Having discovered a knack for investigation, Stefanie joins Thomas Burkhardt in Milan, Italy, on the Black Market trail of a fabulous sapphire and emerald encrusted pendant known as the Borgia Peacock, missing since it was stolen from the Milan World Expo of 1906.

Undercover as a wealthy heiress, Stefanie has no doubt she’ll convince the current owner, Contessa Giuliana Bergamo, to sell to her. But when she shows up at the Contessa’s crumbling Venetian palazzo to clinch the deal, it isn’t only the glittering gemstones that have Stefanie seeing blue. Others are there vying for the Peacock, including Europe’s most notorious jewel fence. In the cut-throat competition, one of the would-be buyers is murdered.

Caught up in murder, with their cover identities and their lives on the line, Stefanie and Thomas dig for the truth and the Peacock while trying to avoid discovery themselves. Then she learns Thomas is keeping secrets of his own, secrets that threaten their happiness, and Stefanie wonders if this Borgia Peacock affair is one opportunity she shouldn’t have embraced.

This was decently written but just not really for me.

Death on the Grand Canal by M.A. Monnin unfolds as a captivating mystery, weaving together the world of art, romance, and betrayal. The narrative grips from the start, as Stefanie's exciting lifestyle and evolving relationship with Thomas drive the plot forward. An eclectic cast of characters, each with their own motives and secrets, heightening the suspense and keeps readers guessing until the final revelation.

Elements of jealousy, in the form of Thomas's former lover adds layers of complexity to the narrative - especially to Stefanie and Thomas's budding romantic relationship. A somewhat closed-circle theme - suspects are allowed to return to their hotel rooms each night - adds an air of tension and suspicion, further immersing readers in the intricacies of the investigation.

A unique aspect of the story emerges through Stefanie's dual role as a travel blogger, blending her keen observations with her investigative instincts. These insights, intended for her blog but crucial to her sleuthing, offer readers a glimpse into the hidden gems of Venice while enhancing the authenticity of the narrative.

In summary, Death on the Grand Canal by M.A. Monnin is a completely engrossing tale of mystery and suspense, characterized by its deft storytelling and richly developed characters. Monnin's expert blend of intrigue and romance ensures an entertaining read from start to finish, leaving readers eagerly anticipating Stefanie and Thomas's next adventure.

bookscoffeebrews Book ReviewL. Death on the Grand
Canal. An Intrepid Traveler Mystery Book 2
Stars: 4 X 5
Author: M.A. Monnin. @m.a.monnin
Publisher: Level Best Books. @levelbestbooks
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC

Steganie Adam’s and Thomas Burkhardt are
investigators for Interpol specializing in cases
involving artifacts of historic value. They are currently
investigating the theft of the Borgia Peacock which
was stolen in 1906. The Borgia Peacock was an
infamous and valuable pendent. Stephanie find out
that the pendent has supposedly appeared in Venice,
Italy at the home of a countess. They head to Venice
and also does all their competitors who want the
pendent too. Chaos ensues and Stephanie and
Thomas are right in the middle of it and even are
considered suspects when a murder occurs. Will they
be successful recovering the pendent nd catching the
person responsible for the murder.

The book started off a little slow but it gets on tract
very fast. I loved the location of Venice, Italy as I felt
like I was there myself. The only part that I didn’t care
for was the Stefanie is very insecure with her
relationship with Thomas and is was constant in the
book with snarky comments. This book otherwise was
so enjoyable and well worth the read.

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I loved the setting in Italy for this mystery and the story proved to be very suspenseful. The romantic intrigue kept me engaged.
Many thanks to Level Best and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The book is gripping and characters are intriguing and mysterious. I loved the author’s writing and would love to read more by this author.

The book grips from the page and I couldn’t put it down until I figured out everything. I loved the setting and characters. I highly recommend this book. It has twists and turns too

Thank you Netgalley, Author, and publisher.

I found the characters a bit boring and not very believable (trust me, no one German says "Schatzi" in real life).
The plot was also quite pedestrian - the most interesting part was probably the story behind the piece of jewellery at the centre of it.
The descriptions of Venice were interesting and atmospheric, though a little like a tourist guide about must-see places.

I originally picked up this book as I recently returned from a vacation to Italy & wanted to relive it a little bit. M. A. Monnin delivers that & more as she crafts a closed door mystery surrounding the Borgia Peacock. Jumping into this series at the second book, I didn't have to guess at any of the backstories as those were very clearly laid out and it was easy to pick up on any previous character dynamics. While I did pick out the culprit early on into the book, it was interesting to see how it all unfolded.

This second entry in the Intrepid Traveler series continues the adventures of Stefanie and Thomas as they seek to recover the Borgia Peacock, a priceless pendant missing since 1906. Reminiscent of the works of Mary Stewart, these books feature fast-paced adventure and intrigue in fabulous locations. As former personal banker Stefanie and international operative Thomas work to recover the Peacock before shady collectors can latch onto it, their own relationship continues to evolve.

Wonderful escapist storytelling from M.A. Monnin!

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Another terrific and suspenseful mystery from M.A. Monnin, who's proving to be a master of romantic suspense in exotic locations.

Death on the Grand Canal by M.A. Monnin is the second book in her Intrepid Traveler Mystery series and is set in picturesque Venice. Although, unlike her first novel, Death in the Aegean, this one is more character-driven and less atmospheric.
 
The two main characters, Thomas and Stefanie, are back, but their relationship seems a bit more rocky since the initial introduction in the first book. Stefanie's frequent jealousy toward Thomas is honestly off-putting.
 
We have many additional characters, but the Contessa Giuliana Bergamo peeked my interest. The Contessa is the current owner of the black market jewelry piece, the Borgia Peacock. She is an elderly woman, but not in a sweet and friendly grandma way. She seems feisty, mysterious, and untrustworthy at first.
 
Thomas and Stefanie's work assignment in Venice is to find and confiscate the famous jewelry piece named the Borgia Peacock. Their assignment takes them through the dangerous black market.
 
Death on the Grand Canal is written with just as much knowledge about jewelry as the first book was about archeology. However, the mystery involving multiple homicides during the attempted jewelry heist was written with much dialog between multiple characters. It was a little overwhelming to keep track of the characters' conversations. 
 
One of the book's greatest qualities was its action-packed scenes. which will have you on the edge of your seat and reminiscing about a James Bond movie.
 
Anyone who enjoyed Death in the Aegean or enjoys cozy mysteries, an excitement for traveling, or even the James Bond movies will love Death on the Grand Canal.
 
Three and a half stars rounded up to four is a suitable rating for this book. While I enjoyed the adventure and action, Death on the Grand Canal lacked the romantic tension and atmospheric energy that Death in the Aegean featured.

M.A. Monnin does it again. Death on the Grand Canal is lovely follow-on story to last year's Death in the Aegean. This time her intrepid travelers are (mainly) in Venice on the trail of missing jewel-encrusted pendant known as the Borgia Peacock. Fun!

Summary: This is the second book in the Intrepid Traveler series, the first book being Death in the Aegean. Stefanie Adams and Thomas Burkhardt work for Interpol, investigating cases involving artifacts of historic value. They also have a personal relationship, combining personal and professional lives. They are pursuing the Borgia Peacock, an infamous and valuable pendant which had been stolen from an exhibition in 1906 and never seen in public again. Stefanie and Thomas are on a mission to purchase the pendant from a countess in Venice and return it to a museum. However they have an abundance of competition for the pendant, from museum directors, to unscrupulous dealers to family members of the countess, all determined to snag the pendant. Then there is a murder and the pendant goes missing, landing Stefanie and Thomas right in the middle as possible suspects.

Thoughts: I was attracted to this novel immediately, as I found the combination of two of my favourite things - Italy and jewelry - irresistible. The author does a good job of setting the scene in the crumbling palazzo with the various competitors for the jewel all buzzing around the aging countess like drones around the queen. However the book dragged for me, focused on who was where at the time of the murder, and it seemed to go in circles for pages. I also found the romance between Stefanie and Thomas, particularly her jealous speculation on his romantic past, to be very annoying. I wonder if multiple points of view would have added interest to the novel, rather than having the entire story told only from Stefanie’s perspective. The action is also located mainly in the palazzo, missing an opportunity to allow the reader to explore one of the world’s most beautiful locations. If you enjoy a whodunnit with lots of suspects and romantic intrigue, then this might be for you. It just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Thanks to Level Best and NetGalley for this digital copy to review.

Set largely in Venice this story centres on a fabulous jewel, the Borgia Peacock, stolen in 1906 and which is on Interpol’s priority list for recovery. The story is told through the experiences of Stephanie Adams, former banker, who has recently joined Interpol’s Artefact Recovery Team. Her partner in this undercover operation is Thomas Burkhardt.

The story has good pace and is clearly well researched with interesting detail on historic fine renaissance jewellery and Venetian architecture. There are murders, deceptions and intrigue with an interesting plot. Stephanie and Thomas are also lovers which brings an extra dimension to the story. Stephanie’s jealousy and behaviour at times was a little overdone for an undercover agent and I found this did detract from the story in places. Some of the dialogue is unconvincing with a police inspector interrogating the suspects in a group and those suspects continuing the conversation and revealing family secrets.

Overall a very fun story. Next time I read it I will draw a plan of the Palazzo Bergamot, where the main events take place, as I got a bit lost as to who was where, when and how the building was configured.

This was definitely an interesting book! I wish I had read the first one as it would have made things a bit more understandable, but overall a fun mystery/heist

While you're waiting to travel to Venice, enjoy this second in a cozy series about a former Private Banker who found herself in the midst of an Interpol operation that results in a new job as a member of their art crimes investigation unit. Even though she has no investigative experience, her years a a private banker developed her skills at reading (rich) people, assessing items of value and moving comfortably in rarified air of upper crust society. It doesn't hurt that her partner at work is also her new significant other. This time, they're tracking down a Renaissance era pin that was last seen at a 1901 exhibit and is now, via blackmarket connections, being sold to the highest bidder by an Italian Contessa. When things don't go as planned, Stephanie and Thomas realize their partnership needs all their skills to continue in love and in life.

Fun read about art theft and international intrigue as our heroine Stefanie, newly employed by Interpol (or maybe a consultant to them? She doesn't seem to have any training in what she is doing) and her professional and personal partner Thomas try to recover the Borgia Peacock and return it to its rightful owner. Great descriptions of Venice and the high-stakes art world, and watching Stefanie adapt to her new career is entertaining. Some of the personal angst between the characters becomes repetitive but it's skipped over easily enough. The second in a series and the main characters' back stories will make more sense if you have read the first one. All in all a quick, light read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Populated by a medley of great descriptions of Venice and Renaissance art, this interesting book by Monnin is the second in a series. (I have not read the first.) The descriptions bring the reader into the action right away. That said, this is much more of a thriller than a mystery. Yes, there are deaths and, yes, there are extensive and prolonged "who was where" discussions, but given the setup-two people undercover for an art squad-this really feels more like a Patterson than an Agatha Christie. I will also say that the number of people moving around and doing things made me long for a flow chart in the book-or at least a map of the villa. I enjoyed this, but I don't think I'm going to read the next in the series. If you are a thriller fan, this one may be better for you.

Interpol, art-theft, blogger, international-crime-and-mystery, interpersonal-problems, murder, secrets, second-career, lies, Italy, wealthy, intrigue, jewelry-artist, historical-research, historical-jewelry/artifact*****

Stefanie Adams is a former private banker, frustrated archaeologist, has no law enforcement training, recently became a travel blogger, and is on her first official job alongside the multilingual Interpol agent, Thomas Burkhardt, with whom she became involved both romantically and in an investigation while on vacation on Crete. While it is a stretch for me that Interpol would involve her without any training, it does work well in this story (second in series) and is reminiscent of the much older Mrs. Pollifax of the CIA in the 1960s. The other thing that predisposes me to a better review is the kindness the author shows in details like the unaided visual differences in man made vs natural gemstones as well as the differences in sparkle vs glow in the cutting process, and even the little travel blogger tips like noting that the Vaparetto is a bus as opposed to the Water Taxis in Venice.
The Borgia Peacock was originally stolen in 1906 at the Milan International Expo and has only recently emerged for sale on the clandestine market. Stefanie and Thomas have been authorized to purchase it but there is also the option of stealing it. An informant dies in a suspicious manner and that intensifies matters! The investigation is well done, the travelogue makes things even better, the characters are all so realistic and engaging, the plot twists are inventive, and the herrings are decidedly red (teeheehee). Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Level Best Books/Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)/Members' Titles via NetGalley. Thank you!