Murder in Venice

Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #13

by T.A. Williams

Don't miss a BRAND NEW instalment in the page-turning Armstrong & Oscar Cozy Mystery series by bestselling author T.A. Williams. Gorgeous Tuscany, a gripping murder mystery featuring a retired DCI and his loyal companion, Oscar.🐶 It really is murder in paradise! A movie icon, a murky past… and a murder mystery set in the magical city of Venice.

Private investigator Dan Armstrong can’t believe his luck when he’s invited to the luxury villa of none other than Alice Graceland, movie legend and queen of the silver screen. Could this be his big break - a chance to schmooze with stars and pitch his own murder mystery series? He’s already imagining red carpets and a golden Oscar to accompany his faithful canine companion, Oscar the Labrador…

But when he gets there, things start to look far from magical ...

Alice isn’t looking to bankroll Dan’s writing, but instead she wants him to play host at a murder mystery evening with a glamorous (but suspiciously tense) collection of Hollywood royalty. It should be a meeting of old friends - but just how friendly are they? There’s champagne, candlelight, and an increasing number of grudges floating beneath the surface.

As the murder mystery evening takes a sinister turn, Dan and Oscar find themselves navigating more than the city’s canals to find the truth.

Murder, mischief, and movie-star mayhem in the heart of Venice. Another gripping case for Dan and Oscar to solve

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Crime, Mystery, Italy, Fiction, Contemporary

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2025

About the author

Firstly, my name isn't T A. It's Trevor. I write under the androgynous name T A Williams because 65% of books are read by women. In my first book, one of the (female) characters suggests the imbalance is due to the fact that men spend too much time getting drunk and watching football. I couldn't possibly comment. Ask my wife...
I've written all sorts: thrillers, historical novels, short stories and now I'm enjoying myself hugely Cozy Mysteries. I lived and worked in Italy for a number of years, married an Italian, and fell in love with the country. I set almost all my books in Italy and I hope that my love from the country shines through my work.
I‘ve lived all over Europe, but now I live in a little village in sleepy Devon, tucked away in south west England. I love the place. That’s why you’ll find leafy lanes and thatched cottages in most of my books. Oh, yes, and a black Labrador.
I've been writing since I was 14 and that is well over half a century ago. I'm now approaching 1 million books sold worldwide and I find it wonderful that people as far away as India and New Zealand are reading and enjoying my work. Thank you to everybody who reads my stuff.

Reviews

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 Stars

One Liner: Fun!

Retired cop and current PI, Dan Armstrong, is delighted to be invited to the luxury villa of Alice Graceland, a movie legend. However, when Dan and his trusted black Lab, Oscar, reach the place, he finds out that Alice wants him to host a murder mystery weekend for the Hollywood royalty. But when the event takes a turn for the worse, Dan has to figure out who flipped the script and committed a murder.

The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:

I’ve read the series from the first book and enjoyed the mysteries, the characters’ growth, and the virtual tours across Italy. This time, we go to Venice and do a bit of sightseeing, though I admit my heart was set on that island fortress where the central plot takes place.

However, a surprising aspect was the occurrence of the murder. It doesn’t happen in the first half! Gasp! I think it was an attempt to try something different. While I wasn’t bored at any point, I couldn’t help but wonder when the crime would actually happen. After all, a mystery book needs a mystery!

Given the premise, we do meet some celebrities and see their antics off-screen. Yeah, not a pretty sight! The story touches upon various ills in the industry, but without going into details. This helps retain the cozy element and keeps things lighthearted.

Oscar is a darling as he always is. He is a hero in almost every book, and this one is no exception. Three cheers for Oscar!

Dan’s personal life is progressing well, much to his delight. His interactions with his parents show that one never grows too old not to be a son (or a child). His professional life has been interesting as always, so he is ready for more adventures.

Coming to the mystery, it still manages to be intriguing, despite the limited space. With a long suspect list and potential motives, finding the killer takes time and effort… and maybe an action scene. ;)

To summarize, Murder in Venice is a short and fun read with a lovely setting, water transport, great food, and a murder mystery game that turns too real!

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #MurderInVenice

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Venice! City of light, mystery and murder!

Dan Armstrong is living in Florence, happily engaged to his Italian fiancé Anna. In his previous life he’d been a DCI, now he’s an author and private investigator.
When his day is interrupted by a phone call asking him to call the famous movie diva Alice Graceland of course he complies. The aging and still beautiful Miss Graceland lives on an island fort, the Island of the Swans, near the Lido. She’s been restoring the fort, Swan’s Rest, and writing her memoirs.
Miss Graceland makes an appointment for Dan to catch the fast train to Venice the next day. It seems she wants Dan to attend a house party on the island. She engages him to be part of a murder mystery dinner she’ll hold. His role will be that of an investigator. Dan agrees but is unsure of what he’s in for.
It turns out all her guests are all powerful Hollywood personalities who have at some time wronged Alice.
When one of the guests is actually murdered it’s up to Dan and Oscar his much beloved Labrador to save the day.
A very enjoyable read. (I love reading tales involving Venice.) Some moments are predictable. Oscar, Dan’s canine companion attends of course. Oscar sometimes seems to act as an emotional support dog for those in need.

A Boldwood ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Jillian Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

As long as T.A. Williams keeps giving us new installments of his Armstrong & Oscar cozy mystery series, I will happy keep cozying up with my favorite private investigator and his canine companion (who might as well be collecting a paycheck at this point).

Armstrong’s latest adventure takes him to Venice! While I missed his interactions with Anna and Virgilio, I loved that this book took place almost entirely in Venice. The author always takes the time to set the scene in the various Italian locales in this series, and Venice was no exception. A private island in this iconic city was such an interesting setting, and the murder mystery dinner element took it to another level.

The classic mystery trope of a limited cast of murder suspects on an island together was a fun structure for this mystery, although I felt like a lot of the characters sort of blended together. Regardless, several twists and an action-packed chase scene made this a memorable entry in the Armstrong & Oscar series. And of course Oscar was pivotal in his role as assistant! I’m looking forward to Armstrong hopefully getting back to his home base for the next book, but this was definitely a fun quick cozy mystery that hit the spot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to be an early reader of this

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book I didn’t again didn’t realise it’s part of series but still enjoyed

Blurb

A movie icon, a murky past… and a murder mystery set in the magical city of Venice.

Private investigator Dan Armstrong can’t believe his luck when he’s invited to the luxury villa of none other than Alice Graceland, movie legend and queen of the silver screen. Could this be his big break - a chance to schmooze with stars and pitch his own murder mystery series? He’s already imagining red carpets and a golden Oscar to accompany his faithful canine companion, Oscar the Labrador…

But when he gets there, things start to look far from magical ...

Alice isn’t looking to bankroll Dan’s writing, but instead she wants him to play host at a murder mystery evening with a glamorous (but suspiciously tense) collection of Hollywood royalty. It should be a meeting of old friends - but just how friendly are they? There’s champagne, candlelight, and an increasing number of grudges floating beneath the surface.

As the murder mystery evening takes a sinister turn, Dan and Oscar find themselves navigating more than the city’s canals to find the truth

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read and I didn’t realise it was part of a series of books, in fact this is book 13, however they can obviously be read as a standalone.
A cosy murder mystery featuring Dan and his Black lab Oscar, I loved the setting and the descriptions of the location and events really did draw me in perfectly and the food oh my goodness it sounded amazing.
I will have to go back to the beginning of this series it looks like I’ve been missing out on these.

#Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeBookReview

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining addition to the wonderful Armstrong and Oscar series. The stage is set on an island nearby for a costumed murder mystery event with the theatrical elite. There are plenty of shameful secrets that host Alice has planned to expose in her new book. Tensions are high as the tale unravels. No one really seems to want to be there, except Oscar, PI Dan’s labrador who is very happy with the attention and food. On this evening revelations occur as the costumed play they all act in reaches it’s final twist. Full of intrigue. There’s an interesting final twist revealed.
Make that two or three!
Thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommend

[Mike Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Build up to the actual murder worked well. Characters and context were well established!

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always brilliant being back with our intrepid duo, Dan and Oscar in these mysteries from T.A.Williams.
This was a fabulous mystery for the duo to try and solve and the setting of a fancy dress party in the beautiful island sounded magical. Secrets and lies were about to become shared and this really ramped up the tension. With characters you love to hate and ones you’re just not sure you can trust, this is another gripping and entertaining story.
Venice sounded beautiful and I love how the beauty of Italy is incorporated into these stories - it really brings the whole thing to life.

[Monika Caparelli-Hippert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Der 13. Band der Reihe um den Privatdetektiv und Ex-Detective Dan Armstrong der Metropolitan Police, der sich in der Toskana niedergelassen hat, ist erschienen, und ich lese immer sehr gerne mit. Ich mag Dan und seinen Labrador Oscar sehr gerne, und bin ein Fan der Serie. Ich habe nicht alle Bücher gelesen, und nicht alle sind brillant – aber dieser hier ist wieder sehr gelungen!
Man kann sich eines merken: wo immer Dan und Oscar hingehen und selbst wenn es nur zu einem beschaulichem Wochenendausflug sein soll, es wird mindestens ein Mord passieren, komme, was da wolle. Hier nun also auf nach Venedig, die uralte Lagunenstadt, zauberhaft, charmant, und atmosphärisch wie alles, was T.A. Williams als Setting für seine Romane auch wählt, bestens eingefangen.
Dan begibt sich – mal wieder – in die Welt der Schönen und Reichen. Alice Graceland, Hollywooddiva in ihren 60ern, hat ihn engagiert. Auf ihrem venezianischem Anwesen hat sie zu einem „Murder Mystery Weekend“ geladen, und es soll ein ganz besonders Mystery Dinner werden: alle Gäste sind Personen, die ihr in ihrer langen Hollywoodkarriere irgendwann einmal ziemlich krumm gekommen sind, und diese alten, aber nie vergessenen Dinge hat Alice in ihr Mystery-Skript eingebaut….und dies gefällt nicht allen der geladenen Stars. Außerdem geht das Gerücht um, Alice habe ihre Memoiren geschrieben – was auch nicht jedermann gefällt. Es kommt, wie es kommen muss, während des Mystery Dinners geschieht ein wirklicher Mord – und Dan muss wirklich ermitteln, und nicht nur den Commissario spielen.
Ja, das war mal wieder cool! Ich fand die Idee mit dem Murder-Mystery echt witzig, vor allem, wenn dieses in Venedig spielt und unter dem Motto eines mittelalterlichen Karnevals steht. War einfach mal eine andere Grundidee, und bietet sich irgendwie an, wenn man als Handlungsort diese faszinierende Stadt wählt. Wie heißt es im Klappentext? Murder in paradise? Auf jeden Fall ist hier Mord in glamouröser Umgebung angesagt.
Natürlich arbeitet Dan wieder mit der lokalen Polizei zusammen, mittlerweile in Band 13 kennen er und Oscar eigentlich alle Polizeistationen in der Toskana und man ist connected :-)
Der Plot war gut, wir hatten viel Action, viele interessante Charaktere, und Dan und Oscar in Höchstform. Es gab wilde Verfolgungsjagden hoch zu Boot durch die venezianischen Kanäle, es gab Hollywoodfeeling und Dramatik, Abrechnungen alter Feindseligkeiten und neue Freundschaften, die geknüpft wurden – und all das auf wie immer knappen 300 Seiten. Hat mich allerbestens unterhalten. Band 14 kann kommen, ich bin bereit!
….quer einsteigen in die Serie ist ausdrücklich genehmigt, alles persönlich Relevante zu den Hauptcharakteren kriegt der geneigte Leser nebenbei mit, und man hat als Neuling somit nichts verpasst. Auf geht’s!

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

How have I missed this series until now? I'm delighted to add it to my favorites list. Not only is main character Dan Armstrong quite likable and believable, but his dog Oscar's personality shines through, too. Dan, a retired investigator from Scotland Yard, now lives in Italy but is making his first visit to Venice in this installment and does an excellent job in setting the scene. I've never been there, alas, but found his real world assessments made me feel like I was not only tagging along for the trip to movie legend Alice Graceland's luxury villa but enjoying the waterways that serve as roads in most of the area. I liked that the author took a short moment to explain that boat traffic speeds were strictly enforced and why. The speeds are kept to 5 km, about 3 mph, to control not just the heavy boat traffic but to limit wave wear and tear on the buildings that line the canals. You'll be able to visualize the homes alongside and the many bridges that cross the canals. Just don't follow Dan's example of, uh, taking a shortcut, let's say. Oscar followed right along, I might add.

The various characters were well-fleshed albeit not all were likable. There are plenty of secrets hidden amongst this odd grouping that Alice has brought together for a murder mystery party. Why a murder mystery party? Oh, she has her reasons but, nope, not telling. Although this was my first dive into this series, it worked well as a standalone. We even got to meet Dan's soon to be bride, Anna, and his visiting parents before he sets out on his trip to Venice. Heck, we even spend a few moments with a former collegue, Virgilio, who asks Dan to retrieve a Murano vase for him while in Venice. That's the easy part as he enters a web of past secrets that have raised the atmosphere there to an uncomfortable level. As Dan notes, the only one that seems to be happy to be there is Oscar and that's probably because people by, uh, accident keep dropping tidbits from the table that he gobbles up. Alice is a particular favorite. Dan's least favorite part is the costumes Alice asks her guests to don for the mystery game. Can't say that I blamed him.

I won't detail the plot further except to say that the atmosphere is already weird when one of the guests is found dead. Who did it? Why this particular victim? Could it have been an accidental overdose? How did the vibe of the mystery game complicate matters? How is this odd group of characters connected and why did Alice invite them in the first place? Will Oscar get his walks despite the complications? Grin. Thanks #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for this early peek at a delightful series that I'll not only be looking forward to in the future but playing catch-up reading on asap. Virtual treats, okay, sirloin for Oscar!

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan and Oscar of The Armstrong and Oscar series beloved of Cozy crime thriller readers are back in their latest adventure this time set in Venice, a City on Dan’s list of places still to visit in Murder in Venice.
After a relatively straight forward investigation finishes Dan receives a phone call from Selena Gardener, a famous Hollywood icon, a woman he had help two years previously when he had collaborated with the local police to catch a delusion man out to kill her.
She is asking him to go to Venice to assist her long-time friend, another well-known, world-famous actress Alice Graceland, stage a Murder Mystery party on her private island Isola dei Cigni known or the Swan’s Nest, just near the Lido.
Dan accepts the assignment, agreeing to take Oscar with him but not everything goes as planned. Alice Graceland has created the event to even the score against people in the industry who have tried to destroy or damage her career over the years.
She is writing her memoir, which it is a tell all which for most of the invited guests could spell the end of their career. She explains to Dan why she is hosting the party and while he considers it risky, feels that it should be safe enough, that is until it is not, and murder is committed; for real.
Any one of the guests could be the suspect, along with Mary Stevenson, Alice’s PA who seems to have no real purpose other than to help wherever and whenever needed.
As Dan, aided by Oscar, help the local Police led by Guilia Trevisan sift through the wreckage of a weekend event that has turned dark and terrifying, a further intrigue becomes apparent involving Mary Stevenson and Alice Graceland.
Once again TA Williams has created an intriguing crime with Murder in Venice where any one of the guests are capable of murder with a plot line designed to tantalise the detective in us all.
Recommended reading for a lazy Sunday afternoon at home on the couch.

[Kirsten Bett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read TA Williams before, I knew I was in for a fun ride when I got accepted by Netgalley and Boldwood to review Murder in Venice. And it was fun, but it was also clever and the setting of Venice made the story stand out. I read it a couple of months ago, but remember it still so srrongly because of the vivid description of the city!

This is the blurb: Private investigator Dan Armstrong can’t believe his luck when he’s invited to the luxury villa of none other than Alice Graceland, movie legend and queen of the silver screen. Could this be his big break - a chance to schmooze with stars and pitch his own murder mystery series? He’s already imagining red carpets and a golden Oscar to accompany his faithful canine companion, Oscar the Labrador…

But when he gets there, things start to look far from magical ...

Alice isn’t looking to bankroll Dan’s writing, but instead she wants him to play host at a murder mystery evening with a glamorous (but suspiciously tense) collection of Hollywood royalty. It should be a meeting of old friends - but just how friendly are they? There’s champagne, candlelight, and an increasing number of grudges floating beneath the surface.

As the murder mystery evening takes a sinister turn, Dan and Oscar find themselves navigating more than the city’s canals to find the truth.

I loved uncovering the truth with Dan (and Oscar!) I highly recommend this page turner and thank Boldwood and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Samantha Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to T.A. Williams and Love Books Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book!

So this book was my first introduction to the world of T.A. Williams and I have to say I really enjoyed this read! I did not realize it was part of a series, but they can definitely be read as standalones, and I would very much like to go back and read the others. This book is classified as a cozy mystery, and even though I am primarily a romance reader, I really enjoy this genre too. In this book, Dan Armstrong, an author and private investigator, is invited to a murder mystery dinner featuring a plethora of elite Hollywood personalities. However, someone actually gets unalived at the dinner, and it is up to Dan and Oscar (yes, there is an adorable Labrador partner) to figure it out.

This was a really fun, feel-good read for me. That might sound kind of weird considering it is a murder mystery, but if you know the cozy mystery genre, you get it. There was plenty of tension surrounding the investigation, and at times you really didn't know who could be trusted. The setting in Italy was beautiful, and the author's description really allowed you to transport yourself there in your mind. There were several twists and turns at the end, and it really made for an overall enjoyable read!

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Venice is the thirteenth novels in the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series featuring author and PI Dan Armstrong and his black Labrador Oscar. It’s definitely a series you can jump in and out of in any time. Dan receives a call from movie star Selena Gardner, who he has worked with previously who has recommended him to one of the most famous women in Hollywood Alice Graceland. Alice has a beautiful island home in Venice and wants to host a murder mystery party and use Dan’s expertise as an ex- Scotland Yard Detective Inspector and PI.

William’s books are like love letters to Italy. I loved the descriptions of Venice, Alice’s island home and garden and all the mouthwatering food. Dan has recently got engaged and I enjoyed meeting his parents and seeing them meet fiancé Anna for the first time. I had a good giggle as his mother embarrassed him with stories of him growing. Oscar always steals the scenes he’s in and was a big hit with ladies on this one. The mystery element is always enjoyable, I was quite pleased with myself when I guessed the murder weapon, I certainly didn’t pick the motive or the twists. A sophisticated cozy mystery series with fun characters and beautiful settings.

[Agatha Marplewood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Venice is the 13th book in the Armstrong & Oscar series, and I have read every one of them. I just never get tired of Dan, his gorgeous dog, and imagining sitting in Florence having a coffee on a lovely day - all while solving another tricky murder!

This time around, Dan has been asked to attend a murder mystery party in Venice, one being hosted by a world-renowned actress. There are 10 guests, but he realises very quickly that all is not what it seems and that most of the invitees don't even like the hostess, and she, in turn, doesn't, for the most part, like them either.

So why on earth are they there? Could it have something to do with her upcoming memoir, which she has aptly named 'Payback'?

And more importantly, when one of the guests dies, will Dan be able to figure out who did it and why, or will time run out before the who's who of Hollywood leaves Venice for good?

The plot is great, the characters are solid, and overall, Murder in Venice gets the thumbs up. It was a change of pace from his usual adventures in Florence, but it still sits nicely into the series.

I also need this to become a TV show!

With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit by T.A. Williams!

Murder In Venice brings back Dan Armstrong and his smart and loyal dog Oscar. Alice Graceland, Hollywood royalty and supreme actress, is hosting a murder mystery party. Her party will serve to host Hollywood's elite and also something else that Alice is keeping underwraps. With the help of Alice's assistant Mary Stevenson, her staff and DCI Armstrong the party is success. Until one of the female guests drops dead at the dinner table and another is later found dead in his room. As Dan and Oscar investigate, it becomes apparent that the guests are holding secrets, hate and a desire for revenge against Alice. And Alice herself has several secrets to disclose and one may be life changing for one of her staff members.

I'm a huge fan of the author and it makes me happy to read his books. The book flowed easily and it made me feel like I was right there in Venice. Oscar is always such a treat to read about and he's always ready to save Dan. I was not expecting the huge twist about Alice and her secret but I loved it. I hadn't gasped at a book in a while. Overall wonderful beautiful cozy read!

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Allison Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in Venice is the 13th in the An Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery Book series, and every book becomes my favorite in the series. Dan and Oscar travel to a secluded island in Venice at the request of a movie legend - Alice Graceland, queen of the silver screen, and one of Dan’s favorite actresses. Invited to participate in a murder mystery event, Dan thinks it’s his chance to schmooze with movers and shakers about his own mystery books. Instead, the actress wants him to play host for the murder event, and he discovers there are a lot of secrets and animosities between the guests for the weekend. Soon enough, Dan and Oscar have a real murder to solve.

As I read these books, they make me want to visit every location the author writes about. The settings are so vivid, it’s like watching a movie. The characters are like real people, not paper dolls on the page.

The author has quickly become one of my favorites. The stories are all riveting, and keep me guessing until the very end. I may think I’ve guessed the murderer, but there’s an intriguing twist to every book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read the advanced copy. I am happy to leave my honest opinion.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the thirteenth book in this mystery series, readers rejoin retired DCI turned private investigator Dan Armstrong and his dog Oscar in Venice for a stay at movie star Alice Graceland’s villa. Alice wants Dan to host a murder mystery evening with a glamorous and complicated group of celebrities who don’t seem to be as good of friends in real life as they do in the media. When grudges start to come to the surface and the evening takes a dark turn, Dan and Oscar must navigate the Hollywood spotlight and the secrets hiding in the stars’ private lives to solve this latest dangerous case. A great continuation of this mystery series, fans of Williams’s other books will love this dramatic and celebrity-studded novel set in Venice. Packed with classic mystery tropes and a few fascinating twists, readers will love solving the case with Dan and Oscar -- the latter of whom remains as cheerful and charming as ever as one of the book’s highlights. The rest of the characters make for great suspects, and the depth of detail in their backstories and personalities adds to the challenges ahead of the detective duo in Williams’s latest mystery novel starring this capable and competent team.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery with a splash of glamour and a dash of canine charm, Murder in Venice is a delightful escape. Set against the dreamy backdrop of Venice, this latest installment in the Armstrong & Oscar series feels like a holiday with a twist of murder.

Private investigator Dan Armstrong is invited to a luxurious villa owned by none other than Alice Graceland—a silver screen legend with secrets simmering beneath the surface. What starts as a glamorous murder mystery party quickly turns into the real thing, and Dan, along with his loyal Labrador Oscar, must untangle a web of grudges, glitz, and old Hollywood drama.

The vibe is light but suspenseful, with just enough intrigue to keep you flipping pages. Dan is charmingly understated, and Oscar steals every scene he’s in (seriously, who doesn’t love a mystery-solving dog?). The Venice setting adds a romantic, slightly eerie atmosphere that’s perfect for a whodunit.

It’s not gritty or gruesome—just good old-fashioned fun with a clever twist. Think Agatha Christie meets The Grand Budapest Hotel, with a Labrador sidekick.

With thanks to TA Williams, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Armstrong and Oscar Cosy Mystery #13

The stage is set for a cosy murder mystery event with the theatrical elite. Dan is a retired detective from Scotland Yard who now lives in Italy. He also writes crime novels. He receives a request from a world-famous actress, Alice Graceland, for them to meet in Venice. Alice is going to hosting a murder mystery evening for a small group of her Hollywood friends, and she wants Dan to play the role of the detective. But on the night of the murder mystery, the guests don't seem to like Alice's friends, you could cut the atmosphere with a knife, and they are all bickering with each other.

This is only the second book in the series that I've read. I like Dan and his labrador Oscar. Alice is writing her memoir, and it could spell the end for most of the guests at the party.

This story has been descriptively written. The pace is fast and the characters are well-developed.

Published 3rd November 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #TAWilliams for my ARC of #MurderInVenice in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It never ceases to amaze me how T. A. Williams keeps coming up with such inventive plots for this series.

This time it looks initially at least it could be a slightly less deadly book as Dan and Oscar have been invited to Venice to play detective at a murder mystery party.

The guest list is predominately made up of Hollywood elite all of whom have career threatening secrets that they are hiding.

And Alice appears to have some ulterior motives for hosting this soiree.

I loved the descriptions of the Venice waterways, and generally of Venice in the summer, which is the only time I've briefly visited and it felt familiar to me.

I love the Dan and Oscar pairing and I swear that dog is practically human, given how much more empathy he seems to have compared to humans! Plus he once again is practically the hero.

But for what and why and who I'll leave you to discover.

This is yet another truly delightful and enjoyable additions to this series, which I hope will continue to go from strength to strength in the future.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan, retired policeman, and his faithful dog Oscar are off to Venice at the invitation of an aging movie star, Alice. Dan now works as a private investigator and writes novels. It turns out Alice lives on an island off Venice and is hosting a murder mystery dinner party and would like Dan to be the ‘investigator’ in the mystery. The guests include people from her past in the movie industry, none of whom seem happy to be there or to see each other. Alice is writing a tell-all autobiography, not complimentary to any of her guests. A murder occurs, but was Alice the actual target? Now Dan and Oscar have a real murder to investigate.
This is the 13th book in the series, but the first I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was immediately drawn to the story and engrossed in the mystery. The setting in Venice is beautiful and fascinating to learn about. This is easily read as a stand-alone, but I now want to read the rest of the series!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Murder in Venice’ is the thirteenth outing for Dan Armstrong and his gorgeous black lab Oscar! It was a welcome return to the series, as I managed to miss the last couple of books somehow. You always know what you are going to get with this series - it has a warmth that doesn’t just come from the Italian sun, but from its bright, articulate characters and narratives that are always well conceived.

This time we find Dan and Oscar rubbing with Hollywood royalty on a private island in Venice. It created a perfect locked room situation as the murderer had to be on the island! There was a diverse cast and all with grudge against our host Alice Graceland, which leads to someone making a drastic mistake. It is always entertaining to read a locked mystery as you know that you have been introduced to the killer and they can’t just pop up halfway through the narrative.

It was an enjoyable read that I raced through in a couple of sittings. The story was engaging and its diverse set of suspects made for an entertaining read. Roll on the next book!

Let me know if you pick this one up.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read from this author but will definitely be reading more. It is the latest instalment in the Armstrong & Oscar series but can easily be read as a standalone.

Dan Armstrong is a retired police detective now living in Italy with his faithful canine sidekick, Oscar. Dan has set himself up as private detective but also writes books.

Dan’s actress friend recommends him to Alice Graceland, a very famous Hollywood star, and he’s hopeful that she’s going to give his books some good publicity. He travels to Venice to meet Alice but it’s not about his books, instead she invites him to play the part of the detective at her murder mystery dinner party. What should have been a fun evening for a group of Hollywood pals turns sour, with a lot of tension simmering beneath the surface.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

[Karren Hodgkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read this series from the beginning, I look forward to each book. And I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

The storyline was a little different so perhaps didn't land quite the same, with my questioning Dan's involvement .... but it was still very interesting. And I thoroughly enjoy the way the author weaves together the scenic beauty, the culture and food of Italy, the personal relationships and the mystery.

And there were certainly some lighter moments and those moments of reflection where I too 'rolled my eyes' just a little. It makes the narrative so relatable.

Overall this is a gentle read and Dan and Oscar, well they are Dan and Oscar - a delightful and most endearing investigative team.

I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I recommend each one, and have read each one numerous times. Well done again to TA Williams and Boldwood Books.

#MurderinVenice #NetGalley

[Chryssa.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good and great book from T.A. Williams.
In this mystery, the private detective Dan and his cute and loyal labrador, Oscar, gets an invite to play a detective in a murder mystery party. This party is at a famous Hollywood actress, Alica Graceland, whom has a house on a little island in Venice.
She also writtes hey biography and the people invited are the same ones she mentioned in her book, but not in a good way.
The story goes smoothly and at every turn makes you think you can guess the killer based on his motives. But it seemed that almost all.of them had motive, and in the end it is only a murderer and his real motive was money.
I like T. A. WILLIAMS's writing style, it is a very easy and cosy read each time and I also love so much his characters: Dan, his labrador, but also his fiancée,Anna.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read the book in advance. This is my honest and only opinion.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I was on almost all the Armstrong and Oscar blog tours, 12 out of 13, and the British detective (Dan) and the black Labrador (Oscar) became a sort of literary friends you meet at least twice the year, catch up with their life, and follow their investigative jobs.
Being Italian born and bred is always a pleasure to read realistic descriptions and spend time in a place which is not the fantasy version of Italy.
I’m not a huge fan of Venice except at nighttime when some locals is making me discover the less known side of this overcrowded town by day. (the night time part is a real story).
That side it was as entertaining as usual, solid story and well plotted. There’s fun, clever observations about the places and people, and I had fun and enjoyed it as usual.
Looking forward to read the next one, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Another Dan and Oscar adventure! Dan has been asked to come to a very elaborate island in Venice, which has been converted into a beautiful home and is owned by a very famous actress. With dreams of perhaps having his novels turned into movies, Dan happily accepts. The reason, however, is for Dan to take part in an elaborate murder mystery, playing himself as a police detective.

But it turns out to be yet another mystery involving individuals who are considered Hollywood royalty. Dan is asked to help solve two murders which involve individuals who are invited guests to the murder mystery and also figure prominently in the storyline. As Dan slips back into police mode, secrets, hidden agendas, and age-old grudges appear to escalate the motives for wanting to silence the superstar!

Fast-paced, enjoyable, and intriguing, with a shocking twist and plenty of action-packed drama. Not to be missed!

[Scilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the newest book in a great series with Private Detective Dan Armstrong and his wonderful Labrador Oscar. His actress friend from who had been in Florence for a play asks him to contact a famous actress, Alice Graceland, who wants him to come to a party. He makes a trip to Venice to meet with Alice and her PA, Mary. Alice lives on a private island with a beautiful fortress house. She wants to have a murder mystery weekend and wants his expertise. He figures he would enjoy being involved with a murder where no one is killed, and accepts the invitation.

However, when Dan goes back to Venice for the party, there is a real murder, and it was not the person the murderer wanted to murder. Dan calls in the local police to help, but Dan figures out the killer just as the killer is trying to escape from the island in a boat. The chase is very exciting, but I won't give away what happens.

I thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC allowing me to read the book before publication.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder mystery with Hollywood elite🎥

Another really enjoyable and easy, quick to read murder mystery from T.A. Williams. Dan, the retired UK police detective turned private investigator and his lovable Black Labrador Oscar once again end up sniffing out the villain, this time from amongst the Hollywood movers and shakers assembled for the weekend on a small private island in the Venice lagoon. It's unpredictable, or at least it was to me until very near the end, and it was a pleasure to read about Dan's first impressions of Venice. A not insignificant part of the reason I so enjoy this series is the changing Italian setting as the series evolves. Dan and sidekick Oscar really get around!

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.