It’s such a pleasure today to be helping launch the blog tour for Murder on the Italian Riviera by T A Williams, and sharing my review: the seventh in his quite wonderful Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series, it’s published today (2nd May) by Boldwood Books, and is now available as an ebook, in paperback, and as an audiobook. Thank you, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading copy (provided via netgalley).
Yes, ok, I’m guessing you might just know by now that this is one of my favourite series (ever!) – all the more unexpected because they’re cosy mysteries (I do very much like Trevor’s romances too…), but I just love Dan’s sardonic humour, labrador Oscar’s support and antics, the vividly drawn Italian settings, the delicious food and drink, and the wonderfully drawn characters. And then, of course, there are the intriguing mysteries Dan and Oscar help to resolve – every story a real page turner, and I’ve never yet solved a case before a book’s conclusion. You can read every book as a standalone, but Dan’s personal story following his move to Italy continues to develop, and I do think it’d be a real shame not to start at the beginning with Murder in Tuscany, published in October 2022 (you’ll find my review here). You’ll find my reviews of all the others if you pop the author’s name into my search bar – and I do promise that none of them give away any of the plots. And this time, and needing a little more sunblock than usual, we’re off to the Italian Riviera…
An ex-con…
Private investigator Dan Armstrong is no stranger to working with criminals, but when he’s approached for help by Bianca Moretti, he’s on high alert. Bianca is intelligent and beautiful, and Dan likes her, but he also once sent her to prison…
A suspicious death…
Bianca explains that a guest has been found dead at her father’s luxurious and private retreat on the beautiful Italian Riviera. The police are sure the death is accidental, but Bianca is convinced the man’s been murdered. Dan’s sure he can get to the bottom of things…as long as Bianca is telling him the whole truth.
A very revealing case!
But when Dan arrives at the resort, he’s in for a shock. He finds that the place is a naturist retreat, and everybody is walking around stark naked! Dan is determined to discover the truth, but this is going to mean revealing a whole lot more of himself than he expected.
Can Dan sniff out the truth about this case before Oscar’s cold wet nose causes havoc?
Bianca Moretti is a face from Dan’s past as a Chief Inspector with the Met, imprisoned for her involvement in a brutal gangland killing – but, on release, she seems to have made a fresh start. And this time she’s looking for Dan’s help – a guest at her father’s holiday resort on the coast has been found dead in the swimming pool, the police have concluded it was an accident, but they both think there’s rather more to it than that. With some fears around the possibility of links with organised crime, Dan is intrigued and takes on the investigation – but there’s no sign of anything untoward on arrival, just a warm welcome from her father.
The ensuing investigation sees Dan going undercover, teasing out the relationships and back stories of the staff and guests – but only after the initial shock of finding it’s a naturist resort, and that he has little option other than shedding his clothes at the door to have any chance of being inconspicuous, leaving him with the need to get over his embarrassment, and a particular challenge in working out exactly how to carry his phone and notebook. As he begins to narrow down the suspects – while keeping a close eye on where Oscar puts his nose, and sometimes fishing him out of the swimming pool – a further death complicates the picture. That brings the police back on the scene, but with a chief investigator who’s more than happy to accept their help and work together. There are layers to this story I really didn’t see coming, and a really clever twist towards the end – but only after different individuals moved in and out of the frame, unexpected secrets were uncovered, and the red herrings multiplied as they invariably do.
The humour in this book was simply wonderful – and Oscar, of course, plays his usual part. His whole character is an absolute joy, with a constant smile on his face, his desire to be part of the action (especially if there’s food or gelato involved), his eye for the ladies, and his ability (with the slightest nod, shake of the head or paw on the knee) to communicate what he’s thinking. Dan’s sometimes a little preoccupied with thoughts about his relationship with girlfriend Anna, with a few nice emotional touches – but it doesn’t take away from the central mystery and its investigation, which is as fascinating and engaging as ever. And, of course, the story has all the usual complex characters with their layers of secrets – and the most wonderful detail around the beautiful Riviera setting, with regular breaks for food that tantalises the tastebuds or a glass or two of something delicious and cool.
This was yet another perfect instalment in a series I’d wholeheartedly recommend to all – the most wonderful entertainment, but with an engaging and compelling story, more than a few dramatic twists and turns, and an intricacy to the plotting that would satisfy any seasoned crime reader. Just wonderful – and I’m already looking forward to the next…
About the author
I write under the androgynous name T A Williams because 65% of books are read by women. In my first book one of the (female) characters suggests the imbalance is due to the fact that men spend too much time getting drunk and watching football. I couldn’t possibly comment. Ask my wife…
I’ve written all sorts: thrillers, historical novels, short stories and now I’m enjoying myself hugely writing romance and whodunnits. Romantic comedies are what we all need from time to time. Life isn’t always very fair. It isn’t always a lot of fun, but when it is, we need to embrace it. Murder mystery is all very well, but it needs to put a smile on your face, so that’s why I like to inject some humour. I’m having a lot of fun writing the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series set in sunny Italy. They are all standalone books but if you really want to do it properly, start with the first one in the series, Murder in Tuscany. If my books can whisk you away to gorgeous locations, put a smile on your face and maybe give your heartstrings a tug, then I know I’ve done my job.
I‘ve lived all over Europe, but now I live in a little village in sleepy Devon, tucked away in south west England. I love the place. That’s why you’ll find leafy lanes and thatched cottages in many of my books. Oh, yes, and a black Labrador.
I’ve been writing since I was 14 and that is well over half a century ago. However, underneath this bald, wrinkly exterior, there beats the heart of a youngster. My wife is convinced I will never grow up. I hope she’s right.
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I am so looking forward to reading this, i’ve read all the others in this series and loved them x