An escape to Tuscany, an unexpected invitation, a murder at midnight: A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany by Vivian Conroy #bookreview #AFatalEncounterInTuscany #cosymystery #NetGalley

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!

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Hi and welcome to my review of A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany!

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany is the third instalment in the Mish Ashford Investigates series, but if you haven’t read the previous ones and would nevertheless like to accompany Miss Ashford to Tuscany, no worries, you’ll be able to jump in here. Each mystery stands on its own and while earlier cases are referred to, there are no spoilers. Note that you will want to read the previous books after finishing this one, so you might as well start at the beginning, just saying.

The story is told from the POV of Atalanta Ashford and is set in the 1930s. Atalanta is a feisty young woman, who has taken over her grandfather’s unofficial sleuthing business. It would seem that wherever she goes, murder follows and it’s up to her to solve the murder mystery, Hercule Poirot style. 

Lately, Atalanta has been so busy that her friend (and possibly a bit of a love interest) Raoul, a wealthy race car driver, decides she needs a break and whisks her away to Italy. What could be more relaxing than a sunny holiday among the Tuscan vineyards? But alas, tragedy (or rather: a killer) strikes and Atalanta won’t rest until, among the plethora of suspects, she has figured out whodunnit, and why.

I do love Atalanta and sleuthing along with her, and I love it even more that she takes me to all the best places in Europe! I have the fondest memories of Tuscany, and it was such a pleasure to relive them thanks to the vivid and evocative writing. 

I always enjoy Vivian Conroy’s historical cosy murder mysteries and A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany was no exception, I had a great time with it and I binged the whole latter half cos I just had to know what was what. I can’t wait for Atalanta’s next outing, which will be in Salzburg! Recommended to fans of cosy murder mysteries.

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany is out in digital formats and paperback today, happy publication day to Viv Conroy!

Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.