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Last Night at Villa Lucia
From the Amazon #1 bestselling author
A murdered guest. A villa full of secrets. One night that changes everything.
Recently divorced Cerys thought buying a luxury Tuscan villa would be the fresh start she so desperately needed. But a year later, she's struggling to move on from the pain of her past. Determined to make Villa Lucia a success, she's pinned all her hopes on this season's guests. Until one of them is found murdered in the villa's infinity pool.
Now, as the police descend on the property, the secrets of her guests begin to unravel, and Cerys is forced to confront her own demons. But can she uncover the truth about that fateful night before the paradise she’s built shatters around her?
A murdered guest. A villa full of secrets. One night that changes everything.
Recently divorced Cerys thought buying a luxury Tuscan villa would be the fresh start she so desperately needed. But a year later, she's struggling to move on from the pain of her past. Determined to make Villa Lucia a success, she's pinned all her hopes on this season's guests. Until one of them is found murdered in the villa's infinity pool.
Now, as the police descend on the property, the secrets of her guests begin to unravel, and Cerys is forced to confront her own demons. But can she uncover the truth about that fateful night before the paradise she’s built shatters around her?
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
July 26, 2024
Last Night at Villa Lucia by Simon McCleve
Narrated wonderfully by Claire Corbett
8 hrs 37 min at 1.0 speed
5 hrs 45 mins at 1.5 speed
I MIGHT kill to live at the Villa Lucia in Tuscany!
The infinity pool, the surrounding Olive Orchards, and the vineyards of plump black Sangiovese grapes-it sounded like heaven on earth.
But, Cerys is just trying to keep her bed and breakfast/yoga retreat afloat and stay ahead of any potential bad reviews that can ruin her livelihood. And, to stay ahead of her dependence on alcohol which she is turning to earlier and earlier in the day, to get her through the stress-while hiding her drinking from her teenaged daughter, Lowri.
Today, Harry, the Director of A &R at Kismet Records will be arriving with his wife, Zoe and their teenaged son, Charlie, and he isn’t known for his patience. But, that will be the least of her concerns.
The book opens with a body floating face down in the infinity pool-
Breathe in for five seconds, hold for seven, and breathe out for eight-Cerys reminds herself…
The story is then told from multiple, alternating POV’s as Detective Saachi pieces together WHAT happened at the Villa and WHO is responsible for the MURDER.
I suspected just about EVERYONE at point or another which always makes reading a book like this fun-and the story is PLAUSIBLE as well as SURPRISING and SUSPENSEFUL-which is another PLUS for me.
No wonder this UK author who burst onto the scene in 2020, has become an Amazon bestselling author with over 2 million books sold. His DI Ruth Hunter Snowdonia series (19 as of today) is currently in development as a TV series to be filmed in North Wales where the author currently lives. He also has another successful five book crime series set on Anglesey.
This is a STANDALONE and, I am really excited to have discovered Simon McCleave’s work! I paired the Audible with a written copy and enjoyed both.
Although the book contains references to Sexual Assault, Domestic Abuse, and Alcoholism, nothing is graphic in description.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Storm Publishing for both the Kindle and Audiobook versions-provided through NetGalley and NetGalley shelf, respectively. These are my candid thoughts!
Narrated wonderfully by Claire Corbett
8 hrs 37 min at 1.0 speed
5 hrs 45 mins at 1.5 speed
I MIGHT kill to live at the Villa Lucia in Tuscany!
The infinity pool, the surrounding Olive Orchards, and the vineyards of plump black Sangiovese grapes-it sounded like heaven on earth.
But, Cerys is just trying to keep her bed and breakfast/yoga retreat afloat and stay ahead of any potential bad reviews that can ruin her livelihood. And, to stay ahead of her dependence on alcohol which she is turning to earlier and earlier in the day, to get her through the stress-while hiding her drinking from her teenaged daughter, Lowri.
Today, Harry, the Director of A &R at Kismet Records will be arriving with his wife, Zoe and their teenaged son, Charlie, and he isn’t known for his patience. But, that will be the least of her concerns.
The book opens with a body floating face down in the infinity pool-
Breathe in for five seconds, hold for seven, and breathe out for eight-Cerys reminds herself…
The story is then told from multiple, alternating POV’s as Detective Saachi pieces together WHAT happened at the Villa and WHO is responsible for the MURDER.
I suspected just about EVERYONE at point or another which always makes reading a book like this fun-and the story is PLAUSIBLE as well as SURPRISING and SUSPENSEFUL-which is another PLUS for me.
No wonder this UK author who burst onto the scene in 2020, has become an Amazon bestselling author with over 2 million books sold. His DI Ruth Hunter Snowdonia series (19 as of today) is currently in development as a TV series to be filmed in North Wales where the author currently lives. He also has another successful five book crime series set on Anglesey.
This is a STANDALONE and, I am really excited to have discovered Simon McCleave’s work! I paired the Audible with a written copy and enjoyed both.
Although the book contains references to Sexual Assault, Domestic Abuse, and Alcoholism, nothing is graphic in description.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Storm Publishing for both the Kindle and Audiobook versions-provided through NetGalley and NetGalley shelf, respectively. These are my candid thoughts!
July 28, 2024
The premise and setting are good. I enjoy the Tuscan elements and they are well described. There are several unlikeable characters and plenty of toxicity so the suspect pool is broad. However, I don’t like the way the author writes and I can’t get past that. The start is slow too so it takes a while before it gets going. Too many things are undeveloped especially the assault aspects of the plot. There’s repetition and I think the ending is predictable and dragged out. It’s an ok read but I don’t think this author is for me though plenty of other reviewers like this book so cheerio for now from outlier island!!
July 21, 2024
4⭐
Genre ~ psychological mystery
Setting ~ Tuscany
Publication date ~ July 26, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 334 (p+ 70 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 37 minutes
Narrator ~ Clare Corbett
POV ~ single 1st & multiple 3rd, present tense
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, alcohol dependency, functioning alcoholic, attempted assault on page, past on page domestic abuse, references to rape
Cerys is the owner of Villa Lucia. She is very dependent on alcohol and as the story is told in multiple timelines we'll slowly learn why this is.
Lowery (sounds like Larry sometimes, so I'm just guessing of spelling) is Cerys' young adult daughter that's helping her out at the Villa.
Zoe, husband, Harry, and son, Charlie (19) are the guests.
Lucia and Lorenzo live nearby and help out at the Villa and have secrets from the past that they are not eager to get out.
Nick, Cerys' controlling, abusive, ex-husband, pops in for an unwelcome visit.
And then one morning there's a body in the pool. Who is it and how did they get there?
There are only a few possible suspects, but we're given some good crumbs to think each has a reason for committing murder. More of a mystery and not a thriller, but that didn't bother me at all. Gotta say that was a NICE twist for the why that I didn't see coming. Overall, enjoyed it and I'm happy with who the floater was.
Narration notes:
Overall she did a fine job, but I think this would have benefited from multiple narrators.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ psychological mystery
Setting ~ Tuscany
Publication date ~ July 26, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 334 (p+ 70 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 37 minutes
Narrator ~ Clare Corbett
POV ~ single 1st & multiple 3rd, present tense
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, alcohol dependency, functioning alcoholic, attempted assault on page, past on page domestic abuse, references to rape
Cerys is the owner of Villa Lucia. She is very dependent on alcohol and as the story is told in multiple timelines we'll slowly learn why this is.
Lowery (sounds like Larry sometimes, so I'm just guessing of spelling) is Cerys' young adult daughter that's helping her out at the Villa.
Zoe, husband, Harry, and son, Charlie (19) are the guests.
Lucia and Lorenzo live nearby and help out at the Villa and have secrets from the past that they are not eager to get out.
Nick, Cerys' controlling, abusive, ex-husband, pops in for an unwelcome visit.
And then one morning there's a body in the pool. Who is it and how did they get there?
There are only a few possible suspects, but we're given some good crumbs to think each has a reason for committing murder. More of a mystery and not a thriller, but that didn't bother me at all. Gotta say that was a NICE twist for the why that I didn't see coming. Overall, enjoyed it and I'm happy with who the floater was.
Narration notes:
Overall she did a fine job, but I think this would have benefited from multiple narrators.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
June 7, 2024
"Last Night at Villa Lucia" by Simon McCleave is a compelling thriller set in Tuscany. The beautiful cover and intriguing blurb grabbed my attention, and the story pulled me in further. It was well-written and flowed at a fast pace.
The story revolves around Cerys, the alcoholic owner of Villa Lucia, a vacation getaway in Tuscany. She is trying to escape her past and forget her abusive ex-husband. Her daughter Lowri, an aspiring musician, is staying with her while deciding on her next move. The villa's caretakers, Lucia and her ex-Mafioso husband Lorenzo, add to the complexity of the setting. Guests at the villa include Zoe, Harry, and their son Charlie. When a body is found floating in the pool, the police suspect foul play. The victim was disliked by many, making everyone at the villa a suspect.
I enjoyed the story very much. The narrative alternates between Cerys' first-person perspective and the third-person perspectives of the other characters, incorporating flashbacks that illuminate the present. It deals with themes of alcoholism, toxic and abusive relationships, and controlling men. The characters were well-rounded and fleshed out. I liked some of them and disliked others. I didn't guess the identity of the culprit, so the reveal caught me by surprise.
I was sold on this one from the very first line. Good plotting, judiciously dropped clues, and twists make this a good read. The only thing I didn't like was the use of drugs by the young characters. Other than that, the storyline is easy to follow, and the author provides an excellent sense of setting. This was my first book by the author, but it will not be my last. I recommend it to those who enjoy thriller novels and reading about characters overcoming life struggles. It is the perfect summer read!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2024...
The story revolves around Cerys, the alcoholic owner of Villa Lucia, a vacation getaway in Tuscany. She is trying to escape her past and forget her abusive ex-husband. Her daughter Lowri, an aspiring musician, is staying with her while deciding on her next move. The villa's caretakers, Lucia and her ex-Mafioso husband Lorenzo, add to the complexity of the setting. Guests at the villa include Zoe, Harry, and their son Charlie. When a body is found floating in the pool, the police suspect foul play. The victim was disliked by many, making everyone at the villa a suspect.
I enjoyed the story very much. The narrative alternates between Cerys' first-person perspective and the third-person perspectives of the other characters, incorporating flashbacks that illuminate the present. It deals with themes of alcoholism, toxic and abusive relationships, and controlling men. The characters were well-rounded and fleshed out. I liked some of them and disliked others. I didn't guess the identity of the culprit, so the reveal caught me by surprise.
I was sold on this one from the very first line. Good plotting, judiciously dropped clues, and twists make this a good read. The only thing I didn't like was the use of drugs by the young characters. Other than that, the storyline is easy to follow, and the author provides an excellent sense of setting. This was my first book by the author, but it will not be my last. I recommend it to those who enjoy thriller novels and reading about characters overcoming life struggles. It is the perfect summer read!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2024...
August 5, 2024
4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My first Simon McCleave book certainly was a pleasant surprise! I’m looking forward to going back and checking into some of his other books.
All of my favorite things that make a book entertaining for me are in here: Alternating timelines, multiple POVs, unlikeable characters and a murder mystery! Toss in a gorgeous Tuscan villa setting and I’m all in!
We find out who the murder victim is fairly early on, so it was fun trying to piece together the “whodunit” throughout. I enjoyed the twist at the end too!
Pick this one up before summer is over! ☀️
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced copy to read and review.
My first Simon McCleave book certainly was a pleasant surprise! I’m looking forward to going back and checking into some of his other books.
All of my favorite things that make a book entertaining for me are in here: Alternating timelines, multiple POVs, unlikeable characters and a murder mystery! Toss in a gorgeous Tuscan villa setting and I’m all in!
We find out who the murder victim is fairly early on, so it was fun trying to piece together the “whodunit” throughout. I enjoyed the twist at the end too!
Pick this one up before summer is over! ☀️
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced copy to read and review.
July 24, 2024
This book begins slow. The author uses the beginning to set up the characters involved. The setting is in Tuscany, and the descriptions are beautiful! Cerys owns Villa Lucia. She and her ex husband, Nick, purchased it two years ago. However, they divorced a year later. Cerys has set it up as a vacation villa. Her daughter Lowri (20 years old) is staying with her. Zoe, Harry and their son Charlie (19 years old), arrive to spend a couple weeks vacation. Also living on the premises are Lucia and her husband Lorenzo. Lucia's family owned the villa 20 years ago, and she stays to cook and clean. Lorenzo takes care of the property.
Once the author has set up the story, hold on to your seats!! The pace ratchets up. The story is told through multiple POV's: Cerys, Zoe, Lowri, Charlie. After a dinner party one night, there is a murder!
What I loved about this book was how the author builds the story through the lives of the characters. At the beginning I thought this would be a straight forward thriller. However, Simon McCleave deftly weaves each characters past and present in way that allows the story to unfold rapidly, while also giving the reader nuggets of information about the many secrets each character has. There are various strands of narrative happening, but there is a thread that pulls them all together.
I love the connection between Zoe and Cerys. They both have experienced the life of being abused wives. Cerys is a struggling alcoholic. The reason why she began drinking becomes clear as she reminisces about her past. Zoe is so forgiving and kind, there were times I wanted to shake her! But I believe that the author wrote sensitively about the ways some abused women react.
Lowri struggles with knowing what her father is, and also that her mother is struggling with alcohol. She is trying her best to love them both, but faces many struggles and agonizes over the situation. She connects with Charlie because his father is similar to hers. I liked how they were caring and supportive to one another based on shared experiences.
All these characters, including Lorenzo, have things that have happened in the past. These things really have an impact on how the murder unfolds. I feel like I cannot explain this well! It was such a good read! And everything flowed and made sense. In the end, I was a little shocked- but still satisfied!
I feel that this is a perfect beach read! It is deep enough to make you think, set in a beautiful location, paced quickly, and so engaging! I read this in 2 days, in between working and running errands! I have never read a book before by this author, but I will read all his others now!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC! This is my honest and voluntary review!!
Once the author has set up the story, hold on to your seats!! The pace ratchets up. The story is told through multiple POV's: Cerys, Zoe, Lowri, Charlie. After a dinner party one night, there is a murder!
What I loved about this book was how the author builds the story through the lives of the characters. At the beginning I thought this would be a straight forward thriller. However, Simon McCleave deftly weaves each characters past and present in way that allows the story to unfold rapidly, while also giving the reader nuggets of information about the many secrets each character has. There are various strands of narrative happening, but there is a thread that pulls them all together.
I love the connection between Zoe and Cerys. They both have experienced the life of being abused wives. Cerys is a struggling alcoholic. The reason why she began drinking becomes clear as she reminisces about her past. Zoe is so forgiving and kind, there were times I wanted to shake her! But I believe that the author wrote sensitively about the ways some abused women react.
Lowri struggles with knowing what her father is, and also that her mother is struggling with alcohol. She is trying her best to love them both, but faces many struggles and agonizes over the situation. She connects with Charlie because his father is similar to hers. I liked how they were caring and supportive to one another based on shared experiences.
All these characters, including Lorenzo, have things that have happened in the past. These things really have an impact on how the murder unfolds. I feel like I cannot explain this well! It was such a good read! And everything flowed and made sense. In the end, I was a little shocked- but still satisfied!
I feel that this is a perfect beach read! It is deep enough to make you think, set in a beautiful location, paced quickly, and so engaging! I read this in 2 days, in between working and running errands! I have never read a book before by this author, but I will read all his others now!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC! This is my honest and voluntary review!!
June 23, 2024
Great ending to a novel! There were parts that I felt could have been condensed but overall it was a great read and I couldn’t wait to find out how things unraveled!! Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review!
July 29, 2024
Happy New Release!
3.5⭐This messy, twisty, toxic, psychological thriller, is a perfect summer read.
The story takes place at a beautiful vacation getaway, Villa Lucia, in Tuscany. When the main character discovers a body floating face-down in her pool, she thinks she is imagining it. She had been drinking heavily and couldn't remember what happened. It seems everyone has a motive, but who did it is the twisty tale of this story.
It was well-written and engaging; all the characters are flawed and navigating messy lives... Utilizing multiple points of view enhances the flow of the story and makes it more engaging... all the male characters are portrayed as violent and horrible individuals, a common theme, I have noticed lately in many contemporary stories. The story has a good pace and is a quick read, perfect for anyone looking for a thrilling summer read... Release date is July 26th.
Content: mention of rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse. alcoholism, drugs.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.
3.5⭐This messy, twisty, toxic, psychological thriller, is a perfect summer read.
The story takes place at a beautiful vacation getaway, Villa Lucia, in Tuscany. When the main character discovers a body floating face-down in her pool, she thinks she is imagining it. She had been drinking heavily and couldn't remember what happened. It seems everyone has a motive, but who did it is the twisty tale of this story.
It was well-written and engaging; all the characters are flawed and navigating messy lives... Utilizing multiple points of view enhances the flow of the story and makes it more engaging... all the male characters are portrayed as violent and horrible individuals, a common theme, I have noticed lately in many contemporary stories. The story has a good pace and is a quick read, perfect for anyone looking for a thrilling summer read... Release date is July 26th.
Content: mention of rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse. alcoholism, drugs.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.
Did Not Finish
November 8, 2024DNFd at 6% at the first F word
August 24, 2024
It is a quick action paced murder mystery thriller told from multiple character pov. The murder happens close to rhe beginning iof the book and the history and sexrets of the other of the characters play out. There is a good couple of twists and misdirection. I did gueese who the killer was despite this. There were a few loose ends that were left to add to the mystery. This was throughly enjoyable especially as the character flaws were on display throughout .
The burb gives a good insight into the story basically a family rent out a villa and one is found dead. I would recommended this to all mystery lovers.
Thank yoy netgallery and publisher and author for this cracking 5 star read.
The burb gives a good insight into the story basically a family rent out a villa and one is found dead. I would recommended this to all mystery lovers.
Thank yoy netgallery and publisher and author for this cracking 5 star read.
June 24, 2024
This book took me a little time to get into but once I did, it was hard to put down. It centers on a 2 families as the main characters: Cerys and her daughter Lowri who own the Tuscan villa and use it as an Airbnb; and married couple Zoe and Harry and their son Charlie, who are visitors to the villa. You also get some chapters told from the POV of Lucia, who lives on the property and works for Cerys. This might seem confusing, but it’s really not and all of the characters have distinct voices.
One of the characters is murdered early in the book and the rest of the story is piecing together what really happened. As the death is investigated, things that the other characters did start to be uncovered. It’s a satisfying mystery to figure out who did it, and there were some good twists along the way. I liked the primarily characters and felt like Cerys’s alcoholism and the dynamics in all of their marriages felt realistic. The ending of the book was almost tied up TOO cleanly, but there is a part of me that appreciates that and makes me feel like I don’t have to worry about what happens to these characters after the book is over :)
Overall, while I do think the book had a slow start, it ended up being a very good story and I appreciated the characters and the mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One of the characters is murdered early in the book and the rest of the story is piecing together what really happened. As the death is investigated, things that the other characters did start to be uncovered. It’s a satisfying mystery to figure out who did it, and there were some good twists along the way. I liked the primarily characters and felt like Cerys’s alcoholism and the dynamics in all of their marriages felt realistic. The ending of the book was almost tied up TOO cleanly, but there is a part of me that appreciates that and makes me feel like I don’t have to worry about what happens to these characters after the book is over :)
Overall, while I do think the book had a slow start, it ended up being a very good story and I appreciated the characters and the mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2024
Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this title in exchange for my review.
I don't think I'm the right audience for this book. I do like thrillers and suspense, but I cannot connect with the characters at all, and I just wanted the book to be done so I could write this review and move on to something else.
The narrator was pleasant to listen to, and she did seem to appear to try the accents, etc. But the constant changing POV's, flash backs to other places and times, and so, so many characters, it was just confusing. I felt like I needed a score card. And the characters names were all odd to me. Listening to the book rather than reading, I was so confused about the daughter, Lowery - which sounded like Larry.
The overall plot was just not enjoyable. Such a Lifetime movie - jerk of a abusive husband is a jerk and gets killed. Women are all victims, and using troubles as an excuse to drink, drink, drink. As an adult child of an alcoholic, I found this especially annoying.
I really can't see myself looking for another by this author, and I can't think of anyone I would recommend it to at all. It's really a 1 star 'I hated it' listen.
I don't think I'm the right audience for this book. I do like thrillers and suspense, but I cannot connect with the characters at all, and I just wanted the book to be done so I could write this review and move on to something else.
The narrator was pleasant to listen to, and she did seem to appear to try the accents, etc. But the constant changing POV's, flash backs to other places and times, and so, so many characters, it was just confusing. I felt like I needed a score card. And the characters names were all odd to me. Listening to the book rather than reading, I was so confused about the daughter, Lowery - which sounded like Larry.
The overall plot was just not enjoyable. Such a Lifetime movie - jerk of a abusive husband is a jerk and gets killed. Women are all victims, and using troubles as an excuse to drink, drink, drink. As an adult child of an alcoholic, I found this especially annoying.
I really can't see myself looking for another by this author, and I can't think of anyone I would recommend it to at all. It's really a 1 star 'I hated it' listen.
June 4, 2024
Zoe, her husband Harry and son Charlie set off for a vacation at Villa Lucia in Tuscany. The villa is owned by Cerys, her daughter Lowri is currently staying with her. A breathtaking venue that Zoe believes will provide some time out for her husband who is an executive at a record company.
Zoe wants them to spend time as family, recently Harry has been increasingly stressed which is affecting their marriage and she is also hoping that Harry and Charlie may improve their relationship in this calm setting away from home, at times Harry can be quite volatile and Charlie holds resentments towards him.
They arrive and are immediately taken in with the beautiful surroundings and very impressed with their host Cerys. But one morning not long after they arrive, Harry’s body is found floating in the pool. Soon the villa is a crime scene and the hunt for the murderer is on.
This is a very enjoyable thriller, moves along at a very quick pace and once I started it, I read it in an afternoon. The book keeps you engaged throughout and once again my detective skills were way off as I thought I knew who the culprit was but once again I was wrong. Great ending that was satisfying and tidied things up nicely. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will now look out for more of his books.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
Zoe wants them to spend time as family, recently Harry has been increasingly stressed which is affecting their marriage and she is also hoping that Harry and Charlie may improve their relationship in this calm setting away from home, at times Harry can be quite volatile and Charlie holds resentments towards him.
They arrive and are immediately taken in with the beautiful surroundings and very impressed with their host Cerys. But one morning not long after they arrive, Harry’s body is found floating in the pool. Soon the villa is a crime scene and the hunt for the murderer is on.
This is a very enjoyable thriller, moves along at a very quick pace and once I started it, I read it in an afternoon. The book keeps you engaged throughout and once again my detective skills were way off as I thought I knew who the culprit was but once again I was wrong. Great ending that was satisfying and tidied things up nicely. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will now look out for more of his books.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
June 11, 2024
My Rating :3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tuscan Murderous Stars !!
Ohhh do I have a recommendation for you Bookpals !!
If you’re looking for a toxic classic murder mystery then Last Night at Villa Lucia is your next summer read !!
This book not only stole my time but I desperately want to travel to Tuscany even more after reading this , as the author did such a fantastic job of describing the atmosphere with the sights and scents of Tuscany !!
Read this if you like :
🍷 Classic Mystery’s
🍷 Settings set in Italian Villas
🍷 Multiple POV
🍷 Alternating timelines
🍷 Very unlike able characters
🍷 Murder
Chloe , Harry and their son Charlie have arrived at the beautiful Villa iAir BnB in Tuscany and already the tensions are high .
In comes the Air BnB Hosts Cery and her daughter Lowri with a warm welcome ( and maybe Cery’s is a bit too warm as she has her daily vodka buzz going that she is hiding from her daughter)
As we quickly learn all the characters are unstable and their lives are full of toxic abuse whether is the from a spouse or alcohol.
Then the first morning the guests wake up , yep you guessed it , they find a dead body floating in the pool 👀
Now we are taken on a whirlwind full mysterious twists that has the reader guessing to the very end …who is this secret killer ???
Will we ever find out ? Will you be next ?
This is a messy toxic read that is PERFECT for summer , that also shows us we may find comfort in the most unexpected ways and new friendships!
I really think fans of B.A.Paris and Rachel Hawkins will find this delightfully entertaining!!
**Trigger Warnings , Alcoholism, Rape and toxic abusive relationships **
Thank you so much NetGalley ,Storm Publishing and Simon McCleave for this entertaining digital ARC!!
Respectfully Another Read by Angie
Ohhh do I have a recommendation for you Bookpals !!
If you’re looking for a toxic classic murder mystery then Last Night at Villa Lucia is your next summer read !!
This book not only stole my time but I desperately want to travel to Tuscany even more after reading this , as the author did such a fantastic job of describing the atmosphere with the sights and scents of Tuscany !!
Read this if you like :
🍷 Classic Mystery’s
🍷 Settings set in Italian Villas
🍷 Multiple POV
🍷 Alternating timelines
🍷 Very unlike able characters
🍷 Murder
Chloe , Harry and their son Charlie have arrived at the beautiful Villa iAir BnB in Tuscany and already the tensions are high .
In comes the Air BnB Hosts Cery and her daughter Lowri with a warm welcome ( and maybe Cery’s is a bit too warm as she has her daily vodka buzz going that she is hiding from her daughter)
As we quickly learn all the characters are unstable and their lives are full of toxic abuse whether is the from a spouse or alcohol.
Then the first morning the guests wake up , yep you guessed it , they find a dead body floating in the pool 👀
Now we are taken on a whirlwind full mysterious twists that has the reader guessing to the very end …who is this secret killer ???
Will we ever find out ? Will you be next ?
This is a messy toxic read that is PERFECT for summer , that also shows us we may find comfort in the most unexpected ways and new friendships!
I really think fans of B.A.Paris and Rachel Hawkins will find this delightfully entertaining!!
**Trigger Warnings , Alcoholism, Rape and toxic abusive relationships **
Thank you so much NetGalley ,Storm Publishing and Simon McCleave for this entertaining digital ARC!!
Respectfully Another Read by Angie
July 4, 2024
I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
"It’s about perspective. And you and your generation have lost all perspective."
Wow. I guess this is the perfect book for a buddy read; I really enjoyed making notes of the suspects along with my sister, Druti! The first few chapters were quite slow, but the story quickly picked up its pace. I loved the fact that it was multi-pov but I don't understand why only Cerys' POV is in first person, while the others in third person. This book was definitely intriguing and had me on the edge of my seat!
"I’m not going to rewrite history just because of what’s happened to him,"
The only reason this book isn't a 5 star from me is because the characters were really unlikeable. Don't get me wrong, there was insanely good character development, but I couldn't relate to them nor feel their emotions if you get what I mean. Many parts were also dragged A LOT!
"Where there’s an alcoholic will, there is always a way."
Lots of sudden plot twists and red herrings in this interesting and suspenseful thriller that also deals with a couple of social behaviour issues. If this seems like your cup of tea, this book will be perfect for you. I really enjoyed this book a lot and thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for providing me with an opportunity to read this book!
Also, just including all my weird notes about all the characters here and how my perspective changed over the chapters. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Cerys
• I would also be traumatised if I were her
• Posh material gurl
• The bougie lady drinks! A LOT!
• Maybe she murdered Harry??
Zoe
• Seems as if she's gonna kill Harry [the body in the villa?]
• Honestly acts as if Harry didn't abuse her and she loves him soo much what
• Ok, no way she killed Harry
Harry
• MEGA bitchy
• Deserves what he got. DEATH!
• CREEP
Charlie
• Neutral
• Not that important ig
• I take that back. Now he's being really sus
Lowri
• The only normal sane person here
Nick
• Seems fishy and clingy
• Pyscho
• Could be the murderer
Lucia and Lorenzo
• In my mind, this couple is like 60 years old
• Never mind they're like part of the mafia or a gang or something
• No wait, they are like so sweet and treated as servants
• And again I take that back - lorenzo probably killed Harry
"It’s about perspective. And you and your generation have lost all perspective."
Wow. I guess this is the perfect book for a buddy read; I really enjoyed making notes of the suspects along with my sister, Druti! The first few chapters were quite slow, but the story quickly picked up its pace. I loved the fact that it was multi-pov but I don't understand why only Cerys' POV is in first person, while the others in third person. This book was definitely intriguing and had me on the edge of my seat!
"I’m not going to rewrite history just because of what’s happened to him,"
The only reason this book isn't a 5 star from me is because the characters were really unlikeable. Don't get me wrong, there was insanely good character development, but I couldn't relate to them nor feel their emotions if you get what I mean. Many parts were also dragged A LOT!
"Where there’s an alcoholic will, there is always a way."
Lots of sudden plot twists and red herrings in this interesting and suspenseful thriller that also deals with a couple of social behaviour issues. If this seems like your cup of tea, this book will be perfect for you. I really enjoyed this book a lot and thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for providing me with an opportunity to read this book!
Also, just including all my weird notes about all the characters here and how my perspective changed over the chapters. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Cerys
• I would also be traumatised if I were her
• Posh material gurl
• The bougie lady drinks! A LOT!
• Maybe she murdered Harry??
Zoe
• Seems as if she's gonna kill Harry [the body in the villa?]
• Honestly acts as if Harry didn't abuse her and she loves him soo much what
• Ok, no way she killed Harry
Harry
• MEGA bitchy
• Deserves what he got. DEATH!
• CREEP
Charlie
• Neutral
• Not that important ig
• I take that back. Now he's being really sus
Lowri
• The only normal sane person here
Nick
• Seems fishy and clingy
• Pyscho
• Could be the murderer
Lucia and Lorenzo
• In my mind, this couple is like 60 years old
• Never mind they're like part of the mafia or a gang or something
• No wait, they are like so sweet and treated as servants
• And again I take that back - lorenzo probably killed Harry
July 15, 2024
First work that I have read by this author.
I found it to be a really enjoyable read. A proper ‘whodunnit’ with around eight characters, all who had a potential motive.
Set around a holiday villa, this added a warmth which was perfect for a summer read.
Even when you thought you had it sorted out, further revelations and twists came to light.
Good characterisation and plot development, this was a most enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I found it to be a really enjoyable read. A proper ‘whodunnit’ with around eight characters, all who had a potential motive.
Set around a holiday villa, this added a warmth which was perfect for a summer read.
Even when you thought you had it sorted out, further revelations and twists came to light.
Good characterisation and plot development, this was a most enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
July 7, 2024
This book opens up with a zen montage of Cerys' loving atmosphere of her beautiful Tuscan villa fronted by its tranquil infinity pool. She mentions the sirens in the background and then makes a calm yet shocking revelation - there is a body in the infinity pool.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC/audiobook of this charming thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC/audiobook of this charming thriller.
July 12, 2024
4 stars
Cerys is a newly divorced mom to a teenaged girl and also the owner of a villa she rents out during high season. The most recent guests are a wealthy family of 3, which include an ass of a husband, a sweet wife, and a teenaged boy. One of the guests gets murdered and the story turns into a whodunnit mystery. There are many red herrings and possible suspects. This isn’t a cozy mystery exactly, but more of a domestic suspense.
The narrator was excellent as well.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Select for providing me this ARC in exchange for a written review.
Cerys is a newly divorced mom to a teenaged girl and also the owner of a villa she rents out during high season. The most recent guests are a wealthy family of 3, which include an ass of a husband, a sweet wife, and a teenaged boy. One of the guests gets murdered and the story turns into a whodunnit mystery. There are many red herrings and possible suspects. This isn’t a cozy mystery exactly, but more of a domestic suspense.
The narrator was excellent as well.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Select for providing me this ARC in exchange for a written review.
August 11, 2024
This book had some really excellent elements and some really far fetched ones too.
I need my stories to be realistic to a point and this one had a few seriously outlandish things going on, it was hard to keep listening. I did though because there was a lot more good than bad,
When a guest dies at the villa, the villa Cerys owns, the one she is trying to make profitable, she can no longer hold onto her own demons and things start to unravel.
The writing was good, really good and the characters were all hiding stuff which I love. It was definitely a good audio book and if you can suspend your disbelief you will likely really enjoy this thriller.
3.5 stars
I need my stories to be realistic to a point and this one had a few seriously outlandish things going on, it was hard to keep listening. I did though because there was a lot more good than bad,
When a guest dies at the villa, the villa Cerys owns, the one she is trying to make profitable, she can no longer hold onto her own demons and things start to unravel.
The writing was good, really good and the characters were all hiding stuff which I love. It was definitely a good audio book and if you can suspend your disbelief you will likely really enjoy this thriller.
3.5 stars
July 22, 2024
Just finished the audiobook of ‘Last Night in Villa Lucia’ and what a let down. The beginning was slow building and it did not pick up even at the end with the “big twist”. There were tons of questions left unanswered, details that didn’t make sense, and characters backstories that were included that didn’t matter at all.
My husband read this and gave it a four star….and he has questionable taste in books, so that makes sense.
Thanks NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My husband read this and gave it a four star….and he has questionable taste in books, so that makes sense.
Thanks NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 18, 2024
I'm in the minority on this one. I thought it started great, but went downhill very quickly. I was pretty bored and didn't even care what happened by the end. I will give kudos for the final few sentences, but that doesn't make up for the slog to get to it.
Thanks for the ARC, sorry this one didn't work
Thanks for the ARC, sorry this one didn't work
July 9, 2024
This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I’m already looking forward to reading more! I was completely invested right from the very beginning and I constantly found myself needing to read on.
The book is incredibly well written and in my opinion, reads in a way that flows perfectly from beginning to end. The way that the chapters switch between each character’s perspective on a timeline basis makes it feel like some kind of murder mystery, making you look for clues for who might be responsible. At the same time as the drama and excitement of a murder mystery, there is also some more relatable real life challenges and issues intertwined in the plot which I think provided even more depth to the book and made for a more balanced read.
I was really looking forward to reading this book based on the descriptions and good reviews, and it certainly lived up to expectations. I would highly recommend!
The book is incredibly well written and in my opinion, reads in a way that flows perfectly from beginning to end. The way that the chapters switch between each character’s perspective on a timeline basis makes it feel like some kind of murder mystery, making you look for clues for who might be responsible. At the same time as the drama and excitement of a murder mystery, there is also some more relatable real life challenges and issues intertwined in the plot which I think provided even more depth to the book and made for a more balanced read.
I was really looking forward to reading this book based on the descriptions and good reviews, and it certainly lived up to expectations. I would highly recommend!
August 2, 2024
2.5 stars for this one - A family vacation for Zoe, her garbage husband Harry, and teenage son Charlie intended to help them reconnect in a Tuscan villa turns sour when incredibly unlikeable Harry winds up dead in the pool. Everyone and yet no one seems to be a suspect, including alcoholic host Carys and her teenage daughter Lowery (sp?), and the couple in the villa nearby who serve as groundskeeper and housekeeper. A whodunit shrouded in mystery with plenty of potential.
Alcoholism is the overwhelming theme in this book, repeated multiple times per chapter to make sure the reader knows Carys is an alcoholic and the reader is led to see her as a terrible mother and an unlikeable, weak minded character.
None of the characters in the book are likable, but the men in this book are all incredibly toxic. Rapists, abusers, murderers, liars. The son Charlie seems like a decent guy until he tells the girl he watched his father sexually assault she should keep it to herself so they don’t get implicated in his murder… this ends well.
A grown man punches a teenage boy in the face and there is no bruising/ no one asks what happened to his face amidst the murder situation. A man is found stabbed, and no one is worried they don’t know the people around them? It’s fine because he’s a garbage human… but why isn’t anyone worried someone amongst them is a murderer?
The narrator did a fabulous job and her accent helped to bring the Italian countryside into view.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alcoholism is the overwhelming theme in this book, repeated multiple times per chapter to make sure the reader knows Carys is an alcoholic and the reader is led to see her as a terrible mother and an unlikeable, weak minded character.
None of the characters in the book are likable, but the men in this book are all incredibly toxic. Rapists, abusers, murderers, liars. The son Charlie seems like a decent guy until he tells the girl he watched his father sexually assault she should keep it to herself so they don’t get implicated in his murder… this ends well.
A grown man punches a teenage boy in the face and there is no bruising/ no one asks what happened to his face amidst the murder situation. A man is found stabbed, and no one is worried they don’t know the people around them? It’s fine because he’s a garbage human… but why isn’t anyone worried someone amongst them is a murderer?
The narrator did a fabulous job and her accent helped to bring the Italian countryside into view.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2024
This is one of those great books that pulls you in from the beginning and doesn't let y9u go until the very last page! Cerys runs Villa Lucia in Tuscany after leaving her cheating husband and loves getting to know the visitors that stay there. Daughter Lowri plays guitar and writes songs but is often lonely as there is no one on the mountain her age. Housekeeper Lucia and husband/gardener Lorenzo help her and life is good. But then guests Zoe, husband Harry, and son Charlie come to stay and Lowri is happy to have another young person her age to occupy her time. But things get dicey--to say the least--and there are secrets, lies, dead bodies and fingers pointing everywhere! It's a fast-paced, action-filled, often-tender story of jealousy, friendship, and love...but I won't be visiting Tuscany anytime soon!
Thanks to NetGalley f0r this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley f0r this ARC!
July 25, 2024
⭐️ High 3 stars, so rounded them up!
I can’t believe I didn’t know about this author before, oh my god! This was just such a great read, such a great, great time from start to finish.
We follow mainly Cerys, the owner of Villa Lucia; her daughter, Lowri; Zoe; Harry; and their son, Charlie.
I loved to see the women’s unity. I honestly loved everyone (obviously except for the people that were antagonists), and I actually didn’t expect absolutely any of it. I wasn’t expecting ANYTHING that happened; I didn’t know who the victim was when I started reading. Everything took me by surprise.
The book’s writing was flawless throughout; the characters were particularly well-developed. You really felt for them; you really did.
Although, between all this, I must say I did see a revelation coming, but, as you know, I don’t really care whether I’m right or wrong about twists; it doesn’t impact my reading experience at all.
I am just lost for words. This was just so cool, ugh.
I cannot wait for this book to be published in print to get a copy of it. JUST WOW!
I can’t believe I didn’t know about this author before, oh my god! This was just such a great read, such a great, great time from start to finish.
We follow mainly Cerys, the owner of Villa Lucia; her daughter, Lowri; Zoe; Harry; and their son, Charlie.
I loved to see the women’s unity. I honestly loved everyone (obviously except for the people that were antagonists), and I actually didn’t expect absolutely any of it. I wasn’t expecting ANYTHING that happened; I didn’t know who the victim was when I started reading. Everything took me by surprise.
The book’s writing was flawless throughout; the characters were particularly well-developed. You really felt for them; you really did.
Although, between all this, I must say I did see a revelation coming, but, as you know, I don’t really care whether I’m right or wrong about twists; it doesn’t impact my reading experience at all.
I am just lost for words. This was just so cool, ugh.
I cannot wait for this book to be published in print to get a copy of it. JUST WOW!
June 16, 2024
Last Night at Villa Lucia is a psychological thriller set at a beautiful Tuscan villa. The book follows two families, and the story is told through multiple POVs. Cerys owns the villa and lives there with her daughter. Zoe, her husband, and her son are staying at the villa for a much-needed holiday. When a body is discovered in the villa's pool, everyone is a suspect, including Lucia and Lorenzo, the couple that live at the villa and help with upkeep. The once peaceful country home is now crowded with police, and everyone seems to be hiding something.
Last Night at Villa Lucia just wasn't a book for me. I found the pacing slow, and the majority of the characters are extremely unlikable. In fact, the only character I even remotely liked was Lucia. I enjoyed her chapters and related to her complex feelings for Cerys. I didn't find the mystery overly interesting, and the ending was quite predictable. Additionally, the alcoholic as an unreliable narrator has been overdone in thrillers recently. The setting is nice, and the author does a fine job describing the villa and the Tuscan countryside. While I definitely think that some readers will enjoy Last Night at Villa Lucia, it just wasn't for me.
Last Night at Villa Lucia just wasn't a book for me. I found the pacing slow, and the majority of the characters are extremely unlikable. In fact, the only character I even remotely liked was Lucia. I enjoyed her chapters and related to her complex feelings for Cerys. I didn't find the mystery overly interesting, and the ending was quite predictable. Additionally, the alcoholic as an unreliable narrator has been overdone in thrillers recently. The setting is nice, and the author does a fine job describing the villa and the Tuscan countryside. While I definitely think that some readers will enjoy Last Night at Villa Lucia, it just wasn't for me.
July 20, 2024
Last Night at Villa Lucia
Thriller
Simon McCleave
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴀʟᴄᴏʜᴏʟɪꜱᴍ • ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ • ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀ •
I found the start of this book to be quite sluggish and repetitive. It was clear that the author was trying to begin with some strong world building but instead it made me want to skip paragraphs until things got more interesting. Within the first 2% of the book, "the view/my view" is mentioned and described 7 times.
I did like the multiple POVs but the shifting timelines did become confusing.
I instantly disliked Harry. He seemed obnoxious with a big ego and an even bigger chip on his shoulder.
Lucia and Lorenzo were the most interesting characters to me. I liked the hints to their dangerous past and how scared they were of being found. I wanted to know their secrets.
It did feel like there was a lot of filler. Mainly with the descriptions and characters almost constantly having flashbacks or delving into their memories.
I did manage to predict a few of the small plot twists but the big one towards the end was a complete surprise. It tied up a few loose ends but there were still things that didn't make sense to me. For example, Lorenzo's past was spoken about but when 2 suspicious cars were seen by his wife, which then fled, it wasn't adressed again. There's no information about who was in the cars, what they wanted etc.
By the end of this book I did like the writing style but I wish it was a bit more tense and, well, thrilling. As thrillers go, it was just "ok" for me.
*Thank you to @Netgalley, the author, and the publishers for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily*
Thriller
Simon McCleave
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴀʟᴄᴏʜᴏʟɪꜱᴍ • ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ • ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀ •
I found the start of this book to be quite sluggish and repetitive. It was clear that the author was trying to begin with some strong world building but instead it made me want to skip paragraphs until things got more interesting. Within the first 2% of the book, "the view/my view" is mentioned and described 7 times.
I did like the multiple POVs but the shifting timelines did become confusing.
I instantly disliked Harry. He seemed obnoxious with a big ego and an even bigger chip on his shoulder.
Lucia and Lorenzo were the most interesting characters to me. I liked the hints to their dangerous past and how scared they were of being found. I wanted to know their secrets.
It did feel like there was a lot of filler. Mainly with the descriptions and characters almost constantly having flashbacks or delving into their memories.
I did manage to predict a few of the small plot twists but the big one towards the end was a complete surprise. It tied up a few loose ends but there were still things that didn't make sense to me. For example, Lorenzo's past was spoken about but when 2 suspicious cars were seen by his wife, which then fled, it wasn't adressed again. There's no information about who was in the cars, what they wanted etc.
By the end of this book I did like the writing style but I wish it was a bit more tense and, well, thrilling. As thrillers go, it was just "ok" for me.
*Thank you to @Netgalley, the author, and the publishers for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily*
June 13, 2024
I could not put this book down. It had me gripped from start to finish. The pacing was perfect for me.
The characters are so well written that they had depth to them, felt real and relatable. The Tuscany setting was beautifully descriptive, I felt as though I was sitting under the Tuscan sun, taking in the views and aromas around me.
Now, there are some quite tough and uncomfortable scenes in this book, dealing with alcoholism, abuse, rape and narcissistic behaviour, to name a few. On a personal note, I found some a little hard to read. I also felt a strong connection with the female characters and found their experiences relatable, but they were written about in an understanding and sensitive manner.
There are plenty of twists and red herrings throughout this story. I'd like to say that I worked out who did it, but I didn't work out a single thing. That's what I loved about this. It cleverly sent me down the wrong path every time. So, let me talk about the big twist. What a jaw-dropping twist it was! My whole body tensed up, I felt sick to my stomach when the realisation of what was about to be revealed hit. What a corker I did not see coming.
This is a must-read psychological thriller to add to your summer tbr. 100% recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced copy.
Please remember these are my honest opinions of this book.
The characters are so well written that they had depth to them, felt real and relatable. The Tuscany setting was beautifully descriptive, I felt as though I was sitting under the Tuscan sun, taking in the views and aromas around me.
Now, there are some quite tough and uncomfortable scenes in this book, dealing with alcoholism, abuse, rape and narcissistic behaviour, to name a few. On a personal note, I found some a little hard to read. I also felt a strong connection with the female characters and found their experiences relatable, but they were written about in an understanding and sensitive manner.
There are plenty of twists and red herrings throughout this story. I'd like to say that I worked out who did it, but I didn't work out a single thing. That's what I loved about this. It cleverly sent me down the wrong path every time. So, let me talk about the big twist. What a jaw-dropping twist it was! My whole body tensed up, I felt sick to my stomach when the realisation of what was about to be revealed hit. What a corker I did not see coming.
This is a must-read psychological thriller to add to your summer tbr. 100% recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced copy.
Please remember these are my honest opinions of this book.
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