By J.C. Eaton
Published by Lyrical Press
Norrie is desperately trying to get her latest screen play written while also running the family winery while her sister Francine, is in South America looking at bugs, with her entomologist husband. Of course this would be at the same time as the Wine Trail's Wine and Chocolate Extravaganza complete with prima donna chocolatiers, sabotage, and murder. Was it death by bonbon, a sleep aid, or suffocation? The contest is getting cutthroat and Norrie is desperate to figure out who did it since Grizzly Gary doesn't seem to be able to piece the clues together. One doesn't have to be familiar with the characters to enjoy the story line as you can easily pick out the main characters who are quite the characters. I do think that Norrie needs to stick to the lawyer and not dwell on the entomologist. Of course I also think that the there should recipes for food pairings to go with those wonderful sounding wines. Looking forward to the next installment!
By Sarah Fox
Published by Kensington Books
Sarah Fox has crafted another great series, this time she has murder on tap at the Inkwell, a literary inspired pub owned and operated by Sadie Coleman. It's the Christmas season and time for Shady Creek, Vermont, to hold it's annual Winter Carnival complete with an ice sculpting competition. The competition heats up when a former local now renowned chef, Freddie Mancini shows up to compete while looking down his nose at everyone and everything. Makes you wonder why he chose to return and complete in the first place. He certainly wasn't missed now will he be when he is found dead in an alley, stabbed by Mel Costas carving tools that were taken to impede her in the contest. Sadie knows that there is no way her bartender Mel could possibly have anything to do with Freddie's death and there is no shortage of suspects from Freddie's heartbroken high school sweetheart who deserved better, his own half brother, to his over worked and under appreciated personal assistant. This is the second book in the series and you do not need to have already read the first to enjoy the second. The characters are well developed through out the story and I found it particularly entertaining that the main character becomes a little bit of mess around her possible love interest, making this a more realistic story as well. Last and certainly the best aspect of this new series is that there are recipes included, not only for the cocktails but more importantly for the food! I cannot wait to test out the recipes and share on Instagram!
By Ellen Crosby
Published by Minotaur Books
I absolutely love a good wine cozy, especially one that takes the time to explain something new and interesting about wine. I was not familiar with Madiera or Williamsburg for that matter. As luck would have it, our latest vacation took us to historic Williamsburg to meet up with my in-laws for a family celebration. We walked along the cobblestone sidewalk and explored Bruton Parish church much like Lucy and Quinn. This was my first Wine Country Mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed the National Treasure aspect of the story to the point where I was looking up the history and learning as well as enjoying. Great story line and an excellent cast of characters.
By Ellie Alexander
Published by Minotaur Books
I am overwhelmed by the amount of microbrewery information that just flows from this story and the fact that Leavenworth, Washington is an actual place as depicted. It is now on the travel bucket list! I have always been a fan of craft beer and love a venue that offers local brew and great snacks. I would have REALLY liked it if there were a couple of recipes in the back of the book but cannot rave enough about the character development or plot line. This was my first Ellie Alexander book and I really like Sloan. You don't need to know the back story to be able to appreciate this most recent novel and it is a cliff hanger to be sure! Not that I wouldn't have wanted to read about Mac's attempts to win Sloan back or what new information her former social worker Sally has as to Sloan's MIA parents. As for this current installment, plenty of people were not sad that the Councilman met his end but only one of them was truly guilty. Chances are the Sloan would not have even gotten involved if not for the Chief insisting that self appointed town Ambassador April was in need of a friend. Or rather a frenemy, which what Sloan considered herself. With winter batches to make, a teenager to mother, an impending divorce to figure out, and the need for a new homestead, Sloan is a busy bar keep.
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