Rating: Very Good
Source: Author
Description: A deadly search for sour grapes . . .
Norrie Ellington is a successful screenwriter living in New York City. She’s also been a silent partner for her family’s winery upstate—until her sister and brother-in-law take a year-long sabbatical. With an experienced staff doing the work, Norrie figures Two Witches Winery will run itself while she enjoys the countryside and writes in peace and quiet.
Unfortunately, there’s a sour grape in the town of Penn Yan who doesn’t care for vineyards. Bed and breakfast owner Elsbeth Waters complains to everyone who’ll listen that the local wineries are bad for her business. But when Elsbeth’s body is found on Norrie’s property, the victim of foul play, the screenwriter-turned-vintner dons a sleuthing cap to uncover the identity of a killer who told the B&B proprietess to put a cork in it—permanently . . .
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed the 2 books by this author in another cozy series and there was no way I could resist this one!
My Impression: The Sophie Kimball mysteries by this author is one of my absolute favorite series so far and became an auto-buy on book 1. When I love a series that much and the author comes out with a new series I'm always a little nervous. Can I possibly love a new series as much as the first one? In this case the answer is yes. Now granted the premise is a little bonkers. If someone, family or otherwise, asked me to do a favor on the scale of the one that is requested of Norrie I would stop answering the phone and go off the grid until they gave up. Luckily, for the reader Norrie is a much better person than I am and agrees to her sister's request - even after she sees just how complicated running the winery really is.
I must say I wasn't too surprised (or unhappy) about the choice of victim as she's pretty awful right from the start. I do love a mystery where motives abound and the question really seems to be "Who didn't want to kill the victim?" and this did not disappoint. I found the mystery to be really solid with a conclusion that made sense which I always love. The pacing was excellent but what really made this a thoroughly enjoyable read was the well developed characters and setting. I'm not even much of a wine drinker but reading this made me want to book a wine country tour and gave me a whole new appreciation for just what goes into a bottle.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery and had a delightful time in New York wine country!
More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! Eaton is becoming one of my absolute favorite cozy authors.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozy mysteries this a must read mystery and author!
Sounds good Katherine. If I was a big cozy reader I'd certainly read it. Norrie seems good, so I guess she'll stay on at the winery for the next few books in the series.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun when everyone seems to have a reason to kill the victim. This sounds like a really good read.
ReplyDeleteLove that title! A winery and a B&B- definitely sounds cozy!!
ReplyDeleteI love that this is set in Central New York! I don't live in the vineyard areas around the Finger Lakes, but I am also from Central New York! Anyway, I am so glad you loved this. I get nervous sometimes, too, when an author I love is doing something new. I also love your comment on "who didn't want to kill her." That make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this one!
I have this one and it sounds so good. I really need to read this one soon.
ReplyDeleteLOL on the victim. Yeah sometimes you just can't be too disappointed in that. Sounds like a fun series :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a chance to get to this one yet but I can't wait!!! :)
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