Murder in Rome

by T.A. Williams

The BRAND NEW instalment in the bestselling, beloved Armstrong & Oscar Cozy Mystery series! What readers are saying about T.A.Williams

'A fun mystery and a good read with descriptions that made me want to go book a flight. Dan and Oscar are a great team and kept me guessing!' Bestselling author Anita Davison

'T A Williams whisked me away to the beautiful Italian riviera in the company of an ex-pat private investigator and his gorgeous doggy sidekick on the case of a missing teacher. What a team, and what an adventure!!' Bestselling author Kate Wells

'The perfect combination of character, setting and plot, heralding an addictive new cozy mystery series!' Bestselling author Debbie Young

'Watching unassuming detective Dan Armstrong wheedle the truth out of folks is great fun. Highly Entertaining read!' Bestselling author Kelly Oliver

'Dan and Oscar are great company in a sun-drenched mystery that keeps you guessing right till the end.' Bestselling author Michelle Salter

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 2, 2026

Reviews

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, Rome. The Eternal City. What a delight to be seeing it through the eyes of private detective Dan Armstrong, not to mention his trusty black lab, Oscar. Never mind a murder gets in the way of virtual sightseeing. You just know Dan and Oscar will have it under control soon. In the meantime enjoy the unexpected hidden tunnel in a castle even Dan finds a bit forbidding and, oh, the talk of a ghostly knight.

Seriously, I've come to thoroughly enjoy this series. Dan is a keen observer and quite likable. True, he leaves his wife of about a week behind to take the assignment in Rome but, well, she okays it. You'll get to spend some time with her, btw. Oscar is, of course, probably my favorite character. He's pure dog with an instinct for who'll be soft touch for treats as well as for protecting his human. As a dog person, I definitely approve of Dan's ability to give him his regular walks. Not only does Oscar get some needed exercise to work off whatever treats he's been able to con out of the humans surrounding him but we get to see the area through Dan's eyes and the descriptions are well done and make you feel like you're right there. Although I came to this series late, I've also noticed there seems to be a side case of Dan doing some sort of seemingly benign errand for friends wherever he winds up, which gives us a better feel of his relationships with them. The characters, including suspects, are relatively well-fleshed out and you will be able to differentiate them quickly. Will you be able to discern whodunit? Well, maybe, though I wasn't sure until the end.

Bottom line, a fun case of who killed client Tamsin Goodfaith's Uncle Phil or, to be more accurate, if it was even murder, and, whoa, why do bodies keep turning up. The plot moves along nicely without being slowed by the descriptive excursions, one of which turns out to be sorta spooky. Ghosts, anyone? Why does Oscar keep staring at that rusted suit of armor? What does he know that Dan doesn't? And, oh, much more fun to be had while trying to finger a killer. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Dan and Oscar and the early peek and virtual tour of an old castle and parts of, ah, Rome. It works well as a standalone and includes humor amidst the darker moments, so a fun read with intriguing characters.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifteenth in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series. It is the second I have read, and it works well as a stand-alone.

Englishman Dan Armstrong, a retired DCI, now resides and works as a private investigator in Florence, Italy. His faithful sidekick is Oscar, an instinctively smart canine companion. Despite his recent marriage, Dan is called to Rome by an attractive TV celebrity, Tamsin Goodfaith, to investigate her uncle’s possible murder, suicide, or accident. She believes he was murdered.

The family home is a magnificent medieval castle inhabited by the four wealthy children of Tamsin’s uncle, three of whom are involved in the family business. When one of them is murdered, Dan collaborates with the local police to unravel the mystery, hopefully, before another family member meets a similar fate.

This is a captivating and entertaining read with a mystery that keeps readers guessing. Oscar’s delightful presence enhances the enjoyment of the story, and, as always, he proves to be a valuable and reliable assistant. The history and scenery of Rome immerse the reader in the location, while the fast-paced resolution of the mystery enhances the overall enjoyment of the book.

I look forward to the next installment in this series.


Thanks to @NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks @TheBoldBookClub for the DRC.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Armstrong and Oscar are off again to investigate, this time in Rome. What was initially thought as one individual case turns into so much more. Did anyone commit suicide? Are there multiple murderers in the castle? Is someone hiding in the coat of armour that’s disturbing Oscar? This is an interesting and entertaining read. I really like this series, and I am always keen to read the latest edition. The main characters are well-known by now and the “episode” characters are well-rounded. There’s an overarching arc so the books are best read in order. They do however work as standalones, and there are no cliffhangers. All loose ends are tied up at the end. Highly recommend this very enjoyable book and series.

[Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descriptions of Italy and the delicious food are always highlights of these books by T A Williams, and the food served in a Roman palace is lovingly described here. The author includes enough misdirection to keep the plot (was a businessman murdered or not?) interesting and moving briskly, and the reveal was plausible. Dan's Labrador Oscar is a great character in his own right. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the eARC.

[Dawn Probert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do really enjoy this series of books. The scenery and food is second to none. The books are fast pasted, fun and well thought out. Just enough drama to not be far fetched and a great read.
This series is warm, funny and Oscar the dog is adorable.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, unique, and interesting cozy mystery with some impeccable vibes. thanks for the arc. 5 stars.