Lazzaroni Boscarino is a dying Italian village that all the tourist skip over but that might all change according to Giuseppina’s psychic who has give her a message… that she can’t remember all of but it has something to do with a visitor, riches and a death or you know whatever. The towns post man might be on the run from the law. There might be a lovable Nonna who everyone would do anything for. A donkey that maybe ran for mayor. Delizia who is working behind the scenes to save the town. And a truffle hunter who is using his truffle hunts to seek peace after losing the love of his life. Two adorable truffle hunting dogs, one who is more reliable than the other. Oh and a cat name Al Pacino. The quirky cast of characters really goes on and on. But you won’t know unless you visit Lazzaroni Boscarino while reading this lovely story. I hear the coffee is good at Bar Celebrità, enjoy!

Unexpected!

A slight wind originates in the depth of the forest imbued with a pagan secretive scent. It winds through the undergrowth stimulating and sensual, quietly and gently whispering in and around the small and charming medieval village of Lazzarini Boscarino.
All have left but a few.
Mayor Delizia longs for the fortunes of the village to be different.
Thanks to the chemistry, the magic of a truffle, change comes in an unexpected way.
A slow start, gathering interest as the rather special story unfolds.

A Grand Central Pub. ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC for review. This book was absolutely delightful! It took a minute to get into the story, but once I did I couldn’t put it down. I read this author’s previous book, Hollow Kingdom, VERY different subject matter and much less cussing 😂, but similar theme- family. Tartufo takes places in a small Italian village on the brink, that no one knows about and if tourists DO find their way there, it is by mistake as they were looking for the bigger, fancier city down the road. That is until the mayor finds the biggest, most impressive beautiful white truffle- Un Tartufo, and then there’s the possibility of fame and riches the village as never known, if only the people of the town can get it together and not mess it all up.

Kira Jane Buxton's Tartufo is a literary feast for the senses, brimming with evocative descriptions, unforgettable characters, and a narrative that feels both wildly imaginative and deeply heartfelt. Known for her unique ability to bring vivid worlds to life, Buxton does not disappoint here—her impeccable sensory writing transforms each scene into a multi-dimensional experience.

From the lush, atmospheric settings to the smallest sensory details, every description feels alive. Buxton's prose is so textured that you can almost feel the humidity in the air, hear the rustling of leaves, or taste the tantalizing dishes that are such an integral part of the story. It's a masterclass in immersive storytelling, where the world-building is as palpable as it is enchanting.

The true heart of the novel, however, lies in its lovable cast of characters. Each one is brimming with personality, quirks, and depth—so much so that they leap off the page. The relationships between them feel authentic, with moments of humor, tenderness, and unexpected vulnerability that make you root for them from beginning to end. It’s impossible not to imagine these characters starring in their own TV show; their antics and heartfelt connections would translate seamlessly to the screen, delighting audiences week after week.

Tartufo is more than just a novel—it’s an experience. With writing as rich and textured as its characters, it’s a story that lingers long after the final page is turned. Kira Jane Buxton has crafted a work that’s as intoxicating as it is unforgettable, a true testament to her boundless talent and creativity.

Tartufo is heartwarming, hilarious, and irreverent, precisely what you'd expect from Kira Jane Buxton. An old Tuscan village full of the most eccentric people is on the brink of dying when a truffle hunter finds the mother of all white truffles. Hilarity and hijinx ensue as the village deals with unexpected (some say unwanted) celebrity and the chance that they'll make a fortune.

A small Italian village, a quirky cast of characters, and a giant white truffle bring together a hilarious novel that is so much more than it seems.

With humourous animal characters, and humans dealing with loss, longing, and life, the reader is transported to a small Italian village and rooting for this village to return from the brink of death.

This would be an excellent book to read with a book club as there are so many aspects that different people will identify with. I just want to discuss it with someone!

I started this as an audiobook, which I found very helpful for pronunciation and understanding some of the nicknames. If you are unfamiliar with Italian, this may be a good idea.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for the DRC. All opinions are my own!

This was such a unique and sweet story. I don’t know which was more adorable, the characters or the small Italian village.
I’m a sucker for books written in Tuscan scenery.
I’m even more a sucker for a group of well written, adorable characters thrown together for a common goal. This books has all that and lots of humor and sweet moments along the way. Loved it. So fun.
I went into this book blind and was pleasantly surprised, I recommend doing the same.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC and libro.fm for the listen! (Loved the Italian accents)

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun reading a book. Kira Jane Buxton’s debut novel, Hollow Kingdom, was quirky and witty and unique but not high on my list of favorites. Tartufo, however, takes the same witty quirky angle and infuses it with a lyrical, poetic flow that I found purely delightful, an amazing sign of growth for the author’s craft. The characters are so much fun and so well defined and fleshed out (though of course larger than life caricatures to fit the tone) while the love and commitment they have to each other is more real because of their size. The book is just brimming with gorgeous turns of phrase and vivid, visceral descriptions. If you don’t enjoy books that spend a good amount of time in rich description of smells and tastes then this won’t be for you. I didn’t even know there were so many amazing ways to describe scents.

Overall a quick delightful funny quirky read I look forward to reading again.

Tartufo by Kira Jane Burton is an absolute gem of a book, one that I didn’t expect to leave such a lasting impression, but here I am, still thinking about it long after I’ve finished. It’s a funny, sweet, and heartwarming exploration of relationships and what truly matters in life, and I cannot recommend it enough. Burton’s writing is equal parts laugh-out-loud amusing and beautiful, creating a narrative that’s as entertaining as it is emotionally resonant.

The characters in Tartufo are what really make this story shine. Each one is so well-crafted, with distinct personalities that come to life on the page. There’s an authenticity to how they’re written, and I found myself deeply invested in their relationships, struggles, and growth. They reminded me a lot of the characters we see in Fredrik Backman’s books—relatable, deeply human, and brimming with charm. I couldn’t help but root for them.

One of the most unique and magical aspects of Tartufo is Burton’s writing style. It’s something I haven’t come across before and absolutely loved. The way she introduces characters, the setting, and certain events—by following an insect, an animal, or a scent through the scene—is utterly captivating. This approach adds an ethereal quality to the narrative, making each moment feel like it’s brimming with possibility and magic. The way Burton weaves these sensory elements into the story creates a rich, immersive world that you want to linger in.

The story itself, at its core, is about discovering what’s truly important in life—relationships, personal connections, and understanding that happiness isn’t found in material things or fleeting moments, but in the bonds we build with others. The humor in the book never distracts from the deeper emotional moments; there’s a balance between lightheartedness and poignancy that makes Tartufo such a fulfilling read.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for this arc.

I read the blurb and thought, this sounds delightful. Having finished the book, I would love to see it as a movie as the writing is very visual. I’m not sure how the POV scenes from a surly pregnant cat (Al Pacino), two loving truffle hunting dogs (Aria and Fagiolo), a bee, a spider, and an ant (all unnamed) would be handled but they must be in it, too.

Before getting started, I would urge possible readers to search for and read an excerpt. Decide if this is a writing style you can live with. The initial chapters are also daunting as a whole host of characters and their relationships will be tossed at you.

I list the tag “found family” but really this is already basically an already established family of villagers who have been through tough times as they watch older friends and family pass, businesses close, young people leave, and debts mount. Sure there is a bit of snipping and snarling at times as what group of people always get along? But they will – usually – stick together.

But then truffle hunter Giovanni and his two dogs discover the motherload. A white truffle of this size could potentially be auctioned off for enough money to save the village. To do so, the villagers need someone with connections and soon the ball is rolling. To get to the “finish line” though everyone needs to pull together which is something that they have a hard time doing since soon old grudges, worries, and relationships are tested.

The truffle might be the center of attention but the book is really about the relationships. It takes a while to set the stage, introduce the characters, and get going but once I was caught up in this world, I let the delicious writing, delicious food, and overall love carry me home. Going into the rich forest with Aria and Fagiolo is delightful. Watching Al Pacino terrify her enemies is hilarious. Giuseppina at all times but especially visiting Madame Fortuna is a treat. Nonna Amara is the beloved grandmother we all wish we could have while Delizia is the mayor we all need.

Brava that the end is not quite what I expected even as the tension mounted. Salvation does appear to be headed towards the village but also, not as I expected. Though perhaps the way it might arrive is a bit more believable. I finished the book wrapped in smiles even if, at times, the writing took a bit to wend my way through. B

I requested this eARC based off the cover alone and honestly didn't even read the synopsis before reading, just went in blind.... and I really, really enjoyed it! PHEW, right? 😅 This was a delightfully fun romp of a read, perfect for when you're off on holiday, perhaps need a palette cleanser from your previous reads, or even if you are simply just looking for some wholesome vibes— TARTUFO manages to cover all those bases and then some. I loved the cozy, small Tuscan village setting, the quirky* cast of characters (*the fun kind, not the insufferable kind haha), and just.... the overall story emanated and had such a strong sense of warmth to it that I can't fully explain but very much felt throughout reading. Buxton's writing style is very creative and unique imo, particularly in how she chooses to describe things/people/places; some may find her prose to be a be overly wordy and perhaps a bit superfluous..... but I am definitely NOT one of those people and we all *know* this about me also (as in, I eat this kind of sh*t UP lmao), so just something worth noting for those who may feel otherwise. I could definitely see myself re-reading this book in the future, and I look forward to what Buxton comes out with next!

artufo…more like Truffufo!

This is the story of a quaint little town in Italy that discovers a magnificent truffle that can change the fate of the town. As the truffle goes missing, follow the drama of all the quirky people in the town. Will the truffle be found and still be magnificent or will it be consumed with a spritz along the way!

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

This book is fun and different from other books I have read recently, so I enjoyed it! It takes place in a very small town in Italy and has a unique cast of characters in the small town. It has humor, and we get a variety of points of views (including a dogs which is fun!). I loved the Italian setting and I loved the description of the large truffle that was found. I wanted to find out what happens to the town and the truffle and so I had to keep reading! This book is highly recommended for people that like character driven novels in small Italian towns!

An absolutely charming story starring a hilarious and energetic cast of characters – and seriously, they are CHARACTERS – full of heart and love for each other, food, animals, and their Italian village. The village has no money, but clearly it is rich in other ways.

Kira Jane Buxton is a brilliant writer, weaving vivid descriptions of nature into each chapter that kept me totally entranced while still moving forward a plot that had me on the edge of my seat many times. There were many gasps and chuckles too. A completely fun and truly beautiful read.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for this ARC. This is one I am certain I will read again.

Tartufo by Kira Jane Buxton is a recommended farcical tale tale, highly for the right reader, involving a giant truffle. The rural Tuscan village of Lazzarini Boscarin is in decline when local truffle hunter Giovanni Scarpazza finds a giant truffle, un tartufo. The worth of truffle has the power to change the course of the village by both helping the citizens and revive interest in visiting it. A large cast of colorful characters from the village come to life in this over-the-top humorous novel.

It is helpful that the cast of characters are listed at the beginning of the narrative so readers can follow who everyone is and all the connections between them. Honestly, there are almost too many characters, all of the quirky but not all of them play an essential role in the novel. Some of this unrestrained writing style is also found in the excessive descriptive passages. At first I appreciated it, until it began to grate and got in the way of actually telling the story and slowed the pace and my appreciation of the novel down.

There is an interesting story woven in all the excesses, which made it an average okay novel for me. Perhaps those who like the author's writing style will appreciate Tartufo more. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

A very charming book!

It takes a while to get into, because the writing style is so different, so the first ~15-20% felt like a bit of a slog. Still, the writing grew on me, and in the end I think it suited the story quite well. The story of this giant truffle--the Tartufo--is told via the perspectives of the inhabitants of the town in which it was found. It's written in the third person, but each chapter focuses on a different person (or sometimes people). While you do get to know a few characters a little more intimately, like Giovanni, Delizia, and Giuseppina, this isn't the story of any given character. It's the story of the town, Lazzarini Boscarino, and I think the way it was written does a really good job of getting you acquainted with the entire town. By the end of the novel, I knew enough of the town gossip that I felt I could practically live in Lazzarini Boscarino myself. The few characters Buxton does put more of a focus on are all incredibly interesting and well written, and really help you better understand the human microcosms within the macrocosm that is the town (I know that my phrasing there was really weird, but if you read the book you'll get it, OK!?). I think the comedy in this book was also (surprisingly) pretty strong. I wouldn't call it a "funny" book, but it's definitely written with a more comical tone, and I think that tone does a lot to add to the warmth and humanity of this novel. Still, the comedy never detracts from the more serious, tender moments, and some scenes really plucked at my heartstrings.

This book does drop a fair amount of Italian around, which makes sense, given that it is set in Italy. However, I've heard that sometimes reading books that randomly throw around a second language sometimes make the speakers of that language feel a little disconcerted. So. If you speak Italian, uh. maybe skip this one if you're one of those people?

Overall, I think this book is really, really strong. It feels very... human. Not perfect, but it's got a bunch of tender, soulful moments. Plus it kind of made me want to move to a small, struggling town in the Italian countryside. Huh.

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review. I found the writing stilted and uninteresting. Thank you for the opportunity.

Tartufo is a delightful mix of truffle documentary, cultural commentary, and Italian soap opera. It’s funny and rich, deep and thoughtful. I was more drawn in by the conversations and interactions of the villagers than the anthropomorphic animals and insects. The creatures acted as segues and good vehicles for describing the countryside, but became predictable breaks in an otherwise moving story.

The story revolves around Mayor Delizia Miccuci and the small village of Lazzarini Boscarino. Their little town has few visitors but that is about to change.

Local truffle hunter Giovanni Scarpazza has just found the mother of all truffles or tartufo.
Cast of characters, including a cat named Al Pacino make this a fun read.

I requested this book after having enjoyed Kira Jane Buxton's quirky and fun Hollow KIngdom. LIke Hollow Kingdom, this novel is really out there with the zaniness, so be prepared. Unlike Hollow Kingdom, this one is a slower burn and takes a minute to get into. Her writing style is very distinctive and fans will enjoy this latest installment. But, if you're new to Buxton, I would recommend trying Hollow Kingdom as a first read.