When a holiday turns into another murder investigation…

Synopsis

A much-needed holiday…

Dan Armstrong hasn’t done much retiring since moving to Tuscany, and with his new career as a successful private investigator taking off, it seems murder seems to follow him. He’s hoping a much-needed trip to beautiful Portofino will give him the break he needs and quality time with girlfriend Anna.

A gathering of celebrities…

Portofino is a celebrity paradise, and holidaying on a nearby superyacht is a group of British media stars, all famous for being infamous. Dan isn’t impressed by their status or wealth, but when he overhears an argument between two of the group, he suspects something fishy could be going on…

A cold-blooded killer?

And then a body is washed up on shore and Dan’s hopes for a holiday go overboard. Could this simply be a tragic accident or is there a killer amidst the assembled celebrity cast? Dan and Oscar have their work cut out before the tide turns…

It’s another gripping case for Dan and Oscar – it’s murder in paradise!

My review

Dan Armstrong, his girlfriend Anna and his loyal furry friend Oscar are ready to enjoy a lovely getaway in Portofino. HE has learned his lessons from the past, and is now finding the perfect balance between being a loving partner and his job as a private investigator. But as a former man of the force it’s difficult to turn away when a crime has taken place, this time a yacht and a group of British media stars are involved. And that is just the start of a new investigating adventure for Dan and his partner Oscar.

There are series that keep on dragging on, becoming repetitive and in the end even just bored, because you have seen it all before. And with an eighth book, well, let’s be honest, there are chances of this happening.

Luckily for us, with an author like T.A. Williams, this is absolutely not the case! Because once again I found myself devouring this book, enjoying being by Dan’s and Oscar’s side on another investigation. And yes, a murder taking place is not exactly something to enjoy, but you all know what I mean! 😊

First of all, I have to say that I liked seeing the change in Dan. Even if I didn’t know him and him working in the forces before his retirement, it’s general knowledge that he was a workaholic and that it cost him his marriage.

So seeing him being not only completely happy and in love with Anna, was great to see. Because Dan for sure deserves to find happiness again. But I liked it how he has learned from his mistakes, and how he won’t let work interfere with his personal life anymore.

Yet of course that is always easier said than done! No matter what good intentions someone has! 😊

Seeing the relationship growing stronger with every minute, truly made me believe that this couple can be endgame. But Anna is also a real Italian woman, letting Dan clearly know he is screwing up once again when he cannot turn of his investigating brain. But we also see that Anna truly loves Dan and understands him, even if she doesn’t always agree with him. It is for sure true that behind every strong man…

But of course this book is also about Dan investigating a murder. Or is it just one…

Yet I have to admit, that while in previous books I could sympathize with one or a few suspects, I missed that in this book. And that has absolutely nothing to do with the author’s writing, but more that my world and the suspects and victim(s) are so different. And that difference for sure is felt more with some characters than with others.

Nevertheless, a murder has taken place, and the culprit needs to be found. I have to say, I like it how Dan always finds a way to be part of the investigating team, while I for sure think that real Italians would be too proud to accept help from someone else, and someone who is not Italian too! 😊

Alongside Dan and Oscar (because let’s not forget about him!) I found myself interrogating the suspects, being suspicious of characters, believing or not the made statements. And when more dodgy things appear to be happening, the more I just needed to know the real extend of it all!

So with my own investigating cap on, I cannot say that the revelation of the culprit came as a total surprise, even if the reason for it was perhaps a tiny bit over the top. But on the other hand, when someone pushing on all the wrong buttons, who knows what the reaction will be?

My dearest Oscar for sure was once again up to his own canine mischief, just as I expected him to be. If he weren’t, I for sure would be worried about him! But we see once again how in fact he is the furry saviour of the day!

I truly enjoyed taking part of this new journey of Dan and Oscar. T.A. Williams once again swept me away with him taking us to Portofino this time. The way he describes the scenery for sure made me feel as I was walking alongside Dan, Oscar and Anna. And the cozy mystery for sure was another one that kept me reading, wanting to know what happened, how it happened, why it happened and who made it all happen.