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Murder in Bologna: Read the BRAND NEW Italian cozy mystery for 2026 from bestselling author T.A. Williams, set in beautiful Bologna
Not yet published
Expected 6 Nov 26The next BRAND NEW instalment in the page-turning Armstrong & Oscar cozy mystery series from bestselling author T.A. Williams
Bologna, Italy's happiest city - or is it?
A grieving father asks Dan to uncover the truth behind the death of his gifted son, a student at Bologna's prestigious Art Institute. Accompanied by his loyal Labrador, Oscar, Dan heads north from Florence to investigate.
Still life or still death?
The student's former girlfriend is consumed by grief and the Art Institute is mourning one of its brightest talents. But beneath the surface, Dan senses that someone is hiding the truth.
(Artistic) license to kill?
Doing a favour for his friend, Commissario Virgilio Pisano of the Florence murder squad, Dan soon finds himself caught up in the shady world of drug dealing, organised crime and fraud on a grand scale.
A paintbrush with death
When the killer strikes again, Dan faces one of his toughest cases yet. With Officer Oscar's nose for trouble, he must catch the murderer before it's too late.
Praise for 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 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 mystery that keeps you guessing right till the end.' Bestselling author Michelle Salter
Bologna, Italy's happiest city - or is it?
A grieving father asks Dan to uncover the truth behind the death of his gifted son, a student at Bologna's prestigious Art Institute. Accompanied by his loyal Labrador, Oscar, Dan heads north from Florence to investigate.
Still life or still death?
The student's former girlfriend is consumed by grief and the Art Institute is mourning one of its brightest talents. But beneath the surface, Dan senses that someone is hiding the truth.
(Artistic) license to kill?
Doing a favour for his friend, Commissario Virgilio Pisano of the Florence murder squad, Dan soon finds himself caught up in the shady world of drug dealing, organised crime and fraud on a grand scale.
A paintbrush with death
When the killer strikes again, Dan faces one of his toughest cases yet. With Officer Oscar's nose for trouble, he must catch the murderer before it's too late.
Praise for 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 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 mystery that keeps you guessing right till the end.' Bestselling author Michelle Salter
Audio CD
Expected publication November 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the seventeenth in the cozy mystery series featuring Armstrong and Oscar. It can be read as a stand-alone.
Englishman Dan Armstrong, a retired DCI, now resides and works as a private investigator in Florence, Italy, and is married to Anna, a university professor. His faithful sidekick is Oscar, an instinctively smart canine companion.
A student at the Art Institute in Bologna is found dead. The police rule it a suicide, but his father enlists the help of Dan to determine if foul play could have been involved. Soon Dan and Oscar are caught up in the world of a mobster, drug dealing, and fraud.
This captivating and entertaining read boasts a well-crafted plot that keeps readers guessing and very likable main characters. Oscar’s delightful presence enhances the enjoyment of the story, and, as always, he proves to be a valuable and reliable assistant. The atmospheric descriptions of the scenery, weather, food, and wine immerse the reader in the locale.
I really enjoy this series, all of the books set in different locations. I have only read four of them, but it is one series that I would like to go back and read the prior installments while eagerly awaiting where the next one will take me.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @BoldwoodBooks for the DRC.
Englishman Dan Armstrong, a retired DCI, now resides and works as a private investigator in Florence, Italy, and is married to Anna, a university professor. His faithful sidekick is Oscar, an instinctively smart canine companion.
A student at the Art Institute in Bologna is found dead. The police rule it a suicide, but his father enlists the help of Dan to determine if foul play could have been involved. Soon Dan and Oscar are caught up in the world of a mobster, drug dealing, and fraud.
This captivating and entertaining read boasts a well-crafted plot that keeps readers guessing and very likable main characters. Oscar’s delightful presence enhances the enjoyment of the story, and, as always, he proves to be a valuable and reliable assistant. The atmospheric descriptions of the scenery, weather, food, and wine immerse the reader in the locale.
I really enjoy this series, all of the books set in different locations. I have only read four of them, but it is one series that I would like to go back and read the prior installments while eagerly awaiting where the next one will take me.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @BoldwoodBooks for the DRC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of the things I try to do after reading a book to be reviewed is give myself time to mull over my true reactions/impressions of the book. There's no doubt that I thoroughly enjoy this series but I asked myself "Why?" Simplest explanation is that I like the characters. Private detective Dan Armstrong may be whip smart and dogged when it comes to discovering the truth, but he also comes across as a likable guy, someone you'd enjoy spending time with just chatting about everything under the sun. It'd be even better if he brought along the brought along his lovable, always hungry but instinctively smart dog Oscar, of course. I'd be one of the ones sneaking treats to Oscar under the table, I admit. It was also great fun to revisit the villa where Dan and Oscar first met. I won't ruin that for you but, hey, dog lovers already know Labs love water, so there's a hint for you.
The idea that these stories have a lot of heart sticks out for me, too. Dan genuinely seems to care not just about his clients but frequently those he winds up meeting and questioning as the investigation moves along. The fact Oscar is usually along and senses the need of those being questioned to be soothed, of course, also adds an element of true care, often resulting in him getting far more information than he might have otherwise. In addition, Dan's wife Anne is not just supportive but her expertise as an art professor and wide ranging ties have also proven helpful, especially so since we're frequently surrounded by historic art and architecture. I thoroughly enjoy the virtual tours we get through this or that area/building, all with a bit of its history and/or significance provided via Dan's viewpoint as we travel about. Dan's also managed to become friends with Commissario Virgilio Pasano, head of the Florence murder squad, so he's got legal ties, too, to match his own experiences. Finally, adding to the likability quotient for Dan, he always seems to find time to devote to family, too, this time helping his daughter find her dream wedding venue.
Since part of the fun is figuring out the actual cases on your own, I won't say much about the plot other than it's a clever one that manages to tie two seemingly unrelated cases together. In this case, Dan is following up on a bereaved father's request that he determine if his recently dead son was a suicide as the initial police reports seem to indicate, or was murdered. This leads Dan to Bologna from Florence, his home base, not only to student housing but to visiting a million dollar apartment complex as he investigates something for Virgilio. In the process, we learn a bit about how modern art products like the inks and even framing differ from those way back in the days of the old Masters, leading to information on why art forgery is actually quite difficult to be successful doing. That's about all I'm going to say to allow you to watch Dan's steady, at times seemingly reluctant questioning as he slowly chips away at the initial verdict. Trust me, lots of action and, of course, lots of Oscar, too, much to my delight. Grin. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Dan and Oscar and their likable circle of friends and family and allowing me this early peek at how life is treating them. Oscar deserves every bit of steak he's given, I assure you.
The idea that these stories have a lot of heart sticks out for me, too. Dan genuinely seems to care not just about his clients but frequently those he winds up meeting and questioning as the investigation moves along. The fact Oscar is usually along and senses the need of those being questioned to be soothed, of course, also adds an element of true care, often resulting in him getting far more information than he might have otherwise. In addition, Dan's wife Anne is not just supportive but her expertise as an art professor and wide ranging ties have also proven helpful, especially so since we're frequently surrounded by historic art and architecture. I thoroughly enjoy the virtual tours we get through this or that area/building, all with a bit of its history and/or significance provided via Dan's viewpoint as we travel about. Dan's also managed to become friends with Commissario Virgilio Pasano, head of the Florence murder squad, so he's got legal ties, too, to match his own experiences. Finally, adding to the likability quotient for Dan, he always seems to find time to devote to family, too, this time helping his daughter find her dream wedding venue.
Since part of the fun is figuring out the actual cases on your own, I won't say much about the plot other than it's a clever one that manages to tie two seemingly unrelated cases together. In this case, Dan is following up on a bereaved father's request that he determine if his recently dead son was a suicide as the initial police reports seem to indicate, or was murdered. This leads Dan to Bologna from Florence, his home base, not only to student housing but to visiting a million dollar apartment complex as he investigates something for Virgilio. In the process, we learn a bit about how modern art products like the inks and even framing differ from those way back in the days of the old Masters, leading to information on why art forgery is actually quite difficult to be successful doing. That's about all I'm going to say to allow you to watch Dan's steady, at times seemingly reluctant questioning as he slowly chips away at the initial verdict. Trust me, lots of action and, of course, lots of Oscar, too, much to my delight. Grin. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Dan and Oscar and their likable circle of friends and family and allowing me this early peek at how life is treating them. Oscar deserves every bit of steak he's given, I assure you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another entertaining mystery for Dan and Oscar. This time he's been asked to look into an apparent suicide of an art student in Bologna. They are met with open arms at the police station and Oscar makes friends wherever they go. And the food sounds so wonderful! A good story with a good ending. Nice to go back to the villa from the first book. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews