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A Year in Europe #2
Death in Florence
Diana Hope, 55, is still adjusting to her recent separation when she discovers her ex-husband has just proposed to a woman 30 years younger. Secretly hoping they would reunite, Diana is devastated. She realizes the time has come to reimagine life without him—in fact, to reimagine her life, period.
Devoting the last 30 years of her life to being a dutiful wife and mother and to climbing the corporate ladder, Diana has been relentlessly driven, and has not taken a moment to do anything for herself. Now, the time has come.
Diana never forgot her first boyfriend, who begged her to join him for a year in Europe after college. She had wanted to go so badly, but it had seemed like a wild, romantic idea, and a gap year, she’d thought, would hinder her resume and career. But now, with her daughters grown, her husband gone, and her career no longer fulfilling, Diana realizes it’s time for herself—and to take that romantic year in Europe she’d always dreamed of.
Diana prepares to embark on the year of her life, finally turning to her bucket list, hoping to tour the most beautiful sights and sample the most scrumptious cuisines—and maybe, even, to fall in love again. But a year in Europe may have different plans in store for her. Can A-type Diana learn to go with the flow, to be spontaneous, to let down her guard and to learn to truly enjoy life again?
In DEATH IN FLORENCE (Book #2), Diana arrives in Florence, ready to shake off the events of Paris and fulfill her lifelong dream of being proposed to on the romantic Ponte Vecchio bridge. But Diana can never possibly anticipate what she is about to find on that bridge, and how it may just turn her romantic dream into a ridiculous nightmare!
A YEAR IN EUROPE is a charming and laugh-out-loud cozy mystery series, packed with food and travel, with mysteries that will leave you on the edge of your seat, and with experiences that will leave you with a sense of wonder. As Diana embarks on her quixotic quest for love and meaning, you will find yourself falling in love and rooting for her. You will be in shock at the twists and turns her journey takes as she somehow finds herself at the center of a mystery, and must play amateur sleuth to solve it. Fans of books like Eat, Pray, Love and Under the Tuscan Sun have finally found the cozy mystery series they’ve been hoping for!
Book #3 (VENGEANCE IN VIENNA) in the series is now also available!
Devoting the last 30 years of her life to being a dutiful wife and mother and to climbing the corporate ladder, Diana has been relentlessly driven, and has not taken a moment to do anything for herself. Now, the time has come.
Diana never forgot her first boyfriend, who begged her to join him for a year in Europe after college. She had wanted to go so badly, but it had seemed like a wild, romantic idea, and a gap year, she’d thought, would hinder her resume and career. But now, with her daughters grown, her husband gone, and her career no longer fulfilling, Diana realizes it’s time for herself—and to take that romantic year in Europe she’d always dreamed of.
Diana prepares to embark on the year of her life, finally turning to her bucket list, hoping to tour the most beautiful sights and sample the most scrumptious cuisines—and maybe, even, to fall in love again. But a year in Europe may have different plans in store for her. Can A-type Diana learn to go with the flow, to be spontaneous, to let down her guard and to learn to truly enjoy life again?
In DEATH IN FLORENCE (Book #2), Diana arrives in Florence, ready to shake off the events of Paris and fulfill her lifelong dream of being proposed to on the romantic Ponte Vecchio bridge. But Diana can never possibly anticipate what she is about to find on that bridge, and how it may just turn her romantic dream into a ridiculous nightmare!
A YEAR IN EUROPE is a charming and laugh-out-loud cozy mystery series, packed with food and travel, with mysteries that will leave you on the edge of your seat, and with experiences that will leave you with a sense of wonder. As Diana embarks on her quixotic quest for love and meaning, you will find yourself falling in love and rooting for her. You will be in shock at the twists and turns her journey takes as she somehow finds herself at the center of a mystery, and must play amateur sleuth to solve it. Fans of books like Eat, Pray, Love and Under the Tuscan Sun have finally found the cozy mystery series they’ve been hoping for!
Book #3 (VENGEANCE IN VIENNA) in the series is now also available!
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2021
103 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Blake Pierce
826 books5,909 followersBlake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.
An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.
An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 4, 2021
Diana never forgot her first boyfriend, who begged her to join him for a year in Europe after college. She had wanted to go so badly, but it had seemed like a wild, romantic idea, and a gap year, she’d thought, would hinder her resume and career. But now, with her daughters grown, her husband gone, and her career no longer fulfilling, Diana realizes it’s time for herself—and to take that romantic year in Europe she’d always dreamed of.
Diana prepares to embark on the year of her life, finally turning to her bucket list, hoping to tour the most beautiful sights and sample the most scrumptious cuisines—and maybe, even, to fall in love again. But a year in Europe may have different plans in store for her. Can A-type Diana learn to go with the flow, to be spontaneous, to let down her guard and to learn to truly enjoy life again?
In DEATH IN FLORENCE (A Year in Europe Book #2), Diana arrives in Florence, ready to shake off the events of Paris and fulfill her lifelong dream of being proposed to on the romantic Ponte Vecchio bridge. But Diana can never possibly anticipate what she is about to find on that bridge, and how it may just turn her romantic dream into a ridiculous nightmare! As the second in this series I see a pattern emerging as Diana finds herself in the midst of another murder investigation. The pattern is familiar but there are enough differences to keep it interesting and the main character remains very likeable. It also retains the interesting aspect I liked from the first in the series: food, travel, and mystery.
Diana prepares to embark on the year of her life, finally turning to her bucket list, hoping to tour the most beautiful sights and sample the most scrumptious cuisines—and maybe, even, to fall in love again. But a year in Europe may have different plans in store for her. Can A-type Diana learn to go with the flow, to be spontaneous, to let down her guard and to learn to truly enjoy life again?
In DEATH IN FLORENCE (A Year in Europe Book #2), Diana arrives in Florence, ready to shake off the events of Paris and fulfill her lifelong dream of being proposed to on the romantic Ponte Vecchio bridge. But Diana can never possibly anticipate what she is about to find on that bridge, and how it may just turn her romantic dream into a ridiculous nightmare! As the second in this series I see a pattern emerging as Diana finds herself in the midst of another murder investigation. The pattern is familiar but there are enough differences to keep it interesting and the main character remains very likeable. It also retains the interesting aspect I liked from the first in the series: food, travel, and mystery.
April 21, 2021
In the last four months, I have read five books by author BLAKE PIERCE and this is first that I could not give five stars. DEATH IN FLORENCE meets my criteria for five stars in every category – story, characters, description of place, pace, etc. – but falls down on copyediting. Sorry Blake but there were too many writing errors such as misspellings and wrong tenses that could be easily fixed by a closer look at the text. However, this book is still extremely readable and fun so if you are not the stickler I am for these really minor difficulties, READ this book.
The title is slightly misleading as 90% of the story takes place in Verona, Italy at a Shakespeare Festival. Diana St. James is the lead character of the series, A Year in Europe. She has left Paris behind her and is off to Florence to find love and romance. Diana is in her early fifties. She has left her position as vice president of marketing at a major cosmetics company in New York City. She has been recently divorced from her husband of 28 years, Evan. He is a successful surgeon. All of her life, Diana has been a VERY organized person who cannot survive without schedules.
Lily is her pregnant oldest daughter. Lily is a real estate agent on Long Island a suburb of New York City. Bea is the younger daughter who is teaching English as a second language in a school in Japan. She has a boyfriend Hai who has not been part of the series yet. Tilda is Evan’s young fiancé and a friend of one of Diana’s daughters. She is something of an airhead.
Diana arrives in Florence after an uneventful trip from Paris and checks into her hotel. When she gets to her room, she cannot find her smart phone and panic sets in. She goes to find a replacement but all she can get is old model flip phone (just like mine!). She ventures out in Florence and ends up at the Ponte Vecchio, the iconic bridge with upscale shops on it. She hears a voice that she recognizes. It is Evan. And his fiancé. With her daughters not far away. After they all get together for dinner, Diana tells them she is going to Verona in the morning for the Shakespeare Festival.
On the train, she meets handsome Marcello Camillo an actor heading for the festival to act in a play. He offers her a ticket to his performance that afternoon. She accepts. He could be the ONE, romantically speaking. At the Arena di Verona, the open-air theater where the play is being performed, Diana receives a note from Marcello to meet him backstage after the show. She does and while conversing with Marcello, he drops dead.
Diana is suspect number one in the eyes of Detective Lucci of the Verona police. As in Paris, Diana takes matters into her own hands and decides she has to prove her innocence. To her surprise, Evan and the “girls” all arrive in Verona.
As Diana starts to investigate, she finds many suspects. Mariana Massari is an actress who is in love with Marcello (not reciprocated by him). Luca Castille is an actor who is jealous of Marcello’s success. Cristoforo is a stagehand who has a motive. Pietro Sambuca is the director who has a secret that Marcello knows. He is not liked by most of the staff. Alfonzo Rivalta is another actor who is jealous of Marcello’s luck with the ladies.
This was an enjoyable story. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for fans of mysteries and travel.
GO! BUY! READ!
The title is slightly misleading as 90% of the story takes place in Verona, Italy at a Shakespeare Festival. Diana St. James is the lead character of the series, A Year in Europe. She has left Paris behind her and is off to Florence to find love and romance. Diana is in her early fifties. She has left her position as vice president of marketing at a major cosmetics company in New York City. She has been recently divorced from her husband of 28 years, Evan. He is a successful surgeon. All of her life, Diana has been a VERY organized person who cannot survive without schedules.
Lily is her pregnant oldest daughter. Lily is a real estate agent on Long Island a suburb of New York City. Bea is the younger daughter who is teaching English as a second language in a school in Japan. She has a boyfriend Hai who has not been part of the series yet. Tilda is Evan’s young fiancé and a friend of one of Diana’s daughters. She is something of an airhead.
Diana arrives in Florence after an uneventful trip from Paris and checks into her hotel. When she gets to her room, she cannot find her smart phone and panic sets in. She goes to find a replacement but all she can get is old model flip phone (just like mine!). She ventures out in Florence and ends up at the Ponte Vecchio, the iconic bridge with upscale shops on it. She hears a voice that she recognizes. It is Evan. And his fiancé. With her daughters not far away. After they all get together for dinner, Diana tells them she is going to Verona in the morning for the Shakespeare Festival.
On the train, she meets handsome Marcello Camillo an actor heading for the festival to act in a play. He offers her a ticket to his performance that afternoon. She accepts. He could be the ONE, romantically speaking. At the Arena di Verona, the open-air theater where the play is being performed, Diana receives a note from Marcello to meet him backstage after the show. She does and while conversing with Marcello, he drops dead.
Diana is suspect number one in the eyes of Detective Lucci of the Verona police. As in Paris, Diana takes matters into her own hands and decides she has to prove her innocence. To her surprise, Evan and the “girls” all arrive in Verona.
As Diana starts to investigate, she finds many suspects. Mariana Massari is an actress who is in love with Marcello (not reciprocated by him). Luca Castille is an actor who is jealous of Marcello’s success. Cristoforo is a stagehand who has a motive. Pietro Sambuca is the director who has a secret that Marcello knows. He is not liked by most of the staff. Alfonzo Rivalta is another actor who is jealous of Marcello’s luck with the ladies.
This was an enjoyable story. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for fans of mysteries and travel.
GO! BUY! READ!
April 6, 2022
Diana St. James is now headed to Italy in her year long travels throughout Europe. Florence will bring her history, architecture, and art. But once again, Diana finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and is suspected of murder. This book, too, is a repeat scenario of books 1 and 2; so feels very formulaic. But it is kept interesting as Blake Pierce continues to bring the city of Florence to life through his wonderful descriptions.
April 3, 2021
Death in Florence is the second in the Travels in Europe series. I think this was better than the first book “ Death in Paris”. One of the things I enjoyed was the way the author gave you a little history of the first in the series. Sometimes an author summarizes the previous book at the beginn8ng of the next which I suppose is okay for someone who hasn’t read the previous novel but it is boring for the reader who has read the previous novel. The author in this book inserted yeh first novel pertinent information lightly throughout this novel. Since I had read the first novel and then immediately the second I found that refreshing.
Diana, an OCD career woman with two ground daughters and about to be divorced has ditched her previous life by deciding to do something for herself only and decides to take a year and see all the cities she has longed for. Her first stop in Paris was eventful so she is happy to have a relaxing time in Florence.
However that is not going to happen. On the train she meets a handsome actor who gives her a ticket to opening night at the Shakespeare Theatres in Verona a three hour train trio from Florence becaus her ex husband and his silly fiancé along with her two daughters Jane decided to join her in Florence. While she is glad to see her daughters the last people she wants to see are her ex husband and his fiancé. Her first night she is invited to go backstage to mart thenhandsomenactor. While he is changing he drops dead. It is determined he has died from poison. Since Diana was with him she becomes the prime suspect. She feels she must get herself out this predicament and starts her own investigation. Thus starts the fun. Dianadiscovers many suspects. and the search is on. There is humor, suspense, twists and turns throughout the novel with a little romance sprinkled throughout.
This is a rather complicated mystery. The characters are well developed and interesting. The relationship between the family and the is seamlessly incorporated in the story.I can’t wait for the 3rd in the series “Death in Vienna.
This is not my usual genre. The first in the series being my first that I know of reading Cozy Mysteries. I never thought they would be as interesting as historical fiction, thrillers, psychological mysteries or memoirs/biography ovels. But thanks to book sirens for this advanced copy I have found a new genre .
Diana, an OCD career woman with two ground daughters and about to be divorced has ditched her previous life by deciding to do something for herself only and decides to take a year and see all the cities she has longed for. Her first stop in Paris was eventful so she is happy to have a relaxing time in Florence.
However that is not going to happen. On the train she meets a handsome actor who gives her a ticket to opening night at the Shakespeare Theatres in Verona a three hour train trio from Florence becaus her ex husband and his silly fiancé along with her two daughters Jane decided to join her in Florence. While she is glad to see her daughters the last people she wants to see are her ex husband and his fiancé. Her first night she is invited to go backstage to mart thenhandsomenactor. While he is changing he drops dead. It is determined he has died from poison. Since Diana was with him she becomes the prime suspect. She feels she must get herself out this predicament and starts her own investigation. Thus starts the fun. Dianadiscovers many suspects. and the search is on. There is humor, suspense, twists and turns throughout the novel with a little romance sprinkled throughout.
This is a rather complicated mystery. The characters are well developed and interesting. The relationship between the family and the is seamlessly incorporated in the story.I can’t wait for the 3rd in the series “Death in Vienna.
This is not my usual genre. The first in the series being my first that I know of reading Cozy Mysteries. I never thought they would be as interesting as historical fiction, thrillers, psychological mysteries or memoirs/biography ovels. But thanks to book sirens for this advanced copy I have found a new genre .
April 11, 2021
If you like Blake Pierce mysteries you will probably like this series and in particular this book. Diana St. James 55, who was climbed the ladder of the corporate world to become an Executive at Addict a cosmetic firm in Manhattan the heart of NYC. She is a very anal person always had lists for what to do every day of the week just about and she did nothing without a plan. She had two lovely daughters Beatrice who had took off to Japan to finish her schooling after she got her Masters in the states and then she has Lily who is married and has a baby on the way. Her and her husband are divorcing. He came home one day and told her he wanted a divorce that they just were more like roommates than husband and wife so Evan her husband asked for a divorce and now he is marrying a young lady who is his daughter Beatrice's age. He is 30 years older than Tilda. So she does what nobody thought she would ever do, she quits her job because her boss would not let her take a Sabbatical. She put had her items in her house put in storage and rented out her house and left for Europe.
Diana has already been to Paris with hopes of meeting her old boyfriend Stephane de Fonblanque she met while they were in college together, but it did not come to fruition so she is off for another adventure in Florence, Italy and parts unknown not knowing that she was going to run into family while she was there. She meets up with her family her daughters and even her husband and his fiance Tilda and the twists and turns this adventure takes will make you laugh but you can believe there is definitely going to be a mystery and a whole lot of drama. I enjoyed this different type of mystery murder. I always enjoy Blake's mystery books so I can't wait for the next place in her European journey Vienna, Austria.
Diana has already been to Paris with hopes of meeting her old boyfriend Stephane de Fonblanque she met while they were in college together, but it did not come to fruition so she is off for another adventure in Florence, Italy and parts unknown not knowing that she was going to run into family while she was there. She meets up with her family her daughters and even her husband and his fiance Tilda and the twists and turns this adventure takes will make you laugh but you can believe there is definitely going to be a mystery and a whole lot of drama. I enjoyed this different type of mystery murder. I always enjoy Blake's mystery books so I can't wait for the next place in her European journey Vienna, Austria.
April 6, 2021
Fun cozy mystery. Although part of a series it is easily read as a stand alone. The main characters and her adventures are off the wall crazy but fun to follow. The descriptions of the cities, travels and settings put you in the scene and make you want to go visit these places. This one centers around a theater troupe and Shakespeare characters and I must admit it's been awhile since high school Shakespeare so I got a little lost in who was who within the play and the characters, but it is understandable, just keep going. This book would be a good vacation time or beach time read.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher, and BookSirens for allowing me to read this book.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher, and BookSirens for allowing me to read this book.
January 28, 2024
the murder does not occur in Florence
In fact, very little of the book takes place in Florence. While I enjoyed the book, the disappointment in the title failure lessened the star rating for me.
In fact, very little of the book takes place in Florence. While I enjoyed the book, the disappointment in the title failure lessened the star rating for me.
April 5, 2021
At the age of 55 and recently divorced, Diana decides to fulfill her lifelong dream of touring Europe. Having left Paris behind, Diana arrives in Florence, Italy. She has given herself the challenge of finding love in Italy. What she finds instead is her ex-husband, Evan, and his much younger fiancé Tilda. Who would have though she would meet them in Florence? Desperate to escape the pain of her past and make progress on her new life, Diana decides to visit Verona. What could be better than experiencing a Shakespeare festival in the setting of Romeo and Juliet? On the train to Verona, Diana meets the very handsome actor Marcello. He invites her to be his guest at the opening of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. During the intermission she receives a note from Marcello inviting her backstage after the performance. Diana is not sure what she expects, but she definitely didn’t expect him to fall dead in her presence.
If you like Cozy Mysteries and all things Italian, you will want to read this story. I was hooked from the very first chapter and enjoyed it tremendously until the very end. I found the descriptions of Italy to be magnificent. The plot is very good and moves along rapidly with a few well placed twists. The characters are believable and likable. I found the humor in the story to be enjoyable and to good taste.
This is the second book in this series and although I have not previously read the first book, I will be sure to do so now. I am already excited about the next book in the series set in Vienna.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great Cozy Mystery. Although there are a few curse words in the book, it is otherwise clean. You will be glad you invested the time to read it.
If you like Cozy Mysteries and all things Italian, you will want to read this story. I was hooked from the very first chapter and enjoyed it tremendously until the very end. I found the descriptions of Italy to be magnificent. The plot is very good and moves along rapidly with a few well placed twists. The characters are believable and likable. I found the humor in the story to be enjoyable and to good taste.
This is the second book in this series and although I have not previously read the first book, I will be sure to do so now. I am already excited about the next book in the series set in Vienna.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great Cozy Mystery. Although there are a few curse words in the book, it is otherwise clean. You will be glad you invested the time to read it.
April 10, 2021
After her marriage fell apart, Diana St. James went on a year-long European trip to escape her ex-husband and the boring life she left behind. Unfortunately for her, her ex followed her to Florence... with the other woman in tow. Diana can't seem to shake her past, even when she goes to the Shakespeare festival in Verona: without warning, the handsome, flirty Italian actor Marcello dies right in front of her, and Diana's the prime suspect -- again! With the help of her adult daughters, she sets out to unmask the killer, clear her name, and straighten out her messy love life.
Lovely! Death in Florence definitely works as a standalone. I haven't read the first one, but at no point did I feel confused or like I was missing out. I enjoyed that the author slipped in tons of references and important plot points to the previous novel, A Murder in Paris, but stopped just short of giving away the entire story. Her next stop is Vienna, which I have no doubt will be full of surprises, too.
I enjoyed this travel-themed cozy, but there were two things that irked me. First, Diana heaped all the blame for her failed marriage on her ex's too-young, too-cute, too-vapid fiance, leaving little for the ex-husband, and none for herself. Hmm. And I can't help but wonder what's up with the title! Almost the entire story takes place in Verona, not Florence.
Death in Florence is a fun, easy-reading travel cozy mystery with all the requisite red herrings, colorful characters, and gorgeous settings. Gourmet food, wine, villas, and live theater -- it's no wonder main character Diana falls in love with Italy!
Thanks to BookSirens, the publisher, and the author for providing a copy of this ebook. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lovely! Death in Florence definitely works as a standalone. I haven't read the first one, but at no point did I feel confused or like I was missing out. I enjoyed that the author slipped in tons of references and important plot points to the previous novel, A Murder in Paris, but stopped just short of giving away the entire story. Her next stop is Vienna, which I have no doubt will be full of surprises, too.
I enjoyed this travel-themed cozy, but there were two things that irked me. First, Diana heaped all the blame for her failed marriage on her ex's too-young, too-cute, too-vapid fiance, leaving little for the ex-husband, and none for herself. Hmm. And I can't help but wonder what's up with the title! Almost the entire story takes place in Verona, not Florence.
Death in Florence is a fun, easy-reading travel cozy mystery with all the requisite red herrings, colorful characters, and gorgeous settings. Gourmet food, wine, villas, and live theater -- it's no wonder main character Diana falls in love with Italy!
Thanks to BookSirens, the publisher, and the author for providing a copy of this ebook. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 23, 2021
Five Stars
Florence
Death follows Diana wherever she goes, leaving Paris on a train heading for Florence. Always a planner a person who needs to itinerary every single detail and timeline what she wants to see, Diana is struggling to ditch this part of her until she sees the most unexpected person she never expected to see during her travels.
Wanting to take a photo of her meal and drink Diana noticed that her phone was gone. Three possibilities for where the phone could be one in the taxi, front desk or the couple that accidentally or purposefully bumped into her. With the phone gone, the only one available for Diana is an old flip phone to which she was completely happy to have until brand new one became available. At the last minute Diana decided to visit the Shakespeare festival and invited her unexpected daughter’s to meet her there. Attending the Shakespearean play Diana once again landed into trouble with a murder occurring right under her nose. Diana goes into detective mode and helps solve the murder.
Recommended for readers who like to read murder mystery fictional stories.
The review of this free copy of Death in Florence is my own personal thoughts and reflections.
Florence
Death follows Diana wherever she goes, leaving Paris on a train heading for Florence. Always a planner a person who needs to itinerary every single detail and timeline what she wants to see, Diana is struggling to ditch this part of her until she sees the most unexpected person she never expected to see during her travels.
Wanting to take a photo of her meal and drink Diana noticed that her phone was gone. Three possibilities for where the phone could be one in the taxi, front desk or the couple that accidentally or purposefully bumped into her. With the phone gone, the only one available for Diana is an old flip phone to which she was completely happy to have until brand new one became available. At the last minute Diana decided to visit the Shakespeare festival and invited her unexpected daughter’s to meet her there. Attending the Shakespearean play Diana once again landed into trouble with a murder occurring right under her nose. Diana goes into detective mode and helps solve the murder.
Recommended for readers who like to read murder mystery fictional stories.
The review of this free copy of Death in Florence is my own personal thoughts and reflections.
April 24, 2021
This is the second book in this series and Diana has travelled to Florence on her next step on her European journey. While there, she bumps into her ex-husband and his fiance , along with her 2 daughters, and promptly hops on a train to Verona to get away from them.
I enjoyed this book more than the 1st one. There was a lot more humour in this one, and the inclusion of the ex and her much younger fiance ensured several very funny moments.
In these times, it's nice to lose yourself in the dreams of travelling again. I have been to Florence and Verona before so it was great reading about places I am familiar with.
The story itself meets the criteria for a cozy crime. It has the requisite murder along with a story that is easy to read, not gory, and something to read quickly and lose yourself in the story while not engaging your brain much.
Although this is the second book, it can be read as a standalone book. The next book involves Diana travelling to Vienna and I look forward to seeing what murder situation Diana lands herself in. My only gripe is that I think the title should mention Verona rather than Florence as Diana was only in Florence for a short time at the start of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed this book more than the 1st one. There was a lot more humour in this one, and the inclusion of the ex and her much younger fiance ensured several very funny moments.
In these times, it's nice to lose yourself in the dreams of travelling again. I have been to Florence and Verona before so it was great reading about places I am familiar with.
The story itself meets the criteria for a cozy crime. It has the requisite murder along with a story that is easy to read, not gory, and something to read quickly and lose yourself in the story while not engaging your brain much.
Although this is the second book, it can be read as a standalone book. The next book involves Diana travelling to Vienna and I look forward to seeing what murder situation Diana lands herself in. My only gripe is that I think the title should mention Verona rather than Florence as Diana was only in Florence for a short time at the start of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2021
Book two in the series, Diana has recently gone through a divorce and has taken a year off on a trip to see the world her husband never would agree to. Following trouble in Paris (see book 1), she heads to Florence, Italy only to run into a nightmare! Her husband and his very young fiancé - the last people in the world she would ever want to see! Next thing she knows, she finds out that he has flown her daughters in also. She endures a “family dinner “ and, after swearing her daughters to secrecy, decides to head out of town to Verona and the Summer Shakespeare festival. On the train she meets a handsome actor who invites her to come see him at the opening performance. Before she knows it she is a suspect in another murder! The family shows up, and she and her daughter, Bea helps her try to find the real murderer. A great romp around Verona, but will they solve it? I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this review.
March 23, 2021
This mystery is part of the series but can easily be read a standalone novel. This is the second book and I preferred it to the first one. Maybe because I am not familiar with Florence and Verona so in these times of 'stay at home - stay safe' it was lovely to escape into the book and travel by train to these parts of Italy. The murder is interesting and the characters were engaging. I also liked the humour of the depictions of the ex-husband and his new fiancee. the main character also engaged me more as soon as she lost her I-Phone - it was as if she became alive without her device. I am glad I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, as I really enjoyed this second installment of this series and as an older female I related well to the 55 year old divorcee.
April 11, 2021
Blake Pierce is a highly versatile author. I first encountered the author with one of the serious mysteries and it was superb. Then I found a Blake Pierce cozy mystery set on a European river cruise. Now I've gotten into this series featuring a middle-aged woman, recently divorced and soon to be a grandmother, traipsing through Europe and finding murders in each new city. The book works on so many levels, the newly divorced woman looking for romance, the cozy mystery, and the personal growth.
Well-crafted, good pace, charming characters that deal with real-life. Well, the new fiancée of the ex-husband who belongs in a farce and finding dead men in each city are not totally realistic, but it's a great read none the less.
I'm looking forward to the next Blake Pierce novel I get my hands on.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Well-crafted, good pace, charming characters that deal with real-life. Well, the new fiancée of the ex-husband who belongs in a farce and finding dead men in each city are not totally realistic, but it's a great read none the less.
I'm looking forward to the next Blake Pierce novel I get my hands on.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 8, 2025
The death didn’t even happen in Florence - it happened in Verona!
This book was a mess. I enjoyed the first one in the series, but this one felt like a completely different book! Since it felt off, I went to look up the author and ended up down the Reddit rabbit hole that this author may not even be a real person?!?
The adult children drove me up a wall! They were so childish and bothersome. The ex husband showing up with his fiancé who was the same age as his daughters was just too much.
The whole premise of the first book was for her to travel and find herself. This one, everyone came to bother her!
The murder mystery piece didn’t make much sense and felt very rushed.
I listened to the audio to help me fall asleep, and it did just that. So that’s where the one star is awarded - it put me to sleep.
This book was a mess. I enjoyed the first one in the series, but this one felt like a completely different book! Since it felt off, I went to look up the author and ended up down the Reddit rabbit hole that this author may not even be a real person?!?
The adult children drove me up a wall! They were so childish and bothersome. The ex husband showing up with his fiancé who was the same age as his daughters was just too much.
The whole premise of the first book was for her to travel and find herself. This one, everyone came to bother her!
The murder mystery piece didn’t make much sense and felt very rushed.
I listened to the audio to help me fall asleep, and it did just that. So that’s where the one star is awarded - it put me to sleep.
April 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book so much more than the first. For the most part, I found the characters were more realistic. The mystery was not easy to figure out. Even though he divorced her, Diana just can’t seem to shake her ex and his gold-digger young fiancee. Between the family theatrics and the inconvenience of trying to solve a murder you are suspected of committing, the laugh out loud moments just keep coming. The descriptions of Florence and Verona were enjoyable and made me feel like a tourist. I wonder if Diana is going to encounter a certain man she met again in the next book. Looking forward to finding out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 23, 2021
This book in the series had the requisite murder mystery which was well plotted but the highlight to me was the humor. Admittedly not everyone might see the humor in an ex-husband and his new fiancée showing up on their vacation but I found a lot of the interactions really funny.
Diana is taking a year away in Europe. She keeps running into murders that she needs to solve. She also runs into her ex-husband, his new fiancée, and the two adult daughters she shares with her ex. If only shaking her ex and his soon to be bride were as easy as catching killers
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Diana is taking a year away in Europe. She keeps running into murders that she needs to solve. She also runs into her ex-husband, his new fiancée, and the two adult daughters she shares with her ex. If only shaking her ex and his soon to be bride were as easy as catching killers
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2021
Death in Florence is Book 2 in A Year in Europe. Blake Pierce has written a wonderful cozy with characters that I felt were “book friends”. Diana St. James is divorced and on her second stop in her year in Europe. But, when Diana sees her ex husband, Evan, and then his fiancée, Tilda, in Florence, followed by her daughters, something is up! Seems what’s up is family dynamics and a touch of murder. Death in Florence is a perfect follow up from book 1. I really am enjoying this series. The climax is perfect. Now, Diana is on to Vienna, Austria! I am really looking forward to reading book 3. I received an arc for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 15, 2021
This was a perfect book to read while travel isn’t an option. From my reading chair I was able to travel to Florence and Verona Italy. This is the first book in the A Year in Europe series I have read but even though it is book 2 in the series that wasn’t a problem. Diana St. James has realized at age 55 after her recent divorce and with her children grown that work isn’t everything. She quits her job, packs a suitcase and writes a bucket list of what she wants to see in Europe. Not only is this a book about travel but there is a cozy mystery in the story. I won’t spoil the story for future readers but will encourage them to enjoy the trip and try to solve the mystery before Diana does.
April 27, 2021
Book Two in the series is a decent read but still a bit of fluff that is hard to equate with what I know of Pierce.
Our erstwhile former executive continues on her "Year in Europe" with a stop in Florence. As I now expect with this series, there's a love interest, an enemy, and a murder. Only this time we're adding to the mix Diana's ex, their two grown daughters, and the ex's new love - all hell-bent on stopping Diana from continuing this "nonsense" year off.
A quick enjoyable read.
[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through Book Sirens, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
Our erstwhile former executive continues on her "Year in Europe" with a stop in Florence. As I now expect with this series, there's a love interest, an enemy, and a murder. Only this time we're adding to the mix Diana's ex, their two grown daughters, and the ex's new love - all hell-bent on stopping Diana from continuing this "nonsense" year off.
A quick enjoyable read.
[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through Book Sirens, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
March 30, 2023
Lighthearted. Nothing serious. I loved the Shakespeare plays and that part of the plot in Verona. Totally made me mad that Evan was there. Is he following her on find my friends?
At least Diana got time with her children and got to know Tilda more. While she didn’t fall in love in Italy, she fell in love with the city and country. And solved a mystery.
While I was reading this book, I wanted good Italian wine. And good food! The way the scenery was described, the cook at the house, the train rides: I want to be Diana on this adventure. I’m now ready for good music and chocolate in the next country.
At least Diana got time with her children and got to know Tilda more. While she didn’t fall in love in Italy, she fell in love with the city and country. And solved a mystery.
While I was reading this book, I wanted good Italian wine. And good food! The way the scenery was described, the cook at the house, the train rides: I want to be Diana on this adventure. I’m now ready for good music and chocolate in the next country.
April 17, 2021
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
An interesting sequel. I like the character growth, and learning more about Diana's family. And then there's Tilda who is very easy to love and hate at the same time. I also like the commentary on how we are growing so dependent on our phones that we no longer remember phone numbers, how to do many things without one. I would have actually liked to have 'seen' more of Verona. I haven't decide if I'll read the next book, especially since Diana forgot all about the Wolrd Famous Lipizzaner's!
An interesting sequel. I like the character growth, and learning more about Diana's family. And then there's Tilda who is very easy to love and hate at the same time. I also like the commentary on how we are growing so dependent on our phones that we no longer remember phone numbers, how to do many things without one. I would have actually liked to have 'seen' more of Verona. I haven't decide if I'll read the next book, especially since Diana forgot all about the Wolrd Famous Lipizzaner's!
March 24, 2021
Death in Florence had me laughing. This book is a delightful cozy.
The series A Year in Europe strikes me as one to be read in sequence. While book 2 could be read as a standalone, there is background from the first book that might cause the reader to know too much to be willing to read the first book. And that would be a shame because Blake Pierce writes great mysteries.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The series A Year in Europe strikes me as one to be read in sequence. While book 2 could be read as a standalone, there is background from the first book that might cause the reader to know too much to be willing to read the first book. And that would be a shame because Blake Pierce writes great mysteries.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 9, 2021
This book was great. Diana has continued her journey through Europe. On the train she meets an actor. He offers her a ticket to a play. After the play there's another murder and yet again she is in the middle of it. This time though she has to deal with her ex husband and his new fiance and try to keep her children out of the mix. Now her daughter bea insists on helping her.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 26, 2021
3. 1/2 stars actually. I liked most of the characters.....never understood why her ex-husband maneuvered his fiancé and her daughters to end up when they decided to go there too. However except for the shoes that blistered her feet she decided to see what had happened and why the actor she met on the train was killed. Afterwards she and a little bit from her daughters solved the Death in Florence. It was funny sometimes and I loved the location, and her daughters.
June 24, 2021
Diana tries to "throw caution to the wind" and travel in Europe. Little did she know that her ex-husband and girlfriend are also in Europe. A place he said he didn't have time to go to when they were married. Not only are they in Florence but her daughters are coming too! Then of course there is a small thing like a death that puts a monkey wrench into the whole family reunion. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
March 29, 2021
Although this story has crime, mystery and romance, at the end, I had the feeling that it was about family - how to mend broken ones, how to put together new ones, how to respect one another without betraying family values and boundaries, and above all it´s funny ! Looking forward to the next story in this series!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2021
Another in a great travel series! We travel to Florence and beyond, with the inevitability body popping up. Note, I am having a hard time not leaving spoilers). Unlikely visitors join in the adventure and through it all, our heroine continues her personal growth. This was a very easy read and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
December 15, 2022
Unlikely delight
What the odds that a regular person will become a suspect in murder? What the odds she will become a suspect yet again? The odds are pretty slim, however, Pierce managed it well.
Great book to take to the beach, to cuddle under a blanket with a hot cup of ..., or wonderful addition to a community library.
What the odds that a regular person will become a suspect in murder? What the odds she will become a suspect yet again? The odds are pretty slim, however, Pierce managed it well.
Great book to take to the beach, to cuddle under a blanket with a hot cup of ..., or wonderful addition to a community library.
February 6, 2024
It was ok, not great.
I am between 2 and 3 stars. The main character was not especially believable, but despite that, I was entertained. The title is misleading as the book is primarily set in Verona. I do enjoy reading books set in Italy, and it is a good read for this.
You do not need to read the first book in the series to be able to follow.
I am between 2 and 3 stars. The main character was not especially believable, but despite that, I was entertained. The title is misleading as the book is primarily set in Verona. I do enjoy reading books set in Italy, and it is a good read for this.
You do not need to read the first book in the series to be able to follow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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