A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany is a cosy mystery read that you can easily finish in a day. Please leave it to Vivian Conroy to paint vivid imagery, luring the reader to a faraway land, going way back in time. This book possesses a well-paced plot centred around deceit, revenge, secrets and payback. The author has etched her signature style in revealing parts of the puzzle along the way with a practical yet, surprising ending. The linear point of view (Atlanta Ashford's) works exceptionally well as our protagonist is sharp, clever and a keen observer. Her interactions with Rauol are steeped with inquiry, reasoning and secret longing.
I look forward to seeing how Atlanta's relationship with Rauol evolves. Do not skip this fantastic series if you enjoy cosy mysteries, amateur sleuths, family secrets and beautiful landscapes.

Thank you NetGally & HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.

A light read of a mystery novel with a wonderfully sketched setting. I didn’t really connect well with the characters so overall not for me, but worth a try if you love the genre!

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany is the third in the lively Miss Ashford Investigates series, jam packed with atmospheric descriptions from the Orient Express to period clothing to glorious Tuscany.

The 1930s are glamorous and glitzy. Atalanta Ashford has recently come into oodles of money but remains humble and thoughtful. Professional car racer Raoul is wealthy, handsome and practical. As good friends, why not enjoy their wealth whilst taking a break from busyness? Raoul plans a European trip, packs and "kidnaps" his friend as a surprise. On the Orient Express the adventures begin. The sleuth pair meets Catharina of the infamous Lanetti family who invites them to a birthday party at her home. Trouble brews amongst the Lanetti family members and one is killed. Turns out several suspects had motives. All have secrets.

Atalanta and Raoul use their deduction skills and experience, inveigle and question. Their searching takes them through Tuscany. Descriptions transported me there in less than a heartbeat.

Writing is witty, bright and snappy and the mysteries are fun. But my favourite parts are spending time with the characters in Italy and catching glimpses of blushes and tender moments. Historical Fiction fans ought to become immersed in this series.

My sincere thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me an early digital copy of this delightful novel.

All opinions are my own.

Atalanta and her friend, race car driver Raoul, are travelling to Tuscany on the Orient Express on holiday when they meet Catharina Lanetti and end up being invited to a party at her father's house. When they attend they become involved in her family's infighting and a murder.
I must admit that I was kept guessing all the way to the end of the book with the final outcome a total surprise. The Lanetti family were certainly not the type of people that I normally associate with and certainly wouldn't want to. The relationship between Atalanta and Raoul is still full of twists and turns, but the book would lose some of its sparks if they became closer. Certainly one for those who enjoy twisted storylines in their murder mysteries.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book.

I thought that I would enjoy this book however it really wasn’t for me. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany is the third instalment in the Mish Ashford Investigates series, but if you haven’t read the previous ones and would nevertheless like to accompany Miss Ashford to Tuscany, no worries, you’ll be able to jump in here. Each mystery stands on its own and while earlier cases are referred to, there are no spoilers. Note that you will want to read the previous books after finishing this one, so you might as well start at the beginning, just saying.

The story is told from the POV of Atalanta Ashford and is set in the 1930s. Atalanta is a feisty young woman, who has taken over her grandfather’s unofficial sleuthing business. It would seem that wherever she goes, murder follows and it’s up to her to solve the murder mystery, Hercule Poirot style.

Lately, Atalanta has been so busy that her friend (and possibly a bit of a love interest) Raoul, a wealthy race car driver, decides she needs a break and whisks her away to Italy. What could be more relaxing than a sunny holiday among the Tuscan vineyards? But alas, tragedy (or rather: a killer) strikes and Atalanta won’t rest until, among the plethora of suspects, she has figured out whodunnit, and why.

I do love Atalanta and sleuthing along with her, and I love it even more that she takes me to all the best places in Europe! I have the fondest memories of Tuscany, and it was such a pleasure to relive them thanks to the vivid and evocative writing.

I always enjoy Vivian Conroy’s historical cosy murder mysteries and A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany was no exception, I had a great time with it and I binged the whole latter half cos I just had to know what was what. I can’t wait for Atalanta’s next outing, which will be in Salzburg! Recommended to fans of cosy murder mysteries.

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany is out in digital formats and paperback today, happy publication day to Viv Conroy!

Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

1930’s murder amongst the vines!

Atlanta Ashford’s relationship with racing car driver Raoul Lemont (he later declares he’s Italian by heart, not birth) is somewhat of an unknown, punctuated with Atlanta’s inner moonings of does he like me or not. Atlanta seems to be attracted to Raoul but is unsure, or scared of, his responses. Sometimes she’s looking forward to his company, other times his perceived chauvinism annoys her, or the prejudices of others frustrate her, particularly when he’s referred to over her because he’s male. It’s like Atlanta’s metaphorically pulling the petals of daisies to uncover her feelings, with jealousy only a nanosecond away.
Anyway Atlanta’s decided to take time out from detecting and go on a holiday with Raoul, as a ‘travelling companion’, (Atlanta’s unsure of what that means) motoring through his beloved Tuscany, stopping off at little towns and inns along the way. No investigating! Purely and simply a restful holiday.
They’re taking the Orient Express to Simplon Pass where Raoul’s arranged for a car. Aboard the train they meet an heiress whose father, Cosimo Lanetti owns a palazzo surrounded by vineyards. Atlanta’s persuaded by Catharina to join her there for Cosimo’s eightieth birthday celebrations. Raoul is not sympatico with this change.
Of course someone dies and Atlanta finds herself thrust into the situation.
Raoul had wanted to avoid the party but is happy to assist Atalanta. The details of the death are finely wrought. Catharina becomes the major suspect. Cosimo’s Will opens up several avenues to explore.
I must say that by now Atlanta’s relationship with Raoul is annoying me even more intensely.
I’m not convinced of the chemistry hinted at between them. Furthermore I’m not fully sold on this episode of Atlanta bravely solving murder amongst the vines of Tuscany. I hope the series doesn’t unraval as Atlanta sashays around Europe, presumably with Monsieur Lemont, to become a travelogue with murder always on the list.
I do object to Atlanta being seen as channeling a cross between Agatha Christie and Julie Caplan. Agatha—a resounding No! Julie—a maybe!
Still I must confess I’ll be interested to see where the next book takes us.

A One More Chapter ARC via NetGalley
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Orient Express, 1930, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, race-car-driver, country-estate, inheritance, family-dynamics, family-drama, family-business, murder, murder-investigation, secrets, lies, jealousies, friction, friends, frustration, threats, suspense, suspicion, Italy*****

Former teacher at an exclusive girls' school, Atalanta Ashford, becomes a female investigator as part of an unexpected inheritance. Atalanta’s friend, racing driver Raoul Lemont, encourages her to go with him to Italy for a vacation. They travel on the Orient Express and meet an odd woman with what appears to be a very contentious family. Then comes the murder of the paterfamilias. Let the sleuthing begin (even if the apparently retired police chief declares the murderer without convincing legal evidence).
If you enjoy stream of consciousness in a historical soap opera you will adore this book as much as I did.
I requested and received an EARC from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!

A cosy crime mystery that had me riveted from the start.

September 1930 and Miss Atalanta Ashford is whisked away for a sightseeing holiday, with her friend, the dashing good looking Raoul Lemont.
Will all go to plan for their Tuscany break?

I stepped back in time to 1930, thoroughly enjoying this wonderful cosy crime mystery book.
A selection of characters had me guessing this way and that as I tried to work out who had carried out the crime?
Atalanta and Raoul, friends and sleuthing partners, are very likeable characters.
It was a lovely good fun book to read, and I delighted in reading about their travels and Tuscany.
I look forward to reading more books from the author.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the Author and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions of this book are entirely my own.

A new to me author this is the first book I have read but it will not be the last. This is a great fun read with lots of suspects and gorgeous settings including a trip on the Orient Express in true Agatha Christie Style. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"What if...?" So many "What ifs..." in this book. What if Atalanta Ashford had refused handsome race car driver Raoul Lemont's invitation? What if they hadn't taken the, wow, Orient Express? What if they hadn't met Catharina Lanetti at breakfast that morning? What if they hadn't accepted the troubled woman's invitation to the elaborate, upscale birthday party for her somewhat estranged father, Cosimo? What if....well, you get my drift.

Atalanta's mind is seemingly always racing, taking wild twists and turns during even the most mundane circumstances. While her mind soon turns to murder, initially they're focused on her relationship, which she isn't even sure is a relationship, with Raoul. He does have a way of popping up unexpectedly so, what if....no, let's not go there. Let's just say that she's drawn to him but won't quite admit it. Remember, this story is set in the much slower days of the 1930s.

Needless to say, they arrive for the party and Atalanta, who still isn't accustomed to her inherited status of wealth, is awed by the surroundings. She is equally astounded at the tensions and power struggles within the family. While Cosimo's late first wife seems almost saintly by description, second wife Melina is lovely but, umm, abrasive. The brothers Lorenzo and Giovanni dislike each other and both want control of the business when their father passes. And, pass he does. Who kills Cosimo? Was Catharina's present to him a hint? Is it true people die where she goes? Could the brothers have tired of waiting for their chance to lead? Could Catharina be next? How long do some people hold a grudge? What if....oops, back to that again. But, enough hints.

While the plot unfolds slower than I've grown accustomed to of late, the unfolding is perfect for the time and setting. The author does a wonderful job painting the scene for us, the people, customs, lush colors and scenery, much while Raoul drives leisurely through the countryside, stopping in small villages and pubs, and introducing Atalanta to his Italy. So, don't rush through the interludes as they're lovely snapshots of the times and places. As for the mystery itself, it held my attention and made me hungry for some sightseeing. Thanks#NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK - #OneMoreChapter for inviting me along for Raoul and Atalanta's lovely excursion. After that hint in the last sentence, must admit I'm curious to see where this is going.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advance copy of A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany, the third novel to feature Miss Atalanta Ashford, a private detective to Europe’s rich and famous, set in 1930.

Atalanta’s friend, racing driver Raoul Lemont, is taking her to Tuscany for a relaxing holiday, when they meet Catharina Lanetti on the Orient Express. She promptly invites them to her father’s sixtieth birthday party in the palatial family home, only for him to be murdered during the party. Catharina is under suspicion so Atalanta has to navigate her way through several suspects and motives to save the day.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany, which is a fun, light hearted adventure in beautiful surroundings. It is told entirely from Atalanta’s point of view, so the reader can investigate alongside her and attempt to find a coherent narrative in amongst all the snippets of information she picks up. Not that I managed to.

Atalanta is new to both wealth and investigating, so the novel combines her enjoyment of all these new experiences with her more mundane day job. The wealthy setting gives the novel glamour, especially as seen through her inexperienced eyes, and that adds to the fun. The detecting is more idiosyncratic with Atalanta, ably assisted by Raoul, asking questions, formulating theories and generally poking around until the aha moment strikes and she is able to enact a Christie-esque denouement. This one involves all sorts of elements including a dysfunctional family, a twisted victim, old crimes and new developments. It is complicated to pull it all together and the author does it well.

I like Atalanta with her mixture of pragmatism and naïveté and I’ve enjoyed her friendship with Raoul. She likes him romantically, but isn’t confident enough to do something about it. After all he’s an attractive racing car driver and she’s a former schoolteacher. The jealousy of other women is starting to wear, so it’s time for him to declare his obvious interest.

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Murder Most Foul..
The third in the Miss Ashford Investigates series of mysteries finds the budding amateur sleuth whisked away to Italy for an unforgettable holiday - although, perhaps, not in exactly the anticipated manner as a chance meeting on the Orient Express leads to a party and, in turn, to murder most foul. With a plethora of suspects and motives and a friend under suspicion, can this case possibly end well? Enjoyable and entertaining mystery with a deftly drawn cast, some nice period touches and delicious settings. A fitting addition to the series to date.

Atalanta Ashford is a female investigator who finds herself on the Orient Express, where she receives a party invitation which leads to her investigation of a mysterious murder. In true Agatha Christie style, this novel is great fun with suspects galore and gorgeous settings that encapsulate the period at that time. Sit back, relax and time slip to the 1930s. I loved this book!

"Agatha Christie meets Julie Caplin in this exciting new cosy crime series that captures the glamour of the 1930s with the gorgeous escapist destinations!

An escape to Tuscany.
An unexpected invitation.
A murder at midnight...

When novice detective Atalanta Ashford is whisked away to Italy by her friend, race car driver Raoul Lemont, she anticipates a happy holiday under the Tuscan sun. But a chance meeting on the Orient Express with Italian heiress Catharina Lanetti leads to a party invitation…and front row seats for a mysterious murder!

With their new friend under suspicion Atalanta and Raoul set to work trying to discover who really murdered Catharina's father. But with more than half a dozen suspects - all with compelling motive - Atalanta may just be facing her toughest case yet!"

So much vintage goodness, the Orient Express, race car drivers, heiress!

A budding detective and her race car driver friend set out to explore Italy when a chance meeting on the Orient Express leads them into danger and murder. An interesting look at families where greed leads to distrust. Charming lead characters and a beautiful setting.