When the beloved wife of former NYPD detective Nico Doyle dies, he honors her wishes to be buried in her small hometown of Gravigna in Tuscany. During their years together Nico and Rita visited Italy regularly and with her death her family is the only family he has. With no reason to stay in New York, Nico moves near Rita's sister and brother-in-law.

One morning after settling into his small home Nico hears a gunshot and discovers a man's body in the woods nearby. The local maresciallo has only worked one murder investigation and when he learns of Nico's background he asks him to help. Reluctantly, Nico agrees.

Trinchieri has written a good character in Nico, a kind and decent man who has become a bit lost with the death of his wife and the sudden ending of his career. The setting is a place where all things revolve around grapes and wine. The murder itself carries plenty of surprises. I'm requesting the next in the series from ILL today!

When the beloved wife of former NYPD detective Nico Doyle dies, he honors her wishes to be buried in her small hometown of Gravigna in Tuscany. During their years together Nico and Rita visited Italy regularly and with her death her family is the only family he has. With no reason to stay in New York, Nico moves near Rita's sister and brother-in-law.

One morning after settling into his small home Nico hears a gunshot and discovers a man's body in the woods nearby. The local maresciallo has only worked one murder investigation and when he learns of Nico's background he asks him to help. Reluctantly, Nico agrees.

Trinchieri has written a good character in Nico, a kind and decent man who has become a bit lost with the death of his wife and the sudden ending of his career. The setting is a place where all things revolve around grapes and wine. The murder itself carries plenty of surprises. I'm requesting the next in the series from ILL today! ( )

he dog shot off deeper into the woods. Nico trudged behind him. 'This better be good, mutt." At the edge of a small clearing, the dog sniffed the air a few times, then lay down, his job complete. When Nico reached the spot, he let out a long breath. What the mutt had been trying to tell him was a doozy. About twelve feet in front of them, at the far edge of the clearing, a man lay on his back, arms and legs spread out at an unnatural angle.

Very enjoyable

Loved the premise - widowed former NY detective relocates from America to Italy and reluctantly teams up with local law enforcement to help solve a murder
- and the culinary descriptions made my mouth water. But seemingly endless speculation about the victim and his past grew tedious. ( )

This book made me feel like I was in Italy. The characters, scenery and food all contributed to a marvelous atmosphere that I couldn't get enough of. Nico was a great protagonist. All of the characters were full and complex. The suspense was about right for an Italian mystery. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. I only just discovered her. ( )