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Angelina Bonaparte Mysteries #1
Truth Kills
Can you really reinvent yourself?
After a bad divorce, Angelina Bonaparte trades the life of a suburban housewife for a toned body, designer duds, a cherry-red Miata convertible, and a new career as a private investigator.
When Anthony Belloni is arrested for the murder of his mistress. his pregnant wife begs Angie to clear her man. Angie would rather let the cheating scum rot, but she can’t turn away from a distraught woman’s plea.
As she searches for clues that will unmask the murderer, Angie must also confront her own inner demons. Can she learn to trust in a world filled with injustice and lies?
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B0721R2KNF here.
After a bad divorce, Angelina Bonaparte trades the life of a suburban housewife for a toned body, designer duds, a cherry-red Miata convertible, and a new career as a private investigator.
When Anthony Belloni is arrested for the murder of his mistress. his pregnant wife begs Angie to clear her man. Angie would rather let the cheating scum rot, but she can’t turn away from a distraught woman’s plea.
As she searches for clues that will unmask the murderer, Angie must also confront her own inner demons. Can she learn to trust in a world filled with injustice and lies?
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B0721R2KNF here.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2013
1791 people are currently reading
1330 people want to read
About the author
Nanci Rathbun
6 books105 followersI am a lifelong reader of mysteries – historical, contemporary, futuristic, paranormal, hard-boiled, cozy … you can find them all on my bookshelves and in my e-readers. I bring logic and planning to my writing from my first career as an IT project manager, and attention to characters and dialog from my second career as a Congregationalist minister. (My books are not Christian fiction, but they contain no explicit violence or sexual scenes, nor bad language beyond an occasional mild curse word.)
I grew up an Army brat, and have lived in Germany, France and Korea, as well as several states in the U.S. After my dad retired from the service, our family settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I raised my daughter and son there, while working at AT&T. I never expected to move after taking early retirement, but when my second grandchild was on the way, I wanted to be closer. One of my greatest joys is hearing my three granddaughters shout ‘Nana’ and run to me when I come in their front door in Fort Collins, Colorado.
My Maltipoo, Teeny, and I now live in Wellington, Colorado USA. No matter where I make my home, I will always be a Green Bay Packers fan.
I grew up an Army brat, and have lived in Germany, France and Korea, as well as several states in the U.S. After my dad retired from the service, our family settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I raised my daughter and son there, while working at AT&T. I never expected to move after taking early retirement, but when my second grandchild was on the way, I wanted to be closer. One of my greatest joys is hearing my three granddaughters shout ‘Nana’ and run to me when I come in their front door in Fort Collins, Colorado.
My Maltipoo, Teeny, and I now live in Wellington, Colorado USA. No matter where I make my home, I will always be a Green Bay Packers fan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
March 18, 2021
Having been granted an ARC of the fourth novel in this series, I had to take a step back and get acquainted with the characters, the author, and the nuances of the first three books. Nanci Rathbun creates an interesting debut to her series, with fiery Angelina Bonaparte in the driver’s seat. A self-proclaimed middle age woman with a penchant for snooping, Bonaparte is pulled into the middle of a murder investigation and must help clear the man’s name. Full of laugh out loud moments, this is a decent and quick read for those needing something a little lighter on their reading journey.
Angelina Bonaparte (that’s ‘tay’ as the last syllable) has lived quite the life, growing up under the watchful eye of the mafia, in which her father is a passive member. She was a good Italian girl and married before having her children. However, when her husband repeatedly stepped out on her, she kicked him to the curb and took up being a private eye. Now, she’s helping however she can, with a specialty in catching cheating husbands.
While surveilling Anthony Belloni for his wife, Bonaparte finds herself neck deep in a controversy. Belloni has been accused of killing his mistress, Elisa Moreno, which opens many cans of worms. Bonaparte’s client, the wife, begs her to take the case and work with Anthony’s attorney to clear the man’s name. Not her usual job, but Bonaparte is happy to use her skills however she can.
While she begins poking around, someone leaves her some nasty notes at the office, hinting that she ought to beg off the case or face significant trouble. This does not deter the fiery PI, who knows how to play the tough girl better than most.
Elisa Morano’s life has been anything but calm, which opens many potential avenues and suspects who surely wanted her dead. It’s up to Bonaparte not only to follow the trails that are being presented to her, but ensure someone is a more viable suspect than Anthony Belloni. However, it will mean working with a man she swore never to trust.
As I mentioned before, this is the first of the series that I am reading, permitting me to be up to speed on the series before I tackle the ARC. Nanci Rathbun’s genre is one I read often, though the writing is a little less gritty than I am used to, making this a slight challenge for me. However, the story flowed well and held my attention throughout, which is important, as I have three more novels to read.
Angelina Bonaparte is a decent protagonist who has seen a great deal over her many years. Not your typical PI, this white haired and slick woman is always up for a challenge and does not back away from a confrontation. While her backstory does enrich the novel, it is her grit and determination on the streets that is sure to engage the reader. I look forward to more development from the subsequent novels, as Rathbun has left a great deal for the reader to enjoy throughout this piece.
The collection of secondary characters is strong and varied, something that helps the book stay float throughout. While the mob angle is nothing new, Rathbun focuses her attention on a number of areas that mesh nicely and create a strong story. Having characters to prop things up makes for a great read and kept me eager to continue with the story until the very end. I am eager to see how many will be recurring and which characters offered their one-off in this piece.
Getting t the heart of the matter, the story as a whole, I am of mixed sentiments. I enjoyed the flow of the piece and the pace of the action, though something about it left me wanting more action and a deeper connection to the story. It could be that I had to space things out over a number of days because of work, but I did not leave with as strong a connection to the story or Bonaparte as I might have liked. The writing was decent, even if there were some predictable moments, and the mixed chapter lengths strung me along so that I was not tapping my toe to be able to put it down. Still, there was something that left me needing more, a means of getting deeper. I will stick with the series, as it was a pleasant book to have on audio, but I can only hope that debut novel jitters will pass and the reader can get to the heart of the matter.
Kudos, Madam Rathbun, for a good start to an intriguing series. Let’s see where Angelina Bonaparte takes us next.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Angelina Bonaparte (that’s ‘tay’ as the last syllable) has lived quite the life, growing up under the watchful eye of the mafia, in which her father is a passive member. She was a good Italian girl and married before having her children. However, when her husband repeatedly stepped out on her, she kicked him to the curb and took up being a private eye. Now, she’s helping however she can, with a specialty in catching cheating husbands.
While surveilling Anthony Belloni for his wife, Bonaparte finds herself neck deep in a controversy. Belloni has been accused of killing his mistress, Elisa Moreno, which opens many cans of worms. Bonaparte’s client, the wife, begs her to take the case and work with Anthony’s attorney to clear the man’s name. Not her usual job, but Bonaparte is happy to use her skills however she can.
While she begins poking around, someone leaves her some nasty notes at the office, hinting that she ought to beg off the case or face significant trouble. This does not deter the fiery PI, who knows how to play the tough girl better than most.
Elisa Morano’s life has been anything but calm, which opens many potential avenues and suspects who surely wanted her dead. It’s up to Bonaparte not only to follow the trails that are being presented to her, but ensure someone is a more viable suspect than Anthony Belloni. However, it will mean working with a man she swore never to trust.
As I mentioned before, this is the first of the series that I am reading, permitting me to be up to speed on the series before I tackle the ARC. Nanci Rathbun’s genre is one I read often, though the writing is a little less gritty than I am used to, making this a slight challenge for me. However, the story flowed well and held my attention throughout, which is important, as I have three more novels to read.
Angelina Bonaparte is a decent protagonist who has seen a great deal over her many years. Not your typical PI, this white haired and slick woman is always up for a challenge and does not back away from a confrontation. While her backstory does enrich the novel, it is her grit and determination on the streets that is sure to engage the reader. I look forward to more development from the subsequent novels, as Rathbun has left a great deal for the reader to enjoy throughout this piece.
The collection of secondary characters is strong and varied, something that helps the book stay float throughout. While the mob angle is nothing new, Rathbun focuses her attention on a number of areas that mesh nicely and create a strong story. Having characters to prop things up makes for a great read and kept me eager to continue with the story until the very end. I am eager to see how many will be recurring and which characters offered their one-off in this piece.
Getting t the heart of the matter, the story as a whole, I am of mixed sentiments. I enjoyed the flow of the piece and the pace of the action, though something about it left me wanting more action and a deeper connection to the story. It could be that I had to space things out over a number of days because of work, but I did not leave with as strong a connection to the story or Bonaparte as I might have liked. The writing was decent, even if there were some predictable moments, and the mixed chapter lengths strung me along so that I was not tapping my toe to be able to put it down. Still, there was something that left me needing more, a means of getting deeper. I will stick with the series, as it was a pleasant book to have on audio, but I can only hope that debut novel jitters will pass and the reader can get to the heart of the matter.
Kudos, Madam Rathbun, for a good start to an intriguing series. Let’s see where Angelina Bonaparte takes us next.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
June 20, 2020
3.5 nudging to 4 stars
As this is book 1 in the Angie Bonaparte series, the beginning was a lot of set up. I thought 3 stars for the first 50%. The second half of the book ramped up the mystery and investigation. Angie is a divorced, 50-something PI with a kind of mob family background (dad - not too intense - more connected than in). Angie has kids and grandkids - who are on the periphery (I liked that). I liked that Angie decided to become her own person and pursued her own interests after the divorce. She has tried to date and nothing. There is an attraction to a cop (mutual) and it becomes a little more than that during an investigation into a murder of a young woman (a client of Angie's husband is suspect as he was having an affair.) I have put the next 2 books in my wishlist. I want to see how Angie and Wukowski (cop) progress in their relationship and if Angie gets to make a great life for herself in her fifties.
As this is book 1 in the Angie Bonaparte series, the beginning was a lot of set up. I thought 3 stars for the first 50%. The second half of the book ramped up the mystery and investigation. Angie is a divorced, 50-something PI with a kind of mob family background (dad - not too intense - more connected than in). Angie has kids and grandkids - who are on the periphery (I liked that). I liked that Angie decided to become her own person and pursued her own interests after the divorce. She has tried to date and nothing. There is an attraction to a cop (mutual) and it becomes a little more than that during an investigation into a murder of a young woman (a client of Angie's husband is suspect as he was having an affair.) I have put the next 2 books in my wishlist. I want to see how Angie and Wukowski (cop) progress in their relationship and if Angie gets to make a great life for herself in her fifties.
January 16, 2016
Angie has plenty of experience with lying, cheating and cover-ups – and not just because of her former husband. Working as a P.I. means tracking down deadbeats and exposing unfaithful spouses. Now she’s been asked by a betrayed wife to prove her cheating husband innocent of the murder of his lover. Angie’s heart tells her to let the skunk rot in prison, but her head convinces her that adultery is not grounds for incarceration.
The investigation introduces Angie to police detective Ted Wukowski. He is a cop that has come to believe woman have no place near a murder investigation so of course sparks of all kinds fly between the two. Maybe together they can not only catch the killer but work out a few of their own personal issues as well.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I love Angie Bo-nah-par-tay!! She is my kind of sleuth! A feisty, 50 something woman, who can transform herself from a professional career woman to a bag lady in minutes if it helps her solve the case. She isn’t afraid to go dumpster diving or to throw her Sicilian family connections around either. She is flawed and real with some trust issues due to a “BOZO” of an ex-husband, but she is strong, opinionated, and a woman to be reckoned with.
I cannot believe this is the author’s first stab at writing mysteries. She has nailed the cozy mystery genre perfectly. Her plot lines are tight, her characters are genuine and have depth while still leaving them room to grow. Her setting is one close to my heart and she shows the fantastic side of the city but also the grittier underside. She also adds the exact right amounts of humor and romance.
Told from Angie’s point of view the story unfolds effortlessly and was extremely hard to put down. While fast paced in places it evolves slowly as Angie contemplates the clues, her next move, and just how much she should share with Detective Wukowski.
This was a fun read. The next installment, Cash Kills, can’t be released soon enough for me.
The investigation introduces Angie to police detective Ted Wukowski. He is a cop that has come to believe woman have no place near a murder investigation so of course sparks of all kinds fly between the two. Maybe together they can not only catch the killer but work out a few of their own personal issues as well.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I love Angie Bo-nah-par-tay!! She is my kind of sleuth! A feisty, 50 something woman, who can transform herself from a professional career woman to a bag lady in minutes if it helps her solve the case. She isn’t afraid to go dumpster diving or to throw her Sicilian family connections around either. She is flawed and real with some trust issues due to a “BOZO” of an ex-husband, but she is strong, opinionated, and a woman to be reckoned with.
I cannot believe this is the author’s first stab at writing mysteries. She has nailed the cozy mystery genre perfectly. Her plot lines are tight, her characters are genuine and have depth while still leaving them room to grow. Her setting is one close to my heart and she shows the fantastic side of the city but also the grittier underside. She also adds the exact right amounts of humor and romance.
Told from Angie’s point of view the story unfolds effortlessly and was extremely hard to put down. While fast paced in places it evolves slowly as Angie contemplates the clues, her next move, and just how much she should share with Detective Wukowski.
This was a fun read. The next installment, Cash Kills, can’t be released soon enough for me.
August 11, 2014
Truth Kills, by Nanci Rathbun
An Angelina Bonaparte Mystery
Genre: Mystery, Private Investigator
I want to be Angie. She is confident, daring, smart, resourceful, empathetic, and 50-ish. So it’s okay for her to stumble a little and show us how real she is. Which she does. A romantic interest subplot flows along at a realistic pace, and casual sardonic side remarks will bring out many well-timed chuckles. Secondary characters are not stock but intriguing and entertaining. The attention to investigative details will bring you closer to Angie as you sit alongside her and try to piece together motive, means and opportunity.
It is easy to see how the ‘family’ background provides the impetus for Angie’s actions. A good tense moment near the end provides satisfying justification to the prior build in action. With everything tidied up at the end, I’m hoping book two will have an equally engaging subplot as I sneak along with Angie during her next assignment. This is a solid investigative mystery with a well-defined and pretty darn cool protagonist, clear obstacles, and an enjoyable read the whole way through.
An Angelina Bonaparte Mystery
Genre: Mystery, Private Investigator
I want to be Angie. She is confident, daring, smart, resourceful, empathetic, and 50-ish. So it’s okay for her to stumble a little and show us how real she is. Which she does. A romantic interest subplot flows along at a realistic pace, and casual sardonic side remarks will bring out many well-timed chuckles. Secondary characters are not stock but intriguing and entertaining. The attention to investigative details will bring you closer to Angie as you sit alongside her and try to piece together motive, means and opportunity.
It is easy to see how the ‘family’ background provides the impetus for Angie’s actions. A good tense moment near the end provides satisfying justification to the prior build in action. With everything tidied up at the end, I’m hoping book two will have an equally engaging subplot as I sneak along with Angie during her next assignment. This is a solid investigative mystery with a well-defined and pretty darn cool protagonist, clear obstacles, and an enjoyable read the whole way through.
October 19, 2018
Reviewed on Behalf of http://bookaddict.live,
Truth Kills in the first book in a new Series
About a 50 something divorced mother and grandmother who is a Private Investigator. We are introduced to Angie when she gets involved in a case where she is trying to find evidence in a murder case. It felt great to follow the mindset of a more mature kickass heroine. We also have a peep into the goings on in the 3rd generation Sicilian community.
We follow Angie’s day to day investigation, and dealing with her over protective Papa. This is a great intro to Angie’s live and attitude to her life, work with romance thrown in. We see how her ability to read people and situation which you only learn from life.
A great start to a new series, as Angie gets more than she bargained for when to discover the truth Angie has to work with a hard nosed cop Ted Wukowski. This gripping book makes this addictive listening as the conclusion to this case brings new opportunities for Angie.
Truth Kills in the first book in a new Series
About a 50 something divorced mother and grandmother who is a Private Investigator. We are introduced to Angie when she gets involved in a case where she is trying to find evidence in a murder case. It felt great to follow the mindset of a more mature kickass heroine. We also have a peep into the goings on in the 3rd generation Sicilian community.
We follow Angie’s day to day investigation, and dealing with her over protective Papa. This is a great intro to Angie’s live and attitude to her life, work with romance thrown in. We see how her ability to read people and situation which you only learn from life.
A great start to a new series, as Angie gets more than she bargained for when to discover the truth Angie has to work with a hard nosed cop Ted Wukowski. This gripping book makes this addictive listening as the conclusion to this case brings new opportunities for Angie.
February 18, 2016
Hey there Guys and Dolls,
Yours truly has found a gal that is smart, savvy and stylish. Angelina Bonaparte is a librarian-turned- private-sleuth who will do anything to ferret out cheating husbands and lowlifes to bring them to justice. She has had personal experience with a cheating husband and knows the signs when she sees them. Milwaukee is where Angie hangs her shingle and there‘s plenty to investigate when Anthony Belloni—aka Toni Baloney is accused of murdering his mistress and his pregnant wife wants it proven that he didn’t do the deed.
On this particular investigation Angela meets and is protected by police officer Ted Wukowski who for her is easy on the eyes and an honest man to boot. The sparks are flying for the pair and secrets are being uncovered about the dead woman. Will Angie get to the truth on time before it kills her or anyone else? A toast of the bubbly to author Nanci Rathbun for her savvy sleuth Angelina Bonaparte! This well-heeled gal is one of the best and she is all business when it comes to solving a case. Can’t wait to read more.
Yours truly has found a gal that is smart, savvy and stylish. Angelina Bonaparte is a librarian-turned- private-sleuth who will do anything to ferret out cheating husbands and lowlifes to bring them to justice. She has had personal experience with a cheating husband and knows the signs when she sees them. Milwaukee is where Angie hangs her shingle and there‘s plenty to investigate when Anthony Belloni—aka Toni Baloney is accused of murdering his mistress and his pregnant wife wants it proven that he didn’t do the deed.
On this particular investigation Angela meets and is protected by police officer Ted Wukowski who for her is easy on the eyes and an honest man to boot. The sparks are flying for the pair and secrets are being uncovered about the dead woman. Will Angie get to the truth on time before it kills her or anyone else? A toast of the bubbly to author Nanci Rathbun for her savvy sleuth Angelina Bonaparte! This well-heeled gal is one of the best and she is all business when it comes to solving a case. Can’t wait to read more.
November 6, 2021
I tried this one on the whim and I’m pretty glad I did. This is a clear cut mystery with a clear cut mystery, almost procedural style. The protagonist is a woman of a certain age who is not some weak willed little ninny. She was smart, tough, sensuous but Yahoooo, she uses her brains at all times. I absolutely enjoyed it. So glad I found this series. The mystery was very well crafted and I always had a clear sense of each character that was interviewed, I mean introduced. (Hee, hee…)
I look forward to reading more in the series.
I look forward to reading more in the series.
June 3, 2020
Predictable. Hence, unnecessary 300+ pages.
Also, idgaf about Angie worrying about her need to look good, her dating life, her finding new love. They’re noise, distracting, boring and should NOT be in a mystery genre.
Frustrations aside, the mystery is okay.
Also, idgaf about Angie worrying about her need to look good, her dating life, her finding new love. They’re noise, distracting, boring and should NOT be in a mystery genre.
Frustrations aside, the mystery is okay.
July 30, 2019
If Spenser (For Hire) were a 50-something, divorced, female, former-librarian, this could be her story. The tale is personable and warm with a steady plot and engaging characters, and thoughtfully literate. There were few off notes for me, and the ones that felt off were probably more about my biases than Rathbun's writing.
The audiobook narrator seems very well cast. The audio quality is solid, but I might recommend listening at 1.25 speed.
If you're looking for a fun summer read/listen, you could do a lot worse than this novel.
I was given this free review-copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
The audiobook narrator seems very well cast. The audio quality is solid, but I might recommend listening at 1.25 speed.
If you're looking for a fun summer read/listen, you could do a lot worse than this novel.
I was given this free review-copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 1, 2025
New to me Author
Went in blind, just happened to pick this book for a readathon prompt and I am glad I did. This spent too long in my kindle unread. Even though I predicted the whodunit, I really enjoyed this one.
Went in blind, just happened to pick this book for a readathon prompt and I am glad I did. This spent too long in my kindle unread. Even though I predicted the whodunit, I really enjoyed this one.
April 7, 2021
An amazing story that had me gripped all the way to the end. Angelina is now a PI, and gets a job investigating a murder. She’s certainly great at her job. I’m ready for more in this series
December 18, 2018
A Very Good Read
I enjoyed reading this very suspenseful mystery. It is well thought out and the writer certainly knows her stuff. I'll be reading some more of her stuff as soon as possible. I have some other stuff lined up first though.
I enjoyed reading this very suspenseful mystery. It is well thought out and the writer certainly knows her stuff. I'll be reading some more of her stuff as soon as possible. I have some other stuff lined up first though.
April 20, 2019
Great
This was a really good read. I like Angie, Wukowski, her new friend Bobbie and other supporting cast. This book doesn't have a lot of gore, or thrills, but it had a lot of motion and kept me engaged. I will be reading the next one!
This was a really good read. I like Angie, Wukowski, her new friend Bobbie and other supporting cast. This book doesn't have a lot of gore, or thrills, but it had a lot of motion and kept me engaged. I will be reading the next one!
October 30, 2018
I love that our hero in this tale is an independent, older woman. Angie Bonaparte is an independent investigator that often works closely with the local Milwaukee police. However, she’s also got some character flaws that made it difficult for me to like her. She’s really hung up on looks and comparing herself to other women. Angie assumes all women do this and she does so through out the entire book. I would have liked more self-confidence in her character. She trades some petty gossip about her boyfriend and that puts her in Mean Girl territory. I felt it was small of her… but then I liked how things ended there and felt she deserved it. So, yeah, I had a love/hate relationship with Angie. Despite that, I have solid hopes that she will grow as a person and do better in Book 2.
The plot itself is solid and I quite enjoyed this aspect of the story. Anthony Belloni, a mob boss, is the obvious suspect when his dish on the side (Elisa Murano) gets murdered. Angie was hired by Gracie Belloni (Tony’s wife) to look into whether or not Tony was having an affair. After digging around in Tony’s affairs, she believes Anthony was honestly re-prioritizing his life with the imminent birth of his 4th or 5th kid by his wife. Of course the local police assigned to the case are way more skeptical.
I especially liked Ted Wukowski, one of the police detectives assigned to the case. He’s grumpy and not personable but Angie sees there’s something more going on there. It was a joy to see the back and forth between these two.
The story does beat on one particular drum quite often: a woman’s independence. Angie comes from a very traditional Italian family that expects women to be stay at home wives and mothers. Angie, after her divorce, has broken away from that. She went even further by choosing a traditionally male occupation. I like all of this but, even so, sometimes that drum beating was a little too often. Angie has a bit of a chip on her shoulder while also being a bit silly worrying over her personal sex appeal. I would have liked the story a little more if this aspect had been toned down a bit.
The pacing is good with clues, some action, character building, and this budding relationship between Angie and Wukowski. Over all, I look forward to Book 2 and seeing if Angie can gain some self confidence. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Kieren Calland Metts was OK for this book. Her narration needs some polishing all around. She has a decent voice for Angie and her pronunciations are very clear. She is hesitant with any accent so sometimes it came out a bit fumbled or over-accentuated. Her male voices need some masculinity. The pacing is a little slow and the volume sometimes fluctuates a bit. 3/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Nanci Rathbun. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
The plot itself is solid and I quite enjoyed this aspect of the story. Anthony Belloni, a mob boss, is the obvious suspect when his dish on the side (Elisa Murano) gets murdered. Angie was hired by Gracie Belloni (Tony’s wife) to look into whether or not Tony was having an affair. After digging around in Tony’s affairs, she believes Anthony was honestly re-prioritizing his life with the imminent birth of his 4th or 5th kid by his wife. Of course the local police assigned to the case are way more skeptical.
I especially liked Ted Wukowski, one of the police detectives assigned to the case. He’s grumpy and not personable but Angie sees there’s something more going on there. It was a joy to see the back and forth between these two.
The story does beat on one particular drum quite often: a woman’s independence. Angie comes from a very traditional Italian family that expects women to be stay at home wives and mothers. Angie, after her divorce, has broken away from that. She went even further by choosing a traditionally male occupation. I like all of this but, even so, sometimes that drum beating was a little too often. Angie has a bit of a chip on her shoulder while also being a bit silly worrying over her personal sex appeal. I would have liked the story a little more if this aspect had been toned down a bit.
The pacing is good with clues, some action, character building, and this budding relationship between Angie and Wukowski. Over all, I look forward to Book 2 and seeing if Angie can gain some self confidence. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Kieren Calland Metts was OK for this book. Her narration needs some polishing all around. She has a decent voice for Angie and her pronunciations are very clear. She is hesitant with any accent so sometimes it came out a bit fumbled or over-accentuated. Her male voices need some masculinity. The pacing is a little slow and the volume sometimes fluctuates a bit. 3/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Nanci Rathbun. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
October 22, 2018
Angelina Bonaparte is a tough 50 something private investigator. She is clever, resourceful, and she has connections.
She makes friends easily, but of course, due to her profession, she makes a few enemies along the way, too.
Her first case is a tricky one, because it looks as if the suspect is guilty of the crime he is charged with, plus, at first, it is a conflict of interests, because she was looking into said suspect on behalf of his betrayed wife.
Angie, a betrayed wife (now divorced) herself, is reluctant to accept the case, but in the end, she does, and sets out to find the true killer.
I like Angie. She does a tough job, but at the same time, she doesn’t try to be manlier than a man, but uses her charms and looks, her femininity, and not least her wits and connections to get what she wants.
She is quite obsessed with her clothing and her looks,and describes herself as a ‘hottie’.
I have to say, that nearly put me off, and the detailed descriptions of what she wears for which occasion quite lost me, but I guess it may appeal to some readers.
However, her sense of family, and her being a grandmother and being proud of it got her some bonus points in my book. On the surface, she seems to identify herself through her clothes and her looks, and the sex or lack thereof, but there is more to her than that. She is quite the family gal, though she loves her independency.
Her view of society and how it works is sharp and accurate, and she can be funny.
I love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, I was very nearly tempted to look them up.
The case as such, and how she goes about it, are quite convincing, even though there is some luck involved, but I didn’t grudge it.
Kieren Culland Metts does a very good job at narrating the story. She doesn’t sound too young nor too old for the part, but exactly right. Her pronunciation of foreign words is fine, and her character voices are distinct.
This was a good listen, and I’m looking forward to the sequels.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Nanci Rathbun. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
She makes friends easily, but of course, due to her profession, she makes a few enemies along the way, too.
Her first case is a tricky one, because it looks as if the suspect is guilty of the crime he is charged with, plus, at first, it is a conflict of interests, because she was looking into said suspect on behalf of his betrayed wife.
Angie, a betrayed wife (now divorced) herself, is reluctant to accept the case, but in the end, she does, and sets out to find the true killer.
I like Angie. She does a tough job, but at the same time, she doesn’t try to be manlier than a man, but uses her charms and looks, her femininity, and not least her wits and connections to get what she wants.
She is quite obsessed with her clothing and her looks,and describes herself as a ‘hottie’.
I have to say, that nearly put me off, and the detailed descriptions of what she wears for which occasion quite lost me, but I guess it may appeal to some readers.
However, her sense of family, and her being a grandmother and being proud of it got her some bonus points in my book. On the surface, she seems to identify herself through her clothes and her looks, and the sex or lack thereof, but there is more to her than that. She is quite the family gal, though she loves her independency.
Her view of society and how it works is sharp and accurate, and she can be funny.
I love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, I was very nearly tempted to look them up.
The case as such, and how she goes about it, are quite convincing, even though there is some luck involved, but I didn’t grudge it.
Kieren Culland Metts does a very good job at narrating the story. She doesn’t sound too young nor too old for the part, but exactly right. Her pronunciation of foreign words is fine, and her character voices are distinct.
This was a good listen, and I’m looking forward to the sequels.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Nanci Rathbun. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
June 13, 2016
Angie Bonaparte is a gutsy gal--sort of my idea of a real liberated woman. As a former librarian turned PI, she is not your everyday sort of girl. She has to deal with day to day concerns as she attempts to establish her business. In this story, she attempts to exonerate a local mafia don who had been accused of murder. Of course, along the way, she spars with a hunky detective and you can guess where that leads. I really like Angie and empathize with her problems. A super story told with intelligence and wit.
April 16, 2019
This is just an okay book.
On the plus side, Angelina Bonaparte is not your usual PI. She’s fifty-ish, white haired, toned, a mother and grandmother with a penchant for designer clothes and hooking up with younger men,
On the minus side: Angelina describes everything everyone wears in great depth. She also spends too much time in angsty introspection. She ‘solves’ the crime by have the guilty party point a gun at her then blab every detail of the crime.
I’ll read more of these books if they come my way, but I won’t hunt them down.
On the plus side, Angelina Bonaparte is not your usual PI. She’s fifty-ish, white haired, toned, a mother and grandmother with a penchant for designer clothes and hooking up with younger men,
On the minus side: Angelina describes everything everyone wears in great depth. She also spends too much time in angsty introspection. She ‘solves’ the crime by have the guilty party point a gun at her then blab every detail of the crime.
I’ll read more of these books if they come my way, but I won’t hunt them down.
January 30, 2019
I shoulda known; not a single four-letter word in the entire book. This author should be in the cozy section of your bookstore.
The main character is an attractive 53 yr old detective. How she earned her skills is unknown. The story bounces around like a Hallmark Movie...300 pages that could have been told in 100.
not interesting.
The main character is an attractive 53 yr old detective. How she earned her skills is unknown. The story bounces around like a Hallmark Movie...300 pages that could have been told in 100.
not interesting.
August 26, 2013
2.5 stars
Somewhat predictable but this was a fast and enjoyable read with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
Somewhat predictable but this was a fast and enjoyable read with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
August 27, 2013
A fun read! It was pleasant to find a heroine of a certain age who is hip, contemporary and very sassy.
February 23, 2014
I loved this book. It is the first in a series and I can't wait for the next one.
May 30, 2019
Ok story but the killer was obvious to anyone who had half a brain from the start
Charcaters OK a bit too much meanderings
Charcaters OK a bit too much meanderings
October 17, 2018
Audio book review. TRUTH KILLS by Nanci Rathbun is a blast! Rathbun’s detailed descriptions of the characters, combined with narrator Kieran Calland Metts’s accents and attitude, bring real pop to this story.
“While on the job, I can look like… the neighborhood old lady gossip. Off the job, I’m a fifty-something hottie. Gravity has taken a small toll, but who notices in candlelight?”
Main character Angelina is super confident yet still has the same concerns of many middle-aged women, including “post-thirty chin hairs,” and vacillates between caring and not caring about what other people think. She’s raised her children and loves her grandchildren, but her life is her own and not about them anymore. And best of all, even at age fifty-something, she’s just getting started and reinventing herself!
I typically avoid reading romances, but TRUTH KILLS is a little different and that romance element, which is not the primary force in the book, worked for me. Truly, it wasn’t much more than a few thoughts and one about-to-get-steamy scene, but it was a natural progression and realistic for how two people of those ages and life experiences would come together. They’ve been there, done that, and know what they want. Plus, I like that it depicts a 50+ protagonist as on fire and shows that there are men in that range looking fabulous, too. Refreshing.
Author Nanci Rathbun writes some fabulously rich characters who will bring forth a wide range of reactions from the readers. She infuses enough humor throughout the story to keep it from feeling too heavy on the procedural side, and she is clever in using literary quotes (ranging from Flaubert to Jenny Joseph’s “I shall wear purple”) to set the tone for each chapter. Rathbun conveniently uses Angelina’s propensity for list making to give readers a nice bring-to-date on all the suspects in the murder case. Though readers might not be surprised by the whodunit part, they likely will be for the why.
“My drug of choice was not only effective, but legal.”
BONUS POINTS AWARDED: As if having a 50ish-year-old main character isn’t enough for me to feel at home (admittedly, I can’t relate to some aspects of her life *cough*), Angelina is also a coffee drinking former librarian! Granted, she doesn’t speak highly of the profession (though she’s clearly proud of the master’s degree), but I won’t hold it against her…unless she bashes it in the next book!
TRUTH KILLS is an entertaining and engaging story with plenty of action but just as much interest coming from the main character’s reactions to her life circumstances. I highly recommend it to fellow readers-of-a-certain-age who will appreciate and chuckle at the perks and pitfalls of mid-life. I have already started listening to the second book in this series, CASH KILLS, and it feels good to be back with Angelina again.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: Initially, I thought the book seemed like it was being read to listeners and not performed. However, it soon became apparent that narrator Kieran Calland Metts was establishing the voice of Angelina, who is matter-of-fact and not overly expressive in her voice. This voicing grew on me and ended up being perfect – and I am so glad to see that Metts is back to narrate the next two books in the series. As readers meet more characters, Metts gives each of them enough of an accent that each remains distinct from others without any being over the top. I mostly listened at 1.25 speed, but this was due more to my impatience than anything else.
Thank you to Audiobookworm Promotions and the author for providing me an audio download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog
“While on the job, I can look like… the neighborhood old lady gossip. Off the job, I’m a fifty-something hottie. Gravity has taken a small toll, but who notices in candlelight?”
Main character Angelina is super confident yet still has the same concerns of many middle-aged women, including “post-thirty chin hairs,” and vacillates between caring and not caring about what other people think. She’s raised her children and loves her grandchildren, but her life is her own and not about them anymore. And best of all, even at age fifty-something, she’s just getting started and reinventing herself!
I typically avoid reading romances, but TRUTH KILLS is a little different and that romance element, which is not the primary force in the book, worked for me. Truly, it wasn’t much more than a few thoughts and one about-to-get-steamy scene, but it was a natural progression and realistic for how two people of those ages and life experiences would come together. They’ve been there, done that, and know what they want. Plus, I like that it depicts a 50+ protagonist as on fire and shows that there are men in that range looking fabulous, too. Refreshing.
Author Nanci Rathbun writes some fabulously rich characters who will bring forth a wide range of reactions from the readers. She infuses enough humor throughout the story to keep it from feeling too heavy on the procedural side, and she is clever in using literary quotes (ranging from Flaubert to Jenny Joseph’s “I shall wear purple”) to set the tone for each chapter. Rathbun conveniently uses Angelina’s propensity for list making to give readers a nice bring-to-date on all the suspects in the murder case. Though readers might not be surprised by the whodunit part, they likely will be for the why.
“My drug of choice was not only effective, but legal.”
BONUS POINTS AWARDED: As if having a 50ish-year-old main character isn’t enough for me to feel at home (admittedly, I can’t relate to some aspects of her life *cough*), Angelina is also a coffee drinking former librarian! Granted, she doesn’t speak highly of the profession (though she’s clearly proud of the master’s degree), but I won’t hold it against her…unless she bashes it in the next book!
TRUTH KILLS is an entertaining and engaging story with plenty of action but just as much interest coming from the main character’s reactions to her life circumstances. I highly recommend it to fellow readers-of-a-certain-age who will appreciate and chuckle at the perks and pitfalls of mid-life. I have already started listening to the second book in this series, CASH KILLS, and it feels good to be back with Angelina again.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: Initially, I thought the book seemed like it was being read to listeners and not performed. However, it soon became apparent that narrator Kieran Calland Metts was establishing the voice of Angelina, who is matter-of-fact and not overly expressive in her voice. This voicing grew on me and ended up being perfect – and I am so glad to see that Metts is back to narrate the next two books in the series. As readers meet more characters, Metts gives each of them enough of an accent that each remains distinct from others without any being over the top. I mostly listened at 1.25 speed, but this was due more to my impatience than anything else.
Thank you to Audiobookworm Promotions and the author for providing me an audio download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog
September 14, 2022
I'm not even Catholic, I'm non-denominational Protestant but I found the constant attacks on Catholicism and the sanctimonious way the author lectured us through our female "hero" with her obviously left leaning point of view an absolute distraction. Such a shame because as a senior Italian woman I was initially very excited to read this book. It started out so promising but devolves into a not so virtuous woman lecturing us (via plot) about "Christians bad". Here is a divorced protagonist unable to list all the men she's slept with, yet she finds others doing so much worse than her.
Here is one charming snippet:
"That woman is so anti-everything that she puts the Pope to shame. I mean, radical. Anti-abortion, of course. But also anti-gay, anti-same sex marriage anti-birth control, anti-morning after pill. She's even anti-organ donation because they sometimes pull the plus to 'harvest' the organs. You name it, it is doesn't involve chastity until marriage, a man and a woman and all kids they can have, and making every attempt to extend life no matter the quality, it's just wrong in her eyes."
As an Army wife I have moved 21 times in the 32 years my husband served. I was very involved in the Pro-life movement and still am. This also means I have met with numerous Catholic groups for decades as we often combine our efforts. In my entire life, I have never heard anyone and I mean never ever ever heard anyone speak like this next nasty bit not less, as the content in context implied, this is what these Christian bad people do, get together to spew their hate. Just doesn't happen.
"I didn't want to go in there and stand. They'd been ranting all night about filthy disgusting homos and saying how we aren't fit to live with normal people. How our sins are the worst. How we all need to be reprogrammed. Stuff like that."
No REAL practicing Christians, Catholic, Protestant or otherwise SPEAK like this. This is written by someone - obviously the author's point of view speaking through her characters, who has never been to a church, Bible study or who has never been around Christians. Lapsed non-church goers or atheists perhaps. But this is not what real Christians do and say. It is laughably fake.
So our feisty Italian P.I. not ONLY was "holier than thou" as the author's mouthpiece for her hateful disregard for Catholics, but she has this woman sleep with a man on their what, third date? Then she runs and tells an acquaintance how horrible he was in the sack. What a sweetie. She ruthlessly mocks him behind his back to someone. What a paragon of purity and virtue because she's nice to gays and Christian bad. Eye roll...
Ms. Virtuous even FLIRTS WITH A PRIEST. I mean, it can't get too much more sickening...
Lastly, I won't make this a spoiler alert, but let's just say I could tell very early on who the "bad guy" was. So painfully obvious.
I finished the entire book, I can never get that time back ever, and what's worse, I PAID for my copy, because I kept HOPING the author would dig herself out of this super woke Christian bashing. Nope. Until the very last page she kept up the pace.
Don't do it. Don't waste your money. I am astounded by the good reviews.
I rarely ever leave poor reviews. I rarely become offended. This book actually was offensive to me.
Here is one charming snippet:
"That woman is so anti-everything that she puts the Pope to shame. I mean, radical. Anti-abortion, of course. But also anti-gay, anti-same sex marriage anti-birth control, anti-morning after pill. She's even anti-organ donation because they sometimes pull the plus to 'harvest' the organs. You name it, it is doesn't involve chastity until marriage, a man and a woman and all kids they can have, and making every attempt to extend life no matter the quality, it's just wrong in her eyes."
As an Army wife I have moved 21 times in the 32 years my husband served. I was very involved in the Pro-life movement and still am. This also means I have met with numerous Catholic groups for decades as we often combine our efforts. In my entire life, I have never heard anyone and I mean never ever ever heard anyone speak like this next nasty bit not less, as the content in context implied, this is what these Christian bad people do, get together to spew their hate. Just doesn't happen.
"I didn't want to go in there and stand. They'd been ranting all night about filthy disgusting homos and saying how we aren't fit to live with normal people. How our sins are the worst. How we all need to be reprogrammed. Stuff like that."
No REAL practicing Christians, Catholic, Protestant or otherwise SPEAK like this. This is written by someone - obviously the author's point of view speaking through her characters, who has never been to a church, Bible study or who has never been around Christians. Lapsed non-church goers or atheists perhaps. But this is not what real Christians do and say. It is laughably fake.
So our feisty Italian P.I. not ONLY was "holier than thou" as the author's mouthpiece for her hateful disregard for Catholics, but she has this woman sleep with a man on their what, third date? Then she runs and tells an acquaintance how horrible he was in the sack. What a sweetie. She ruthlessly mocks him behind his back to someone. What a paragon of purity and virtue because she's nice to gays and Christian bad. Eye roll...
Ms. Virtuous even FLIRTS WITH A PRIEST. I mean, it can't get too much more sickening...
Lastly, I won't make this a spoiler alert, but let's just say I could tell very early on who the "bad guy" was. So painfully obvious.
I finished the entire book, I can never get that time back ever, and what's worse, I PAID for my copy, because I kept HOPING the author would dig herself out of this super woke Christian bashing. Nope. Until the very last page she kept up the pace.
Don't do it. Don't waste your money. I am astounded by the good reviews.
I rarely ever leave poor reviews. I rarely become offended. This book actually was offensive to me.
October 28, 2018
A Private Investigator has its pros and cons. You work long hours and sometimes can get so wrapped up in work that it becomes difficult to have a relationship because most of your cases are about infidelity and mistrust. You end up doing things that you have never thought you’d ever end up doing, i.e. digging in someone else’s garbage, bird watching, pulling an all-nighter surveillance stakeout, and impersonating vendors to get the information that you seek for another person. This information can make or break someone’s life…and most of the time, it’s the latter. Would you still want a job like that if it meant that you could possibly dangle your life in someone else’s hands? You would knowingly be putting yourself in danger against who knows…the mafia/mob, gang related group, jealous spouses, and the list goes on and on.
Luckily for Angelina Bonaparte, she has had a lucky and easy career thus far. Her marriage, not so easy. With her first husband being unfaithful, she dropped him and has never looked back. But, like everything else, her career is bound to throw some curve balls her way. Angie gets a call that a mob boss is sleeping around with another woman by the name of Elisa Morano. Jumping right into the investigation of what seems like a usual case, she finds that things escalate pretty quickly and Elisa is found dead in her apartment. The next phone call she gets is from Tony’s attorney, asking Angie to close her previous case on him and work to get his name cleared from the list of murder suspects. Proving his innocence may be very difficult, but more than difficult…it will most definitely be quite dangerous, especially if the killer is doing everything possible to keep themselves hidden.
Rathbun has an entertaining mystery with this first installment. Character development is fantastic and the story-line flows well. This crime mystery takes readers on a dangerous path to prove the innocence of a mob boss against murder allegations. Readers will find interest in the satire engulfed in the book as well as the mystery leading up to finding who the killer is. While it becomes obvious who the killer is toward the middle of the book, the other elements begin to unravel such as a budding romance which is both hopeful and fun to read. This narrator seems to have a little trouble with some voice differentiation, but others were captivating. Since this review is complimenting the audiobook, it appears that the story is well-written being that the voice relay is clear and flows effortlessly. If you are a reader of crime mysteries, this may be something to pick up the next time you are looking for a book to read. This is the first installment in Angelina Bonaparte Mysteries; therefore, the reader can jump right in.
An audiobook was provided to Turning Another Page by Audiobookworm Promotions and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a four star rating to Truth Kills by Nanci Rathbun.
Luckily for Angelina Bonaparte, she has had a lucky and easy career thus far. Her marriage, not so easy. With her first husband being unfaithful, she dropped him and has never looked back. But, like everything else, her career is bound to throw some curve balls her way. Angie gets a call that a mob boss is sleeping around with another woman by the name of Elisa Morano. Jumping right into the investigation of what seems like a usual case, she finds that things escalate pretty quickly and Elisa is found dead in her apartment. The next phone call she gets is from Tony’s attorney, asking Angie to close her previous case on him and work to get his name cleared from the list of murder suspects. Proving his innocence may be very difficult, but more than difficult…it will most definitely be quite dangerous, especially if the killer is doing everything possible to keep themselves hidden.
Rathbun has an entertaining mystery with this first installment. Character development is fantastic and the story-line flows well. This crime mystery takes readers on a dangerous path to prove the innocence of a mob boss against murder allegations. Readers will find interest in the satire engulfed in the book as well as the mystery leading up to finding who the killer is. While it becomes obvious who the killer is toward the middle of the book, the other elements begin to unravel such as a budding romance which is both hopeful and fun to read. This narrator seems to have a little trouble with some voice differentiation, but others were captivating. Since this review is complimenting the audiobook, it appears that the story is well-written being that the voice relay is clear and flows effortlessly. If you are a reader of crime mysteries, this may be something to pick up the next time you are looking for a book to read. This is the first installment in Angelina Bonaparte Mysteries; therefore, the reader can jump right in.
An audiobook was provided to Turning Another Page by Audiobookworm Promotions and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a four star rating to Truth Kills by Nanci Rathbun.
June 3, 2021
Elisa Morano was suspected of playing house with Anthony Belloni (client, husband, aka Tony Baloney).
Gracie Belloni (wife) was 8 months pregnant.
Milwaukee, WI. Prospect Ave: AB Investigations; Neh Accountants. Susan Neh (Japanese-American, accountant) introduced Adriana Johnson (Yugoslavian, client) to PI Angelina “Angie” Sofia Bonaparte (Sicilian, 50+, investigator, UW-Madison; MS; library science).
Bart Matthews (mafia attorney) wanted to hire PI Angelina “Angie” Sofia Bonaparte for Anthony Belloni.
Elisa Morano (Dunwoodie’s employee) was murdered & Gracie wants to help Anthony.
Detective W. T. “Ted” Wukowski (Polish, Wenceslas Tadeusz, Milwaukee PD VCD) & Detective Joe Ignowski (Milwaukee PD VCD partner) arrived at the crime scene.
Italian Community Center MDA benefit. Kevin Schroeder (38, Angie’s lover, physical therapist) & Angie were in attendance.
Pasquale Bonaparte was introduced (papa).
Next Kevin & Fausto Pirelli met Terry (gay), David (husband, Angie’s son/brother), Elaine (wife),
Emma (Angie’s daughter/sister), & John (Emma’s husband), Patrick (David/Elaine’s twin sons/brothers), Donald (David/Elaine’s twin son/brother), Angela (Emma/John’s daughter), Aunt Terry (60+, Angie’s guardian, former Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), & her date Fausto (widower).
Angie went to interview Janet Morano (Polish, 50+, Elisa’s mother).
The investigation/interviews continue.
Church of the Gesu. Mrs. Janet Morano (mother) opted out of the traditional parish vigil with its rosary for the deceased.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written cozy murder mystery book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an amazingly easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Dark Chocolate Press LLC.; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Gracie Belloni (wife) was 8 months pregnant.
Milwaukee, WI. Prospect Ave: AB Investigations; Neh Accountants. Susan Neh (Japanese-American, accountant) introduced Adriana Johnson (Yugoslavian, client) to PI Angelina “Angie” Sofia Bonaparte (Sicilian, 50+, investigator, UW-Madison; MS; library science).
Bart Matthews (mafia attorney) wanted to hire PI Angelina “Angie” Sofia Bonaparte for Anthony Belloni.
Elisa Morano (Dunwoodie’s employee) was murdered & Gracie wants to help Anthony.
Detective W. T. “Ted” Wukowski (Polish, Wenceslas Tadeusz, Milwaukee PD VCD) & Detective Joe Ignowski (Milwaukee PD VCD partner) arrived at the crime scene.
Italian Community Center MDA benefit. Kevin Schroeder (38, Angie’s lover, physical therapist) & Angie were in attendance.
Pasquale Bonaparte was introduced (papa).
Next Kevin & Fausto Pirelli met Terry (gay), David (husband, Angie’s son/brother), Elaine (wife),
Emma (Angie’s daughter/sister), & John (Emma’s husband), Patrick (David/Elaine’s twin sons/brothers), Donald (David/Elaine’s twin son/brother), Angela (Emma/John’s daughter), Aunt Terry (60+, Angie’s guardian, former Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), & her date Fausto (widower).
Angie went to interview Janet Morano (Polish, 50+, Elisa’s mother).
The investigation/interviews continue.
Church of the Gesu. Mrs. Janet Morano (mother) opted out of the traditional parish vigil with its rosary for the deceased.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written cozy murder mystery book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an amazingly easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Dark Chocolate Press LLC.; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
December 1, 2014
*This book was given to me by the author in the "Goodreads Giveaway" in exchange for an honest review.*
Amazing skill and an interesting premise.
"Even the truth can be damaging, if it's revealed too soon or too late or to the wrong parties." - Angelina Bonaparte
Angelina Bonaparte is a former librarian, now a private investigator whom while working a usual case of suspected adultery falls into the abyss of a larger case considering her client and the client's husband.
Namely, Gracie Belloni hired Angelina to investigate her husband Anthony, she suspected him having an affair after seeing an account for furs and jewellery she never received. Angelina was deep into the case (including dumpster diving) when a call in the middle of the night came. Attorney of the alleged adulterer and her client Gracie begged Angie to take Anthony's case because he was just suspected of a murder of his mistress, Elisa Morano. He settled things with Gracie, his pregnant wife whom is about have their fifth child, and now that they were over the adultery thing, he is suspected of a murder. Gracie wants Angie to drop the adultery case and help him clear his name.
If it were anyone else, Angie wouldn't help an adulterer with anything especially a murder case but Gracie is her acquaintance and in her last month of pregnancy so she softened up and decided to help. Plus, she honestly believed Anthony was innocent and she couldn't stand an innocent man winding up in jail.
So, when Angie took the case, she also knew that working with the police was out of the question since they won't look further than Anthony for a suspect. She started with the usual, looking into Elisa's life, her accounts, her whereabouts on that day, her close of kin and known acquaintances. Interviewing, taking notes, poking, staking out...
During the investigation, Angie found a good friend and made a couple of enemies. For one certain grumpy detective named Ted Wukowski for whom she was certain didn't like her since they've met she managed to change an opinion about and much more than that, she started to feel something for him.
The case slowly heated up and the tension was rising. The danger was closer than ever with the killer on the loose and with Angie's heart in turmoil.
"There's a lot of common ground between criminals and cops. Both savor power, thrills, control. The good cops know they're only a step or two away from the crooks they're arresting." - Angelina Bonaparte
The story is interesting, enveloped in mystery and not just in a sense of an ongoing murder investigation but in all the details that we received through our main heroine about her upbringing and role in a society.
Angelina's family came from Italy. They settled here in the last century and made new families and connections through time. But the mentality and the culture were passed down from one generation to another and it changed little since their arrival from Italy.
Women should care for their husbands, the house, the cleaning, kids and grandchildren and they shouldn't poke their noses in male business. That's how Angelina was raised and how most of her family and friends lived including herself until her divorce. Woman's role in a society was to be the pillar of the family while men work as the pillars of society. They are also brought up as firm Christians. All the Christian values must be respected in all aspects of life.
All of that was Angie's life until her ex husband Bozo started to sleep around. Despite her loving support and two children. That was her turning point in life. She got divorced, moved to a spacious condo, got new furniture and a new car. But from all of the things she got, she lost one which is perhaps the most important one to have - faith and trust in people. She couldn't sustain a relationship and she doubted everyone and anyone she didn't personally know.
So, from her strict upbringing through the ugly divorce and a new job as the private investigator, Angelina lived through a lot. She was a good looking woman in her fifties whom stood with her feet firmly on the ground and her life sorted out. Well, for the most part. Now that she got involved in this mysterious case, she must face her demons as well. She doesn't want to be alone anymore, but how to find someone when you can't trust anyone?
I really love this book. I find it - refreshing. Mysteries are not my forte but once in a while I decide to read one for a change of paste. And boy, I wasn't disappointed. The author did a splendid job with her debut mystery novel. The book is told from a female perspective (woohoo) and a strong, capable woman at that. Her European roots only added to the depth of the main heroine.
The book is very easy to read and follow. The humor which we encounter on a regular basis gives this book a perfect balance between a deeply serious story with a gory murder scene in the center and an everyday life of a woman in her fifties and her hopes and fears that come along with a long life experience.
The strong heroine was a big plus, I instantly wanted to know more about her. How she got here, what happened to her, will she find someone who will cherish her, will she be able to solve the case... The life philosophy that guides the main heroine is the ideal we should all follow. I wish I could be in her shoes one day.
"There's no point in wasting calories on cheap chocolate, always opt for the darkest and richest" (ref., Godiva chocolate) - Angelina Bonaparte
The romance crept slowly... there was no sign at the beginning of the book that we will have an interesting love-hate relationship on our hands. It was a great surprise. And I totally fell for it.
The book doesn't have one grammatical error, it was perfectly proofread. The only thing I wish was explained in more depth was the detective Ted. His trauma, suppressed feelings, closed attitude... Ted is a very interesting character I would like to know more about and I think I would have liked to see his feelings more on display and more scenes with him. But, that is just a personal preference.
All in all, I've stayed up through the night to finish it. I had to know what will happen next. One more page, one more chapter... and a couple of hours later with the coming dawn I was a one happy woman because the ending was perfect, it made me smile and it perked me up enough to have a great morning (note, I'm not a morning person, at all, ever).
Many thanks to the author and I hope all of her other works will be written with the same spark and the same enthusiasm as this one. Great job :)
Amazing skill and an interesting premise.
"Even the truth can be damaging, if it's revealed too soon or too late or to the wrong parties." - Angelina Bonaparte
Angelina Bonaparte is a former librarian, now a private investigator whom while working a usual case of suspected adultery falls into the abyss of a larger case considering her client and the client's husband.
Namely, Gracie Belloni hired Angelina to investigate her husband Anthony, she suspected him having an affair after seeing an account for furs and jewellery she never received. Angelina was deep into the case (including dumpster diving) when a call in the middle of the night came. Attorney of the alleged adulterer and her client Gracie begged Angie to take Anthony's case because he was just suspected of a murder of his mistress, Elisa Morano. He settled things with Gracie, his pregnant wife whom is about have their fifth child, and now that they were over the adultery thing, he is suspected of a murder. Gracie wants Angie to drop the adultery case and help him clear his name.
If it were anyone else, Angie wouldn't help an adulterer with anything especially a murder case but Gracie is her acquaintance and in her last month of pregnancy so she softened up and decided to help. Plus, she honestly believed Anthony was innocent and she couldn't stand an innocent man winding up in jail.
So, when Angie took the case, she also knew that working with the police was out of the question since they won't look further than Anthony for a suspect. She started with the usual, looking into Elisa's life, her accounts, her whereabouts on that day, her close of kin and known acquaintances. Interviewing, taking notes, poking, staking out...
During the investigation, Angie found a good friend and made a couple of enemies. For one certain grumpy detective named Ted Wukowski for whom she was certain didn't like her since they've met she managed to change an opinion about and much more than that, she started to feel something for him.
The case slowly heated up and the tension was rising. The danger was closer than ever with the killer on the loose and with Angie's heart in turmoil.
"There's a lot of common ground between criminals and cops. Both savor power, thrills, control. The good cops know they're only a step or two away from the crooks they're arresting." - Angelina Bonaparte
The story is interesting, enveloped in mystery and not just in a sense of an ongoing murder investigation but in all the details that we received through our main heroine about her upbringing and role in a society.
Angelina's family came from Italy. They settled here in the last century and made new families and connections through time. But the mentality and the culture were passed down from one generation to another and it changed little since their arrival from Italy.
Women should care for their husbands, the house, the cleaning, kids and grandchildren and they shouldn't poke their noses in male business. That's how Angelina was raised and how most of her family and friends lived including herself until her divorce. Woman's role in a society was to be the pillar of the family while men work as the pillars of society. They are also brought up as firm Christians. All the Christian values must be respected in all aspects of life.
All of that was Angie's life until her ex husband Bozo started to sleep around. Despite her loving support and two children. That was her turning point in life. She got divorced, moved to a spacious condo, got new furniture and a new car. But from all of the things she got, she lost one which is perhaps the most important one to have - faith and trust in people. She couldn't sustain a relationship and she doubted everyone and anyone she didn't personally know.
So, from her strict upbringing through the ugly divorce and a new job as the private investigator, Angelina lived through a lot. She was a good looking woman in her fifties whom stood with her feet firmly on the ground and her life sorted out. Well, for the most part. Now that she got involved in this mysterious case, she must face her demons as well. She doesn't want to be alone anymore, but how to find someone when you can't trust anyone?
I really love this book. I find it - refreshing. Mysteries are not my forte but once in a while I decide to read one for a change of paste. And boy, I wasn't disappointed. The author did a splendid job with her debut mystery novel. The book is told from a female perspective (woohoo) and a strong, capable woman at that. Her European roots only added to the depth of the main heroine.
The book is very easy to read and follow. The humor which we encounter on a regular basis gives this book a perfect balance between a deeply serious story with a gory murder scene in the center and an everyday life of a woman in her fifties and her hopes and fears that come along with a long life experience.
The strong heroine was a big plus, I instantly wanted to know more about her. How she got here, what happened to her, will she find someone who will cherish her, will she be able to solve the case... The life philosophy that guides the main heroine is the ideal we should all follow. I wish I could be in her shoes one day.
"There's no point in wasting calories on cheap chocolate, always opt for the darkest and richest" (ref., Godiva chocolate) - Angelina Bonaparte
The romance crept slowly... there was no sign at the beginning of the book that we will have an interesting love-hate relationship on our hands. It was a great surprise. And I totally fell for it.
The book doesn't have one grammatical error, it was perfectly proofread. The only thing I wish was explained in more depth was the detective Ted. His trauma, suppressed feelings, closed attitude... Ted is a very interesting character I would like to know more about and I think I would have liked to see his feelings more on display and more scenes with him. But, that is just a personal preference.
All in all, I've stayed up through the night to finish it. I had to know what will happen next. One more page, one more chapter... and a couple of hours later with the coming dawn I was a one happy woman because the ending was perfect, it made me smile and it perked me up enough to have a great morning (note, I'm not a morning person, at all, ever).
Many thanks to the author and I hope all of her other works will be written with the same spark and the same enthusiasm as this one. Great job :)
April 11, 2018
( Format : audiobook )
"There are always the d***ed dishes."
This is a straightforward cosy murder mystery with a (mixed message) female private eye of Scicilian descent. Her father was a respected member of the Family (mafia) and still intimidated his beloved 50 something daughter, mother of three, whose marriage had fallen apart some years before - husband's adultery. Since then the wife and mother librarian has reinvented herself, dating men much younger than herself, even if she does agonise for ages before taking them to bed, and working as a private investigator looking for the evidences of adultery for other clients to use as they will - usually divorce settlements.
Meet Angelina (Angie) Bonaparte, pronounced not like the French general but with an 'ay' at the end.
The latest client, a women soon to give birth to their fifth child, suspects her husband, Toni, of cheating. She even knows the new mistress's name: Alicia. Then Alicia is found murdered in the apartment Toni has provided - and P.I.Angelina is asked to come to Toni's aid save him from the murder charge now hanging over him. Reluctantly ( and rather fearfully) she agrees to her pregnant client's request.
Narrator, Kristen Calland Mette, has good intonation and a clear delivery which fits the P.I. character within the text. Although there is not much change in timbre with the various character voicings, they are nevertheless individually distinctive.
This was an easy, enjoyable listen despite this reader's personal irritation with the main protagonist, a character not so much flawed as not yet having grown up despite her age. But it is refreshing to have a female P.I. of advanced years taking the lead and the story itself was clearly presented, character by character.
My thanks to the rights holder for freely gifting me a complimentary copy of Truth Kills, via Audiobook Boom.
"There are always the d***ed dishes."
This is a straightforward cosy murder mystery with a (mixed message) female private eye of Scicilian descent. Her father was a respected member of the Family (mafia) and still intimidated his beloved 50 something daughter, mother of three, whose marriage had fallen apart some years before - husband's adultery. Since then the wife and mother librarian has reinvented herself, dating men much younger than herself, even if she does agonise for ages before taking them to bed, and working as a private investigator looking for the evidences of adultery for other clients to use as they will - usually divorce settlements.
Meet Angelina (Angie) Bonaparte, pronounced not like the French general but with an 'ay' at the end.
The latest client, a women soon to give birth to their fifth child, suspects her husband, Toni, of cheating. She even knows the new mistress's name: Alicia. Then Alicia is found murdered in the apartment Toni has provided - and P.I.Angelina is asked to come to Toni's aid save him from the murder charge now hanging over him. Reluctantly ( and rather fearfully) she agrees to her pregnant client's request.
Narrator, Kristen Calland Mette, has good intonation and a clear delivery which fits the P.I. character within the text. Although there is not much change in timbre with the various character voicings, they are nevertheless individually distinctive.
This was an easy, enjoyable listen despite this reader's personal irritation with the main protagonist, a character not so much flawed as not yet having grown up despite her age. But it is refreshing to have a female P.I. of advanced years taking the lead and the story itself was clearly presented, character by character.
My thanks to the rights holder for freely gifting me a complimentary copy of Truth Kills, via Audiobook Boom.
October 13, 2018
Truth Kills by Nanci Rathbun was delightful and welcome surprise. Indeed, amidst so many mediocre “light” and “cozy” mystery reads, here comes a genuine character in the persona of fifty-something Angelina Bonaparte, who reclaimed her independence and her dignity by working, not as a librarian, but as a private investigator.
I have to say that Angie is a very self-aware woman, she knows herself and keeps on learning about herself and the people, and the world around her. She’s a loving mother and grandmother, all the while being a true professional. I liked the fact that she always dressed right for the occasion. She’s certainly a fashionable creature and her choices were always spot on. Angie tries to eat healthy and stay in shape, runs, goes to the gym – I have to say, at her age, I applaud that. As for her attitude, she’s a good person, who first tries to see the good in others. I totally connected with her because she’s of that generation that embraces the old and the new values and norms for women.
To put it simple: Angie comes across authentic and genuine. A real person - a real woman - not a super hero P.I.
I also enjoyed the fact that the story was based in Milwaukee, WI, and from what I gathered from this read, it seems there’s more to Milwaukee than I ever knew and I’m glad that the author is promoting the good parts of it. I only visited once or twice, with an old friend who used to live there, and I remember enjoying the Alterra coffee house, and the atmospheric historical Pabst Mansion.
As for the story’s plot, it wasn’t that earth-shattering and, from early on, I guessed who were/was the real killer(s). It’s more the atmosphere and the personality of Angie, and how she interacted with everyone that had me hooked. I will certainly read more books in this series.
I have to say that Angie is a very self-aware woman, she knows herself and keeps on learning about herself and the people, and the world around her. She’s a loving mother and grandmother, all the while being a true professional. I liked the fact that she always dressed right for the occasion. She’s certainly a fashionable creature and her choices were always spot on. Angie tries to eat healthy and stay in shape, runs, goes to the gym – I have to say, at her age, I applaud that. As for her attitude, she’s a good person, who first tries to see the good in others. I totally connected with her because she’s of that generation that embraces the old and the new values and norms for women.
To put it simple: Angie comes across authentic and genuine. A real person - a real woman - not a super hero P.I.
I also enjoyed the fact that the story was based in Milwaukee, WI, and from what I gathered from this read, it seems there’s more to Milwaukee than I ever knew and I’m glad that the author is promoting the good parts of it. I only visited once or twice, with an old friend who used to live there, and I remember enjoying the Alterra coffee house, and the atmospheric historical Pabst Mansion.
As for the story’s plot, it wasn’t that earth-shattering and, from early on, I guessed who were/was the real killer(s). It’s more the atmosphere and the personality of Angie, and how she interacted with everyone that had me hooked. I will certainly read more books in this series.
April 9, 2022
Angelina Bonaparte is a divorced, middle aged, confident, street-smart private investigator. After leaving her cheating husband, Angie worked hard to start a new life and a new business. She adores her grown children and grandchildren, but helping people is her passion. Angie’s current client suspects her husband of cheating, but when he is accused of murder in the death of his mistress, his wife, her client, asks Angie to help solve the crime. With the help of new and old friends and two police officers, Angie is hot on the trail. As suspects mount and the closer Angie comes to the truth, things start to get dicey. Can Angie solve the murder before she becomes the next victim?
I absolutely adored Angie’s character. She was sassy yet sweet, confident yet unsure of herself as a woman, she had real life issues about men, her looks and her life. She was real! I could relate to the middle-aged dilemmas that she had, and I think it strengthened her character. I also liked her Italian background and how her Papa with possible mob ties took care of her. Again, it added to her story and her character. The supporting characters were diverse and well written. I did like the chemistry between Angie and the Detective. I look forward to seeing how their relationship grows and to see what is next in store for Angie in the next book. Thank you to Nanci Rathbun for the book in exchange for my honest opinion. A great read and a solid five stars friends.
I absolutely adored Angie’s character. She was sassy yet sweet, confident yet unsure of herself as a woman, she had real life issues about men, her looks and her life. She was real! I could relate to the middle-aged dilemmas that she had, and I think it strengthened her character. I also liked her Italian background and how her Papa with possible mob ties took care of her. Again, it added to her story and her character. The supporting characters were diverse and well written. I did like the chemistry between Angie and the Detective. I look forward to seeing how their relationship grows and to see what is next in store for Angie in the next book. Thank you to Nanci Rathbun for the book in exchange for my honest opinion. A great read and a solid five stars friends.
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