Murder in Rome by T.A. Williams

 

"The more I look into this case, the more I believe our killer - or possibly killers - is to be found among the people staying at the castle. As far as I can see, everybody had the opportunity and the means to commit any of the murders... but I'm struggling to find a motive."

Murder in Rome by T.A. Williams is a smashing cozy mystery, set in Italy.

This is book no.15 in the successful Armstrong & Oscar Cozy Mystery. By now I have read most of the books in the series, with an exception of one or two.

If you scroll down to read a short bio, you will see that the author mentions he feels he needs to provide something to cheer his readers up because of so many horrible things happening in the world. And I totally agree with this. In times like these, books that let you escape from the awfulness of the politics around the world (and personal challenges), are a godsend. 

Blurb:

Murder in Rome

The BRAND NEW instalment in the bestselling, beloved Armstrong & Oscar Cozy Mystery.

A road leading to Rome.

Former DCI Dan Armstrong has been living and working in Florence for nearly three years - yet somehow, Rome has always eluded him. That is, until glamorous TV celebrity Tamsin Goodfaith turns up with a request he can't refuse: investigate her uncle's suspicious death in the Eternal City.

Murder at the castle.

Philip Hastings was a billionaire financier, found dead at his magnificent - if slightly spooky - medieval castle in the Roman hills. Dan and his faithful canine companion, Oscar, soon find themselves surrounded by luxury, secrets and more suspects than sightseeing opportunities.

This time it's personal.

But when a second murder follows close behind, the case turns dangerously personal. With whispers of ghosts and crumbling alibis, Dan and Oscar must sniff out the truth before he becomes the next victim. Harder to crack than castle walls - and harder still than stopping Oscar from stealing snacks - this Roman holiday is anything but relaxing.

Former DCI Dan Armstrong has been living in Florence for nearly three years, enjoying good food, better weather and a company of his loyal "colleague" Oscar the lab. 

Somehow, Rome has always passed him by. Until Tamsin Goodfaith, the British TV celebrity, straight out of the survival reality show sweeps into town with a mystery she wants him to solve. She is convinced that her wealthy uncle's death is not an unfortunate accident, as decided by the local police investigation. No further action was taken.

Philip Hastings, billionaire financier, has supposedly died from a fall while staying at his grand medieval castle outside Rome. It's a place full of splendour, with rich history and lots of opportunities for a killer to operate. That is, if there is a killer indeed present, as only Tamsin is certain that Philip's death was not accidental.

Accompanied by his loyal sidekick Oscar, whose main interests are food and more food (and pretty ladies), Dan sets off for the Eternal City.

Castello del Lago looks spectacular and menacing at the same time. "Yes, it was definitely beautiful, but it was also creepy", a bit like a setting for a horror movie.

The castle and its grounds provide plenty of exploring to do, both for Dan and Oscar. 

"...there was an ornate, but forbidding, suit of armour partway along the left wall... holding a vicious spear... As he reached it, Oscar suddenly stopped dead and surprised me by turning towards it and emitting a low growl".

Arriving to the castle, Dan meets the family of the late financier residing there. "By the sound of it, this family had its quirks, and I wondered whether jealousy, greed or plain animosity might have led to the murder of Philip".

He is trying to establish whether the death of Uncle Phil was an accident, suicide, or something more sinister.

And then the second death follows.

Gossip swirls, tempers flare, and alibis begin to crumble faster than the ancient masonry. 

With so many possible suspects to choose from, there is also an additional supernatural element to the investigation. The staff working at the castle hint at the ghostly shenanigans and possible revenge from the disturbed remains of the long gone ancestor.

Will the sleuth duo find the killer? And why is Oscar so unnerved by the antique suit of armour?

After following Dan and Oscar's exploits for a few years, they've become close like good friends, or even family. 

The evocative setting, rich in the historical detail, scrumptious descriptions of food, a delightful side kick, gentle humour - this cozy mystery incorporates all the elements to create a successful story with a masterful final twist. 

Isn't it time for Boldwoods Books to produce a Dan & Oscar cook book, with the recipes of the Italian meals mentioned in the series? 

Murder in Rome is a captivating murder mystery, entertaining, intriguing and enjoyable. 

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/MurderInRome

Author Bio – I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I studied languages at Nottingham University a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to work in Italy for seven years. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only thirteen years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.

I started off writing romances but after 28 of them, I knew I wanted to try something different, and so the first of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mysteries, Murder in Tuscany, was born three years ago. I’ve been having a lot of fun ever since getting to know the dynamic duo (and introducing them to people all over the world). These books are cosy crime [a genre I didn't even know existed when I started writing them). They are murder mysteries, but not gory, over-violent stuff, but stories designed to exercise the brain of the reader and to put a smile on their face. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations all over my beloved Italy.

Social Media Links – 

Website: www.tawilliamsbooks.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tawilliamsbooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks/

Murder at the Duomo by T.A. Williams

 

"The duomo... With its stunning green, white and pink marble facade, magnificent statues and the unique and impressive domed roof, it's a place of worship, peace and calm.

But, as I was about to find out, this isn't always the case".

Murder at the Duomo by T.A. Williams is a delightful cozy mystery, set in Florence. This is the brand new instalment in the bestselling Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series (Book no.14), which features a retired DCI Dan Armstrong and his loyal companion, Oscar.

Blurb:

Murder at the Duomo

Even angels can have a dark side...

As the sticky heat of August settles over Florence, Dan Armstrong is ready for a well-earned break -sightseeing with fiancée Anna, daughter Tricia and her fiancé Shaun. But when a British man is found dead inside the city's magnificent Duomo, Dan's plans quickly change.

The victim, Tristan Angel, is a super-wealthy arms dealer with a saintly name and a devilish reputation. But what was he doing in the cathedral, and who decided to make it his final confession?

At Angel's opulent villa in the hills of Fiesole, Dan and Commissario Virgilio encounter a colourful cast of suspects - each one hiding secrets and none too eager to talk. as tempers rise and the heat outside grows ever more intense, Dan and his four-legged sidekick, Oscar, must sniff out the truth before the killer strikes again.

The weather outside is miserable, it's been raining for days non-stop, though in my imagination I'm travelling to the hotter climes and locations. Florence, to be precise. Italy in August is a formidable place to be, not for the wimps for sure.

Reading Murder at the Duomo brings back memories of staying in Florence in August many years ago (and in comparison give me an incessant rain any time). 

Florence is being smothered in a heat wave, and Dan Armstrong is determined to enjoy a pause from crime. His plans include outdoor meals, perhaps a bit of sightseeing with his daughter Tricia and her fiancé Shaun, long walks in the countryside which end up in the shade with a cold beer and a treat for his dog Oscar.

Dan's peaceful break is soon brought to an end, as the news reach him that a British man is discovered murdered inside the city's most sacred landmark, the Duomo.

When Commissario Virgilio Pisano contacts Dan, he drops everything to make it to the questura. There's an English connection to the victim. Dan is excited to get involved in the case.

"I have to confess that a murder investigation every now and then makes a pleasant change from tracking unfaithful spouses or light-fingered employees".

Initial stages of the investigation reveal that the victim of the murder at the Duomo is an obscenely rich arms dealer Tristan Angel, with a haloed name and a hellish reputation.

"He's an arms dealer. Big time. I'm not talking a couple of handguns and a pocket full of ammo; I'm talking everything from machine guns to missiles. He's reputed to be one of the richest men in the world..."

What was he doing in the Duomo's confessional when he has met his end? And who's the perpetrator?

As Dan teams up with Commissario Virgilio, the investigation leads them to Angel's lavish villa in the hills of Fiesole. There is a whole plethora of colourful characters from Angel's business team staying at the villa, and each guest has something to lose.

Secrets simmer, alibis crack, and the relentless Tuscan sun mirrors the rising tension. With time running out, it's up to Dan and Oscar to follow the scent of lies before another soul meets their maker.

Oscar's promotion in the ranks made smile. "This is Officer Oscar. He's a valued part of the investigative team". And he truly is that, finding important clues that help with the investigation.

He is a brilliant judge of the human character, albeit not without his foibles. As Dan says, "My dog is a remarkably good judge of character - although his opinion of people can all too easily be swayed by the offer of food".

And there is plenty of food too. The descriptions of mealtimes are, as always, mouthwatering. I don't think I've found a single dish on the menu in this entertaining series that I didn't want to try.

Ripe with all the twists and turns, Murder at the Duomo is a book you won't be able to put down. Mystery and suspence are peppered with humour. The compelling story is soaked in the Tuscan atmosphere, its magnificent sights and sounds. Dan and Oscar are truly a team made in heaven. 

Escape the misery of the rain-sodden British weather with a fictional trip to Florence.

This review is part of the blog tour for Murder at the Duomo.

Many thanks to T.A. Williams, The Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/MurderDuomo

Author Bio –

T. A. Williams is the bestselling author of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series. Trevor studied languages at University and lived and worked in Italy for eight years, returning to England with his wife in 1972. Trevor and his wife now live in Devon.

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @TrevorWilliamsBooks

Twitter: @TAWilliamsBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawilliamsbooks/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/TAWilliamsNews

Bookbub profile: @trevorwilliams3

Murder in Venice by T.A. Williams

 

"Not for the first time, I felt a twinge of foreboding. Hopefully, tonight's murder mystery wouldn't turn out to be a disaster - or worse".

"What is it about you, Dan? Everywhere you go, murder seems to follow you. So who's the murderer this time? Don't tell me you haven't solved the case by now?"

After reading several bleak and dark Icelandic Noir books and some slightly tedious non-fiction, I fancied something lighter and more entertaining to read. 

Murder in Venice by T.A. Williams is just what I needed. 

A brand new instalment in the irresistible Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series, it is great fun. This page-turning series features a retired DCI Dan Armstrong and his loyal companion, labrador Oscar.

Private investigator Dan Armstrong can't believe his luck when he's been invited to the luxury villa of Alice Graceland, a British superstar of the cinema, now residing in Venice of all places.

A movie legend and queen of the silver screen's invitation makes Dan a tad loopy, as he tries to imagine the true reasons of meeting Alice. Could it be his big break, a chance of schmoozing with the Hollywood legends and maybe even pitching his own murder mystery series?

"Alice Graceland is a big, huge star, just about as big as it gets, cinema and TV royalty, maybe even bigger than Selena. If she wants to see me, might this mean she's read my books? Could this be the start of something amazing?"

Dan is already imagining red carpets and a golden Oscar, in the meantime his own Oscar is always by his side, with a cheeky grin and big appetite.

"Was this the start of something big? I did my best to temper my expectations, but I was in a state of considerable anticipation by the time I got to Venice".

Once Dan arrives at Alice's residence, things start to look far from magical. Alice has no inclination to promote Dan's ambitions, she wants him to play host at the murder mystery evening with a glamorous collection of Hollywood royalty. Talk about a letdown.

As Alice explains, "I give my guests a good dinner and in the course of it, I present them with murder - naturally, a fictitious murder - and they have to sniff out the culprit or culprits". 

Alice has written the script for the murder mystery herself and plans "on showing some of these big-noise directors and producers, not only that I'm the best actor they've ever worked with, but that I can do their own jobs better than they can, too". The hostess clearly doesn't lack in self-assurance. False modesty is not for the likes of her.

Champagne, candelight, flamboyant costumes aplenty, it does not appear to be a meeting of old chums. It is quite the opposite, as a wave of grudges seems to engulf the event. 

When the murder mystery evening takes a sinister turn, it's Dan and Oscar who find themseleves submerged in the murky waters of the Venetian canals.

The atmospheric setting, mouth-watering descriptions of food, an endearing side kick, all these elements turn this story into another success. 

Murder in Venice is an unputdownable murder mystery, witty and delightful.

Many thanks to T.A. Williams and Netgalley for my free e-copy of the book!

Author Bio –

T. A. Williams is the bestselling author of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series. Trevor studied languages at University and lived and worked in Italy for eight years, returning to England with his wife in 1972. Trevor and his wife now live in Devon.

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @TrevorWilliamsBooks

Twitter: @TAWilliamsBooks

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/TAWilliamsNews

Bookbub profile: @trevorwilliams3

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio by T.A. Williams

"The question, of course, is why? Robbery is self-explanatory, but murder? What could that old man have done for somebody to put out a contract on him?"

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio by T.A. Williams is a fabulous cosy mystery, set in Tuscany. 

Reading it is akin to putting on your comfiest slippers - only these ones are embroidered with Tuscan sun, murder, and mouthwatering food.

It's the eleventh book in the delightful Armstrong and Oscar cosy mystery series, but don't worry if you haven't read the others. You can jump right in - though if you start from book one (or read at least a couple of the previous ones), you'll appreciate the dynamics and camaraderie between the main characters even more.

Blurb:

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio

An iconice bridge...

Private investigator, Dan Armstrong, lives and works in Florence and knows the world famous Ponte Vecchio well. Usually a magnet for tourists, on this occasion it is the scene of an unexpected death, and Dan finds himself involved in the intriguing case...

An uncompromising man...

Dan quickly discovers that the victim, an elderly jeweller, was every bit as hard as the diamonds he sold in his shop on the bridge. Few people liked him, not even his adult children, and his business dealings look murkier than the waters of the River Arno. Dan suspects more secrets lie hidden... perhaps inside the massive safe in the old man's luxury villa...

A complex case.

As the evidence begins to mount up, so too do the suspects with their different motives. With a fortune in gold bullion and precious stones involved, Dan thinks the only way to catch the killer is to lay a trap, but might he be caught in the killer's sights? Fortunately, he has Oscar, his canine wingman at his side, always eager to prove that he's as good as gold.

Can Dan and Oscar sniff out the killer's tracks or will this case be a bridge too far?

Dan Armstrong, our private investigator, has swapped the drizzle of the UK for the golden hills of Tuscany. He's enjoying life as a writer, his first book being a big success. 

While his detective agency is mainly dealing with domestic cases, outside its scope, Dan keeps tripping over dead bodies and solving more challeging crimes, much to the delight (and occasional exasperation) of his Florentine friend, Inspector Virgilio Pisano. Pisano's no fool, he knows having an ex-DCI from Scotland Yard on speed dial is rather handy.

The latest instalment of Dan and Oscar's adventures features several seemingly unconnected plotlines. Apart from the death of an elderly jeweller on the Ponte Vecchio, there are deaths of unidentified immigrants, corruption in the police, blood diamonds, thefts in the theatre and much more.

The cast is peppered with colourful locals - some charming, others gloriously oddball (or both at the same time). 

And then there's Oscar, the Labrador with a nose for more than just good food. He's not your average cosy mystery canine who pops up for comic relief and cuddles. Oh no. Oscar earns his post in the series, slobber and all.

T.A. Williams continues to dazzle with his food descriptions. Honestly, you may need a snack (or two, or more) nearby while reading. The culinary detail is enough to make you consider organising a trip to Tuscany, or at least ordering in some decent Italian takeaway.

The atmosphere oozes rustic charm, the mystery keeps you guessing, and the characters are as comforting as a good glass of Chianti. Twisty, funny, and thoroughly satisfying.

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio is a delicious blend of suspence, humour, and Tuscan flavour.

Dog lovers, mystery buffs, and armchair travellers alike will devour it.

This post is part of the blog tour for Murder at the Ponte Vecchio.

Many thanks to T.A. Williams, The Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/murderpontevecchio

 

Author Bio –

T. A. Williams is the bestselling author of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series. Trevor studied languages at University and lived and worked in Italy for eight years, returning to England with his wife in 1972. Trevor and his wife now live in Devon.

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @TrevorWilliamsBooks

Twitter: @TAWilliamsBooks

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/TAWilliamsNews

Bookbub profile: @trevorwilliams3

Photo diary: week 4, Project 365

 Another week's gone in a whoosh. I'm still having troubles with my back pain, it was getting better only to flare up again, so for a couple of days I was quite incapacitated. I'm scared to say it's OK at the moment, so as not to jinx it. 

My great nephew is back at home from the hospital, but his Mum needed an operation. It's been a difficult time for them all, and I feel helpless, as there is nothing I can do from afar. 

Back to my daily photos. On Sunday I cooked cappellacci di zucca, a local speciality from Ferrara. My husband was visiting his parents (both unwell), and brought back some fresh pasta. This pasta was invented in the Renaissance period, and is a combination of sweet and savoury flavours (stuffed with pumpkin). 

The only purchase I made last Black Friday was the Ancestry DNA kit. It took ages for the kit to arrive, and then quite a bit for the results to get back.

If you think of doing it, don't bother with the Traits section, totally bollocks, and not worth paying for it. For example, supposedly I'm unlikely to get motion sick (while motion sickness is a huge issue for me, I cannot even travel on the bus without feeling terrible and need to take the meds); it claims I'm likely to prefer doing things with people (and in fact I do prefer doing things alone); my hair type is apparently wavy (my hair has never been wavy); likely to tolerate heat well (that's completely wrong); they think I'm an extrovert (ha ha); I'm less attractive to mosquitoes (I'm the blinking magnet for mosquitoes). 

They haven't done exactly everything wrong in the Traits, but more than a half of features are nonsense.

Now, the DNA analysis itself is very curious. I did know that there would be pretty much of a mixed heritage, but still expected a different result.

Have you done the Ancestry DNA, and what did you think of it? 

Another unnecessary purchase that I did recently was ordering a Tokyo Treat box. It's been such a horrid month, and I wanted to treat my boys and myself. I've been looking at their ads for over a year, and finally took the plunge. 

This is the January box. It is full of fascinating products, and we're enjoying exploring the new flavours and textures. There is a booklet, explaining what is what, though not all the products are listed.

Eddie and I liked the peanut butter candies with a jelly centre. The strawberry KitKats are also lovely. We haven't opened all the packets yet.

Have you tried a Tokyo Treat box?

One of the ink drawings I did last week - Eddie in a party hat, looking thoughtful.

I've been trying to de-clutter, and finding space for a new batch of books. I love the British Library Crime Classics series. The cover designs with the vintage posters are so stylish. 

Books in (all at half price, and I couldn't resist):

And books out - taken to the charity shop. A few of the books which I've read for reviewing, and some that I acquired in the past for us, which we won't be reading again.

Here is my Eddie, enjoying the Japanese noodles from the Tokyo Treat box. Given a chance, he would happily live on noodles. I'm obviously healthier cooking meals for us with protein and veg, but when my boy comes from school, he often makes a quick meal for himself.

Yesterday Eddie and I went to Oxford, while my husband and Sasha went to the local cafe. We didn't have any special plans, just mooched around the West Gate shopping centre. 

We had a quick bite at Itsu, and had a very strange encounter. There was a family of five who asked me to take a photo of them, then started to chat. They proudly told us that their young son (around 10 years old) had a prophecy that the war in Ukraine will end on the 17th of February. Well, we'll just have to wait and see. 

We didn't do much, bought a couple of t-shirts in TK Maxx for Eddie, some sweets, and also popped into Primark to check out the Squid Game pyjamas, but they didn't have any (thank goodness).

And that's about all the excitement we had for the last week.

I snapped George St in Oxford, as we were waiting for the bus home.

How was your week?

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Casa Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra

"Three hundred years the house had been standing sentinel, bearing the extremes of the seasons; through times of feast and famine, wars, revolutions and periods of blessed peace. Often Luigi found himself wondering about those who had called Casa Pardiso their home over the centuries... If only those old walls could speak!

The house was more than just a building. It was an archive of lives, each like a chapter in a book, but nothing more than a short story, really. The span of a human existence was as quick as a blink in the endless expanse of time..."
 

Casa Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra is an outstanding historical fiction set in Italy. This is Book 4 of the Paradiso Novels. It can be read as a standalone, however, I strongly recommend starting with book 1 to enjoy all the nuances and references.

Due to a very stressful family situation with our son this year, I have significantly cut down on the blog tours, as I cannot commit, yet, I couldn't say No to another novel by my favourite author. And I'm so glad, I read this beautiful, emotionally-charged story.

You might remember my previous reviews of Casa Paradiso novels -

Paradiso

and The daughter of Paradiso

Casa Paradiso could be described as a prequel to this gripping series.

Blurb:

Casa Paradiso - 300 Years in the Life of a House

Lombardy, Northern Italy, 1637

Cristό Lovetta, a skilled stonemason, arrives in the rural village of Pieve Santa Clara to work on a nobleman's house.

Haunted by a tragic past, Cristό wonders if he will ever find happiness again. However, as he immerses himself in his work, the warmth of the community and the beauty of the landscape convince him to begin a new life there.

Cristό designs and builds his own house, which he names Casa Paradiso. Over the centuries, Casa Paradiso becomes home to many generations, standing testament to lives beginning and ending, and witnessing the everyday challenges and triumphs of its inhabitants - from love lost and found, to the tragedies of war, the far-reaching consequences of political decisions made by powerful men and the evolving role of women in Italian society.

Casa Paradiso - the fourth instalment of the Paradiso Novels - is a shining, evocative saga spanning three hundred years in the life of a very special house, and a book that explores the enduring strength of the human spirit, contrasted with the transient nature of life itself.

Casa Paradiso is a wonderful collection of stories, all inter-connected, and weaved together into a rich narrative. The stories are a mix of melancholic, poignant, occasionally comic (some tales reminded me of fablios), and heartwarming.

Each chapter tells a story of a new owner/occupant of the house, with their own challenges, tragedies and losses. 

The first chapter tells a story of Cristό Lovetta who arrives to the village of Pieve Santa Clara as a stone mason, known for his strength, skills and artistry. It is Lovetta who finds the perfect location for his future home and comes up with an elegant design.

"There wasn't another like it in the village, with such pretty, intricate brickwork... People would stop to admire the house, and to appreciate the glorious, blossoming garden in which it sat, filled with every kind of vegetable and fruit, and vibrant sprays of flowers".

The house becomes the main focus of the saga. Its gracious proportions, the elegant staircase and splendid fireplace are the testament to the building skills of the first owner. When in later chapters, the changes are made to the old house - you feel such an affinity with it - you are almost bereft. 

I loved the author's notes at the end of the book, revealing the inspiration behind the book. Casa Paradiso is based upon a real house, built by the author's great-grandfather in a small village in Lombardy.

(We also live in an old townhouse, about 300 years old, with its quirky features and never-ending repairs, and I often think, if the old walls could talk...)

Francesca Scanacapra has a distinct style of writing, evocative, compelling and intelligent. This book reminded me of the classic writers of the XIX-early XX century, like Guy de Maupassant, or Chekhov. There is a thematic depth, astute observations of human nature at its best and its worst, complexities of relationships and the gift of captivating storytelling.

There is a theme/image of a little man running through, with the focus on the lives of ordinary common people, who are often vulnerable and helpless, unable to control their destiny. 

I've read many good books this year, some made me cry, some amused me, and quite a few left me indifferent to the characters or the storyline. 

Looking at the year that is coming to an end very soon, Casa Paradiso is among my top three reads, if not THE book of the year.

This review is part of the blog tour for Casa Paradiso.

Many thanks to Francesca Scanacapra, Silvertail Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!

 

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/CasaParadiso

Author Bio –

Francesca Scanacapra was born in Italy to an English mother and Italian father, and her childhood was spent living between England and Italy. Her adult life has been somewhat nomadic with periods spent living in Italy, England, France, Senegal and Spain. She describes herself as 'unconventional' and has pursued an eclectic mixture of career paths – from working in translation, the fitness industry, education and even several years as a builder. In 2021 she returned to her native country and back to her earliest roots to pursue her writing career full time. Francesca now resides permanently in rural Lombardy in the house built by her great-grandfather which was the inspiration for her Paradiso Novels: Paradiso, Return to Paradiso, The Daughter of Paradiso and Casa Paradiso. Her novel The Lost Boy of Bologna was also published by Silvertail Books.

Social Media Links –

Twitter @francescascana2

Insta @francescascana2

The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood (review + #giveaway)

 

"She could sense it. Now, more than ever, she knew she had to find out about her past, or her future would never be truly her own".

The Secret Daughter of Venice is a historical novel, set in England and Italy during and after the WWII.

Blurb:

The paper is stiff and brittle with age as Kate unfolds it with trembling hands. She gasps at the pencil sketch of a rippling waterway, lined by tall buildings, curving towards the dome of a cathedral. She feels a connection in her heart. Venice.

England, 1941.

When Kate Arden discovers a secret stash of drawings hidden in the pages of an old volume of poetry given to her as a baby, her breath catches. All her life, she has felt like an outsider in her aristocractic adoptive family, who refuse to answer any questions about her past. But the drawings spark a forgotten memory: a long journey by boat... warm arms that held her tight, and then let go.

Could these pictures unlock the secret of who she is? Why her mother left her? With war raging around the continent, she will brave everything to find out...

A gripping, emotional historical novel of love and art that will captivate fans of The Venice Sketchbook, The Woman on the Bridge and The Nightingale.

Kate Arden feels suffocated by the confines of Arden House. Snatched from everyone and everything she knew, she was brought to England as a little child and adopted by the Ardens. Though loved by her sisters, and being treated kindly by her step-mother, Kate feels she doesn't belong here. 

All questions about her past are left unanswered. 

Kate is a talented artist, and dreams of studying art, but Leo Arden, her strict father, doesn't want her to move to London. She's always been interested in sketching and drawing, and some suppressed distant memories suggest that she might have had an inspiring teacher.

"...drawing had always been her refuge, the one thing she could hold onto from her past and that elusive memory of the woman - who had surely been her mother - holding her, guiding her, encourgaing her".

Her late (adoptive) mother left illustrated Shakespeare's volumes to all her daughters, with messages hidden inside. One day, after examining the volume once again, Kate realises that the book cover has something hidden within the finer leather. There is a selection of drawings that might reveal the secrets of Kate's past, and possibly her true mother.

"Somewhere here lay the secrets of her past, and the reason Leo Arden brought her from the warmth of grape vines and olives to the frigid winter of Arden House".

The pater familias is the product of his generation and social status. Leo Arden believes he knows best what his womenfolk need. Children have to be obedient. The whole family tiptoe around him, not daring to provoke him or displease. If only he would tell Kate what she desires to know.

Instead, Kate is left to find her true origins, by solving the clues left to her, and some hints from her old teacher.  Her early memories come as day dreams, and they are all about distant shores, warmer climes, and gentle hands that cherished her.

"She shivered, remembering the deep cold that had settled in her bones in her first terrified days at Arden House; and the feeling of absence - absence of familiar heat, of earth brittle with lack of moisture and yet rich with the scent of lemons and olive groves, rosemary and wild thyme. The absence, most of all, of love".

Unfulfilled as an artist, and unable to pursue her painting until the war is over, Kate uses her artistic skills to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable. Working with young children who've lost everything during the Nazi raids, she proves to be a talented and compassionate teacher.

"She was going to escape! Her life was going to be her own, at least. and perhaps she could use that freedom to follow the clues left to her by her mother and find her, wherever she might really be."

Along Kate's tale we follow the story of Sofia, who is looking for her daughter in Italy, while the war is raging around. Sofia is a talented artist herself. Rather than return to New York when she still could, she stays in Venice, to find answers to the "question that had, in the midst of all her riches and success, eaten away at her, leaving her hollow inside".

Will mother and daughter be able to discover what's happened to each other? Will Kate at last know who she really is?

The plotline settings alternate between England (Warwickshire, West Midlands and Cornwall) and Italy (Venice and Naples).

I loved the Cornish setting, and the descriptions of the sea... the old cottage that used to be the artists' haven, the gallery at St Ives. 

The secret daughter of Venice is a moving story of secrets and deception, fractured families and tragedies, and being true to oneself. 

Juliet Greenwood captures the time and social setting beautifully. The descriptions of hardships of life during the war and human suffering are poignant and harrowing (e.g. the scene of the baby rescue after the raid is heart-stopping). Evocative, vivid, inspired. Highly recommended. 

This review is part of the blog tour for The Secret Daughter of Venice.

Many thanks to Juliet Greenwood, Storm Publishing and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Daughter-Venice-absolutely-historical-ebook/dp/B0CVV7F4N7

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Daughter-Venice-absolutely-historical-ebook/dp/B0CVV7F4N7

 

Author Bio –

Juliet Greenwood is a historical novelist published by Storm Publishing. Her previous novel, The Last Train from Paris, was published to rave reviews and reached the top 100 kindle chart in the USA. She has long been inspired by the histories of the women in her family, and in particular with how strong-minded and independent women have overcome the limitations imposed on them by the constraints of their time, and the way generations of women hold families and communities together in times of crisis, including during WW2.

After graduating in English from Lancaster University and Kings College, London, Juliet worked on a variety of jobs to support her ambition to be a full-time writer. These ranged from running a craft stall at Covent Garden to running a small charity working with disadvantaged children, and collecting oral histories of traditional villages before they are lost forever. She finally achieved her dream of becoming a published author following a debilitating viral illness, with her first novel being a finalist for The People’s Book Prize and her first two novels reaching #4 and #5 in the UK Kindle store.

Juliet now lives in a traditional quarryman’s cottage in Snowdonia, North Wales, set between the mountains and the sea, with an overgrown garden (good for insects!) and a surprisingly successful grapevine. She can be found dog walking in all weathers working on the plot for her next novel, camera to hand.

 

 

Social Media Links –

Storm:                   https://stormpublishing.co/

Website:              http://www.julietgreenwood.co.uk/

Blog:                      http://julietgreenwoodauthor.wordpress.com/

Facebook:            https://www.facebook.com/juliet.greenwood

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julietgreenwood

Instagram:           https://www.instagram.com/julietgreenwood/

 

Giveaway to Win 3 x Signed copies of The Secret Daughter of Venice (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –

UK entries welcome.  

Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. 

If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. 

Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  

Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. 

This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  

The Rafflecopter gadget is hosted by Chez Maximka for free for the purposes of the blog tour. I have no access to the data collected.

I am not responsible for selection of the winner, despatch or delivery of the prize.

Good luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Murder on the Italian Riviera by T.A. Williams

 

"Just you be careful. I wouldn't want this to be some kind of hoax or, even worse, like an attempt to incriminate you in return or even kill you".

Murder on the Italian Riviera by T.A. Williams is an entertaining cozy mystery, with grips and twists until the very end.

This is the 7th book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries series. It reads as a standalone, but it might help understand the dynamics between the main characters, as well as their back story, if you've read some - or all - of the previous books in the series. (If you haven't discovered this series yet, I suggest you start with the 1st book. You will thank me later.)

Blurb:

A brand-new cozy crime series set in gorgeous Tuscany... It's murder in paradise!

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. Biance 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?

Dan Armstrong and his loyal sidekick Oscar the labrador are back in action. Dan works as a private detective in Tuscany. He is a retired Met DCI, and also a published author with a bestselling book.

Dan loves Italy and he enjoys his job. "There was no doubt about it, my decision to settle in Tuscany two years ago was one of the best of my life..." 

When Bianca Moretti asks him to look into a death of a British tourist named Jospeh Beck at her father's private retreat, Dan is rather surprised. The last time he met Bianca was back in the UK, when he sent her to prison.

Bianca is a mystery figure. Can Dan trust her motives for approaching him? Is it some kind of a revenge plot to pay back? Why couldn't Bianca find someone else to look into the case of the dead Brit?

The police pronounce it the accidental death, yet Bianca is convinced that Beck has been murdered.

When Dan arrives at the resort on the Italian Riviera, he is in for a big surprise. This is the naturist retreat. To uncover the truth, Dan has to blend in with the guests. But where and how will he carry his notebook and phone?

The retreat welcomes guests from all over Europe. Finding the right information is rather tricky.

"I was feeling curious to know more about the mysterious Joseph Beck. Who had he been: a harmless, trilingual Brit with a penchant for letting it all hang out or somebody altogether less clear-cut?... had his death really been a simple accident or might there have been a more sinister reason behind it?"

This series combines all the winning elements of the genre, a clever mystery, a sympathetic main character, a gentle humour, dramatic and eye-catching locations (a new one in each book), wonderful descriptions of local cuisine, colourful supporting characters and much more.

And Oscar is truly a shining star of each instalment in the series.

I've said it before that there are many cosy mysteries with a token dog/cat/mouse, "helping" with the investigation, but Oscar has become a truly integral part of the series. He has a great personality, and his interactions with Dan and people he meets are a joy to observe.

Murder on the Italian Riviera is an intriguing puzzle with plenty of twists, red herrings and false leads. I've enjoyed all the books in the series, Dan and Oscar have become my friends, and I'm looking forward to each new mystery with great anticipation.

Many thanks to T.A.Williams, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/italianrivierasocial

Author Bio –

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.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/TAWilliamsNews