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Helene Stapinski is a nationally bestselling author of three memoirs: Murder in Matera, Baby Plays Around, and Five-Finger Discount. The latter was made into a documentary for Public Television, which she helped write and produce. Stapinski began her career as a journalist at her hometown newspaper, The Jersey Journal. She then worked for The Washington Post, New York magazine, and Travel & Leisure, among other publications. She currently teaches at New York University and writes regularly for The New York Times.