A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany (Miss Ashford Investigates, #4)

by Vivian Conroy

Agatha Christie meets Julie Caplin in this exciting new cosy crime series that captures the glamour of the 1930s with the gorgeous escapist destinations!

An escape to Tuscany
An unexpected invitation
A murder at midnight…

When novice detective Atalanta Ashford is whisked away to Italy by her friend, race car driver Raoul Lemont, she anticipates a happy holiday under the Tuscan sun. But a chance meeting on the Orient Express with Italian heiress Catharina Lanetti leads to a party invitation…and front row seats for a mysterious murder!

With their new friend under suspicion Atalanta and Raoul set to work trying to discover who really murdered Catharina’s father. But with more than half a dozen suspects – all with compelling motive – Atalanta may just be facing her toughest case yet!

Look out for more Miss Ashford mysteries and get your passports ready as you travel with her to some of the most sought-after destinations on the continent…
Book 1: Mystery in Provence
Book 2: Last Seen in Santorini
Book 3: A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany
Book 4: Last Dance in Salzburg

Readers are loving A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany:

‘A lovely cosy crime story set in Tuscany – all gorgeous landscapes and beautiful light.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A great mystery and fast read! ’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Orient Express, 1930, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, race-car-driver, country-estate, inheritance, family-dynamics, family-drama, family-business, murder, murder-investigation, secrets, lies…’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘So much vintage goodness!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Likeable characters, excellent storytelling, and an interesting murder mystery to keep one guessing till the end.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• ISBN13: 9780008549312
• Publish Date: 13 April 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany is the third historical cozy mystery by Vivian Conroy to feature amateur high society discreet inquiry agent Miss Atalanta Ashford. Released 13th April 2023 by HarperCollins on their One More Chapter imprint, it's 369 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a well written destination mystery very much in the style of the Golden Age; more Marsh/Sayers than Christie. It's full of well-heeled high society characters, moderately witty repartee, and gentility. The plot is straightforward with a satisfying denouement and resolution. Although it's the 3rd book in the series, it is self contained and works well as a standalone. 

With four books extant in the series, it would make a good choice for a long weekend binge or buddy read. The language is clean and the crimes are cozy acceptable and not bloody. 

Four stars. Well written and engaging. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.