A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany by Vivian Conroy [review]

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany is the third book in the charming Miss Ashford Investigates mystery series by Vivian Conroy.

Title: A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany
Author: Vivian Conroy
Series: Miss Ashford Investigates, Book 3
First Published: April 13, 2023
Publisher: Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter
Genres: Mystery
Acquired: from the publisher via Netgalley

*** Thank you to the publisher, One More Chapter, for providing me with an e-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review. ***

When novice detective Atalanta Ashford is whisked away to Italy by her friend, race car driver Raoul Lemont, she anticipates a happy holiday under the Tuscan sun. But a chance meeting on the Orient Express with Italian heiress Catharina Lanetti leads to a party invitation…and front row seats for a mysterious murder!

With their new friend under suspicion Atalanta and Raoul set to work trying to discover who really murdered Catharina’s father. But with more than half a dozen suspects – all with compelling motive – Atalanta may just be facing her toughest case yet!

A sunny mystery set in lovely Tuscany

One of the best things about inheriting a fortune and a client list filled with the world’s elite is that Atalanta can afford to travel the world while waiting for her next case. It’s such an interesting premise and allows the series to deliver fresh new additions with each book. As the reader, we get to travel to exotic locations – the first book was in Provence, the second was in Santorini, and now, Atalanta’s third adventure as her setting off to Tuscany on the famous Orient Express.

One of the constant themes that I found running through the series, aside from the murder and beautiful scenery, is the large families that Atalanta finds herself working for. It’s such a contrast to her own background – she’s an orphan with very few friends and no family. But the clients she seems to attract all have large families and all the family dramas that go along with them.

I think the family dynamics and subsequent secrets and squabbles allows for a lot of red herrings and suspects to be thrown into Atalanta and Raoul’s lap. Raoul himself still continues to be an enigma, and adds to the tension as Atalanta is always trying to consider whether to fully trust him or not.

Atalanta is becoming quite the detective

Atalanta herself is one of my favourite cozy mystery sleuths. She’s still finding her way as a ‘detective for hire’ and often gets guidance from her deceased grandfather (in the form of letters where he offers her the knowledge he learned as a detective) and from her butler, Renard, who usually assists her from her home base in Paris. I love that she has a blossoming confidence in her abilities but is still wary enough to sometimes overthink the situation and stay suspicious of everyone around her, including Raoul.

Raoul is also an incredibly interesting character as he strikes the perfect balance between friend, potential love interest, and mysterious stranger. I don’t doubt that he’s protective of Atalanta, but often his motives aren’t quite clear. Three books into the series and I’m still not annoyed at how little we know of him.

The fast paced murder, the interesting characters, and of course, the lovely Tuscan setting, make this the perfect vacation cozy to curl up with.

Quote from A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany