Ah, picking up a new Dan and Oscar mystery is just like meeting up with an old friend. Only this time, there's nudity involved, including, Dan's! Don't worry though, it's the same style we've come to expect from this wonderful series and I couldn't wait to get mu hands upon it.
A blast from Dan's past turns up and soon, Dan's on his way tothe Italian Riviera, though he;s a little shocked to find the location of a possible murder is a naturist resort and if Dan wants answers to his questions, he'll have to strip off. Together with a well-constructed main story, Dan also has to contend with worrying about his private life as an ill thought through reply to an important question posed to him by his girlfriend Anna, threatens to send his own happiness off the rails.
This is cosy mystery at its best and the author really plays with our emotions as the story concludes. More, please!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netglley for the reading copy.

I’ve loved being back in Italy with Dan and Oscar. This is such a great series and each story shows the wonderful partnership of the two of them on solving these mysteries.
This one in a naturist retreat is fun-filled and clever, and I thought the new working relationship with Luca was an interesting one, although Dan is always able to pull on his contacts from his Chief Inspector days to aid with his investigations.
As always, the setting of these stories is beautiful and we really get the sense of the Italian community including the wonderful food.
Lots of suspects and red herrings are spread throughout the book and I was never sure who had done what til the end.

Another fabulous foray into the Italian countryside with Dan and his sidekick, Oscar the labrador!

Approached by Bianca Moretti about a death at her father's private retreat, Dan is more than a bit suspicious; he sent Bianca to jail previously - can he really trust her? Agreeing to take the case, he is in for a shock when he discover the 'retreat' is a naturists paradise - and he needs to fit right in! Can he find out whether the death was murder or, as the local police declare, accidental?

I adore this series; anyone who knows me is aware that I have two labradors and the inclusion of Oscar (we have one of those) in these novels is the icing on the cake for me. Trevor Williams has a wonderful sense of humour and it shines through in all of his books. Having said that, there is always a well-crafted mystery at the heart and I unfailingly end up suspecting everyone before I get to the crux of the matter. A delightful tale in the most glorious settings, beautifully written, as always. I hope this series continues for a long, long time - it's one of my very favourite cosy mysteries! Highly recommended and well worth all five glowing stars!

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

Bianca Moretti is a face from Dan’s past as a Chief Inspector with the Met, imprisoned for her involvement in a brutal gangland killing – but, on release, she seems to have made a fresh start. And this time she’s looking for Dan’s help – a guest at her father’s holiday resort on the coast has been found dead in the swimming pool, the police have concluded it was an accident, but they both think there’s rather more to it than that. With some fears around the possibility of links with organised crime, Dan is intrigued and takes on the investigation – but there’s no sign of anything untoward on arrival, just a warm welcome from her father.

The ensuing investigation sees Dan going undercover, teasing out the relationships and back stories of the staff and guests – but only after the initial shock of finding it’s a naturist resort, and that he has little option other than shedding his clothes at the door to have any chance of being inconspicuous, leaving him with the need to get over his embarrassment, and a particular challenge in working out exactly how to carry his phone and notebook. As he begins to narrow down the suspects – while keeping a close eye on where Oscar puts his nose, and sometimes fishing him out of the swimming pool – a further death complicates the picture. That brings the police back on the scene, but with a chief investigator who’s more than happy to accept their help and work together. There are layers to this story I really didn’t see coming, and a really clever twist towards the end – but only after different individuals moved in and out of the frame, unexpected secrets were uncovered, and the red herrings multiplied as they invariably do.

The humour in this book was simply wonderful – and Oscar, of course, plays his usual part. His whole character is an absolute joy, with a constant smile on his face, his desire to be part of the action (especially if there’s food or gelato involved), his eye for the ladies, and his ability (with the slightest nod, shake of the head or paw on the knee) to communicate what he’s thinking. Dan’s sometimes a little preoccupied with thoughts about his relationship with girlfriend Anna, with a few nice emotional touches – but it doesn’t take away from the central mystery and its investigation, which is as fascinating and engaging as ever. And, of course, the story has all the usual complex characters with their layers of secrets – and the most wonderful detail around the beautiful Riviera setting, with regular breaks for food that tantalises the tastebuds or a glass or two of something delicious and cool.

This was yet another perfect instalment in a series I’d wholeheartedly recommend to all – the most wonderful entertainment, but with an engaging and compelling story, more than a few dramatic twists and turns, and an intricacy to the plotting that would satisfy any seasoned crime reader. Just wonderful – and I’m already looking forward to the next…

When Dan is asked to investigate a murder by Bianca, someone he put away years ago, at an Italian resort, he leaps at the chance, although he wonders if she knows more than she is letting on. Unfortunately, he and his girlfriend have fallen out, so he is rather troubled. He and his trusty and cute Labrador Oscar discover that this is a naturist resort, an unusual place for Dan! Tension builds as another murder occurs and he has to check out everyone at the resort, leading him into a murky world of drugs, spies, and the Stasi.

Dan, Oscar, and his girlfriend Anna are like old friends now! Dan draws you in with his wonderful sense of humour and his exciting adventures in Italy. He has to conduct serious investigations but he manages to have a luxurious time and enjoy delicious food!

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Murder on the Italian Riviera is the 7th book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries series and it's a great one! Private Investigator Dan Armstrong receives a call from Bianca Moretti about a murder that happened at her father's holiday resort (which happens to be a nudist resort) and finds himself and his labrador, Oscar, headed to Genoa. He remembers Bianca from a case some years ago, where he helped put her behind bars, and because of this, he questions her innocence. She is 1 of the 14 original suspects, which Dan eventually starts narrowing down after there is another murder at the resort. Thinning out the suspects, Dan finds out secrets and comes to the conclusion, finding the murderers.

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and T.A. Williams for this entertaining read!

4 Stars
One Link: Summer, food, and dead bodies!

When Bianca Moretti, someone Dan sent to prison when he was a policeman, arrived at his Italian private agency to ask for help, he was curious enough to see what the case would be. Bianca’s father runs a naturalist (nudist) resort on the beautiful Italian Riviera, and one of the guests was found dead. The police termed it accidental, but Bianca and her father think it is murder.
Dan goes to the retreat to find out what he can, but turns out he needs to blend in first. That would mean Dan has to join the guests in his birthday suit! Oscar is happy enough to have unlimited access to the pool, but things get complicated when another guest turns into a dead body. Can Dan, clothed or naked, find the killer before it’s too late?
The story comes in Dan’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
Well, what can I say? This is one of my top cozy mystery series. It has a beautiful Italian setting, many descriptions of good food, and a super adorable lab, Oscar.
The book should work as a standalone since the personal track is limited to a couple of chapters, and Anna doesn’t have any role in the investigation. Reading one of two previous books will work even better.
The mystery is well done, as always. This time, Dan has to do something he never did – be in his birthday suit when solving a crime! It sure results in a lot of laughs and some awkward situations.
It is fun seeing Dan being a gentleman and keeping his eyes away from where they shouldn’t linger. Also, he has to make sure Oscar doesn’t end up poking his excited nose where he shouldn’t!
The details are revealed in stages, giving us enough time to come up with our own guesses. The information is not deliberately withheld, which is always a plus. Moreover, the inspector on the case is a good guy and happy to work with Dan. I like it when this happens. It shows them as sensible investigators.
Of course, there is good food and yummy gelato in various flavors. Some for Oscar, too! I don’t usually read summer books in summer (why go through with it twice?), but this year, it seems I have to bear summer in real life and in books. Sigh! At least, ice creams are common on both.

To summarize, Murder on the Italian Riviera is a solid addition to the series. The pacing is steady and keeps the narrative flowing. Let’s get ready for the next book!
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
******
Links to be updated after the tour on 05th May.

I can hardly believe that Murder on the Riviera is the 7th title in the Armstrong and Oscar cosy mystery series, but it is, and I've read them all.

I really enjoyed the setting for Murder on the Italian Riviera. The thought of Dan entering a naturist retreat was most amusing, especially his concerns about where to keep his phone and notebook and Oscar's nose out of mischief.

As ever, the set-up for the mystery is masterfully created. As ever, we have no idea who could possibly have been responsible for the murder until Dan starts to dig deeper, following his instinct, and starting to piece together the evidence he manages to accumulate.

A firm addition to the series.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

This is my first experience with T A Williams and his private investigator Dan Armstrong. I was drawn to the title and cover art as well as his home in Florence. And his companion, a black Labrador named Oscar!
In this 7th installment of the series Dan is hired by a woman he helped to convict of drug charges when he worked with the police in London. A man has been murdered at her father’s resort on the Riviera. Dan and Oscar arrive to find that it is a resort for naturists so he takes off his clothes and begins investigating. Many suspects must be interviewed. They are from several different countries and speak several languages. After a second murder is committed in the exact same way, Dan is asked to help by the local police.
It was an entertaining mystery with an intelligent main character. I have already found the first in the series and will read more of T A Williams.

TA Williams is one of my favourite authors and I eagerly look forward to his latest book. This series has been wonderful. Dan is called to a death at a luxurious resort by a previous character from his life in the British Police. He helps with the local investigation and stays at the owners private house, which sounds divine. As always his loyal canine companion joins in with the interviews and gets the chef under his spell.

This series, featuring PI Dan Armstrong and his sidekick Oscar (a black lab), gets better with every installment. In this book Dan is hired to investigate a death which was ruled an accident…but the owner of the resort where it took place has doubts. As always, the setting is fabulous, and in this book we are treated to a glimpse at an unusual naturist resort on the Italian riviera. The staff and guests are a varied crew, and as Dan and the local police dig deeper they uncover many secrets and potential connections between them. Figuring out the killer with the paltry amount of evidence they have is a challenge, but the reader will have a wonderful time following their investigation—and the breaks for delicious meals and the occasional gelato! I love this series and eagerly look forward to reading about the next case Dan is hired to solve, along with seeing how his relationship with girlfriend Anna progresses. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m on the blog tour.

Another enjoyable book in the series. Lots of suspects and a stunning location. Great to join Dan and Oscar as they try to solve the crime. I am surprised by how every meal except breakfast seems to involve alcohol

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

Another corker about Dan and Oscar, little different to the others as he spends most of this one nude! Called by an ex-con that he put in prison, Dan is asked to help prove an apparent accident wasn’t after all but a murder. Only trouble is it’s at a naturist resort on the Riviera.

I really enjoyed this one and, like the rest of the series, read very quickly. It keeps you entertained and guessing all the way through, in an easy to read style that I thoroughly enjoy. Plenty of laughs too, worrying if Oscar is going to get a bit inquisitive 🤣

Looking forward to the next one already, one of my favourite cosy mystery series so far.

Dan has been approached by a young woman he helped send to prison while he was still a detective inspector with the Met. She asks him to go to her father's luxury campground on the Italian Riviera to look into the recent death of Joseph Beck, one of the people staying at the site. The police have declared Beck's death an accident but Bianca thinks that may not be the case. Dan and Oscar make the journey and Dan soon finds himself in an uncomfortable situation. His preliminary investigation leads him to agree with Bianca's instinct. When another death occurs the local police agree and reopen the investigation into Beck's death. Working with the police, Dan narrows down the suspect list. When his work is done he heads back to Florence to try to patch up his relationship with Anna. He doesn't get far when a road accident puts him in the hospital.
Book seven is another solid, enjoyable title in the series. There's lots of humor surrounding the setting and an intriguing plot involving drug rings, hired killers and secret romances.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the advanced readers copy.

A retired inspector, now with his own investigative agency in Tuscany, is called to a Naturist (nudist) camp on the Italian Riviera. The police have ruled a death there as accidental, but the owners of the camp are not satisfied with the police investigation. Dan and his trusty Labrador, Oscar, visit the camp to sniff out (but not too closely, Oscar!) whether or not a crime has been committed. When another body turns up, it becomes clear that there is a murderer about.

Though this book is part of a series, it easily stands alone. Readers will enjoy the well-crafted descriptions of the Italian Riviera, and the laidback personality of Oscar -- except when it comes to water! Dan's personal life adds a bit of romantic intrigue to a thoroughly enjoyable story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A new, fun case for Dan and his black Labrador Oscar — this time, at a naturist (or nudist) camp on the Italian Riviera. We again have Dan, an ex-detective with the British police, now helping the local Italian officers discovered who committed murder. They interview suspects, work together to discover the differences between Brits and Italians — with the added difficulty of Dan having to shed his clothing to go investigate in the camp. The case came together quickly at the end — I did not see it coming.

It’s a quick, well-written mystery. Though the latest in an established series, I think anyone could start here and enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

🌄Good, entertaining, suspense kept up throughout😮

I loved this mystery that featured an iconically beautiful Italian setting, loads of suspects and solid investigative work with little physical evidence to pin the suspect. The investigative team of Dan and his black Labrador Oscar was a winning one. Oscar added whimsy but his body language also helped Dan suss out little details about suspect emotions and behavior.

I think this series strengthens as it develops. I liked seeing how the Italian authorities deal with Dan's interest in the case. Here, Dan and Italian police chief investigator Luca work together like a well-oiled machine: no competing egos and Luca really appreciates the skills and contacts Dan can bring to the investigation. And I really got a kick out of Dan's readiness to bite the bullet and shed his clothes to fit in and interact with the victim's fellow naturist (nudist) campers. Dan's relationship dilemma with his Florentine girlfriend adds a peek into his developing personal life but this story overwhelmingly focuses on solving the murder case. I had no inkling of the solution and just enjoyed the plot and easy writing style, letting them lead me to the the solution and a conclusion with a bit of a twist involving the young woman who hired Dan on the case.

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

The 7th in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries series featuring Private Investigator Dan Armstrong and his black Labrador Oscar. Can easily be read as a stand alone but it’s such a fun series why not read them all. This time the ex Chief Inspector is visited by Bianca Moretti who he had put in prison in London some years earlier. She asks him for help as somebody has been found drowned in her family’s luxury holiday resort and whilst the local police are treating it as an accidental death she and her father think it might be murder. I really enjoy this authors writing and this series only gets better and better.

Briefly, Dan is intrigued with Bianca’s story so decides to visit the site near Genoa. Naturally nothing with Dan is straight forward and he discovers the camp is a naturist site so we have the mental picture of Dan walking around wearing nothing apart from shoes! And of course Oscar introduces himself by jumping straight into the swimming pool!

The plot is fairly straight forward with all the suspects having secrets which Dan, working with the local police, has to unravel. The book is a relatively quick read with great characters and some great twists and turns. But the real joy of this series is the descriptions of the area, Dan’s relationship with partner Anna, the food and wine and last but by no means least gorgeous Oscar and his love of life and food! Its a great cozy mystery series so keep it coming.

This was an enjoyable read. It gave me something to look forward to and the end of the day. The author keeps you guessing until the end as to whose nefarious plot this was, giving several characters motives over the course of the book. I read this book quickly, mainly because I couldn't put it down.

I just happened to have read volume 1 of this series when I saw the advance reading copy for the very latest part on Netgalley - I had to grab it 😊- I thought the team of investigators was very cool: the early retired ex-DCI Armstrong not only has left the MET in London, but also changed country relatively simultaneously with his divorce and settled in Tuscany. Here he also found his partner Oscar in case 1, a black Labrador who is not only cute and well-mannered, but also has a nose for criminals. Together they opened a detective agency in Florence, and since this is the 7th case between the two, it seems to be going well 😉. Here Armstrong gets an assignment that takes him to Liguria on the Riviera: there was a death in a resort, and the boss and his daughter are convinced that it was murder. The local police have made a profane note of an accident, and Armstrong wonders exactly what and why he is looking for, but he knows the client from the old days and starts his investigation...and soon another body will turn up at the holiday resort, and it is finally clear that crime has struck here. Armstrong investigates together with the local police and ends up in serious danger more than once... Spicy and funny side-detail: the resort in question is a nudist - er no, they prefer the term naturalist - camp, and Armstrong's first undercover activities present him with challenges 😊. Yes, as is usual in cozy crime, the surroundings, the location, the main actors and their relationships are a big factor and the actual case is the common thread that we follow. But I have to say here: this series is superbly done. For me everything is right here. The books are relatively short at around 250 e-book pages, and the setting in Italian vacation spots alone gives me a summer feeling. Sunny historic towns, good Italian food, the whole atmosphere - I'm in the holiday mood! The author knows how to write funny and captivating, and the cases are really well plotted, despite the shortness. I certainly trust Mr Williams to write thrillers, the crime stories presented here are really good, and of course a lot of things come together well, Armstrong always falls back on old contacts at the Metropolitan Police (I wonder if that's also the case in real life - probably no, but hey, this is fiction), and is confident in his investigative techniques. This is noticeable when compared to similar series in this genre. The hero is competent. I really enjoyed the book, was very entertained, and am looking forward to further adventures with the two of them! Many thanks to Netgalley for the review copy!