer. Her brother Demi and her boyfriend Curt Jackson attempt to dissuade her. Determined, and undeterred, she makes a list of suspects and pursues each, interviewing and interrogating them. The police order her to butt out, but relentlessly she walks into danger. Suddenly the hunter realizes she has become the hunted. Zoe finds herself targeted and stalked by dark and dangerous figures. Will she be victor or victim?
BONE MOON
BONE MOON, A Pocono Mountain Mystery This continues the saga of Frankie Lupino, single mother and amateur sleuth. Her journey began when her glamorous older sister was murdered and she felt the police were doing a lackluster job of finding the perpetrator. During her search she connected with Roman "Sarv" Savonsky who has become her partner in this latest book. This time they take on the defense of a young Hispanic college student who has been blamed for the murder of his girlfriend's wealthy parents. A mysterious bone moon pendant may provide a vital clue.
DOUBLE DECEPTION
Fallon Jamison, out for a run in Central Park, is accosted by a strange man. He calls her “Charlotte,” and seems desperate to speak to her. She eludes him, but on her way back to her apartment, she sees a flyer for a missing woman, Charlotte Fiske. And the face on the poster is an exact replica of her own.
Fallon, recently divorced and heartsick, has planned a summer in New York. She is about to explore the city when two detectives arrive, demand identification, and take her downtown for questioning. Fallon is shocked when her DNA sample proves her to be the identical twin of the missing woman. She has grown up an only child and has never known of a twin.
The detectives force Fallon to cooperate in a sting. They suspect Dr. Anthony Fiske, the missing woman’s husband, is responsible for her disappearance. But when their scheme goes awry, both sisters are caught in a deadly trap by vicious kidnappers.
As the sisters face ever-growing danger and the threat of murder, can their ingenuity and courage save them? Review of Double Deception by Joanne Weck CRIMSON ICE, A POCONO MOUNTAIN MYSTERY Until the night glamorous Rochelle (Rocky) Gardiner disappears on her way to a performance, she and her sister Frances (Frankie) Lupino lead small town lives revolving around their children and their work at the Shawanee theater. When Rocky remains missing, Frankie suspects that Gordon, her sister’s sometimes abusive husband is responsible. Caught up in two different worlds--the theater and the social circles of Gordon's wealthy parents--Frankie seeks the help of a cynical undercover cop turned private investigator. Caring for her sister's toddlers and her own son, complicates everything. Trying to unravel the mystery, braving the harsh winter of the Pocono Mountains, fighting an obstructive system, Frankie wanders into the sights of a depraved killer. She is forced to draw on inner resources she never knew she had. Email me@ FATEFUL ENCOUNTERS “What starts out as an innocent tale turns into something else entirely. The author does a marvelous job of leading the reader down one story line and then adding a twist along the way.” Rocky Reichman, Editor in Chief, Literary Magic “. . . a fine morality tale; hate like mistrust damages the person feeling these emotions far more than it does their target.” Geoff Anderson, Senior Editor, LM “Every story in this book is a delight. The author’s insights into the interior lives of her characters and plot twists surprise and enchant.” E.B. Chalem, The Wind At My Back
