Murder on the Italian Riviera is the seventh installment in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery Series where Dan Armstrong, a retired cop and present private investigator, is hired by a woman who was previously convicted and sent to prison by Armstrong. It seems that a man has been murdered at this woman’s family naturalist resort, and Dan learns that the victim was connected to M16. He stays in the tower adjacent to the resort with her father, who is a retired restaurateur, so food is mentioned often throughout, adding another positive aspect to this novel.

This is a fun story, with building suspense, that grabs readers from the start and keeps them on edge throughout. Williams does an excellent job of telling a viable story, and developing the characters. Dan Armstrong is a good protagonist, and likeable. Oscar, his companion, is hands-down the favorite, however, and most readers will want to go get themselves a dog just like him. There is some humor in this book – Dan goes undercover in the naturist resort sans clothing so as to fit in, and most readers won’t relate and most won’t make reservations at a real one to take a nude vacation. The supporting characters are viable, and there is no absence of suspects, especially when an unlikeable visitor to the resort is also murdered.

All told, this novel is a quick read, but also a fun read. It is well-written and most readers who aren’t familiar with the series will want to pick up the previous novels.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I confess to enjoying this series of books by Williams featuring our hero Dan Armstrong and his faithful sidekick Oscar, his new incarnation as a private investigator in Italy is so refreshing. Each of the books is a cozy crime which requires a modicum of focus but if, like me, the reader prefers to be led along by the narrator rather than actually trying to figure out the criminal then this series will suit very well. Reminiscent of The Marlow Murder Club, very enjoyable. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy of Murder on the Italian Riviera.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy crime and especially enjoyed the rich vein of humour which was running throughout. Dan may be staying on the Italian Riviera as part of an investigation but his mind keeps drifting back to Tuscany where he has a feeling that Anna is not best pleased with him. He meets some intriguing characters, some of whom seem to have the necessary motives for a possible murder.

The Retreat, where the suspicious death took place, is an ideal setting for a 'locked room ' mystery, with all the suspects staying put and available for interview. As usual, Dan seems to get the confidence of the local Police which enables him to carry out his investigations. As ever, Oscar seems to have a great sense of character. With a gorgeous setting and some light hearted moments to counter the murder, this is another great cozy crime mystery.

In short: murder mystery and a few surprising twists.

Murder on the Italian Riviera is the latest riveting cozy mystery by T A Williams featuring detective Dan Armstrong and his trusty sidekick, Oscar.

As a private investigator, working with criminals is all par for the course for Dan. Working with an ex-con you’ve helped put away is, however, a completely different kettle of fish. When Bianca Moretti asks for his help, Dan is immediately on high alert, but when she comes to him with a case he simply cannot refuse, he finds himself with no other choice but to start investigating.

A guest has been found dead at Bianca’s father’s luxurious and private Tuscan retreat on the Italian Riviera. The police are convinced that the death was accidental, but Bianca is not convinced and wants Dan to get to the bottom of things. Dan is sure that he can solve this mystery – even if Bianca had omitted to tell him that this idyllic paradise was a naturist retreat and everyone walks around naked at all hours of the day and night!

Can Dan solve this case? Is Bianca telling the truth? Or will his reserve end up throwing a spanner in the works?

Cozy mysteries fans will be delighted by the latest T A Williams novel, Murder on the Italian Riviera. A fun, breezy, exciting and unpredictable crime caper that will keep readers guessing, Armstrong and Oscar are on top form in this terrific read from a writer who delivers the goods time and again: T A Williams!

Years ago, Dan Armstrong was involved in a case that saw Bianca Moretti jailed. Now she turns to him when a murder takes place on her father's retreat. Dan is surprised but accepts the case. Will he agree with local police that the death was an accident or with Bianca who is convinced it was murder...?
Murder on the Italian Riviera is the 7th book to feature private detective Dan Armstrong and his labrador Oscar as they investigate crime in Italy.
Bianca is certain that a death on her father's property was murder but the local police have dismissed it as a tragic accident. Dan agrees to help her as he feels some regret about his part in her being imprisoned in the past. There is plenty of humour and self conscious detail for Dan as he discovers the Moretti's retreat is for naturists. To fit in and investigate, he needs to strip off!
I really like Dan's character. He is written very naturally and I could identify with him as he second guesses himself, makes a mess with his girlfriend, and attempts to rein in Oscar's exuberance. Dan has to rely on his own investigative skills now that he does not have an official police role and resources to support him.  The Italian setting beyond the nudist location is brought to life with descriptions of places and food.
Murder on the Italian Riviera is an enjoyable crime and private detective novel and I loved the humour that came from the reaction to the naturist retreat.

Murder on the Italian Riviera is the seventh book in this entertaining series by T.A. Williams. It features private investigator, Dan Armstrong, who has relocated to Florence, Italy, and his black Lab sidekick, Oscar. This time they become involved in an investigation that could be murder. But, things are never as simple as they appear.

As always, the dialogue is well-done and witty, and the characters are interesting and varied. The plot is more convoluted than many cozy mysteries, which I think is a good thing. The author sets a good pace and keeps the reader engaged and interested as he adds layers to the mystery. And, last but not least, the setting is stellar. The descriptions of the Italian architecture, food, and scenery is the icing on the cake and these details give the series a certain panache.

However, the thing I found to be a little off-putting was the behavior of Dan’s girlfriend, Anna. In this book she seems to be quite petty and self-centered and certainly doesn’t act her age. Throughout the story I kept thinking that Dan deserved better. In fact, if this particular element had been left out altogether, I think I would have enjoyed the book even more.

Nevertheless, it’s still fun to spend time with Dan and Oscar, and this series has become one of my favorites. 3.5 *s bumped up to 4. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

This is a series that is going from strength to strength, and it's clear that T.A. Williams is having tremendous fun, picking new locations and settings for murders for Dan and Oscar to investigate.

As this one is set on the Italian Riviera, at a naturist retreat! And yes Dan does end up walking around in the buff!!

It always amazes me how the Italian police always seem so happy to have Dan's help with whatever case he has also been asked to look into. As was the case this time.

This was another really strong addition to the series full of Italian food, funny moments, and a whole host of suspects that I really wasn't sure what to think. And the dead person turned out to be quite interesting too,

Oscar was utterly fabulous as always, and is turning into a totally amazing canine detective. as well as seems to have a fabulous ability to completely understand Dan.

I loved the Italian Riviera setting, always great to move around Italy, and there was a plausible reasons for Dan to take on this case, even though it's quite far away from his home, and I can envisage we will see even more of Italy in upcoming books.

Basically I loved it.

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

I enjoyed this cozy mystery set on the Italian Riviera. Dan Armstrong is a retired police officer living in Florence, along with his dog Oscar. It's number 7 in the series but I felt I could read the book as a stand-alone. Dan is approached by Bianca Moretti, a woman he'd arrested some years back to help solve a mystery at her father's resort. Someone had drowned in the swimming pool at a naturist resort, and she felt that there was more to the story. Soon a second murder happens and then Dan and the local cops are working together to help solve the crimes.

I enjoyed the characters in the story and for dog lovers, it's an especially enjoyable read. There were lots of twists and turns and possible suspects. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author of this ARC

Murder on the Italian Riviera is the seventh Armstrong and Oscar cozy destination mystery by T.A. Williams. Released 2nd May 2024 by Boldwood books, it's 252 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.

This is a beautifully descriptive and well written destination mystery mostly set in and around a naturist (nudist) retreat on the Italian Riviera. Expat former policeman Dan Armstrong and his trusty canine sidekick Oscar are again called on to untangle a local murder/accident, which soon escalates into direct danger to the intrepid duo. Dan's ostensibly along to facilitate translations in English for the police and witnesses, but his insights are valuable and he and the local official investigation work well together.

The plotting is solid and the dialogue and characterizations are believable. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are self contained in this volume, so it works well enough as a standalone, but the writing is so engaging and immersive, that it would make an excellent weekend binge or buddy read. The author is exceptionally good at weaving (seemingly) extraneous information into the text. There's a lot of humor as well. The situations where Dan and Oscar are forced to shed clothing to blend in and interact with the locals are warmly and humorously described.

It's not derivative at all, but it reminded me in a lot of good ways of Leon's exceptional Brunetti books as well as Walker's lovely Bruno, chief of police books. Fans of those authors will find a lot to enjoy here.

Four and a half stars. Highly recommended. All of the books are exceptionally well written and fun. The author seems to be on a twice a year output schedule at the moment without sacrificing quality or length. Definitely one to watch develop. There's an 8th book due out in Aug 2024 from the same publisher.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

another great mystery story, absolutely loved the setting on the French Riviera and the twists and turns of the story. a really good read for the beach this summer

Just loved this one!

But then I have to admit to enjoying everyone in this series.

It's another well-thought-through plot, with interesting characters. A developing personal story that's highly relatable. In a beautiful part of the world. The author pulls all these elements together to create an entertaining and cozy murder mystery.

The relationship between Dan and his labby, Oscar, is awesome and they do get involved in very different situations each time. Once again, Dan works with the local authorities. He's not a maverick but an experienced eye and so is much appreciated. This time thee crime takes place in a nudist colony. It was very tastefully dealt with and, added a little dash of humour.

Well done TA Williams and Boldwood Books. I highly recommend this episode and the series if you like a gentle, flowing interesting story. and look forward to the further escapades of Dan and Oscar.

It's five out of five for me

With thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another brilliant read from this author and I always enjoy his books they are such a variety and an easy read. A twisty read and plenty of red herrings in this one. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Armstrong and his trusty four legged side kick Oscar are back in the beautiful Tuscan countryside .
Dan is approached by Bianca Moretti an intelligent woman who has been in prison thanks to Dan .
Her father runs a luxury retreat and one of the guests had been found dead , the police ruled it accidental but both ambiance and her father believe it to be murder and want Dan to investigate.
All is not has it seems at the retreat and the dead man was also hiding a secret so the case is not an easy one to find the answers.
This series gets better and better the descriptive writing of the Italian countryside transports the reader there and really enhances the stories .
A great series and a great read!
Eagerly awaiting their next case .
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books .

This is such a great series and each story shows the wonderful partnership of the two of them on solving these mysteries. As always, the setting of these stories is beautiful and we really get the sense of the area food and people. Their are lots of suspects and red herrings to keep you guessing as always with this series. Another great addition to the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Private Investigator Dan Armstrong gets a lot more than he bargained for when he takes on a new case on the Italian Riviera. Bianca Moretti comes to him for help, even though he had her put away when he was still at Scotland Yard. She’s convinced a man has been murdered at her father’s luxury nudist retreat - even though the local police have decided it was an accident. When Dan arrives to investigate he soon realises he’ll have to go with the flow. And that means stripping off too. With the help of his faithful companion Oscar, he delves into the mystery, hoping to solve the case before anyone else dies.

The beautiful Italian Riviera is just as much a character in this story as any of the people. The sunny, laid-back lifestyle draws the holidaymakers to the resort - but not everyone is there simply for a holiday. The author describes the area in such magnificent detail, making me feel as if I am wallowing in the sunshine too. But we must always remember, no matter how sunny and beautiful it is, something sinister lies beneath the surface. 

Dan’s investigative style is quiet and friendly, disarming the suspects as he goes along. His unassuming manner gets more of a result than any confrontational style existed by police. And having his adorable dog Oscar by his side helps him break down barriers.

The story was well written, with an eminently likeable main character. A great mystery.

Murder on the Italian Riviera by T.A. Williams is an entertaining cozy mystery, with grips and twists until the very end.

This series combines all the winning elements of the genre, a clever mystery, a sympathetic main character, a gentle humour, dramatic and eye-catching locations (a new one in each book), wonderful descriptions of local cuisine, colourful supporting characters and much more.

And Oscar is truly a shining star of each instalment in the series.

There are many cosy mysteries with a token dog/cat/mouse, "helping" with the investigation, but Oscar has become a truly integral part of the series. He has a great personality, and his interactions with Dan and people he meets are a joy to observe.

Murder on the Italian Riviera is an intriguing puzzle with plenty of twists, red herrings and false leads. I've enjoyed all the books in the series, Dan and Oscar have become my friends, and I'm looking forward to each new mystery with great anticipation.

When someone he sent to prison years gone by
Asks Dan to investigate a death, he wornders why.
The police believe it was an accident but Bianca isn't so sure
She wants Dan to see if he can discover more.

She invites him to stay at her father's retreat
He agrees, thinking it could be something neat
However he hadn't realised this isn't like a dream
Or why the resort security is as tight as it would seem!

It may well be a murder mystery, it is true,
But it had me giggling most of the way through!
The idea of Dan and Oscar at a naturist resort
Had me laughing at the thought!

He's having to bare all to join the folks at the resort
His tensions are high just at the thought!
Just where to do you keep your phone and notebook?
How to you keep Oscar's nose from taking an unwanted look?

Another brilliant case for this duo to solve once more
A fantastic addition to this series I admit I adore!
For my copy of this book, I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Dan and Oscar's working trip to the Italian Riviera takes them to a surprising resort and an investigation with many twists and suspects. The author creates a believable detective in Dan, who once again struggles with his love life in a wholly relatable way. I like the humour and the well-thought-out investigation, which involves the reader interactively. I like the vivid descriptions of the Italian Riviera, the vibrant characters, and the humorous moments, often provided by Oscar, the dog, which balance the crimes. It is an enjoyable book with its easy-to-read, immersive writing style.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I think this is the best in this lovely series as there’s a lot of humorous moments, a very solid mystery full of surprises, and a cast of intriguing and well-developed characters.
There’s also some heartache, memories, a wonderful setting.
The descriptions of the place were excellent and it made me visualize the resort and the view of the sea and the mountain.
I read it in one sitting as it’s a page turner, one of those book that keeps you turning pages.
Oscar is the start of the novel and I love this dog and his healthy appetite (he makes me think of one of my cats who never stops eating).
It’s better to read the series in order even if can be enjoyed as a stand alone
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Be prepared to be whisked away to the beautiful Italian riviera in this latest Dan Armstrong mystery. After a guest is fund dead in her father's hotel pool, Bianca seeks Dan's help, convinced that the police are wrong. Somewhat wary of her motives as it was Dan who helped to put Bianca in prison several years ago in London, he accepts the challenge.
In an Agatha Christie style denouement, all the suspects are ordered to remain at the hotel, which is in fact a nudist retreat, as one by one Dan and his faithful lab interrogate them. The only problem, any one of them could have a motive, leaving Dan suspecting everyone.
The ending is cleverly done and I didn't see it coming. A great mystery and a great read.