Having spent some time in Positano and the beautiful Amalfi Coast, I was excited to read this debut cozy mystery set there. The author did a wonderful job of immersing the reader in the location and the Italian lifestyle, focusing on food and family. There are quite a few Italian words sprinkled into the dialogue and narrative, which might annoy some readers. But I’ve studied Italian, and my husband is fluent, so I enjoyed the challenge. Most of the words and phrases are explained well enough in the context, and there’s a glossary in the back of the book (which I didn’t find until I’d finished).
The protagonist, Bria Bartolucci, is a young widow with a precocious eight-year-old son, Marco, and a very smart dog, Bravo. Before her husband died, he and Bria had purchased a Bed and Breakfast in Positano, which they named Bella Bella, and their dream was to run it together. Bria is determined to continue those plans. Everything is on track to open in time for the height of tourist season, when she finds a dead body in one of the bedrooms. She’s never seen the dead man before and does not know how he got there.
Bria’s first instinct is to call her best friend, Rosalie, who comes right over and agrees that, yes, the man is deceased, apparently murdered. They then call Rosalie’s brother, Luca, who is the Positano chief of police, and the proper investigation begins. When the police arrest Giovanni, an employee of Bella Bella, Bria decides she must prove Giovanni’s innocence and salvage the reputation of her business.
Through her amateur sleuthing, Bria discovers the name of the victim, his relationships, and some illegal business dealings. As Bria and Rosalie uncover clues, some of which they share with Luca, and some they conceal, their suspicions shift widely among various subjects.
The story is told in a light, somewhat humorous tone, and the well-drawn characters are likable. Bria’s family weighs in on everything: her parents; younger sister, Lorenza; almost brother-in-law, Fabricio; and her wealthy, domineering mother-in-law, Imperia. There’s a hint of romance brewing between Bria and Luca, which I suspect may develop in subsequent books in the series. Luca also has an interesting sidekick, female police officer Nunzi, who adds to the drama.
The plot twists and turns as new evidence and motives come to light, and I didn’t figure out whodunnit until Bria gathers everyone together and points the finger in a Perry Mason moment. If you enjoy arm-chair travel, family drama, and solving puzzles, I recommend this book. Great start to a new series!

The first in a new cozy series set in Positano, Italy. The protagonist is Bria, a young widow who runs a B&B. Before the grand opening, a stranger is found murdered in one of her rooms. Bria sets out to prove her innocence and defend her city.

I think it took too long to get to the mystery for a cozy. I appreciate the author wanted to give background for Bria but I think this could have been done in flashbacks more. It would've matched the cozy format better.

Cozy mysteries are my favorite genre and I love to start a new series! I loved the setting of the bed and breakfast in Italy. The main character was relatable and the storyline itself was entertaining. This one has a lot of potential and I hope this is just the first book in a very long series! Highly recommend to other cozy lovers!

My husband and I went to Italy on our honeymoon, so I was excited to discover this cozy mystery.

I would rate the book as okay. The slow start made it difficult to get into the story. The author throws in Italian words that I don't know and don't wish to take the time to look up. Some of the things Bria does are absolutely baffling; Why can't she make a decision without getting the advice of her best friend? How many people would call their best friend about a murdered man, and then play games about what she discovered? And why on earth didn't she call the police instead of the friend especially since her best friend's brother is the one who eventually shows up? Then there are too many descriptions and not enough connection to the characters to really like them...

Overall--this is a three star book. A bit of a slog to get through.

A nice start to a new cozy series set on the Amalfi coast! It's got all the classic elements- Bria a widow, has moved with her son Marco and dog to run the B&B she planned with her husband but finds a murdered person there just before it's meant to open. Who is it and why, why in Bria's B&B? Is her mother in law involved? No spoilers but know that there's a handsome police officer in Luca an some good pals. Best of all though, it's set in Italy, with all the treats that some with that. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This made for a transporting read and I'm looking forward to heading back in the next book.

3.5 stars

A debut cozy set in Positano, Italy and featuring a young widow, Bria, who is opening a bed and breakfast. Lots of descriptions of the Italian coast and villages and some tasty sounding food writing. Bria is in transition -- her husband died about a year ago in a crash, and she has a young son. Both her family and her late husband's mother-in-law live nearby, as well as Bria's best friend Rosalie.

Bria and her husband dreamed of opening a small B&B and she is determined to make that happen despite the fact that he is gone. But her plans are sideswiped when she discovers a dead body in one of her guest rooms one morning after she walks her son to school.

Bria is smart and logical and feels she has to find the culprit so the murder won't torpedo her business. There is a lot of time setting up and highlighting her relationships -- with her parents and with her very prickly and imperious mother-in-law. And there's hints of romance in the future and a couple likely candidates with the local chief of police and with her mysterious handyman.

There is some humor and a lot of hand flapping and shouting, evidently in order to convey a sense of Italian conversation and volubility. We do watch Brian giving herself pep talks and transition from the shock of sudden widowhood back to a more normal life. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

“Murder in an Italian Village” is an amusing, modern-day, cozy mystery set in Positano, Italy. The cast of characters are charming and were definitely my favorite part of this story. I’m excited to see Bria’s next mystery-solving adventure in the next installment of this new series!

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Really a great book, enjoyed it.

The idea was good, but badly executed in my opinion. Even though the story is a murder mystery, the tone was somehow childish, with jokes thrown in at inappropriate times by underdeveloped characters. I couldn’t connect or really care about the characters, actually. Also, I felt that the book was patronizing regarding Italy and the Italian language. It took me a couple months to finish the book and I honestly considered not finishing it many times.
To top it off, the murderer resolution felt rushed and out of the blue.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC. Opinions are my own.

Such a cozy little mystery set in the beautiful Positano, Italy. As a native, I love reading stories about the homeland. It transports me to the sun, the beaches, and the wonderful views! This is a perfect beach read.

Murder in the Italian Village is the first book in a new series by Michael Falco, taking place in the beautiful Positano village in Italy. While Bria is getting ready to open her B&B after her husband died, a murder throws everything off track! I thought the village characters were all charming and very entertaining. At times, the murder and mystery slipped from my mind as the characters bickered with one another. I would have preferred the story to take place after the B&B opened as it was just a mention here or there and I believe the revolving door of guests would lend itself to more characters and situations. I was surprised by the twist and reveal of the murderer, but the author gave us lots of clues along the way. All in all, this was a great first entry in the mystery series and I look forward to Bria's next adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

Murder in an Italian Village was a lovely cozy mystery with engaging characters. This appears to be the author's first novel! Hopefully there will be many more books in the series.

This may be my new favorite cozy mystery series!
This is the first book of the new series, and it was amazing. The characters were fun, relatable, and so easy to get to know. The setting was described so well I could imagine walking the streets of Positano, (which is one of my favorite places in Italy!). The plot had it all, family, mystery, friends, fun, and some sorrow. Each chapter flowed easily and captivated me from the first page. Highly recommend. I am eagerly awaiting the next book already!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 Stars
The start of a cozy mystery series set in Positano, Italy, if you prefer lighthearted armchair travel mysteries with a slow burn, this novel is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and slapstick characters (the MC is like an Italian Lucille Ball, although she sometimes feels more like an American ex-pat living in Italy). I enjoyed the banter, but occasionally, there's some repetitive scenes and descriptions that could have been edited out. Lovely cover art and a good summer/beachy mystery read, I liked it enough to look out for the sequel.

Net Galley Feedback

This is the first in a series, and it was a good one, but not great. It did not impress me like others have. Bria is the owner of a Bed and Breakfast in Positano Italy. Her husband and she had found this one and their dream was to have a successful bed and breakfast. Bria's husband Carlo is tragically killed in a plane accident.

One day, Bria finds a dead man in one of the guest rooms two weeks before opening day. This begins a slew of investigation from Bria and her best friend's brother, Luca, the chief of police. Bria tries to figure out the murder so that her business is saved from the bad press.

Throughout the story there is not only one body, but three. Bria does solve the murder and saves her business. The story seemed long and drawn out to me. I at times dreaded reading. There is a lot of Italian language in the book without a lot of explanation; though there is a glossary at the end of the book. Its worth a try if you like Italian culture, geography and language, but overall 4 stars from me.

#MurderninanItalianVillage #NetGalley

This book is a mystery, with a wonderful Italian setting, you’ll feel like a visitor!
Bria is the main character, a single mum with a new Bed and Breakfast to open, but first there’s a murder to solve. Bria calls on her strong network of friends to help investigate how a man died, the police are frustrated by Bria’s actions.
Although the setting and characters are likeable, the story is slow and seems to dwell too much on detail at times. Too much discussion and distraction hinders interest in the storyline as it unfolds.

Thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Murder in an Italian Village - Michael Falco

Publication Date: September 26, 2023

****
QoTD: Have you ever visited the Amalfi Coast? If not, what coast have you visited and liked?
****

Bria and Carlo moved to Positano to open a B and B. When Carlo is killed in a plane crash, Bria is left alone with her young son, Marco and dog, Bravo, to realize the dream. Just before the grand opening, Bria discovers a dead body in one of the bedrooms. Although the local police, led by the handsome Luca are handling the case, Bria takes it upon herself to run her own investigation which puts her intimidating, wealthy mother-in-law under suspicion.

I love cozy mysteries set in Italy. Instead of the UK version where you have tea and biscuits, here you have really good coffee and treats like biscotti along with colorful, charming, and amusing characters. Falco captured well the beauty of the Amalfi coast as well as the local society and culture. I liked the use of Italian phrases. Some were translated within the story, as well as a dictionary provided at the end of the book. The writing a bit slow and wordy at times, yet it was a good beginning of what is to be a new series. I look forward to the next one.

Since I chose this book based on its setting, just a personal note…..Falco adds some after thoughts about the beauty of the Amalfi coast and what he says is true. Long after a visit there, it will remain with you. We spent two weeks in nearby Atrani once in an apartment with a balcony that jutted out over the sea. That trip and the allure of the area will be with me forever. I loved going back for a visit via this book.

Cute and cozy murder mystery with good banter but did no female editor notice the Louboutin moments? No they are not the most comfortable shoe and you cannot run in them. I’m sorry basic fact checking would show that, and it really perturbed me that it went all the way to publishing with these stupid excerpts in it. It screams FMC written by man who half asses research. It’s in the details like that. Anyway it made me laugh, but it’s not something I would reread.

Even if I'm Italian born and bread I like to read books set in Italy as they're always a good way to visit your home country in a fantasy way.
This is a fan cozy mystery, I should be one of the few human who doesn't like Positano, but I liked the characters and the mystery
The setting is nice and the characters are fleshed out, I had fun and the mystery kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

3.5 ⭐

Dazzled by the cover and happy to have an armchair travel back to Positano, I eagerly binged this cozy mystery!

The tagline is correct - you’ll be transported to Cinque Terre along the Italian coast. I absolutely loved the vivid descriptive setting and the Italian phrases added to the authenticity. It’s obvious the author spent time in this village rather than simply researching it.

The cozy mystery was well introduced and intriguing and benefited from the great rhythm/pacing. You’ll be curious to uncover the identity of this first ‘guest’ and why he ‘checked in’ before opening day. The scandal will keep you glued to the pages and the tension will increase, making it an addictive read.

Two things hampered my enjoyment: (1) I struggled with the chatty conversations between the two female main characters and (2) I struggled with the flow (choppy, repetitive, and over-explained prose). I’m confident that these will improve as the author establishes himself.

If you prefer slower-paced cozy mysteries with a focus on the setting, you’ll enjoy this one.

I was gifted this copy by Kensington Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.