Another really great read.

Dan (the retired DCI, PI and author) and Oscar (his best mate and Labrador) are both so likeable. Once again, the story unfolds in an easy to read, easy to follow style. It's intriguing and a little complicated. Just the way I like it. It makes for an interesting murder mystery read whilst still managing to be a relatively gentle one.

Dan and Oscar are always part of a team, who work together (including the Italian police) and have a great sense of comradré. I enjoy the very special combination; an interesting murder mystery, some smaller ancillary storylines and ongoing exploration of Tuscany, the history, the food and the culture and the evolving personal relationships.

Once again, I've no sooner finished this one that I'm looking forward to the next. I recommend each one, and have read each one numerous times
Well done again to TA Williams and Boldwood Books.

It's five out of five for me (or maybe that's six out of five)

With thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Book 11 in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy mystery Series and in this latest instalment Dan Armstrong and his ever hungry and lovable black Labrador Oscar are asked to help the local police when the body of a jeweller is found hanging from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Is it suicide or murder? I’ve been to Ponte Vecchio and the jewellery shops there are to dies for! Pun intended.

Briefly, with the dead jeweller case ongoing Dan is trying to help his friend Commissario Virgilio Pisano, who believes there is a traitor within the ranks of the police force. Then the middle of his investigations, as if he had nothing else to do, Dan talks himself into a part in an amateur theatre production.

As Dan works his way through the plot lines and learns his last minute role for the play we follow the clues which are presented alongside some extremely tasty sounding Tuscan food dishes! And talking of food did I ever mention I love Oscar! A good storyline and written in the usual easy read style. A delight to read as always.

This series goes from strength to strength. This latest book is a very enjoyable read, Oscar the Labrador is an absolute star. Set in Florence, it would make a perfect holiday read, and having visited there myself it has inspired me to find out more about the history of the city. The various strands of the story are skilfully interwoven, and the plot is well paced. I highly recommend this book.

4.2 Stars
One Liner: Three-in-one mysteries!

Dan and Oscar are happy solving cases as private investigators in Florence. As a resident, Dan is familiar with the iconic bridge, Ponte Vecchio, and walks across it often. However, when an old diamond merchant who was as hard as the stones he sold is found dead on the bridge and the case is ruled a murder, Dan once again has to help the police find the killer.
Soon, it’s clear that nothing easy as it seemed to be. The motive could be something they hadn’t considered so far! Can Dan and his adorable black Lab solve the case?
The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
That’s book 11 in the series, but it works as a standalone since there isn’t any disturbance in the personal track.
This book has not one but three (or is it four) mysteries that start at various points. While there’s a decently long cast, it is easy to track the cases separately.
I like that the books are short (200-270 pages) and ideal for reading in a couple of sittings. I’m used to the author’s style by now, so the pacing is good too! I’m no longer worried about chapter lengths.
Every book takes us on a virtual tour of a different place in Italy. This time, we remain in Florence but read about Ponte Vecchio. I googled it to see the pictures (love the ones during sunset and night). It’s not just a bridge. It is a three-storied structure with tiny stores packed tight from one end to another!
We also get descriptions of delicious food (never mind that I’m a vegetarian and eat none of it in real life) and the generous quantities they serve. This is something I relate to. Apart from a few places, Indians love to serve large portions of food. We’ll feed you until your tummy bursts open. ;)
The mystery starts like every other case, but it becomes a bit more complex as new details emerge. Things start to come together in the last quarter, and finally, we have the reveal and showdown!
Oscar is his usual best, obviously! Everyone falls in love with him, and he is delighted with all the attention (and food). Can there be a better life than that? I don’t think so!

To summarize, Murder at the Ponte Vecchio is a steady-paced and entertaining book. It continues the series’ momentum and takes us on a virtual tour of Florence with a dead body or two!
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

A jeweler is murdered in what appears to be a random robbery, but the Florence police and Dan, a former British police investigator now settled in Florence and working as a PI, believe the jeweler was specifically targeted. As other murders are connected, Dan helps his friends in the Florence police uncover internal corruption. Florence is a lovely setting (some of the books are set in other cities in Italy, but I prefer the ones that take place in Dan's new hometown), the descriptions of meals are mouthwatering, and Oscar the Labrador is both best friend and comic relief. Dan simultaneously handles a few other investigations, and the author does a good time tying all the strands together. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC.

Dan Armstrong spent years on the Murder Squad in London and it cost him his marriage. Now he has relocated to Italy and is a PI in addition to working with local police by helping with translations for English speakers among other things. Oscar is his Black Labrador clue collector and calmer of witnesses (and bottomless pit when it comes to food). Not an unbiased review as I love Oscar and the whole series. Murders and smuggling are the main theme of this episode and of course the wonderful travelogue that goes with everything. Great read!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected eGalley from Boldwood Books courtesy of NetGalley.
#MurderAtThePonteVecchio by #tawilliamsbooks #ArmstrongAndOscarCozyMysteryBk11 #theboldbookclub #NetGalley #goodreads #bookbub #librarythingofficial #barnesandnoble ***** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #privateDetective #MurderInvestigations #exMurderSquad #expat #FlorenceItaly #excop #familydrama #foodie #blooddiamonds Pub date May 04, 2025

First book I've read in the series and I'll definitely go back and read the others.

Retired DCI Dan has moved to Florence to be with the woman he loves, and now works as a private investigator. When a jeweller asks him for help, but is found dead before he can make the appointment, Dan has to help his friends in the Florence police force solve the crime.

Good storyline, covering inequality, immigration, difficult family relationships and corruption - and there are quite a few red herrings. Fabulous descriptions of Florence (including the food). And Oscar the Labrador is just perfect :)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish

Another good story in the series. I see mentioned that this is book 11. Good read of an Englishman living in Italy and helping his police friends solve murder and corruption. Would highly recommend this book and author and series.

Thank you for the opportunity to read book 11 for the #blogtour

Another enjoyable book in this series. A possibility of police corruption for Dan and Oscar to help investigate. And so much food!

I'm always excited for a new instalment in the Dan and Oscar series and Murder At The Ponte Vecchio was no different. It absolutely lived up to my expectations and more!

I can't believe that we are now at Book 11 in this series, and I have loved spending time with Dan and Oscar. I love their partnership - the way that they have each other's back and have amazing trust in each other and are able to read each other's moods. Dan is an experienced and intelligent investigator, and the way he thinks outside the box makes the plot of the novel very interesting. I've enjoyed seeing his influence in the Italian Police grow through his friendships with Virgilio and Marco.

Once again, the setting for Murder At The Ponte Vecchio is beautiful, and the author's descriptions are detailed. This makes it really easy to picture the scenes and drew me right into the story.

The plot of The Murder At The Ponte Vecchio seems more complex than in previous instalments and I really enjoyed this. I found each of the different strands interesting, and I was keen to find out if, and how, they all fit together and I love the way the author has constructed this.

I hope that Dan and Oscar will return soon!

This latest entry in the Dan and Oscar series takes place in Florence, and, as the title suggests, some of the action takes place on the famous Ponte Vecchio. Retired DCI Dan is in much demand as a private investigator and happens to be contacted by a man who is murdered before he can speak with Dan about his predicament. Oscar, an always-hungry dog with a very good sense of which humans can be trusted, figure out who's behind this murder and other crimes in Florence. It's an engrossing and complex story, combining the lovely ancient city of Florence with modern topics of immigration and inequality -- but T A Williams pulls it together into a satisfying resolution. The locations, food, and wine are luscious, and the relationships between the central characters are well-developed and real. A very enjoyable read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Can Dan and Oscar sniff out the killer’s tracks or will this case be a bridge too far?
A fabulous, really enjoyable read.
I would highly recommend to family and friends. I love author’s that can describe a scene and you are immediately there, you close your eyes and you picture the scene. This author does that for me.

I discovered the Armstrong and Oscar books fairly recently and have enjoyed reading them all so was really pleased to receive an advance copy of this latest one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
This is a cosy crime series set in Tuscany with the protagonists being a retired police officer and his lovable black Labrador. I love the dog, Oscar and his character is almost identical to my own Labrador so I’m often found chuckling whilst reading. The descriptions of Florence, the surrounding countryside and the wonderful Italian food and wine are all great and it’s a lovely escapist read. There are several murders and a difficult problem to solve in the local police force all of which keep the reader interested and keen to find out more. Highly recommended.