| Title | : | A Villa in Sicily: Figs and a Cadaver (A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 170 |
| Publication | : | First published December 21, 2020 |
Audrey Smart, 34, has made a major life change, walking away from her life as a vet (and from a string of failed romance) and moving to Sicily to buy a $1 home—and embark on a mandatory renovation she knows nothing about.
Audrey is busy working to open the town’s new shelter, while also renovating her own problematic home—and dating again. With the help of friends, she begins taking in sick strays. But not everyone in town is grateful for her services, and she soon makes unexpected enemies.
When Audrey gets a tip about an injured dog near the coast and goes to find him—she finds the dead body of a powerful local instead.
Can Audrey, now a suspect, solve the crime and clear her name?
Or will her Sicilian dream fall apart?
A laugh-out-loud cozy packed with mystery, intrigue, renovation, animals, food, wine—and of course, love—
A Villa in Sicily: Figs and a Cadaver (A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery #2) Reviews
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After reading several heavy books, I was ready for some light reading so I stared exploring the series by Fiona Grace. They all feature women starting over on a whim living abroad. The main character in this one is a vet who has bought a house for a dollar in Sicily and is now starting a vet practice in a small town with the support of the local council. Although there is one council member who is not so supportive, and when she turns up dead, our heroine comes under suspicion, so of course she decides to investigate herself. I enjoyed the descriptions of being a newcomer in small town Sicily, and there are some fun characters. The mystery itself is rather light weight, but I was interested enough to download others by this author.
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The main character is a jerk. Maybe sarcastic and mean flirting isn’t my thing because I just don’t get how these guys like her.
Once again the book spends most of the time world building and hardly any time on the murder mystery. The culprit is predictable, just like in the first book. The only thing that wasn’t predictable was why the victim died/was murdered. And what’s with the “it was an accident” excuse? Two books in a row. Kinda lazy writing.
The best part of these books is Mason. Otherwise, I’m not sure they’d be worth reading even as a time filler.
The author often leaves gaps in the storyline that never get filled, even in later chapters or books. -
Loved it!
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Sweet book. I am getting to know the players better. It’s obvious Mason like likes Audrey, but she’s too down on herself to realize that such a hottie would harbor any romantic feelings towards her.
Another “murder” occurred and, of course, Audrey was a suspect again. And, of course, Nessa the Big Bad Wolf made sure she was very vocal about Audrey being the culprit. It irritates me that Audrey won’t stand up to her. Audrey allows Nessa to figuratively spit on her because I guess she feels she deserves it. I do hope Audrey matures in future reads and also that Audrey “picks a lane” by making it official between her and either Mason or G. A heartbreak is on the horizon.
Next book is A Villa in Sicily: Vino and Death (A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery—Book 3). Why do I feel Book 3 will have a murder and Audrey will be the suspect AGAIN? Why can’t she stumble upon a body with someone else being the suspect?! -
This is the continuing story of Audrey, the vet who buys a one Euro villa in Italy, moves from Boston and becomes the town vet. Not everyone is happy about all the American's buying up property when the original plan was instituted in hopes of bringing native Sicilian's back home to revitalize the area, but Audrey's skills are badly needed.
A town councilwoman makes Audrey's life and the lives of others miserable with constant threats and mischief. She is soon found dead on the beach by Audrey and Mason (another American who bought into the $1.00 plan) and thus begins another murder adventure for Audrey.
Audrey doesn't giggle as much is this story, thank heavens, and there is some progress in her relationship with Mason (the hunk).
I don't know why the title is "Figs and a Cadaver" since there is no mention of figs in the story.
Not a bad read, but not spectacular either. There were several editing mistakes that should have been corrected but they don't spoil the story. -
Being an ex pat in a small town in Sicily where you bought the house for $1.00 sight unseen and are attempting to set up your veterinary practice is not as easy as it sounds. There is a council woman who is trying her darndest to get her to leave town, a next door neighbor who is absolutely the worst. Of course there is a restaurant owner trying to get her to go with him and a gorgeous ex pat who is trying to help her.
The council woman is found dead and Audrey being a newcomer and known to have trouble with this woman--well. It was actually a very large well behaved dog who showed them the body. Since he had no collar except for the one he dug up--Audrey took him back to her vet office.
It is the dog who ultimately solved the case.
This is the second book in this series and is a clean cozy which everyone will enjoy in my opinion. Be sure to read this series in order as there is a continuation from the 1st to the second. Yes, I read and reviewed the 1st one before this one--will wonders never cease. -
Sicilian dreams or murderous nightmares
Once again Fiona Grace has given us a wonderful story with inviting descriptions of the surrounding Italian scenery. Makes you feel like you are in the middle of it all!
Dr Audrey Smart, a Veterinarian is setting up a new clinic while trying to renovate her € 1 home, it’s all quite an overwhelming challenge. With handsome locals and fellow expats vying for her time Audrey finds herself questioning her move. Being attacked by a crazy councilwoman who wants her gone, dealing with an annoying Internet sensation neighbor, handling all the stray animals including a huge mastiff and discovering a body on the beach have her wondering if she can have her Sicilian dreams and solve the crime or have it all fall apart?
Great characters, witty banter and who done it uncertainty keep the pages turning.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions in this review are my own. -
Not as much description of Audrey's new $1 home in #2 but still loved this one. Here we see the miracle she performs in setting up a new clinic/shelter in a few days.
A witch of a councilwoman is trying to set up a new tax on collecting strays. When she is killed, some of her supporters still want to impose the new tax in her memory.
Audrey is becoming very comfortable with her new friend, carpenter Mason, but G the restaurant owner is still very interested. Audrey is still acting like a teenager around both of them.
Audrey becomes very attached to a huge stray mastiff she finds wandering around the lake after the death of the councilwoman and even supposed animal hating Mason ends up walking and even playing with him.
The mysterious visitor Mason is expecting turns out to be his mother!
How is it that Mason, with his "Southern aristocracy" background, speaks such poor English? -
Liked the 2nd installment of Audrey’s adventure. Of course it’s implausible she discovers 2 bodies in the short time she’s been in this little town but that’s a given, I looked past that.
Her continued struggle to establish and run her vet practice and renovate her own home provide numerous avenues to problems that seem to follow her around.
Also not sure how figs tie into the story. Or why Nessa hates her so much. I’m still hopeful for a romance for Audrey ... maybe book 3? -
The first of the Villa in Sicily books was really good. This one was fairly good, but was more about her vet practice than the villa, which I had been more interested in. She, of course, loves animals and there are a lot of animals featured in this book. If you like pets, you'll really like this book. There is a murder or two, and the handsome men who were in the first book are back, which was the best part.
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The second book in the series has Dr. Audrey Smart running herself ragged with her new clinic, rescuing strays and continuing to renovate her villa. Things are looking a bit dire when a mean-spirited council woman tries to levy a tax on strays and adoptions. Another murder and investigation are next for Audrey along with her increasing interest in Mason. This underdog character is sweet and her adventures in Sicily entertaining. This is a quick and fun read.
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High Heels & Jogging Suits
That woman should have been killed just for her style. Another murder in Audrey's new home town. Once again, poor Audrey is a suspect. But this time it seems as though everyone else in town had a motive. Thank goodness for dogs! The dog is the real hero. -
Love the Setting
Book 2. Still a charming setting and the cast of characters that are our heroine's friends is becoming more likable. But the detective work is still pretty lame. I continue to read because I have visited Sicily and am enjoying the descriptions of the area and the people.. -
2nd in series. Another Good Read
With Audrey's new veterinary business still struggling, love interests hovering on the horizon and another murder investigation the series makes for a good interesting read. -
Slowly, Audrey is setting up her life in Mussomeli. With her veterinarian practice and, even more slowly, with renovating her house. But of course there are set backs. And a murder to solve. And more animals.
I received a copy and chose to review it. -
I love this series. I was in Sicily and I can relate to all the Italian references in the book. Audrey is a great character, proving that you can survive even if you don't speak the language. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
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This series is cute and fun, not Great Literature but a good mindless listen. The mystery is the weakest part of the book. The main character shows growth and while the renovation takes a back seat, the animal clinic is a good addition.
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4 🌟 OK I'm sold on the cosy mystery genre lol I never understood it before, but this book, the characters, and the plot have me becoming a big fan! Specifically with this book, I really enjoy the animal love and respect that was given.
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Light and fun
This series continues with another murder and the opening of the vet clinic in the small Italian town. This was a light and entertaining read, the animals are especially appealing.
