"A beautiful Italian island, compelling characters and a complex mystery make for a great combination in the latest addition of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mysteries. It looks like this will be a mystery that focuses on a decades old case when a newly paroled rapist is found dead at the bottom of a cliff. Accident, suicide or murder? Though Dan promises his girlfriend that he wouldn't play detective during their investigation, when a shadow of suspicion surrounds their friend Inspector Virgilio means Dan will do anything to clear him. But is it as simple as a bad man coming to a bad end? Much more is going on this beautiful island setting and Dan and Oscar will need all their detective wits to solve this one before someone they love has an ""accident.""

A nice complex mystery with a very satisfying end but what makes this an even stronger book are the characters and their relationships. I love how Dan and Anna's relationship has developed. And of course, who can't love the adorable Oscar."

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

On a supposedly relaxing Italian island getaway, private investigator Dan becomes embroiled in a suspicious death linked to his best friend’s past.

This is an engaging and well-constructed mystery. The romance subplot fell flat for me—Dan’s dog was a stronger character than his girlfriend. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Another superb addition to this fabulous series!

When Dan Armstrong and his girlfriend, Anna, are invited to a break on the island of Elba - with his dog Oscar, of course - he jumps at the chance of a holiday, promising that he won't 'play detective' for a whole week. Arriving at a luxury hotel with wonderful scenery and the most delicious food, they are both looking forward to relaxing along with their friend Virgilio and his wife Lena but then things take a turn with a sinister encounter and a suspicious death. How long can Dan keep his promise to Anna?

As always, this is a well-written mystery with a cast of believable characters set in a beautiful part of the world. Trevor Williams is the very best ambassador for Italy! As with every book, Oscar the black labrador is a large part of the story and, it has to be said, I adore the book cover - it made me smile! Along with attempting to work out who did what to who, when and why, my mouth waters with each and every meal Dan enjoys not always stopping short of my tummy rumbling. A fantastic novel and a wonderful series which I constantly recommend. Easily earning all five sparkling stars!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

Happy publication day to the newest installment of my favorite cozy mystery series- and it’s the best one yet!

At the start of the story, Dan is experiencing writer’s block when he’s invited on a vacation with his friend Virgilio, known to the reader from previous books in this series. Dan and his partner Anna head to the island of Elba with Virgilio and his wife Lina. Dan is determined to have a relaxing, work-free holiday, but unsurprisingly, the quartet (plus Oscar of course!), gets pulled into the orbit of a murder investigation within a day of arriving to the island.

The books in this series always have an Italian setting, but generally close to Dan’s home base in Tuscany, so an island getaway was a fun variation. The murder that Dan and Virgilio find themselves investigating is very compelling in that it’s a seemingly straightforward case that turns out to be much more complex, with connections to illegal trafficking of Etruscan artifacts.

Dan’s canine sidekick Oscar gets the chance to save the day in this story, which was my favorite part. I also loved the way that Dan and Anna’s relationship has grown over the books and is proven to be stronger than ever by the end of this one. Dan’s journey as a writer added a fun meta-fictional element as usual. I am so emotionally connected to these characters at this point, so I hope there are more books to come!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to be an early reader of this title, available now!

Dan Armstrong, former cop turned private investigator and author, is having writer's block. So when his friend Virgilio, the commisario, invites Dan and his girlfriend Anna and of course Oscar the dog to join him and some well deserved vacations, Dan agrees. The sun is great, the hotel is gorgeous, the food is delicious and Dan and Oscar are having a good old time. It all comes to an end when Virgilio is threatened by Ignazio Graziana,a man he helped put in jail many years ago for committing horrible atrocities against women. Later, Ignazio's body is found lying on the rocks. Virgilio is the main suspect, and Dan must prove his innocence before it's too late. Later, Ignazio's brother is found dead, and more suspects come to light.

It was nice to read about Dan and Virgilio's friendship. They are both good cops and great at what they do. I enjoyed the ambiance and the beautiful scenery. Oscar was such a treat, such a sweet, good boy. Really enjoyed the pacing and how the secrets of each murdered brother came to light.

Thank you, Netgalley and Boldwood Books, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

This is a very low key mystery. There is practically no suspense unless you figure in the spills Armstrong takes as he is learning to wind surf. His female traveling partner does experience some threat but that happens off stage. The plot moves at a steady if slow pace. The strength of the novel is the setting so this mystery is for readers who like an emphasis on the setting more than the action of solving the mystery.

This novel is part of a series and quite a ways down the line. I thought it read well as a stand alone. Williams is good at describing the setting of an Italian island and that was the best part of the book.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

A lovely little mystery set on the isle of Elba. Dan and Oscar have travelled to Elba with his friend from the Italian Police and his friend Anna for a holiday. While there they stumble onto a murder. This is a charming escapist story which is perfect for reading on the beach. The characters are very likeable and the interaction between them is well written. I look forward to further stories of Dan and Oscar. Thoroughly recommend this story. With thanks to the author Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

In this fine addition to the Armstrong & Oscar series, Dan and his girlfriend (and their trusty Labrador Oscar) want to enjoy a holiday in Elba. Private investigator Dan can’t have a holiday without running across at least one murder, however! In this case, helped by his policeman friend Virgilio and, of course, the delightful Oscar, who plays animportant part in the story, he becomes drawn into two suspicious and complicated deaths.

This book would make anyone want to visit Elba with its vivid descriptions of the stunning scenery, and Dan’s sumptuous meals! T.A. Williams also describes a little bit of the island’s interesting history, including Napoleon’s stay there, and the Etruscan settlements.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I have been a fan of this series from the start and this book continues to delight. set on the beautiful island of Elba, where Dan is taking a break with his girlfriend and close friends, it is not long before he is swept up into investigating a murder. There are quite a few twists and turns along the way to keep the reader engaged, as well as delicious Italian treats and of course, Oscar the dog, who plays a pivotal role in saving the day. Perfect summer read.

T A Williams does it again in the Armstrong & Oscar Cozy Mystery series, and enjoyed the overall feel of this world and characters. I was invested in what was going on and thought the overall story worked in this universe. I enjoyed how good everything flowed in telling this storyline and the mystery of this. I was glad everything worked in this universe and had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Beautiful island, wonderful food, and a cracking mystery

It should have been a perfect idyllic holiday for PI Dan Armstrong, his dog Oscar, and his girlfriend, Anna. A week on the beautiful sunny island of Elba with their good friends, Commissario Virgilio and his wife, Lina. Dan’s biggest worry should be surviving the windsurfing course Anna has convinced him to take. Until he confronts a despicable criminal from Virgilio’s past. When a dead body turns up on the beach below their hotel, all the guests and staff are under suspicion. Well, except for Oscar! Who would believe that a beautiful black lab could do anything wrong?

Since the residents of the island universally disliked the victim, there are many suspects. Even though Dan tries not to get involved, he is still drawn into the investigation. Oscar, his ever-faithful companion, plays a key role in this, the twelfth entry in the series. I love how the author draws a vivid picture of the island. The lush descriptions of the food and wine make this cozy a pleasure to read. The mystery is complex and kept me guessing to the end. The Etruscan history and art elements make this a perfect summer read. Armchair travellers and foodies alike will devour this cozy mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the digital ARC!

I enjoyed the book didn’t realise they are apart of series. Good easy to book to get into

Blurb

When private investigator, Dan Armstrong, and his girlfriend, Anna, are invited to the gorgeous island of Elba for a much-needed break, he jumps at the chance. The thought of sun-drenched shores makes Dan promise Anna he won't “play detective” for a whole week…

A luxury hotel…

Their luxurious hotel, with its wonderful food and picturesque seaside views, seems the perfect escape, especially with Dan's best friend Virgilio and his wife joining them. But the calm shatters with a sinister encounter and a sudden, suspicious death...

A decades old case…

Virgilio’s past connection to the victim casts a long shadow, pulling Dan into a decades-old case. But beneath Elba’s beauty lie secrets and resentments. The victim was universally hated, but was his death the result of foul play or just a tragic accident?

With his faithful canine companion, Oscar, Dan must unravel the island's mysteries, a task that soon takes a decidedly personal and unsettling turn.

A pleasant cosy thriller with a well described Italian setting and a few twists and turns leading to a lovely ending. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Private investigator Dan Armstrong and his girlfriend Anna are invited on a holiday on the island of Elba by his best friend and his wife, however their idyllic holiday is disrupted by a suspicious death.
I've previously read and loved a few of this author's books, however this is the first of this series that I've read, although it can easily be read as a standalone book. Set in what sounds like an idyllic setting there are plenty of twists and turns leaving me wondering what had happened, when another suspicious death occurs. During the events Dan also learns to windsurf, something that I've always fancies doing, however from how he got on I think that I'll stay on dry land. There is another important character, Dan's labrador Oscar, who really added to the story giving some light relief. I can definitely recommend this book if you enjoy cozy mysteries and I will certainly try to make time to read the earlier books in the series.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

3.5 ⭐️
This was a cute and cozy mystery novel following a PI and his pup Oscar. It was an easy read and kept me engaged start to finish. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, but that’s didn’t take away from my ability to enjoy the book. Admittedly, the writing style of this book wasn’t my favorite, but that’s more personal preference than anything else.

Armstrong and Oscar Cosy Mysteries #12

When private investigator, Dan Armstrong, and his girlfriend, Anna, are invited to the gorgeous island of Elba for a much needed-break, he jumps at the chance. The thought of sub-drenched shores makes Dan promise Anna he won't "play detective" for a whole week. Their luxurious hotel, with wonderful food and picturesque seaside views, seems the perfect escape, especially with Dan's best friend Virgillio and his wife joining them. But the calm shatters with a sinister encounter and a sudden, suspicious death.

Yhis is the first book in this cosy murder mystery series that I've read. Virgillio and his wife Lina invite Dan and Anna to go to the island of Elba for a well-deserved break. Virgillio's niece is the receptionist at the hotel. It's only their first night there when a body is found on the beach. Then Dan finds another body. Are the deaths connected>

The story is descriptively written, and the characters are well-developed in this cosy murder mystery. There were lots of suspects to choose from. This is a quick and easy read. This book can be read as a standalone.

Published 5th August 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #TAWilliams for my ARC of #MurderOnAnItalianIsland in exchange for an honest review.

When retired DCI, turned PI, Dan Armstrong is invited, by his friend Virgilio, a high ranking Italian police officer, to join him on holiday on the island of Elba, Dan jumps at the chance. Along with his partner, Anna, and his dog, Oscar, they look forward to a relaxing holiday away from work.

Then, a body is found - initially deemed to be a suicide, Virgilio then finds himself the chief suspect as the victim is someone from his past. Despite his promise to avoid all things investigative, he knows that he has to help his friend. He and Oscar, his trusty and for me, adorable, sidekick, begin to investigate and find motives that no-one else has uncovered. When the first victim's brother is also killed he and Virgilio work together.

Although it wasn't the most complex crime novel (there were lots of descriptions of Dan trying to windsurf and of the island) it was a satisfying summer read. I haven't come across these books before but will certainly look out for more.

Book 12 in the Armstrong and Oscar Series and the ex DCI now PI Dan Armstrong and his partner Anna and faithful labrador Oscar, have been invited to spend a week on the island of Elba by close friend Detective Virgilio and his wife Lina. As always this is a well written, fairly quick and easy read, proper cosy crime.

Briefly, naturally what starts off as a nice relaxing holiday turns into more than bargained for when a death occurs. Is it suicide, accident or murder? Naturally the intrepid duo cannot avoid investigating, and helping the local police, and before they know it they are caught up in an adventure featuring Etruscan treasures and another death.

Dan learns how to windsurf and it was very well described, I could just see him wobbling about on that board, and of course we are treated to descriptions such that you can almost taste the wonderful foods of the area. Reads well as a stand-alone so don’t be put off by the number of books in the series. Another charming and evocative cosy read.

This series just doesn't fail me! The murder mysteries are so interesting as are the settings they take place in. This time we're on the island of Elba, off the coast of Italy, and, once again, we get a mixture of the history of the island, a better understanding of the culture as well as the food, along with the cozy murder mystery.

Dan and Oscar are now "old friends' I just look forward to the next time we meet up. Dan (the retired DCI, PI and author) and Oscar (his best mate and Labrador) are both are just so likeable. And Oscar is not just a pretty face!

Unsurprisingly while Dan is supposed to be on holiday with girlfriend, Anna, and his friend, Virgilio, they all get entangled in a couple of mysterious deaths. Once again, it's a gentle read overall with a good balance of relationship development alongside the major plots.

I really enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I recommend each one, and have read each one numerous times. Well done again to TA Williams and Boldwood Books.

It's five out of five for me

With thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for my advance reader copy, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I love this series, and each book gets better and better. This was supposed to be a week off for both Dan and Virgilio, but of course, you can never fully turn off being a detective. While on vacation they discover not one but two bodies, and a while bunch of illegal secrets. There are lots of suspects and motives, but not a lot of clues as to who killed who and why.
I really enjoy the characters in this series, especially the four legged one! The scenery is amazingly described, and makes me want to see every part of Italy. A must read for cozy mystery lovers.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.