The Bitter Taste of Murder

Written by Camilla Trinchieri

Narrated by Danny Deferrari

One year after moving to his late wife’s Tuscan hometown of Gravigna, ex-NYPD detective Nico Doyle has fully settled into Italian country life, helping to serve and test recipes at his in-laws’ restaurant.

But the town is shaken by the arrival of wine critic Michele Mantelli in his flashy Jaguar. Mantelli holds his influential culinary magazine and blog over Gravigna’s vintners and restaurateurs. Some of Gravigna's residents are impressed by his
reputation, while others are enraged—especially Nico's landlord, whose vineyards Mantelli seems intent on ruining.

Needless to say, Mantelli’s lavish, larger-than-life, and often vindictive personality has made him many enemies, and when he is poisoned, the local maresciallo, Perillo, has a headache of a high-profile murder on his hands—and once again
turns to Nico for help.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705035719

Reviews for The Bitter Taste of Murder

[Norris Geridoc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

the setting is wonderful (descriptions of lovely Italian landscapes and amazing italian meals) and the characters are interesting and likable, the mystery was not quite as confounding as the Murder in Chianti, which I liked more, but it was generally a very good story. I thought this narrator was terrible, and I almost had to stop listening to the book because of it, very cringe-worthy, he spoke in a monotone and read with no emotional engagement at all.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Nico, a former New York police detective now residing in Tuscany in the restaurant business, helps local investigators with a wine critic's death by poison. He does not overstep his role, helping the locals at their request. The descriptions of food remind me of the Bruno Courreges series by Martin Walker. While I did not find this one flowed as well as the previous installment, it did offer an entertaining mystery in a great setting.

[brianewilliams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic detective story. The Tuscan setting is the best and the characters are well-drawn. Entertaining and readable.

[cathyskye · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As with the first Tuscan mystery by Camilla Trinchieri (Murder in Chianti), I couldn't help but be reminded of Martin Walker's Bruno Chief of Police series as I read The Bitter Taste of Murder. The major difference is that the main character, Nico Doyle, is an American who moved to the small town in Italy where his wife grew up after her untimely death. However, there's the mouth-watering food and wine, beautiful landscapes, and camaraderie that fans of Martin Walker's series have come to love. Nico helps out at a local restaurant, and he often creates his own recipes. If you're a lover of Italian food as I am, don't read this book when you're hungry. He also has a routine that brings readers into contact with many of his fellow villagers and friends. It's these villagers and friends who really give The Bitter Taste of Murder its feeling of community and fellowship. Nico has adopted a street dog he named OneWag who has his own routine, but he's usually to be found at Nico's side. There's the old man everyone calls Gogol, who goes from place to place quoting Dante. There's a developing relationship between Nico and the artist Nelli, which can make readers smile because the two are so awkward around each other. But of all the townspeople, it's the local maresciallo Salvatore Perillo and his second-in-command who really keep Nico busy helping them solve mysteries. Perillo may be a fashion plate with his suede boots and jacket, and Daniele his second-in-command may be a sweetheart with his tendency to blush and his heart on his sleeve, but neither one is s slouch at investigating crime. However, they have learned that Nico can be very useful at getting into places and talking to people that they can't. Keeping him a secret from those higher up the chain of command can be difficult though.The mystery of who killed the wine critic is a strong and ultimately sad one, but it is the land, the food, and the people of Tuscany who shine the brightest in The Bitter Taste of Murder. I'm certainly looking forward to my next visit. (Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, Italy, family, family-dynamics, friendship, relationship-issues, relationships, relatives, muted-humor, small-business, small-town, restaurant, dog, cultural-exploration, procedural*****A widowed ex-NYPD homicide detective (Nico) moves to Tuscany where he has good memories and his wife's family (and they need his help in the restaurant). Remember the adage about taking the man out of the job? He got to be friends with the local Carabinieri (Perillo and Daniele) last year over a murder and has made many other friends as well (and a dog, OneWag).The wine critic was a real rotter. When he was found dead in a car wreck it looked like an accident until the ME had a good look. There was no lack of suspects and the locals and friend expected to work it out. THEN they were told that a detective from another branch of law enforcement was to have the case. Not a happy thought. Expect plot twists, beautiful countrysides, red herrings, and mouth watering menus. EXCELLENT read! Proof that books in series get better as they go along.I requested and received a free ebook copy from Soho Press/Soho Crime via NetGalley. Thank you!