The major reason why I chose to read Murder in an Italian Village was for its setting of Positano on the Amalfi Coast. I've seen paintings and photographs of Positano, and it's incredibly beautiful. Unfortunately, this first Bria Bartolucci mystery didn't quite live up to its setting.

I did enjoy the setting and learning about village life there, and the author created a mystery that kept me guessing as Bria and her best friend, Rosalie, kept uncovering secrets. However, the book was hampered by a slow pace, one of those budding love triangles that I do not care for, and-- perhaps-- too much Italian flair.

Being a lover of Italian food, I think there could have been more of that in this book, but Falco could be saving that for when Bria's bed and breakfast is actually up and running. One of the things that got on my nerves quickly was how all the characters were quick to scream, shout, bellow, cry, and screech. I know this was used to show the excitable Italian temperament, but I think it might have been better served by using more exclamation points and fewer decibel-loaded verbs.

One thing that I enjoyed but that may annoy other readers was the amount of Italian used in the story. Italian is a beautiful language, and with my knowledge of French, I found it relatively easy to decipher a phrase when its meaning was not clear in context. The author does include a glossary in the back, but I can see readers become tired of flipping back and forth.

Although I know the author had to set up his characters, some areas needed more editing-- like the minute details of what all the principal characters were wearing during a party on board a yacht. There was so much detail that I found myself skimming through, but if you're passionate about fashion, your mileage will undoubtedly vary.

When all is said and done, I found Murder in an Italian Village to be a good story that could have been told better. Will I visit Bria again? I do not know.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley) ( )

3.75 Stars
The start of a cozy mystery series set in Positano, Italy, if you prefer lighthearted armchair travel mysteries with a slow burn, this novel is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and slapstick characters (the MC is like an Italian Lucille Ball, although she sometimes feels more like an American ex-pat living in Italy). I enjoyed the banter, but occasionally, there's some repetitive scenes and descriptions that could have been edited out. Lovely cover art and a good summer/beachy mystery read, I liked it enough to look out for the sequel.

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Murder in an Italian Village - Michael Falco

Publication Date: September 26, 2023

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QoTD: Have you ever visited the Amalfi Coast? If not, what coast have you visited and liked?
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Bria and Carlo moved to Positano to open a B and B. When Carlo is killed in a plane crash, Bria is left alone with her young son, Marco and dog, Bravo, to realize the dream. Just before the grand opening, Bria discovers a dead body in one of the bedrooms. Although the local police, led by the handsome Luca are handling the case, Bria takes it upon herself to run her own investigation which puts her intimidating, wealthy mother-in-law under suspicion.

I love cozy mysteries set in Italy. Instead of the UK version where you have tea and biscuits, here you have really good coffee and treats like biscotti along with colorful, charming, and amusing characters. Falco captured well the beauty of the Amalfi coast as well as the local society and culture. I liked the use of Italian phrases. Some were translated within the story, as well as a dictionary provided at the end of the book. The writing a bit slow and wordy at times, yet it was a good beginning of what is to be a new series. I look forward to the next one.

Since I chose this book based on its setting, just a personal note…..Falco adds some after thoughts about the beauty of the Amalfi coast and what he says is true. Long after a visit there, it will remain with you. We spent two weeks in nearby Atrani once in an apartment with a balcony that jutted out over the sea. That trip and the allure of the area will be with me forever. I loved going back for a visit via this book.

Thanks to #netgalley and #KensingtonBooks and #KensingtonCozies for the ARC. ( )

cultural-differences, cultural-exploration, new-series, first-in-series, italy, italian-customs, bed-and-breakfast, pet-dog, widow, small-business, small-town, gossip, friends, friendship, amateur-sleuth, situational-humor, verbal-humor, romance, murder, murder-investigation

Fantastic start to a new series!
Bria is a recent widow with an eight-year-old son, a dog, lots of family and friends, an about to open the Bed and Breakfast that she and her husband had planned and bought in a village along the Amalfi coast. Before the official opening, she finds a dead man on the bed in one of the rooms. It turns out that the police chief is the older brother of her bestest friend, and everyone sticks their toe into the investigation. Including her barracuda of a mother-in-law! Lots of fun, mistakes, red herrings, and plot twists. The characters are all great and so is the scenery. Loved it and plan to get more as they are published.
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )