Book Review - Murder in the Tuscan Hills by T. A. Williams

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Murder in the Tuscan Hills

Author: T. A. Williams

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 2nd February 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

A picturesque scene… 🍇

As grape harvest season rolls around, retired DCI Dan Armstrong and his beloved canine companion, Oscar, are looking forward to a nice quiet September. But when Dan is contacted about a mysterious death out in the Tuscan Hills, it seems that work must come before pleasure.

A suspicious find… 🔎

At first it appears that the body found lying outside a prestigious winery has been the result of a tragic hit and run. But then the police discover that this is a cover up for murder…but who would kill in such an idyllic spot and why?

A face from the past? 😎

As Dan investigates, he meets famous ex rock star, Digger, owner of the winery and prestigious Podere Dei Santi hotel. Digger’s guests include wealthy businessmen, tourists, and, among them, suspected mafia hitmen. But more significant for Dan is a face he knows only too well from his own past and he soon finds that wine isn't the only thing fermenting around him.

Could this murder be the start of a gangland war, or do the killer’s motives lie much closer to home? Will complications from Dan's past return to trouble his future? Either way, Dan and Oscar must work around the clock to solve another mystery.

I think by this stage of the series it is fairly safe to say that Oscar is fat becoming one of my all time favourite detectives.  Don't let the fact he is a gorgeous labrador fool you, he is once again a key component of the Dan and Oscar team. 

His nose for clues is uncanny, his ability to tell a good person from a bad one is impressive, and he is utterly key in the finale section of this book too.  

I just want to raise a steak to Oscar, one of the best canines I know! 

Don't get my wrong Dan has loads of good points too and it was a pleasure to see him working with the local police once again, this time in a case that surprisingly has him come face-to -face with his ex-wife.  Which is the first time we have met her, and I definitely prefer Anna! 

Ah yes there were definitely some murders in this story, the body count kept rising, but just why people were being killed, and who was doing it, was a lot easier to ask than to discover.  

There are many theories floated about and I was never sure what to believe and I definitely didn't have a strong feeling towards any of the suspects apart from not liking some of them. 

It's a lovely and complex case for Dan and the police to work on, and there are some very interesting discussions too. 

I am a massive fan of this series and already can't wait to read the next book.  Long may it continue! 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.