Murder on Lake Garda by Tom Hindle is a cosy mystery that takes readers away to the picturesque shores of Italy’s Lake Garda. Set on the private island of Castle Fiore, the novel revolves around an influencer’s wedding that takes a deadly turn. When a killer strikes among the guests, the idyllic retreat becomes a trap, with suspicion and accusations flying faster than a gondolier’s paddle.
I’ll admit, I picked up this book primarily because of its stunning cover and intriguing blurb. In my defense, judging a book by its cover sometimes pays off – at least in terms of armchair travel. However, I completely missed that this was a cosy murder mystery. I also missed the memo that Tom Hindle is supposedly the heir to Agatha Christie’s throne. No pressure at all, Tom!
The premise is undeniably exciting. A murder in a beautiful location? Sign me up! It’s like Death in Paradise minus the sunburn and overpriced cocktails. When I read the first few chapters, I was hooked faster than a tourist trying a gelato for the first time. The chapters ended on cliffhangers that had me flipping pages like a madman, desperate to know what happened next.
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However, as the story progressed, I realised that almost all the chapters ended the same way. It’s like being promised a rollercoaster ride but ending up on a merry-go-round, it was fun at first, but after a while you’re just going in circles. The suspense trick lost its charm.
Hindle spends almost half the book building up how utterly despicable the victim is. By the time the actual murder occurs, I found myself caring less about solving the crime. It’s a bold move to make your victim so unlikable that readers might be tempted to high-five the killer.
That being said, the plot itself is well-structured. And I appreciated the changing points of view from various wedding guests. Some characters, however, make questionable actions that left me scratching my head. Take Abigail, for instance. Who knew a pregnant woman terrified about her family going to jail could suddenly turn into Sherlock Holmes? I half expected her to solve the crime while simultaneously giving birth.
The writing, while initially engaging, becomes repetitive at points. It’s like eating pasta for every meal during your Italian vacation. Hindle does sprinkle in several red herrings to throw the readers off the scent. But the clue about the real culprit is there from the beginning.
In short, I’d recommend Murder on Lake Garda if you’re a fan of cozy mysteries or in need of a light read. It’s perfect for those times when you want to exercise your little gray cells without straining them too much – think of it as a mental gelato rather than a three-course meal of mystery.
As for calling Tom Hindle the heir of Agatha Christie… well, let’s just say that’s a bigger mystery than the one in the book. It’s like calling myself the heir to Gordon Ramsay because I once successfully boiled an egg. Hindle shows promise, but filling Christie’s shoes is a tall order.
Rating: 3 Muse Points. Maybe pack your own life jacket if you ever find yourself at a private Italian island.
About the Author
Originally hailing from Leeds, Tom Hindle now spends his days in Oxfordshire, where he lives with his wife and two surprisingly cunning tortoises. Inspired by masters of the crime genre, from Agatha Christie to Anthony Horowitz, Murder on Lake Garda is his third whodunnit.
