When it starts with just one murder…

Synopsis

It’s murder in paradise!

A picturesque scene…

As grape harvest season rolls around, retired DCI Dan Armstrong and his beloved canine companion, Oscar, are looking forward to a nice quiet September. But when Dan is contacted about a mysterious death out in the Tuscan Hills, it seems that work must come before pleasure.

A suspicious find…

At first it appears that the body found lying outside a prestigious winery has been the result of a tragic hit and run. But then the police discover that this is a cover up for murder…but who would kill in such an idyllic spot and why?

A face from the past?

As Dan investigates, he meets famous ex rock star, Digger, owner of the winery and prestigious Podere Dei Santi hotel. Digger’s guests include wealthy businessmen, tourists, and, among them, suspected mafia hitmen. But more significant for Dan is a face he knows only too well from his own past and he soon finds that wine isn’t the only thing fermenting around him.

Could this murder be the start of a gangland war, or do the killer’s motives lie much closer to home? Will complications from Dan’s past return to trouble his future? Either way, Dan and Oscar must work around the clock to solve another mystery.

My review

Retired DCI Dan Armstrong truly feels at home in Tuscany, the place he moved after his retirement. Life for sure is looking good, an amazing girlfriend, a loyal furry companion, many Italian friend and even his investigation business is doing well. And with September approaching, Dan hopes for a quiet and peaceful time? But with the busy grape harvest season rolling on, Dan is asked once again to help the local police forces when a murder takes place in the Tuscan hills. What looks like an unfortunate incident at a local yet prestigious winery, quickly turns into something more sinister. As the winery itself is in the hand of a famous ex – rockstar known as Digger, and his customers are all from the wealthy side of the population, where to look for the culprit? And with the presence of someone from Dan’s past, is there more at jeopardy for Dan?

Book Ten in a series. And in most series, book ten means that even from before, the quality diminished. And even the most loyal readers are finding themselves not looking all that forward to pick the book up.

However, all the above is NOT applicable for this series and absolutely not applicable for the writing skills of this author!

But, I have to say, I am starting to worry about the murder – level taking place in Tuscany, as there are once again murders taking place in this lovely place.

Returning back to Tuscany and to my friends Dan and Oscar, was of course a delight. When people and animals steal bits of your hearts, you just want to read more from them, you have the *need* to see how they are doing, how life is treating them and those around them.

And seeing how Dan is more and more at home in Tuscany, how he has become truly a part of the community there, truly made me happy. Yet I also liked it how he didn’t become the typical retired man, not doing anything special, just passing time without being of real importance. No, that is not who Dan is. He cannot waste time, he wants to matter, he wants to help people, friends.

He is also the kind of person that has learnt from his past and the mistakes he made in his failed marriage. But that doesn’t make him the perfect man, because there are moments where he still makes mistakes, or is being the typical man, not knowing what his girlfriend truly wants to hear or needs to hear. But that only adds to liking Dan, because who is truly perfect? 😊

Another murder… you can take the man from the forces, but you cannot take the forces out of the man. And this time, the setting is even more Tuscany – worthy, as this time, we are going to investigate alongside our friends at a winery and a prestigious hotel. Is there anything more Tuscan than a good wine?

Whenever the help of Dan and Oscar is required, you know that nothing is ever what it seems. And thus the apparent accident is anything but that…

With the murder taking place at the winery/hotel, and a busy one, the list of possible suspects is not a short one.

Once again the investigation isn’t an easy one, as there are many possibilities, each even feasible. And T. A. Williams for sure knows how to make you think in one direction, to change then again… And he for sure also knows how to let his readers into the dark world of winemaking, something not everyone knows…

And yes, I have to talk about Oscar, as he once again is a force to be reckoned with! I don’t know if this series would be as fun, alluring or just as cute at it is now! 😊

T. A. Williams wrote an amazing tenth part of a wonderful series. Even this tenth part never bored, never repetitive. This book was a great cozy mystery, once again delivering on point! Even if once again it’s about murder, I enjoyed reading this book, with great main characters in a wonderful setting!