Murder at the Matterhorn by T.A. Williams - Book Review

Series: An Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery #5 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 24th Nov 2023

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Italy

4 Stars 

One Liner: A compact cozy mystery 

Dan Armstrong gets a call from his former colleague asking for help. It seems a team of ufologists (UFO enthusiasts) are camping on an isolated mountain cap. There’s been a death, which looks much like murder. Dan agrees to help and joins the group as a fellow enthusiast. 

Even though they think aliens are involved, Dan is sure the murder is the handiwork of a human and someone from the group or in the region. With Oscar by his side, Dan now has to play the interpreter and solve the crime with the local police. Can they find the killer before more deaths occur? 

The story comes in Dan Armstrong’s first-person POV and works as a standalone. 

My Thoughts: 

As a reader of the series, I enjoyed this book as much as the previous ones. I’m also a believer in UFOs, though not like the characters here. 

Being a cozy mystery, the focus is more on the crime and suspects rather than the technicalities of UFOs and science. Most of the content tends to be of a nonbeliever since it comes from Dan’s POV. However, he does his best to keep an open mind, which proves to be helpful. 

Of course, a book set in Italy has to have a lovely setting and good food. This time, we tour the snow-capped mountains, the surrounding forest, and the autonomous village in the foothills. There is enough tea to satisfy a British reader and enough wine and food for the Italian reader. 

The mystery is just right- neither simple nor complicated. One part is easy to solve, the other needs a bit of work but has a logical conclusion. We can guess who the killer is despite not knowing the reason. 

Anna (Dan’s girlfriend), Virgilio and his wife, etc., have very minor roles. Dan and Oscar work with a different police team. And as Dan says, this one is indeed teamwork. Many people contribute, creating a more balanced approach. Inspector Costey is impressive. I hope we get to meet again. 

Oscar does what he always does – makes puppy eyes at everyone, becomes popular with ladies, eats as much as he can get, and helps solve the case in his own way. No one can resist a cute lab, right? 

The pacing is on the slower side, as it is with the series. However, the chapters are of moderate length and provide some sort of progress to keep the plot moving. 

To summarize, Murder at the Matterhorn is an entertaining mystery and a good continuation of the series. Does it have aliens? Well, read the book to find out. ;)

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #MurderattheMatterhorn