A Villa in Sicily: Capers and a Calamity

A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery #4

by Fiona Grace

A VILLA IN SICILY: CAPERS AND A CALAMITY is book #4 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 romances) and moving to Sicily to buy a $1 home—and embark on a mandatory renovation she knows nothing about. She finds herself busy running the town’s new shelter, while also renovating her own problematic home—and dating again.

Audrey’s reputation is spreading, and she is asked to travel to other parts of Sicily to help other towns with their animal problems. When she journeys a short ferry ride away to the beautiful Aeolian Islands, Audrey thinks she has found paradise—until a rival vet makes her life hell—and an unexpected murder pins her as the main suspect.

Can Audrey clear her name, salvage her reputation, and find the true killer?

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.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Mystery, Italy, Audiobook, Contemporary

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2021

About the author

Debut 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.

Reviews

[Kari Napier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story...I do not like the narrator on this book. Her accents sound HORRIBLE..took away from the book a lot!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another silly installment in an easy to listen to cozy series. The love triangle officially begins! Formulaic as anything, but a nice break from more serious endeavors.

[Barbara Blindauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Audrey Smart series. An official from another town approaches Audrey and says his town has a problem with an over abundance of stray cats. The town would like Audrey to come their town n help corral the stray cats and assist with their problem. They are willing to pay well and since she needs money to continue the renovations on her villa and office she agrees to go. She leaves her practice in the hands of the veterinarian student who is working for her. She arrive and assesses the situation and starts correcting the situation. Not all are happy with what she is doing including the town’s veterinarian. Audrey and the doctor have words and the next day she finds him dead, and again Audrey decides to help the local police. In addition Audrey realizes that she misses one of her love interests.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Audrey Smart has been invited to an island off Sicily to help set up a plan to take care of stray cats. She is busy working with the local shelter when she comes crosswise with the local vet who seems to be either incompetent or just plain evil since he seems to be euthanizing many animals for no good reason. When he turns up dead, Audrey is once again a suspect, and begins trying to solve the murder when she realizes the local police force has little or no experience in murder investigation. There are some fun characters and situations. 3.5

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death on the Island

Audrey is invited to a nearby island to assist with their stray cat problem, and wouldn't you know it, she stumbles on another murder. A fun read with some new interesting characters. U really enjoyed it.

[Angel Sharise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 I mean I guess this was alright. Ugh I love the idea and the characters but just hate how predictable the plot is everytime.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason for only 3 stars is that I am so disappointed that the narrator has changed. Makes me rethink listening to the subsequent books.
The narrator makes all the Italian people sound German and very harsh when speaking English. Not at all like the sing song accent that Italians have when speaking English.
And why is she doing an English accent for Audrey, the main character, when she is from Boston?
And why is Vito, an American teenagert done with an English accent?
Don't even get me on the narration of Mason, the good old southern boy. It acutally made me cringe.
This narrator has ruined the enjoyment of listening to these books...and I have 2 more in my queue!
I really hope that if she continues with this series she brings back the original narrator
It only got the 3 stars because the storyline was enaging.
But seriously...4 months and the main character has been the main suspect in 4 murders!

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read! I liked #1 the most then this one is second favourite. Looking forward to #5. Kobo edition not Kindle.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey goes to the island of Lipari to help with their growing stray population. She runs afoul of the resident vet and, when he ends up dead, Audrey is a suspect. She also gets a little ego boost from the grandson of the local shelter keeper when she discovers he has a crush on her. Throughout this series she has her pet fox, Nick, who helps her, consoles her and has even saved her life. Audrey's confusion about Mason and her affinity for jumping in before thinking almost have her go off the deep end mentally and almost killed by the real murderer. This light, entertaining cozy mystery series is a fun read, but the next book is yet to be published, so we wait.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good time with Audrey! This time we get to travel to Lipari. Audrey has been asked to come and help manage the pet overpopulation problem on the island. Naturally Audrey discovers a dead body shortly after arriving and is the prime suspect. She works to clear her name while clearing up all of the cats roaming around. It's great to see how she works assessing and helping the animals. We also get another round of romance with Mason and perhaps others? HMM! Fun read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The neighboring island of Lipari has a significant problem with stray cats. Its sole veterinarian is ineffective and not interested in solving the problem. The city council heard of Audrey’s success in controlling the problem back home and recruits her to come in for a few days to help with offer of a large sun of money. She accepts and shortly after arriving is publicly locking horns with the aforementioned veterinarian. Shortly thereafter he is found dead in his clinic; found by Audrey. Once again Audrey is the prime suspect.

[moxieBK · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Villa in Sicily: Capers and Calamity (A Cats and Dogs Mystery #4) — Fiona Grace/Narrator: Sarah Kempton (31 chapters) Feb. 14, 2024

Audry is finally finding success as her skill is spread word of mouth and she enjoys a trip outside her community to help with other animals. When she takes a ferry to some beautiful islands, she is awed by the scenery until she has a mishap with a rival vet, and a body turns up. Once again, Audry is pinned with the murder and must work to free her name.

Four stars.

[Tina Birkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Villa in Sicily - Book 4

Read this in one day! The characters are interesting and the story line has so many twists and turns...Veterinarian Audrey can't seem to stay out of trouble as she is asked to visit another area of Italy to he.p with their stray cat population. Of course she manages to find a dead body and proceeds to get herself out of suspicio theres always a great story where Audrey is concered...now onto book 5!

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

#4. In this mystery, our female American veterinarian is hired by the town of a nearby island to help them deal with their stray cat problem. Of course, during the short (less than 1 week) visit, she finds a dead body, is suspected of the murder and solves it for the police, almost getting killed in the process. Murder she wrote.... This is not a spoiler even if it is your first book in this series! It's the formula.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is good, but the author surprised me with inconsistencies. The protagonist was really bad about keeping track of her pet fox - and it strained the suspension of disbelief. I became annoyed with both the character and the author because of it. The rest is pretty standard fare for this series. There are multiple points of annoyance. I'll continue with these books because I want to know how things turn out there in Sicily.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth book in the A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery series another well written story in this series. Audrey Smart is on another adventure so goes to Lipari to help with their animal clinic, but finds herself getting involved in a murder case. A fun filled story and the ending had me laughing out loud. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tony Auxier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another entertaining entry into this series. Probably one of the best mysteries in the series. It also resolved a few other issues going on in hte life of the main character. Going to spend the weekend with a friend who is connected to the mafia is an interesting premise. There are several quirky characters to spice it up a bit. A very nice weekend read.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful writer

I recently discovered this author and am enjoying her series. The characters were interesting from the start and there’s major growth and development with each new book.

[Nancy G Mims]

A great twist

it keeps the reader turning the page to continue Audrey's saga. Each book needs to be read in order to understand the other characters' personalities and connections with Audrey.

Each book is a quick read one or two days.

[Sandra Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is perfect when I need light reading with a bit of humor. As in the earlier books, Audrey gets involved in solving a murder. She and her pet fox, Nick, head to the coastal town of Lipari to help resolve an out-of-control population of feral cats.

[Dosha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all five of her books now and have enjoyed each one. I can't wait to read the rest and even sample the next series. Sweet stories,c

and endearing characters! The mystery is a fun piece too! Love the Fox . Thank you Fiona. Happy Fall and happy reading.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder by the Sea

A new setting as our heroine visits the island of Lipari. Another bumbling attempt to solve a murder but a sweet c a st of characters and a visit from old friends.

[Emily Grabatin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this 4th book of the series, the story takes place on an island a few hours away from the usual setting. It was a charming read and a nice change, especially since the timing of the murders Audrey is suspect of are exasperatingly close together in the series timeline.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Villa in Siciky: Capers and a Calamity (4)

Another very interesting and intriguing story! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this story and the way MS Grace was able to weave them into a wonderful story. Don't wait grab a copy today and start your own journey in Sicily!!

[Diane Hooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters and Fun

Lighthearted fun, fast paced action, and romance. Audrey always finds herself in the middle of a mystery, murder and danger.

[Karen Cino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. Audrey's character keeps getting stronger and in more trouble as the series goes on. A fabulous summer read. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[maria england · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Audrey's ambition

Her love for animals melts the heart, but her passion for trouble, is very relatable to myself. You never know what the next adventure turns into.

[Wayne Inkster · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great to see the series venture elsewhere in Italy. This was one that very easily could have happened!

[Kim Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series, the books kept me entertained throughout

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Another great book a feel good murder book which is unusual makes a change no blood and gore just a nice read looking forward to the next one