As part of a blog tour organized by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, I recently had the opportunity to read an advance copy of Murder in the Piazza: A Maggie White Mystery. This new release is the first book in a new mystery series by Jen Collins Moore.
About the Book
Maggie White, a downsized American executive stuck in Rome on her husband’s expat assignment, is finding the dolce vita isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. She’s taken a job offering painting instruction to well-heeled travelers and her boss—a rather unpleasant English lord—has turned up dead in his penthouse. Maggie’s left with a palazzo full of suspicious guests, a valuable painting her boss might have stolen, and a policeman who’s decided she’s the prime suspect. Now Maggie must keep the tour up and running while she tracks the killer and works to clear her name.
My Review
Looking to make herself useful while her husband is off at work, Maggie takes on a new position with a boutique tour company, run by a British (ex-pat) nobleman. When her boss is murdered, no one seems to really care. He wasn’t a very nice man and not even the police seem inclined to find the culprit. But Maggie just won’t let it go. She pushes and prods the detective in charge until she ends up the prime suspect. And so she takes on the role of amateur sleuth and launches her own investigation while continuing to take care of the participants in the already running tour. Maggie’s list of potential suspects is long, however she does eventually solve the mystery.
This was pleasant cozy mystery that allows you to travel without moving your feet. The descriptions of Rome, its historic sites and art, are vivid and give the reader a great feel for the city. The quotes from the travel brochure at the start of each chapter were a great touch. And kudos to the graphic designer – that cover is simply gorgeous.
FTC disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher. This has not affected the content of my review.
Giveaway
Enter a rafflecopter for your chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card from the author.
About the Author
Jen Collins Moore is the author of the Maggie White Mysteries. Her short fiction has appeared in Mystery Weekly, and she is the editor of the Mystery Writers of America Midwest newsletter. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, as well an established marketer and entrepreneur. A transplanted New Englander, she lives in Chicago with her husband and two boys.
Author Link: https://www.jennifercollinsmoore.com/
Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo
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Cassidy's Bookshelves 
This sounds like a really good cozy mystery
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