Classic Death
When eccentric fountain pen collector, Xaviero Monti, falls to his death, the Mantonis are convinced it's murder. After all, only the good die young, and Xaviero was anything but good.
Reviews
5 stars
Beate Boeker does it again!
Beate Boeker does it again in Classic Death (Temptation in Florence Book 6). The crazy Mantonis are once again trying to "help" solve a murder while Carlina and Stephano plan their wedding. This mystery is intriguing and fun and as unpredictable as the Mantonis! A great read for a snowy winter day or a sunny day at the beach!
Dan Agne
5 stars
Mystery and mayhem
Ms. Boeker is a genius! I was fortunate to be a beta reader on this project. This book keeps you guessing "who dun it" from the very beginning. The story line is unique and very informative. Her characters were well developed and people you'd like to know personally. Over all, Ms. Boeker did a fabulous job. I highly recommend this read to any who fancy a bit of mystery and mayhem.
Grace Augustine
5 stars
Sweet and Unexpected Murder in Sunny Florence
I received and ARC (advance review copy) and I was not requested to post a review unless I wanted to. And after reading this book, I do want to. Let me start by saying that I am writing this review with pleasure, this is a book I can highly recommend and I am certain you'll enjoy it as much as I did. This is not the first book I read from this author: I like her writing style, pleasant, smooth, relaxing - you enter effortlessly into the happy, highly Italian and sunny world that is typically hers...and of her characters, Carlina, of American origin and owner of a lingerie shop and her lover and partner, Garini, a rough, savvy and very simpatico Florentine police officer. If you've read any of her previous books about the complex, frolicking, plotting Fellini-like family Ms. Boeker loves to tell us about, then you'll love this book - another good one added to the series.
Claude Forthomme (Nougat)
Blurb
When eccentric fountain pen collector, Xaviero Monti, falls to his death, the Mantonis are convinced it's murder. After all, only the good die young, and Xaviero was anything but good. Commissario Garini, however, is sure it was only an accident and refuses to investigate, until the determined Mantoni family forces him to question all the members of the Florentine Fountain Pen Club. At the same time, the Mantoni family reaches unexpected heights of delight when they learn that Carlina & Stefano are engaged. While Garini tries to get the avid collectors to speak of something besides fountain pens, he also has to stop the family from planning the wedding of the century. Will the engagement lead to the wedding or will the pressure be too much to bear? And will Garini uncover the murderer's diabolical scheme in time to prevent another twisted death? Classic Death is the sixth in the series Temptation in Florence.
Excerpt
“You know I love you very much,” Stefano Garini said with a carefully controlled voice while lathering his face in front of the mirror. “But tell me again. Why do we have to go to every single Mantoni family event in town? We’ve had five birthdays, one wedding and a funeral in the past six weeks.”
Caroline Ashley stopped applying mascara to her eyelashes. “Was it really five birthdays?” She leaned against the sink and smiled at the tall man next to her. How nice it was to start the day together.
“It was. I counted.”
“You know, you don’t always have to come. If you’d rather stay at home, that’s fine with me.”
Stefano sighed and started shaving off the cream with care. “I don’t want to stay at home on my own. I want to be with you, Carlina, but not surrounded by masses of your wide-spread Mantoni family. I might even – daring thought – wish to take you out to dinner somewhere instead of going to the birthday party of your second cousin twice removed.”
A thrill went through her. How nice it was to be wanted. But how difficult. She bit her lip. “That sounds lovely, but it would really rock the boat if we declined to go to a birthday party and went out dining instead.”
“I know it would, and I’m the last person who wants to rock the Mantoni boat. I’ve seen it happen, and it isn’t pretty.” He finished shaving and washed his face with cold water, then dried it with the towel.
“Well . . .” She reached up and touched his cheek. It felt cool and smooth. “How about a compromise? We’ll agree on no more than two birthdays a month. Marriages and funerals are a must, though.”
“One birthday.” He pulled her near and buried his face in her hair. “Have I told you that I love your scent, Caralina?”
She smiled, her face hidden against his chest. “Maybe once or twice.”
“One birthday per month,” he repeated. “And you agree to go out with me, even if there is a Mantoni birthday party somewhere in town.”
“But not to public places.”
“Agreed.” He smiled down at her. “Thank God I know a lot of secluded places in Florence.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “Now you have me curious.”
“Good. I’ll take you to the first place on Saturday evening.”
Her face fell. “Gosh, Stefano, we can’t.”
He eyed her with misgiving. “A surprise wedding? A spontaneous funeral? We already had the birthday quota.”
“It’s something altogether different. The husband of Benedetta’s colleague invited us to a private showing of his fountain pen collection, and Benedetta made me promise to come.”
His mouth went slack. “Benedetta’s colleague’s husband? That’s not even family.”
“Correct. But it’s culture.”
“Culture? A concert is culture.”
“Being shown a rare piece of beauty and a unique collection is also culture. Maybe that’s even the most classic culture you can enjoy.”
He groaned. “I see we have to expand the list. One birthday per month, any wedding, any funeral, and one cultural event every three months – classic or otherwise.”
“Only every three months?”
“Yes. Only every three months.” His voice was firm.
“With the exception of December,” she said. “That’s when all the Christmas concerts take place.”
“Granted. Now tell me how we can get out of this classic fountain pen thingy.”
“We can’t. I promised.”
“For you or for me or for both of us?”
Carlina felt a flush rising to her face. “I said I would come, but told her you might have to work.”
“Meaning if I don’t have to work and don’t want to go, I’ll have to sneak home, hoping no Mantoni will see me?”
She giggled. “You make the family sound like the secret police. We can relax. We don’t live in the same house anymore, but next door. That makes things a lot easier.”
“Great. I’ll end up having black-out curtains like they used to have in the Second World War, so they won’t see the light in our apartment.”
She gave him a playful punch on the arm. “Stop exaggerating, Stefano.”
“I’m not exaggerating. I’m dead serious.”
She met his gaze. “Please?”
He threw up his hands. “All right, all right. We’ll both go to this unheard of classic cultural fountain pen event. Why does Benedetta say it’s so important anyway?”
Carlina cleared her throat. He wasn’t going to like this. “Apparently, her colleague thinks a higher number of guests will dilute the tension.”
He eyed her. “Why does she expect any extraordinary tension?”
“Because Xaviero – that’s the husband – only shows his collection every three years, and the last time, the other members of the fountain pen club almost killed him because they said he got some of the pens through unsavory business practices.”
“Now I’m all agog to go,” Garini said. “Fountain pens that lead to murder. And I’d thought I’d seen it all!” He cocked his head to the side. “Admit it. You promised Benedetta you’d make me come to play watch dog.”
Carlina winced. She could feel another blush rising.
He shook his head. “The things I do for you, my love.”
“It’ll be interesting. I’m sure.”
“Interesting, my foot. Make sure you prop me up when I threaten to fall asleep on my feet.”
