The business reporter who also writes murder mysteries

David DiPino of the Pineapple Newspaper in South Florida writes about South Florida Business Journal reporter Brian Bandell, who writes murder mysteries on the side.

DiPino writes, “Coming out with this type of book was eerily timely, with the recent shooting in Virginia, where a disgruntled and mentally deranged man stalked his replacements on the TV news and shot them, a female reporter and her cameraman, while videotaping the incident via a camera strapped around his head. Just a few hours later, he posted the murders all over his social media pages before leading police in a car chase and eventually committing suicide – all while TV news helicopters hovered over the scene.

“‘I want people to come out to Murder on the Beach bookstore, and then enjoy themselves with a drink at a Pineapple Grove bar or restaurant,’ said Bandell. ‘I love Delray Beach and the Pineapple Grove area! My grandpa lives in Delray Beach.’

“Bandell’s bio is impressive with 13 awards from the Florida Press Club, and a first place in both business writing and government reporting, according to his publisher. He received another dozen awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, including being named a two-time winner of the Green Eyeshade award for best business enterprise reporting in the Southeast United States. Bandell received his degree in communications from the University of Miami.

“As for his day job and writing style, Bandell said, ‘What’s the only subject scarier than murder? Try covering business in Florida during a recession.'”

Read more here.