#Blogtour Last Testament in Bologna by Tom Benjamin

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour Last Testament in Bologna by Tom Benjamin.

About the Author

Tom Benjamin grew up in the suburbs of north London and began his working life as a journalist before becoming a spokesman for Scotland Yard. He later moved into public health, where he led drugs awareness programme FRANK. He now lives in Bologna. Follow Tom @Tombenjaminsays on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or at tombenjamin.com

About the book

Last Testament in Bologna is the fourth in Tom Benjamin’s critically-acclaimed Bologna-set series featuring British private detective Daniel Leicester. 

When an old man makes a bequest to investigate the mysterious death of his son, English detective Daniel Leicester follows a trail to one of Bologna's wealthiest families - makers of some of the world's most coveted supercars - and discovers that beneath the glamour of the Formula One circuit lurk sinister interests that may be prepared to kill to keep their secrets.

Review

The Comandante has a way of asserting his competence without really doing anything other than having a specific presence when he is around people. If that is not enough then a reminder of his career credentials seems to put people in their place. I think Daniel has taken on a wee bit of that reputation.

The above can be enough of an explanation for their new case, a rather unusual way to to hire investigators though, and certainly a way to ensure the potential suspects are already wary of your motives.

As Daniel navigates a powerful, very competitive field of sport, which is a very lucrative business, ergo one that may compel certain individuals to commit crimes, he learns that perhaps a grieving father had good reason to suspect the narrative of his son falling foul of his own incompetence.

In direct comparison to this we have Daniel struggling with his own family complications and similar reckless attitudes, whilst gives the story an element of relatability, both in regards to the case and life in general. It's what makes the series so appealing.

I think this series is steadily evolving and improving - it has Dibdin vibes - where surroundings, culture and strong, memorable characters create the kind of read you remember. More importantly it is the perfect recipe for a good read.

Buy Last Testament in Bologna at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎ Constable; pub date 9 Nov. 2023. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Requiem in La Rossa by Tom Benjamin

 It's my turn on the BlogTour Requiem in La Rossa by Tom Benjamin. 'Requiem in La Rossa is the third in Tom Benjamin’s critically-acclaimed Bologna-set series featuring British private detective Daniel Leicester.' 

About the Author

Tom Benjamin grew up in the suburbs of north London and began his working life as a journalist before becoming a spokesman for Scotland Yard. He later moved into public health, where he led drugs awareness programme FRANK. He now lives in Bologna. Follow @Tombenjaminsays on Twitter

About the book

In the sweltering heat of a Bologna summer, a murderer plans their pièce de résistance...

Only in Bologna reads the headline in the Carlino after a professor of music is apparently murdered leaving the opera. But what looks like an open-and-shut case begins to fall apart when English detective Daniel Leicester is tasked with getting the accused man off, and a trail that begins among Bologna's close-knit classical music community leads him to suspect there may be a serial killer at large in the oldest university in the world. 

Review

Leicester is asked to look into a peculiar case, a young musician who has caused the death of a professor. A clear case, but someone believes there are unanswered questions. Then again perhaps it is just about soothing a guilty conscience.

Daniel has this suave way about him, not at all like a foreigner far from home. The assimilation between himself and his country of choice helps him to blend in, and perhaps it also helps him to comprehend the truth of the matter.

I enjoyed the way the author used the imagery, sensations and reactions of the instability of the earth to parallel the same in the characters and the story. The earth moving, buildings shifting and the feeling of possible impending disaster runs smoothly alongside the revelations of Daniel's investigations.

The author definitely makes the reader want to experience the surroundings for themselves. The moments of serenity whilst taking in the surroundings, the history and the people. You can absolutely understand how captivating it is, then add a little crime to the mix, and hey presto. It's also another one I would love to see on the small screen.

It's a story that comes alive through the eyes of the main character - a crime that starts off with one simple deed and evolves into something much more wicked.

Buy Requiem in La Rossa at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏:  Constable pub date 5 May 2022. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour The Hunting Season by Tom Benjamin

It's my turn on the BlogTour The Hunting Season by Tom Benjamin.

About the Author

Tom Benjamin grew up in London and began his working life as a reporter before becoming a spokesman for Scotland Yard. He went on to work in international aid and public health, developing Britain's first national programme against alcohol abuse and heading up drugs awareness campaign FRANK. He now lives in Bologna, Italy.

Find @tombenjaminsays on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or visit tombenjamin.com

About the book

It's truffle season and in the hills around Bologna the hunt is on for the legendary Boscuri White, the golden nugget of Italian gastronomy. But when an American truffle 'supertaster' goes missing, English detective Daniel Leicester discovers not all truffles are created equal. Did the missing supertaster bite off more than he could chew?

As he goes on the hunt for Ryan Lee, Daniel discovers the secrets behind 'Food City', from the immigrant kitchen staff to the full scale of a multi-million Euro business. After a key witness is found dead at the foot of one of Bologna's famous towers, the stakes could not be higher. Daniel teams up with a glamorous TV reporter, but the deeper he goes into the disappearance of the supertaster the darker things become. Murder is once again on the menu, but this time Daniel himself stands accused. And the only way he can clear his name is by finding Ryan Lee...

Discover Bologna through the eyes of English detective Daniel Leicester as he walks the shadowy porticoes in search of the truth and, perhaps, even gets a little nearer to solving the mystery of Italy itself.

Review

I think it's fair to say searching for a supertaster - yes that's a thing - isn't exactly a normal case for any detective. At first Daniel Leicester finds the whole thing peculiar, then interesting and eventually he realises he has stumbled into something quite dangerous. 

As Daniel and his team get closer to finding the supertaster they also discover the nature of the truffle market is a very expensive and lucrative business, perhaps one even worth killing for. Will Daniel find the supertaster or is it already too late?

Although there were moments when I thought the beautiful descriptive prose was wasted on the plot that didn't pull a punch that was hard enough, it's exactly that element of the read that draws the reader in. Benjamin has a Dibdin like style and charm, especially when it comes to taking his readers by the hand and walking them through the landscape, history and culture.

Delving into the world and history of truffles, the hidden morsel that went from fungi to delicacy, from background singer to A list edible - it's an eye opener. Probably one which will make readers want to try some, but perhaps not at the ridiculous prices they sell for.

I actually think this is a series that will grow in strength and popularity. I look forward to seeing where the author takes it.

Buy The Hunting Season at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Constable pub date 5 Nov. 2020.  Buy at Amazon com.