Tuscany books
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The right book will make your Tuscany adventure even more exciting – or bring the holiday feeling right back home. Here are our book recommendations: Tuscan crime novels, novels set in Florence, Siena, or Chianti, plus travel literature and a non-fiction book about wine. All the books featured are available in bookstores.
Our Tuscany book recommendations at a glance
- Crime novels: Capitano Bardi (Paul Domino), Sister Isabella (Valentina Morelli), Gabbiano and Carlucci (Andrea Tozzio), Signora Commissaria Giulia Ferrari (Pietro Bellini), Nico Doyle (Camilla Trinchieri), Maresciallo Guarnaccia (Magdalen Nabb)
- novels: “Julia” (Anne Fortier), “Tuscan Spring” (Clara Weißberg), “Under the Tuscan Sun” (Frances Mayes), “A Room with a View” (EM Forster)
- Travel literature: "The Innocent Abroad" (Mark Twain)
- Non-fiction book: “Wine” (André Dominé)
Tuscan crime novels: suspense amidst cypress trees and vineyards
Tuscany is a popular setting for regional crime novels – with detectives in the alleys of Florence, in villages nestled among the Chianti vineyards , or behind monastery walls. We recommend these series:
Overview of Tuscan crime novels
The following crime series are set in Tuscany and are available in German. The cases are self-contained, so you can usually start with any volume – those who want to follow the development of the characters should begin with the first one.
| Series / Investigators | Author | scene | First Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Bardi | Paul Domino | fictional San Pietro in Chianti | “Perdita” (2014) |
| Sister Isabella (“Convent, Murder and Dolce Vita”) | Valentina Morelli | fictional village Santa Caterina | "Death at Noon" (2020) |
| Laura Gabbiano and Vito Carlucci | Andrea Tozzio | Florence, San Miniato, Fiesole | “Black Days” |
| Commissaria Giulia Ferrari (“Signora Commissaria”) | Peter Bellini | Florence and the village of Santa Croce | “Signora Commissaria and the Dark Spirits” (2020) |
| Nico Doyle | Camilla Trinchieri | fictional Gravigna in Chianti | “Tuscan Legacy” (2021) |
| Maresciallo Guarnaccia | Magdalen Nabb | Florence | "Death of an Englishman" |
| Laura Gottberg and Angelo Guerrini | Congratulations Mayall | Munich, Siena and Tuscany | "Night of the Porcupines" |
| Robert Lichtenwald | Stephen Ulrich | Maremma | "The Morcone Murders" (2017) |
| Francesco Scotti | Antonello Rossi | Hilly area around Volterra | “Tuscan Shadows” |
Captain Bardi investigates – the Tuscan crime novels by Paul Domino
Capitano Bardi investigates crimes in the fictional town of San Pietro in Chianti . Author Paul Domino teaches Latin and German at a Munich high school and, according to his own account, spends his summers on his in-laws' estate near Siena – accordingly, the cases are rich with Tuscan everyday life, landscape, and cuisine. The series currently comprises six volumes: "Perdita" (2014), "Destino" (2015), "Incanto" (2017), "Castigo" (2019), "Dignita" (2022), and "Mistero" (2024).
Sister Isabella investigates – Valentina Morelli
In the series "Monastery, Murder and Dolce Vita," Sister Isabella solves criminal cases in the fictional Tuscan village of Santa Caterina, centered around the eponymous monastery. A nun with a sharp mind, plenty of local color, and a touch of humor: The series launched in 2020 from Bastei Lübbe with "Death at Noon" and now comprises well over 30 episodes, primarily available as ebooks and audiobooks.
Gabbiano and Carlucci – Andrea Tozzio
In Andrea Tozzio's Tuscan crime series (Penguin Verlag), Commissario Vito Carlucci and Laura Gabbiano of the Florence police investigate crimes, including those in and around San Miniato and Fiesole. The first book is called "Black Days," followed by "Ave Maria."
Signora Commissaria – Giulia Ferrari investigates (Pietro Bellini)
A murder on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence leads special investigator Giulia Ferrari back to her hometown of Santa Croce. She is assisted by Luigi Battista, a former Florentine commissario who now runs an inn. The first volume, "Signora Commissaria and the Dark Spirits," was published by Knaur in 2020, followed by, among others, "Signora Commissaria and the Laughing Death" and "Signora Commissaria and the Cold Revenge."
Nico Doyle investigates – Camilla Trinchieri
Former New York City cop Nico Doyle starts a new life in the fictional village of Gravigna, nestled among the Chianti vineyards . He helps out at his relatives' restaurant, but keeps getting drawn into murder cases. Plenty of scenery, food, and wine: a classic Tuscan "cozy crime" novel. The series launched in German in 2021 with "Toskanisches Vermächtnis" (Insel Verlag); this was followed by "Toskanische Vergeltung," "Toskanische Verdammnis," "Toskanische Verhängnis," and "Toskanische Verschwörung."
Maresciallo Guarnaccia – Magdalen Nabb
Ein Klassiker unter den Florenz-Krimis: Die in Florenz lebende Engländerin Magdalen Nabb (1947–2007) schickt den schwerfälligen, aber menschenkundigen Carabiniere-Maresciallo Guarnaccia durch die Stadt jenseits der Touristenpfade. Auf Deutsch erschienen die Bände bei Diogenes, Auftakt ist „Tod eines Engländers“, Band 2 „Tod eines Holländers“.
Other series: Siena, Maremma and Volterra
In Felicitas Mayall 's crime novels, Munich detective Laura Gottberg investigates alongside her colleague Commissario Angelo Guerrini from Siena ; the cases alternate between Bavaria and Tuscany (first volume: "Night of the Porcupines"). Stefan Ulrich sends Munich lawyer Robert Lichtenwald to investigate in the Maremma – in "The Murders of Morcone" (2017), he finds a dead man at a sulfur spring. In Antonello Rossi's (Penguin, "Tuscan Shadows," "Tuscan Intrigues") novels, Francesco Scotti investigates in the hills around Volterra.
More Tuscany crime novels
Novels set in Tuscany
"Juliet" by Anne Fortier
The backdrop to this "Romeo and Juliet"-esque tale is the feuding Tolomei and Salimbeni families in Siena during the Middle Ages . After her aunt's death, the young American Julia Tolomei learns of a family secret in Siena. There, she stumbles upon ancient records, a secret society, and a curse said to have plagued her family since 1340. Anne Fortier paints a richly detailed picture of Siena, whose locations you'll recognize during your visit – a must-see for anyone who enjoys being enchanted.
“Tuscan Spring” by Clara Weißberg
When Mia inherits a small house in Tuscany with her mother, she decided to go on vacation. She quickly succumbs to the charm of the beautiful landscape. And that of the handsome Sandros. She decides to stay longer. However, there is also the neighbor Filippo, who takes care of her with great devotion. To be too good to be true. First Mia falls in love with the wrong guy, then she learns that her mother wants to sell the house. Should she really go back to her old home? Or fight for new friends and love? At the end of the Italian summer, nothing is as it was ...
The novel is set in Siena and the surrounding area – light reading for holidays or a short break for those staying at home.
Classics: Tuscan novels you should know
- "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes (1996): The American woman recounts how she bought and renovated an old house near Cortona; filmed in 2003.
- "Room with a View" by EM Forster (1908): A young Englishwoman travels to Florence with her cousin – a classic about travel and love.
- "Inferno" by Dan Brown (2013): The thriller chases Robert Langdon through Florence – from the Palazzo Vecchio to the Boboli Gardens.
Travel literature and non-fiction books about Tuscany
"The Innocents Abroad" by Mark Twain
In this treat for Italy lovers, Mark Twain describes his "pleasure voyage" on the steamship Quaker City through Europe and the Middle East in 1867. His travel letters were initially published in American newspapers, and then in 1869 as a book titled * The Innocents Abroad* . In German, there is the translation by Ana Maria Brock ("Die Arglosen im Ausland") and, since 2021, a new translation by Alexander Pechmann ("Unterwegs mit den Arglosen," mareverlag).
In several chapters, Twain describes his impressions of Italy, including Florence and Pisa – candidly, openly, and humorously. Many of the locations can still be found today, and his observations offer a refreshing contrast to modern travel guides.
Non-fiction book: "Wine" by André Dominé
In our opinion, this is one of the best comprehensive works on the subject of wine: The book is suitable as a reference work for connoisseurs as well as for beginners who want to learn more about the background. Dominé and his co-authors also describe Italian wines in detail, with particular attention paid to Tuscany. For those who would like to delve deeper into the region, we offer an overview of Tuscan wines . A wonderful gift for anyone traveling to Tuscany for the first time.
For children: Pinocchio
The most famous book from Tuscany is a children's book: "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi. Background information on the author, the story, and the Pinocchio Park can be found in our article about Pinocchio and Collodi.
Frequently asked questions about books about Tuscany
Which crime novels are set in Tuscany?
Popular series include the Capitano Bardi mysteries by Paul Domino (Chianti), "Monastery, Murder and Dolce Vita" with Sister Isabella by Valentina Morelli, the Florence mysteries about Gabbiano and Carlucci by Andrea Tozzio, "Signora Commissaria" by Pietro Bellini, the Nico Doyle mysteries by Camilla Trinchieri and the Maresciallo Guarnaccia series by Magdalen Nabb.
Which Tuscan crime novels are set in Chianti?
The Chianti region is the setting for Paul Domino's Capitano Bardi crime novels (fictional San Pietro) and Camilla Trinchieri's "Nico Doyle Investigates" series (fictional Gravigna). Both combine crime stories with stunning scenery, cuisine, and wine.
Which crime novels are set in Florence?
In Florence, Maresciallo Guarnaccia (Magdalen Nabb), the duo Gabbiano and Carlucci (Andrea Tozzio), and – at the beginning of her series – Commissaria Giulia Ferrari (Pietro Bellini) investigate. Dan Brown's thriller "Inferno" (2013) also offers suspense.
Which novel is set in Siena?
Anne Fortier's "Julia" tells a Romeo and Juliet story about the Sienese families Tolomei and Salimbeni. Clara Weißberg's "Tuscan Spring" is also set in Siena and its surroundings.
Is there a well-known novel about life in Tuscany?
"Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes (1996) describes the purchase and renovation of an old house near Cortona and was made into a film in 2003.
Did Mark Twain write about Tuscany?
Yes. In "The Innocent Abroad" (original edition 1869) he describes his journey of 1867, including trips through Florence and Pisa.
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