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Tuscan Mystery #3
Murder on the Vine
Ex-NYPD homicide detective Nico Doyle investigates the murder of a local bartender in the Tuscan countryside.
On a late October Sunday morning in Gravigna, local maresciallo Perillo is having breakfast with ex-NYPD detective Nico Doyle when he is called back to the station in Greve. Laura Benati, the young manager of Hotel Bella Vista, is worried—her bartender and good friend eighty-year-old Cesare Costanzi has been missing for three days.
The next morning, Jimmy, co-owner of Bar All’Angolo, Gravigna’s local café, where Nico is a frequent patron, runs out of gas on his way back from Florence. When Nico meets him to help, Nico’s dog, OneWag, reacts to the smell coming from Jimmy’s trunk. Inside Nico finds a body wrapped in Cesare Costanzi, stabbed several times in the chest.
Why would anyone kill Cesare, and how did he end up in Jimmy’s car? That’s for Nico to find out, as Perillo once again turns to Nico for help with the investigation.
On a late October Sunday morning in Gravigna, local maresciallo Perillo is having breakfast with ex-NYPD detective Nico Doyle when he is called back to the station in Greve. Laura Benati, the young manager of Hotel Bella Vista, is worried—her bartender and good friend eighty-year-old Cesare Costanzi has been missing for three days.
The next morning, Jimmy, co-owner of Bar All’Angolo, Gravigna’s local café, where Nico is a frequent patron, runs out of gas on his way back from Florence. When Nico meets him to help, Nico’s dog, OneWag, reacts to the smell coming from Jimmy’s trunk. Inside Nico finds a body wrapped in Cesare Costanzi, stabbed several times in the chest.
Why would anyone kill Cesare, and how did he end up in Jimmy’s car? That’s for Nico to find out, as Perillo once again turns to Nico for help with the investigation.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published September 13, 2022
208 people are currently reading
4042 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 150 reviews
March 20, 2023
I’m still trying to decide if I was so lukewarm on this story because I listened to it. There were a lot of characters and at times I struggled to keep them straight. I understand that the actual book contains a list of them all, which would help. More of an issue, the narrator was so flat and bland as to drive me to distraction.
This is the third in the series and I missed the second. But it works as a stand-alone. Nico Doyle is a retired NYPD detective now living in Tuscany. The premise is always that the local detective asks Nico for help. This time, an 80 year old bartender goes missing and his boss and friend reports him missing. The next morning, a friend of Nico’s runs out of gas and Nico offers to come to the rescue. Unfortunately for all concerned, Nico’s dog, One Wag, discovers the corpse of the missing man in the trunk of a car.
Trinchieri does a good job of detailing the Tuscan setting, especially the food. She also makes sure to detail the personal lives of the main characters. I find this important to get readers invested but I found it to be somewhat excessive here.
I thought the ending worked well and was totally believable.
Danny Deferrari is one of the worst narrators I’ve ever heard. He was so flat and boring he could be a cure for insomnia. Maybe the Calm app should hire him…
This is the third in the series and I missed the second. But it works as a stand-alone. Nico Doyle is a retired NYPD detective now living in Tuscany. The premise is always that the local detective asks Nico for help. This time, an 80 year old bartender goes missing and his boss and friend reports him missing. The next morning, a friend of Nico’s runs out of gas and Nico offers to come to the rescue. Unfortunately for all concerned, Nico’s dog, One Wag, discovers the corpse of the missing man in the trunk of a car.
Trinchieri does a good job of detailing the Tuscan setting, especially the food. She also makes sure to detail the personal lives of the main characters. I find this important to get readers invested but I found it to be somewhat excessive here.
I thought the ending worked well and was totally believable.
Danny Deferrari is one of the worst narrators I’ve ever heard. He was so flat and boring he could be a cure for insomnia. Maybe the Calm app should hire him…
July 4, 2022
Nico is a widower, a retired NYC homicide detective living in Tuscany who helps the local carabiniere unofficially. When Cesare, a elderly bartender is murdered, there are a number of suspects. Perhaps the obnoxious businessman who had a nasty exchange with Cesare? Or could it be Cesare’s greedy nephew, who feels entitled to a large inheritance? I was not familiar with this series so it took me awhile to figure out who everyone was, but when I did, I really enjoyed this novel--now I want to go back and read about Nico’s previous adventures. Recommended for anyone who enjoys mysteries where the location (like Donna Leon’s Brunetti in Venice or Martin Walker’s Bruno in France) is as important as the characters and the plot. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 23, 2025
And so ends my two book read about life in Tuscany more specifically Gravigna where Nico Doyle found a home after his wife, who was born in Tuscany and burried, passed away. hé is a retired NYPD homicide detective and spends his days working in his wife's family restaurant being not a bad Cook himself.
As cozy mysterys go they tend to get more characters each installment so hence the list of characters at the end of this book.
There is a dead barkeeper found in the booth of the car of Nico's favorite breakfast place. The man had not a lot of enemies and was overal well liked and good at his job tending bar at a family hotel. His beautifull and expensive motorbike is also missing.
the carabineiri have their work cut out, Salvatore has come to expect the help of his friend the NYPD detective. In this tale we find out that another carabinieri Daniele whose lovelife finally seems to be getting somewhere is also a very good policeman who factually solves the case. The past did catch up with the victim.
Before the story ends we have had culture, food, history, friendship and love.
As cozy mysterys go they tend to get more characters each installment so hence the list of characters at the end of this book.
There is a dead barkeeper found in the booth of the car of Nico's favorite breakfast place. The man had not a lot of enemies and was overal well liked and good at his job tending bar at a family hotel. His beautifull and expensive motorbike is also missing.
the carabineiri have their work cut out, Salvatore has come to expect the help of his friend the NYPD detective. In this tale we find out that another carabinieri Daniele whose lovelife finally seems to be getting somewhere is also a very good policeman who factually solves the case. The past did catch up with the victim.
Before the story ends we have had culture, food, history, friendship and love.
January 21, 2025
A buddy read with Simon. We enjoyed this entry in the series. Our favorite character is Nico Doyle's dog, OneWag! The descriptions of Italian food make us drool!
September 14, 2022
Murder in Tuscany!
A story of murder interspersed with meals that sound so scrumptious that I was salivating. Really, every second page deals with a different food, or type of meal. What joy!
Nico Doyle an ex NYP detective, Salvatore Perillo the local head of the Carabinieri and Daniel Donato, Salvatore’s assistant, are once again caught up in murder. Laura Benati, the manager of Hotel Bella Vista has reported that her bartender Cesare Rinaldo as missing. It seems there’s plenty of people with a reason to want to dispose of Cesare. Are their historical reasons for Cesare missing, economic?
Nico is at a crisis point in his personal life. He’s attracted to local artist Nelli Corsi but where does that leave his feelings for hips dead wife Rita. He wants something more in his relationship with Nelli but he’s still grieving the loss of Rita. Conflicted!
Underneath flows the stories of the characters personal lives and their hopes, dreams and fears. I love that this series has such a communal feel. Old timers giving their opinions on everything, as do his wife’s relations, in fact everyone in the town. Nico’s dog One Wag is front and center, adding a touch of the quixotic.
Another satisfying Italian mystery set in Gravigna, a small town in the Chianti hills of Tuscany.
A Soho Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
A story of murder interspersed with meals that sound so scrumptious that I was salivating. Really, every second page deals with a different food, or type of meal. What joy!
Nico Doyle an ex NYP detective, Salvatore Perillo the local head of the Carabinieri and Daniel Donato, Salvatore’s assistant, are once again caught up in murder. Laura Benati, the manager of Hotel Bella Vista has reported that her bartender Cesare Rinaldo as missing. It seems there’s plenty of people with a reason to want to dispose of Cesare. Are their historical reasons for Cesare missing, economic?
Nico is at a crisis point in his personal life. He’s attracted to local artist Nelli Corsi but where does that leave his feelings for hips dead wife Rita. He wants something more in his relationship with Nelli but he’s still grieving the loss of Rita. Conflicted!
Underneath flows the stories of the characters personal lives and their hopes, dreams and fears. I love that this series has such a communal feel. Old timers giving their opinions on everything, as do his wife’s relations, in fact everyone in the town. Nico’s dog One Wag is front and center, adding a touch of the quixotic.
Another satisfying Italian mystery set in Gravigna, a small town in the Chianti hills of Tuscany.
A Soho Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
January 23, 2025
3.5 stars
This was a slow moving book for me, but I enjoy the series for the characters, culture and setting, so will continue on!
This was a slow moving book for me, but I enjoy the series for the characters, culture and setting, so will continue on!
July 26, 2022
Once again we get to follow Nico as he helps the local police solving crimes. Murder on the Vine by Camilla Trinchieri is the 3rd book about ex NYPD homicide detective Nico Doyle who after the death of his wife moved to her hometown in Italy to retire. Well, retiring isn't that easy. This time it's all about a missing bartender and his motorcycle. If you like me like small town mysteries and food this one is for you. Thanks to Edelweiss, Soho crime and Penguin Random house for letting me read this advance copy.
October 28, 2022
Widowed and retired New York homicide detective Nico Doyle sinks more deeply into his Tuscan hideaway until his friend, head of the local carabinieri, leaves their quiet breakfast to deal with a missing person, an eighty-year-old barkeeper at a local hotel. The hotel manager, who reported the missing man, becomes the main suspect when his body is found, as he left his money to her. Doyle is forced to look into the past to figure out who had a motive to kill a man whom many admired but a few hated.
November 7, 2022
4+… a very enjoyable mystery to the end, as it should be. Tuscany, compelling characters, food, romance in the background, wine…
July 9, 2022
Murder on the Vine has all the ingredients I enjoyed in the first two books in this series. First, there is the brutal murder, in this case an elderly bartender, that gives the reader the opportunity to try to figure out whodunit before Nico solves the case. Second, there is the nicely depicted setting of the small town of Gravigna, in Tuscany, with special emphasis on the food (You might not want to read this series while dieting!).
Probably my favorite aspect of the whole series, though, is the well-drawn characters. Nico Doyle, the American retired police detective and widower who has relocated to his deceased wife’s hometown in Italy, is interesting and credible. Major supporting characters like mareschiallo Salvatore Perillo and Perillo’s right-hand man Daniele Donato, are also well developed, human and sympathetic, and the whole cast of small-town Italians is heartwarming, even in their flaws . There are also some fun cameos, like Gogol, the elderly man who breakfasts with Nico daily and likes to quote Dante and can adapt one of his quotes to fit any occasion. My favorite character in the book, though, is Nico’s dog OneWag, known to the locals as Rocco. OneWag knows all the locals as well as Nico and is keenly aware of who can be depended on for a handout!
Despite my thorough enjoyment of the characters, this also leads to the biggest problem in the book. There are so many characters and their relationships are so complex that it is very difficult to keep them straight. Trinchieri has provided a helpful List of Characters, but it would be even more helpful if were in alphabetical order instead of in order of appearance. In addition, at times we get so invested in the characters’ lives, like Nico’s attempts to revive his relationship with his girlfriend Nelli, that the murder seems to get lost in the other relationships. Some of this is just sneaky plotting, as the reader wonders if this or that odd relationship might tie in with the motive for murder, but I sometimes wanted to get back to the main point, the police investigation. We also got a description of what all the characters were wearing every time they appeared, and this became annoying.
You can enjoy this book without reading the earlier ones, and there are no spoilers for the mystery, but the characters are such an important part of the book that I think you will enjoy all of them more if you read them in order.
All the loose ends of the mystery are tied up in this book, but the characters’ lives are not nearly so simple, and there are definitely threads that readers will want to follow up the next time there is a murder in the town.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Soho Press for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Probably my favorite aspect of the whole series, though, is the well-drawn characters. Nico Doyle, the American retired police detective and widower who has relocated to his deceased wife’s hometown in Italy, is interesting and credible. Major supporting characters like mareschiallo Salvatore Perillo and Perillo’s right-hand man Daniele Donato, are also well developed, human and sympathetic, and the whole cast of small-town Italians is heartwarming, even in their flaws . There are also some fun cameos, like Gogol, the elderly man who breakfasts with Nico daily and likes to quote Dante and can adapt one of his quotes to fit any occasion. My favorite character in the book, though, is Nico’s dog OneWag, known to the locals as Rocco. OneWag knows all the locals as well as Nico and is keenly aware of who can be depended on for a handout!
Despite my thorough enjoyment of the characters, this also leads to the biggest problem in the book. There are so many characters and their relationships are so complex that it is very difficult to keep them straight. Trinchieri has provided a helpful List of Characters, but it would be even more helpful if were in alphabetical order instead of in order of appearance. In addition, at times we get so invested in the characters’ lives, like Nico’s attempts to revive his relationship with his girlfriend Nelli, that the murder seems to get lost in the other relationships. Some of this is just sneaky plotting, as the reader wonders if this or that odd relationship might tie in with the motive for murder, but I sometimes wanted to get back to the main point, the police investigation. We also got a description of what all the characters were wearing every time they appeared, and this became annoying.
You can enjoy this book without reading the earlier ones, and there are no spoilers for the mystery, but the characters are such an important part of the book that I think you will enjoy all of them more if you read them in order.
All the loose ends of the mystery are tied up in this book, but the characters’ lives are not nearly so simple, and there are definitely threads that readers will want to follow up the next time there is a murder in the town.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Soho Press for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 22, 2025
Camilla Trinchieri has given me the chance to immerse myself in Gravigna a small and fictional town in Tuscany in her Tuscan mystery series. The third one finds Nico Doyle going to the rescue of Jamie the husband and co-owner of Bar All’Angolo, a cafe which Nico frequents every morning.
There are plenty of twists and turns, as well as trips to local scenic towns and we find plenty of tasty treats to eat. There may even be a hint of romance. The caste of characters is enlarging but Trinchieri has kindly provided a character list in the book for reference.
OneWag, Nico's poorly named dog continues to enchant.
There are plenty of twists and turns, as well as trips to local scenic towns and we find plenty of tasty treats to eat. There may even be a hint of romance. The caste of characters is enlarging but Trinchieri has kindly provided a character list in the book for reference.
OneWag, Nico's poorly named dog continues to enchant.
April 20, 2024
This is another excellent mystery set in the Italian town of Chianti, and featuring Niko, a former homicide detective from New York who relocated there after the death of his wife and some trouble at work. Now he helps the Italian carabinieri as they search for a murderer, and are suspecting the wrong people. This is a very satisfying mystery with great characters and a wonderful setting.
October 6, 2023
This qualifies as a "cosy" mystery, with all its discussions of food, wine and coffee. At first I was enjoying the book, but then came boredom and annoyance. 315 pages could easily have been cut by a third. On nearly every page we read about what the dog (yes, that's right, DOG) OneWag (aka Rocco) is doing. When even a bloomin' dog has an alias, there's something wrong. It has to be a "pay by the word" project. Then there's Mr. Super Nice Nico, a retired US cop living in Italy. He's a fabulous cook who donates special meals to a local restaurant and helps out from time to time. He adopted the street dog. He helps the local cops with investigations. His wife died recently and he's conflicted, so he dumps his new girlfriend. He puts flowers on his wife's grave every week. What a pain in the arse! I was sick of him before I was halfway through the book. Other characters are caricatures. There's a cast of thousands, and the author decided to add a list at the back of the book. It's no help, but added another few hundred words to the project.
There's a lot of time spent eating and drinking together, arranging to eat and drink together,matchmaking, match lighting (by the senior cop) - yawn.
It's a pity such a promising project fell in such a heap. I won't look for any more from this series, but the author wrote some books under another name as well (Camilla Crespi), maybe I will look for one of those.
Rating 2.9.
There's a lot of time spent eating and drinking together, arranging to eat and drink together,matchmaking, match lighting (by the senior cop) - yawn.
It's a pity such a promising project fell in such a heap. I won't look for any more from this series, but the author wrote some books under another name as well (Camilla Crespi), maybe I will look for one of those.
Rating 2.9.
October 31, 2022
I really like this series.
The writer put a note in the beginning to let the readers know that she's added more characters so she's added a character list at the end of the book for reference. Let me say, as a fan of this series, I have no problem with that.
While not listed, I love how the food & location are also characters in the story. The writer is brilliant at painting a beautiful picture which makes me want to hop on a plane to visit as well as cook a delicious Italian feast. Who wants to go on a trip to Tuscany w/me?
This time Nico, et al. are looking into a case where a missing man turns up murdered. Lots of suspects/clues. Good mystery.
And how sweet are Daniele & Stella? Loved it.
I look forward to reading more about Nico & Gravigna in the future. In the meantime, I'll be attempting to cook several of the items mentioned to satisfy myself.
The writer put a note in the beginning to let the readers know that she's added more characters so she's added a character list at the end of the book for reference. Let me say, as a fan of this series, I have no problem with that.
While not listed, I love how the food & location are also characters in the story. The writer is brilliant at painting a beautiful picture which makes me want to hop on a plane to visit as well as cook a delicious Italian feast. Who wants to go on a trip to Tuscany w/me?
This time Nico, et al. are looking into a case where a missing man turns up murdered. Lots of suspects/clues. Good mystery.
And how sweet are Daniele & Stella? Loved it.
I look forward to reading more about Nico & Gravigna in the future. In the meantime, I'll be attempting to cook several of the items mentioned to satisfy myself.
May 22, 2024
Enough with the OneWag, way over the top.
June 25, 2025
I continue to really enjoy this series. We have another incredible mystery with characters we met in passing in the previous book, The Bitter Taste of Murder. The big draw for me is still the lovely backdrop of Tuscany, the food an
d wine scene, and the continuous character development. When a local hotel manager reports to the local Maresciallo that her longtime bartender has gone missing, a manhunt is started. When his body is found by Nico in the trunk of a friend's car, things get complicated. Nico is doing a favor for Sandro, the co-owner of his favorite breakfast stop, Bar All'Angolo, his partner Jimmy has run out of gas on his way home from caring for his mother after her operation. The last thing he expects to find is the missing bartender in Jimmy's trunk. With many suspects, much twisted history, and a variety of possible motives, this is a very interesting challenge. This mystery pulls in many characters we have come to know and love, and has many examining their relationships and personal histories. A compelling and thought-provoking read.
d wine scene, and the continuous character development. When a local hotel manager reports to the local Maresciallo that her longtime bartender has gone missing, a manhunt is started. When his body is found by Nico in the trunk of a friend's car, things get complicated. Nico is doing a favor for Sandro, the co-owner of his favorite breakfast stop, Bar All'Angolo, his partner Jimmy has run out of gas on his way home from caring for his mother after her operation. The last thing he expects to find is the missing bartender in Jimmy's trunk. With many suspects, much twisted history, and a variety of possible motives, this is a very interesting challenge. This mystery pulls in many characters we have come to know and love, and has many examining their relationships and personal histories. A compelling and thought-provoking read.
December 25, 2023
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
I loved the setting and enjoyed the characters. The details of the murder were a little, I don't know - incestuous? - but it was fine. I liked all the references to Italian food.
One thing that did annoy me - main character Nico got together with Nelli at the end of the last book. They had been together and broken up (badly) by the start of this one. That seems like a lazy way to add drama to your story without doing the work.
Still, I will read book four when it comes out.
I loved the setting and enjoyed the characters. The details of the murder were a little, I don't know - incestuous? - but it was fine. I liked all the references to Italian food.
One thing that did annoy me - main character Nico got together with Nelli at the end of the last book. They had been together and broken up (badly) by the start of this one. That seems like a lazy way to add drama to your story without doing the work.
Still, I will read book four when it comes out.
August 28, 2025
Low rating because the ending was completely implausible. An old man in his 80’s or 90’s, murders a man, is able to hoist him in and out of the trunk of a car, AND lift a motorcycle into his car and it all fits???? And his daughter who cares for him isn’t bothered by his bloody clothes because he’s a farmer and asks no questions?? And she doesn’t notice the hidden motorcycle on the farm with wood moved around?? What the heck?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2024
The second book I have listened to on audio. Good characters in a small Chianti village. Nico, our hero, widowed and a retired NYPD detective has moved to his late wife’s hometown. Adjusting to his new life, he helps out in her cousin’s restaurant and assists the local carabinieri in solving murders.
It’s entertaining and full of great food. 😋
It’s entertaining and full of great food. 😋
July 12, 2024
These books are great! I personally love all the descriptions of food. However, the narrator of the second and third books is AWFUL. So awful that I will probably have to actually read these books going forward instead of listening to them. The narrator of the first book was fantastic, though!
February 5, 2023
If I could spend anywhere in the world for a few months, it would be Tuscany. To live more like a local and less like the tourist I have been, to experience the history, culture, beauty, and food would be a gift. Reading the Trinchieri series about a NYPD retired detective who has moved to Gravigna, Tuscany, the birthplace of his deceased wife, is a vicarious experience. Nico Doyle has made deep connections to his wife's family, even working in her cousin's restaurant, and to the various shop owners and their unique customers. He celebrates the food and wine with mouth watering descriptions and has embraced its rightful place in life to maintain balance, almost an art form. creating dishes with love. The town is filled with hard working, ethical people, who know pain and joy, who look out for him and each other. I gratefully turned each page, breathing it all in.
Oh, yes, there is a brutal murder...actually two of them, which Nico once again assists his friend, the Mareschiallo of the carabinieri, Salvatore Perillo, and his brigadieres. This is a complex case with ties to the past; Nico's extensive experience with murder investigations in NY is much needed, but young Daniele Donato emerges as an intuitive, skillful detective.
Connecting a story thread to the previous novels, Nico is struggling with his feelings for a local artist, Nelli Corsi, conflicted about falling in love again. Daniele is also taking baby steps in a relationship, which is treated respectfully by his colleagues.
The murders reveal a sordid side to an otherwise beautiful place, and the author does not dismiss this or the sadness it leaves in its wake. But Tuscany...
Oh, yes, there is a brutal murder...actually two of them, which Nico once again assists his friend, the Mareschiallo of the carabinieri, Salvatore Perillo, and his brigadieres. This is a complex case with ties to the past; Nico's extensive experience with murder investigations in NY is much needed, but young Daniele Donato emerges as an intuitive, skillful detective.
Connecting a story thread to the previous novels, Nico is struggling with his feelings for a local artist, Nelli Corsi, conflicted about falling in love again. Daniele is also taking baby steps in a relationship, which is treated respectfully by his colleagues.
The murders reveal a sordid side to an otherwise beautiful place, and the author does not dismiss this or the sadness it leaves in its wake. But Tuscany...
October 12, 2022
3.5 stars
I have enjoyed this character and setting driven series, set in Tuscany. Main character Nico, a widower and retired NYPD homicide cop, has settled into life in his late wife's village. He has gotten involved in several murder cases and has become good friends with the local police as well as many of the village residents.
When the body of a local bartender is found stabbed and stuffed into the trunk of a local coffee shop owner's car, unfortunately Nico is on the scene. Old secrets and motives abound. There is greed depending on who inherits the victim's land, romantic rivalries and old ghosts from the past.
The real pleasure in this series is watching the interaction of the characters, including the different police officers, and in watching Nico settle into village life. He has a new love interest but is conflicted because of his love for his late wife. This one seemed to move a little slowly, with quite a lot of romantic angst and gratuitous clothing description in too many scenes.
I have enjoyed this character and setting driven series, set in Tuscany. Main character Nico, a widower and retired NYPD homicide cop, has settled into life in his late wife's village. He has gotten involved in several murder cases and has become good friends with the local police as well as many of the village residents.
When the body of a local bartender is found stabbed and stuffed into the trunk of a local coffee shop owner's car, unfortunately Nico is on the scene. Old secrets and motives abound. There is greed depending on who inherits the victim's land, romantic rivalries and old ghosts from the past.
The real pleasure in this series is watching the interaction of the characters, including the different police officers, and in watching Nico settle into village life. He has a new love interest but is conflicted because of his love for his late wife. This one seemed to move a little slowly, with quite a lot of romantic angst and gratuitous clothing description in too many scenes.
November 22, 2022
Former NYPD detective Nico Doyle is now living in Gravigna, Tuscany where his dead wife's family lives and has settled in nicely. He has helped the local Maresciallo, Salvatore Perillo and Brigadiere Daniele Donato with a couple cases and he is asked by Perillo again when a local resident, Laura Benati, reports her employee, Cesare Costanzi is missing. Meanwhile, he is asked by one of the local cafe owners, Sandro, to pick up the other owner, Jimmy, when he has car trouble. Nico's dog OneWag, leads to the discovery of a body in the trunk of Jimmy's car. Jimmy had left the car in a parking lot while out of town, so he is not the only suspect in the murder, but Sandra is worried. This is the third book in the series, so readers learn more about the characters of the town and past events that could tie into the present murder. Likeable widower Nico also tries to repair his relationship with local painter Nelli Corsi, while still honoring Rita, who did not Nico to be alone the rest of his life.
July 3, 2022
Retired (and romantically conflicted) Nico Doyle, a former NYC homicide detective, investigates the murder of an elderly bartender in his adopted Tuscan village. What makes this book, and series, special are the personalities surrounding Nico, They make the village come alive, and the author paints a brilliant picture of Tuscan life. The meals and wines described are a magnificent bonus that left me searching for recipes. A mouth-watering reading experience. Recommended!
October 17, 2022
Not as compelling as the first two. Jarring editing hiccups in early chapters… example… I returned the keys…she placed the large key on the table (not exact quotes, but close enough).
Seemed formulaic…escape from old life, instant acceptance in new community, old regrets, new love. Is there a check list for writing cozy mysteries in 2022?
Seemed formulaic…escape from old life, instant acceptance in new community, old regrets, new love. Is there a check list for writing cozy mysteries in 2022?
October 8, 2022
Once again, a bonus star because I read this while in the locations where it's set.
P.S. Rome is next!
P.S. Rome is next!
July 21, 2023
Nico Doyle is a retired detective who moved to Italy to be closer to his wife's family after she died. Murder on the Vine is the third in the Tuscan Mystery series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Nico has been pretty helpful to Perillo, the area's marshall of the carabinieri when the occasional murder pops up. He is not exactly made a temporary deputy, but he has experience from the NYPD detective squad that a small town in Italy just does not have, despite the number of murders they appear to be experiencing lately. In Murder on the Vine, the bartender from one of the local hotels is murdered. The murder in itself is not the odd thing. Where the body is found is the most interesting part of this murder. Jimmy, the co-owner of Nico, runs out of gas, and Nico is recruited to take him a can of gas and is on hand when the body is discovered in Jimmy's trunk.
Nico just wants to create dishes for his wife's family's restaurant, help out in the restaurant, and tend to his garden. Okay, occasionally, his curiosity is sparked when a murder crops up. He agrees that Perillo, Daniele, and he do make a great trio pitching in to solve crimes, even though he is retired. I guess you can take the police force out of the detective, but you cannot take the detective out of Nico. It has also been a few years since Nico's wife died, and he has possibly found love again. The issue is he does not know what to do with it and if he is betraying his wife's memory. Nico has a lot of introspection to do before he misses out on something that could be very good for him, as pretty much everyone in the town is not-so-subtly letting him know. There is a great mystery in Murder on the Vine, not just in how the victim was killed but also in who the victim is as a person. Camilla Trinchieri does a great job of drawing the murder for the reader and also providing the reader with a good bit of armchair travel in Italy, even if the town is fictitious. This is still a good book for armchair travel because this series draws a picture of Italian villages, despite the fictitious name. A traveler who likes to visit Italy can recognize a bit of other Italian towns like Pienza or Lucca, Italy. With each installment in this series, I become more enamored of the characters in the Tuscan Mysteries and of Italy. This review can also be read along with other reviews at Lady Techie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesbookmusings.blogspo....
Nico just wants to create dishes for his wife's family's restaurant, help out in the restaurant, and tend to his garden. Okay, occasionally, his curiosity is sparked when a murder crops up. He agrees that Perillo, Daniele, and he do make a great trio pitching in to solve crimes, even though he is retired. I guess you can take the police force out of the detective, but you cannot take the detective out of Nico. It has also been a few years since Nico's wife died, and he has possibly found love again. The issue is he does not know what to do with it and if he is betraying his wife's memory. Nico has a lot of introspection to do before he misses out on something that could be very good for him, as pretty much everyone in the town is not-so-subtly letting him know. There is a great mystery in Murder on the Vine, not just in how the victim was killed but also in who the victim is as a person. Camilla Trinchieri does a great job of drawing the murder for the reader and also providing the reader with a good bit of armchair travel in Italy, even if the town is fictitious. This is still a good book for armchair travel because this series draws a picture of Italian villages, despite the fictitious name. A traveler who likes to visit Italy can recognize a bit of other Italian towns like Pienza or Lucca, Italy. With each installment in this series, I become more enamored of the characters in the Tuscan Mysteries and of Italy. This review can also be read along with other reviews at Lady Techie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesbookmusings.blogspo....
November 14, 2024
Trinchieri’s third offering in her Tuscan mystery series has retired New York City detective Nico Doyle once again helping his friend Salvatore Perillo, Gravigna’s ‘maresciallo’ (civilian police chief). It appears that the elderly bartender at the Hotel Bella Vista, Cesare Rinaldi, has gone missing for three days. The hotel owner, Laura Benati, is deeply concerned.
Jimmy, the co-owner of Bar All’Angolo, calls Nico for help when his car runs out of gas on his way home from Florence. Nico, and his adopted dog, OneWag, discover Cesare’s body in the trunk. Clearly, the body has been planted there by someone other than Jimmy. But who? Perillo and his Venetian partner, Brigadiere Daniele Danato take charge of the case with Nico providing strong support.
In addition to the mystery, Trinchieri lets readers smell and taste the Tuscan cuisine—roasted vegetables and grilled scamorza, and picci all’aglione with eggplant involtini. Enjoy!
Jimmy, the co-owner of Bar All’Angolo, calls Nico for help when his car runs out of gas on his way home from Florence. Nico, and his adopted dog, OneWag, discover Cesare’s body in the trunk. Clearly, the body has been planted there by someone other than Jimmy. But who? Perillo and his Venetian partner, Brigadiere Daniele Danato take charge of the case with Nico providing strong support.
In addition to the mystery, Trinchieri lets readers smell and taste the Tuscan cuisine—roasted vegetables and grilled scamorza, and picci all’aglione with eggplant involtini. Enjoy!
September 18, 2024
I greatly enjoyed this book; the entire Tuscan Mystery series is a pleasure to read. The story lines are intriguing and the beautiful Tuscan setting is richly described. In this book, as in the others I’ve read, food plays a major part, which adds to the pleasure of reading.
Kudos to Camilla Trinchieri for including a character directory. Even though I’ve read the 2 previous installments and feel like I know the characters well, it is sometimes a challenge to remember the relationships. The character directory is a tremendous help.
Only one caveat: there was more language (f-words) in this story than I recall in the previous installments. It wasn’t excessive, yet it’s something off-putting for me, especially in a few places where the emphasis had no relevance.
I’m looking forward to reading book 4 in the Tuscan Mystery series.
Kudos to Camilla Trinchieri for including a character directory. Even though I’ve read the 2 previous installments and feel like I know the characters well, it is sometimes a challenge to remember the relationships. The character directory is a tremendous help.
Only one caveat: there was more language (f-words) in this story than I recall in the previous installments. It wasn’t excessive, yet it’s something off-putting for me, especially in a few places where the emphasis had no relevance.
I’m looking forward to reading book 4 in the Tuscan Mystery series.
February 16, 2024
Camilla Trinchieri does it again in her third installment of her fabulous Tuscan Mystery series. Murder on the Vine takes place in Gravigna, where her characters enjoy Italian delicacies and wine while solving murder cases. In each book the characters become increasingly more endearing, including Nico Doyle’s dog, OneWag. Nico, a transplanted New Yorker, and former NYC detective is asked to consult on cases by Perillo, the local maresciallo. While Murder on the Vine, certainly stands on its own, it is more gratifying to read the Murder in Chianti (Book #1) and The Bitter Taste of Murder (Book #2) before embarking on Murder on the Vine (Book #3). The Road to Murder (Book #4), is scheduled to be released in March 2024. The flavor is Italian and the result, deliciously satisfying.
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