| Title | : | Murder in Florence |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1804832391 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781804832394 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 267 |
| Publication | : | Published April 7, 2023 |
A glamourous film star…
Life as a private investigator in the suburbs of Florence isn’t always as glamourous as Dan Armstrong imagined it to be, until he is asked to investigate a recent spate of violent attacks on a Hollywood movie set in Florence. The star of the show, movie-star royalty Selena Gardner, fears her life is in imminent danger…
Foul play on set…
As Dan investigates, he discovers secrets and scandals are rife within the cast and crew. But with no actual murder, Dan believes these attacks could simply be warnings to someone…until the first body is found.
A dangerous killer on the loose.
Now Dan and his trusty sidekick Oscar are in a race against time to catch the murderer. But the more Dan uncovers, the more the killer strikes and Dan finds himself caught in the line of fire too! Is this one case Dan and Oscar will regret?
A gripping new murder mystery series by bestselling author T.A. Williams, perfect for fans of Lee Strauss and Beth Byers.
Murder in Florence Reviews
-
T.A. Williams is back with Murder In Florence, third installment of his cozy mystery series about Dan, a retired police detective, and Oscar, his phenomenal sidekick (a chocolate Labrador) solving crimes in Tuscany.
The author has really found Dan’s voice (his wry and self deprecating humor is so refreshing) and the overall tone of the serie, with some humorous touches here and there, making of each new installment a really enjoyable reading experience.
Dan is completely established in Italy, working now as a private investigator in Florence. A Hollywood film about the Medicis is being shot in the city, but a series of anonymous attacks with arrows with a creepy message have frightened the cast and crew, so Dan’s called to investigate upon these threats. It looks like the Medici feud against the Pazzi family is being reenacted several centuries later but, will Dan be able to uncover the killer before the next arrow is shot?
Florence is such a fantastic location for a story, and this time it is turned into a giant movie set, which offers loads of possibilities. The author manages to transport the reader to those streets, palazzos and gardens as if you were watching a movie yourself. He also takes you to the Tuscan countryside, discovering the reader a handful of little villages that sounds absolutely stunning and that I’d like to visit someday.
There’s a big cast of characters that work perfectly as an ensemble, portraying several different stereotypes you can find in the movie industry. It also works really well when trying to misdirect the reader’s suspicions about the killer’s identity. You will never be sure if they’re friend or foe, as with each new attack, suspicions come and go, making this a really entertaining conundrum to solve.
Murder in Florence can easily be read as a stand alone as there’s not a running backstory through the series, and enough details about Dan and how he came to live in Italy are provided. Also, love is in the air, so it looks like an interesting chapter is opening up for Dan.
Murder In Florence was a fun read, with all the glamour of a movie set and all the charm of the wonderful city of Florence. T.A. Williams romances are good, but his murder mysteries are even better!
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review and my spot on the Blog Tour. -
This is a series that is going from strength to strength with each book, as T. A. Williams really gets to grips with this new genre of his.
For this is simply sublime, I had absolutely no idea who to suspect, and it turns out just about everything is relevant even when you think it may not be. It's incredibly well plotted, and I couldn't get enough of this mystery.
I loved the film set as a location in Florence, and although there was perhaps a bit more history in this for my tastes, it all fitted in well, as the film being shot has historical elements around the Medici family. And as the film is being shot in various locales around the Florence area, Dan with Oscar are on hand to see if he can work out just who has been shooting arrows and threats at the film set.
There is aa great cast of characters, and this easily works as a standalone, with only a handful of characters that have been in the series before, those being the police that Dan, who is now a private investigator has been working with before.
I loved getting to know the various people making the film, and trying to figure out if they are suspects.
It's such a fabulous cosy mystery from an author that can do no wrong in my eyes. Utterly fantastic.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. -
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Murder In Florence' by T. A. Williams .
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for T. A. Williams, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Tours.
Publication date 7th April 2023.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in the 'Armstrong And Oscar Cosy Mystery' series but can be read as a standalone.
I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A gripping new murder mystery series by bestselling author T.A. Williams, perfect for fans of Lee Strauss and Beth Byers' . I am a huge fan of Lee Strauss so am looking forward to seeing if it lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Boldwood Books. I have yet to read a book published by Boldwood that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 26 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹.
This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonist is Dan Armstrong. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.
The storyline had me hooked immediately and I love the way that Dan goes about his detective work. There was so much going on that it kept me entertained thoroughly throughout with mystery after mystery and clue after clue. It was filled with mystery, laughter, murder, clues, romance, doggy treats, tension, suspense and so much more!! It is absolutely perfect to read either curled in front of the fire or lying on a beach which not many books can achieve. I never did work out who the killer was and was completely shocked when they were discovered. A great achievement as I am a huge crime fan and tend to work out who did what quite early on. The atmosphere was perfectly suited to the Mystery and I loved exploring Tuscany. I also loved all the historical information which was definitely an added bonus as I do enjoy discovering more history which I will be digging into more after I finish the book. I would definitely say that the author has done their research which is always a bonus as there's nothing worse than a book littered with errors which could have been avoided by doing research on the topics. TA Williams writing skills made me feel like I had been swept away to Tuscany and was walking along trying to solve the crime and mystery along with Dan and Oscar.
I enjoyed getting into this series and managed to read this book in one sitting. I wont say anymore about that as I don't want to spoil anything for future readers by giving too much away. I enjoy how we begin with the mystery of the threats being shot into the set and later find more and more about each of the characters and what they are hiding. I also enjoyed how all the storylines weaved together nicely towards the end and there wasn't any loose threads as another pet hate is ending a book with unsolved mysteries.
I would liken the speed of this book to a roller-coaster where it starts off slowly as it builds up and then once it hits a certain point you are at the top of the coaster and start travelling at speed with twists, turns, some slow parts and others faster until you hit the ending which is not quite what you would expect! A great start and introduction (for me) into this fantastic looking series.
Although this is the third book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
It is always worrying when starting a new series as you have no idea who the characters are. It is very important for me to bond with not only the lead protagonists but also any characters that may make repeat appearances during the series too.
There was a fantastic selection of characters that I met in this book along with our main protagonist Dan. I was fascinated watching the character development from the start to the end of this book and I'm looking forward to how Dan started right at the beginning and to continuing to read this series to watch his character continue to grow. I have to admit though that my favourite character just had to be Oscar!! As a huge animal lover myself any books that include animals gets bonus points for me and this one got mega points as Oscar played a main part!! He is such a sweet but mischievous boy and absolutely adorable!! I also enjoyed meeting all the cast and different characters that we meet on set. They were all well rounded, strong, realistic with their own quirks and personalities. One of my other favourite characters just had to be Rachel AKA Dizzy. The fact that she could fall over dust reminded me of myself so much!! I actually think I've just met someone who may actually be more clumsy than I am!! There was the perfect amount of characters to keep you guessing who the killer is and I enjoyed trying to work out who was hiding what even though I kept getting it wrong!! I'm looking forward to meeting Dan and Oscar again in previous and future books in this series!
Overall a fun and easy to read page turning cosy murder mystery with the perfect amount of crime, history and humour that will keep you turning the pages.
Genres covered in this novel include Historical Fiction, Historical Mysteries, International Mystery & Crime, Private Investigator Mystery, Traditional Detective Mysteries, Cozy Mystery, Murder, British Detective Stories, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Amateur Sleuths, International Mysteries & Crime, Mysteries, Historical Thriller, Mystery & Suspense Fiction, Suspense, and Crime amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of T E Kinsey, Beth Byers, Agatha Christie, Lee Strauss and anyone looking for a very easy, page turning and enjoyable read.
267 pages.
This book is just £2.84 to purchase on kindle, free on kindle unlimited and £9.99 on paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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A fabulous third novel in what is becoming a favourite series to look forward to and savour!
Having retired from the UK Police Force, Dan Armstrong has relocated to Italy and set himself up as a private detective. Along with his sidekick, labrador Oscar. he takes on whatever cases come his way. Have struck up a friendship with the local law officers, he works with them - not against them - and where he goes, Oscar goes too. This time round he's called upon to investigate a spate of attacks and threats at a Hollywood Movie Set, where they are filming in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside. Dan soon uncovers all the niggles between cast and crew, but he really needs to find out who is behind the threats . . .
I fall more in love with Oscar with each novel in this series. Dan's alright, but there is no doubt that Oscar has my heart, lol (We have our own Oscar, a chocolate lab). I've followed TA Williams' romances for several years and must say he has transferred to murder mysteries easily. There are always plenty of clues and lots going on - the culprit or culprits are never easily identified and each book is a brand new story in a new setting, showing off more of the wonderful Tuscan countryside. Who wouldn't want to live there after reading this series? As always, I was completely befuddled as to 'whodunnit' but, boy, did I enjoy the ride. An easy five stars to give - and I look forward to the next one! -
This book really was tremendous fun from beginning to end, although Dan has found that life as a private investigator – even in lovely Florence – can have its less glamorous side. But there’s a Hollywood film crew in town, filming some Medici-related historical scenes at various locations – and it seems someone doesn’t want them there, firing arrows with a chilling but clear message wrapped around the shafts, “Stop filming or start dying”. And when the local police can’t spare the manpower to provide a constant presence, Dan is brought in as the investigator, dressed in full Renaissance costume to blend in with the cast (yes, including the tights…), getting familiar with the cast and crew and sometimes appearing in the crowd scenes – until things get serious, one of the crew is found dead, the threat becomes increasingly real, and the set becomes a dangerous place to be.
As always, the characters are wonderfully drawn, from producer and director (and I learned quite a bit about the difference) through the several intriguing lead actors to the technical team, the writer and historical consultant, the gophers and security team. The threat might well come from within – there are certainly enough undercurrents and complications – but then again there might be a different connection, all tied up with the bloody history of the Medicis and the Pazzi uprising. There are suspects aplenty, all moving in and out of the frame in turn – and the dynamics and relationships between them are simply fascinating and quite perfectly handled.
One of the things I really love about this series – and I must say that you could easily read this book as a standalone, but seriously, why would you? – is Dan’s first person narration. He has such a wonderful wry and self-deprecating humour that lightens every scene – and I just adore his relationship with labrador companion Oscar, the notorious womaniser and devourer of anything remotely food-related that comes his way (sometimes with unfortunate and less than fragrant consequences). There’s a nice little frisson of possible romance for Dan in this book too, not easy when it’s difficult to know who to trust and when the woman in question looks increasingly like a possible suspect.
The story itself is excellent – plenty of complications and subplots, some with unexpected links, and they’re all very satisfyingly brought together by the book’s conclusion. The settings, as always, are beautifully drawn – the author’s books don’t just have a Tuscan flavour, they entirely transport you to the location where you can taste the food and feel the warmth of the sun. And despite the strong thread of humour, this was a really compelling read – I read the whole book in a single sitting, entirely immersed in its many twists and turns as the tension steadily built, and loved every single moment.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, I think this might have been my favourite in the series so far – and I’m really delighted that Dan and Oscar will have many more adventures to come… -
I’m loving this series and return to Florence safe in the knowledge of a fun and entertaining read. Dan Armstrong, former Chief Inspector at the Met, is now a private investigator , frequently helping out the Italian police due to a budding friendship with Virgilio, the Chief of Police. But now, Dan also takes on cases of his own. This time round, he’s trying out his new camera to catch out a cheating husband when Virgilio asks him to look into the matter of some threats made to the crew of a film company from the USA. These threats, odd that they should be sent to an American cast, are even more unusual in that they are delivered by crossbow.
Dan takes the case, and with Oscar in tow – naturally – he sets off to question the cast and crew about the threats. Never did he imagine he’d spend the coming days dressed in Renaissance garb, complete with tights and a floppy hat, but in order to blend in he does so, much to the amusement of his Florentine friends and colleagues. However, tracking the archer is not easy, whoever is sending these threats is skilled and light on his or her feet, but at least no-one has been killed yet.
Ah, and then someone is found dead in the woods with an arrow in his back. The case is developing at a pace that Dan can’t match, and this murder requires him to work with the police now to catch the culprit.
This book continues with great characterisation as Dan settles into his new life, honing his skills as an author and investigator, and appreciating the beauty of his surroundings. He considers himself a lucky man to work in such a beautiful setting, and with a hint of romance on the horizon, life for Dan is going well. Another great mystery and a series I’m happy to return to. -
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Makes me want to go to Italy!
Dan Armstrong is now a private detective with an office in the Florence suburbs. He has cases, too, except that most of them deal with suspicious spouses, annoyed neighbors, etc. However, his friend and Chief of Police Virgilio sends a Hollywood case to Dan.
A film crew with the famous heroine Selena Gardner is filming in Florence, and someone doesn’t like it. The team has been getting threats with messages wrapped around arrows. Dan takes the case and finds that there seems to be a lot of scandals and gossip than danger. But when one of the prominent team members gets killed, Dan realizes he needs to step up the game.
Soon, Dan finds out there’s much he doesn’t know about the case, and this could put him and Oscar, his trusty black lab, in danger. Can Dan solve the case in time?
The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
This is the third book in the series and works as a standalone. There are necessary references to the past to keep the reader up to date about Dan’s personal life.
The chapters are shorter (thankfully), though the pacing is slow to medium. This is the kind of book you cannot rush through. With such a beautiful setting and enough mentions of food, there’s no point in rushing, either.
The book also gives insights into the lives of celebrities and the complexities involved in making a film. Since we see things from Dan’s perspective, there’s no overload of information.
The mystery takes time to unravel, and we have scenes where Dan and Virgilio discuss the same information multiple times. It can get a bit boring, especially in the middle, but things start to come together rather well.
I like how seemingly unrelated bits tie up to take the story to the conclusion. The pages allocated to ‘other things’ aren’t fillers but have a role in the overall plot. Oh, there’s a short explanation of the various types of law force departments in Italy.
I don’t like the repeated mention of Dizzy’s clumsiness. I get that she is klutzy (some of us are), and it’s okay to use it in a few scenes to advance the plot. However, repeated references make it a little too excessive.
I don’t have to separately mention Oscar, should I? He is a darling, always ready to be cuddled by ladies and fed by anyone. The book would be boring without him.
To summarize, Murder in Florence is a good continuation of the series, with a great setting, yummy food, an adorable doggy, and a few dead bodies. Looking forward to the fourth installment (and I’m so happy for Dan!).
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MurderinFlorence -
This is the third book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series. Dan Armstrong is a retired detective who had relocated to Florence, Italy and works as a Private Investigator. He is often requested to help the police when a crime is committed (usually murder) and they need a pair of fresh eyes from someone with experience. Oscar is his trustworthy sidekick who has a sixth sense and often helps to solve the crime. In this book, Dan has been hired by a Hollywood Production Company to provide security, but it ends up that he is solving a murder. They are making a film about the Medicis and there is a series of arrow attacks with messages. The cast and crew are uncomfortable and the motive will have a lot to do with these attacks. First Dan has to find the motive, then he will find the culprit.
I enjoy cozy mysteries where the protagonist has some experience investigating (PI, retired police, coroner etc.) This brings a bit of realism to the story. I love the location of Florence and the Tuscan Countryside, especially as Italy is on my bucket list. The descriptions are wonderful and give me an idea of what the scenery and location are like. This book has a large cast of characters as the movie set is the major setting of the story. I loved how there were several stereotypical characters you find on a movie set. It was fun to get to know many of them and it also gives a lot of suspects to investigate. There were many red herrings and every time I thought I had it figured out, something changed my mind. Being a history buff, I enjoyed the bits about the Medici family and the history surrounding it. Of course Dan and Oscar solve the case, but there is a lot of action along the way. I recommend this book and series to cozy mystery lovers, especially if you love ones set in Europe. The audiobook of Murder in Florence was narrated by Simon Mattacks and he has such a great voice for Dan Armstrong. It is no nonsense, yet expresses well when needed. I hope he continues to narrated this series. -
Murder in Florence turned out to be the second book about Dan Armstrong, a former Chief Inspector at the Met who has retired to Florence and now works as a Private Investigator.
Somehow I managed to miss the first instalment in this series but I discovered this gem on Netgalley and was immediately triggered by the title to request a review copy and I must say: I was not disappointed.
Dan and his dog Oscar, as well as his friend Vergillio are likeable and interesting characters. The setting in Florence of-course is fabulous and the plot about deaths during the shooting of a movie on several locations in the province of Firenze is very interesting. As a second house owner in Tuscany I am quite familiar with the scenery and historic places and buildings that are mentioned in the book.
I was very pleased to notice that the author also mentioned some less visited places in Tuscany like Montaione and one of my favourite places in Tuscany: San Vivaldo. The monastery and the quaint little chapels surrounding it are certainly lovely but I was a bit disappointed that the most striking aspect of this site, the absolutely lovely terracotta scenes from the live of Christ inside the chapels, isn't mentioned, leading me to suppose that the author hasn't visited the site or unfortunately missed the best feature of San Vivaldo. Anyway, I can heartily recommend a visit, followed by a lovely pasta lunch at the Osteria San Vivaldo in the nearby village.
The storyline of the book was very interesting and I loved the references to the history of Florence during the Renaissance, although there were some little glitches in the historical information about the Pazzi uprising.
I will certainly read the first episode in this series and watch Netgalley in expectancy of further instalments. -
Murder in Florence is the third delightful installment in best-selling author T A Williams’ hugely enjoyable Armstrong and Oscar series.
As a private investigator working in the suburbs of Florence, Dan Armstrong isn’t exactly living La Dolce Vita. Glitz and glamour are in increasingly short supply – even when he is asked to investigate the recent spate of violent attacks on a movie set in the Italian city. With silver screen royalty Serena Gardner terrified that her life in jeopardy, Dan begins to take a closer look at this case – and quickly discovers that what happens behind the camera is far more scandalous – and deadly – than what happens in front of it!
The cast and crew of this film all have a secret they are absolutely desperate to keep hidden. No actual murder has been committed and Dan cannot help but feel that these attacks are a warning for somebody – until the first body is found. With Dan and trusty sidekick Oscar on the case, they are working against the clock as they try to catch a dangerous killer before another body is found. As the terror and jeopardy intensify on the streets of Florence, will Dan and Oscar manage to solve this case in time? Or has the murderer already got the next victim in their sights: Dan Armstrong?
T A Williams’ Armstrong and Oscar series is so much fun and Murder in Florence is the latest gripping page-turner full of nail-biting tension, beautifully evoked locations and nuanced characters who aren’t always what they seem. A first-rate cozy mystery that keeps readers guessing until the last page, T A Williams’ Murder in Florence is so addictive, putting it down is simply not an option.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. -
Title: Murder in Florence
Author: T.A. Williams
Series: Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery #3
Narrator: Simon Mattacks
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: April 7, 2023
My Rating: 3.6 Rounded up
Pages: 267
Dan Armstrong is a fifty-six year old retired Brit Detective. He and his faithful black Labrador dog Oscar are living the good life in Tuscany, Italy. Dan is hoping to be a writer. He is divorced and has an adult daughter. His best friend in Italy is Inspector Virgilio Pisano.
In this story Florence is transformed into a giant movie set – the movie is primary filmed in the US but has a historical backstory which takes place in Florence,
Dan has moved to Tuscany and is now working as a private investigator in Florence.
The movie mentioned is about the Medic is and is being filmed in the city. Cast and crew all are wearing period costumes.
Dan is called in to help when attacks with arrows with a message have frightened the cast and crew. The fear is the Medici feud against the Pazzi family is not only being reenacted in the film but real life.
Dan has been hired to find who is scaring everyone with these arrows before someone is killed.
Readers are transported to the streets, palazzos and gardens as well as the beautiful Tuscan countryside. We also have a smile on our face as we visualize Dan wearing a period costume ~ the idea is so that he will blend in with the cast.
Another great
T. A. Williams Dan Armstrong story and I am looking forward to Book 4 next in this series. -
‘Murder in Florence’ is just on the right side of cosy for me, cute, and fun but with a slice of darkness running through it! Plus, it is set in the gorgeous area of Tuscany and Florence, and there is also a dog along for the ride. What isn't there to love? This is the third book of the series but it can be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading the first two books as they were brilliant. This series is just getting stronger and stronger and I can't wait for the next outing.
Dan Armstrong has set up a detective agency in Florence but it isn't as exciting as he hoped for. He mainly trails people who are suspected of cheating. But when he is asked to investigate a spate of violent acts on a film set in Florence he jumps at the chance. The main star in the film Selena Gardner fears for her life and the whole cast and crew are on tenterhooks in case there is another attack. There are plenty of secrets and scandals on the film set but nothing that Dan can see that would cause this. That is until the first body is found. Dan has his work cut out to find the killer before they strike again.
I flew through this as soon as it arrived as I adore this series! It is a tightly plotted novel and doesn't over-explain what is happening to the reader as the author assumes we have a bit of intelligence. It's full of twists and turn and I was honestly kept guessing until the very end. There was a great cast of characters on the film set and I enjoyed how all their stories intertwined with the secrets and scandals! Dan and Oscar were great as usual and I can't wait to see what adventure is coming next!
Let me know if you pick this one up! -
Book 3 in the Armstrong and Oscar Cosy Mysteries Series following Murder in Tuscany and Murder in Chianti and we have now moved to the beautiful city of Florence. Dan Armstrong is a Private investigator based in Florence who is always working with his partner, his beloved black labrador Oscar. Dan is approached by his friend Inspector Virgilio Pisano of the Florence Murder Squad to help out on security for a film crew, filming in and around Florence, who have received death threats.
Briefly, Dan turns up at the film set to find that crossbow darts have been fired at the crew, luckily all missing. Shortly afterwards one of the darts hits a target causing fatal injuries. Now that things have turned serious Dan and Virgilio (along with Oscar) take matters in hand. Although they have a list of possible suspects there is no obvious killer.
Lots of fun and detective work and Oscar proves he isn’t just a food guzzling labrador. The descriptions of Tuscany are wonderful and I enjoyed the historical information, the more I read this series the more I want to go there! There’s a bit of everything going on; Dan even enjoys a romantic interest but then discovers she is a suspect! A very entertaining, easy read with a good plot and excellent twists and turns to keep you guessing. It’s a great book in an equally great series.
4.5 stars -
Armstrong and Oscar are back...........
Murder In Florence by T A Williams brings back to you beautiful countryside in Italy. A whodunnit mystery with lots of characters. The plot picks its pace right from the start with a very unusual incident. Each character is under suspicion and there are few twists and turns which creates excitement. At a point, I felt confused with all the French names. But, still I was waiting for the plot to reveal the culprit. I really enjoyed the book and its characters, especially Oscar.
Definitely, 4 stars for the book. Thanks to Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with an opportunity to be a part of the blog tour.
Read more on Armstrong and Oscar are back...........
Murder In Florence by T A Williams brings back to you beautiful countryside in Italy. A whodunnit mystery with lots of characters. The plot picks its pace right from the start with a very unusual incident. Each character is under suspicion and there are few twists and turns which creates excitement. At a point, I felt confused with all the French names. But, still I was waiting for the plot to reveal the culprit. I really enjoyed the book and its characters, especially Oscar.
Definitely, 4 stars for the book. Thanks to Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with an opportunity to be a part of the blog tour. -
A difficult case
Taking place...
Film crew...
Bolts from who?
Threats, danger . . .
From a stranger?
Someone may die -
Why?
A Hollywood film crew and famous stars, too,
Have been getting threats so what should they do?
Well in Florence they put Dan Armstrong on the case
Though on a film set he and Oscar feel out of place.
Secrets, scandals, gossip and facts,
Suspects are something Dan doesn't lack!
With costumes and tights making others grin,
Whilst for Oscar the ladies are a huge win.
Mixing with stars, searching for clues, too
Endeavouring to keep everyone safe all the way through.
Bolts from the blue, too close at times,
Who is threatening them through these crimes?
A fascinating mystery with stars to the fore,
That keeps you guessing and wanting more.
There's also potentially just a chance
For Dan to be involved in a romance!
I really enjoyed reading this enthralling mystery,
Complete with insights into history,
Oscar has a key role to play, too,
As Dan endeavours to see the case through.
Another brilliant case for this duo to investigate,
Hoping to solve it before it is too late!
For my complementary copy, I say a huge thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review. -
Dan Armstrong retired after 30 years in the Murder Squad where his "pals" gave him the "gift" of a writers' retreat in Tuscany. Since then, he has become divorced, settled in to stay, made friends with some men in the local Polizia, adopted a Black Lab (Oscar), and written a mystery that's ready for publication.
Now he's been recommended to look into threats being made via crossbow bolt to the crew of a film company who has plans to film on location for a few weeks. It's certainly unusual, especially since he has to dress in tights and doublet all day! Things escalate until there is an actual murder. While this is a cozy mystery, it is also something of a procedural because of personal involvement with the Polizia.
Fun, twisty, surprising, and definitely unputdownable! Great characters, good worldbuilding, very relatable. There is also a simple delineation of the policing branches in Italy that I never found clarified by Andrea Camilleri.
I requested and received an e-book copy from Boldwood Books courtesy of NetGalley. Thank you! -
I’m a lover of murder mysteries and Italy. But I’m really not loving this series. It feels very amateur- the first book or two I was like that’s fine they are getting their groove and going to figure this out. But I just don’t love this. Dan feels very flat and forcefully trying to be funny in some of the quips about his age and how he thinks. Also, for being a retired detective he is pretty idiotic in how he handles most situations. And he ALWAYS* falls for some woman that may or may not be the murderer. (*always being in these first 3 books) I just expected these books to be a *bit* more. More describing of the beautiful scenery. More suspense of who could have done it. I may try to read the next one to see if they get better but only because they are quick audio listens. I don’t expect a deep dark murder mystery, I in-fact enjoy many light hearted ones like this but this series is just not fantastic. The Verlaque and Bonnet series I think handles the laid back mystery genre much better.
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Thank you @netgalley for introducing me to the "An Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery" series with "Murder in Florance" by T. A. Williams. This book is to be released April 7, 2023. Even those this is the third in the series I didn't feel as if I was missing anything. However, I do now want to now read the first and second books.
"Murder in Florence" By T. A. Williams was a different take on a cozy mystery than I am used to. It was from a later in life male point of view. Typically, you see most cozy mysteries as a 30 something female. I was not disappointed though. It was very well done and didn't go into a gum shoe, private eye, like narrative. Those can get a little demeaning to women in the over "sexed" descriptors. This was pleasantly cozy. The only annoyingly male thing was that the main character kept saying that his dog "like the ladies." Once or twice of that was more than enough. -
Murder in Florence is the third book in the Armstrong and Oscar series of cosy crime set in Italy, and book 3 is just as enthralling as the first two books in the series.
This time, Dan somehow finds himself forced to wear tights to blend into the film set he works on, where crossbows have been shot at those on set. It is all very perplexing. I loved the use of the movie to enrich the story with historical details of Florence. Always a history buff, it was great to see it put to good use while keeping me entertained.
As with the first two books in the series, there is a twisty plot where Dan gets to venture to many local beauty spots before getting even the sniff at a breakthrough on the case, and of course, none of it would happen without the aid of the always hungry, and always a bit 'farty' Oscar the labrador pooch.
A thoroughly entertaining tale.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy. -
Although the third in the series, this feels as fresh as ever. There is a certain amount of humour in the story which I enjoyed and of course, Oscar the Labrador is as adorable as ever. Dan is a likeable central character and you feel that you are getting to know more about him, this far into the series.
The setting is gorgeous and Tuscany is very much at the centre if the story with some lovely descriptions. The storyline itself has several possible threads which you find yourself considering along with Dan. There are some red herrings to decipher before the truth behind the crimes emerges. This is an enjoyable read, full of interest which uses the culture of Italy to add depth to the story. Alongside the mystery, there is a gentle thread of romance which adds interest.
In short: murder amongst the Tuscan hills with a dash of romance
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book -
It can be hard to write something meaningful and interesting after you read and reviewed all the books in a series for blog tours.
I love this series and I think that T.A. Williams is a talented mystery writer, balancing the the style of his romance novel with the elements of a classic mystery.
This mix produces gripping and highly entertaining stories that always keep me guessing and turning pages.
Dan is the human sleuth, but Oscar is the dog you would like to adopt. I always laugh when it talks about Oscar being always famished as one of my cats is also always famished and on diet.
This is the best story in the series and i like how the characters are evolving and the realistic descriptions of Tuscany and Florence
Read it and have fun.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for this arc, all opinions are mine -
I’ve read several of T.A. Williams’s romance novels and I loved them so I was excited to know this author has a cozy mystery series set in Tuscany.
This is the third book in the series and even though I haven’t read the first two books yet, this one was easily read as a stand alone.
I loved the beautiful descriptions of Florence and it’s surrounding areas especially since I’m visiting there this summer.
The characters are written with a perfect amount of detail. The mystery itself is well plotted and entertaining.
Dan Armstrong, a retired London chief inspector, is now a private investigator in Tuscany. He has the help of his very friendly lab named Oscar.
In this book, Dan is hired to keep a movie cast and crew safe after they receive threats via messages sent with arrows.
After the threats escalate to murder, Dan is on the clock to keep everyone safe and catch a killer. -
Italy Dan & Oscar
I absolutely loved this book…as I have done all three in this series!
Who won’t have fallen in love with the gorgeous Oscar sand routing for a happy ending for our fav private eye, DCI Dan!
Great plot which kept me guessing brought to life so well. I’ve visited Florence & it’s everything you imagine it to be!! Incredible!! Just as in this story, so thrilled that most of my favourite characters made a return in this third book. Grown to love them.
Really hope this isn’t the last of DCI Dan, Oscar & Virgiliio exploits!
Italy is my favourite place in the world.
As a sufferer of chronic pain…therefore I have many many nights where I get very little sleep! Without wonderful books like these I wouldn’t still have my sanity. Thank you Trevor I’ve devoured all of yours & many others… -
Dan Armstrong is a private investigator in Florence. The job has been low key till now.
A series of threats against the stars and the filming of a block buster has set everyone
including the local Police on edge.
The murder of one of the crew especially with a bow and arrow sets the investigation in
a different way. Is it linked to the story being filmed and someone's aversion to the story,
or the manner in which the story is being directed, or is it personal to someone who is
acting or directing. When the killings and attempted killings escalate, the investigation
has to escalate too to prevent more blood shed.
Unusual setting, for a mystery murder, seemingly laid back detective work but a good s -
The perfect combination of cosy crime and escapist travel fiction makes the Armstrong and Oscar series one of the best in the genre. The Italian setting is authentic, from its culture to its cuisine, and the characters are complex and engaging. In Murder in Florence, the detective-centred mystery is twisty and builds to a suspenseful conclusion. The setting on a film location is intriguing, but the true stars of the story are Dan Armstrong and the enigmatic Oscar, the Labrador.
I like this story's characters, mystery and Italian setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. -
Dan and Oscar are getting used to their private investigation work in Tuscany. This book is set on a Hollywood movie set, filming in Florence. When the cast and crew get threatening messages, Dan is hired to find out more. He has to investigate the cast and crew and keep them safe , whilst trying to find the culprit.
As always, the setting is so vividly drawn that more areas of Italy are added to your bucket list. The food is also wonderfully descriptive and makes you so hungry and keen to travel to the delicious sounding eateries!
Oscar is such a cute character- one for the ladies!
I eagerly await TA Williams next book.
