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A Taste For Murder
WELCOME TO DA VINALE'S, THE BEACHSIDE RESTAURANT ON THE ISLAND OF CAPRI, WHERE MURDER IS ON THE MENU...
A summer on the Italian island of Capri. The perfect opportunity for recently widowed DCI Joe Mottram to reconnect with his teenage daughter. What better place to bond than in his late wife’s childhood home where her parents still run renowned beachside restaurant, Da Vinale's.
And then the body turns up.
When a British tourist is found dead at the bottom of an iconic landmark, Joe’s hopes of a restorative holiday are shattered. Then local detective Lara Sarrancino arrives at Da Vinale's asking questions, and Joe realises the family restaurant might be hiding secrets amidst its delicious dishes.
Joe will have to act fast - and find a way to work with stubborn Lara - in order to learn the truth.
Because the next murder might be even closer to home...
A summer on the Italian island of Capri. The perfect opportunity for recently widowed DCI Joe Mottram to reconnect with his teenage daughter. What better place to bond than in his late wife’s childhood home where her parents still run renowned beachside restaurant, Da Vinale's.
And then the body turns up.
When a British tourist is found dead at the bottom of an iconic landmark, Joe’s hopes of a restorative holiday are shattered. Then local detective Lara Sarrancino arrives at Da Vinale's asking questions, and Joe realises the family restaurant might be hiding secrets amidst its delicious dishes.
Joe will have to act fast - and find a way to work with stubborn Lara - in order to learn the truth.
Because the next murder might be even closer to home...
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2026
39 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 31, 2025
Life has been as bad as he hopes it ever gets for Detective Chief Inspector Joe Mottram following the death of his wife, Sofia, in an awful accident. Now, on orders from his boss, he is spending time on the beautiful island of Capri and hoping to reconnect with his in-laws and seventeen year old daughter, Angelica. The death of a British tourist results in him being pressed into working with the Naples police leaving Angelica with plenty of time on her hands, which wasn't quite what he had in mind! As the case progresses and an enthusiastic young local seems very eager to keep an entranced Angelica occupied more people join Joe's suspect list and when a disturbing link to his wife’s death emerges, it shocks him to the core! Can he help solve his original case, or will the distractions of family prove fatal?
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent start to a new series by a new author to me. It is descriptive, multi layered, and has a main protagonist who is both easy to like and want to give a good shake! There are a slew of red herrings/secondary crimes taking place, and my only grouse would be it was a little hard to keep everyone and everything straight all the way through. I am definitely up for the next book in what promises to be an excellent new series to enjoy as well as looking up holidays in Capri online!
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent start to a new series by a new author to me. It is descriptive, multi layered, and has a main protagonist who is both easy to like and want to give a good shake! There are a slew of red herrings/secondary crimes taking place, and my only grouse would be it was a little hard to keep everyone and everything straight all the way through. I am definitely up for the next book in what promises to be an excellent new series to enjoy as well as looking up holidays in Capri online!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a really well written mystery set on the Neapolitan coast of Italy.
DCI Joe Mottram is on an enforced sabbatical to try and deal with his grief over the death of his wife in a hit and run. He decides to take his teenage daughter to visit his wife’s parents on the beautiful island of Capri and it was supposed to be a chance for the two of them to reconnect. The last thing that he expected was to become involved in a murder investigation.
I really enjoyed this mystery which was quite slow paced but full of twists and turns as the police try to prove that the death of the woman found at the bottom of a cliff was not an accident. Joe is an interesting character and his grief over the death of his wife feels very real. The fractious relationship between him and his daughter Angelica added another layer to his character as he struggled to find a connection between them. I felt that the theme of grieving and coping with the death of loved one was treated really well in the book and gave the story a bit more depth than is sometimes the case.
The island of Capri is beautiful and we are treated to some gorgeous scenery but we also see the darker side of life on the Neapolitan coast with smuggling of goods, drug dealing and the ever-present threat of the Mafia. Matt Baker does a brilliant job of setting the scene and his descriptions really add to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading any future novels featuring DCI Mottram. My thanks as always to NetGalley and the Publishers, Penguin, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
As a point of interest, the Matt Baker cited on the Goodreads page for this book is not the autbor of A Taste for Murder. The aurhor is a British screen writer and this is his debut novel.
DCI Joe Mottram is on an enforced sabbatical to try and deal with his grief over the death of his wife in a hit and run. He decides to take his teenage daughter to visit his wife’s parents on the beautiful island of Capri and it was supposed to be a chance for the two of them to reconnect. The last thing that he expected was to become involved in a murder investigation.
I really enjoyed this mystery which was quite slow paced but full of twists and turns as the police try to prove that the death of the woman found at the bottom of a cliff was not an accident. Joe is an interesting character and his grief over the death of his wife feels very real. The fractious relationship between him and his daughter Angelica added another layer to his character as he struggled to find a connection between them. I felt that the theme of grieving and coping with the death of loved one was treated really well in the book and gave the story a bit more depth than is sometimes the case.
The island of Capri is beautiful and we are treated to some gorgeous scenery but we also see the darker side of life on the Neapolitan coast with smuggling of goods, drug dealing and the ever-present threat of the Mafia. Matt Baker does a brilliant job of setting the scene and his descriptions really add to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading any future novels featuring DCI Mottram. My thanks as always to NetGalley and the Publishers, Penguin, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
As a point of interest, the Matt Baker cited on the Goodreads page for this book is not the autbor of A Taste for Murder. The aurhor is a British screen writer and this is his debut novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Baker is a screenwriter and this is his first foray into writing a novel and what a start. It begins like a cosy crime story but quickly develops into something much darker. DCI Joe Mottram is suffering badly at his job in London. His Italian wife Sofia was killed a year before in a hit and run leaving him and his 17 year old daughter Angelica bereft.
Briefly, Joe’s boss has ordered him to take 6 weeks leave so he and Angelica decide to visit his in-laws in Capri. Almost as soon as they arrive the body of a British tourist has been found nearby, at the bottom of a cliff. Newly promoted Detective Lara Sarrancino is assigned the case and Joe is called in to help her. As their partnership and indeed relationship grows they discover the ugly side of both Capri and nearby Naples. In the midst of this is Angelica, struggling to rediscover her father amongst the ruins of their previous family life.
The author really does take you into the heart of Capri, the sights, the sounds and the food! If you appreciate food be prepared to salivate! The crime was quite slow paced but it worked well with this story as Joes personal life and the grief he and his daughter are still struggling with is an important part of the story, and handled very well. The ending is good and there are some threads left open which hopefully are leading to a second book. I hope so as I really enjoyed this one. Great read.
Briefly, Joe’s boss has ordered him to take 6 weeks leave so he and Angelica decide to visit his in-laws in Capri. Almost as soon as they arrive the body of a British tourist has been found nearby, at the bottom of a cliff. Newly promoted Detective Lara Sarrancino is assigned the case and Joe is called in to help her. As their partnership and indeed relationship grows they discover the ugly side of both Capri and nearby Naples. In the midst of this is Angelica, struggling to rediscover her father amongst the ruins of their previous family life.
The author really does take you into the heart of Capri, the sights, the sounds and the food! If you appreciate food be prepared to salivate! The crime was quite slow paced but it worked well with this story as Joes personal life and the grief he and his daughter are still struggling with is an important part of the story, and handled very well. The ending is good and there are some threads left open which hopefully are leading to a second book. I hope so as I really enjoyed this one. Great read.
January 24, 2026
DCI Joe Mottram takes a sabbatical with his daughter, Angelica, travelling to Capri to visit his late wife’s parents, who run a restaurant on the island. Hoping to reconnect with his family and find some respite from his demanding career, Joe’s plans are quickly derailed when the Italian police ask him to assist in the investigation into the death of a British businesswoman. He is partnered with local officer Lara, and what begins as a reluctant collaboration soon draws him back into what he had hoped to escape.
Set against the stunning backdrops of Naples and Capri, the novel excels in its vivid descriptions of place. The scenery is beautifully rendered, while the rich depictions of food are utterly mouth-watering. These sensory pleasures stand in stark contrast to the novel’s darker themes of smuggling, drug trafficking, and murder.
Carefully plotted and compellingly written, A Taste for Murder keeps the reader both shocked and salivating in equal measure. While the central mystery focuses on the businesswoman’s death, the novel also offers a poignant exploration of grief and its impact on families. This is particularly evident in the strained yet tender relationship between Joe and Angelica, adding emotional depth to an already gripping crime story.
With thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own.
Set against the stunning backdrops of Naples and Capri, the novel excels in its vivid descriptions of place. The scenery is beautifully rendered, while the rich depictions of food are utterly mouth-watering. These sensory pleasures stand in stark contrast to the novel’s darker themes of smuggling, drug trafficking, and murder.
Carefully plotted and compellingly written, A Taste for Murder keeps the reader both shocked and salivating in equal measure. While the central mystery focuses on the businesswoman’s death, the novel also offers a poignant exploration of grief and its impact on families. This is particularly evident in the strained yet tender relationship between Joe and Angelica, adding emotional depth to an already gripping crime story.
With thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own.
October 27, 2025
A Taste for Murder is a sun-drenched mystery that blends family drama, grief, and a touch of Mediterranean noir. Set on the idyllic island of Capri, the novel follows Detective Chief Inspector Joe Mottram, who arrives hoping to reconnect with his teenage daughter and Italian in-laws after the tragic death of his wife. But paradise proves deceptive when a British tourist turns up dead—and someone close to Joe is accused of the crime.
Matt Baker’s storytelling is rich with sensory detail: the scent of lemon groves, the heat of the cobbled streets, the quiet tension that simmers beneath family dinners and local politics. The murder mystery unfolds with a slow-burn elegance, drawing Joe deeper into a web of secrets that may hold the truth about his wife’s death.
What makes this novel stand out is its emotional texture. Joe isn’t just solving a case—he’s navigating grief, guilt, and the fragile bond with his daughter. The backdrop of Capri adds a layer of beauty and menace, making the story feel both intimate and cinematic.
Perfect for readers who enjoy their mysteries with depth, atmosphere, and a touch of European flair. Think Inspector Montalbano meets Broadchurch, with a twist of lemon and a lingering sense of loss.
With thanks to Matt Baker, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
Matt Baker’s storytelling is rich with sensory detail: the scent of lemon groves, the heat of the cobbled streets, the quiet tension that simmers beneath family dinners and local politics. The murder mystery unfolds with a slow-burn elegance, drawing Joe deeper into a web of secrets that may hold the truth about his wife’s death.
What makes this novel stand out is its emotional texture. Joe isn’t just solving a case—he’s navigating grief, guilt, and the fragile bond with his daughter. The backdrop of Capri adds a layer of beauty and menace, making the story feel both intimate and cinematic.
Perfect for readers who enjoy their mysteries with depth, atmosphere, and a touch of European flair. Think Inspector Montalbano meets Broadchurch, with a twist of lemon and a lingering sense of loss.
With thanks to Matt Baker, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
December 23, 2025
Not only is this a travel guide to Capri it is also a food appreciation book, a touch more detail and you could cook the recipes at home.
I loved the setting and descriptions of food, they both made my mouth water.
The characters however drove me a little nuts. My personal bug bear is lack of communication and these characters are an incredibly frustrating mix of hiding information to dropping the relevant clue with the ease of the local gossip.
I enjoyed the murder mystery, the little twists and turns were interesting and kept the story moving. There was a lot of detail about the loss of Sofia and a strong build towards this becoming the start of a series with this theme running throughout.
Give this is a try if you like holiday mysteries with a slightly dark thread, but be aware there is a strong thread of personal loss and a potential sa.
Book received free via NetGalley.
I loved the setting and descriptions of food, they both made my mouth water.
The characters however drove me a little nuts. My personal bug bear is lack of communication and these characters are an incredibly frustrating mix of hiding information to dropping the relevant clue with the ease of the local gossip.
I enjoyed the murder mystery, the little twists and turns were interesting and kept the story moving. There was a lot of detail about the loss of Sofia and a strong build towards this becoming the start of a series with this theme running throughout.
Give this is a try if you like holiday mysteries with a slightly dark thread, but be aware there is a strong thread of personal loss and a potential sa.
Book received free via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Joe and his daughter Angelica arrive in Capri, Joe is on sabbatical from the Met and they have come to spend time with Angelica’s grandparents
Neither have recovered from the death of his wife in a hit and run accident 11 months previously. Joe had tried to through himself into his work but in the end the sabbatical was forced on him.
However, the discovery of a body on the beach and the fact it was the daughter of an ex- Met officer, leads to Joe being brought in as a consultant to the local force. Set between Capri and Naples this is a well written, well paced thriller which is well worth reading, I do hope as hinted at the end there will be more books to follow.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc
Neither have recovered from the death of his wife in a hit and run accident 11 months previously. Joe had tried to through himself into his work but in the end the sabbatical was forced on him.
However, the discovery of a body on the beach and the fact it was the daughter of an ex- Met officer, leads to Joe being brought in as a consultant to the local force. Set between Capri and Naples this is a well written, well paced thriller which is well worth reading, I do hope as hinted at the end there will be more books to follow.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc
April 9, 2026
Enjoyable for the scenery and the food
It was very enjoyable but let itself down by some factually inaccurate claims! A next of kin has no legal entitlement to a person's estate if they die so the motive for killing Shannon was ridiculous! Same with so called evidence found in Danielle's jacket, that his daughter had! The chain of evidence was lost so it would not stand up in court! And as if a father would allow his 17 year old daughter to remain on Capri without him after almost being raped by a Camorra drug dealer and her grandparents' restaurant being firebombed by them. Not only that but discovering his wife was killed by them,too! Ludicrous! However, the descriptions of Capri were fabulous as was the food!
It was very enjoyable but let itself down by some factually inaccurate claims! A next of kin has no legal entitlement to a person's estate if they die so the motive for killing Shannon was ridiculous! Same with so called evidence found in Danielle's jacket, that his daughter had! The chain of evidence was lost so it would not stand up in court! And as if a father would allow his 17 year old daughter to remain on Capri without him after almost being raped by a Camorra drug dealer and her grandparents' restaurant being firebombed by them. Not only that but discovering his wife was killed by them,too! Ludicrous! However, the descriptions of Capri were fabulous as was the food!
February 15, 2026
Quite a brilliant murder mystery set on the island of Capri. On an enforced leave from The Met, recently widowed Joe Mottram and his daughter, Angelica are visiting his in-laws and the restaurant they run.
A body is found at the foot of the cliffs and Joe finds himself drawn into a dark and mysterious conspiracy that threatens everything he loves.
A body is found at the foot of the cliffs and Joe finds himself drawn into a dark and mysterious conspiracy that threatens everything he loves.
December 17, 2025
Solid murder mystery set on the island of Capri one summer, when a grieving detective and his daughter take an extended holiday to the home of their lost wife/mother. At the same time, a woman’s body is found in what looks like a suicide but turns out to be a murder. I liked the characters and the place which features heavily as a character itself, and I found myself looking forward to picking the book up each time which is always a pleasant feeling!
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
April 22, 2026
I loved this. I’m a fan of murder mysteries anyway, but this one was set in beautiful Capri, and that setting was excellently captured. I’ve also rarely read food so masterfully and deliciously described. The story itself was an adventurous puzzle, mixed with real family emotion.
January 23, 2026
A bit of a slow starter but once it got going I was gripped.
January 27, 2026
This is a really great read.
The author has a written a fantastic book that is hopefully, the first of many more to come.
I can hardly wait and yes, I highly recommended this book.
The author has a written a fantastic book that is hopefully, the first of many more to come.
I can hardly wait and yes, I highly recommended this book.
February 14, 2026
An excellent first novel that evokes a tremendous atmosphere and made me want to return to Italy for the food and the flavour but hopefully not the murder!
Looking forward to a sequel…
Looking forward to a sequel…
April 1, 2026
Review to follow
April 14, 2026
Good fun easy read and fabulous depictions of Sicily and the food!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews