This is the 2nd in Camilla Trinchieri's Tuscan mysteries starring half Italian, half Irish, former NYPD homicide detective Nico Doyle, who moved to Gravigna in the Chianti region.

This time, the steady pace of life in Gravigna is disrupted by wine critic Michele Mantelli. When the wine critic dies by poison, Nico's landlord, vintner Aldo Ferri the prime suspect.

Nico helps solve the case but the fun's in the journey through food, wines and countryside as much as in the mystery.

3.75 stars

This second entry in the Tuscan mystery series is nicely done. Ex-NYC homicide cop Nico Doyle has moved to Tuscany to his late wife's hometown. He has carved out a life for himself there, helping his wife's family with their restaurant, adopting a dog, and becoming part of the small community. This novel would probably work as a standalone, but I recommend starting with the first one to get Nico's background.

An unpleasant wine critic is found murdered hours after he gets into a public altercation with Nico's good friend Aldo. Aldo falls under suspicion and is arrested. Nico helped out the local police in the last book and developed a friendship with Maresciallo Salvatore Perillo and his assistant Daniele. This time around, the case is taken away from Perillo and an investigator from Florence is brought in. But Nico and Salvatore continue to carefully investigate the web of business enemies, ex-wives, and girlfriends to find out the truth.

Nico is still mourning his wife's death and it's interesting to watch him progress. There is a bit of romantic tension in this one, very nicely and honestly handled without too much angst. The development of Nico's circle of friends is the key part of the book, and the characters are nicely drawn. And of course, the Tuscan setting and the amazing food descriptions are wonderful. I very much enjoy this series. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As with the first Tuscan mystery by Camilla Trinchieri (Murder in Chianti), I couldn't help but be reminded of Martin Walker's Bruno Chief of Police series as I read The Bitter Taste of Murder. The major difference is that the main character, Nico Doyle, is an American who moved to the small town in Italy where his wife grew up after her untimely death. However, there's the mouth-watering food and wine, beautiful landscapes, and camaraderie that fans of Martin Walker's series have come to love.

Nico helps out at a local restaurant, and he often creates his own recipes. If you're a lover of Italian food as I am, don't read this book when you're hungry. He also has a routine that brings readers into contact with many of his fellow villagers and friends. It's these villagers and friends who really give The Bitter Taste of Murder its feeling of community and fellowship. Nico has adopted a street dog he named OneWag who has his own routine, but he's usually to be found at Nico's side. There's the old man everyone calls Gogol, who goes from place to place quoting Dante. There's a developing relationship between Nico and the artist Nelli, which can make readers smile because the two are so awkward around each other. But of all the townspeople, it's the local maresciallo Salvatore Perillo and his second-in-command who really keep Nico busy helping them solve mysteries.

Perillo may be a fashion plate with his suede boots and jacket, and Daniele his second-in-command may be a sweetheart with his tendency to blush and his heart on his sleeve, but neither one is s slouch at investigating crime. However, they have learned that Nico can be very useful at getting into places and talking to people that they can't. Keeping him a secret from those higher up the chain of command can be difficult though.

The mystery of who killed the wine critic is a strong and ultimately sad one, but it is the land, the food, and the people of Tuscany who shine the brightest in The Bitter Taste of Murder. I'm certainly looking forward to my next visit.

One thing that all of my favorite Italian/Sicilian mystery series have in common is their love of food and drink. Brunetti and Paola on their terrace is a place that I always love to visit (Donna Leon) as is Montalbano’s favorite Sicilian restaurant (Andrea Camilleri). Now, in her two novels (the first was Murder in Chianti), Ms. Trincheri has successfully found her place in that gastronomic firmament. To readers’ delight, there are frequent visits to the restaurant where retired NYC detective, Nico, works with his wife’s family; to the local breakfast spot (I want cornetti!) and to several wineries. Perfection! Oh…and there is the murder mystery to be enjoyed as well.

This time, Nico is involved in trying to discover who has murdered a (crooked) wine critic. Some of the suspects are people that Nico knows well, including his landlord and his landlord’s wife. There are also the victim’s wife and girlfriend among others. The mystery is fair to readers who want to try to solve it. That said, as already noted, there is much to be enjoyed around the case.

Readers can read this title without having read the first book, although both are quite enjoyable. Those who read the first book will enjoy again meeting up with all of Nico’s family members, those in the police department and the people who live in his town.

This is a perfect summer read mystery. Buon Appetito e buono lettura!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Set in lovely the gorgeous Chianti region in Tuscany, this book is resplendent with vivid descriptions, theft, deceit and murder. There are so many ways to get hooked and swept away with the fun story. As a passionate frequent traveler in Italy I swooned at the delectable food descriptions such as arancini, zabaglione, risotto and Pasta alla Norma. I envisioned the countryside, vineyards, piazze and olive and fig trees so beautifully captured by the author. Even more importantly, she captured the culture, traditions and way of life. But this book is more than just a pretty setting. Murder bursts onto the scene, upsetting normal routines and tranquility.

Ex American detective and widower Nico is enjoying life in Tuscany. He works because he wants to, not out of need. Flashy character Mantelli is irksome to most and when his body is found under suspicious circumstances, few are sympathetic. Perillo investigates and questions and Nico inveigles in an effort to track down the guilty. The list of suspects isn't exactly short, either.

This book has that something extra, something special. Maybe it's a connection to Italy or maybe it's the escapism. Maybe it's both. Those who enjoy a light mystery dripping with Italian atmosphere ought to read this. Do eat first as you're bound to get hungry!

My sincere thank you to Soho Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this delightful book! Can't wait to be in Italy once again soon. And this book took me there.

I am sorry but I could not finish this book. I did not enjoy reading it. I did not like the story line or the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Soho Press for this ARC.

Trinchieri's Tuscan Mysteries are perfect summer reads. I enjoyed spending more time with Nico and his friends in this follow-up to "Murder in Chianti". I figured out the guilty party well before the end of the book, but the characters, the setting, and the descriptions of delicious food kept me engaged. I'm already looking forward to the next in Trinchieri's series.

law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, Italy, family, family-dynamics, friendship, relationship-issues, relationships, relatives, muted-humor, small-business, small-town, restaurant, dog, cultural-exploration, procedural*****

A widowed ex-NYPD homicide detective (Nico) moves to Tuscany where he has good memories and his wife's family (and they need his help in the restaurant). Remember the adage about taking the man out of the job? He got to be friends with the local Carabinieri (Perillo and Daniele) last year over a murder and has made many other friends as well (and a dog, OneWag).
The wine critic was a real rotter. When he was found dead in a car wreck it looked like an accident until the ME had a good look. There was no lack of suspects and the locals and friend expected to work it out. THEN they were told that a detective from another branch of law enforcement was to have the case. Not a happy thought. Expect plot twists, beautiful countrysides, red herrings, and mouth watering menus. EXCELLENT read! Proof that books in series get better as they go along.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Soho Press/Soho Crime via NetGalley. Thank you!

Love, marriage, food and wine, it is some of the ingredients in this second book about Nico Doyle in The Bitter Taste of Murder by Camilla Trinchieri. We are back in Tuscany and the little village of Gravigna, a famous wine critic is passing through and it stirs up emotions and ends in murder. Who did what and why? This book is better than the first one but I feel that the descriptions of food, people and places is still lacking somewhat. It is a great setting and marvelous characters but I want more details. I don't get the urge to visit or feel hunger coming when I read this series as compared to Martin Walkers series about Bruno in Dordogne. I will however continue to read these books as they come. Thanks to @netgalley @soho_press for giving me this advance copy and the author for writing it.

Death Of A Wine Critic…
The second in the Tuscan Mystery series and the follow up to ‘Murder in Chianti’ finds retired detective Nico on the trail of the murder of a well known wine critic. Nico, having moved to the beautiful wine region of Chianti, is now settling in and getting fully accustomed to country living. His life, however, is ever eventful and this time the authorities need his skill in catching a killer and studying a victim who made many enemies. With a likeable protagonist in Nico, a colourful cast of supporting characters and a simply delightful backdrop this is an entertaining tale, skillfully written with cleverly engineered twists. Cultural aspects are very enjoyable, particularly of the foodie variety. An immersive and very satisfying read. Looking forward to more.

Second in the series and every bit as delightful! "The foods and culture of Tuscany infuse the mystery and readers learn more about the characters from the first book. "

Trinchieri's last book seemed to be well-received and this one was just a good. This has many of the same characters and an enjoyable plot. This second book in the series also has a good combo of location and personalities along with good dialog. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

Ex-homicide detective and recent widower Nico Doyle is getting settled in the town of Gravigna, Italy. In the last year he has been filling in at the restaurant his wife's extended family own, rented a charming farmhouse, adopted a stray dog, and helped solve a murder with local authorities, Maresciallo Perillo and beginning brigadiere Daniele Donato. When his landlord is accused of murdering a rather repugnant wine critic, Doyle is asked to lend a hand again. The foods and culture of Tuscany infuse the mystery and readers learn more about the characters from the first book. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.