Gillian Reads: Gillian Reads: Death Wore Sunglasses by Maree Church | Cosy Murder Mystery Book Review
- gillianyoung
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Maree Church is the author of numerous books, including children’s picture books, middle-grade fiction and the cosy murder mystery series The Glass Ceiling Club. Every one of her books has been a joy to read, with a wonderful mix of humour and adventure. So, when I was asked to review the latest book in her murder mystery series, I didn’t hesitate!
AUTHOR BIO
Maree Church is the author of books for both adults and children. Her writing career began in 2020 with Dog Days in Italy: How I Became an Expat Dog, a quirky memoir about her twenty-year love affair with Italy. Since then, her portfolio has grown to include children’s picture books, middle-grade fiction and cosy mysteries.
Before becoming an author, Maree wore many hats—and, as she jokingly admits, left quite a few of them in restaurants throughout Italy! She has worked as a business consultant, small-business owner, wine importer and English teacher, as well as being a devoted servant to many pets of all kinds.
When she isn’t writing, Maree can usually be found baking bread in the kitchen, completing jigsaw puzzles, playing Wordle or walking her dogs. Dino narrates Dog Days in Italy and its sequel, I Bark Therefore I Am, while Mia is the star of Maree’s cosy mystery series, The Glass Ceiling Club.
An avid reader herself, Maree particularly enjoys cosy mysteries and historical fiction. She now lives in California with her husband and their two dogs.
You can follow Maree on X at @dogdaysinitaly or on Bluesky at @dinoandmia.bsky.social.
BOOK BLURB
Following an aborted vacation in Venice, members of the Glass Ceiling Club head to the Amalfi Coast for some peace, quiet, and sunshine. But Chiara Chandler, aka a magnet for murder, upends their plans when a young American woman is murdered the night before Chiara is to meet with her. The murder sets off a series of events that draw them into a sinister plot in which the sins of the past threaten the course of current events.
MY REVIEW
What should have been a relaxing holiday on Italy’s spectacular Amalfi Coast soon becomes another deadly adventure for Chiara Chandler and the Glass Ceiling Club.
Death Wore Sunglasses is Maree Church’s fourth novel in The Glass Ceiling Club murder mystery series, and once again she combines beautiful locations, memorable characters and an intriguing mystery to create a thoroughly enjoyable read.
We rejoin Chiara Chandler, her beloved doodle Mia, and Chiara’s friends and fellow amateur sleuths, Beth and Allison—better known as the Glass Ceiling Club. Following on from The Murano Glass Murders, in which the trio became entangled in a murder investigation during the Venice Carnival, this latest instalment transports readers to the stunning surroundings of Sorrento, Positano and Italy’s breathtaking Amalfi Coast.
What begins as a well-earned holiday soon takes an unexpected turn. Staying in a beautiful stone farmhouse overlooking the coastline, Chiara and her friends find themselves drawn into a new investigation. By now, murder seems to follow Chiara wherever she goes—which perhaps explains why everyone calls her a magnet for murder!
This time, Chiara, Allison and Beth are joined by their partners, Alex, Wendell and Simon, adding another enjoyable dynamic to the group.
As always, Maree Church’s love of Italy shines through every page. Her vivid descriptions effortlessly transport the reader to the colourful villages and dramatic coastline. Passages describing the “pastel-coloured houses cascading down the cliffs toward the sea” are so beautifully written that you can almost picture yourself standing there. It quickly becomes clear that Maree knows Italy well, and her affection for the country gives the story an authentic sense of place.
Alongside the familiar cast, readers are introduced to several intriguing new characters, including Josh Westerly, Emma Orsini and Grace Lawrence.
Death Wore Sunglasses opens in Lerici, Italy, in 1822 before moving to the present day. When a young American woman named Emma inherits her grandfather’s magnificent castle overlooking Positano, along with Ercole—a gentle giant of a white sheepdog—her unexpected inheritance soon draws her into a mystery with roots stretching back generations.
What follows is an engrossing tale of mystery, intrigue and suspense. Long-buried secrets refuse to stay hidden, and paradise quickly becomes a dangerous place. Inspired by history, literature and the romance of Italy, Maree Church weaves together a story filled with unexpected twists, memorable characters and plenty of reasons to keep turning the pages.
With references to famous historical figures, old family secrets and the rich history of the Amalfi Coast, the mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace, revealing clues just when you think you have worked everything out. Maree skilfully balances the suspense with moments of humour and friendship, making the characters feel like old friends whose next adventure you can’t wait to join.
Death Wore Sunglasses is another entertaining addition to The Glass Ceiling Club series. If you enjoy cosy mysteries with engaging characters, picturesque settings, plenty of twists and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, then this is certainly a book worth packing in your suitcase—especially if you’re dreaming of an Italian escape.
Thank you, Maree, for inviting me to read and review the latest Glass Ceiling Club murder mystery. It was a joy to read.
WIP UPDATE
Good news! My supernatural thriller is now ready to be placed in the hands of my editor, the wonderful Abbie Rutherford. With the manuscript booked in, I’m now working on Poppy’s latest adventure, alongside her equally crazy and floofy sister, Devon! ❤️🐾
I’m also toying with the idea of adding a few ink drawings to the supernatural thriller. What do you think? 🤔
Thank you for joining me today and, in the meantime,
Happy Reading!
Gill xx
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