Today I’m joining the blog tour for Meet Me In Milan. I’m sharing an extract from the book with thanks to Zoe O’Farrell for inviting me on the tour and to the author for providing the extract.

Blurb:

The deepest secrets are often to be found out in the open, if you only know where to look.

While her husband, Sherlock Holmes, is off playing detective in London, Irene Adler finds herself having to turn investigator when her friend Renata becomes the prime suspect in the attempted murder of her husband, Luigi Amato.  

How can she refute the testimony of a credible eyewitness, even though her heart tells her that Renata is innocent? What she needs is tangible evidence, and she’s willing to do what she must to obtain it.

When Sherlock finally arrives on the scene, Irene seeks his counsel, and he agrees to assist with her investigation.  

However their relationship is called into question by Irene’s dear friend Sophia, who is not overly fond of Irene’s husband nor approving of the way in which they conduct their marriage.  

Will Irene be able to prove her friend Renata’s innocence, or is there a more tangled web of deception at play?  

And will Sophia’s misgivings regarding her marriage bear unfortunate fruit?

Extract:

The hall clock struck eight as my husband and I entered the threshold of the Amato residence. Guilia escorted us to the lounge, where I introduced my husband to Luigi and Renata. The two men shook hands before we sat for pre-dinner drinks. Renata explained the Moons had politely declined the dinner invitation—of course, I knew the reason why.
Sherlock fixated on Luigi throughout our conversation, regarding our host with a rather piercing and steady state. Luigi was his usual charming self during dinner, although he looked a little gaunt. Since our last encounter, he had understandably lost weight. I asked him how he was, only for him to brush off my concerns with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“I am fine, Nene. It’s good of you to ask. Although I would like to thank you for all you did for my wife. As far as Renata and I are concerned, you are a wonder to behold. We will be forever indebted to you.”
“And I adore you for that.” Renata smiled at me fondly.
I shook my head. “There is no need to thank me. Renata is my friend. I would do it all again in a moment.”
Luigi turned his attention to my husband. “It is an honour to meet you, Signor Sapori. I have only heard good things about you. But, of course, I have already had the pleasure of meeting your beautiful, charming wife. That engaging smile could cast a spell over any man.” He sighed. “You are, indeed, a fortunate man. Love is such a wonderful thing. Some say the most incredible thing. Don’t you agree?”
Sherlock straightened in his chair. I could see this inference rattled him. “I’m afraid I don’t speak as eloquently as you regarding matters of the heart, Signor Amato. Neither would I wish to. But I will say this.” He paused to take a sip from his glass, fixing me with his piercing grey eyes. “My wife is not here to decorate the room, Signor Amato. She is a strong independent woman of whom I am inordinately proud. I admire many things about her, of course. Her grace, humility, KD Sherrinford 60 and intelligence are just a few of the things that first attracted me to her. But, most of all, the fact that she chose me as her husband. Nene does not walk in my shadow. On the contrary, she ploughs her own furrow. I am a better person for knowing her.”
My heart swelled as I stared at my husband in jaw-dropping incredulous admiration. It seemed unimaginable, this profound seismic moment. Sherlock’s narrative, spoken so articulately, and hurtled so trippingly off the tongue and spoken with such certainty and conviction, was the last thing I expected to hear. Yet his words meant more to me than I could ever express.
“Come, let’s have another drink.” Luigi raised his glass. “A toast to the ladies—in vino veritas.”

***

Meet Me In Milan is available from Amazon.

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