An artist who also solves murders in a picturesque setting seemed a great idea so I couldn't pass this one up. However this wasn't quite as good as I hoped it would be. The story is a little convoluted, with the Nick jumping to conclusions on little evidence which proved to be the wrong conclusions rather a lot of the time. The clues and Nick’s suppositions are repeated a bit more than seemed necessary and ends up making a confusing and slow story at times until the end when the conclusion was a little too rushed and the story ended quickly as a result. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

An interesting thriller where I was slightly more intrigued by the British banter and the scenery/setting, than I was the mystery, but was still incredibly well written and quite enjoyed it.

Artist Nick Morris is hired to lead and teach a group of individuals through a week-long exploration of a picturesque town near Milan. Nick views the opportunity as a chance to earn some extra money and do some painting of his own, all the while enjoying a bit of a vacation and change of scenery. He doesn’t expect to be involved in a murder as well.

While this is a great premise with an appealing setting, the execution wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be. The story is a little convoluted, with the narrator (Nick) making too many (mostly wrong) assumptions. The elements of the murder and Nick’s suppositions are repeated a bit more than seemed necessary and it easily became confusing. The conclusion was a little too abrupt and the story ended quickly as a result.

Nevertheless, The Piazza Murders, with its touches of humor, was a nice armchair trip to Italy. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

A convoluted and at times rather confusing murder mystery set in a picturesque town in Italy. The narrator of the tale, Nick Morris, is employed to tutor a goup of amateur artists on a painting holiday who, rather coincidentally all seem to have a motive for the murder which quite naturally they confide to Nick without any guile at all. He happens to be a wow with the ladies too, who, on very short acquaintance, seem to be queueing up to cry on his supportive shoulder. Despite all this attention he still has time to paint, and sell a few pictures and investigate a crime which has really nothing to do with him. The plot seemed to go round in circles with much repeating of the available clues, leaping to conclusions and a lot of eating and drinking. I was interested in the historical angle which could have elevated the story had it been explored in more detail and I liked the Italian policemen, in fact the Italians generally were far more interesting characters overall. The resolution was a little hurried, all over and done with in the last few pages. To be honest I expected something a little better from such an experienced author. This is the first book of his that I have read and am afraid I will not be rushing to read another.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

The third book in Michael Jecks’ “The Art Of Murder” series, focussing on the protagonist’s observational abilities to aid his reluctant sleuthing. I do like Nick as a narrator, as there is a nice line in self-deprecating humour. He’s no great detective, getting quite a lot of stuff wrong, although those mistakes aren’t played for laughs, merely steps in finding out the truth of the situation.

Of the three books in the series, this is closest to a classic-style mystery. There were stronger thriller-elements in those, but this one, with its oddities around the crime – why was the victim wearing someone else’s clothes? – embraces the whodunnit element.

The suspects are distinctive – I know I say that a lot, but it’s important to me – and they all have important parts to play in the whole narrative. And just as importantly, it’s fun and I constantly wanted to know what happened next.

On top of that, Michael makes full use of the Italian setting, painting a beautiful picture (sorry) of life under the sun. Never been to Italy, but this does make me think about it. Apart from the murders, obviously.

It does feature one of my bugbears, namely the body in the first chapter followed by a long flashback as to how we get there, but this time, to be fair, I was enjoying myself with the sowing of motives and getting to know the suspects. The best book in the series to date and I’m curious to see where Nick goes next.

Nick Morris the Artist is back but, this time Italy where he will teach at a retreat for some not so nice crabby people. There are other events taking place in the town and once again there is a murder (or maybe more). So, Nick once again uses his investigative instinct in an attempt to figure the murder out and find the guilty party.
The plot is easy to follow and quite a few suspects to rule out. An easy and enjoyable read which did keep me guessing.

This is a fun series of which I have enjoyed the 2 previous books: Portrait of A Murder and Landscape of A Murder. I look forward to more adventures with Nick Morris .

I have never been to Italy but the vivid and descriptive writing this book certainly gave me the desire to travel.


Thank You NetGalley and Severn House for the advanced digital e-book in exchange for my honest review

I picked this up because I’ve been on a tour group trip through Italy myself, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. This is book three in the series, but starting here worked just fine.

The voice of the detective grated on me a bit, though, and didn't quite fit the modern setting. The tone reminded me of Dashiell Hammett's Nick and Nora mysteries (I don't think the fact that the detective's name is Nick is a coincidence!) Still, it’s a decent pick if you want a murder mystery with a strong sense of place, especially if you’ve got a soft spot for Italy and group travel.

The Piazza Murders is the third in The Art of Murder series by Michael Jecks. Englishman Nick Morris is an artist as well as an amateur sleuth. When asked to teach art in beautiful Piacenza in the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, he was reluctant as he was afraid of being found out as a self-taught artist with no technical education. But the allure of getting paid for what he loved to do in Italy of all places was an obvious choice. The aspiring artists in the group are introduced, one by one, and some are more likeable than others. Meanwhile, there is a publishing festival in town at the same time which drew others including a best-selling author who was known for his narcissism as well as his writing. He seemed an understandable target for murder. But things are not as they seem in murder mysteries. And there isn't just one murder victim, either. In his quirky and appealing style, Nick becomes involved and, in fact, is a suspect. Where the local police fail, he shines.

As a frequent traveler to Italy, this novel grabbed me by the neck and yanked me in. The author captured the all-sensory experience that is Italy from the beautiful climate to the delectable food and wine to the fascinating history. I was transported instantly to this sliver of paradise. The setting and atmosphere attracted my attention even more than the mystery itself, though that was good, too. Another enjoyable aspect was the first-person narration by Nick. The writing has a certain touch of spunk and sizzle which kept me engrossed.

The third instalment of The Art of Murder is out on 1st of July and takes you to Italy.

Nick Morris is an artist and amateur sleuth. This time he goes to Italy to teach a course to a group of people that decided to take the art retreat. Of course, there are murders, which Morris starts to investigate. At the same time there is a literary festival in the city with authors and publicists getting involved, meaning that you get themes about books, publishers, and publishing industry, which I never say no to :-) (you also get themes about pens, drawing, painting, as expected :-)).

Each of the people in the art group is different and has their own story, specific situation, reasons for being there, and I liked the way we get to know them throughout the first part.

I found the descriptions of the place and Italian atmosphere (monuments, buildings, cafes, streets) stunning. I was quite impressed how easy it was to imerse myself into the place, and in this sense it was perfect for an "escapism reading" which I love.

It was a quick read, I wanted to know what would happen next and there are several twists and turns, including one of my favorites: when a character views a certain situation in a certain angle and we, the readers, start to suspect it is exactly the opposite and makes us want to warn/tell that character. I always find this type of scene quite satisfying in a book, maybe because it's a time when we know a little more than the characters? I didn't guess the murderer, though, which is good. Although, now that I think of it, the author gives you a hint in the beginning, but skillfully turns you away from it :-)

Albeit in a series, I think the book reads as a standalone. It also made me want to read the first two, it seeems the second in the series has a manor house in the English countryside, which is one of my favorite settings for murder.

Michael Jecks is a member of The Detection Club and you can check his website for info on his other books here, he also has a YouTube channel, where he talks about his books, but also about all forms of stationery, and which I really recommend following.

The Piazza Murders is published by Severn House and it will be out on 1st of July.

(I got an ARC from NetGalley).

(The publish link at my blog is also spread in the next days to my other social networks)

The setting of Italy (Piacenza, an art tour and murder on the menu, drew me into asking for and receiving an e -arc from the publishers, Severn House, (many thanks) and to a point I enjoyed this one.
I felt transported to the sunny and food-licious piazzas of Piacenza, and some of Jecks' characterisations of his busy cast of characters e.g. the delightfully obnoxious, best selling author, Gregory Stone, the hunky vain Tony, and his main protagonist, amateur-tec, art tutor and historian, Nick Morris, chatty and inquisitive, leapt off the page, but others, did not. There were rather too many names floating around, tossed into the mix, without much padding to keep me interested in them all.
I also found the pacing a little slow at times and because the POV is always Nick's, it does ramble and meander around somewhat as everyone on the tour is accused or might be the murderer at different times.
A nearly but not quite hit the murder bullseye for me, but extra points for the backdrop and the wit.

Piacenza was supposed to be a relaxing time teaching and painting but no....Nick once again must solve a murder. Gregory was one of six guests for Nick's class and yes, he was loathsome but murder? Cozy fans know the drill with this but Jecks has added in an additional murder and a fire. Nick does bumble a bit but he's got a witty sardonic voice. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. The latest in a series but will be fine a a standalone.

The author has written over fifty novels mainly historical fiction. This is the third book to feature Nick Morris a professional artist. he earns his living mainly painting his customers cats. he lives in Balham, London.
His friend Rory Pyecroft is a likeable womanising rogue, currently married to wife number three! Rory is arranging a painting holiday for budding artists. They need someone to teach and criticise their efforts. The person they had in mind has dropped out and Rory thinks Nick would be keen. The location is the beautiful Italian city of Piacenza, in the north east of the country, in the Po valley not far from Milan.
Amelia who is Rory's wife will be the organiser and there will be around six paying guests. When they arrive to beautiful warm weather, there is a musical and literary festval taking place.
The problems start when one of the authors is murdered in unusual circumstances. When a second killing and a fierce fire rages in the house where the artists are staying, Nick thinks he should have stayed with his cats!
Nick seems to jump to the wrong conclusions whilst trying to appease the local police. When he encounters someone he thinks to be a mafia don Nick definitely regrets his choice.
Another well written and researched novel by this prolific author. Very much recommended. Piacenza description makes me want to visit as long as there is no murder!

Picturesque Piacenza in Italy is the venue for Nick Morris’s next murder mystery. For those who are not acquainted with the art of Murder series, Nick is an artist who when needed turns his hand to sleuthing. He has accepted a stint as art teacher at a retreat at a request from his friend Ross. Nick was hoping it would be a delightful gig. Painting and romance in Italy with a murder or two thrown in. What’s not to like. Of course that would largely depend on the budding artist tourists. Piacenza proved to be as delightful as Nick had hoped. But unfortunately, the group ranged from cantankerous, heartbroken or dying. Furthermore, the well-known author Gregory Stone happened to be at Piacenza at the same time. Sadly, he upset those he met resulting in being despised by all and sundry. Nick only wants a relaxing break while doing his bit instructing his students. The death of the author Stone causes Nick to wonder if the mans anti-social behaviour resulted in his death. While this investigation carries on another body is found and this time it is one of Nicks students. He is unwittingly drawn into the investigation and is compelled to do his own sleuthing.

This latest novel told in first person POV is in Jeck’s signature witty style. He is however in a particularly philosophical mood. Or is that merely a trope to move the plotline. Nick the main protagonist frequently lapses into long interesting soliloquys which are insights into the other characters be they suspects or otherwise. Though I didn’t mind too much some readers may find this inconvenient. As usual Nick is keenly observant of the folks around him but is not always right. As he bumbles along, I was drawn into the plot. The characters were interesting, and the story was well plotted. Yet another great whodunit.

Are you looking for a very affordable holiday to Italy with visits to historic sites, meals at local restaurants, unlimited wine, and art lessons thrown in, all with a lively and entertaining group of people?
Good!
You don’t mind if a few of them get murdered, do you?
Just to be clear—these are all fictional people (fictional wine as well—sorry!), and the artist leading the tour is none other than the well-meaning but somewhat clueless Nick Morris. He didn’t come on the tour to be a detective, but his naturally chatty and inquisitive nature enables him to find out information that is not always available to the official police force. He is also unexpectedly (and unnecessarily) courageous at a certain point in the story, which was endearing. You get the feeling of a trip to Piacenza and an entertaining mystery narrated with Nick’s wry wit, and you don’t even have to pack a suitcase.

Delicious Romp..
The third outing in The Art of Murder series finds Nick Morris, artist come amateur sleuth, in Italy with a commission to teach at an art retreat. Idyllic?…umm, probably not. It’s not long before he realises that his teaching group err on the overly dramatic - but, that’s nowhere near the tip of the iceberg and the worst is yet to come! With dead bodies, eclectic and eccentric students, literal fires and a baffling investigation, what on earth can a man do? Another madcap outing with a well drawn cast of characters populating a fast moving plot laced with humour and dry wit. A delicious romp.

This is first non-historical Michel Jecks novel I have read. The setting is interesting and well-described and the characters are well-drawn. However, there were almost too many characters for me and my attention started wander towards the end.

This story took a long time to get going. Plenty of twists and turns and a main character who keeps getting it wrong.