Dan Armstrong, a retired UK Scotland Yard inspector turned mystery novelist, is on holiday in Siena with his new girlfriend, Anna, his dog, Oscar, and his friend from the Tuscany police and his wife.

While sightseeing they become acquainted with a group of scientists in Tuscany for a meeting. When one of their number is found dead apparently mulled by a wolf, the police as Dan to be their interpreter with the group. When the medical examination shows that it wasn't a wolf but a man, Dan is needed even more.

This is a great series. The characters are interesting and the writing is great.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I recently visited Italy and I loved this book because I was able to relate to this book.

I have not read any other books in this series but felt I was able to read as a standalone. But I will definately be reading the others.

*P.I. Storyline
*Wolf attacks blamed for killings of scientists
*Study of a Medieval mural of the Crucifixion
*Little bit of humor because of the dog Oscar- comic relief
*A little dull and dry- I skipped through the unnecessary parts of the story
*Not my favorite book by the author

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwoods Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Murder in Siena is the fourth book in an entertaining series by T.A. Williams. This time, retired police office, Dan Armstrong, and his constant canine companion, Oscar, are in Siena for a long weekend with Dan’s girlfriend, Anna. They are looking forward to a stress-free vacation with good food and sightseeing. Instead, they run head-long into a murder. Or is it an accident? Time will tell.

I enjoy this series a lot and this book was no exception. The plot is well-conceived, the dialogue crisp, the descriptions of the Italy’s Tuscan region are well-done, and the characters are interesting. With some personal issues added for good measure, the story seems realistic and it easily kept my attention. It is most definitely a police procedural, so at times the pace was a little slower that I would have liked. But, nevertheless, Murder in Siena is a good book and well-worth reading. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

This cozy mystery series is great for armchair travel. I loved revisiting Italy and these characters. While I have read all the books in this series, I think this could be read as a standalone.

In the fourth in the series, Dan Armstrong finds himself on a break in Siena. Set in self-contained hotel, you have the perfect setting for a locked room murder story. The suspects are many and there are plenty of red herrings. With a full and varied cast of characters, Dan Armstrong has his work cut out to sort out the clues. As murder follows murder, you are right there alongside him, trying to work out 'whodunnit'.

Accompanied by some familiar faces, including his gorgeous black labrador, Oscar, Dan finds himself thinking back over the sacrifices he made for his career in his personal life. He is determined to try to stop his friends ending up with the damage to their marriage which he ended up with. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, especially with the setting and the wolves who were out and about nearby. As a holiday read, this would be the perfect escape.

In short: murder, mayhem and wolves...

‘Murder in Siena’ is the fourth instalment in this cosy crime series and it was such a treat to return to it! Dan and Oscar have become one of my favourite series at the moment and I always look forward to picking them up. Don't worry if you haven't read the previous books as it works well as a standalone whodunit! But I would recommend reading the earlier books as they are just as good as this one!

This outing sees the gang up sticks and go on a short holiday just outside Siena. Dan and Anna are still going strong and they have gone away with Detective Virgilio and his wife Lina. Of course, death has a nasty habit of following them. At the hotel a symposium is taking place with numerous scientists and when one of them is found death Dan and Virgilio are roped in to help out. Whilst, there was the initial idea of it being a wolf attack this is soon disproved for they begin looking into other motives! Will they figure out who the murderer is before they strike again?

It was great to experience another part of Tuscany through the eyes and bellies of Dan and a) it made me want to visit and b) I got very hungry indeed! I always like that there is a bit of history and tourism added into the mix as it means you learn a bit about Tuscany as well! For example I had no idea there was wild wolves still in Italy! This almost had the feel of a big house mystery, quite like the first book in the series as there are a limited number of possible baddies and victims to kill off. I did feel there was a bit of repetition when it came to everyone’s movements and timings and it could have been edited out slightly but then I have a stellar memory!

I really like the dynamics between our core two couples and it was interesting to see Dan noticing the problems he had with his ex-wife starting to creep into the other couple! I look forward to seeing how this plays out further down the series. This was a very enjoyable read and I flew through it in one sitting! I was also having a very bad pain day and this was the perfect medicine as it was engaging and very compelling!

I enjoyed this trip to Tuscany and I can't wait for book five!

Retired police officer Dan Armstrong is on hand when a man is killed. At first, it seems that wolves were responsible but forensics prove that a human killer is to blame. Dan is assisted by his own four legged pal Oscar the labrador but can they catch the killer...?
Murder in Siena is the 4th book to feature Dan and Oscar but the first that I have read. There are mentions of previous cases which I presume featured in earlier books.
Dan is woken by a wolf howling to the moon and then a body is discovered. But the murder was definitely a result of human actions. There is a complex web of relationships for Dan and the police to unpick to determine the motive and therefore the culprit. I did find it a little complicated but then life and love are both complicated!
The book is described as a cosy mystery which surprised me as I thought it was more of a detective novel initially. There isn't a lot of graphic forensic detail about the body and the inclusion of Oscar as an almost equal partner in the case definitely softens the tone.
There are lots of twists as the investigation progresses. Dan needs to balance his professional interest alongside his friendship, relationship and holiday plans. I enjoyed the setting and there are lots of mentions of food so don't read on an empty stomach! I also liked the recurring wolf motif that threads through the book.
Murder in Siena is a twisty murder mystery.

I have read the other books in this series and was glad to be accepted for the next instalment. Really fun reads

The second book in this series is as good as the first! The descriptions of amazing food, wine, architecture, and culture in Italy again form the backdrop to an intriguing series of murders that private investigator Dan Armstrong, his faithful black Lab, Oscar, and his friends find themselves helping to solve while on a weekend away in Siena. The cast of characters at an academic symposium who serve as victims and suspects makes the plot both complex and entertaining. This is a fairly quick and very enjoyable read for those who love mysteries set in Italy. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to continue reading this series.

Another great read in this amazing series. Sett in the beautiful Italian town of Siena, with a twist. The story is well-developed as you would expect and the characters are very believable; the more we see Dan, the more we relate to him and his wonderful dog of course. Suspense is created through the possibility of wild animals being responsible for the killing yet the threat of a murderer at large also adds to the suspense. To create stories that are engaging yet easy to read is no mean feat yet T.A.Williams manages to do this time after time. Another triumph.

A Murder In Sienna is an enjoyable who-dunnit mystery - fast paced and quick witted the story flows really well. It’s my first read in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series and certainly won’t be the last.
I really liked the professional relationship between Dan and Bruno. Both alike in their attention to detail, they were cool and calm in their work. I enjoyed how the investigation was walked through with us the reader - clues and interviews giving those little bits of information crucial to finding the culprit.
The descriptions of the Italian food and countryside sounded perfect and Anna’s knowledge of the Italian history and culture added a nice touch to the story.

This is another resounding triumph from one of my favourite authors! (Search T A Williams to find previous reviews)

I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Tuscany through the eyes of Dan Armstrong once more and, of course, his wonderful sidekick Oscar the Labrador who is simply adorable.

As with any T A Williams novel, the descriptions of the setting, the glorious food and wine of the region transport the reader to Italy and I often find myself yearning to take a return trip there to sample the delights in person.

I particularly liked the backstory to this one dealing with environmental issues and the differing views of the characters towards the local wolves which added a really different perspective to the crime.

There is plenty of humour peppered throughout which helps keeps the tone lighthearted and the variety of characters who potentially could be implicated in the murder help keep the reader guessing.

A hugely enjoyable read!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

3.8 Stars
One Liner: Great setting and food; okayish mystery

Dam Armstrong and Oliver are back in action, this time, with Anna, Dan’s girlfriend, to add to the team. Dan and Anna (with Virgilio and his wife Lina) plan a trip to Tuscany for a weekend after the successful launch of his first book (in the UK). The historic city of Siena promises relaxation and fun. However, a mutilated body is discovered in the hotel gardens, and Dan and Virgilio get involved in the investigation.
With rumors about wolves in the region, Dan realizes that the killer is clever enough to divert the blame (if they are indeed human). This puts Oliver at greater risk, and Dan needs to step in and solve the case before things get out of hand.
The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
This is the fourth installment in the series and pretty much as enjoyable as the previous ones. Though it works as a standalone, the subplots are integral to the central mystery and will be enhanced if you know the entire backstory. That said, there is enough information to fill the blanks.
The setting is a treat to read (which is the specialty of this series). This time, we explore Siena and the nearby historical structures in Tuscany. The hotel, the ruins, the streets, hills, farms, etc., come alive on the pages. However, it never gets boring or too much.
Food is another highlight of the series. There are many lunch and dinner scenes with the menu listed in detail. Dan enjoys talking about (Italian) food.
The mystery starts well, and despite the endless list of suspects, it’s easy enough to track who is who. Dan’s method of tagging and categorizing suspects simplifies things, even if it doesn’t always sound good. The case drags in the middle and picks up toward the last quarter. However, the solution makes sense (got to pay attention to the bits scattered around). The elements may be convoluted, but the actual mystery is simple.
As always, Oscar is more than Dan’s cute Labrador. He finds clues and helps with the investigation even without meaning to. And Oscar is so adorable that no one can resist his charm!
We also see some extreme reactions to wolves from different people. They range from one end to another, and surprisingly someone with strong options display a balanced perspective. While this is well done, I’m a little disappointed that Reiner’s track doesn’t exactly add to the plot. This hasn’t happened before in the series. I hope it will continue in the next book (there’s a lead, so maybe…).
Now that Dan and Anna are going strong, we see how Chief Inspector Virgilio and his wife handle their marriage. Can Dan help them, given he was in the same position a few years ago?
There is quite a bit of repetition in this copy (ARC). I hope it will be edited out before the release.

To summarize, Murder in Siena is a good continuation of the series and presents a delightful combination of food, virtual sightseeing, mystery, and wolves.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I absolutely love this series! Terrific mystery, great setting and, of course, a super clever Labrador!

With a new woman in his life, Dan Armstrong is really looking forward to a long, relaxing weekend in the country with Anna and, of course, his dog Oscar. A beautiful hotel, in a wonderful location and time to chill out. What could be better? However, the discovery of a mutilated body in the grounds soon puts paid to all that as Dan is asked to assist with the investigation. Rumours are rife that it wasn't a human killing - so what was it - and how can Dan work it out?

I've always enjoyed Trevor Williams' books; his romance novels are a treat to have in your hands but this mystery series is just perfect. Always with a good, enigmatic mystery and giving a wonderful flavour of life in Italy, each book keeps me hooked to the very end. I adore that Oscar is a main character throughout the book; I get so annoyed when dogs appear and disappear in novels never needing walks or regular meals (yes, I'm a dog owner) but that never happens with this series. Add in that the author has Labrador traits to perfection, and this is a super-duper read and terrifically enjoyable. Another sparkling story and easily earning all five glowing stars and my recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

The Tuscan ambience is one of the best parts of this series along with Oscar. The police investigation is complex, and the abundant twists and red herrings which take some time to work through although the killer is always on the radar even if the reason takes a while to find. One of my new favourite series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Dan's first book signing takes place in London, where he meets two fellow authors; back in Italy, he and Anna take a break in the Tuscan countryside and Siena. The setting and context of this story are fascinating and add authenticity and depth to the mystery. When there is a death, it's unclear whether it is an animal attack. Dan is drawn into the investigation with his Italian detective friend, whose wife is less than happy about the disruption to their holiday. Many potential suspects are unpleasant with unsavoury secrets, and Dan takes a while to find the culprit. The Tuscan ambience is plentiful, as its locational details make this a perfect escapist read. The police investigation is complex, and the abundant twists, set against the excellent characterisation and mix of humour and poignancy, make this an engaging story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

There’s an Italian joke that says that TV stops people from making baby and there was a sort of preprophase at the beginning when Dan says that the high number of adulterous people is due to bad television. Problem is that people with enough money to pay a PI got all the streaming channel.
My tv/adultery issues apart I had a lot of fun in reading this story and Oscar is a star as usual: a lovely, boisterous and sweet dog.
Dan’s character arc is well done and he’s becoming a local. I like his relationship with Anna and how he interacts with Virgilio.
I always appreciated how Mr Williams was able to describe Tuscany in a realistic way without turning his book into a travelogue. He’s very good at describing food and places and also the fact that living in Tuscany is very expensive unless you got the house from your relative or are a millionaire.
The mystery is well done and kept me guessing, it’s the best so far and I read it in one sitting as I had to learn who-did-it
Another winner in this series, highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine

First, a book signing – yes, Dan’s novel has finally made it to publication – shared with a romance author (hopefully not modelled on anyone we might know…) and a rather pushy children’s author whose path he’s destined to cross again. And then a rather welcome holiday near Siena, together with the irrepressible labrador Oscar, his new lady friend Anna, and his police chief friend Virgilio and his wife Lina.

There’s an environmental conference underway at the same hotel, and it soon turns out that our friends aren’t going to have quite the relaxing escape they’d hoped for – a body is found, apparently gored by wolves (they’d heard howling in the night – and farmers in the area are only too aware of their presence), but it turns out that the perpetrator is only too human. Dan and Virgilio help out the local force with interviewing suspects, gradually narrowing them down from the entire cast attending the conference – but the bloodshed isn’t over, and it becomes increasingly possible that there might be three assassins.

The author is so good at planting red herrings, while the reader tries (in my case, with little success…) to stay a few steps ahead. The characterisation of the more minor characters is just superb – the list of suspects is substantial, but every individual is so carefully constructed, moving in and out of the frame, their alibis slowly disentangled, the connections between them uncovered. But what most differentiates this series from other cosy mysteries is the engagement with Dan, his humorous take on life – and Oscar’s wonderful interventions – making the narrative so very entertaining. Anna hasn’t been round for long enough for me to decide if she’s right for him – although, as a historian, she’s certainly great to have around on their sight-seeing trips in such a beautiful area. And this time I was really sorry to see a few cracks in Virgilio’s marriage, with uncomfortable echoes of the failure of Dan’s own, the consequence of police work taking over your life – but also their gentle efforts to repair them.

The mystery and its resolution was everything I wanted it to be – and yes, of course I was looking in the wrong direction, as always. The slow progress and gradual unpeeling of the many layers might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s something I’ve found I really enjoy, reading this one in a single glorious sitting – punctuated, of course, by the many reasons to smile at Oscar’s antics and constant pursuit of food from every table. And the ending, that had my heart in my mouth at first, is quite brilliant – and leaves Oscar with an unexpected smile on his face too!

I just love this series, and this book was an excellent addition – that wonderfully drawn Tuscan setting, a compelling story, such strong characters, and that perfect thread of humour. I’m looking forward to the next book already – and this is one I’d recommend really highly.

Murder in Siena is the fourth Armstrong and Oscar cozy destination mystery by T.A. Williams. Released 1st August 2023 by Boldwood books, it's 255 pages and is available in audio and ebook formats. (Unclear from publisher's info, but possibly in paperback on demand as well). 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.

This is a beautifully descriptive and well written destination mystery set in Tuscany. Expat former policeman Dan Armstrong and his trusty canine sidekick Oscar are on a couples' holiday with friends and Dan, Vigilio and Oscar are drawn into a bizarre death at their hotel of an academic at a conference at the same hotel. Dan's ostensibly along to facilitate translations in English for the police and witnesses, but his insights are valuable and he and Vigilio have a good rapport and friendship, and work well with the local official investigation.

The plotting is solid and the dialogue and characterizations are well controlled and believable. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are self contained in this volume, so it works well enough as a standalone, but the writing and mystery are so well planned and executed, that it would make an excellent weekend binge or buddy read. The author is exceptionally good at weaving (seemingly) extraneous information into the text. There's a lot of humor as well. One of the early scenes in the book sees Dan & co encountering two academics bent over a pile of canid poop and having an earnest discussion about it.

It's not derivative at all, but it reminded me in a lot of good ways of Leon's exceptional Brunetti books as well as Walker's lovely Bruno, chief of police books. Fans of those authors will find a lot to enjoy here.

Four and a half stars. Highly recommended. All of the books are exceptionally well written and fun. The author seems to be on a twice a year output schedule at the moment without sacrificing quality or length. Definitely one to watch develop.

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