This was a nice, relaxing cozy mystery that really shines with its setting. The descriptions of the island life, food, and scenery were some of my favorite parts—I could practically feel the sun and smell the sea.

Dan Armstrong is a solid, easy-to-root-for protagonist. I liked that he’s retired and a bit more reflective than your typical hard-charging detective. There’s a real sense of community in the small-town police force and locals that made it feel warm and authentic.

The mystery itself felt pretty gentle and straightforward. It’s not twisty or high-stakes, and the pacing was on the slower side. Personally, I prefer my cozies with a bit more tension or surprise, but I think readers who like a calm, atmospheric puzzle will enjoy this a lot more.

Overall, this was a pleasant read that’s perfect if you want to be transported to Italy for a few hours.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

T.A. William’s returns with his latest book featuring Dan, a retired Metropolitan Detective Inspector, and his trusty sidekick, Oscar the Labrador. All the books in this series can be read as stand-alone but it’s fun to see the characters develop through the series so I recommend all of them. Dan retired and moved to a small house just outside Florence, Italy, so every book is set in an Italian location and features wonderful descriptions of food and countryside, in the midst of the mysteries that Dan investigates.
In this latest outing, Dan, Oscar and Dan’s significant other, Anna, are invited for a vacation on the island of Elba, famous for being Napolean’s incarceration location. When their friend and current member of the Italian police, Virgilio, is confronted by a convicted rapist and murderer that Virgilio had helped capture, it seems like the vacation will abruptly end. Well, it certainly does when a dead body appears on the grounds, with Virgilio being a prime suspect.
The story includes art theft as well. Another strong outing by Mr. Williams and I look forward to the next in this series

This book is so much fun! A beautiful backdrop in Italy, a murder mystery, great characters and of course… Oscar the Labrador hero! Lots of references to gourmet Italian food and archaeology too! This is the second book I’ve read by this author and can’t wait to read more!

As always, Oscar was the star 🐶

I’ve read a lot of this series and this one didn’t disappoint. I enjoy that while it’s a cozy mystery, the main character used to be a detective so it seems like he can conduct the armature investigation well. Plus you get to enjoy the beautiful Italian backdrop which always makes me ready for a vacation there.

As for the plot, around half the way in I was wondering how the book would progress given the plot seemed to be coming to an end. I liked the twist to keep the story going and while there was a lot going on (murder, abduction, rape, black market antiquities, extortion), the author did a good job tying up all the loose ends.

Thank you to T. A. Williams, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really love these books. I love the descriptions of Italy, I love the food even though I don't understand what it is. I love Oscar because who couldn't love Oscar. There is humor yet not silliness which makes for a great mystery. I was happy that Virgilio and Lina were a major part of the story. The friendship between Dan and Virgilio has been great since the beginning and I hope they are always together some how. Now we come to the end of the book and I won't have spoilers but "yay". Please don't stop writing, I love sitting in my backyard pretending I am in Italy.
Ciao Dan...

Elba Bound..
The twelfth outing in the Oscar and Armstrong series of cosy mysteries finds our intrepid investigator, trusty sidekick Oscar and girlfriend Anna taking a trip to the beautiful island of Elba. As Dan promises Anna a week free of any investigations, we all know that best laid plans.. well, go wrong, With Dan’s best friend Virgilio and his wife joining them, it’s not too long before a suspicious death raises its head. Let the investigations commence! Another enjoyable and entertaining mystery with a deftly drawn cast, a well imagined and beautiful setting and an engaging plot.

Three and a half stars.

Virgilio invites Dan, Anna and of course Oscar to Elba for a holiday with him and his wife, staying at a swanky hotel where his (sort of) cousin Rita is the manager. Unfortunately there is an unpleasant incident on the first night, a very drunk man comes over and deliberately throws a glass of red wine over Virgilio. Apparently the man, Ignazio, abducted and raped four women in Puglia many years ago, and had been sentenced to twenty years in prison, seeing Virgilio again made him very angry and things could have escalated if Dan hadn't stepped in. The guys are debating whether to move to a different hotel to avoid the man when one of the surf instructors comes running in - they have found a body washed up on the rocks ... it's none other than Ignazio, and Virgilio apparently had another run in with him later that night. Since the body was found on the hotel's private beach, which can only be accessed through the hotel or a locked gate, it seems clear that if it is murder it must have been one of the guests or staff.

Soon Dan and Virgilio are working hard to determine whether Ignazio fell to his own death because he was so drunk (they ruled out suicide as he seemed to feel no remorse), or whether he was pushed, maybe by a relative of one of the girls he attacked?

Then Dan finds another body in the sea. are the deaths connected? An accident seems far less likely now there are two bodies.

This was very good, I was convinced I knew who was the murderer but I was completely wrong - they were never even a suspect!

However, I am trying to eat more healthily and having to read the descriptions of the huge meals Dan eats is making it hard for me to make good choices.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Murder on an Italian Island can be read as a standalone novel although it is part of a series. The home base of the primary characters is Florence, but Willams set his books in locations in addition to Florence which helps keep the series fresh (and gives the reader a lot of ideas for vacations in Italy). In this book the setting is the island of Elba. The plot was interesting and covered crimes including rape, murder, and antiquities smuggling, so there were lots of suspects for retired detective Armstrong to investigate. The author did a good job juggling all of the threads and tying them together by the end. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Boldwood Books for the eARC.

Retired British Detective Inspector Dan, dog Oscar, and partner Anna join their friends Virgilio (an Italian policeman) and his wife for a vacation on the island of Elba —yes, where Napoleon was exiled. The bodies start piling up almost immediately, but are they murders or unfortunate accidents? And what does Virgilio’s involvement with a nasty-sounding criminal he put away years ago have to do with it all? 

As usual, author T A Williams excels at describing the island, its beaches, and food — this time with the addition of Etruscan artifacts. Does antique smuggling factor into the deaths?

Murder on an Italian Island is a fun mystery and an engaging read with some serious overtones as everyone comes to grips with the sexual predator who is the first death.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I discovered the T A Williams stories about Armstrong and Oscar a few months ago and quickly devoured the whole series. I was therefore very pleased to receive an advance copy of this book; thanks to net galley nd the publisher.

This latest escapade is set on the island of Elbe. The only thing I knew about it was that Napoleon was exiled there. It’s a great summer read as the setting is a holiday hotel near the beach where Dan and Anna have signed up for windsurfing lessons. It’s amusing reading about Dan’s constant dunking in the sea. Oscar of course has joined them and has a lovely time swimming and begging for food. The author definitely has a good understanding of labradors and I find myself chuckling as I read.
It’s amazing how many murders occur when Dan and Oscar are around and it’s great that no two are the same. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest and highly recommend it.

Not an unbiased review as I love Oscar and the whole series. I think each could be read independently, but you'd be missing the fun of following them around and Oscar's antics.
Anna, Dan, and Oscar are on holidays with friends Virgilio (Italian cop) and his wife (Dan's office manager) at Virgilio's cousin's resort on Elba where Anna signs Dan up for windsurfing lessons (!). It doesn't take long before the first body is found in the water, but was it misadventure or murder? The dead man was a sexual predator newly out of prison and hated by many. His brother is only a little less slimy, but Dan finds his body another day. Meanwhile Anna and another guest are looking for things related to the Etruscans who predated the Romans on the island. Dan and Virgilio work with the local police to try to untangle the maze of clues and misdirections in the case. Another excellent read!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected eGalley from Boldwood Books courtesy of NetGalley. Avail Aug 05, 2025
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The latest in this cosy murder mystery series does not disappoint. It is really satisfying to see the characters, and the relationships between them, develop. Oscar the black Labrador is an absolute star in his own right! The descriptions of Italy make this a perfect holiday read, and the details of meals eaten are almost like a restaurant review! I can’t wait for the next episode in Dan and Oscar’s adventures. .