Montecatini: A Tuscan Murder Mystery

by Justine Gilbert

A nameless child’s body dumped on an Italian beach; an Italian conman, Alessandro Verdi, murdered in London. But all clues lead to the hillside town of Montecatini della Torre in Tuscany.

When the powerful Verdi family asks Agata, a recently retired agente di polizia, to discreetly investigate the death of her former lover, she believes she knows the whole truth about Alessandro. Determined to prove him innocent of the shocking child murder on the beach, her investigations reveal disturbing hidden events and connections. Luca, her Commissario husband, shares information with her, and the locals share gossip. But it is down to Agata to sift fact from rumour. How many people must die before she uncovers the truth?


“Memorable location and a combination that conjures a visceral sense of this part of Italy.” Verified reader.

Praise for Justine Gilbert’s novel, Daisy Chain.
“A revelation. Justine Gilbert is a master storyteller.” Winner of the Silver Award at the Historical Fiction Company
Shortlisted for the Paul Torday Memorial Award 2024

344 pages, Paperback

Published May 24, 2024

Reviews

[David Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy. The narrative captivated me. The penmanship was superb. So refreshing to read a book effortlessly, one without a predictable plot or mediocre writing.

I found Gilbert’s second book to be just as charming as the first one. The story was captivating, but it’s the author’s style that has me waiting in anticipation for her next piece.

Get yourself a copy and immerse yourself in a great read.

[Rosie Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!! Now I want to book a trip to Italy!

[Steve Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

It regularly amazes me how many brilliant books by extraordinarily talented authors the “big five” publishing houses allow to slip through their fingers, so keen are they to promote lesser works written, genuinely or otherwise, by people who have already made a name for themselves in other spheres. In other words, it’s nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the plot but all to do with how many sales the publisher believes they can make. Having read Justine Gilbert’s first book, Daisy Chain, a historical novel based on the women in Franklin Roosevelt’s life, and which was deservedly shortlisted for the prestigious Paul Torday Memorial Award, I already knew she was one such supremely accomplished storyteller richly deserving of a much wider audience.

And now it appears that Gilbert can stretch her talents to a second, completely different genre. Montecatini is a thrilling, evocative, beautifully constructed murder mystery set in the glorious surroundings of Tuscany. Gilbert lived there for two years and boy does it show! Her love and intimate knowledge of the locality shines through in her writing, giving the story an extra depth. Her Italian characters leap off the page fully rounded and several may be based on real people, or a mixture of people. The plot, intelligent, realistic, dark, layered and well-researched is beautifully constructed with a clever interweaving of international political issues (migration, drugs, Brexit) and local themes which, however, are not allowed to intrude on the story itself.

Gilbert is particularly good at descriptive prose and fine detail, with an observant eye and an ability to rip out a phrase that makes you stop and nod appreciatively.

This is an exceptional book which I highly recommend.

[Eimear Lawlor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justine Gilbert's second novel and first crime novel. The writing has rich descriptive prose, meticulous detail, and keen observational eye that engages the reader infested in the story. The book is a murder mystery set against the stunning backdrop of Tuscany. The Italian characters are vividly brought to life, with a sense of authenticity that suggests inspiration from real people. The plot is intelligent and intricately woven, seamlessly blending larger issues like migration and Brexit with local dynamics, without overshadowing the central mystery.

[Robert Ogle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic crime novel where the location is one of the characters. The author's love for the area is evident and the wealth of well-drawn characters will not disappoint. Justine weaves a web between illegal migration, BREXIT and two police forces to solve three murders. A brilliant debut crime novel!

[lee adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story and good to connect London and Tuscany but I just don’t warm to any characters I didn’t think they had depth and most unlikable

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so well written and a compelling story and found it a page turner.