The closer she gets to the truth, the more she finds herself drowning in troubleIt’s an exciting time in Sweet River, Texas, and the whole town is talking. Maybe, a little too much. Former English professor Ainsley McGregor has gambled everything on her new business: Bless Your Art, an artisan market where local artists sell their wares and teach classes. The bright, white space is filled to the … white space is filled to the brim with colorful art, yarn, jewelry, pet treats, antiques and even a few medieval weapons. Oh, and there are wine tastings. Everything is better with wine. Ainsley is surprised by how well things are going–right up until the moment her Great Dane finds a dead body. With her friend accused of the murder, it’s up to Ainsley to find the real killer.
As the suspect list grows longer, Ainsley has her work cut out for her. The task is made more difficult by the fact her brother, the sheriff, doesn’t seem to want her help. If she doesn’t wrap up the case soon, she might be the next wine, um, one to die.
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I loved every minute of this well-written whodunit from new-to-me author Candace Havens that had me totally involved in all that was happening from beginning to end. I felt an instant connection to Ainsley McGregor who opens Bless Your Art, an artisan market in the quaint little town of Sweet River, Texas and enjoyed her dynamic with the lovable cast of characters, especially her Great Dane George Clooney, her brother Greg (the sheriff) and his best friends, Jake (fire chief) and Kane (coroner and ME). This is a perfect debut to the Ainsley McGregor series and I can hardly wait to read more about what’s happening in Sweet River. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review. This goes on my shelf as one of my favorite books – certainly one that I will read over and over again. I also purchased a copy for my Kindle.
This is the first book in a new series by author Candace Havens. She is a new to me author, but it won’t be the last thing I read by her. I found this book to be an easy, enjoyable read. It has a good plot and the story moves along at a good pace. The characters are well written and very likable. There is plenty of room for the author to continue to develop and grow all of the characters and relationships. Ainsely is a fun protagonist, and I think readers will find her very likable. She is surrounded by a diverse cast of secondary characters which adds to the overall depth of the story. Each of the townspeople adds something different which makes them interesting and able to contribute to this mystery and future books in the series. Ainsley’s dog George Clooney provides a good bit of humor and is written so as to be considered one of the secondary characters.
The mystery was not overly complex, but the author did do a nice job of providing a number of suspects for the reader to choose from. There some nice red-herrings which do a good job of distracting the reader, or at least causing doubt as to the actual identity of the killer. My only criticism is that the killer’s motive was not fully disclosed. It seemed a bit light. That said, I did really enjoy this book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
In the late 2000’s, (doesn’t that sound so long ago), I read the two books in Candace Havens’ Caruthers Sisters series, The Demon King and I and Dragons Prefer Blondes. I was disappointed when more didn’t come out. So when I saw that Havens had a new cozy mystery series, I knew I wanted to read it.
First off, George Clooney, her Great Dane, steals the show. The way he talks, grunts, and knows what people are saying is so true to that breed.
And I love that the whole town is down to help with the murder board even though it’s supposed to be a secret. It starts off with the book club members, then Ainsley’s college students jump in, and then the rest of the town. I’ve found more cozies incorporating murder boards recently, which I love. I wonder if the authors got the ideas from the various Hallmark Mystery Movies that use them, or from Trial and Error, a two season comedy TV show, that I absolutely loved.
The mystery was done well, but I felt like it could have used a few more suspects, just because to me it was obvious early on who the killer was. But that did not stop me from enjoying A Case for the Winemaker.
With all the characters, the artisanal gallery, and the adorable town in Texas, Havens has tons of potential for future books. I’m looking forward to getting to know the book club members more, and already some of the college students are really pulling their weight when it comes to assisting Ainsley with her investigating.
In most cozies you have some law official who tells the ameatur sleuth to stay away from the crime, and in this series it’s her brother. I’m glad he didn’t go overboard with his demands and realized he needed to find ways to help her stay safe.
And there are so many alpha males, who play nicely with each other, in this book that it adds a dollop of deliciousness to the story. It’ll be interesting to see if Ainsley’s attraction for any of them heats up in the future.
A fun start to a new cozy series and I’m looking forward to book two, A Case for the Yarn Maker, which comes out on April 16, 2020.
I loved reading A Case for the Winemaker by Candace Havens book one in her Ainsley McGregor mystery series. Ainsley McGregor, a former, and now part-time, English professor, followed her dream and opened an artisan market in Sweet River, Texas. The market, “Bless Your Art”, would be a central location for local artists to sell their merchandise and teach classes, as well as hopefully bring tourists to the town. This space was filled to the rafters with colorful art, yarn, jewelry, pet treats, jellies, antiques and even a few medieval weapons. Can’t forget the wine and wine tastings. Then there’s the little problem of Ainsley’s Great Dane finding a dead body, while on their walk. When her friend is accused of the murder, Ainsley knows she has to figure out what happened and who the real killer is. Her protective brother, the sheriff, sure wasn’t going to let her help nor would his warning her to stop investigating. Then there’s the “Murder Board” that many of the vendors and town folk worked on, helping to figure out who the killer could be. If she didn’t find the killer soon she might be the next victim.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this funny, sweet and intriguing book and had trouble putting this book down. Ms Havens kept me on my toes guessing who the killer was, until I turned the last page. Her writing had me feeling as if I was there, watching the events unfold. I loved reading about Ainsley’s friendship with and crush on her brother’s friend, but who were off limits because of that bro code. I do hope that changes in future books. I highly recommend A Case for the Winemaker to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
A Case for the Winemaker by Candace Havens
1st in the Ainsley McGregor cozy mystery series.
Ainsley returned home to the small town of Sweet River, TX and opened a community art shop that houses multiple neighbors and independent vendors. The day before the store opens Ainsley and her Great Dane discover the body of a murdered man in the park. Opening day has the whole town visiting the store with questions and gossip with a conviction that the man arrested could not be the murderer. Ainsley and her bookclub create a murder board to gather clues and help free their friend from the sheriff’s most likely list of suspects. But someone doesn’t like their snooping around and Ainsley gets several warnings to cease.
An appealing cozy mystery that has a bit of suspense plus a fun cast of friends that “just want to help”. A hint of potential romance in future books as Ainsley scolds herself for admiring the handsome fireman best friend of her brother. The murder board that was a secret to no one was humorous and smart.
Great writing flow and tension have me looking forward to reading more of this series.
This book was a good solid read. I’d totally try another future book by this author!
You can check out my booktube video review at https://youtu.be/lZF6j08PdYQ
or read my review on my blog at https://lisasiefert.com/cozy-escape-book-club-chat-a-case-for-the-winemaker-by-ainsley-mcgregor-the-ainsley-mcgregor-series/
A Case for the Winemaker is the first book in the Ainsley McGregor series by Candace Havens. Ainsley McGregor opened up a cooperative store called Bless Your Art where she rents spaces to local artisans. This concept is what drew me to the book. Back in the early 2000s, my mom and I were serious crafters and we rented a medium sized space in what the owners named “The Antique and Craft Mall.” We would have been lucky to have worked with anyone as nice and friendly as Ainsley. We rarely saw the owners of the business and it didn’t seem as though they were as serious about making the craft mall work. Their lack of enthusiasm is probably why I received a frantic phone call from their front desk person one morning telling me they were closing and I had to get in a get our stuff by the end of the day. Bummer. It was fun having an outlet for our products. Hopefully nothing like this happens to the fictional shop created by the author.
When Ainsley’s dog, George Clooney, finds a body outside near the shop, one of Ainsley’s friends in implicated in the death. Having been seen publicly arguing with the deceased tends to sway the detectives in that direction. Ainsley knows her friend is innocent and something more sinister is afoot. The mystery was set up and executed well and I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it an why.
Ainsley is a wonderful character with business know-how and impeccable customer service skills. Her brother, Greg, is the local sheriff, and he tries to keep her from interfering with the case but with his sights only set on Ainsley’s friend, she knows she can’t sit on the sidelines. Jake is a firefighter, friend of Greg’s, and Ainsley’s closest neighbor. Together, the three of them along with Ainsley’s friends, make up a great cast of characters.
This books was an enjoyable, fast read that keep me engaged. I loved the setting: an artisan market, the characters were wonderful, realistic, and relatable. The world building allowed me to visualize the scenes and I felt like I was there with the characters as they lead their normal, everyday lives. I couldn’t put the book down.
I was provided a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.
This was my first dive into cozy mysteries, and I’m hooked! I would call this a “feel-good read,” and who doesn’t need to feel better during this day and time? The tone is charming, the characters are likable, and who can pass up reading a book that features a dog named George Clooney? I see that book 2 of this series has recently been released and I will definitely be reading it as well!
Ainsley is getting things ready to open her new store called Bless our Art. She decides to walk her Great dane called George Clooney in the park behind her store. While they are on their walk George starts barking and they find a dead body.
Her brother is the Sheriff and all the evidence leads towards their best friend Michael. So he gets arrested and Ainsley sets out to prove his innocence because Michael is her best friends Fiance and they don’t think he would have murdered anyone.
A really good book that I just could not put d
A Case For The Winemaker is the first book in Candace Haven’s new Ainsley McGregor cozy mystery series. This was a first read for me by from this author , but definitely will not be my last, I am looking forward to reading the rest of her work.
I enjoyed this book, i thought it was well written , entertaining and easy to follow. The characters are believable and likable, one of my favorite characters in this book was George Clooney, I love a good animal character!! I particularly enjoyed the sense of community and the way the entire town came together to help solve the crime and prove their friends innocence.
I did figure out the mystery and who the culprit was fairly early but it in no way hindered my enjoyment of the rest of the book.
I am looking forward to reading this series and seeing what is in store for Ainsley and the rest of the residents of Sweet River. Maybe she will break that dating rule?! Here’s hoping!
A Case for the Winemaker is the first book in the new Ainsley McGregor Series by author Candace Havens. Ainsley McGregor has returned home to Sweet River Texas following a tough time after two mugging whilst living in Chicago, she comes home and opens an artisan market where local artists sell their wares and teach classes.
She is getting ready for the grand opening when she discovers a dead boy whilst walking her Great Dane George Clooney – though to be fair it was actually the dog who made the grizzly discovery. Ainsley is shaken up finding the body and also the fact that there hasn’t been a murder in the town in over forty years.
It turns out the victim was a man she saw her friend Micheal arguing with, and we discover there is quite a few suspects who had a run in with the man so the list of suspects is wide yet Micheal is accused of the murder. Ainsley knows he didn’t do it and she does everything she can to find the true killer and clear her friends name, but her brother is the towns Sheriff… so she tries to keep her sleuthing from him, but small town gossip is like wildfire so it isnt before long that her brother soon finds out the murder board that the book club has created!
I really enjoyed this book, it was a clean cozy mystery that held my attention and kept me guessing. I can wait to read what is store next for Ainsley McGregor.
4 stars
Entertaining with some laugh out loud moments. I’m not much of a mystery reader but this one hit the mark. It keeps you intrigued trying to solve the mystery and engaged with it’s quirky characters. Like George Clooney. Overall I really liked it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. This is a new author for me. I enjoyed this mystery. It was easy to read and went quickly. The book, set in Sweet River, Texas features Ainsley McGregor. Ainsley has moved back to Texas from Chicago after inheriting her grandmother’s house. She bought an old building in the town and turned it into an art and craft market called Bless Your Art. Local residents rented spaces to sell their products including wine. Ainsley’s brother Greg is the sheriff of Sweet River. She has a Great Dane named George Clooney. There are many funny moments when she carries on a conversation with her dog.
During a walk with George they find a dead body. Earlier that day she had seen that same man arguing with her friend’s fiancé Michael. She contacts the police and Greg and his staff go into investigation mode. Michael ends up arrested for the murder. Ainsley vows to clear her friend and find the real killer. She and her group of friends set up white boards to write clues down, discuss possible suspects and make plans.
This storyline was very compelling to keep reading and guess along with the clues. I liked the characters and hope to read future books in the series and see them again. I highly recommend this cozy mystery.
A Case for the Winemaker by Candace Havens is a fun cozy mystery read with a new Sweet River, Texas resident. Ainsley McGregor has left the world of academia to start an art emporium there in Sweet River. The idea is wonderful for this story giving many different artisans for her to be in contact with over the course of the book. Hopefully this will be a series.
Right as the craft market is opening, Ainsley along with her dog run across a dead body, foul play for sure. As she works to find the guilty party and vindicate the innocent, problems arise. It is not unusual for the homegrown sleuth to have problems with the police, but it is unusual for the Sheriff to be a brother. Little extras like this in the plotting of this story make it such an entertaining read.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Not only is this a new author for me but it is also a genre that I haven’t read a great deal of and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was no angst or major drama It just flowed along and the characters and setting where the making of the story
I am not going to rehash the story line you can read that in the blurb what I will say is that George Clooney almost in fact probably does steal the show. I am also looking forward to a future romance that may or may not brew for Ainsley
A fun cozy mystery that I had a hard time putting down. Ainsley and her sidekick, George Clooney are trying to prove her friend, Mike did not commit the murder. As the list of suspects increase, Ainsley’s life might be jeopardy too.
So enjoyed this book, a great community of friends. Loved the characters, especially George. Kept me guessing until the end. This is a new author for me, looking forward to her next book.
A Case for the winemaker is a Delightful new cozy mystery series.I loved the characters especially Ainsley & her Great Dane George Clooney.What attractive me to this book is it’s about artists and their craft,I’ve done needlepoint for a long time so it grabbed my attention right away.
This delightful cozy mystery – the first from Havens – had me saying “just one more chapter” until I reached the satisfying end. A Case for the Winemaker checked all the boxes – enough clues and red herrings to have me going back and forth on the killer, charming possibilities of romance (the hot fire chief or Idris Elba look-alike coroner. Oh my!), fun quirky characters you want to spend time with, and hints of English professor/market bazaar owner Ainsley McGregor’s backstory that are sure to come into play in future stories. Pack me up for a road trip to Sweet River, TX, so I can join the book club, shop the booths at Bless Your Art, and spend time with an energetic George Clooney. I’m definitely looking forward to more books in this great, new series. Havens is meant for this market!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I had the pleasure to meet Candace at a book convention and was offered the opportunity to read an arc of her new cozy mystery book. I have to say I am not much of a cozy mystery type of person (I have only read maybe one or two others) but I was intrigued as she relayed the story’s description to me and thought I would give it a shot. I am really happy I did! This book was a fun, delight to read; I truly enjoyed it.
The cast of characters are wonderful, including Ainsley’s Great Dane named George Clooney (love the name!), the backdrop setting gives you that quaint, homey feel (a place where everyone knows everyone) and it is friendly and inviting. The storyline moves along at a nice pace and easily holds interest and the dialogue is engaging with plenty of laughable moments.
This story actually reminds me of the shows on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel where the nosey, inquisitive gals take it upon themselves to dive into the mystery and do their own investigating to solve the case.
Overall, A Case for the Winemaker is a great read that pulls you in and leaves you looking forward to Ainsley’s adventure.
*Thank you to the author for the arc of this book.
A new to me author published by Tule Publishing. This has hints of romance but it is really a mystery book which is a nice departure from a publisher I know better for romance authors.
Ainsley MacGregor is a recovering academic who has moved to a small town in Texas after an incident in Chicago. Her brother is the sheriff in the town so it isn’t as if she has no one there she knows. Ainsley has decided on a complete career change and has purchased an old building and turned it into a huge craft emporium where the local craft artisans and small home businesses can sell their products. One of the local businesses selling in the craft emporium happens to be the local winery. (This does factor into the storyline.)
Right as the emporium is having the grand opening, someone is murdered out back in the park. George Clooney, aka Ainsley’s Great Dane, discovers the dead body which of course starts off the wonderful fast paced story. If you have ever watched an old episode of “Murder She Wrote.” this follows along similar lines were the lead manages to find the missing clues the local police can’t get.
The characters are wonderful and engaging. I can see a possible future romance happening for Ainsley with her neighbor if both of them can get past the don’t date your brother’s friends/sister unwritten rule.
This book moves at a fast but good pace with a great storyline and characters. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
I was provided a copy of this book prior to publication by the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.