It’s my stop today on the blog tour for Murder in Chianti by T.A. Williams. Many thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for the invite.
Title: Murder in Chianti (Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery #2)
Author: T.A. Williams
Published on: 27 January 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Murder in Chianti is the second book in T.A. Williams’ Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series.
Murder in broad daylight…
Millionaire Rex Hunter is found with his head bashed in on the eighth hole of his prestigious golf and country club in beautiful Chianti. it is pretty clear that this was no accident – it was murder. Hunter was rich, successful and arrogant. He was also quite famous with the ladies… well, at least he thought he could do anything he wants with them as he had money. Turns out, nobody liked him. Not even his ex-wife or children.
Retired DCI Dan Armstrong has moved to Italy for good. He’s concentrating on his writing career and his overly energetic dog Oscar. Virgilio, a local detective, has become Dan’s close friend. Dan helped him with a case before and when Virgilio asks for help, Dan cannot say no. Dan is an interpreter of sorts for cases where suspects are English or do not speak Italian.
As Dan and Oscar start to dig deeper into the murder mystery, they learn the victim was despised by all and nobody grieves for his death… except his month-old widow. She’s half his age so both Virgilio and Dan wonder if her feelings for her late husband are true.
Dan is determined to solve the case but every clue leads him to a dead end. Suspects are plenty alright but who might have finally gone ahead and killed Rex Hunter?
Another fantastic addition to my favorite series. I have only praises and more of it for this fantabulous, engrossing and entertaining cozy mystery. Not to forget, a dash of humor always makes a cozy mystery interesting and enjoyable.
I was eagerly waiting to see what’s next for Dan and Oscar. In the first installment, we saw Dan deciding to move to Italy for good – he even purchases a house and owns a dog. Murder in Chianti begins with the groundskeeper and his son finding Rex Hunter’s dead body. Virgilio takes up the case and asks Dan for help. The victim and his family were originally from Australia and Virgilio could use Dan’s help as an interpreter.
Dan readily agrees. As Dan starts to investigate and dig deeper into the victim’s personal life, he realizes a lot of people hated the victim. He was ruthless, a womanizer, and heartless. Did his children kill him? Or, was it his newly wedded wife who’s half his age. Then, there is the question of Rex’s will – who receives his estates? One must not forget the locals that Dan harassed – including the staff at his country club.
The story is peppered with humor. Oscar’s antics are giggle-worthy. We also have some development when it comes to Dan’s personal life – and his new professional life. He’s retired and moved to Italy to be a writer. Will he be successful? Only time will tell.
One thing that caught my attention was Italian summer. I have no idea how hot it gets in Europe but from Dan’s descriptions, it was quite evident that the weather was uncomfortably hot. Well, I do know how worse summers in India can get at times. I wonder if Italian summers are similar.
The mystery behind the murder kept me guessing till the end. Just when i thought, aha! I know who the killer is – there’s a twist in the story. There went my plan to play a (smart) detective. So, if you are planning to read this book (you better be!), do yourself a favor and don’t play detective. Let Dan do what’s he known for while you chill, sip some wine and read his sleuthing adventures.
Murder in Chianti is, no doubt, another fantastic addition to the series. Excellent storytelling. Exceptionally brilliant character portrayal and a mystery that keeps one guessing till the end.
The Book Decoder 
This sounds good. I like cozy mysteries with retired detectives as the sleuth. When I read mysteries, I try to guess who did it and am pleased when I’m right. But I like a good twist too.