This book was just okay for me.
I liked the concept, and i really liked the setting.
I just felt that the story was a little slow at times.
Cerys was a complex character for me. As a female, I understand that she went through such a traumatic experience and had absolutely no support from her disgusting husband. As someone who has experience living with someone who is an alcoholic, reading about her alcoholism was triggering.
I also kind of felt like Lucia and Lorenzo's storyline was just filler. It mentioned Lorenzo's past but never went into detail.
Overall, this book was just okay for me.
If you like a thriller that takes place in Italy, you might like this!

Last Night at Villa Lucia is a gripping psychological thriller set against the stunning backdrop of Tuscany, blending suspense with rich descriptions of the villa and its surroundings. The narrative keeps readers engaged as the protagonist tries to piece together the events leading up to a shocking discovery. The mix of mystery, emotional tension, and unreliable narration keeps you guessing about the truth behind the events. While the pacing can occasionally slow down as the protagonist reflects on her past, the twists and turns make for a satisfying read. Overall, a solid 3.5 stars—an engaging, atmospheric read with a few moments of uncertainty that keep you hooked.

4.5 stars! This was a wild ride and I did not see the end coming. At many points I thought I had things figured out, and then it just kept twisting and turning! Was it always plausible? Not necessarily. But it was highly enjoyable..

I love when a thriller starts with the dead body. Get to the point immediately & let's figure out who did it and why! i finished this in less than 5 hours because i simply could not put it down. I thought the writing was great. The suspense remained high throughout the book. i enjoyed the twists and turns & did not expect the ending.

I liked the story and how everything unfolded. I loved the Tuscan setting too, the author has done a phenomenal job at describing the Tuscan countryside (I could actually visualize everything perfectly!). This was my first book by Simon McCleave, but definitely not the last. Highly recommend this thriller, especially if you like tense, atmospheric stories.

A great thriller plus a beach read rolled all into one. The writing transported me into their world enough that I thought it was happening around me. Be careful taking this with you on you're own vacation, the realities may mix!

I love a good thriller and when you throw in a gorgeous setting, then I'm sold!

THe plot was perfectly paced, the gorgeous background, unreliable characters, multiple POVs., the twists and turns.. It was fantastic. It really kept you guessing as to "whodunnit" which I love.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for a honest review!

Last Night at Villa Lucia by Simon McCleave is a captivating psychological thriller set against the beautiful backdrop of Tuscany. When a body is discovered floating in an infinity pool, the protagonist must confront her hazy memories from the previous night, unraveling a web of tension, lies, and personal turmoil. McCleave expertly builds suspense, blending the intrigue of a murder mystery with the emotional weight of a fractured family. With its atmospheric setting and twisty narrative, this novel keeps readers guessing until the final pages, making it an engaging read for fans of suspense and intrigue.

A thriller set in a beautiful setting? Sign me up! This is a fantastic book with an easy to follow plot. I it was full of mystery, suspense, twists and turns. It was amazing! Highly recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book as an ARC

I loved the setting of this book from the outset. The descriptions of the Tuscan villa, and everything that included, was so dreamy to me. I enjoyed the drama of this book as well - having unreliable characters makes you not trust anyone, which I think lends itself to a great mystery read. I definitely didn't trust most of the characters, especially with their varying backstories and views of what happened to Harry. I can definitely say that I did not guess who "did the deed," but I definitely understand the "why" behind it. The toxic personalities of some of the characters, while off-putting, didn't take away from the story for me, but it actually added to the mystery and intrigue - and had me rooting for some of the characters related to what they had experienced in their pasts and what they are trying to overcome.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Simon McCleave book, but it definitely will not be my last. Firstly, let me say this cover is gorgeous!! I wish I was in the pool at the Tuscan villa.

Our story alternates between the 1st person POV of Cerys and the 3rd person POV of the other characters. The other character POVs included several flashbacks and I was a big fan of the multiple POVs. The characters were very well fleshed out and seemed like real people. This was a fun whodunit and would be the perfect poolside read!

What secrets could a luxurious villa in the heart of Tuscany hold? Simon McCleave’s Last Night at Villa Lucia offers a gripping blend of suspense, betrayal, and atmospheric storytelling that will keep you turning the pages well into the night.

A Story of Intrigue and Deception
The novel opens with a mysterious invitation to a reunion at the picturesque Villa Lucia. What begins as a seemingly idyllic gathering among old friends quickly unravels into a web of lies and hidden motives. McCleave masterfully constructs a narrative where no one is entirely innocent, and every character is cloaked in shades of grey.

The Allure of Tuscany
The vivid descriptions of the Tuscan landscape are almost a character themselves. McCleave’s prose captures the lush vineyards, sun-dappled courtyards, and shadowy corridors of the villa, creating an immersive setting that heightens the suspense. This is not just a thriller—it’s a sensory journey through one of the world’s most romantic yet enigmatic locales.

Complex Characters, Tangled Relationships
The novel’s strength lies in its characters. Each guest at the villa has a past they’d rather keep buried, and as their secrets come to light, the tension becomes almost unbearable. McCleave’s talent for developing layered, believable characters ensures that readers are deeply invested in the unfolding drama.

A Satisfying Whodunit
Last Night at Villa Lucia is a masterclass in plotting. With twists and turns that are both surprising and satisfying, McCleave keeps readers guessing until the very last page. The final reveal is as shocking as it is rewarding, tying together every thread with precision.

Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of atmospheric thrillers with a literary edge, Last Night at Villa Lucia deserves a place on your reading list. Simon McCleave has crafted a tale that is as evocative as it is thrilling, making this book a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery set against a breathtaking backdrop.

Rating: ★★★★☆
A near-perfect blend of suspense, setting, and character-driven storytelling.

Simon McCleave paints a gorgeous picture of Tuscany....hot blistering sun and vast views. Cold drinks on a shady balcony...sounds idyllic, until someone ends up facedown floating in the pool.
A modern day murder mystery, differing from my usual genre of choice, but I enjoyed the challenge of assessing each character for their likelihood to be a killer.
And I didn't see the cheeky twist at the end coming!!
Although set in a holiday vibe environment, people's troubles don't stay at home when you go on vacation, so there are sensitive, violent and graphic themes around and facilitating the murder. The characters are complex and cover all demographics. Psychological warfare is often employed.
"Last Night at Villa Lucia" is well paced, and covers a small amount of realtime, but pops back to characters prior lives to bring more context. Their secrets and traits are slowly revealed and the suspense grows....until you realise who the killer must be.
A very readable book....a good southern hemisphere summer holiday read in my opinion. Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Simon McCleave for the advanced reader copy of this book. P.S love the cover artwork!

Gotta love a thriller that takes place on vacation because it’s always so much fun with lots of descriptions. This book had twists and turns and kept the pace moving. Things at the end wrapped up neatly. Thank you for the arc!

Simon McCleave’s Last Night at Villa Lucia offers readers a twisted and murderous tale, blending the intrigue of a traditional mystery with the atmospheric allure of a cozy whodunit. Set against an evocative backdrop, the narrative unfolds with precision, layering suspense and secrets in a way that keeps readers riveted.

What sets McCleave’s novel apart is his ability to balance the cozy mystery aesthetic—tight-knit relationships, suspenseful revelations, and richly drawn settings—with darker, grittier twists. The story hooks you from the start, pulling you into a world where every character seems to harbor a hidden agenda. The pacing is taut, as clues drip-feed steadily, leaving the reader piecing together the truth until the final, satisfying twist.

The brilliance of Last Night at Villa Lucia lies in its unpredictability. While cozy mysteries often follow familiar patterns, McCleave subverts expectations, ensuring that the resolution isn’t easily guessed. His characters are both relatable and complex, allowing the emotional stakes to resonate just as strongly as the plot’s twists and turns.

For mystery lovers seeking something both comforting and chilling, Last Night at Villa Lucia delivers in spades. Twisted, engrossing, and cleverly plotted, this is a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Simon McCleave once again proves his mastery in crafting mysteries that linger long after the final reveal.

McCleave does an awesome job of building tension and keeping you guessing about who’s behind all the drama. The characters are interesting, and the setting adds to the whole vibe of the book. If you like a good mix of suspense, secrets, and a little bit of romance, this one’s a perfect pick for a weekend read!

This was another great book from Simon McCleave.
It is a great and interesting thriller set in Tuscany.This
Very good characters, but sometimes a bit slow. A few good plot twists thrown in for good measure, and a wonderful.setting.
A fairly easy read and a good whodunit.

This is exactly what I would expect from a mystery novel; drama, twists and turns throughout. It was definitely an interesting read for sure. From the first page of the book, I had questions running through my mind - I wanted to know what had happened, who was to blame and quite frankly, what went wrong. I genuinely trusted no one, and everyone was in my bad books at least one point through the novel,

I wish it kept me engaged and captivated but I did find myself losing interest at various points in the novel. I would definitely recommend this novel to a mystery reader, but maybe one with a more refined attention span than me!

Amazing edge of your seat story you won't be able to put down this is a thriller which will keep you turning the pages long into the night

A good fast paced read that will keep you hooked from the first page. I really enjoyed this read first book I've read by this author.