Nico, a former New York police detective now residing in Tuscany in the restaurant business, helps local investigators with a wine critic's death by poison. He does not overstep his role, helping the locals at their request. The descriptions of food remind me of the Bruno Courreges series by Martin Walker. While I did not find this one flowed as well as the previous installment, it did offer an entertaining mystery in a great setting. ( )

A fantastic detective story. The Tuscan setting is the best and the characters are well-drawn. Entertaining and readable. ( )

Great sounding Italian food! I like Nico and his dog One-Wag,

As with the first Tuscan mystery by Camilla Trinchieri (Murder in Chianti), I couldn't help but be reminded of Martin Walker's Bruno Chief of Police series as I read The Bitter Taste of Murder. The major difference is that the main character, Nico Doyle, is an American who moved to the small town in Italy where his wife grew up after her untimely death. However, there's the mouth-watering food and wine, beautiful landscapes, and camaraderie that fans of Martin Walker's series have come to love.

Nico helps out at a local restaurant, and he often creates his own recipes. If you're a lover of Italian food as I am, don't read this book when you're hungry. He also has a routine that brings readers into contact with many of his fellow villagers and friends. It's these villagers and friends who really give The Bitter Taste of Murder its feeling of community and fellowship. Nico has adopted a street dog he named OneWag who has his own routine, but he's usually to be found at Nico's side. There's the old man everyone calls Gogol, who goes from place to place quoting Dante. There's a developing relationship between Nico and the artist Nelli, which can make readers smile because the two are so awkward around each other. But of all the townspeople, it's the local maresciallo Salvatore Perillo and his second-in-command who really keep Nico busy helping them solve mysteries.

Perillo may be a fashion plate with his suede boots and jacket, and Daniele his second-in-command may be a sweetheart with his tendency to blush and his heart on his sleeve, but neither one is s slouch at investigating crime. However, they have learned that Nico can be very useful at getting into places and talking to people that they can't. Keeping him a secret from those higher up the chain of command can be difficult though.

The mystery of who killed the wine critic is a strong and ultimately sad one, but it is the land, the food, and the people of Tuscany who shine the brightest in The Bitter Taste of Murder. I'm certainly looking forward to my next visit.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley) ( )

law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, Italy, family, family-dynamics, friendship, relationship-issues, relationships, relatives, muted-humor, small-business, small-town, restaurant, dog, cultural-exploration, procedural*****

A widowed ex-NYPD homicide detective (Nico) moves to Tuscany where he has good memories and his wife's family (and they need his help in the restaurant). Remember the adage about taking the man out of the job? He got to be friends with the local Carabinieri (Perillo and Daniele) last year over a murder and has made many other friends as well (and a dog, OneWag).
The wine critic was a real rotter. When he was found dead in a car wreck it looked like an accident until the ME had a good look. There was no lack of suspects and the locals and friend expected to work it out. THEN they were told that a detective from another branch of law enforcement was to have the case. Not a happy thought. Expect plot twists, beautiful countrysides, red herrings, and mouth watering menus. EXCELLENT read! Proof that books in series get better as they go along.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Soho Press/Soho Crime via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )