This is an atmospheric story set in Tuscany. The characters are well developed. This book felt like a mix of Agatha Christie and Daphne du Marier. This was a compelling read

Against her son’s wishes, widow Constance Bowen travels to Tuscany to take a job as companion to an ill English gentleman in the Castello di Roccia Nera just outside Florence. ‘Murder Under the Tuscan Sun’ by Rachel Rhys is set in an exquisitely beautiful place and the change of scenery is exactly what Constance believes she needs. It is very different from Pinner.
Carrying with her a double grief – for her husband, dead a year, and daughter Millie, five years earlier – Constance is wracked with nerves and doubt. Her patient, stroke-sufferer William North, proves irascible and sparing in his conversation. Constance has been employed by William’s niece, Evelyn Manetti. A flighty beautiful creature devoted to her Italian-American husband Roberto, Evelyn seems less enchanted with Nora, her daughter with her first husband.
The setting is voluptuous and it’s easy to fall for the delights of this Tuscan summer, as Constance quickly does. But all is not happy in this beautiful place and there are occasional unkindnesses and cruelty that make it uncomfortable. It is 1927 and fascism is rising. The castle is said to be haunted by a young girl, a talented violinist, denounced as a witch and bricked up alive in the castle walls.
The community of locals and ex-pats is populated with a collection of likeable and objectionable characters. When spooky things start to happen – mysterious music at night, the vision of a disappearing child dressed in white – which only Constance witnesses, I wanted to shout ‘leave now.’ The story is told in its entirety from Constance’s point of view. Her confusion at what she sees and experiences, and her inability or unwillingness to challenge anyone, becomes repetitive until her son James arrives and asks difficult questions of his mother.
So the title is misleading, this is not a thriller, not a crime novel. More a mystery suspense story in the vein of Mary Stewart or Daphne du Maurier. A strong sense of unease permeates the castle, something is not quite right – is Constance ill, vulnerable, suffering from exhaustion, or is there evil at work.
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I wanted to like this book so much more than I actually did! The plot is ominous to the extreme. We have a well-adjusted English mother/widow chaffing at her lack of activity who takes up a job in a remote Italian castle as a nursemaid/companion.
The book is set in 1927, with the growth of Fascism in Italy. When Connie gets to the castle, she finds an odd setup. The niece of the ailing man by marriage is the one who is in charge of the daily running of the household. She is charming, as is her chauvinist husband (when he wants to be). There is a neglected young girl wandering the castle, and the housekeeper has her own history with the place. Amidst all this, Connie is trying to build a new life. She keeps having a see-saw of highs and lows with regard to how she feels about everything around her.
This is where I hit a roadblock in liking the book. The number of times she has similar interactions with the people around her, and then she goes and forgets/forgives them, only for them to repeat their behaviour got a little repetitive after a time.
It is also easy to see where the story was headed, although the writing makes one rethink the certainties. The author has a very distinct style of setting the scene, and this helped me read the book all the way to the end. I have read other books by the author that I have enjoyed more than this one, and I would continue to recommend the author to fans of the historical fiction genre.
This particular story did not draw me in, and I was not as invested in the overall outcome as I had hoped to be towards the end. I think I am also harder in my reaction to this book than a few others of similar themes because I have previously really liked some of the author's works.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

The author conveys the atmosphere of Italy and the large house well. The situation seems idyllic but strange, inexplicable things happen, which lead to sinister events. Very readable mystery.

This very slow moving story is set in the Tuscan Hills near Florence in the late 1920’s, just as the fascists get a grip in Italy. The writer takes us through the story of a widowed London housewife, who becomes a companion to an English art expert in Italy. I did not find this book gripping in any way and it was only near the end that the strings were finally pulled together in the story. However I felt the ending rather implausible.

This is an auto buy author for me, an author who can do no wrong. Although, this is written under a pen name, I was super excited to find that this was a new release.

This is a book that exceeded my expectations, I knew just from the author that I would love if. However, I definitely underestimated how much I would love this book.

I love Connie, it’s been great reading about an older main character, she has her experiences and knowledge to really make her relatable. The setting of this one has been fantastic. Rhys has managed to transport me to this and with such brilliant writing, made me feel present.

This is a read filled with tension and suspense. It is literally laced through the pages. The atmosphere and environment add an eerie feel. I have loved this from beginning to end.

Rhys has really captivated my attention with this book. I have been pulled in and unwilling to put this book down. I have felt as though I have known the characters and been present watching this play out.

This is another brilliant read from a very talented author. I have loved every moment of this book. I cannot recommend it more highly. A must for the TBR.

Tuscany, late Nineteen Twenties Mussolini’s power and dominance is on the rise. In this castle high above Tuscany, the people who love there are English.

William the ailing art dealer, nursing a broken heart.

Evelyn, William’s niece. Vacuous and false.

Roberto, Evelyn’s husband fascinated with Fascism.

Nora, neglected daughter of Evelyn and her first husband.

And Constance, widowed and grieving for a daughter also lost. The companion to William.

But all is not as it seems, there is something about this castle, deep in the Tuscan Hills.

There is something about the behaviour of Evelyn.

The behaviour of Roberto. Aligning himself to those who are to be noticed.

The treatment of Nora, which made me weep with frustration at such a barbaric act.

The noises that Constance can hear at night, during the day. Where are they coming from?

And the failing health of William, seemingly sometimes so fit and alert.

This book whilst filled with rich descriptions of the Tuscan landscape, is filled with twists and turns of the characters and plot. What is really going on in this novel? What is the aim of the author? A book which kept me turning the pages, because I was caught up with what was happening, that I had to find out. I had no clue as to what was happening, I was completely entranced but them all. I was wrong, as was Constance. What I learned was heart breaking, but the denouement was right and the outcome even more so. What a journey, what a book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Murder Under the Tuscan Sun by Rachel Rhys is a captivating mystery set in a remote castle in Tuscany.
I enjoyed this rich, atmospheric novel with a touch of malevolence! One of the sentences which stood out and I feel encapsulates the story is, ‘Grief is lonely, we think we can share it, but we can’t’.
I’ve read Rachel’s previous books and her writing always has a great descriptive narrative and an intriguing plot…I’m looking forward to reading more from Rachel.
Big thanks to Rachel Rhys, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

I haven't read any of Rachel's previous books, but I enjoyed this one so much that I've now ordered her back catalogue. Hugely enjoyable story, would definitely recommend.

I enjoyed Rachel Rhys’s previous novels, but it took me quite a while to get into the latest one, Murder Under the Tuscan Sun. Initially, I didn’t like any of the characters, but the more I read, the more both the characters and the story developed in a way so that I finally started to enjoy the novel. The historical period is well-depicted, the atmosphere is evocative, and I liked the suspense and the sense of unease that increases as you keep reading. Overall, this is not my favorite novel by this author, but I still found it interesting, well-written, and enjoyable!

Thoroughly enjoyable story. I worked out the plot fairly early but it didn't spoil the story. Very descriptive, you can almost feel you are there in Tuscany. Well described characters and a great storyline. Loved the conclusion!!

When Constance Bowen, recently widowed, mourning the loss of her daughter, and in a not particularly close relationship with her son, is given the opportunity to work as a paid companion to an infirm gentleman in Tuscany she leaps at the chance for an escape from her humdrum life - despite the disapproval of her son. Before too long, however, it is clear that this Italian idyll is far from that - is the idyllic castle haunted, and if so why is she the only one who is seemingly affected? are the hosts really as genteel as they make out? Some excellent descriptions and at times I did feel like I'd been transported to the sunny mountainside Rhys talks of. It was a book that I found myself racing through, just to find out what exactly was at the heart of all the strange happenings. It's hard to say more without revealing anything that I shouldn't. As a fan of mysteries set in the past, think Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh this definitely appealed to me. Not as complex as some as I did guess who were the culprits in the end but nonetheless a great read and I am grateful to NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read an advance review copy.

Tuscany 1927-, and 49-year-old widow Constance Bowen, living in pedestrian Pinner in Middlesex, answers an advertisement in The Lady requesting a nurse/companion. Her patient, as such, is William North, an Englishman and art-expert, in his fifties who is recovering from a stroke. He has members of an extended family living with him in a substantial castle-like house near Florence.
Constance’s new life in Italy is a sudden and delightful change to her unexciting existence in England as she immerses herself in her new role as part of the life of the castle and its family.
The rise of Mussolini’s Fascists affects Constance’s experience, and together with a ghostly noise of a child crying and violin music which she hears in the castle at night and instances of what are known as gaslighting in modern parlance – we have a finely-researched and attuned historical gothic mystery that is pleasingly set in the customs and conventions of the 1920s. However, it should be made clear that the murder that is crisply informed in the title of the story does not happen in the narrative and the reader’s attentions are directed towards who is to be the victim and wondering just when the violent deed will take place; it is a strange and perhaps misleading title for the book. If the reader is expecting a murder mystery to solve then they will be sadly disappointed!

Feeling like there must be more to life than her present day mundanity, widow Connie answers an advert for a companion/carer to an invalid gentleman in Italy. Her son seems both disapproval and astonished at his mothers actions, but when Connie arrives at her new post, not only is she surprised at the age of the gentleman (he is somewhat younger than she imagined) she is both struck with the beauty of the castle and it's surroundings, but also the strangeness of the castles occupants. Is it her? or is there something going on? Lack of sleep, weird noises and the unsettling relationship she appears to have growing for her 'patient', leaves Connie thinking she is losing her mind and can not trust herself to make sense of her surroundings. But when her son comes to visit, and opens her eyes to those around her, the light is soon shone onto those who are out to get what they can.

I enjoy Rachel's books and the settings she takes the reader off to. There is a strong sense of unease in the castle which clashes with the beauty around it. Good description of it's characters and flow and continuous movement in the story make it an easy and enjoyable read.

Despairing at the mundanity of her life in Pinner, widow Connie answers an advertisement for a companion to gentleman in Italy. Her son disapproves but Connie travels to Tuscany to work for a rich art dealer who has recently had a stroke. At the castle are the glamorous niece and her husband, a younger Fascist sympathiser, along with a less glamorous, neglected daughter and loyal family staff. Haunted by tales of a ghost in the castle, Connie finds her professional efforts questioned as her charge deteriorates in condition. Is she losing it, or are there more sinister goings on?
I do like Rhys as a writer, she manages to produce period pieces that not pastiches but also true to the period. Here there is a real Agatha Christie vibe with the psychological plotline alongside the 1927 setting. The plot isn't that great and the ending is far too romantic but it's a solid read.

I love books set early last Century, and particularly like books set between the two wars. Throw in some mystery and an examination of the role of women in this era and I am sold! I particularly admired that the protagonist was 'older' and how she was keen to see what life had to offer. The juxtaposition between how she was viewed as being old compared to how somebody of that age is seen now, was interesting.

I fell in love with the setting and could feel the heat and see the vistas in my head. The castle in particular was very well drawn, and the ominous dread seeped from the pages.

Well written and enjoyable with a streak of darkness running through it, I read it very quickly. Great stuff.

Having read previous books by Rachel Rhys I was really excited to be part of the blog tour for her new book Murder Under the Tuscan Sun. I have loved her previous books and with her new book set just outside Florence, my favourite place to visit, and in a castle with some wonderful art and the setting of 1927 this was a book I had to read.

What dawned on me as I was reading Murder Under the Tuscan Sun was that it reminded me of an Agatha Christie thriller, both in plot and the characters. There is the older Uncle, rich, an art expert, widowed and currently unwell. Then there is his niece Evelyn, young, beautiful, a social butterfly and newly married to the handsome Roberto. Evelyn’s eight year old daughter, who is awkward and neglected by her mother and Alina, the housekeeper who seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. Into this disfunctional family comes Constance Bowen, employed as a companion to William North, the Uncle. Consance is looking to spread her wings after the death of her husband and daughter but instead of flourishing under the Tuscan sun she seems to loose sight of herself, hearing noises, seeing things and starts to question her own sanity. This wonderful and eclectic cast of characters are not who they first seem.

Rachel Rhys’s writting and storytelling is beguiling. As soon as I started reading I was completely lost in the story, lives of the characters and of course the beautiful Tuscan landscape that I love so much. Whilst life at the castle at first seems quite glamorous and tranquil, with the characters enjoying la dolce vita after the War, Rachel Rhys soon starts to slowly drop in points of darkness that build up so there is an undercurrent of suspense and suspicion; no one is really who they seem, like an old painting as the varnish erodes the truth is revealed. I have a love of Florence and Tuscany and Rachel Rhys made me feel I was there with the characters; the warmth of sun, the lemon trees, the blooming flowers, the beautiful villas and the soft golden light that seems to touch everything in Tuscany. Then there is the castle itself, set in a beautiful landscape, but interestlingly seems more gothic, with it’s turrets and gargoyles than the usual Renaissance architecture, which suits the plot line with it’s darker undercurrent.

You can probably guess that I adored this book. The cast of characters and their back stories was fascinating, seeing them develop and change like the seasons in the book had me questioning who they really were. The setting was stunning and gave me wanderlust for the beautiful city of Florence, the heat and the architecture. There was suspense throughout, strange happenings and the feeling of ‘the other’ in true Agatha Christie style. Murder Under the Tuscan Sun is a marvelous mystery with a touch of malevolence and totally magnificent.

Another wonderful book by Rachel Rhys. I love her historical fiction writing. This is set in Tuscany and you can almost feel the heat and atmosphere through the writing. A great story. Highly recommended.

Murder Under the Tuscan Sun is the brand new sinister and tantalising mystery from Rachel Rhys. Set during the late 1920’s in a castle in the Tuscan hills near Florence, this is a slow burner which sucks you in and builds to a crescendo of revelations. Constance (Connie) Bowen is an English widow who accepts a job in Italy as companion to an invalid. She has been on her own for a year although the reader gets glimpses that perhaps she was not always happy in her marriage and sad and grieving though she may be you sense there is a small element of freedom surrounding her. Of wanting to try and experience new things. Connie’s son James is not happy with her decision but she needs to do something for herself. To remove herself from her mundane existence in England and the shadows that still haunt her connected to the death of her daughter Millie several years ago. As Connie arrives in Italy, little does she realise the job she has signed up will provide her with a lot more mysterious, disturbing and unsettling goings on than she could ever have hoped for.

William North is a respected art connoisseur who has suffered a brain injury and needs assistance. He resides in the castle with his niece Evelyn Manetti, her husband Roberto and Nora, her young daughter from a previous relationship. As Connie settles into her new routine, the setting of the castle and the surrounding countryside come alive. The reader gets a real sense for the food, the climate, the architecture and the artworks. She explores the castle and its grounds but Connie just can’t shake off the feeling that there is a lot left unspoken and that the residents are all hiding something. Connie and William do not get off to a good start.He views her with disdain and I suppose this was because he was suffering but felt he didn’t need someone to look after him rather that he craved the independence that he once had. William is not old and decrepit but in fact is only in his mid 50’s. He has suffered tragedy in his life having lost his wife and son. He is brusque and offhand with Connie and she feels she can’t do anything right but she persists in assisting him through keeping him company, reading to him, writing correspondence and administering medication as recommended by the visiting doctor.

The story is told through Connie’s point of view for the entire length of the book and this does work very well. We see her unease and at times growing confusion as strange things start to occur. Incidents which she can’t provide a reasonable explanation for. She feels the sadness within the castle especially with Nora who comes across as a strange child who is more or left to her own devices whilst her mother flits around the city with her new husband. Although when Connie spots Roberto with some Fascists she is aghast that he is apparently on their side. Nora is lonely and needs guidance as her mother dismisses her as being rather an inconvenience as opposed to someone to love, cherish and nurture. But Nora is watchful, odd but endearing and maybe she sees and remembers an awful lot more than she is given credit for. Connie strikes up a friendship with her as I felt she did with William the further the book progressed. But William is a closed book and as his health begins to deteriorate despite the best care afforded by Connie he becomes more angry, incapacitated and unable to communicate properly. They do develop a tentative connection of sorts but as things turn against Connie she feels as if she is in a desperate situation which is rapidly spiralling out of her control.

Connie starts to feels as if the walls are closing in on her and that she is not the right person for the job. The castle and its residents seem to be turning against her. At some points she starts to think is she losing her mind as she knows she has done such a thing correctly or placed something somewhere and then it turns out to be the opposite. She is making mistakes that she would never have made before and not sleeping as she hears unusual sounds echoing throughout the castle. Sounds which no one else seems to hear. I never thought Connie was losing her mind but rather that there were sinister forces at work and this led to a feeling of mistrust regarding every character. I started not to take any statement or event at face value rather that I had to dig deeper and try and suss out the meaning behind it.

I will admit given the title I was constantly waiting for a murder to occur. With each turn of the page I expected to find a character dead and then the discovering of who did it was set in motion. This didn’t occur and I didn’t think I would ever say this but I wasn’t let down that this did not occur in the traditional format of a mystery/crime book. Instead, Rachel Rhys has woven a wonderful tapestry of a mystery with such subtle incidents occurring that bit by bit a twisted story starts to emerge. I never guessed as to who was the culprit and the reasons for it and I found myself racing through the final few chapters as things came to a head. They were tense and action packed, real edge of your seat stuff with your mouth agape at what was unfolding. That’s the way a good mystery should be you’re left guessing until the last possible moment. Delighted if you have guessed correctly as to what is going on but equally satisfied when the wool has been pulled over your eyes.

I had adored A Dangerous Crossing by Rachel Rhys but found that Island of Secrets didn’t have me as gripped but with Murder Under a Tuscan I believe the author has returned to her earlier form and this was an excellent and gripping read which provided the reader with the perfect ending. More like this in the future please as it was a pleasure to read.

Murder Under the Tuscan Sun is a gripping and atmospherical mystery thriller set in Tuscany in the 1920’s. I’m a massive fan of historical fiction and this read for me was just fabulous. As soon as I started this book I could feel the atmosphere of the place creeping in on me and I was utterly absorbed in the story. A gripping and page turning read with wonderful characters that will engage you right from the very beginning. As mentioned I’ve not read anything by Rachel Rhys before so I’m straight off to purchase her previous books .
A massive 5⭐️ read for me.