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.

Ah, picking up a new Dan and Oscar mystery is just like meeting up with an old friend. Only this time, there's nudity involved, including, Dan's! Don't worry though, it's the same style we've come to expect from this wonderful series and I couldn't wait to get mu hands upon it.
A blast from Dan's past turns up and soon, Dan's on his way tothe Italian Riviera, though he;s a little shocked to find the location of a possible murder is a naturist resort and if Dan wants answers to his questions, he'll have to strip off. Together with a well-constructed main story, Dan also has to contend with worrying about his private life as an ill thought through reply to an important question posed to him by his girlfriend Anna, threatens to send his own happiness off the rails.
This is cosy mystery at its best and the author really plays with our emotions as the story concludes. More, please!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netglley for the reading copy.

I’ve loved being back in Italy with Dan and Oscar. This is such a great series and each story shows the wonderful partnership of the two of them on solving these mysteries.
This one in a naturist retreat is fun-filled and clever, and I thought the new working relationship with Luca was an interesting one, although Dan is always able to pull on his contacts from his Chief Inspector days to aid with his investigations.
As always, the setting of these stories is beautiful and we really get the sense of the Italian community including the wonderful food.
Lots of suspects and red herrings are spread throughout the book and I was never sure who had done what til the end.

Another fabulous foray into the Italian countryside with Dan and his sidekick, Oscar the labrador!

Approached by Bianca Moretti about a death at her father's private retreat, Dan is more than a bit suspicious; he sent Bianca to jail previously - can he really trust her? Agreeing to take the case, he is in for a shock when he discover the 'retreat' is a naturists paradise - and he needs to fit right in! Can he find out whether the death was murder or, as the local police declare, accidental?

I adore this series; anyone who knows me is aware that I have two labradors and the inclusion of Oscar (we have one of those) in these novels is the icing on the cake for me. Trevor Williams has a wonderful sense of humour and it shines through in all of his books. Having said that, there is always a well-crafted mystery at the heart and I unfailingly end up suspecting everyone before I get to the crux of the matter. A delightful tale in the most glorious settings, beautifully written, as always. I hope this series continues for a long, long time - it's one of my very favourite cosy mysteries! Highly recommended and well worth all five glowing stars!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

Bianca Moretti is a face from Dan’s past as a Chief Inspector with the Met, imprisoned for her involvement in a brutal gangland killing – but, on release, she seems to have made a fresh start. And this time she’s looking for Dan’s help – a guest at her father’s holiday resort on the coast has been found dead in the swimming pool, the police have concluded it was an accident, but they both think there’s rather more to it than that. With some fears around the possibility of links with organised crime, Dan is intrigued and takes on the investigation – but there’s no sign of anything untoward on arrival, just a warm welcome from her father.

The ensuing investigation sees Dan going undercover, teasing out the relationships and back stories of the staff and guests – but only after the initial shock of finding it’s a naturist resort, and that he has little option other than shedding his clothes at the door to have any chance of being inconspicuous, leaving him with the need to get over his embarrassment, and a particular challenge in working out exactly how to carry his phone and notebook. As he begins to narrow down the suspects – while keeping a close eye on where Oscar puts his nose, and sometimes fishing him out of the swimming pool – a further death complicates the picture. That brings the police back on the scene, but with a chief investigator who’s more than happy to accept their help and work together. There are layers to this story I really didn’t see coming, and a really clever twist towards the end – but only after different individuals moved in and out of the frame, unexpected secrets were uncovered, and the red herrings multiplied as they invariably do.

The humour in this book was simply wonderful – and Oscar, of course, plays his usual part. His whole character is an absolute joy, with a constant smile on his face, his desire to be part of the action (especially if there’s food or gelato involved), his eye for the ladies, and his ability (with the slightest nod, shake of the head or paw on the knee) to communicate what he’s thinking. Dan’s sometimes a little preoccupied with thoughts about his relationship with girlfriend Anna, with a few nice emotional touches – but it doesn’t take away from the central mystery and its investigation, which is as fascinating and engaging as ever. And, of course, the story has all the usual complex characters with their layers of secrets – and the most wonderful detail around the beautiful Riviera setting, with regular breaks for food that tantalises the tastebuds or a glass or two of something delicious and cool.

This was yet another perfect instalment in a series I’d wholeheartedly recommend to all – the most wonderful entertainment, but with an engaging and compelling story, more than a few dramatic twists and turns, and an intricacy to the plotting that would satisfy any seasoned crime reader. Just wonderful – and I’m already looking forward to the next…

When Dan is asked to investigate a murder by Bianca, someone he put away years ago, at an Italian resort, he leaps at the chance, although he wonders if she knows more than she is letting on. Unfortunately, he and his girlfriend have fallen out, so he is rather troubled. He and his trusty and cute Labrador Oscar discover that this is a naturist resort, an unusual place for Dan! Tension builds as another murder occurs and he has to check out everyone at the resort, leading him into a murky world of drugs, spies, and the Stasi.

Dan, Oscar, and his girlfriend Anna are like old friends now! Dan draws you in with his wonderful sense of humour and his exciting adventures in Italy. He has to conduct serious investigations but he manages to have a luxurious time and enjoy delicious food!

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.