Murdered in Monterosso

Travel P.I. Mysteries #3

by Zara Keane

Angel Doyle, semi-reformed thief and accidental P.I., is back for a third electrifying adventure.

Angel and her friend and sidekick, Sidney, are ecstatic to fly to Florida for a six-month P.I. boot camp. They’ll finally become licensed team members of the Omega Group, the super-secret international P.I. agency co-run by Angel’s mother, former adult movie actress Desirée Chablis.

On the way to the airport, Angel receives a message from her estranged brother. He’s in mortal danger, and she’s the only person who can save him. Apart from the name of an Italian town, Angel has no idea where to find him, or what mess he’s landed himself in this time. She’s forced to decide between fulfilling her dream and saving her brother.

Can Angel make it to Italy, save her brother, and get back in time for the first day of her course? Or will murderous hijinks (and Sidney’s love of gelato) slow them down?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2022

About the author

Zara Keane is a USA Today bestselling author of Irish cozy mysteries and romantic comedies.

Zara grew up in Dublin, Ireland, but spent her summers in a small town very similar to the fictitious Ballybeg and Smuggler's Cove.

She currently lives in Switzerland with her family. When she’s not writing, Zara loves knitting, running, unplugged gaming, and adding to her insanely large lipstick collection.

Don't miss a new story! For news, giveaways, and TWO free stories, sign up for Zara's Mailing List at https://zarakeane.com/newsletter/

Zara can also be found in her Facebook Reader Group, the Mystery Mavens.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Angel and Sidney arrived at the airport to fly out to Florida where they'd be participating in a camp to train private investigators, she received a text from her half brother Del. Angel and Sidney were aiming to become members of the Omega Group, the secret PI agency run by Angel's mother, but with Del in Monterosso, Italy, and in danger, Angel felt she had no choice. She didn't want to jeopardise Sidney's chances at the camp, so took the hire car, telling him she'd join him the next day - then headed to Monterosso.

When Angel met the waitress in the first cafe she entered who lived in the same apartment block as her brother, she thought things were falling into place. But meeting his heavily pregnant girlfriend (whom Angel didn't know about), crazy but adorable dog Bernice, eccentric Jocelyn - among others - Angel knew she wouldn't make it to Florida on time. But worse was to come when Angel discovered a dead body...

Murdered in Monterosso is the 3rd in the Travel PI Mysteries by Zara Keane and it’s a fast paced, full on action adventure! Angel is a determined character, full of grit and impertinence – she says it as it is (which sometimes can be detrimental!) I’m enjoying this series after I’ve loved the author’s Movie Club Mystery series with Maggie Doyle on Whisper Island, where I first met Angel. Highly recommended.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angel and Sidney are heading to Florida for a P.I. training course sponsored by Angel's mother when Angel receives a text from her wayward, semi-estranged brother, Del. Del claims he's been kidnapped and to meet him in Monterosso at a spot that looks like their childhood hangout. What is Angel to do? Take the course and not anger her mother or rescue her brother? Well, Del isn't smart enough to rescue himself so it's up to Angel to ditch Sidney and head to Italy to find Del. Angel tracks down Del's last known residence - and his very pregnant girlfriend, Dani! Now Angel knows she has to find Del before his baby is born and Dani is left on her own. However, once Angel learns Dani's identity, she isn't so sure the kidnapping isn't a hoax. Del better return because Dani saddled Angel with their unruly Bernese Mountain Dog puppy! Then Angel enters a neighbor's apartment only to discover Sidney standing over a naked dead man with a poker! Naturally the police are suspicious of Angel and more so of Dani and Del's neighbor, Jocelyn. Angel and Sidney have to team up to solve the murder and the mystery of Del's disappearance before Angel ends up in jail.

This is another fun mystery in the series. It's not meant to be taken seriously and is very much a fantasy. It's silly and implausible but I really liked the travel aspect and the mystery was good. I did NOT except the reveal to be who and why it was. That came out of thin air. I did figure out one piece of the puzzle before Angel. That was kind of obvious once a major clue was dropped. I did not appreciate the minor spoilers for the second book in the series which I have not read.

This series is a good one because of the quirky characters. Angel is tough. She's had a hard life but after a near death experience she is feeling more emotional. She tries to hide her feelings but her dad has chosen his life of crime over family and that hurts. Her brother barely responds to her general texts and has also chosen a life similar to their father's. She's had a chance to get to know her mother but her mother isn't very motherly and wants something in return for her financial assistance. Angel has to learn that sometimes found family is better than blood. That's something she should have learned before this book because her blood ties to her half-brother get her into a heap of trouble. Angel isn't a pet person and she doesn't end up learning to love pets after repeated adventures in pet sitting. I'm not sure I don't blame her.

Sidney is a great character. I like him more than Angel and I don't usually like extroverts. Sidney is a better detective than Angel because he's a people person. He's naturally talkative so he gets people chatting in a regular way and gets information that way. He's also really good with animals. Sidney also feels loyal to blood family even when they're not close. Sidney is a good guy and his loyalty is his best quality. His goofiness makes him fun and appealing to read about. Bernice, the Bernese Mountain Dog, is an exuberant young pup. She needs lots of exercise, chew toys, treats and someone to love her and she'll be fine. She takes a liking to Sidney but then again she loves everyone!

Angel's brother Del is hapless and helpless. He's terrible at doing any job, even the illegal ones and can't even keep himself from being kidnapped. He's irresistible to women, apparently or at least women who like lost causes and fixer upper men. Del has done a bad, bad thing and now one of the most notorious mobsters may have kidnapped Del. WHICH mobster is the question. Or perhaps he was kidnapped and is being held for ransom because he owes money at every bar in Cinque Terre? Dani, his girlfriend, is about to give birth and she seems as unequipped to deal with reality as Del is. She's helpless. Or is she? Like Angel, I'm not sure she's fully trustworthy. However, she does seem legitimately terrified and doesn't know where Del is. I think maybe they tried to orchestrate a plot and got mixed up in something else? Or maybe her terror stems from the fear of giving birth alone or the fear of the bad guy in her life coming after her?

The first new person Angel meets in Monterosso is Barbie, a bubbly server at a local bar. She's Australian and eager to speak English with someone. Barbie just so happens to know where Del is living and she is eager to gossip. When Sidney meets Angel, he recognizes her as a popular Aussie soap actress. She's friendly, fun and happy to meet a fan. I get the impression she's a has been/never was or else she wouldn't be in Cinque Terre serving drinks to mafioso and tourists. Next, Angel meets Del's neighbor, Jocelyn Dingus-Crockett. Jocelyn is suspicious of everyone and everything. He's very... eccentric and believes in conspiracy theories and aliens and all that stuff. He is renting an apartment in the villa across from Del and Dani while he writes a book. He fears everyone and everything and when a murder happens in his apartment, it feeds right into his conspiracy theories. Jocelyn grew on me as the story went on.

Other villa residents include Ken, Barbie's significant other. Ugh. How'd she meet him? He's older and a pompous windbag. A supposedly savvy businessman, he doesn't seem to be rolling in the dough. Ken is a mansplainer and not tolerant of Jocelyn and his insane theories. Ken seems to love only himself. His attitude about the murder is very casual and I think he knows more than he is revealing. I sure hope he's involved somehow so Barbie can be rid of him. There's also Lucy and Heather Carrington, a pair of middle-aged sisters in Monteresso for the first time. Lucy is a pediatrician and caretaker of her older sister who is a wheelchair user. Lucy is strong and as a doctor would know how to hit someone without generating a lot of blood. Could she have killed the man? Her sister, Heather, could have helped her hide the body but she wouldn't be able to hit him from behind or lift the body on her own. They claim they only just arrived at the villa so they weren't in the right place at the right time. However, some clues are revealed that gives the sisters a prime motive for murder. Saul and Ricardo Ventimilglia are photographers and lemonade stand proprietors. They are genial hosts and enjoy meeting new people. They don't seem to have anything to do with the murder but do they know what Del was up to? Maria Bianchi lives in apartment 4. She's a widowed civil servant and seems nice enough.

Del may have run afoul of Paolo Moretti, a notorious former mobster and possible/probable smuggler. Del was said to have been working for Paolo doing odd jobs like fishing and everyone knows "fishing" is code for hauling in illegal cargo. Did Paolo kidnap Del to get retribution for Del's bumbling and fumbling? Paolo's nephew, Marco, certainly isn't telling the whole truth when Angel questions him. Marco is cocky and thinks if he smirks at Angel she'll believe anything he says. Angel recognizes the smooth-talking, wise cracking type for who he is and knows full well he's lying. How much does he know about his uncle's activities? I think he's involved but whether he knows what happened to Del is a different story. I think he does.

Lucky Luchese, the murder victim, was an American crime novel writer. He was Mr. Congeniality while in Italy, schmoozing with all the locals and earning their trust. He seemed to enjoy being famous and in Italy he was a big fish in a small pond. Yet, signs point to Lucky being cheap and trying to buy the locals. He seemed to have angered a whole lot of people who thought he was their friend. Could the murderer be a permanent resident of Cinque Terre? Did Lucky's murder have something to do with Del's kidnapping?

Chief Inspector Columbo has a suspicious mind and of course the murderer must be a foreigner and not a local. That's logical seeing as how the residents of the villa are all foreign, however, anyone could have slipped inside during the chaos of everyone coming and going to the pot luck supper upstairs. Inspector Columbo seems to especially have it out for Angel. She wonders if he's on the level or on the make. He seems buddy buddy with Paolo Monetti and has a villa he can't afford on a policeman's salary. He isn't friendly or forthcoming at all and does seem determined to get Angel or Jocelyn for the murder. How rude!

This was a fun, fluffy story for my tired brain after a busy weekend. I hope the library gets Ambushed in the Alps and there are more adventures.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable

This is the third book in the series “Travel PI.” The first, “Knifed in Nice,” introduces Angel, daughter of a London-based criminal and an aging adult movie star, and Sidney, an aspiring actor on his way to a dull job in the British embassy when they meet. In Nice, pursued by a criminal gang looking for revenge on Angel for shooting the gang leader with a ketamine dart and for witnessing the murder of her bar owner boss, they learn that Angel’s mother, Desiree, and her third husband, Angel’s favorite stepfather, are the heads of an international private investigation agency. Angel and Sidney want to join the agency, so they accept an easy job to prove themselves. This job is the story in the 2nd book, “Ambushed in the Alps.” They are supposed to keep the spoiled daughter of an international bigwig safe in her family’s palatial chalet. This turns out to be challenging, with the chalet staff MIA and the girl herself a total brat, plus an epic blizzard keeping them trapped in a region with no internet or cell service. Angel and Sidney do so well, ultimately solving several murders and surviving themselves, they are promised promotions in the agency once they’ve completed a PI course in Florida. On their way to the airport, Angel gets a frantic message from her brother, begging her for help. She reluctantly decides she must help him, and ends up in Cinque Terre on the Italian coast, where he’s been kidnapped, leaving his nine-months-pregnant girlfriend to fend for herself. Sidney follows Angel to Monterosso, one of the five towns, and soon they discover the body of a murdered man, and the wild story goes on from there. Angel and Sidney are a very engaging duo, and these stories are filled with enticing descriptions of the places they investigate, along with interesting and eccentric side characters. I love Cinque Terre, and the descriptions alone are worth the read, but the story is involved and compelling enough to be entertaining whether or not the reader knows any of the depicted regions. I look forward to more stories in this series.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Travel P.I. Mystery series.
It has developed characters, a good bit of humor, lots of twists, and a huge puppy.

After Angel receives a frantic text from her brother, she abandons Sidney at the airport so he can continue to Florida for the PI training course they were signed up for while she goes solo to save her brother.

Upon arriving at the villa, she learns her brother has been kidnapped, and his very pregnant girlfriend is in a panic.

She takes Del's dog for a walk, and when she returns, the dog leads her to a different apartment where she discovers Sidney standing over a body with a poker in his back.

So, why? And how is Sidney in Italy when he should be in Florida, and did he kill the man on the floor?

[Deb F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent, enjoyable read. Zara outdid herself in this book! The characters, Angel and Sidney are the new dynamics duo with much hilarity involved.
Angel receives a worrisome text from her half-brother or I could say her half-wit brother, as she and Sidney are dropping off the rental car before flying to detective school in Flordia. After reading her brother's plea for help, she ditches Sidney at the airport telling him she would follow on another plane. Angel high-tails it to Monterosso, Italy hoping to find her brother. What she finds stuns even Angel. Her brother Del has changed his name to Jimmy and manages to be thoroughly despised by all the townspeople. Angel was not surprised by that as she went off in search of his apartment. What was a surprise was who and what she found where Del was living. Angel was not prepared to be attacked by a huge, overgrown St. Bernard puppy, who proceeds to slobber puppy kisses over her surprised face. She was shocked to look up&see a very pregnant woman around her brother's age answering his door.
Mayhem ensues as a cast of characters that
almost defy description is thrust into her life.
Angel just wants to find her brother and get to Florida. That proves more than she bargained for. As Angel tries to get answers, she stumbles across a murder victim, writer Lucky. This tale proceeds with characters that include the Italian mob/mafia, another conspiracy theorist & writer, Jocelyn, Del/Jimmy's apartment neighbors Barbie& Ken, other rag-tag people, and a police inspector aptly named Columbo who is sure Angel is a suspect in the murder of the unluckiest Lucky she has ever known. Oh, and out of the blue, Sidney shows up to help his friend Angel who is baffled at how he found her and why he wasn't on his way to Flordia.
With all the hilarity that ensues, Angel still needs to find her brother before the kidnappers kill him. This proves harder than she thought, as you will be transported to the beautiful Italian countryside where anything can happen and always does.
You need to read this third installment of Zara Keene's series. You will be thoroughly entertained and not able to put down your book! Happy reading.

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh off solving a case in the Alps, Angel and Sidney are preparing to leave for Florida when Angel gets a message from her estranged brother. She leaves for Italy instead when she gets a message saying he’s been kidnapped. She finds quite a mess waiting for her including a dead body and Sidney who shows up as well instead of going on to Florida. She is roped into dog duties taking care of her brother’s dog along with finding out that both the dead person and her brother had made a of enemies. As they look into both cases they can’t help but wonder if they both aren’t related. The suspect list seems to grow with new ones being added to it and you won’t believe the
final twists in this story as it wraps up!

This was a fun read and I enjoyed picturing the Italian coastal area in my mind as I read the descriptions of the towns. You will meet a wide variety of characters and will enjoy the time you spend reading this book!

I heartily recommend this book and the series to you as I think you’ll find these main characters will quickly become your new book friends and people you’ll want to read more about! I would also suggest you pick up Zara’s other series, Movie Reel Investigations and get to know some other interesting characters, the main ones who also will quickly become your friends as well!

It’s a great escape from the problems we’re facing today and in the world so why not treat yourself to a book you’ll enjoy!

[JACKIE K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zara Keane continues her high octane international adventure stories in this third series book. Angel and her friend Sidney have finally secured her mother’s blessing to attend PI school in the US and join the Omega Group as investigators. Things rarely proceed as planned for these two and when Angel’s half-brother Del texts a frantic plea for help, she can’t ignore it. Thus begins their most exciting case yet in picturesque Italy. Even though Angel tries not to involve Sidney, he manages to follow her trail and discovers that he has family connections involved in a murder investigation. A missing Del, his very pregnant girlfriend, two famous authors and a huge St. Bernard named Bernice are just a few of the characters making this a must read. There is an unforgettable hilarious chase involving a Piaggio Ape (a three-wheeled van) and a Vespa through town, which has me in stitches every time I picture it. Multiple suspects with plausible motives for the murder have Angel and Sidney increasingly desperate as they rush to find answers and rescue Del from an apparent ransomed kidnapping. I loved every minute of this book and I highly recommend it and the previous two in this compelling series. Zara Keane is one of my favorites and once again, she can be counted on for a totally entertaining read. I received an ARC from the author, but I happily provide this honest review.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun with lots of crazy chases and adventures in Italy. As always, Angel never disappoints and just as she thought she was all alone in this mystery, her good buddy Sidney showed up making them both most likely boot camp dropouts for their PI training. I'm not sure I'd wanna be around when Desiree rips those two a new one over missing camp! But...what if it was a test? That's what I kept wondering through most of the book, although I believe we won't find out until the next book comes out just how mad (or not) Angel's mom/boss was with those two.

At least Angel accomplished what she set out to do and she sure met a whole new bunch of crazy people and acquired a new family member in the process. OMG that Jocelyn was such a hoot! I hope he stays in the stories, he was such an entertainment center! I doubt he'd think it was funny I was amused by his shenanigans though lol. CI Colombo made me laugh sometimes just thinking how much he seemed like a certain TV detective who liked rumpled raincoats too-although he wasn't quite as friendly as his TV counterpart lol.

I just love this fun series! There's always a new adventure in a country I can visit just by reading about it! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the author, and my opinions are my own.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murdered in Monterosso is the third book in the Travel PI series. While reading the earlier books is not necessary to enjoy this third book, it will increase your enjoyment to read all. The book follows Angel Doyle, a reformed shop lifter and petty criminal, who is on her way from her last adventure in Switzerland to PI boot camp in Florida. She is accompanied by her sidekick, Sydney, who will also be attending the same course. Angel and Sydney plan to join the international PI firm owned by Angel's mother and former exotic dancer, Desiree. Just as Angel and Sydney arrive at the airport, Angel receives a mysterious text from her brother, Del, indicating he needs help and she should come to Monterosso right away. The latest adventure begins there as Angel and later Sydney meet Del's neighbors and other locals in the quest to find him. A dead body shows up in one of the neighboring apartments, so April and Sydney take on the murder investigation while they search for Del. While this series is a mystery series, I always find myself laughing out loud at many of the situations April and Sydney find themselves in. The new characters are interesting or annoying depending on their part in the story. While a murder is involved in the story, there is no gory violence. While this is not a romance novel, there are some "will she/won't she" moments as the series goes along. I highly recommend Murdered in Monterosso and the entire Travel PI series if you enjoy a light mystery set in wonderful and varied locations with fun characters and a touch of humor. I received an ARC in exchange for this, my honest review.

[Barbara Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in the Travel P.I. series! Zara Keane really knows how to craft a mystery story. Angel and Sid are all set to go to P.I. boot camp in Florida when they are sidetracked from their intended destination. They become embroiled in not only a murder, but also a kidnapping. This all takes place in the beautiful and scenic area of Italy known as the Cinque Terre. Five small towns along the Mediterranean Sea. Monterosso is one of those towns and the setting for this book. Angel and Sid have to solve both the murder and the kidnapping to save both Angel's half-brother Del, and Sid's cousin Jocelyn. With a cast of interesting and well developed characters they muddle through the mystery with their usual techniques and spirit. This leads to a rousing, action-packed story. Did they solve the mysteries? You'll have to read the story to find that out! A great read!

I was sent an advance copy by the author who requested I leave an honest review. This is my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angel and Sidney are on a high streak. They’ve just finished a harrowing case and Angel’s mom has finally agreed to send them to the PI boot camp so they can officially become working members of her super secret company Omega Group. On the way to the airport Angel receives a text from one of her brothers asking for help. She hasn’t heard from him in years and he’s from the criminal side of the family so she’s torn. She eventually decides to try and help and is off to Italy where shenanigans ensue. A murder, a pregnant girlfriend, a crazy puppy and so much more. Funny, wacky and everything you expect where two untrained yet enthusiastic people try and save the day yet wind up in the most hilarious situations possible.
I loved that we got to meet some of Angel’s family in this book. There’s plenty of the wackiness that I associate with Angel and Sidney. A fun and funny read. A really good series too!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.

[Owen Porterfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cozy Trouble in Paradise

I have been reading Zara Keane’s delightful cozies for a couple of years now. In an earlier review, I noted that Ms. Keane is becoming a very capable writer. That opinion remains. I expect that she will grow into one of the best in this genre. She’s not far off now.
Monterosso continues the mystery adventures of Angel Doyle, semi-reformed thief and accidental P.I., and Sidney, her accidental friend and sleuthing partner. Although the book can be well enjoyed on its own, it is better to start with the two earlier Travel P.I. books. You will appreciate the characters and the humor more.
One thing I really appreciate about Monterosso is how well Ms. Keane describes the town and the Cinque Terre area of Italy. The Travel P.I. theme is smart, and she really gives a nice sense of place in this book as she tells a good story.
I look forward to her next work.

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series! Not long before her flight to Florida with Sidney to take a proper Private Investigator course, Angel gets a panicky message for help from her half-brother (not heard from in two years). Suspecting the worst, she ditches Sidney and takes off for Cinque Terre in Italy, only to discover a pregnant girlfriend, a big, exuberant St. Bernard dog - and soon after, a dead body. All of the people in the surrounding apartments are suspects to the Detective Inspector, even Angel, so clearing her name - and finding her brother - are tops. Wit and humor lace the exciting narrative, which takes you all around the area, not forgetting the lovely scenery and shopping (a great cover for asking questions, right?). Slowly clues and facts are revealed until the surprising ending. - I received an advance copy and freely leave this honest review.

[Linnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murdered in Monterosso is the third book in the Travel P.I. Mystery series by Zara Keane.

Angel and her partner Sidney are excited to fly to Florida for P.I. boot camp training which would enable them to become official members of the Omega Group.

On the way to the airport, Angel receives a frantic text from her estranged half brother saying that she is the only person who can save him from a mortally dangerous situation in Monterosso. Angel abandons Sidney at the airport and flies to Italy to rescue Del.

Murdered in Monterosso is an excellent, fast paced cozy mystery full of quirky characters, and I enjoyed it very much. Bernice the St. Bernard puppy is a welcome addition.

I received an ARC from the author for my honest review.

[Jeremy Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrying straight on from 'Ambushed in the Alps', this is another belting Angel book from Zara. Of course, things go wrong straight from the off so instead of ending up in Florida, Angel ends up in Italy.

I found it entertaining and funny with some great characters that have highly amusing names in some cases. Including a big dog. No surprise that Sydney ends up there to also add to the mayhem, and I found it a very enjoyable read.

The descriptions of the area around Monterosso made me look it up, and now I want to go and visit, so we probably will!

I'd highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one from my favourite cozy mystery writer, and I think she gets better with every book!

(I had an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review)

[G.Terenzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel received a cryptic email from her brother (who she hadn't been in contact with for 2 years). He is asking her to come to Monterosso because he is in great danger. Blood and family ties are very important to Angel so she stops her own plans of going to the USA for a PI course and ditch her friend and partner Sidney to drive to Italy. Surprise, surprise to find her brothers girlfriend highly pregnant at the villa but not her brother. Things are getting more complicated and confusing when Sidney is showing up at the villa, a part-time tennent is found murdered and a ransom note appears for the release of her brother. And to make things more complicated there is Bernice - a huge and playful St Bernard dog...

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action starts right after the end of the previous book. Angel has to make a hard decision-pursue her dream or save her brother. Since Angel has a soft heart under that hard exterior, you know what she choose.

The action is nonstop and has a full cast of characters. I like this series because it remind me of past mysteries-a full cast who all have ties to the murdered.

The reason for the 4 stars is the quick ending. I would have liked a bit more info in what happens to the people whose various crimes were unearthed.

A quick enjoyable read that has the reader catching clues with the protagonists.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murdered in Monterosso by Zara Keane is once again an intriguing read. Third in the series Angel and Sidney are just getting started in the P. I. business. Keep your training trip to Florida or go off to Italy to save your brother. Coming from a dysfunctional family like Angel’s the choice is easy. Try to pull off both. What a thrilling amusing read this is.

While this is not the usual cozy mystery, it is also not the graphic violent thriller either. What it is – sheer entertainment from beginning to end. Enjoy Murdered in Monterosso today.

The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murdered in Monterosso is another exciting mystery for Angel and Sidney. Probably in trouble for ditching the P.I. boot camp, the pair ends up in Monterosso after a frantic text from Angel's half brother. The cast of characters includes a very pregnant girlfriend, Sydney's cousin, a murdered writer, all the residents of the villa where Del and Dani are staying, several probably less than honest villagers, a huge St. Bernard puppy, and several cats. Angel and Sidney have their hands full trying to solve this one. I was so engaged in my reading that it was 4:30 am when I finished the book!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hungry for seafood and gelato. Like the food, the story jumps out at you, and Bernice. I loved it. The action never stops including all the walks and, well you'll have to read it for yourself. BTW don't forget to download the epilogue at the end of the book. It answers a small question. The characters are unique, fun and wonderful. Monterosso and surrounding towns are beautiful and worth a visit if only in this book. Sadly, this is as close to Italy as I well ever get. Can't help love Bernice and the five she wants to play with but they don't want to play with her.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel and Sidney are on their way to P.I. boot camp in Florida, what could go wrong? A frantic text from her estranged brother derails their plans. Throw in a pregnant woman due any day, a kidnapping, a dead body and a big dog and you have a great story.
There are plenty of suspects for both crimes, a chance of gangster involvement and a fun chase scene. Plenty of mystery, plenty of laughs and a book that is fun to read. Looking forward to the next book.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my freely given and honest review.

[Doris Brase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lies, lies and more lies on the Italian coast.

Absolutely enjoyed this adventure with Sidney and Angel. It's funny, exciting, and occasionally, a peek at the pain in disconnected families. Angel and Sidney put PI school on hold to rescue Angel's brother from his kid nappers. They get entangled in the dynamics of tenants in the apartment house that her brother was staying in with his very pregnant girl friend.
If you haven't read the first two books in the series, please do. They are terrific.

[Cecilia Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what you're looking for in a cozy mystery! It's got murder, animals with big personalities, and a duo of sleuths who are doing their best with only half the information. In this third adventure with Angel & Sydney they risk their own dreams to help out Angel's brother. But nothing is as simple as it seems, and it won't be as quick as they had hoped. Join them as they meet Dani, Jocelyn, and a big fluffy dog named Bernice - you're in for a fun ride!

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel and Sidney are about to head to Florida but get sidetracked when Angel's brother calls for help. Instead they head to Italy. A pregnant girlfriend, a St. Bernard, and a dead body are the start of this adventure. Can Angel and Sidney investigate the quirky characters, find her brother and solve the case before she is the next victim. Plenty of fun, more character development, and gelato. Enjoy.

[Doreen Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in a light mystery series by Zara Keane. So far, each book has been set in a different region of Europe, and the author makes luxurious use of the location. The newest book, set in the town of Monterosa in Italy, romps from murder to abduction (or was it?) to delivering a baby. I loved it! The pace was steady, the descriptions were clear, and the proofreading was much better than most e-books nowadays. Highly recommended!

[Pete Ffrench · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel and Sydney are on their way to USA (boot camp) to learn to be real PIs but fate steps in in the guise of her dumb brother and they are waylaid to Italy to save his skin (or so they think). A couple of murders and a lot of plot twists later (gaining a rather large dog and a new niece to boot) they are no nearer to being real detectives but they have learnt a lot and figured out not to trust duplicitous Del ever again. Enjoyable read thanks Zara for the ARC.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed this series with Angel and Sydney, aspiring PI’s. Just when they think they’re finally going to get their official training, her brother throws a monkey wrench in their plans. Danger, intrigue, a wild and crazy dog, Bernice, and some colorful characters take the reader on quite the ride. Entertaining despite the murders, with characters you love and those you love to hate. Looking forward to seeing what comes next for Angel & Sydney (and perhaps Luc?).

[Gary and Sandra Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story

Ms. Keane has given us a delightful new series to read. Angel and Sidney travel to Italy to rescue Angel's idiot brother from kidnappers but stumble into a murder with to many suspects and no idea where to start. Is this murder connected to her brother, or is there more nefarious motives to be found. The characters and the storytelling make for a enjoyable reading experience.

[Antonia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is as delicious a read as the Gelato in Monterosso. I couldn't put the book down. The action, humor and the antics of Bernice the dog all coalesce to make another excellent mystery. The red herrings and Sydney's surprise arrival at the murder scene really ramp up the level of intrigue. This is a most excellent read!

[Marissa Goetschel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble has unique ways of finding Angel and Sidney. Faced with deciding between a family crisis and PI boot camp, Angel rushes off to Italy. The Italian villa is full of secrets, mysteries, and a corpse. As the series progresses I continue to enjoy the humor and the action. I'm also loving the growth of Angel and Sidney. I look forward to what comes next.