Tartufo by Kira Jane Buxton ~ a Review

by MK French

The rural Italian village of Lazzarini Boscarino is slowly fading away. There aren't many tourists, the restaurants are closed and town hall is filled with refuse. Bar Celebritàis the last place where villagers gather to gossip and drink. A few miles away, local truffle hunter Giovanni Scarpazza just found the largest truffle ever seen, possibly worth six figures in particular international circles. No one is sure if this will be a gift to the village or a curse.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

January 2025; Grand Central; 978-1538770818
audio, ebook, print (352 pages); humor

This novel opens with a very languid, bucolic description of the town, the people, and even the truffle itself. The prior mayor had run up incredible debt, and the new one can't bear to let the people know about it. Once Giovanni finds the truffle, he has five days to properly sell it. This draws people together to try improving the village, though some people are interested in their own gain. 

The townsfolk are all tropey characters, but I had a really hard time connecting with any of them. They're dramatic and silly, and scenes progress with cinematic timing. One of the characters even says "Sometimes silly is the very ingredient that we need!" The novel certainly incorporates this a lot, especially with the high-end restaurants and auction staff. The various storylines come together by the end of the novel; so that characters often get what they need, even if they think they want something else. If someone enjoys more comedic timing, this is definitely one to look out for.

Buy Tartufro at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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