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by Michele Scott Nikki Sands is manager of the Malveaux Winery in Napa Valley, California. Her friend, Isabelle Fernandez, owner of a new restaurant, Grapes, has been contracted to cater the wedding reception of Susan Jennings. Only after the contract is signed does she discover that the groom is Kristof Waltman, her lover. She is devastated, but will honor her contract. Nikki attends the elaborate wedding with her boss, Derek Malveaux, for whom she has very strong feelings. At the wedding reception Nikki finds Susan prostrate on her bedroom floor, not just prostrate but upon examination very dead. An autopsy discloses that Susan has been poisoned. A vial containing the poison is found in Isabelle's jacket in one of the delivery trucks, and the police charge her with the murder. More damning, the police find records of disagreements and unpleasantness about the catering preparations, not forgetting the fact that Susan "stole" Kristof, Isabelle's lover. Nikki sets out to prove Isabelle's innocence. She finds many people with a reason to kill Susan, who was obnoxious, indifferent of the feelings of others, and had many enemies. While Nikki concentrates on discovering the motives of Susan's circle of friends, she finds herself in conflict between her love for Derek and an attraction to Isabelle's brother, Andre. She is confused and the outcome is unresolved.....To be concluded in the next book?? This is a quick read with the background of the wine country of Napa Valley. The characters are well developed with very human flaws and emotions... some good, some bad, some indifferent; some you will love, and some you will loathe. Nikki is intelligent, inventive, imaginative, caring, and somewhat confused about her love life. There are a few red herrings, which may lead the reader astray until the surprising climax. This is rich in detail about the wine country and the magic of winemaking. Included are a number of tempting recipes with the recommended wine to accompany them. The wines themselves are described in detail and sound very delicious... |
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Murder By the Glass