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Tuscan Mystery #2
The Bitter Taste of Murder
The follow-up to MURDER IN CHIANTI finds ex-NYPD detective Nico Doyle recruited by Italian authorities to investigate the murder of a prominent wine critic.
One year after moving to his late wife’s Tuscan hometown of Gravigna, ex-NYPD detective Nico Doyle has fully settled into Italian country life, helping to serve and test recipes at his in-laws’ restaurant.
But the town is shaken by the arrival of wine critic Michele Mantelli in his flashy Jaguar. Mantelli holds his influential culinary magazine and blog over Gravigna’s vintners and restaurateurs. Some of Gravigna's residents are impressed by his reputation, while others are enraged—especially Nico's landlord, whose vineyards Mantelli seems intent of ruining.
Needless to say, Mantelli’s lavish, larger-than-life, and often vindictive personality has made him many enemies, and when he is poisoned, the local maresciallo, Perillo, has a headache of a high-profile murder on his hands—and once again turns to Nico for help.
One year after moving to his late wife’s Tuscan hometown of Gravigna, ex-NYPD detective Nico Doyle has fully settled into Italian country life, helping to serve and test recipes at his in-laws’ restaurant.
But the town is shaken by the arrival of wine critic Michele Mantelli in his flashy Jaguar. Mantelli holds his influential culinary magazine and blog over Gravigna’s vintners and restaurateurs. Some of Gravigna's residents are impressed by his reputation, while others are enraged—especially Nico's landlord, whose vineyards Mantelli seems intent of ruining.
Needless to say, Mantelli’s lavish, larger-than-life, and often vindictive personality has made him many enemies, and when he is poisoned, the local maresciallo, Perillo, has a headache of a high-profile murder on his hands—and once again turns to Nico for help.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published August 10, 2021
317 people are currently reading
3311 people want to read
About the author
Camilla Trinchieri
23 books343 followersaka Camilla T Crespi, Trella Crespi.
Camilla Trinchieri was born in Prague to an Italian diplomat father and American mother and came to the United States at age twelve. After graduating from Barnard College, she moved to Italy. She returned to New York City in 1980 and earned an MFA in writing from Columbia University. As Trella Crespi and Camilla Crespi she has published seven mystery novels.
Camilla Trinchieri was born in Prague to an Italian diplomat father and American mother and came to the United States at age twelve. After graduating from Barnard College, she moved to Italy. She returned to New York City in 1980 and earned an MFA in writing from Columbia University. As Trella Crespi and Camilla Crespi she has published seven mystery novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
June 14, 2021
Love, marriage, food and wine, it is some of the ingredients in this second book about Nico Doyle in The Bitter Taste of Murder by Camilla Trinchieri. We are back in Tuscany and the little village of Gravigna, a famous wine critic is passing through and it stirs up emotions and ends in murder. Who did what and why? This book is better than the first one but I feel that the descriptions of food, people and places is still lacking somewhat. It is a great setting and marvelous characters but I want more details. I don't get the urge to visit or feel hunger coming when I read this series as compared to Martin Walkers series about Bruno in Dordogne. I will however continue to read these books as they come. Thanks to @netgalley @soho_press for giving me this advance copy and the author for writing it.
April 23, 2025
this is a very enjoyable cozy mystery it takes place in Tuscany and is written by an Italian writer and she tells a good tale.
after his Italian wife died NYPD homicide detective Nico Doyle goes into retirement and moves to his wife's family in Tuscany Italy. Here hé helpt them with their family restaurant in serving and cooking. and hé visits his wife's grave every week.
this being the second installment of a series (book 5 will be shortly released) Nicolas once again gets involved through his friend Salvatore Perillo maresciallo of the carabinieri in Greve-in-Chianti with a murder.
A popular wine-critic gets a car accident but it turns out hé is poisoned. Who is the murderer?- The book will take you through Nico's private life, the adventures of Onewag/Rocco, the various involved characters of the little town Nico lives in.
With the investigation being the central plot a lot of living and enjoying life takes place in Greve-in-Chianti.
a satisfactory ending with a growing group of friends becoming a great cast for the next novel.
after his Italian wife died NYPD homicide detective Nico Doyle goes into retirement and moves to his wife's family in Tuscany Italy. Here hé helpt them with their family restaurant in serving and cooking. and hé visits his wife's grave every week.
this being the second installment of a series (book 5 will be shortly released) Nicolas once again gets involved through his friend Salvatore Perillo maresciallo of the carabinieri in Greve-in-Chianti with a murder.
A popular wine-critic gets a car accident but it turns out hé is poisoned. Who is the murderer?- The book will take you through Nico's private life, the adventures of Onewag/Rocco, the various involved characters of the little town Nico lives in.
With the investigation being the central plot a lot of living and enjoying life takes place in Greve-in-Chianti.
a satisfactory ending with a growing group of friends becoming a great cast for the next novel.
October 20, 2024
Simon and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook together. This is the second book in the series, which is based in Tuscany and involves lots of lovely wine and food! The descriptions are gorgeous - perhaps there will be an accompanying cookbook in future?
On this outing the victim is none other than a wine critic and it is a tangled tale involving lots of interesting characters. One Wag has my heart - he is a wonderful companion dog and his presence in the story is most enjoyable.
On this outing the victim is none other than a wine critic and it is a tangled tale involving lots of interesting characters. One Wag has my heart - he is a wonderful companion dog and his presence in the story is most enjoyable.
July 6, 2022
Nico, a retired NYC homicide detective, is a widower who now lives in northern Italy. When an arrogant wine blogger dies, questions arise. Is his death due to an auto accident? Or was it murder? Nico helps the local police with the investigation while he works in his late wife's cousin's restaurant and enjoys life in the small village he and his formerly stray dog now call home. If you need to escape to a charming Tuscan village, take a look at this series-- I'm glad I did.
August 13, 2022
I have quickly fallen in love with this mystery series, after just two books! The mystery is a good one, but what makes it special are the people and the food. Nico Doyle is living in a small town in Tuscany, Italy, where his wife was from. He’s been there about a year or two now, helping in his sister-in-law’s family restaurant and trying to enjoy his early retirement (he was a New York police detective) and recover from his wife’s death. Reading this second book was like visiting with old friends, and you cannot help but salivate over the food descriptions - don’t worry; they do not overwhelm the story, they just embellish it. Once again, the local “maresciallo” asks for his help in solving a murder. (There really is no direct American equivalent. It translates as “marshal”, which isn’t a regular police term here.) I really enjoyed having the Italian words for things sprinkled throughout, instead of always using the English translation: “signora” instead of “ma’am”, etc. It lent some authenticity and since I was listening to the audiobook version, it was lovely to hear the Italian pronounced correctly.
Danny Deferrari did a great job with the audiobook narration.
I can’t wait for the third book in this series to be published next month!
Danny Deferrari did a great job with the audiobook narration.
I can’t wait for the third book in this series to be published next month!
April 2, 2024
Liking this series even more after reading book 2. Great Italian food descriptions and Chianti culture/setting. Intriguing murder mystery plot- that I had only half figured out! Looking forward to the next Nico/Tuscan book in this series!
December 26, 2022
I hesitate to review this one I read in middle of the night because I tried to get sleep in between chapters, but I have to say the style of presenting the plot/action did not appeal. I was somewhat overwhelmed with all of the food and wine descriptions, but it could certainly hold appeal for people who enjoy all of that. A main character is a puffed-up wine critic proud of his Jaguar. Basically I didn't like or care about the characters as the spotlight was on wines and food. On the plus side my first Chianti/Tuscany based crime book.
Library Loan
Library Loan
June 19, 2021
A widowed ex-NYPD homicide detective (Nico) moves to Tuscany where he has good memories and his wife's family (and they need his help in the restaurant). Remember the adage about taking the man out of the job? He got to be friends with the local Carabinieri (Perillo and Daniele) last year over a murder and has made many other friends as well (and a dog, OneWag).
The wine critic was a real rotter. When he was found dead in a car wreck it looked like an accident until the ME had a good look. There was no lack of suspects and the locals and friend expected to work it out. THEN they were told that a detective from another branch of law enforcement was to have the case. Not a happy thought. Expect plot twists, beautiful countrysides, red herrings, and mouth watering menus. EXCELLENT read! Proof that books in series get better as they go along.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Soho Press/Soho Crime via NetGalley. Thank you!
The wine critic was a real rotter. When he was found dead in a car wreck it looked like an accident until the ME had a good look. There was no lack of suspects and the locals and friend expected to work it out. THEN they were told that a detective from another branch of law enforcement was to have the case. Not a happy thought. Expect plot twists, beautiful countrysides, red herrings, and mouth watering menus. EXCELLENT read! Proof that books in series get better as they go along.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Soho Press/Soho Crime via NetGalley. Thank you!
September 24, 2021
Weaker Italian counterpart of Martin Walker's Bruno series. All the elements are here -- the local police dealing with their difficult superiors, the breakfast and meal rituals, the local cafe and wine merchant, the locals who can't possibly be guilty of murder, etc - but the charm and subtlety of the narrative are less than compelling
July 25, 2021
2nd in series and I can’t wait to read the 3rd. Love all the characters that are repeated in the books and the food, oh la la .
June 11, 2023
I needed a palette cleanser and thought I'd give this series another go.
Turned out, this book had another narrator and I liked him better than the first one.
It was maybe not the most empathetically read performance I've ever listened to, but not exactly bad either.
All in all, I liked this book better than the first.
The food was referenced through out - a lot - but I felt like it wasn't as obnoxious as in the first book. This one worked much better.
So did the characters, now that they were already established.
I quite enjoyed spending time with them - even if I kept having flashes of scenes from the Detective Montalbano TV series before my eyes (I have never read the books) every time Danielle flips up his notebook to take notes, and numerous other things that just seem very similar.
Maybe that really is the Italian way of doing things. I have no real idea, to be honest. My time is mostly spent with British and American detectives in fiction. 😆
I do like Tuscany as the backdrop though - as opposed to Montalbano's arid, sunburnt city of Vigata on Sicily. Even in writing, Tuscany's gorgeousness comes through vividly and beautifully and makes me want to go back to Florence.
Ahh, sigh. One day, perhaps.
Until then - I might just return for book three instead. 🍷🍝✨
Turned out, this book had another narrator and I liked him better than the first one.
It was maybe not the most empathetically read performance I've ever listened to, but not exactly bad either.
All in all, I liked this book better than the first.
The food was referenced through out - a lot - but I felt like it wasn't as obnoxious as in the first book. This one worked much better.
So did the characters, now that they were already established.
I quite enjoyed spending time with them - even if I kept having flashes of scenes from the Detective Montalbano TV series before my eyes (I have never read the books) every time Danielle flips up his notebook to take notes, and numerous other things that just seem very similar.
Maybe that really is the Italian way of doing things. I have no real idea, to be honest. My time is mostly spent with British and American detectives in fiction. 😆
I do like Tuscany as the backdrop though - as opposed to Montalbano's arid, sunburnt city of Vigata on Sicily. Even in writing, Tuscany's gorgeousness comes through vividly and beautifully and makes me want to go back to Florence.
Ahh, sigh. One day, perhaps.
Until then - I might just return for book three instead. 🍷🍝✨
October 13, 2021
Maybe 3.5. The story/mystery isn't bad, but there isn't enough action to solve the murder. People are questioned by the police and by Nico, but there's so much detail about the food being prepared and eaten, the wine, the scenery, etc., that it just overtakes the novel. Maybe that is the author's intention, but, while I don't want a "bare bones, just the facts, ma'am" story, I want the main focus on the mystery.
July 5, 2025
I enjoyed the first Nico Doyle, Tuscany Mystery so much that I quickly picked up the second and I am happy to say that I was quite pleased with it.
Nico is a former NYC homicide detective who retired to his wife's hometown in Tuscany after her death. It is here that he feels the healing from his grief and begins to form friendships and a sense of belonging. He begins to set new goals for himself learning gardening and culinary skills. He adopts a stray dog who he names One Wag, because he only wags once.
Although he is forming a new life he can't quite leave the other behinds and befriends the locale maresciallo, Perillo and assists him in solving a murder. You can bet he will have to solve another, which is what The Bitter Taste of Murder is all about.
I enjoyed feeling immersed in this Tuscan community and revisiting the friends I made in the first one. Trinchieri once again puts in so many food and cooking references that my mouth was watering.
If you are a fan of Bruno chief of police, you will most likely enjoy this as well.
Nico is a former NYC homicide detective who retired to his wife's hometown in Tuscany after her death. It is here that he feels the healing from his grief and begins to form friendships and a sense of belonging. He begins to set new goals for himself learning gardening and culinary skills. He adopts a stray dog who he names One Wag, because he only wags once.
Although he is forming a new life he can't quite leave the other behinds and befriends the locale maresciallo, Perillo and assists him in solving a murder. You can bet he will have to solve another, which is what The Bitter Taste of Murder is all about.
I enjoyed feeling immersed in this Tuscan community and revisiting the friends I made in the first one. Trinchieri once again puts in so many food and cooking references that my mouth was watering.
If you are a fan of Bruno chief of police, you will most likely enjoy this as well.
December 18, 2025
RTC for Book 2 in this smart cozy series!
3.5 Stars
3.5 Stars
November 6, 2022
Nico, a former New York police detective now residing in Tuscany in the restaurant business, helps local investigators with a wine critic's death by poison. He does not overstep his role, helping the locals at their request. The descriptions of food remind me of the Bruno Courreges series by Martin Walker. While I did not find this one flowed as well as the previous installment, it did offer an entertaining mystery in a great setting.
September 27, 2021
I really liked the previous book so looked forward to reading the sequel.
As in the previous, it moves slowly with lots of sensory descriptions.
I liked the characters and was glad to see them reappear in this story. I'm curious to see how Stella's new romance will play out. I hope well.
Lots of talk of food again but not as much description as in the first book. (I had to look up a lot of the food mentioned to find out what it was)
The mystery was a larger element this time around.
While I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book, I really like Nico and the feeling of being in Tuscany that the writer creates.
It does make you want to do a wine tour of the region. It's not in the budget & I don't drink so instead my family will be treated to a 'Tuscan Italian Feast' one night for dinner.
One thing I think we can all agree on is that the book definitely makes you hungry!
As in the previous, it moves slowly with lots of sensory descriptions.
I liked the characters and was glad to see them reappear in this story. I'm curious to see how Stella's new romance will play out. I hope well.
Lots of talk of food again but not as much description as in the first book. (I had to look up a lot of the food mentioned to find out what it was)
The mystery was a larger element this time around.
While I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book, I really like Nico and the feeling of being in Tuscany that the writer creates.
It does make you want to do a wine tour of the region. It's not in the budget & I don't drink so instead my family will be treated to a 'Tuscan Italian Feast' one night for dinner.
One thing I think we can all agree on is that the book definitely makes you hungry!
March 29, 2022
This is my second book by this author. I definitely enjoyed this as much as the first. What makes them so enjoyable is the Italian setting, the food descriptions and of course the plots and characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
November 1, 2022
My two stars are for the audio book reader. I genuinely cannot comment on the book bc I quit before the end of chapter two. The first book reader was so good, the second one is biting with no character or inflection.
July 17, 2023
I listened to this audiobook narrated by Danny Deferrari. I could not enjoy the book for the narration. Don’t listen to this book. Read it. Or, better yet, read/listen to the Bruno, Chief of Police series by Martin Walker.
November 6, 2021
The second in the Nico Doyle series, this book finds retired homicide detective Nico living in his beloved late wife's home-town, working at the family restaurant off and on, and trying to decide if it's all right for him to seek happiness again with the local artist. When his friend and landlord, a local vintner, becomes a suspect in the death of an arrogant wine critic, Nico tries to find a way to clear him. The critic's American wife and beautiful mistress are also suspects, as is his landlord's wife, who has a history with the critic. There's a suicide that seems to be a confession--but is it either? The local policemen (carabinieri) are open to Nico's help, but the bigshot from Florence doesn't want him involved. Warning: Disgraceful Italian food porn included!
December 17, 2023
This is a sort of cozy police procedural. The mystery was nothing special (I guessed one of the murderers early on), but it was fun spending more time with the people of the small Italian village and in the beautiful Tuscan setting. I'm desperate for some authentic Italian food.
April 10, 2024
This is an excellent mystery set in Chianti, Italy. When a wine expert is murdered, there are several suspects and the local police need the help of an American ex-policeman to solve the murder. The characters are well-drawn, the location is enticing, and the story is excellent.
April 7, 2022
Good detective series.
August 25, 2025
Second in the series. Great continuation of the characters and Italian village culture. I knocked a star off because the romance plot is so boring with no chemistry.
September 19, 2025
Note for others...a bit sluggish at the midpoint, but the last 1/3 make up for it.
Will continue with the series.
Will continue with the series.
September 24, 2025
cozy, loving this mystery series
April 11, 2024
Love the Series and have gotten some nice recipes from it too.
August 10, 2021
The Bitter Taste of Murder is the 2nd book in the Tuscan Mystery series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Nico is still living in the Chianti area of Tuscany. He spends his days working in his garden with his dog "OneWag" or as his Italian friends like to call him, "Rocco". I will leave it to the reader to find out why poor OneWag has multiple names. The great thing is he seems to answer to both names. OneWag is a character in this series in his own right. One of my favorite parts of this series is the way the stories are told. Yes, Nico is the protagonist, but, the reader also gets to see the thoughts of the key players in each book, including OneWag. I love that! We see just how intelligent he is and I would add that from his thoughts he almost seems like a person in a dog's body. I will stop there as each reader should spend time reading about OneWag to see why I describe him this way. In The Bitter Taste of Murder, a well-known wine critic, who is visiting the area, and pretty much making enemies as he walks down the street, is murdered.
Michele Mantelli is pretty much a messy individual. He is in the middle of a divorce and visiting Gravigna where he happens to own a home. He is traveling with his new girlfriend and pretty much using his articles and blog to try and bully the restaurants in Gravigna into carrying the wine he is pushing. He has a past with Gravigna and more than one resident has good reason to see Mantelli dead. Unfortunately, Aldo, Nico's landlord is top of the list. Nico, Daniele, and Salvatore team up again to investigate the murder, but, this time, a Captain who outranks Salvatore is being sent in to investigate and Salvatore and Daniele are supposed to toe the line. The Bitter Taste of Murder further demonstrates how great Camilla Trinchieri is with creating her characters, central of which, is the Chianti region of Tuscany. If you love Italy, look forward to visiting one day, or just love to armchair travel, this series should be on your list. The reader gets a great glimpse into the language, relationships, food, wine, and mannerisms of the people. I have been studying (okay, not studying enough) but, working with a tutor to learn Italian, and we always spend time on culture, mannerisms, food, etc., and not just the language. I spend a fair amount of time looking up words and pictures of the different villages mentioned in the books. If you love a good mystery, great, colorful characters, learning about regional food and drink, then The Bitter Taste of Murder is a must. I am really looking forward to more in this series. This review can also be read at Lady Techie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesbookmusings.blogspo....
Michele Mantelli is pretty much a messy individual. He is in the middle of a divorce and visiting Gravigna where he happens to own a home. He is traveling with his new girlfriend and pretty much using his articles and blog to try and bully the restaurants in Gravigna into carrying the wine he is pushing. He has a past with Gravigna and more than one resident has good reason to see Mantelli dead. Unfortunately, Aldo, Nico's landlord is top of the list. Nico, Daniele, and Salvatore team up again to investigate the murder, but, this time, a Captain who outranks Salvatore is being sent in to investigate and Salvatore and Daniele are supposed to toe the line. The Bitter Taste of Murder further demonstrates how great Camilla Trinchieri is with creating her characters, central of which, is the Chianti region of Tuscany. If you love Italy, look forward to visiting one day, or just love to armchair travel, this series should be on your list. The reader gets a great glimpse into the language, relationships, food, wine, and mannerisms of the people. I have been studying (okay, not studying enough) but, working with a tutor to learn Italian, and we always spend time on culture, mannerisms, food, etc., and not just the language. I spend a fair amount of time looking up words and pictures of the different villages mentioned in the books. If you love a good mystery, great, colorful characters, learning about regional food and drink, then The Bitter Taste of Murder is a must. I am really looking forward to more in this series. This review can also be read at Lady Techie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesbookmusings.blogspo....
June 18, 2025
Heerlijk! Murder in Chianti. Met op bijna elke bladzijde een gesprek over of een tafel vol lekker Italiaans eten.
August 10, 2023
I enjoyed this, follow up to "Murder in Chianti". The main character is Nico Doyle, a former homicide detective from New York City. He moved to the Tuscan wine country to help mourn the death of his wife. In the first book, he helped solve the murder of a local character. In the second book of the series, a local wine critic dies in a car crash. Investigation of the crash takes the reader into the lives of a number of locals involved in the wine industry. The law enforcement characters are carried over from the first book. They are a set of interesting characters. The book flows along nicely and appears to give a good look into Italian culture. There are a lot of relatively detailed food references, which I enjoyed. The book kept my interest throughout and I enjoyed the ending. I recommend the book highly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews