Here's another excellent recommendation from Canadian Reader: Murder in Tuscany, the first in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series by T.A. Williams. Newly retired DCI Dan Armstrong is at a creative writing course, a gift from his former co-workers. He hopes to write a mystery or two, however, it turns out this is a course for writing erotica! Now, he's been told no one knew this was what the course was about, but could he really believe that? It gets worse, or at least more, um, curious, when he meets the others that are taking the course ... little old ladies! It's been advertised as being taught by a famous author, but it turns out he has little to offer more than his name. Then he is murdered. There are eleven guests, all who might have a motive (and of course, an alibi), but Armstrong sets out, with the help of the local Italian Commissario, to find the killer. There is a dog, too, Oscar. A great start (Canadian Reader has already finished the third book), loved the opening paragraph! Beautiful setting, amusing characters, a wonderful read during our recent rainy weekend.

Sam (Samantha) is heading for England to do some research for a book she is writing. Also taking the trip are relatives and friends from the Shady Acres Retirement Village. Two have martial arts training, another flirts with anyone male ... all are opinionated ... what could go wrong, yes? ;-) A Tourist's Guide to Murder, by V.M. Burns, is part of her Mystery Bookshop Mystery series. A fun detail here is you also get to read along with the book that Sam is writing, also a mystery, but in different time period. Nicely written, good humor, most enjoyable.

Reading Hermit With Dog