Murder in Venice by T.A. Williams - Book Review

Series: Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery #13 

Publication Date: 03rd Nov 2025 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Fun! 

Retired cop and current PI, Dan Armstrong, is delighted to be invited to the luxury villa of Alice Graceland, a movie legend. However, when Dan and his trusted black Lab, Oscar, reach the place, he finds out that Alice wants him to host a murder mystery weekend for the Hollywood royalty. But when the event takes a turn for the worse, Dan has to figure out who flipped the script and committed a murder. 

The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I’ve read the series from the first book and enjoyed the mysteries, the characters’ growth, and the virtual tours across Italy. This time, we go to Venice and do a bit of sightseeing, though I admit my heart was set on that island fortress where the central plot takes place. 

However, a surprising aspect was the occurrence of the murder. It doesn’t happen in the first half! Gasp! I think it was an attempt to try something different. While I wasn’t bored at any point, I couldn’t help but wonder when the crime would actually happen. After all, a mystery book needs a mystery!  

Given the premise, we do meet some celebrities and see their antics off-screen. Yeah, not a pretty sight! The story touches upon various ills in the industry, but without going into details. This helps retain the cozy element and keeps things lighthearted. 

Oscar is a darling as he always is. He is a hero in almost every book, and this one is no exception. Three cheers for Oscar! 

Dan’s personal life is progressing well, much to his delight. His interactions with his parents show that one never grows too old not to be a son (or a daughter). His professional life has been interesting as always, so he is ready for more adventures. 

Coming to the mystery, it still manages to be intriguing, despite the limited space. With a long suspect list and potential motives, finding the killer takes time and effort… and maybe an action scene. ;) 

To summarize, Murder in Venice is a short and fun read with a lovely setting, water transport, great food, and a murder mystery game that turns too real!  

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MurderInVenice