Even in wonderful places murders happen…

Synopsis

A remote retreat…

Nestled high in the Tuscan hills lies Villa Volpone, home to renowned crime writer Jonah Moore and his creative writing course. It’s also the last place retired DCI Dan Armstrong expected to spend his retirement! Dan’s no writer, but maybe this break will help him to think about the next chapter in his own life story?

A gruesome murder…

But only days into the course, Jonah Moore is found stabbed to death with his award-winning silver dagger! And Dan finds himself pulled out of retirement with a killer to catch.

Eleven possible suspects.

The other guests all seem shocked by Jonah’s death, but Dan knows that one of them must be lying. And as he and Italian Commissario Virgilio Pisano begin to investigate it quickly becomes clear that everyone at Villa Volpone has secrets to hide…

But can Dan discover who the murderer is before they strike again?

My review

DCI Dan Armstrong has received a retreat for creative writing as a retirement gift. Not that Dan is a writer, but spending time in the Tuscan hills in Villa Volpone may perhaps inspire him and give him time about his own next chapters.
Dan meets the owners and the other guests and quickly discovers that the retreat is not what he expected. While he is just going with the flow and feeling more at peace in Tuscany, the owner Jonah Moore is found stabbed to death.
But who did it? Dan is glad to help the local forces to find the killer, but with the only witness being Oscar the dog, eleven suspects and too many hidden secrets, can they catch the killer? 

I have read several books from this amazing author, and even if they were more into the romance – section, I knew  just had to read the start of this new series too.
And I wasn’t left disappointed! 

It was easy to like the main character Dan. He has just retired, has a great bond with his daughter, but unfortunately his marriage has just ended. Just like in real life, sometimes it’s difficult to find the perfect balance between work and home. And it was bittersweet to see how Dan still thinks fondly of his soon – to – be – ex – wife but knows that he has to move on. 

Now, I know this author has a great imagination, but I wasn’t expecting the retreat would turn out to be for writer of a special kind of books. So I was as shocked as Dan when he realized where he ended up to be! Yet it was also hilarious to read all about it, how Dan, despite everything he has already been through and has seen, can be left flabbergasted! 

As a reader we know that a murder will take place, and with what we see from Jonah, well, I cannot say I was saddened by it. But like the characters say in the book, that is still not a reason to murder someone…
Just like Dan, initially I didn’t have a clue of who the culprit could be. But slowly, together with Dan and the Commissario (who somehow in my mind looked like Commissario Montalbano from another author and tv show), I realized that not everything was as it seems. 

I was amazed (in a bad way) how each character could have a reason for being the killer. Some reasons were paper – thin, you never know what will drive some people to get their revenge. 

Being a cosy mystery, it wasn’t a dark story, as Dan realizes how at home he feels in Tuscany, how he makes new friends and even becomes attached to Oscar. While he is investigating, he also has some nice moments spending with the other retreaters, and has the chance to do some inner investigations about his own future. 

With this author, I knew beforehand I would be able to feel like I was walking around Villa Volpone myself, and almost taste all the deliciousness Dan would eat and drink.
While at moments I felt I was in an Agatha Christie book, at other moments I felt I was wandering around Tuscany with  the calming voice David Attenborough explaining everything I saw. 

This was a very promising start of a new series, and I cannot wait to read more about Dan and his loyal, not to be underestimated, new friend Oscar!