Another clever murder mystery with the cracking team of Dan and Oscar. As with the other books in the series, this combines the wonderful humour of the relationship between Dan and his lab, with the intrigue of murder in the beautiful setting of the Italian countryside. The mystery this time surrounds the meeting of the great and rich - none of whom sound particularly likeable - at a secure country villa. Why are they meeting there, what are the business discussions about and who thought to bring these different characters together under the same roof?
A thoroughly enjoyable read and I’m looking forward again to seeing what Dan and Oscar get up to next.

I grow to love the adventures of PI Dan Armstrong and his adorable sidekick, Oscar (a black lab) more with every book. Here they find themselves in Pisa, overseeing security for a gathering of high finance/media moguls in a luxurious villa—complete with its own miniature leaning tower! The week-long meeting is barely underway when one of the guests is murdered and Dan needs to step into action to solve the crime, as the local police have sent an over-confident and bumbling inspector who immediately (and repeatedly) arrests the wrong person. As always, the setting and descriptions of food, wine, and culture make this mystery come alive, and Oscar shines once again. This is a great series for lovers of cozy mysteries, Italy, and dogs; I’m already looking forward to the next installment! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this latest adventure.

Once again a well plotted story that keeps the reader engaged. Add in the wonderful Italian ambiance, the stunning food and a murderer on the loose that is a bit too close to home for our retired detective, then you have a winning combination. With all the suspects confined to the villa, in an Agatha Christiesque denouement, Dan has to eliminate them one by one. With time running out, his desperate plan puts his own life at risk. Excellent read.

Dan and Oscar are hired to provide private security for a high level business meeting in a private Villa. After a murder happens Dan has to try and find the murderer before someone is wrongly accused. I loved the setting, the villa and staff sounded lovely. Oscar is such a cute character, loves his stomach and has perfected the starving dog face to his advantage. I look out eagerly for the next book in the series

So happy to read this Armstrong and Oscar cosy crime
They're off working near Pisa this time.
He's not usually involved in security
But makes an exception this time you'll see.

Another brilliant read, I have to say,
Kept me guessing all the way.
The tasty sounding food had my mouth watering once more
And had me wanting to visit the setting again to explore.

Secrets, plans, money and mystery,
An isolated villa that looks like a place full of history...
A group of strangers considering working together
But a storm is brewing - and it isn't the weather!

A disliked guest murdered, lying in his bed,
But too many folks could have wished him to be dead.
A detective arresting more than one of them, too,
Has Dan wondering if he knows what to do.

With family drama, suspects and danger,
Was the killer a guest or an unknown stranger?
Dan and Oscar are on the case, looking for clues,
So Inspector Vinci the actual killer can accuse!

Another engaging, enthralling read,
If you enjoy cosy murder mystery, I hope it is one you need!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Who am I to give this latest Armstrong and Oscar novel anything less than 5 stars. These books became an instant favourite of mine as soon as they came on the scene and this, the latest, does not disappoint. One of the many things I love about these books is the way that Dan's character progresses and grows with each new story, especially his relationship with his girlfriend. Of course, the author also is a master of description and I always feel like I'm on a holiday with his stories. I've never been to mainland Italy, yet feel like I'm an old hand and can't wait for the next story. My thanks to Boldwood and Netgalley for the reading copy.

A great cozy mystery. A quick read which I read in a day and enjoyed. Yet again T A Williams deli ers always a good read. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

We all know I love a cosy mystery and have read all bar one of this series so far. Dan and Oscar are this time providing private security checks ( and rind demolition) to a group of big players in the world of media who are meeting in a gorgeous villa near the famous Leaning Tower in Pisa.

As usual, the book is full of history and amazing landscape, good food and a few laughs thrown in for good measure. I couldn’t guess the murderer this time, too many suspects and red herring’s throughout.

If you’re a lover of cosy mysteries and dogs, go get involved with this series.

4 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining as always

Dan Armstrong is asked to provide security for a private villa on the outskirts of Pisa. Villa Gregory is beautiful and large. Still, Dan thinks it should be easy enough to handle the situation. What could go wrong when the ultra-rich meet?
Everything.
His girlfriend’s daughter works for one of the guests and isn’t too keen about Dan. Moreover, one of the guests is murdered. With pressure mounting, Dan (and Oscar) need to solve the case and try to prevent more murders while staying alive.
The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
This is one of my comfort-read cozy mystery series. This time, Dan and Oscar go to a villa on the outskirts of Pisa. While the tower makes an appearance only once, the setting is beautiful enough to make me happy.
Despite being the sixth book in the series, it works as a standalone. There is a necessary backstory without too much info dump. The connections between characters are mentioned in a couple of lines without distracting the reader from the plot.
Ocsar is his best again. This cute black Lab dons many hats. He has to impress people, explore the surroundings, comfort people when they feel sad, and save lives if necessary. He manages it all and more while doing more than full justice to his love for food.
The mystery is compact. While I could guess the killer, it was fun to know how the reveal would happen. There are enough clues and a couple of red herrings, along with a list of suspects, to keep guessing.
The pacing is better, too! This one is slightly faster than the previous books. I won’t call it fast, but it is steady and not slow.
Virginia, Anna’s daughter, is an interesting character. I hope we get to meet her occasionally in the coming books. I missed Trisha in this one.
Naturally, we are introduced to new police characters in this one. The one in charge of the case is a specimen, but the other is smart, sweet, and efficient. Of course, justice is served, so all ends well!

To summarize, Murder at the Leaning Tower is entertaining. It ensures the series continues its momentum. Enjoy the setting, food, and the mystery!
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Dan and Oscar are hired to provide security to a secret meeting in Pisa with high-profile attendees. When there is a suspicious death, he is faced with numerous suspects, all with secrets and a hostile police investigator. There is a personal connection, too, for Dan that makes the situation increasingly volatile. Oscar has a starring role in this investigation, which makes for an entertaining read. The iconic setting is well described, and there are vibrant characters with motives for murder. It's a suspenseful story full of false leads and more than one unlikeable character. I enjoyed the investigation, the lovable labrador and Dan's easy-going expertise.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

We last saw Dan and Oscar dealing with alien hunters in the Italian alps. In the 6th Armstrong and Oscar case we find the duo in Pisa. Dan has been hired to provide security at a private villa where a high level meeting is taking place. Potential investors have been invited to hear about a proposed media revolution. One of those attending as PA to a very wealthy, brash man is the daughter of Anna, Dan's romantic interest. The young woman isn't happy that her mother is in a relationship and has no interest in meeting Dan. The awkward situation is soon overshadowed when her boss is murdered. All the meeting attendees have viable motives and opportunity and it's up to Dan to discover the guilty party.
Williams is great at setting .His description of the villa and it's surrounding property makes the reader feel they are in the scene; details of marvelous meals are mouthwatering and Oscar may have to go on a diet soon. Each character is unique and occasionally a bit over the top but that doesn't the enjoyment of the story.
This is the perfect series for fans of Italy, foodies and cozy lovers.

🔍Loyal sidekick steals the show🐕

This was a good, unpredictable murder mystery with a side of added entertainment from a local murder squad policeman whose ego can't be tamed and his capable female second in command. But MC private investigator Dan is put in some shadow by Oscar, his sociable, loyal and constantly hungry black Labrador sidekick. If you love a good mystery with an endearing pet who plays a crucial role in the case I think, like me, you will enjoy this one.

Where the people Dan's working with on his five-day assignment to prevent snooping or interference at a high stakes meeting in a gorgeous villa on the outskirts of Pisa are sometimes withdrawn, suspicious or just unlikely to cooperate, Oscar instantly warms them up and wins them over. But he accomplishes more, too, and Dan would be a less successful investigator without him.

In a way, this is one of those Christie-style country manor mysteries with blame for the murder pointing decidedly toward one of the residents or staff at the villa. The police bungle things and Dan has a definite personal stake in putting the experience he gained in decades on the British police force to use in getting to the bottom of things before the police let everyone pack up and disperse. I certainly did not
guess who did it. My suspicions landed on several people who were totally off Dan's radar and he was right! I like when a murder mystery leaves me stumped.

Dan's prior connections and case experience from earlier books in the series are mentioned but not in a cryptic or confusing manner for a reader who's not read what went before. It's a standalone, but I love the Tuscan setting so I will continue looking for more of Dan and Oscar, crime solvers with a joint love of the good life😊.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Love this series about English Expat, retired DCI Dan. He's moved to the gorgeous Italian countryside, gotten a dog, has a new significant other and somehow, keeps ending up around the sites of murderers in beautiful settings! This time, he's providing security sweeps for a highly hush-hush meeting of bigwigs to develop new technology. Meeting at a secluded villa, complete with cook and butler(ish), everything should be fine. But the death of a major participant means trouble for everyone. Dan's asked to solve the mystery, particularly when his significant other's daughter is implicated. Great book and series!

What a star Oscar is, I mean Dan is pretty good too, but Oscar is clearly the brains of their operations at times. Or at least it feels like Dan's investigative career wouldn't bee half as strong without my favourite labrador sidekick!

So good to be back with this pair, and in this latest story we get yet another head scratching murder to solve. There are loads of possible suspects and I honestly had no idea who to believe.

The local Pisan inspector though was completely incompetent, and at least one of his wrongful arrests really made me laugh and gasp.

What I really liked was we got to see a bit of Anna's daughter, and see a slightly different side to Dan as a result. And I am still deadly curious as to exactly what the big meeting that has being held in Pisa was really all about,

I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this and already can't wait for the next book in this excellent book.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Nice to be back with Dan and of course most of all Oscar. The usual fun and shenanigan's ensue. The mystery is twisty with lots of red herrings and no real proof of the murderer. The answer is surprising and has to be drawn out by Dan and Oscar. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

closed-circle-mystery, private-investigators, friends, friendship, relationships, relationship-issues, divorced, labrador-dog, law-enforcement, cooperation, falsely-accused, incompetent, translators, hospitality-industry, ex-cop, cozy-crime, writers, unpleasant-victims, unputdownable, local-law-enforcement, murder-investigation, Italy*****

Former DCI (early retirement) and now PI Dan Armstrong and the beautiful Oscar are away from home (but not his police contacts) this time. They are there for security reasons for a group of moneyed entrepreneurs. The sticky wicket is provided by Dan's girlfriend's disapproving daughter (really! get over it at nearly thirty!). So guess who's boss turns up stoned and stabbed. Right. Add in the obligatory incompetent local cop and you've got the basics.
Fun, twisty, surprising, and definitely unputdownable! Great characters, good worldbuilding, very relatable, and little or no problem as a standalone.
I requested and received an EARC from Boldwood Books courtesy of NetGalley. Thank you!

Another highly enjoyable book in this series. Although it could be read as a stand alone novel, following the developments in Dan’s relationship with Anna does add depth to the books for me. I particularly enjoy the descriptions of food and the Italian surroundings - it would make a great holiday read for anyone off to Tuscany. I’m already looking forward to the next volume of Dan and Oscar’s detecting adventures.

Welcome back to book 6 in the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mysteries series with ex DCI and now private investigator Dan Armstrong and his beautiful black Labrador Oscar. Yes I’m a bit in love with Oscar - sorry Dan. This time the scene moves to Pisa when Dan is asked to work as private security for a high powered meeting at a villa owned by a multimillionaire.

Briefly, the cast of characters include a classical singer, various media personalities and other financiers including the loathsome Jonathan Farmer and his PA and Dan’s girlfriend Anna’s daughter Virginia. Dan had not met her yet and was very anxious to make a good impression. Of course it isn’t long before one of the party is found murdered and suspects abound. Even Dan is faced with an evening in gaol thanks to the most incompetent Italian detective but then someone is charged with the murder. Dan thinks the police have the wrong person and finds himself racing against time to find the real killer.

Great story and descriptions of Pisa are lovely, I’ve been there and it brought it right back to me. I was also salivating as Dan (and Oscar) sample the best of Italian cuisine. A good, well written and entertaining read. 4.5 ⭐️

I love this series more and more with every one I read!

Dan Armstrong, Private Investigator, is fully settled in his new life in Italy. Approached to provide security at a top secret meeting at a private villa close to Pisa, he sets off with his labrador, Oscar, to do a full search of the house and grounds. The arrival of the guests reveals some of the major players in high finance and Dan redoubles his efforts to keep everything and everyone safe and protected. However, someone is murdered and the local police don't appreciate Dan's offer of help. The inspector's ineptitude goes from bad to worse and it's left to Dan - and Oscar - to pick up the pieces . . .

I've been a fan of Trevor Williams' writing for a good number of years, none more so than this mystery series. As a fellow labrador lover, the inclusion of Oscar is the icing on the cake for me. He eases the path for Dan in so many ways and, delightfully, exhibits all the best lab traits. Filled with an array of characters which give much food for thought, this is an enigmatic mystery with several laugh-out-loud moments and fabulous descriptions of Italian food! I had no idea 'whodunnit' until they were revealed on the page. A great read, one I thoroughly enjoyed and, as always, I look forward to reading more about Dan and Oscar's exploits. My highest recommendation and a full five shining stars!

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

I love this series with Dan and Oscar and can't wait for the next one to arrive.

This storyline takes us to Pisa where Dan has been asked to oversee the security for a group of wealthy investors in a secluded Villa in Pisa. Dan also learns that Anna's daughter will also be attending which unfortunately she isnt happy about, until circumstances change her view.

After one of the investors is murdered and with evidence, the only suspect seems to be Anna's daughter. The inspector on the case is incompetent so its up to Dan and Oscar to help find the real killer.

Another "Can not put down" instalment in the Armstrong and Oscar Cost Mysteries Series!