Murder in Chianti

"Murder in Chianti" is a great start to a new mystery series set in Tuscany. Retired NYC homicide detective Nico Doyle has recently moved to Gravigna, her late wife's childhood village, trying to rebuild his life with her italian family. After he discovers a body in the woods near his house, he soon finds himself pulled into the investigation by Maresciallo dei Carabinieri Salvatore Perillo and Brigadiere Daniele Donato (those two were such a great pair!)

I came into this novel expecting just another murder mystery, but found a story with such a wonderful cast of characters I already feel like I knew them from years ago. I loved the sense of community and how all of them were willing to help Nico in his new life. You know comfort food? Well, I would describe this group of italians as comfort people.

And talking about food, this book should come with a warning not to read while hungry or on a diet. So many delicious food descriptions my mouth was watering all throughout!

The mystery itself was interesting enough and gives enough red herrings to keep you changing your mind about the killer's identity.

Nice story in a gorgeous setting with a wonderful cast of characters and some fantastic descriptions of the italian countryside and food that has left me wanting to go back to Gravigna soon.

Thanks to Netgalley and Allison & Busby for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think this is going to be a new favourite novel series. Set in the wine soaked region of Chianti with various dodgy neighbours, remote yet dangerous, outsiders v inhabitants and a very interesting and retired police officer and team. How the retired detective gets a dog is one of the highlights early on. And his hame! I will leave that for you to discover.

The finding of a body causes chaos as you might imagine and much of this novel is about that investigation. The nature of the crime and this rural village really adds to the spice of the whole thing. It reminded me of Martin Walker;s Chief of police series or similar but this one had a really unique flavour to it (and no it wasn't the chianti)

This is a gentle winding story and one I really enjoyed. More please!

Received an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Great find - this is the sort of series I love to discover. great characters and a fabulous location. I want to be there.!!

I think the writer's inside knowledge of Italy and its culture, along with a well-executed storyline - make for the perfect read. I look forward to more of this series.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Allison & Busby for an advance copy of Murder in Chianti, a stand-alone set in the Tuscan village of Gravigna.

Widower Nico Doyle has moved from New York to his deceased wife’s hometown of Gravigna where he spends time with his wife’s niece and her family and generally settling in to the relaxed rural lifestyle. What he doesn’t expect is to find a dead body with its face shot off in the local woods. Enlisted to help with the investigation by the local Carabinieri Maresciallo Salvatore Perillo he uncovers more of Gravigna’s secrets than he wanted to as the it comes close to home.

I thoroughly enjoyed Murder in Chianti which is a gentle but absorbing tale of secrets and life in a small community. The emphasis is on Nico Doyle and his reactions to what they uncover but Perello and his assistant Daniele have prominent voices as the official face of the investigation. The switches in voice give the reader a more rounded view of events rather than offering a distraction.

The vibe in the novel is very much an Italian version of Martin Walker’s Bruno, Chief of Police with the strong sense of community and friendship, the cooking and recipes and the self sufficiency of growing your own food although the natives do not seem quite as cunning. It is warm despite the subject matter. The plot itself offers a few surprises but is generally quite low key, with Nico’s stress over all the revelations taking a more prominent role as the novel progresses. Nevertheless, I found it quietly compulsive and the perpetrator a real surprise.

Nico Doyle is, I think, a character the author could build a series around. He’s lonely and grieving but is taking tentative steps back to a new life. He finds solace in cooking and working in his niece-in-law’s restaurant and is starting to make friends. The reader could pity him but would be better off admiring his efforts.

Murder in Chianti is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Oh I hated coming to the end of this glorious book! A hymn of praise to Italy, her warmth, humour, dolce vita , food, wine and love. It had a unique charm in it's loving portrayal of the inhabitants of this Chianti region, where Nico returns to his dead wife's family and roots , to mourn and be nearer her. The easy going life around wine making, restaurants and tourism, is shattered when a body is found by OneWag, a delightful stray dog who has chosen to adopt Nico. OneWag, so named because he never bestows more than one wag if his proud tail, no matter how pleased he is. Knowing Nico' s background as a homicide detective, the local , charming and wise policeman in charge of the case, Salvatore, enlists his help. The investigation turns up a violent episode in the past and Nico fears it could be too close to home and in danger if bringing pain to those he loves most. I don't want to issue any spoilers as this well crafted book gradually unpeels the layers which reveal the story not just of the murder victim but of each of the inhabitants' s stories. I don't think I've ever fell in love with a book and it's characters as much as I have with these....I found myself wanting to jump on a plane to Italy to immerse myself in all things Italian. Grazie mile per
un libro meraviglioso. É stata una gioia leggere. Ancora per favore!

When he discovers a body in the woods near his Tuscan home, ex NYPD detective Nico Doyle finds himself helping the Carabinieri investigate the murder. But as it becomes clear that the victim had connections with his late wife’s family, he finds himself torn between justice and family loyalty.

A good tale, set in the beautiful Chianti hills region of Italy, with much attention given to the wine making business for which the area is famous. Nico is a strong character, who’s conscience is troubled by the fear of the only family he has left being implicated in the crime. Old Elvira is funny, with her complaints and comments lacing the more serious drama of the story. My favourite character, though, has to be one-wag (or Rocco) the dog! The descriptions of his actions and expressions just bring him alive.

There were many twists and turns in the story. Just when you think you’ve worked out who and why, something else comes along and changes things again. Very enjoyable book.

An excellent start for a new mystery series.
I appreciated the great cast of characters, the realistic and vivid descriptions of Tuscany and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next instalment, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.