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 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

The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn

 

"Whatever she'd been expecting, it wasn't a bag full of letters to - well, to someone who didn't exist".

"It seemed detective work was considerably more difficult than the pen of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle suggested and, for the first time, Harry felt the magnitude of what she had undertaken".

The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn is an intriguing and entertaining cosy mystery, set in London in the early 1930s. This Sherlock Holmes-inspired story is the first book in The Baker Street Mysteries series.

Blurb:

London, 1932.

When Harriet White rebuffs the advances of her boss at the Baker Street building society where she works, she finds herself demoted to a new position... a very unusual position. Deep in the postal department beneath the bank, she is tasked with working her way through a mountain of correspondence addressed to Baker Street's most famous resident: Mr Sherlock Holmes.

Seemingly undeterred by the fact that Sherlock Holmes doesn't exist, letter after letter arrives, beseeching him to help solve mysteries, and Harry diligently replies to each writer with the same response: Mr Holmes has retired from detective work and now lives in Sussex, keeping bees.

Until one entreaty catches her eye. It's from a village around five miles from Harry's family estate, about a young woman who went to London to work as a domestic, then disappeared soon afterwards in strange circumstances. Intrigued, Harry decides, just this once, to take matters into her own hands.

And so, the case of the missing maid is opened...

Harriet White aka Harry is introduced to us as a "woman of education and refined manners". She works at the Baker Street building society.

"She liked earning her own money... the granddaughter of a baron had no title to inherit and needed to make her own way in the world". Unlike many young ladies of her circles, she is not looking for marriage as means of supporting herself. Her mother insists on introducing Harry to suitable bachelors in hopes to see her married. 

"So her job, though frowned upon by her family, was more than just employment - it was a declaration of independence". 

When insufferable Mr Pemberton attacks her in his office, Harry doesn't hesitate to knee him in the groin. As he crumples to the floor, howling, Harry leaves the office and continues with her work as if nothing had happened. The next morning she finds herself reassigned to the post room.

And not just any post room. 

Harry's new job is to reply to the letters addressed to Mr Sherlock Holmes. 

"Every correspondent ardently believed not only that the great detective was a real, flesh-and-blood person, but also that he could and would solve their mysteries. The had each set pen to paper, some in frustration, others in desperation, all in hope and anticipation that Sherlcok Holmes would heed their cry for help".

Harry is signing the letters on behalf of the great detective as his secretary. 

She understands that her boss sent her here, "hoping she would refuse to lower herself to such ridicuousness, and she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of being proved right".

Her replies are kind and soothing, telling the recipients that Mr Holmes has retired and doesn't reside at Baker St any longer.

As the weeks roll by, Harry is questioning her determination to stick things out. "And then, one Tuesday morning, she opened the envelope that changed everything".

Miss E. Longstaff has lost all hope that the police would help her family to find her missing sister, Mildred, who used to work as a domestic in London. She vanished without any trace, and her family is desperate for any news about her whereabouts.

Harry wants to help, seeking information about the missing girl, under the guise of Holmes.

And thus Harry's adventures begin, taking her from the high society drawing rooms to the slums of London. Hoping to unravel the mystery, Harry has to think what would Sherlock Holmes do to solve it.

There is a fascinating insight in the female gangs of shoplifters, known as The Forty Elephants. Their heyday was in the interwar period. By 1932 Alice Diamond, the female crime boss, was in prison, but the new members replaced old hands. 

The character of Harry is well-drawn and likeable. Conan Doyle would have approved of Sherlock Holmes' "secretary".

The Missing Maid is a cracking mystery, with a strong female protagonist, and deft plotting. It is a finely-balanced mix of historical detail and cosy crime fiction.

This review is part of the blog tour for The Missing Maid.

Many thanks to Holly Hepburn, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

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

Author Bio –

Holly Hepburn has wanted to write books for as long she can remember but she was too scared to try. One day she decided to be brave and dipped a toe into the bubble bath of romantic fiction with her first novella, Cupidity, and she's never looked back. She often tries to be funny to be funny, except for when faced with traffic wardens and border control staff. Her favourite things are making people smile and Aidan Turner.

She's tried many jobs over the years, from barmaid to market researcher and she even had a brief flirtation with modelling. These days she is mostly found writing.

She lives near London with her grey tabby cat, Portia. They both have an unhealthy obsession with Marmite.

Social Media Links –  

https://twitter.com/HollyH_Author

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

 

Murder at the Leaning Tower by T.A. Williams

 

"There was no question that he was a brilliant - and ruthless - businessman with a nose for a lucrative deal, and not too many scruples about how he made his money. According to what I'd read, in his private life he was also far from mundane".

"Murder's never pretty, but in a city of such overwhelming beauty, it appeared even more squalid".

Murder at the by T.A. Williams  is a marvellous and highly entertaining murder mystery set in Italy.

This is the 6th book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries series. It reads perfectly 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.

Blurb:

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

A secluded villa...

When Dan Armstrong is asked to provide security at a private villa on the outskirts of Pisa, he's pretty sure it will be an easy job. Villa Gregory is remote; the gathered guests are rich - what could possibly go wrong?

A glittering gathering...

Inside the high walls of the palatial villa, Dan discovers the gathered guests are some of the most powerful tycoons in the media world, with plans for world domination. With so much at stake, Dan redoubles his efforts to keep everyone safe.

A detective under pressure?

But when one of the group is found murdered, Dan's heart sinks - especially considering Anna's own daughter is in the frame! When the police arrive, Dan meets formidable Inspector Adolfo Vinci, a man whose main talent seems to be for getting things wrong. It all goes from bad to worse for Dan as the man from the Leaning Tower starts leaning on him.

It's another case for Dan and Oscar to sovle and this one won't be easy!

Dan Armstrong is pretty content with his life in Italy. He has a decent job, a comfortable place to live, a loving girlfriend, and a loyal companion, his dog Oscar. "Now that I had resigned from the Met, moved to Tuscany, and set up my own business as Dan Armstrong, Private Investigator, I once again found myself doing my own legwork, and it wasn't always a bundle of fun."

One day he is approached by a Business Development Executive with a request, "My boss is hosting an important meeting there in two weeks' time and he'd very much appreciate it if you could be responsible for security while the meeting's taking place".

Thus Dan agrees to provide security for the top secret meeting of media and finance moguls. "The people taking part are all major players in the field, some household names, and if news of what's being discussed at the meeting were to get out, there would be hell to pay".

The meeting takes place in a remote Villa Gregory, known for its quirky previous owner and the replica of the Leaning Tower in the grounds.

When one of  the guests is found dead in their room, the local police make one blundering mistake after another. The local Inspector called Vinci "fancies himself as a tough guy, like one of those bad Hollywood cops... He likes to think he's a character from a movie - although he doesn't have Clint Eastwood's looks".

The murder victim wasn't universally popular, and though the pool of suspects is limited, it appears quite a few of them would have wanted to see this person dead. Jealousy, and financial misdoings are possible murder motives. Money and sex could be the prime motivators.

Vinci who thinks he's "God's gift to policing" coming with the ludicrous assumptions, one of which is accusing the daughter of Dan's girlfriend.

In a way, this is an Agatha Christie-esque type of plotline, with all the suspects being confined to a secluded villa. Dan has to read the clues and eliminate suspects one by one, if he wants to find the murderer(s) before the time runs out.

There are so many elements that make this series great fun - a gentle humour, a wonderful relationship between man and dog, spectacular settings (a new location in each book), descriptions of social mores and food, vivid characterisation.

This is cosy crime at its best. As enjoyable and delectable as an Italian gelato on a hot summer day, or a glass of zesty Aperol spritz by the seaside. 

You may find many dog characters in cosy crime fiction, who accompany the main protagonist and bring humour into the narrative, but Oscar is by far my favourite.

Murder at the Leaning Tower is a hugely enjoyable mystery, clever and well-plotted, with pleasingly ironic notes.

This post is part of the blog tour for Murder at the Leaning Tower.

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

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

Author Bio –

T A Williams is the author of over twenty bestselling romances for HQ and Canelo and is now turning his hand to cosy crime, set in his beloved Italy, for Boldwood. The series will introduce us to retired DCI Armstrong and his labrador Oscar and the first book, entitled Murder in Tuscany, will be published in October 2022. Trevor lives in Devon with his Italian wife.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks

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

Murder by Christmas by Lesley Cookman (guest post)

 

Murder by Christmas

The twisting twenty-fifth instalment of Lesley Cookman's much-loved Libby Sarjeant series

Libby Sarjeant is deep into rehearsals for the annual pantomime when a body is found in a doorway two weeks before Christmas - and Libby and her friend Fran are called into action once again, when their investigation leads them to a local brewery and the sale of many of its pubs.

With the help of a team of local publicans, can Libby and Fran unravel the case before it's too late?

Purchase Link -  https://mybook.to/wWqwaY8

Author Bio – Lesley started writing almost as soon as she could read, and filled many Woolworth's exercise books with pony stories until she was old enough to go out with boys. Since she's been grown up, following a varied career as a model, air stewardess and disc jockey, she's written short fiction and features for a variety of magazines, achieved an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Wales, taught writing for both Kent Adult Education and the WEA and edited the first Sexy Shorts collection of short stories, in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign. Lesley is a member of the Society of Authors and the Crime Writers' Association.

Lesley has also written pantomimes performed all over Britain, and published a book on how to do it!

Learn more about Lesley by visiting her blog.

 

Social Media Links – https://www.facebook.com/LibbySarjeantMysteries/

https://twitter.com/CookmanCrime

https://www.instagram.com/lesleyrcookman/tagged/

I'm delighted to invite Lesley Cookman to share her views on how to write a good murder mystery.

How To Plan A Murder

 

When I was a child, my parents let me loose on their bookshelves and I devoured all their Golden Age Mystery novels. There wasn’t much differentiation between genres in those days, and they were just novels – and I loved them. So when I grew up – which is debatable  - I decided to write them. When I thought about it in a vague way before I morphed into a crime writer, I assumed you would start with the murder and work backwards. Now I know it isn’t as simple as that.

 

There are no rules for crime writing. If you write in a specific sub-genre: thriller, medical, psychological, police procedural or cosy (like me) there are lines over which you do not cross, but little is hard and fast. What are incontrovertible facts are – if you are writing a “puzzle” story, remember to insert unobtrusive clues from fairly early on. If the police are involved, get the details of an official investigation right. Those are self evident, of course, and everything else is exactly the same as any other novel – do your research, don’t let the story get away from you, create good characters. Unless it’s an integral part of the story don’t let an unfolding romance send your protaganist (s) off the rails. Romantic suspense is different – but there, the romance is an integral part of the story – think Mary Stewart.

 

So, here are a few wise words for the new crime writer. Don’t start with a dream or a flashback (although I think I have...) and Don’t Start Bland! [sic]. Don’t start the story too soon. Don’t forget that a mystery, or crime novel, is plot driven but the plot is driven by the characters. Depending on what sub-genre you have decided on, there should be at least one murder. The great Carter Dickson got away without one occasionally, but lesser mortals should stick to the rules. Make sure the murderer appears early in the story. If he, she or it doesn’t appear until late on in the book, the reader is likely to feel cheated.

 

If the detective/problem solver is to be the main protaganist, make sure they also appear early and unless they are official, give them a definite reason for getting involved. If they are a suspect in the main crime, the reason for getting involved is obvious – they must clear their name – but otherwise, don’t make them a suspect! However, introduce at least one suspect by the end of the second chapter, and make sure there are several VIABLE suspects by the end of the book. Not just people you’ve stuck in to make up the numbers.

 

The actual plot – my original idea of starting with the murder and working backwards is actually quite a good one, taken from the murderer’s point of view. A needs to kill B. Set that up and watch A cover his/her tracks. Then, with a bit of luck and careful concentration, you can go back and unpick it. This, of course, would be the ideal method, and I’m sure if I did this every time my life would be easier.

 

The other wise words are no different from those given to any writer, crime or otherwise, as I’ve already said. And here are my final exhortations: DON’T DO WHAT I DO.

In the first Libby Sarjeant I was told at the end that the murderer wouldn’t do, and could I put in a new character.  I did. With two weeks to go.

We have got stuck with the “Murder” titles. So whatever story I decide on has to have a suitable title. And frequently I then have to fit the story round the title. This is NOT a good idea.

Don’t have a brilliant idea for a title with a bit of a story wafting round the edges, tell your publisher and then get stuck with it. Most of my books are written out of desperation.

 

Actually, of course, a good murder mystery is both satisfying to read and to write. It can be bent into all sorts of shapes by all sorts of people. After all – look at me!

Murder at the Matterhorn by T.A. Williams

 

"We're all on edge. After all, we may be closer now to discovering proof of alien life than ever before and the last thing we need is a bunch of police officers tramping about the place, disturbing everything".

"Being involved in a real police murder investigation was meat and drink to me".

Murder at the Matterhorn by T.A. Williams  is a delightful and highly entertaining murder mystery set in Italy.

This is the 5th 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.

Blurb:

An old friend in need...

Despited being retired from the police, Dan Armstrong is always on hand to help with solving a crime. So, when he's contacted by an old colleague in need of help, Dan readily agrees. The only problem Dan can see is the location - an isolated mountain-top campsite of UFO enthusiasts.

An unexplained death...

But these are no ordinary star watchers, and when Dan arrives one member of the group is already dead. Some of the group suspect alien abduction, but Dan is sure the killer is much closer to home.

An out of this world case?

Dan doesn't believe in aliens, but faced with a black hole of secrecy from the group of suspects, he and Oscar have their work cut out to catch the murderer... before they strike again.

It's another case for Dan and Oscar to solve!

A gripping new murder mystery series by bestselling author T.A. Williams, perfect for fans of Lee Strauss and Beth Byers.

Dan Armstrong and his sidekick Oscar the labrador are back in action. Dan works as a private detective in Tuscany. He is also a published author, with a bestselling book. As a retired Met DCI, he cannot resist a good mystery, so when his ex-colleague Paul Wilson calls from London, hoping he could help him, Dan's curiosity if piqued. Paul's sister Sandra is currently in Italy with a bunch of UFO hunters, and one of the group's been killed.

According to Sandra, "it's a weird set up and she doesn't trust any of them very much. Some of them appear to be very tight-lipped about what happened. She says it's almost as if there's a conspiracy of silence".

The UFO aficionados are camping in the Aosta Valley in the Alps. Though it's quite away from Tuscany, where Dan is based, he promises Paul to pop up there and have a look, to reassure his friend.

Dan is sceptical about the aliens, but for the sake of disguise he pretends to be one of the UFO enthusiasts. He feels pretty sure that the killer has to be one of the group, rather than some random person. It is quite a big pool of suspects to choose from. Dan and Oscar need to work fast to uncover the killer before s/he strikes again.

The character of Dan is well portrayed, he is likeable, affable, and a total slave to his dog. Oscar is ready to eat all the time, makes friends easily, and provides a guaranteed laugh in the narrative. 

There is a vibrant spectrum of supporting characters, from the local Inspector Costey, to the UFO group members (like the Pirates of the Caribbean in their silver spacesuits).

Like all the books in the series, Italy provides a fabulous rich setting, with spectacular landscapes and glorious food. Reading these books is akin to having a gastronomical tour across Italy.

"Somehow, I managed to find room after all the polenta and beef for an exceptional panna cotta with flambéed fruits of the forest in syrup that probably added another thousand calories to the meal, but I was past caring".

Murder at Matterhorn gives a lovely blend of a good story told against a picturesque background of Italy, a likeable protagonist with an adorable sidekick, and a compelling murder mystery. A five-star page-turner from the first pages.

Now that Dan and Oscar venture further from Tuscany, I hope they will travel more across Italy in the further books in the series. 

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

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/matterhornsocial

 

Author Bio –

T A Williams is the author of over twenty bestselling romances for HQ and Canelo and is now turning his hand to cosy crime, set in his beloved Italy, for Boldwood. The series will introduce us to retired DCI Armstrong and his labrador Oscar and the first book, entitled Murder in Tuscany, will be published in October 2022. Trevor lives in Devon with his Italian wife.

 

Social Media Links –  .

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks

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

Clues to You by Claire Huston

"You and Max are as bad as each other."

"What do you mean?"

"This sleuthing business. You both take it far too seriously. It's a game, Kate. No one's dead for real."

Not yet, thought Kate as she trained her sights on Max. Not yet." 

Clues to You by Claire Huston is a sweet romantic comedy and a cosy mystery in one.

This is book 3 in the Love in the Comptons series (all are standalone romcoms).

Clues to You

One murder mystery weekend. Two rival sleuths.

They’re looking for answers. But will they find love?

 

Kate Brannon is delighted to be attending her first murder mystery weekend in a movie-worthy Victorian manor house. Still getting over being dumped, cracking the case would be a welcome boost to her flagging confidence. And the prize money wouldn’t hurt either.

But Kate’s dreams of victory become a nightmare with the arrival of Max Ravenscroft. Smart, enigmatic and annoyingly handsome, Max is Kate’s sleuthing nemesis.

 When she and Max are forced to work together, Kate despairs. But, as the investigation brings them closer, she finds being his partner in solving crime isn’t all bad.

 With growing suspicions that the game is rigged against them, can Kate and Max beat the odds to find the killer? And, as their partnership deepens, can they find romance too?

 

Kate Brannon arrives to The Old Grange Hotel for Merryman's Murder Mystery Weekend with great hopes. For her, spending a weekend, trying to solve the murder mystery, is pure happiness. Her best friend Bella is expected to attend the event with her fiance Ethan. With these two on her team, Kate knows she has a chance.

She " was determined to have a fun weekend with good friends. And maybe, just maybe, it would be a weekend with a dream ending. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment and she pictured her team solving the case to rapturous applause and carrying off fifty thousand pounds".

Her bubble of excitement is burst, when Max Ravenscroft makes his appearance, "her old rival, sleuthing nemesis and destroyer of dreams of detective glory..." She dreads working together with Max on the same team.

"She had hoped she stood a small chance of cracking the case. But the addition of another mystery - and none other than the diabolical enigma that was Max Ravenscroft - could well make the weekend more than she could handle".

To be fair, Kate does exaggerate her dislike of the formidable Max. In fact, he is very considerate to her, offering Kate cookies, when her stomach makes embarrassing noises.

With his sharp mind, Max asks direct questions that help their team. "In the middle of a weekend of extended role play, a weird fictional situation in which everyone was voluntarily suspending their disbelief, he was unwaveringly present and solid".

Like Elizabeth to her Mr Darcy, Kate's prejudices begin to melt away.

As Kate and Max probe further into the secrets of the family, they seem to be drawn together. Max shows that he can be caring and attentive, and not at all the monster she has envisaged in her mind. As each clue is being revealed, their mutual attraction grows.

There are rumours that the game has been rigged, and the game organisers are not playing fair, which they obviously deny. Is it possible for anyone to solve the clues and win the game?

Kate and Max are determined to find the answers. Will they find the killer? They are following the clues, but is it finally the time to start following their hearts as well?

Kate is a sweet likeable character, shy and not overly bursting with confidence, and with a quirky style in clothes. 

Max is the epitome of elegance and poise, and at first appears borderline smug over-confident.

They make an awesome duo of sleuths, complementing each other's strenghts. And they do take their hobby seriously (which is quite endearing).

The murder mystery is set in the 1930s, and at times you forget that the main action is happening at present, and the murder investigation is staged and performed by the team of actors. The murder mystery characters are fleshed out effortlessly, with insightful glimpses into their backstories. 

The whole story would make a fabulous TV series with a delightful set of characters, Archie "Tinkety-Tonk" Forbes being one of my personal favourites.

Clues to You is a very entertaining and an immensely enjoyable story, with a great charm and a sense of humour. 

A charming and fun read, with an original concept.

This review is part of the blog tour for Clues to You.

Many thanks to Claire Huston, Goldcrest Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book (and it's also signed by the author!)

Purchase Link - 

https://mybook.to/CluesToYou

Author Bio:

Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire with her husband and two children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but sometimes need a little help to realise it.

A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for over a hundred sweet treats at clairehuston.co.uk. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.

Social Media Links: 

https://linktr.ee/clairehuston_author