Book Review: Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri (A Tuscan Mystery #1)

Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nico Doyle is a retired New York City homicide detective who has recently retired to a small village in the Tuscan countryside.  He moved to Gravinga, his wife's hometown, after she recently passed away.  He spends his days at the local coffee shop, trying out new recipes, and helping his wife's cousin at her family's small restaurant.  Things change when he discovers that a man has been murdered.  Salvatore Perillo is the maresciallo of the local police, and once he discovers Nico's background he requests his help in finding the guilty party.  

The reader is immediately immersed in Tuscany -- the food, the lifestyle, the customs, espresso, wine, and even more food!  The Chianti Classico Expo, a large wine tasting event,  takes place in the middle of the murder investigation.  I loved all the characters, especially Nico and Onewag, the stray dog he adopted.  The interplay between Perillo and his assistant Daniele brings a lot of humor to the story.  All in all, a very charming cozy mystery set in the Tuscan hills.  Highly recommended, and I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series.  

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Book Review: The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon

The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

John U. Bacon has written the definitive book about the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975 in Lake Superior.  The reader is taken through the background of lake freighters used to transport iron ore through the Great Lakes, how the Edmund Fitzgerald was built to be the largest and fastest boat on the lakes, information on each of the crew members and the captain, what life is like onboard a freighter, and a detailed description of their last voyage.  

The book is incredibly well researched and Bacon's writing is both comprehensive and approachable for the novice.  The various maps and the layout of the freighter were invaluable to me in my understanding.  It is probably the best narrative nonfiction book that I have ever read, and would encourage anyone to read it!

I saw the author speak on the WDIV Backstory documentary which was aired last fall at the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the "Fitz," and was so impressed with his knowledge.  I would highly recommend watching this documentary -- 
Edmund Fitzgerald (71 minutes)
https://www.clickondetroit.com/video/features/2025/11/07/full-documentary-the-edmund-fitzgerald-2025/

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Book Review: Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an incredibly well-researched narrative nonfiction book about the Troubles in Northern Ireland.  The author spent four years writing the book, made seven trips to Northern Ireland, and conducted more than 100 interviews.  Although he admits that the title of the book is an indication of the willingness of many individuals to talk to him, even decades later.  There is a very lengthy list of references citing his sources at the end of the book.  

The book centers the abduction and 'disappearance' of a widowed mother of ten young children, thought to be an informer.  I read this for one of my book clubs and it was definitely a lively discussion this week.  Many of the group (myself included) didn't know much about the history of the Troubles conflict.  It goes into detail about the many participants in both sides of the conflict, so it can be difficult to keep track of the individuals.  Overall, a very eye-opening history lesson, written very much like a mystery book.  

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Book Review: Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman (Mrs. Blossom #1)

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 1/2 stars. Muriel Blossom is a retired widow who just won the lottery, and is embarking on a 2-week vacation. She is spending the first week alone in Paris and then her best friend is meeting her for a one week cruise along the Seine River. She encounters a series of suspicious individuals and unusual circumstances during her week in Paris. Once on the cruise, her friend is busy looking for husband number four while Mrs. Blossom is trying to figure out what is going on. Everything comes to a head and all is revealed by the end of their cruise.

I was in the midst of reading two very heavy non-fiction books when I realized that I needed an escapist mystery. This book was exactly what I needed at that time. It's a light mystery and a quick read, plus the sights of Paris, the trip along the Seine, and the wonderful descriptions of food are a bonus. There's the murder and the mysteries, but the real draw for me was the character of Mrs. Blossom. Readers of Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan series will enjoy her appearance in a couple of scenes in this book. This is the first in a new series, and I'm looking forward to more of Mrs. Blossom's adventures in the future.

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Book Review: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave (Hannah Hall #2)

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me, picking up right where the previous book left off.  Hannah and her stepdaughter Bailey have been living (cautiously with the help of Bailey's grandfather) in California.  Fast forward five years and things change.  They are suddenly on the run again after Hannah's husband Owen meets her briefly enough to pass her a thumb drive and warn her to run.  

This is another page-turner and I finished this book in just two days.  Since I read the first in the series a couple of years ago, I was a little hazy on the details.  However, I was able to catch up fairly quickly, and this book fills in some of the plot points and gaps from the first book.  It's certainly a wild ride and I would recommend it for anyone who has read the first installment.

Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book.

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