New! A Roman Holiday Mystery, Book 2
Murder in Trastevere
Italy. Intrigue. And a mission to see all of Caravaggio’s paintings.
Faye Masters is Queen Bee of Rome’s expat set. Or she was, until a rival is poisoned. The gang think Faye is behind it. Or the intended victim. They aren’t quite sure, but either way, Faye needs to clear her name if she’s going to regain her life in the world’s most beautiful city.
“Donna Leon beware, Jen Collins Moore is nipping at your heels. Moore exquisitely captures the sights, sounds and tastes of Italy, where art and la dolce vita are the backdrop to expat infighting and murder."
~ Tina deBellegarde, Two-time Agatha Award-nominated author of the Batavia-on-Hudson Mysteries
After a decade dominating the expat scene in Rome, Faye Masters has had enough beautiful art, delicious food, and bureaucratic nonsense to last a lifetime. She’s just about decided to pack up and head home when a rival drops dead at one of Faye’s famous cocktail parties. Rumors fly that Faye was the intended target, but the police think Faye might just be an attention-seeking poisoner.
Faye refuses to let the cloud of suspicion stop her from completing a self-imposed challenge to see all of Caravaggio’s paintings. Or keep her from helping friends Maggie White and Thomas Evans get Masterpiece Tours running smoothly. But when the leads fizzle out and a series of accidents hit close to home, Faye accepts her own life is on the line. She must search for a killer while keeping up appearances at some of Rome’s most iconic sights.
“Brimming with rich details and unforgettable characters, this engaging page-turner will keep you guessing till the very end. Italian history, cuisine, and culture are expertly woven into a fascinating and unpredictable mystery.”
~ Lida Sideris, author of the Southern California Mystery series
“Jen Collins Moore masterfully transports the reader into each lush scene where art, culture, and mystery abound. An engaging cast of characters. A puzzling whodunit. A terrific book with an ending I didn’t see coming.
~ Carol Pouliot, Author of The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries
A Roman Holiday Mystery, Book 1
Murder in the Piazza
A missing masterpiece. A murdered boss. Life as an expat isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
“This book has everything: a rollicking plot, sparkling wit, thrilling twists, and a fascinating cast of characters, all set against the irresistible backdrop of Rome. Maggie White is a delightful, relatable, note-perfect detective, and Murder in the Piazza marks the debut of a dynamite new voice in cozy mysteries.”
~ Abby Geni, award-winning author of The Wildlands, The Lightkeepers, and The Last Animal
Maggie White is newly arrived in Rome on her husband’s expat assignment. She’s spent the last twenty years juggling career and family, but now her kids are in college and she’s been downsized from the high-powered job that gave her an identity. She thinks offering painting instruction to well-heeled travelers on a luxury tour will unlock the secret to living the dolce vita, then she discovers her boss shot dead in his penthouse. And when the police discover the dead man was blackmailing Maggie, she finds herself the prime suspect.
“Moore delivers, and with a kind of artistically unobtrusive skill…At the heart of it all is the charmingly innocuous protagonist…an achingly ordinary person who pines for excitement and, if given the opportunity, is so clearly capable of achieving more in life….An enjoyably dramatic tale…[with a] mystery that delights”
~ Kirkus Reviews
“A fun-filled fusion of culture, history, and mystery! Jen Collins Moore’s endearing and relentless sleuth tackles red herrings, plausible suspects, and well-timed twists in this delightfully clever romp through Rome, Italy. Find the nearest gelato stand and sit back for a terrific read!”
~ J. C. Eaton, award-winning author of The Sophie Kimball Mysteries, The Wine Trail Mysteries, The Marcie Rayner Mysteries.
“Absolutely terrific debut! Murder in the Piazza grabbed me from the first page with the perfect blend of funny and smart! Jen Collins Moore, I want more!”
~ Molly MacRae, National bestselling author of the Highland Bookshop Mysteries and the Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries
“Richly detailed and entertaining, Jen Collins Moore’s debut Murder on the Piazza offers a well-drawn mystery set against the picturesque backdrop of modern Rome. Surrounded by an intriguing cast of characters, Maggie White—a sharp-eyed no-nonsense amateur sleuth—is determined to discover who among her tour group companions may have killed her new boss. Fans of Agatha Christie will enjoy this cozy and intelligent read.”
~ Susanna Calkins, Award-winning author of the Lucy Campion and Speakeasy Murder Mysteries
“The streets of Rome come to life (and death) in this fresh, fun mystery that journeys through the intersections of art, travel, secrets, and delicious Italian cuisine. Jen Collins Moore is an outstanding tour guide.”
~ Kristen Lepionka, Shamus Award-winning author of the Roxane Weary mystery series
“Murder in the Piazza has something for every reader: a bustling, colorful Roman setting, a complex mystery, a city full of art, a wealth of details about Renaissance masters, a resourceful, intelligent, middle-aged sleuth, a villainous victim, an eccentric group of suspects, and some delectable descriptions of Italian food. But really, Jen Collins Moore, you had me at Rome.”
~ Julia Buckley, bestselling author of the Writer's Apprentice series
“What could be better than a murder mystery plus an artist’s tour of Rome?? I was hooked from page one of this wonderful debut and enjoyed every moment of Maggie White’s search to find out who murdered her employer. Readers will fall in love not only with this tenacious and savvy heroine, but the entire delightful cast of characters on their luxury holiday in Italy. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!”
~Mindy Mejia, author of Everything You Want Me To Be and Strike Me Down
“Jen Collins Moore’s captivating debut mystery, Murder in the Piazza, is an absolute delight. Maggie White is a refreshing protagonist and is every bit as unrelenting and persistent as her intrepid creator. I love the mix of mystery, art, and history and I can’t wait to see where Moore’s next book takes Maggie!”
~Jessie Chandler, author of the Shay O'Hanlon Caper Series
