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A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery #3
A Villa in Sicily: Vino and Death
A VILLA IN SICILY: VINO AND DEATH is book #3 in a charming new cozy mystery series by bestselling author Fiona Grace, author of Murder in the Manor, a #1 Bestseller with over 100 five-star reviews!
Audrey Smart, 34, has made a major life change, walking away from her life as a vet (and from a string of failed romance) and moving to Sicily to buy a $1 home—and embark on a mandatory renovation she knows nothing about.
Audrey is busy working to open the town’s new shelter, while also renovating her own problematic home—and dating again. With the help of friends, she begins taking in sick strays. But not everyone in town is grateful for her services, and she soon makes unexpected enemies.
Audrey’s small Sicilian town hires a new building inspector to deal with the influx of $1 home owners—and he sets about making Audrey’s idyllic Sicilian life utterly miserable. Just when things can’t get any worse, the inspector turns up dead—leaving Audrey as the main suspect.
Audrey, without an alibi, is under more pressure than she’s ever been to solve the crime. But the inspectors list of enemies was long.
Very, very long.
Can she solve this impossible case?
A laugh-out-loud cozy packed with mystery, intrigue, renovation, animals, food, wine—and of course, love—A VILLA IN SICILY will capture your heart and keep you glued to the very last page.
Audrey Smart, 34, has made a major life change, walking away from her life as a vet (and from a string of failed romance) and moving to Sicily to buy a $1 home—and embark on a mandatory renovation she knows nothing about.
Audrey is busy working to open the town’s new shelter, while also renovating her own problematic home—and dating again. With the help of friends, she begins taking in sick strays. But not everyone in town is grateful for her services, and she soon makes unexpected enemies.
Audrey’s small Sicilian town hires a new building inspector to deal with the influx of $1 home owners—and he sets about making Audrey’s idyllic Sicilian life utterly miserable. Just when things can’t get any worse, the inspector turns up dead—leaving Audrey as the main suspect.
Audrey, without an alibi, is under more pressure than she’s ever been to solve the crime. But the inspectors list of enemies was long.
Very, very long.
Can she solve this impossible case?
A laugh-out-loud cozy packed with mystery, intrigue, renovation, animals, food, wine—and of course, love—A VILLA IN SICILY will capture your heart and keep you glued to the very last page.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2021
About the author
Fiona Grace
697 books769 followersDebut author Fiona Grace is author of the LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY series which includes MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2) and CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3). Fiona would love to hear from you, so please visit www.fionagraceauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 3, 2022
I finished this book and it’s awful like all of the other books and I am also charmed by it and will continue to read her other works so if anyone (Blake) has something to say about it, anyone (Blake) can kiss my butt.
November 23, 2021
Veterinarian Audrey Smart is busy setting up her practice in her new home in Sicily and renovating her home when the local building inspector shuts down her practice due to black mold in the building, and removes her certificate of occupancy for her house due to safety issues (a hole in the second floor flooring). When the inspector turns up dead in her clinic, she is once again a suspect, and sets out to solve the mystery. She is also getting closer to her fellow expat who is helping her with her renovations. One of the better in this series. 3.5 stars
September 15, 2025
Audrey Smart is dealing with the renovations on her village and her new veterinary practice as well as space for the stray dogs and cats that populate the town. A new town building inspector fails is making the lives of those who are having renovations done miserable. He fails both Audrey’s villa and practice. One night she goes to her office to feed the strays and stumbles over the dead body of the inspector. So once again Audrey is the main suspect and is off to find who did it.
Currently Reading
August 27, 2026Is this series written by ghost writers? Yes! Do I still love it anyway? Also, yes.
March 22, 2024
Murder and Mystery
Yet another fabulous book in this series. Audrey is a suspect in yet another murder - can she discover who really did it? And her love life is definitely taking a turn for the better, with not one but two interested guys. Makes for a fun book with lots of twists and turns.
Yet another fabulous book in this series. Audrey is a suspect in yet another murder - can she discover who really did it? And her love life is definitely taking a turn for the better, with not one but two interested guys. Makes for a fun book with lots of twists and turns.
March 18, 2021
Somehow I missed the 2nd book in this series but had no trouble following along. Audrey has set up her vet clinic and is helping with all of the strays in the area. She's working on renovating her home and clinic while working. She is devastated when the Inspector revokes her Certificates of Occupancy for both places due to critical repairs that need to be made. When the Inspector is found dead in her clinic, Audrey is the prime suspect. While trying to clear her name, she is also struggling to determine if either of her "friends" are interested in her romantically. She really has no clue when it comes to men. Good thing she's better at solving murders! Another fun read with lots of wonderful animal characters!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 4, 2021
Disappointing
Its cute but so contrived as this 30 something who acts like a 16 yr old impulsive teen aged, has everything worked out in her favor. Totally unrealistic and unbelievable . The attractive Mason is more believable but it also seems unbelievable that someone who is described as so gorgeous doesn't have swarms of females after him. Disappointing in that from the title I expected more about Italy and the people there. Good for lite reading but nothing that will grab you too much
Its cute but so contrived as this 30 something who acts like a 16 yr old impulsive teen aged, has everything worked out in her favor. Totally unrealistic and unbelievable . The attractive Mason is more believable but it also seems unbelievable that someone who is described as so gorgeous doesn't have swarms of females after him. Disappointing in that from the title I expected more about Italy and the people there. Good for lite reading but nothing that will grab you too much
November 18, 2021
This book made me a nervous wreck! Audrey has way too many troubles buzzing around her. She just doesn’t catch a break and then she accuses the wrong person(s) of the murder. But in the end, she always pulls through.
If you like a lot of twists and turns; non-stop thoughts and activity; and one person being a leading suspect in a murder every couple of weeks, you’ll love A Villa in Sicily!
Next book in this series is A Villa in Sicily: Capers and Calamity (A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery—Book 4). I will not be reading this book next, because I don’t want the excitement at this time. Instead, I am going to read “The Inn at Holiday Bay: Boxes in the Basement” by Kathi Daley. (This is book 1 of 18 in The Inn at Holiday Bay).
If you like a lot of twists and turns; non-stop thoughts and activity; and one person being a leading suspect in a murder every couple of weeks, you’ll love A Villa in Sicily!
Next book in this series is A Villa in Sicily: Capers and Calamity (A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery—Book 4). I will not be reading this book next, because I don’t want the excitement at this time. Instead, I am going to read “The Inn at Holiday Bay: Boxes in the Basement” by Kathi Daley. (This is book 1 of 18 in The Inn at Holiday Bay).
March 21, 2021
The building inspector has condemned her home and closed her business after he inspects them both until repairs are made and re-inspected. Her 'big date' was a big bust. Life just isn't going too well for her but it gets worse when the body of this building inspector is found on the floor of her clinic with her letter opener sticking out of his body. Now Detective DiNaro comes to investigate, and they aren't really best buddies after she had already found two other bodies since moving to their small town. Now Audrey needs to clear her name again and get her home and business back! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 27, 2022
Enjoyable story, but Audrey has to be one of the most foolish protagonists in all of fiction. Whenever she suspects someone of murder, she immediately charges to confront them, whether in public or in private. The results might be humorous, but would mean certain death in real life.
In this book of the series, an inspector fails her on both her home and her clinic. She ends up on Mason's couch and makes herself very comfortable indeed in his home. When the inspector is stabbed to death in her office with her letter opener, of course Audrey once again finds herself suspected of murder. Three times within a month or two in a small town in Sicily?
In this book of the series, an inspector fails her on both her home and her clinic. She ends up on Mason's couch and makes herself very comfortable indeed in his home. When the inspector is stabbed to death in her office with her letter opener, of course Audrey once again finds herself suspected of murder. Three times within a month or two in a small town in Sicily?
October 11, 2024
A Villa in Sicily: Vino and Death (A Cats and Dogs Mystery #3) — Fiona Grace/Narrator: Sarah Kempton (28 chapters) Feb. 13, 2024
As Audry works to open a shelter for animals, the new inspector works to shut her down with crazy rules and procedures. Even when all her friends chip in to help her, she still feels pressure. And even more when the inspector turns up dead putting Audry as prime suspect number one.
It will take all her sleuthing skills to discover the real killer because the inspector has many enemies and few friends.
Narrator review: Decent English-accented narrator.
Four stars.
As Audry works to open a shelter for animals, the new inspector works to shut her down with crazy rules and procedures. Even when all her friends chip in to help her, she still feels pressure. And even more when the inspector turns up dead putting Audry as prime suspect number one.
It will take all her sleuthing skills to discover the real killer because the inspector has many enemies and few friends.
Narrator review: Decent English-accented narrator.
Four stars.
March 23, 2021
Audrey faces some of her worst nightmares in the person of a building inspector.
Are city officials looking to keep things safe, or do they want to completely destroy the historical and personal elements of their village?
Is her friend Mason a good buddy, or what her heart longs for? Does it matter to f his feelings are different? What about G, the saucy Siciliano? Super flirt or that someone most special?
Livelihoods and loves on the line in this continuing series
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Are city officials looking to keep things safe, or do they want to completely destroy the historical and personal elements of their village?
Is her friend Mason a good buddy, or what her heart longs for? Does it matter to f his feelings are different? What about G, the saucy Siciliano? Super flirt or that someone most special?
Livelihoods and loves on the line in this continuing series
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2021
Another struggle for Audrey to keep her clinic and her house open. A good thing she has friends on whom she can count. And the police to keep an eye on her. Since they, again, think she might have something to do with another murder.
But I thought, near the end, she acted very stupid. Who invites someone, whom she thinks murdered someone into her office, without warning someone? Especially after already been in such a sticky situation, twice!
Hence only 4 stars.
But I thought, near the end, she acted very stupid. Who invites someone, whom she thinks murdered someone into her office, without warning someone? Especially after already been in such a sticky situation, twice!
Hence only 4 stars.
November 6, 2021
This series gets better and better (it needed a 5+* rating!). The characters are delightful, the setting glorious, and the murder mystery satisfying! I do worry about Audrey (Dottore Smart) and her penchant for putting herself in harm's way to discover the murderer. But she has managed to solve the mystery again and actually endeared herself to the town as well as to a certain Mason who seems to be there when she needs him.
March 18, 2025
The series continues in the same vein nothing new except occasionally I wonder what’s it gonna take for her to get a little smarter? I’m trying to accept that in this genre it’s all right for women to be dippy and kind of brainless even if they have the brains to be brilliant. The fox keeps me intrigued, and the men in her life are kind of mildly interesting but again they kind of fall in the silly category.
June 18, 2026
Another sparkling novel set in sunny Sicily. Young veterinary, Audrey, struggles to open a practice in a small town. A property inspector declares her home and her clinic buildings unfit for habitation. The properties of other expatriates are also condemned by this official. When he is found dead in the waiting room of her clinic, she is suspect number one. She takes it on herself to investigate and proves her innocence.
May 5, 2021
A Villa in Sicily-book 3
The story continues with Veterinarian Audrey and her madcap adventures in Sicily. It seems wherever she goes, trouble follows. Even though she seems to get herself deep in trouble, she manages to Nancy Drew herself out of it. Now...on to book 4...these are easy and quick reads!
The story continues with Veterinarian Audrey and her madcap adventures in Sicily. It seems wherever she goes, trouble follows. Even though she seems to get herself deep in trouble, she manages to Nancy Drew herself out of it. Now...on to book 4...these are easy and quick reads!
March 20, 2022
Charming setting g with a bumbling detective
Our heroine is finally becoming part of a community and her friends are endearing themselves to me. Again a charming setting and you finally find her venture outside her neighborhood and explore the town. Again she bubbles through solving a mystery.
Our heroine is finally becoming part of a community and her friends are endearing themselves to me. Again a charming setting and you finally find her venture outside her neighborhood and explore the town. Again she bubbles through solving a mystery.
May 3, 2023
Just when things are beginning to look up for Audrey an overzealous building inspector appears and revoked the certificate of occupancy for both her house and her clinic. Unfortunately for Audrey, and the inspector, he shows up murdered in, of places, the clinic. Once again Audrey is the prime suspect.
October 17, 2023
The third in the series and still enjoyable. Tho it is getting a little tired that the main character Audrey once again finds herself as the #1 suspect in the murder.
I thought it was very predictable as to who was the murderer. Still, it was nice to go back to the familiar characters.
It's a nice series.
The narrator is very good.
I thought it was very predictable as to who was the murderer. Still, it was nice to go back to the familiar characters.
It's a nice series.
The narrator is very good.
May 16, 2021
I am just loving this series. Each book gets better. I love the love triangle between Mason and G. My next trip to Italy I am definitely going to visit the small town of Mussolmeli. The cast of characters are top notch with their back stories. I look forward to the next book in the series.
June 6, 2021
Once again Audrey is juggling home renovation, setting up her veterinary clinic and investigating a murder. She also gets a bit confused about her feelings for G and for Mason. This was another light, quick read that leads nicely into the next book in the series.
June 15, 2022
Audrey’s problems - the 2 hot men in her life, her difficulties bringing both her home and vet clinic up to code, and, as always, money woes - continue to plague her. The plots of these books are repetitive, but the winning characters make each one worth reading.
August 5, 2022
Cute book, and I like the series. I listened to the audio book. No one from Georgia (or the entire South for that matter) would ever pronounce okra "auk ra". It's "oak ra". I'm a Southerner, so I know.
August 18, 2022
I didn't realize there were more books in this series, so it's been a pleasant surprise seeing how dynamics and impact of the $1 houses on the community and buyers play out.
It's a light hearted with humorous, over-the-top parts, which is part of the fun.
It's a light hearted with humorous, over-the-top parts, which is part of the fun.
December 27, 2022
A Villa in Sicily: Vino and Death (3)
This is a great story, with strong characters! The story is first rate with lots of action! I highly recommend the series to all mystery readers.
This is a great story, with strong characters! The story is first rate with lots of action! I highly recommend the series to all mystery readers.
November 5, 2023
A new building inspector turns Doctore Smart's world upside down. Easy read that you won't be able to put down. And when you read the last page you will be ready to jump into the next book in the series.
March 5, 2021
I really love this series and can't wait for more!
March 16, 2021
Excellent book
Great read.Hard to put down. All kinds of twists and turns. Must be interesting to be living in that town. Makes me want to visit.
Great read.Hard to put down. All kinds of twists and turns. Must be interesting to be living in that town. Makes me want to visit.
August 14, 2021
Another mystery set in the italian village with our favorite vet. This time the town inspector is found dead in the clinic. And guess who is the number 1 suspect. And she loves Mason!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews