What do you think?
Rate this book
Lella York #1
Murder Under the Italian Moon
When Lella York went vacationing in Italy, she never imagined the mess she'd come home to. Upon her return her best friend, Ruby, is missing, Ruby's husband is dead, and suddenly the police have more questions for Lella than answers...especially one sexy veteran detective whose attentions have Lella's hormones dancing a tarantella. But is his interest in Lella genuine, or does he have a more sinister agenda? Lella is determined to find out. But when she takes it upon herself to find the elusive Ruby, Lella's past and present collide, unearthing more secrets than she could have imagined lay buried in her sleepy town. From Florence, Italy to the sunny coast of California, Lella uncovers a web of lies that will change her life forever...if she can get out of it alive.
200 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2013
86 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Maria Grazia Swan
35 books207 followersMaria Grazia Swan was born in Italy, but this rolling stone has definitely gathered no moss. She lived in Belgium, France, Germany, in beautiful Orange County, California where she raised her family, and is currently at home in Phoenix, Arizona—but stay tuned for weekly updates of Where in the World is Maria Grazia Swan?
As a young girl, her vivid imagination predestined her to be a writer. She won her first literary award at the age of fourteen while living in Belgium. As a young woman Maria returned to Italy to design for—ooh-la-la—haute couture. Once in the U.S. and after years of concentrating on family, she tackled real estate. These days her time is devoted to her deepest passions: writing and helping people find happiness.
Maria loves travel, opera, good books, hiking, and intelligent movies (if she can find one, that is). When asked about her idea of a perfect evening, she favors stimulating conversation, spicy Italian food and perfectly chilled Prosecco—but then, who doesn’t?
Maria has written short stories for anthologies, articles for high profile magazines and numerous blogs tackling love and life. She engaged her editorial and non-fiction skills for Mating Dance Rituals for Singles Who Weren't born yesterday. Her romantic suspense novels Love Thy Sister,Bosom Bodies and Italian Summer are available at Amazon.com.
Her new series, published by Gemma Halliday is also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, the first book is title Gemini Moon
Website: http://www.mariagraziaswan.com
Contact Maria: mariagswan@gmail.com
-or- touch base with her on Facebook.
As a young girl, her vivid imagination predestined her to be a writer. She won her first literary award at the age of fourteen while living in Belgium. As a young woman Maria returned to Italy to design for—ooh-la-la—haute couture. Once in the U.S. and after years of concentrating on family, she tackled real estate. These days her time is devoted to her deepest passions: writing and helping people find happiness.
Maria loves travel, opera, good books, hiking, and intelligent movies (if she can find one, that is). When asked about her idea of a perfect evening, she favors stimulating conversation, spicy Italian food and perfectly chilled Prosecco—but then, who doesn’t?
Maria has written short stories for anthologies, articles for high profile magazines and numerous blogs tackling love and life. She engaged her editorial and non-fiction skills for Mating Dance Rituals for Singles Who Weren't born yesterday. Her romantic suspense novels Love Thy Sister,Bosom Bodies and Italian Summer are available at Amazon.com.
Her new series, published by Gemma Halliday is also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, the first book is title Gemini Moon
Website: http://www.mariagraziaswan.com
Contact Maria: mariagswan@gmail.com
-or- touch base with her on Facebook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 14, 2014
I'm rounding up. I give the book 3.5 stars.
This ebook was offered in exchange for an honest review. Since I was looking for a fun read while I was on vacation, I jumped at the chance.
What I liked: It's a fun book that's a fast read. There's romance, mystery and a lot of mayhem.
What I didn't like: Two things.
1. The romance felt like it came out of nowhere to me. I found the actions of the love interest to be creepier than sexy. I might've called the cops on him myself in a similar situation.
2. I had trouble connecting with the main character. While I attribute this to her being older than me, I was bothered by the way she kept apologizing for everything she said and did. It drove me crazy that other characters actually seemed to expect these apologies even though they kept her in the dark at every turn when she had a legitimate right to the information being withheld. Then again, this is a bit how my grandmother is, so I'm wondering if perhaps I don't get the main character because we're from very different generations where women were raised to behave differently.
Overall, I didn't find any problematic mechanical issues with the writing style itself (grammar, spelling, typos, etc) and I ultimately did enjoy the book while I was reading it. Some of the characters may have bugged me, but it wasn't a book I wanted to throw off my cruise ship balcony when I was done (which would involve losing a Kindle, so that's a good thing), so I can honestly recommend this book to fans of romantic suspense who are looking for a read on the lighter side of the genre.
This ebook was offered in exchange for an honest review. Since I was looking for a fun read while I was on vacation, I jumped at the chance.
What I liked: It's a fun book that's a fast read. There's romance, mystery and a lot of mayhem.
What I didn't like: Two things.
1. The romance felt like it came out of nowhere to me. I found the actions of the love interest to be creepier than sexy. I might've called the cops on him myself in a similar situation.
2. I had trouble connecting with the main character. While I attribute this to her being older than me, I was bothered by the way she kept apologizing for everything she said and did. It drove me crazy that other characters actually seemed to expect these apologies even though they kept her in the dark at every turn when she had a legitimate right to the information being withheld. Then again, this is a bit how my grandmother is, so I'm wondering if perhaps I don't get the main character because we're from very different generations where women were raised to behave differently.
Overall, I didn't find any problematic mechanical issues with the writing style itself (grammar, spelling, typos, etc) and I ultimately did enjoy the book while I was reading it. Some of the characters may have bugged me, but it wasn't a book I wanted to throw off my cruise ship balcony when I was done (which would involve losing a Kindle, so that's a good thing), so I can honestly recommend this book to fans of romantic suspense who are looking for a read on the lighter side of the genre.
August 20, 2014
Murder Under the Italian Moon (also published as Gemini Moon) is the first book in the Lella York Mysteries series. Lella, short for Donatella, is Italian-born but has lived in The States for twenty-five years with her American husband Nick, until his death four years earlier. Despite her many years in the U.S., Lella is all Italian-woman-of-a-certain-age, adding a very Italian flavor to this story.
The beginning of the book, in Florence, Italy, is very evocative, with wonderfully accurate descriptions of Florence around the Ponte Vecchio, the Old Bridge. The story then moves to Southern California, where the setting is just as convincingly conveyed.
Lella, the protagonist, recounts in a first person narrative the story along with flashbacks to her life with and without her husband, Nick. Lella is a woman who has been a rather passive passenger on life's journey up to this point in her life.
I felt frustration, at times, at Lella's passivity, but then I realized that it is precisely that passivity that is key to the events happening. It is also what Lella learns about herself, and tries to change.
Lella's Italian upbringing is a major force in her dealings with her husband, friends, son, and the police and lawyers. They find her puzzling, endearing, awkward, emotional, passionate and moody, but they also feel protective of her. She may have lived in the U.S. for twenty-five years, but she is still a fish-out-of-water in so many ways, even seeming ditzy at times. You can take the woman out of Italy, but you can't take Italy out of the woman!
Murder Under the Italian Moon is suspenseful, well-written, well-edited, and it builds very nicely, and very quickly since the book is about 185 pages long. I found the book to be a smooth, compulsive, can't-put-it-down kind of read, almost like a dream/nightmare that won't stop. The writing pulls you forward.
Please read my full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
The beginning of the book, in Florence, Italy, is very evocative, with wonderfully accurate descriptions of Florence around the Ponte Vecchio, the Old Bridge. The story then moves to Southern California, where the setting is just as convincingly conveyed.
Lella, the protagonist, recounts in a first person narrative the story along with flashbacks to her life with and without her husband, Nick. Lella is a woman who has been a rather passive passenger on life's journey up to this point in her life.
I felt frustration, at times, at Lella's passivity, but then I realized that it is precisely that passivity that is key to the events happening. It is also what Lella learns about herself, and tries to change.
Lella's Italian upbringing is a major force in her dealings with her husband, friends, son, and the police and lawyers. They find her puzzling, endearing, awkward, emotional, passionate and moody, but they also feel protective of her. She may have lived in the U.S. for twenty-five years, but she is still a fish-out-of-water in so many ways, even seeming ditzy at times. You can take the woman out of Italy, but you can't take Italy out of the woman!
Murder Under the Italian Moon is suspenseful, well-written, well-edited, and it builds very nicely, and very quickly since the book is about 185 pages long. I found the book to be a smooth, compulsive, can't-put-it-down kind of read, almost like a dream/nightmare that won't stop. The writing pulls you forward.
Please read my full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
January 29, 2014
When Lella York has her best friend Ruby's astrology chart read on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the fortune teller angrily accuses her of asking him to read the chart of a dead woman. Confused, Lella returns home to find that Ruby's husband has been killed and Ruby has gone missing. In a bizarre twist, Lella's actor son is arrested for kidnapping Ruby and stealing her Ferrari Testarossa, even though Ruby is still nowhere to be found. Lella turns to a sexy homicide detective for help, but he, like the attorney he hires to help Lella's son, seems to be hiding something. As Lella struggles to come to grips with what is happening, another body is found. And then an incident from the past that she thought she'd put to rest comes back to haunt her present under a cloudy, moonless sky.
To say that Gemini Moon is a page turner would be putting it mildly. I felt like I was right there with Lella York as I read this novel: each and every twist had me more and more mystified, and I had no idea which of the characters I could trust as the plot continued to thicken. An intriguing and thrilling ride from Florence's Ponte Vecchio to the suburbs of Orange County. I am moonstruck! Now bring on Venetian Moon!
To say that Gemini Moon is a page turner would be putting it mildly. I felt like I was right there with Lella York as I read this novel: each and every twist had me more and more mystified, and I had no idea which of the characters I could trust as the plot continued to thicken. An intriguing and thrilling ride from Florence's Ponte Vecchio to the suburbs of Orange County. I am moonstruck! Now bring on Venetian Moon!
March 3, 2014
I ENJOYED READING IT WAS A CUTE LIGHT MYSTERY/ROMANCE. I REALLY DISLIKED THE FEMALE LEAD LELLA, SHE WAS THE ONLY CHARACER THAT DIDN'T HAVE HER SH*T TOGETHER. SHE WAS VERY ANNOYING KEPT BEATING HERSELF UP OVER NOTHING, I WISHED SHE WOULD HAVE LET ME BEAT HER. SHE NEEDED SOMEONE TO B-SLAP HER. THE MALE LEAD LARRY WAS SO COOL, WHAT HE SAW IN HER I CAN'T IMAGINE. I GUESS OPPOSITES DO ATTRACT. HMM! SHE WAS A LUCKY WOMAN BUT I THINK MOST OF THE TIME SHE LIVED IN A ROSE COLORED WORLD ALL HER OWN. THE WORLD OF "I CAN'T SEE THE FORREST FOR THE TREES". .PA-RUMP-DUMP!!;>
December 15, 2013
I’ve been looking forward to bedtime each day this week because of Gemini Moon. Reading this novel by Maria Grazia Swan has been my reward after too many hours working on end-of-the-year tasks. The characters are complex and believable, the plot is fascinating, and the suspense is psychological as well as physical. Just the right combination to pull me right into the story each time I opened the book.
The story opens in a happy moment as Lella York is finalizing a surprise birthday gift for a friend, but the idea backfires quickly. The normalcy of her life starts slipping sideways when a friend disappears and her son is accused of a crime. She meets a detective who brings as many questions as he does answers. When Lella suspects her trusting nature allowed others to take advantage of her, she questions the present and the past until finally finding the answers she seeks.
Kathleen Norris once said “Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier.”
This Norris quote beautifully sums up my thoughts about Gemini Moon, and is the reason I’ll anxiously await the next book in the Lella York series. Brava!
The story opens in a happy moment as Lella York is finalizing a surprise birthday gift for a friend, but the idea backfires quickly. The normalcy of her life starts slipping sideways when a friend disappears and her son is accused of a crime. She meets a detective who brings as many questions as he does answers. When Lella suspects her trusting nature allowed others to take advantage of her, she questions the present and the past until finally finding the answers she seeks.
Kathleen Norris once said “Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier.”
This Norris quote beautifully sums up my thoughts about Gemini Moon, and is the reason I’ll anxiously await the next book in the Lella York series. Brava!
December 3, 2013
I love this author's mysteries, my favorites are the ones based in Italy (Read Italian Summer!). This one begins in Florence, close to the Ponte Vecchio and near the Uffizzi museum where the African vendors lay out their trinkets for tourists. Donatella, or Lella to her friends, is Italian born, and recently widowed, takes a brief vacation in Italy. On her last night, she stops at an astrologer's table. In a cheerful mood, she gives the man her friend, Ruby's, birthday instead of her own. The resulting prediction sends her scuttling away, leaving her package and gift to Ruby at the table.
From that point on, nothing about Lella's life will be ever be the same. She will return to the States to discover that everything she thought she knew about her husband, her friend Ruby, and what she held important were all wrong. Which wouldn't be so bad, except for the fact that Ruby "accidently" shot her own husband, and Lella's grown son just may be involved in what the police soon decide isn't an accident, but a homicide. " RP Dahlke, Author of the Dead Red Mystery series
From that point on, nothing about Lella's life will be ever be the same. She will return to the States to discover that everything she thought she knew about her husband, her friend Ruby, and what she held important were all wrong. Which wouldn't be so bad, except for the fact that Ruby "accidently" shot her own husband, and Lella's grown son just may be involved in what the police soon decide isn't an accident, but a homicide. " RP Dahlke, Author of the Dead Red Mystery series
December 5, 2016
Fun, fast, feisty
Maria Grazia Swan had me hooked from the very first line. A fun, fast-paced mystery, this book has two big pluses for me - great writing and interesting characters. I especially like strong and feisty female characters in fiction and none come feistier than Lella York. She has a vulnerable side, too, and we see it all on display is this action-packed story. This was my first in the series and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Maria Grazia Swan had me hooked from the very first line. A fun, fast-paced mystery, this book has two big pluses for me - great writing and interesting characters. I especially like strong and feisty female characters in fiction and none come feistier than Lella York. She has a vulnerable side, too, and we see it all on display is this action-packed story. This was my first in the series and I'm looking forward to reading more.
December 5, 2013
Ms. Swan does it again. I have read most of her books and like all the others she has hit a home run. Great plot, strong characters.
Must warn you though, once you pick up this book you won't want to put it down. Waiting on the next one.
Must warn you though, once you pick up this book you won't want to put it down. Waiting on the next one.
January 17, 2014
This is my first experience with Ms. Swan but I am absolutely in love with this book! I was captivated from page one and hated with "life" interfered with my reading! :) I was so caught up in the events evolving around Lella that I couldn't wait to see what would happen next!
July 21, 2016
This is a wonderfully written story, it drew me in right away! The author does a wonderful job of weaving together an intricate story of a mysterious disappearance, murder and personal discovery. The pacing is well done and keep you turning the pages. A wonderful read!
August 19, 2014
Liked the mystery, but the romance - not-so-much. See full review here:
http://www.cristinasbookreviews.com/2...
http://www.cristinasbookreviews.com/2...
September 8, 2014
I enjoyed this story. The main character was a bit hard to follow at times. It was a good storyline with a difficult romance. Good cozy mystery. Will check out more in this series.
November 1, 2018
I thought it was a very uneven book.. I did not finish it .. parts of it were interesting but the author did not research basic simple things - like how passports work - and I found that annoying.
August 23, 2017
Title: Gemini Moon - Murder Under the Italian Moon - Lella York Mysteries Book 1
Author: Maria Grazia Swan
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing
Published: 12-1-2013
Pages: 201
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Sub-Genre: New Age, Astrology, Horoscopes, Religion & Spirituality, Suspense, Amateur Sleuth
ISBN: 9781940371122
ASIN: B01JAIXHCK
Reviewed For NetGalley and
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: Stars
When her eyes were finally opened to the truth, she couldn't recognize her own life...
Italian-born Lella York is trying to figure out who she is. Her husband has died. Her son is grown and gone to chase fame and fortune in the movie business. And now, her best friend is missing.
Upon returning to Southern California, Lella is shocked to learn the mysterious circumstances of Ruby's disappearance as well as the death of Ruby's husband. And Lella's son is the prime suspect. It doesn't help that he is driving around in the dead man's Ferrari.
Caught in the middle of it all, Lella stumbles across the perfect topper–namely, a sexy police detective who keeps secrets from her while he's setting her pants on fire. Nothing like a little romance to distract a girl while she's trying to locate a missing person, solve a possible homicide, get her son out of jail and stay two steps ahead of the firing line.
Filled with drama and suspense, this fast paced story will keep you on your toes and you go with Lella to find answers. Where is her friend? How is son connected to the Tom's death? What did the Astrologer mean calling it a dead woman's chart. Ruby Russell wasn't dead her husband was.
Join Lella in her search for answers as you become a part of the story.
My rating of "Gemini Moon - Murder Under the Italian Moon - Lella York Mysteries Book 1" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JAIXHCK/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gemi...
Books-A-Million Link: Not Available
Google Play Link: Not Available
Indigo Link: Not Available
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Kobo Link: Not Available
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Author: Maria Grazia Swan
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing
Published: 12-1-2013
Pages: 201
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Sub-Genre: New Age, Astrology, Horoscopes, Religion & Spirituality, Suspense, Amateur Sleuth
ISBN: 9781940371122
ASIN: B01JAIXHCK
Reviewed For NetGalley and
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: Stars
When her eyes were finally opened to the truth, she couldn't recognize her own life...
Italian-born Lella York is trying to figure out who she is. Her husband has died. Her son is grown and gone to chase fame and fortune in the movie business. And now, her best friend is missing.
Upon returning to Southern California, Lella is shocked to learn the mysterious circumstances of Ruby's disappearance as well as the death of Ruby's husband. And Lella's son is the prime suspect. It doesn't help that he is driving around in the dead man's Ferrari.
Caught in the middle of it all, Lella stumbles across the perfect topper–namely, a sexy police detective who keeps secrets from her while he's setting her pants on fire. Nothing like a little romance to distract a girl while she's trying to locate a missing person, solve a possible homicide, get her son out of jail and stay two steps ahead of the firing line.
Filled with drama and suspense, this fast paced story will keep you on your toes and you go with Lella to find answers. Where is her friend? How is son connected to the Tom's death? What did the Astrologer mean calling it a dead woman's chart. Ruby Russell wasn't dead her husband was.
Join Lella in her search for answers as you become a part of the story.
My rating of "Gemini Moon - Murder Under the Italian Moon - Lella York Mysteries Book 1" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JAIXHCK/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gemi...
Books-A-Million Link: Not Available
Google Play Link: Not Available
Indigo Link: Not Available
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Kobo Link: Not Available
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
May 5, 2025
I was reminded of the saying about a roulette wheel: "Round and round and round it goes. Where it stops, nobody knows!" when I read this book. Oh my gosh! The main character, Lella York, really kept the story going, beginning in Italy on vacation where she encountered an astrologist that predicted her fortune, but she was actually getting the fortune of her best friend, Ruby. And when she came home, Ruby was nowhere to be found and Lella began her quest to find her and learn the truth about so many things.
Complications arose when police became involved and she fell for a police lieutenant that befriended her. Lella and Larry Devin soon became friends and eventually lovers. But their "professional" relationship always put a strain on things. Various clues keep popping up. Events put people on the trail or not. Lella wants to help, but finds herself unable to trust the police who don't share information with her. And when her son, Kyle, gets drawn into the mystery, she gets upset with everybody because she knows he can't be involved.
So the story keeps becoming more complicated, and Lella keeps thinking about the past with her old friend, Ruby, and all that they have been through together. Some of those memories really hurt. But before I try to tell anymore about the story, suffice it to say that almost every chapter brings a new twist. I found it both frustrating and enjoyable. Maybe you will, too.
Complications arose when police became involved and she fell for a police lieutenant that befriended her. Lella and Larry Devin soon became friends and eventually lovers. But their "professional" relationship always put a strain on things. Various clues keep popping up. Events put people on the trail or not. Lella wants to help, but finds herself unable to trust the police who don't share information with her. And when her son, Kyle, gets drawn into the mystery, she gets upset with everybody because she knows he can't be involved.
So the story keeps becoming more complicated, and Lella keeps thinking about the past with her old friend, Ruby, and all that they have been through together. Some of those memories really hurt. But before I try to tell anymore about the story, suffice it to say that almost every chapter brings a new twist. I found it both frustrating and enjoyable. Maybe you will, too.
May 26, 2018
Never judge a book by it's cover...or it's title.
I grabbed this off of Kindle Unlimited because not only did the plot sound intriguing but because I thought it was a cozy mystery that took place in Italy. I was wrong. The first chapter or two are in Italy, but the majority of the book and the murder take place in Southern California. I still don't understand why it isn't called "Murder under the California Moon."
The plot was indeed intriguing but there were holes in it. There were a couple events that were never explained. (The whole weird messages on the answering machine thing. So was Ruby there or not? Who was crawling through the room?) And even the "chart of a dead woman" statement wasn't ever clarified considering she had given the wrong date and Ruby wasn't dead.
And as far as it being a "cozy mystery," that was my mistake. Just be aware that there are some not-overly-graphic descriptions of sexual encounters and some foul language.
I grabbed this off of Kindle Unlimited because not only did the plot sound intriguing but because I thought it was a cozy mystery that took place in Italy. I was wrong. The first chapter or two are in Italy, but the majority of the book and the murder take place in Southern California. I still don't understand why it isn't called "Murder under the California Moon."
The plot was indeed intriguing but there were holes in it. There were a couple events that were never explained. (The whole weird messages on the answering machine thing. So was Ruby there or not? Who was crawling through the room?) And even the "chart of a dead woman" statement wasn't ever clarified considering she had given the wrong date and Ruby wasn't dead.
And as far as it being a "cozy mystery," that was my mistake. Just be aware that there are some not-overly-graphic descriptions of sexual encounters and some foul language.
November 14, 2017
Lella York is a character you can root for. Her passions and loyalties will touch reader's hearts for years to come. Because Lella cares about her family and friends you care about her. Maria Grazia Swan has created a tantalizing mystery that I dare any cozy lover to try to put down. Add to that a romance that pushes the story along at an astounding pace. Swan backdrops the plot with imaginative descriptions that make you feel like you're there. If you're looking for a book that takes you away from your own mundane world and transports you to a place where you're captivated by the character's adventures, Gemini Moon is the one for you. I can't wait to read the next Lella story in the series.
February 17, 2023
At the end of the book, when much of the confusion was explained, the story made sense, but not during the majority of it. The unfolding was jagged and illogical; Lella left too many things unasked or unsaid that could have cleared up a lot of confusion. She is a fairly likable character, but very much walking through life in a haze. Lella is also a terrible cat mom.
July 30, 2024
Twists and turns!
Lella York returns from a trip to Italy to find her house a mess and the friend who was caring for her cat missing. It’s the start of an intense thriller with a Hitchcock flare. Death, intrigue, deception, and romance create a scintillating mystery.
Lella York returns from a trip to Italy to find her house a mess and the friend who was caring for her cat missing. It’s the start of an intense thriller with a Hitchcock flare. Death, intrigue, deception, and romance create a scintillating mystery.
August 23, 2021
Fast paced
Read this mystery in one afternoon. Couldn't put it down. Loved the main character and the emotions she has that made me feel the same.
Good cat and mouse mystery!
Read this mystery in one afternoon. Couldn't put it down. Loved the main character and the emotions she has that made me feel the same.
Good cat and mouse mystery!
July 5, 2023
Great police thriller
This story kept you guessing until the end. Loved the two main characters. Lella is quite the character. Can't wait to read more about her adventures.
This story kept you guessing until the end. Loved the two main characters. Lella is quite the character. Can't wait to read more about her adventures.
June 3, 2014
"Take your money. Take this chart. The chart of a dead woman." He let go of me as if the touch had scorched his fingers.
Lella York is a widow, who takes a vacation to Italy, Ponte Vecchio, to be exact.
She finds an astrologer, and has him read her, but for her best friend Ruby. He talks for a few minutes, and then tells Lella to leave, and gives her her money back, with no explanation.
She returns home to discover that Ruby, her pet and house sitter has neglected her job, something she's never done before.
She gets a call from a Lieutenant Devin, homicide agent, calling about the Russell case, and the only Russell that Lella knows is Ruby.
When he comes by the house, he tells her that Ruby shot her husband Tom, and then disappeared. Lella is shocked; she had thought, that with the call, Lieutenant Devin meant to tell her that Ruby was dead, but she dropped the phone, and lost the connection.
We learn, on Lella's ride home from going to the Russell house to see if Ruby was there, that Ruby was involved in the accident that killed her husband, Nick, and damaged Ruby's brain.
When Lella is listening to the voicemails left on her answering machine, she listens to a call from Ruby.
"I am in your house, scared to death, talking to your silly machine. Something strange is going on in your bedroom, Lella. Have you got a ghost?"
"I wish you had an upstairs exit." Fear in her voice. A shuffling sound. Was someone crawling on the carpet near the answering machine? The shuffle moved away. Why was she crawling? A creak on the tape sounded far away, like from the steps of my stairs?
She calls the police station, and finds that Lieutenant Devin is actually on vacation, because the case has been ruled an accident.
She goes to Ruby's house, and finds, from her neighbor, that Ruby has been gone for a few days.
Lella returns home, when she receives a phone call from Lieutenant Devin - Larry - who asks her to go to dinner. She says yes.
-
Let me start this off by saying, I did not read the synopsis of the book, so I had literally no idea what this was going to be about.
Murder mysteries are hard to write, because you have to make sure that you're not giving everything away, and I can honestly commend Swan for doing that accurately.
Ruby was shrouded in enough mystery and doubt from Lella, that forced the reader to feel that same doubt, because we only see things from Lella's view.
This is an adult novel; it's about adults, but it's not as adult themes as other books that I've read, especially recently.
But what frustrated me about this book was the characters.
We're introduced to a bunch of characters, about 50% of the way into the book, and it may just be me and my career in YA, but most characters are thoroughly explained once they appear; either that, or they're so unimportant they don't get a name.
I understand the murder mystery aspect of this book, because it is, but the way it was handled; introducing characters who knew more than Lella right off the bat, but didn't explain, instead just gave each other meaningful looks over Lella's shoulder was quite painful to read for the entire book.
I really disliked the conclusion of this book, because I felt like it negated almost everything that we'd learned about a lot of the characters, and it didn't dive into why the other people felt so trustworthy to Lella after only knowing them for a little while.
Hmm.
DISCLAIMER:
This book was sent to me by Netgalley. I'm not profiting by this review in any way.
September 20, 2014
To read this review and others like it check out my site at www.homelovebooks.com
So I went for this book because it came from Gemma Halliday's publishing house, and I love Gemma's books so I was very intrigued to see what kind of books this publishing house would be publishing. I do love a good mystery book, but I also like them to fast paced, have some elements of funny in them, and to have a side of romance going on, so that's really what I was looking for when I opened this book. I would say this book did a pretty decent job of meeting my expectations.
The first thing I want to mention about this book is the pacing of it. The writing and the writing style of this book really worked for me. The book itself is a little on the shorter side then I normally prefer, but I think it works for this book, if it had been any longer I don't think the pacing would have been as fast and I don't think it would have been as enjoyable. It really works as a quick and easy read.
So on to the main character. Lella is an interesting character to say the least, and she also has a hell of a lot going on in her life when this story starts. Her best friend has gone missing, her best friend's husband has been killed, and it looks an awful lot like Lella's son might be involved and has been arrested for whatever it was that happened. As with most mysteries that I review, I don't want to tell you too much about the storyline because I don't want to ruin anything for the readers. But I will say this, while I did like her as a character, I did find one particular thing about her a bit on the annoying side. She apologizes for everything. I mean everything. I hate women who do that. If you have done something wrong, apologize. If you haven't don't. I think when people say I am sorry to everything it doesn't mean anything anymore, and even worse when people expect you to apologize for things you haven't even done wrong it makes you a bit of a doormat.
There is one other thing I want to mention, the romance in the book was more creepy that swoon worthy. I have seen a lot of books like this lately, where the guy in the so called romance is someone I would have slapped in the face or called the cops about rather than fallen head over heels. I don't know what that trend is all about, but I hope real women aren't falling for this kind of thing.
That being said I thought that it was a book that without a doubt kept my attention. I think if you are looking for a mystery, especially a short mystery for like a plane ride or beach read then this book is definitely your book. It's a quick read, but it's also a fun read.
So I went for this book because it came from Gemma Halliday's publishing house, and I love Gemma's books so I was very intrigued to see what kind of books this publishing house would be publishing. I do love a good mystery book, but I also like them to fast paced, have some elements of funny in them, and to have a side of romance going on, so that's really what I was looking for when I opened this book. I would say this book did a pretty decent job of meeting my expectations.
The first thing I want to mention about this book is the pacing of it. The writing and the writing style of this book really worked for me. The book itself is a little on the shorter side then I normally prefer, but I think it works for this book, if it had been any longer I don't think the pacing would have been as fast and I don't think it would have been as enjoyable. It really works as a quick and easy read.
So on to the main character. Lella is an interesting character to say the least, and she also has a hell of a lot going on in her life when this story starts. Her best friend has gone missing, her best friend's husband has been killed, and it looks an awful lot like Lella's son might be involved and has been arrested for whatever it was that happened. As with most mysteries that I review, I don't want to tell you too much about the storyline because I don't want to ruin anything for the readers. But I will say this, while I did like her as a character, I did find one particular thing about her a bit on the annoying side. She apologizes for everything. I mean everything. I hate women who do that. If you have done something wrong, apologize. If you haven't don't. I think when people say I am sorry to everything it doesn't mean anything anymore, and even worse when people expect you to apologize for things you haven't even done wrong it makes you a bit of a doormat.
There is one other thing I want to mention, the romance in the book was more creepy that swoon worthy. I have seen a lot of books like this lately, where the guy in the so called romance is someone I would have slapped in the face or called the cops about rather than fallen head over heels. I don't know what that trend is all about, but I hope real women aren't falling for this kind of thing.
That being said I thought that it was a book that without a doubt kept my attention. I think if you are looking for a mystery, especially a short mystery for like a plane ride or beach read then this book is definitely your book. It's a quick read, but it's also a fun read.
January 9, 2014
Maria Grazia Swan has a knack for pulling the reader into the character then taking both for a little ride down Who-Dunnit Lane. Lella York is widowed, trying to determine who she is without her spouse. A trip to her beloved Italy doesn't help, drawing even more memories of things past into her heart and mind.
On the last night of her trip, a gypsy casts an astrological chart, conveying the ominous message he's just cast the chart of a dead woman. If Lella is to believe the gypsy, the dead woman in question is Lella's best friend, Ruby. Is Ruby really dead? She's certainly missing. If alive, is she even still Lella's friend?
Everything is upside down when Lella returns home to Southern California. Ruby's husband has died of a gunshot wound. Ruby's gone missing. Lella's son has been implicated and arrested for kidnapping. And now, someone's stalking Lella. Caught in the middle of it all, Lella stumbles across the perfect topper--namely, a sexy police detective who keeps secrets from her while he's setting her pants on fire. Nothing like a little romance to distract a girl while she's trying to locate a missing person, solve a possible homicide, get her son out of jail and stay two steps ahead of danger.
It's a deftly plotted, satisfying read.
On the last night of her trip, a gypsy casts an astrological chart, conveying the ominous message he's just cast the chart of a dead woman. If Lella is to believe the gypsy, the dead woman in question is Lella's best friend, Ruby. Is Ruby really dead? She's certainly missing. If alive, is she even still Lella's friend?
Everything is upside down when Lella returns home to Southern California. Ruby's husband has died of a gunshot wound. Ruby's gone missing. Lella's son has been implicated and arrested for kidnapping. And now, someone's stalking Lella. Caught in the middle of it all, Lella stumbles across the perfect topper--namely, a sexy police detective who keeps secrets from her while he's setting her pants on fire. Nothing like a little romance to distract a girl while she's trying to locate a missing person, solve a possible homicide, get her son out of jail and stay two steps ahead of danger.
It's a deftly plotted, satisfying read.
February 3, 2017
[I voluntarily reviewed this book]
"You bring sorrow to whoever cares about you."
That is a powerful statement isn't it? And to Lella York, a widow with a son out on his own and a cat, the idea of sorrow is something she lives with all the time. Lella has returned from time in Italy where she was born and the memories of late husband Nick have kind of overwhelmed her as she returns to the States.
Kyle, her son, picks her up at the airport and brings her home and then he disappears as a police detective named Larry comes in and in the midst of discovery around many puzzle pieces that don't quite fit around Kyle, Ruby ( Lella's best friend), mixed up cars, an arson investigation and a starving Flash ( the cat) Lella's son is arrested and Ruby is missing. It just gets "curiouser and curiouser" as things simply aren't the way they should be, including her growing relationship with Larry. Things just don't add up. What in heaven's name happened when she was in Italy anyway?
I love the author's style in presenting characters who in spite of themselves are flawed. Each one stays true to form throughout this fast paced suspenseful story that might just keep you up late while you finish it. Highly recommended.
"You bring sorrow to whoever cares about you."
That is a powerful statement isn't it? And to Lella York, a widow with a son out on his own and a cat, the idea of sorrow is something she lives with all the time. Lella has returned from time in Italy where she was born and the memories of late husband Nick have kind of overwhelmed her as she returns to the States.
Kyle, her son, picks her up at the airport and brings her home and then he disappears as a police detective named Larry comes in and in the midst of discovery around many puzzle pieces that don't quite fit around Kyle, Ruby ( Lella's best friend), mixed up cars, an arson investigation and a starving Flash ( the cat) Lella's son is arrested and Ruby is missing. It just gets "curiouser and curiouser" as things simply aren't the way they should be, including her growing relationship with Larry. Things just don't add up. What in heaven's name happened when she was in Italy anyway?
I love the author's style in presenting characters who in spite of themselves are flawed. Each one stays true to form throughout this fast paced suspenseful story that might just keep you up late while you finish it. Highly recommended.
March 11, 2014
If I could give a book 10 stars, this would be the one. I read a lot and have all my life. Gemini Moon is one of the single best books I've ever read. With the twists and turns, red herrings and hints that things may not be as they seem, I was completely engrossed from the first page to the last. Lella is the perfect heroine. She's smart and strong and someone you'd love to know. She is caught up in a web of lies that leave you guessing until the end who's doing what to whom. Is she as innocent as she seems? Are the other characters trying to frame her? Or not. On every page you get another glimpse as to what may or may not be happening to her. Is she losing her mind?
I could go on and on but I will say this: GET THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY AND READ IT! You will not be sorry. Enjoy...I certainly did.
I could go on and on but I will say this: GET THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY AND READ IT! You will not be sorry. Enjoy...I certainly did.
January 14, 2015
Murder under the Italian moon
Wish I could have liked it but while not horrible it wasn't great either. Lella meets a detective, knows basically nothing about him and falls into bed the second time she sees him. He seems incapable of telling her what's going on and the story jumps all over the place before we get the info that Kyle is in jail. It takes another chapter before we find out why. Frankly this read was more work than it was worth. It was no great leap to figure out that it was Ruby but by the time they worked around to her I was exhausted from all the crazy info used to fill out the book until the big finale which just fell flat. Sorry, characters just didn't feel realistic and I'm still confused what the connection was to the secret astronomer in italy......that never really made sense.
Wish I could have liked it but while not horrible it wasn't great either. Lella meets a detective, knows basically nothing about him and falls into bed the second time she sees him. He seems incapable of telling her what's going on and the story jumps all over the place before we get the info that Kyle is in jail. It takes another chapter before we find out why. Frankly this read was more work than it was worth. It was no great leap to figure out that it was Ruby but by the time they worked around to her I was exhausted from all the crazy info used to fill out the book until the big finale which just fell flat. Sorry, characters just didn't feel realistic and I'm still confused what the connection was to the secret astronomer in italy......that never really made sense.
July 22, 2014
This review is from: Murder under the Italian Moon (Lella York Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
Well, I just finished MURDER UNDER THE ITALIAN MOON by Maria Grazia Swan, and I highly recommend it. It is a psychological mystery of murder and betrayal and a little romance, where people are not who they seem to be, and soon I suspected everybody! Set in beautiful Florence and sunny Southern California this book with well-drawn characters and a swift-moving plot was hard to put down, easily one of the best mysteries I've read in a long time. Donatella York is one of those gentle souls with a kind heart who sees the good in everyone. She is every Italian girl. Looking forward to the next roller-coaster ride by this author.
Well, I just finished MURDER UNDER THE ITALIAN MOON by Maria Grazia Swan, and I highly recommend it. It is a psychological mystery of murder and betrayal and a little romance, where people are not who they seem to be, and soon I suspected everybody! Set in beautiful Florence and sunny Southern California this book with well-drawn characters and a swift-moving plot was hard to put down, easily one of the best mysteries I've read in a long time. Donatella York is one of those gentle souls with a kind heart who sees the good in everyone. She is every Italian girl. Looking forward to the next roller-coaster ride by this author.
February 13, 2015
How well do you know your best friend? Donatello (Lella) York wonders if decadent romance ends at 50 as she ends her Italian holiday. If you see yourself in every possible role in a story as you read and try to determine everyone's motives & intentions, you'll become enmeshed in the scenario Lella finds herself upon her return to LA. You may question your relationships with friends, family, & lovers. Just when you think you understand the plot, it turns. Lella is not your typical widow in her 50s, but she may just be the one to unravel this murder. I'd back her, as I will in her next dilemma. This is a terrific book, & I can't wait to see what either fate or Maria Grazia Swan delivers to Lella York next.
October 30, 2015
Not your regular cozy, where everything happens so fast. Here there is time for some memories, maternal worries, trust and distrust intertwining throughout the book.
Lella - main character - has a lot new and strange things to digest all of a sudden, and when she comes back from her Italian vacation - nothing is as she remembers it anymore, lots of creepy and ugly truths are coming out, and now not only she has to come to terms with her Husband`s affair (with Ruby - her best friend!), but also figure out where is Ruby hiding, before her own son will be sentenced for the crime he did not commit!
I liked it a lot.
Lella - main character - has a lot new and strange things to digest all of a sudden, and when she comes back from her Italian vacation - nothing is as she remembers it anymore, lots of creepy and ugly truths are coming out, and now not only she has to come to terms with her Husband`s affair (with Ruby - her best friend!), but also figure out where is Ruby hiding, before her own son will be sentenced for the crime he did not commit!
I liked it a lot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews