(This is Book 2 in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series, but works as a standalone.)
Retired DCI Dan Armstrong (56) and his black Labrador dog Oscar live in Italy. They have made a new life in a new country, Dan now being divorced with a grown up daughter and he has settled well into a new community. His best friend in Tuscany is Inspector Virgilio Pisano, who works as a detective in the murder squad.
One day, Virgilio rings Dan to tell him some news – the millionaire Rex Hunter has been found dead on a golf course at the Acquarossa Country Club he owned, apparently murdered. As Rex was Australian, Virgilio asks Dan to help as interpreter for Rex’s family. And possibly do a bit of undercover work for him too…
It seems Rex has plenty of enemies and few people seem to be mourning his loss. The area is filled with family, employees and apparent sexual conquests! These characters are all well-drawn and authentic too. I especially loved the neighbouring farmer Luigi Signese and would love to try his wines and olive oils!
Will Inspector Virgilio and his colleague Sergeant Innocenti find out who actually committed the crime? Helped by Dan, we follow them as they do their interviews, make their enquiries and pick up clues. It is rather like Agatha Christie in that we try to work it out alongside them and I do enjoy that aspect of the book.
I really enjoy T A Williams’s writing style. It’s easy to read, chatty, warm and I was interested in the characters and the story straight away. The novel is well-paced too, it doesn’t ever become boring and is the perfect novel to escape into. We have the Italian climate, the food, the drink, the scenery… what more could you ask for? Cute dog? Yes, that too! I’ll look forward to reading more in this series.
BLURB
Murder in Chianti
Murder in broad daylight…
When millionaire magnate, Rex Hunter is found with his head bashed in on the eighth hole of his prestigious golf and country club in beautiful Chianti, it’s a clear case of murder. Hunter was rich and successful and the envy of many, so retired DCI Dan Armstrong thinks the case will be a hole in one to solve….
A despised victim…
But as Dan and his trusty sidekick Oscar begin to dig deeper into Hunter’s lifestyle, they discover a man despised by many. A renowned womaniser, ruthless boss and heartless family man, it seems no one is particularly sorry to see Hunter dead. And the list of possible suspects is endless…
A murderer covering their tracks.
Dan is determined to catch this clever killer, but it seems every new lead brings another dead end. Will this be one case Dan and his canine companion won’t solve?
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3sOnfkv
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
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