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christi_trevi's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
nessl's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I didn’t read the previous books but felt like I could jump in without problems. Overall I enjoyed the book but sometimes I felt there was a bit too much filler. The main character took a while sometimes to properly notice something and I personally felt it just dragged on a bit but once you got close to the end it was very interesting.
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC from Harper Collins, One More Chapter and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Genre: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Suspense
Spice Level: Low
Blood & Gore Level: Low
A FATAL ENCOUNTER IN TUSCANY is my first mystery by Vivian Conroy.
I loved the backdrop of Italy and the connection to Paris. (Definitely gives me inspiration to travel to Europe again.) The author gives the reader enough background to know the story and history of the main character, Atalanta Ashford and the reason she works as an investigator. Her friend, Raoul Lemont, a race car driver, is the impetus for her vacation in Tuscany—to show her his adopted homeland. He also has women throwing themselves at him. This leads to Atalanta questioning his truthfulness.
At times, I just wanted them to have a solid conversation and resolve their questions. And couldn't I get a couple of kisses out of their relationship? (Yes—I think most books are better with a kiss.)
The cast of characters is large, but each person is unique and easy to keep track of. They're over-the-top: controlling, sneaky, liars, Machiavellian, and richer than Hades—at least the father and owner of the vineyard is wealthy, and the others are dependent upon him.
As with any mystery, I want to see if I can solve it before the sleuth. I was just moments before Atalanta in this book. And that makes me want to read another book by Conroy.
There were a couple of times where I didn't feel like our sleuths followed up in a logical manner. For example, if you see someone tuck a paper away, wouldn't you want to check on that immediately instead of waiting? Or if someone is distraught, do you believe the reaction or assume it's genuine? Thus, following up with that person to determine where they stand. I'm hoping this is vague enough not to give anything away but to understand that I wanted the plot a little tighter and logical.
Even though this is a murder mystery, I consider it fairly cozy—which happens to be my favorite types of mysteries.
I was surprised—in a good way—with how everything shook out.
Yes! I recommend this book.
Happy reading!
Genre: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Suspense
Spice Level: Low
Blood & Gore Level: Low
A FATAL ENCOUNTER IN TUSCANY is my first mystery by Vivian Conroy.
I loved the backdrop of Italy and the connection to Paris. (Definitely gives me inspiration to travel to Europe again.) The author gives the reader enough background to know the story and history of the main character, Atalanta Ashford and the reason she works as an investigator. Her friend, Raoul Lemont, a race car driver, is the impetus for her vacation in Tuscany—to show her his adopted homeland. He also has women throwing themselves at him. This leads to Atalanta questioning his truthfulness.
At times, I just wanted them to have a solid conversation and resolve their questions. And couldn't I get a couple of kisses out of their relationship? (Yes—I think most books are better with a kiss.)
The cast of characters is large, but each person is unique and easy to keep track of. They're over-the-top: controlling, sneaky, liars, Machiavellian, and richer than Hades—at least the father and owner of the vineyard is wealthy, and the others are dependent upon him.
As with any mystery, I want to see if I can solve it before the sleuth. I was just moments before Atalanta in this book. And that makes me want to read another book by Conroy.
There were a couple of times where I didn't feel like our sleuths followed up in a logical manner. For example, if you see someone tuck a paper away, wouldn't you want to check on that immediately instead of waiting? Or if someone is distraught, do you believe the reaction or assume it's genuine? Thus, following up with that person to determine where they stand. I'm hoping this is vague enough not to give anything away but to understand that I wanted the plot a little tighter and logical.
Even though this is a murder mystery, I consider it fairly cozy—which happens to be my favorite types of mysteries.
I was surprised—in a good way—with how everything shook out.
Yes! I recommend this book.
Happy reading!
nicole_bridgy's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cass_goodie's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sweetsoverloaad's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kellyvandamme's review against another edition
4.0
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.
Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
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.
Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
graceparrott's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ssejig's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I hadn't read the first two books in this series and I regret that. While Conroy is an adept writer and put some information in to catch us up on characters without info dumping, I really wish I had known more about Atalanta Ashford and her sleuthing abilities. But we meet her in this book as she is solving the mystery of a missing ring. Having read Sherlock Holmes, she is very easily able to find where the ring went, riling Inspector Deriot who seems to be a rival of sorts. Or maybe she is more accurately a thorn in his side.
But she won't be a thorn for long as her friend (?) Raoul is "abducting" her for a grand adventure, a ride on the Orient Express. It is there that she and Raoul meet Catharina Lanetti who is going back to Italy to celebrate her father's birthday. Her family is... interesting, to say the least. The patriarch worships the Machiavellis and his schemes are no less convoluted. Catharina invites Atalanta and Raoul to join the celebration. While Atalanta wonders whether this is a set up, she is still drawn to the Lanettie compound where, as predicted, Catharina's father is killed. She, as the person who has come back the most recently is blamed. But is she really the killer?
There is a LOT of drama and untold secrets in this book. I think, having read the first two books, I might be more invested in the story but I do feel like Conroy is setting up Atalanta and Raoul to be more than friends but the chemistry isn't there yet.
There is a LOT of drama and untold secrets in this book. I think, having read the first two books, I might be more invested in the story but I do feel like Conroy is setting up Atalanta and Raoul to be more than friends but the chemistry isn't there yet.
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