Reviewed by Angelique Papayannopoulos for Readers' Favorite

With the allure of a medieval castle town, Monemvasia forms the perfect setting for Alexander Marriott’s murder mystery, Murder with a Glass of Malvasia. Virgil Colvin, having decided to leave detective work behind in Chicago, embarks on a relaxing trip to enjoy the peaceful landscapes, vibrant culture, and history of the southern Greek Peloponnese peninsula. When Costas Pantaklas, chief of the Vathi Police in Ithaca and Virgil's close friend, gets married, Virgil proudly serves as his best man. After the wedding, Virgil and his fiancée Eurydice will join the newlyweds in Monemvasia. What starts as a peaceful trip takes a grim twist when a brutal murder traps them in the town, surrounded by many possible suspects in their circle of companions. Other murders, seemingly connected to assassins fighting over the oil-rich Aegean Sea, risk adding to the already fraught Greek-Turkish relations. Virgil is reluctantly pulled into helping the Greek police, led by Chief Inspector Liourdis and Costas, solve this senseless murder to prevent additional political tension.

In Murder with a Glass of Malvasia, the author presents a thrilling murder mystery that captivates the reader with its intricate plot and historical depth. The attention to detail in blending history, cuisine, and Greek phrases creates an engaging read. Alexander Marriott has meticulously crafted detailed character and scene descriptions. The steady plot progression holds the reader's attention, with eloquent writing that immerses the audience in Greek history and culture while progressively building the dramatic intensity. With a cast of intriguing characters wrapped in suspense, every individual could be a suspect, which keeps the reader asking, 'whodunit.' Being of Greek descent with roots in the Peloponnesian heartland and having visited Monemvasia, this novel was both nostalgic and enlightening for me. It evoked a wave of cherished memories from my youth in Greece, highlighting the deep connection I feel to its history, the sea, and the food, all blended into a captivating mystery. Enthusiasts of murder mystery novels, who also enjoy historical and culinary elements, will be captivated by this book. And I would also recommend you read this with a glass of Malvasia, if you can find it. However, any dessert wine will also do!