From #1 Amazon & New York Times bestselling author Gemma Halliday comes the next deliciously deadly mystery in wine country in the USA Today bestselling Wine & Dine mysteries!Emmy Oak is hosting her first wedding at her family’s Oak Valley Vineyards, and she’s hoping everything goes off without a hitch. And why wouldn’t it? The blushing bride is beautiful, the groom is charming, and the … the parents-of-the-bride are paying Emmy a tidy fee that may just put her struggling winery in the black next month. Only all her best laid plans fizzle faster than flat champagne when the groom goes missing just moments before the ceremony… and Emmy find him bludgeoned to death on her terrace! Suddenly Emmy’s dream wedding turns into a crime scene, and when the entirely-too-enticing Detective Christopher Grant sets his sights on the wrong suspect, Emmy knows it’s up to her to find out who committed the matrimonial murder. Was it the over protective father-of-the-bride who seems to harboring secrets of his own? The jealous ex-boyfriend with a violent streak? The victim’s calloused and cunning cousin? Or was the groom charming women other than his fiancée…and his philandering ways finally caught up to him? Emmy isn’t sure, but the deeper she digs, the more she realizes the victim wasn’t exactly innocent… and his killer may threaten to strike again! Simple and delicious recipes included!
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Another great addition to this series. Well written story that takes place in beautiful wine country. I did not guess who did it until the author revealed it. Look forward to the next one.
Another wonderful mystery by Gemma Halliday! Emmy is hosting her first wedding and finds the groom dead on her terrace! She has to find the real murderer because the Detective in charge has decided the wrong person is guilty. Lots of twists and turns in the story with complex and interesting characters make this a wonderful read. I loved the book!I received an ARC from the publisher for purposes of an unbiased review.
Marriage, Merlot & Murder earns 5/5 Vintage Libations…Delightfully Entertaining!
I greatly enjoyed the fourth book from the Wine and Dine series by my “Your the Top! Best of 2019” author Gemma Halliday. Emmy Oak is preparing for the Oak Valley Winery’s first wedding event in a decade, and she is cautiously optimistic. Although there were a few nail-biting challenges: finding enough flowers to create a floral fairy tale decor in the middle of winter, placating the sommelier when the groom requested a wine pairing with the lobster that may him cringe, and figuring what to do with an accident-prone winery manager. Emmy desperately needs this wedding to go off without a hitch or dare I say, a dead body! But…it’s a cozy mystery! The bride is deeply in love and marrying a man who seems unsuited. The bride’s father doesn’t like the groom, Juliet’s ex-boyfriend physically accosted the groom, the bride’s maid/groom’s cousin tells tales about the groom’s wayward ways, the groom’s finances seem to have suspicious origins, and the groom is witnessed ogling Ava, Emmy’s BFF. So, who killed the groom? Anybody.
Cheers! Gemma’s writing style is a favorite…clear and descriptive language, clever and informative, smooth and easy to read with dialogue illustrating tone and emotions and the various personalities from level-headed to emotional, from aloof to intense, from forthright to suspicious. The drama follows the traditional cozy formula that has made me a fan: intriguing setting, fascinating occupation, informative introductions, early on murder, personal imperative to solve the crime, a bit of peril, a bit of romance, a “Wow!” ending, and recipes…all here! However, I’ve invested my interest in Emmy and her endeavors, so I wish the murders, however deserved and karmic, were set somewhere other than her winery: in town? at Ava’s shop? a bordering vineyard? on a trip to a vender conference? She’s gonna to be unfairly known as Murder Central Vineyards…how can she survive that moniker?! I can’t wait to enjoy more! I highly recommend the series and starting with book four is fine, no spoilers. You’ll be hooked no matter where you start. And for a bonus…recipes! Gemma always includes a mouthwatering set of easy-to-follow recipes. I value the added Tips! for exchanges or techniques, Shortcuts!, and of course, the perfect Wine Pairings to make you the best sommelier you can be. Enjoy the Lobster Tails Thermidor set to be served at the wedding, Brie and Baby Spinach Omelet with Toasted Ciabatta Bread, Crustless Vegetable Quiche, Roasted Eggplant Mozzarella with Homemade Basil Marinara Sauce, French Onion Soup with Sherry, Maple Bacon Pancakes, and Brunch Sangria. Beyond yum! I see the need for a Wine & Dine Cookbook!
Although I enjoyed each of the other books in this series, I think this one is my favorite yet, and don’t be scared off, it does just fine as a standalone if you haven’t read the others! If you like a fast-paced mystery that captivates from the very beginning, one that keeps you swiping the pages of your kindle, one that has amazing characters that make you feel like you know them, this is the book/series for you! Emmy Oak is such a wonderful character along with her best friend Ava and hunky Detective Christopher Grant. Unpredictable whodunit for any lover of cozies, this one is extremely well written, with plenty and twists and turns and is for everyone and anyone who loves a good, fun story which has a little bit of romance tossed in. No spoilers here, but the premise is there is a wedding to be held at the winery and on the wedding day the groom turns up dead. So, hurry and find out how this story develops, and meet the entire cast in this amazing 4th book of this series. I can’t wait for the next book! Gemma Halliday is a writing ROCK STAR! I received a complimentary copy of this book and am delighted to provide my unbiased, unsolicited review!
I count Emmy Oak among my favorite fictional characters. I drop everything to read every time a new book is published. Emmy, her staff and “her” detective are all wonderful characters. Marriage, Merlot & Murder really kept me guessing. This is another well written cozy from Gemma Halliday. If you have not yet discovered the Wine & Dine Mysteries, you need to do so immediately.
Gemma Halliday has hit it out of the park with another perfect installment in the Wine & Dine Mystery series. This book is everything a cozy mystery reader could want and more! A perfectly plotted mystery, complex but not too much, and it kept me guessing the entire time. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I am simply in love with every bit of Emmy Oak and her winery, her staff, and her friends. And definitely her detective. Of course her best friend Ava is back, along with the highly entertaining David Allen. The winery staff, Jean Luc, Eddie, Conchita and Hector, all perfectly cast in their roles. TEN stars for this one and I cannot wait for the next!
In this book, Emmy’s Oak Valley Vineyard is the venue for a wedding. Plenty of interesting characters are involved including family, wedding party, and guests. After the groom-to-be is found dead, the back stories of these characters start coming out. Emmy just can’t stay out of a good investigation, especially when it involves her winery.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for my honest review.