The Rick Montoya series dishes up Italian food and wine along with murder mysteries. RETURN TO UMBRIA takes amateur sleuth Montoya to Orvieto, a charming hill town that’s an easy distance from his home in Rome, with a spectacular cathedral that draws tourists by the droves. As Rick and his lady friend, Betta Innocenti, arrive --- ascending via the funicular --- they note three American women riding in the car with them. Orvieto being quite small, it is not surprising that Rick runs into them again. And again. But in a strange turn of events, one of them is discovered dead. Why would anyone murder a tourist in this popular village known not only for its cathedral but also for its safety?

"RETURN TO UMBRIA moves along at a pleasant pace and keeps its readers guessing right up until the end."

Rick’s original purpose for the visit --- aside from a chance to escape Rome for a few days --- was to convince cousin Fabrizio that he should end his torrid affair with an older, married woman who has set her young lover up in a nice apartment. Rick realizes this could take some doing, and may even be impossible, but he has promised his uncle that he will try. To make matters worse, Fabrizio’s paramour is married to a prominent businessman who has almost endless resources at his disposal and a bad temper to go along with his massive ego. Especially because of his high profile, he isn’t one to abide his wife flaunting another man right under his nose. And inadvertently, Betta witnesses a violent side to the man. But does he have anything to do with the dead American?

The murdered woman is identified as one Rhonda Van Fleet, nee Davis. Some longtime village residents might remember her from the days she spent in Orvieto during an art program she attended abroad. But Rhonda has kept that time of her life a secret. Even her daughter, Gina, on this trip with Rhonda and another lady, knows nothing of her mother’s past. After all these years, it seems that someone wanted her out of the picture and has made sure that happened.

Meanwhile, Rick is trying to see the sights and enjoy Betta, but the local police keep interrupting their time together with pleas for his help. Rick’s nose for crime solving just about matches his desire to be in the thick of the investigation, so Betta graciously encourages him to go ahead and do whatever he can to aid in solving the murder. She can wander Orvieto’s cobbled streets by herself, at least until Rick frees up some time to accompany her.

If you decide to join the two of them, be prepared for a grand tour of Orvieto and some of its surroundings, stopping at all the right times to indulge in some delectable Italian food, naturally washed down with the region’s fine wine. RETURN TO UMBRIA moves along at a pleasant pace and keeps its readers guessing right up until the end. David P. Wagner has created a fun series, and I’m already looking forward to the next installment.