Finding a murderer requires 100% proof. In Seneca Lake, New York, Norrie Ellington’s Two Witches Winery has been selected by the local vintner community to host the annual Federweisser, a celebration of the season’s first fermentation of white Chardonnay grapes. But the festivities are spoiled when Norrie learns that landowner Roy Wilkes has raised her neighbor Rosalee Marbleton’s rent so high, … Rosalee Marbleton’s rent so high, she may have to close her vineyard.
Before the rent hike could go into effect, Wilkes is found dead on Roslaee’s property—stabbed by a flowerpot stake—and she becomes the police’s number one suspect. To clear her friend’s name, Norrie conducts her own investigation. But as she gathers clues, Norrie finds herself targeted by a killer, and if she’s not careful, her desire to see justice done may die on the vine . . .
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back at the Two Witches Winery just in time for the annual Federweisser celebration. Norrie tries to juggle the preparation for the event along with meeting here screenwriter deadlines. Thankfully the staff of Two Witches has things well in hand because Norrie receives a frantic call from Rosalee Marbleton telling her she has found a dead body on her property. The dead man turns out to Roy Wilkes, the man owns access to the water needed for Rosalee’s winery. He had recently raised the rent so high that it could put her out of business. It’s not bad enough that she found the body but the murder weapon also belongs to her. Rosalee knows it looks bad and begs Norrie to find the real killer. A task Norrie doesn’t take lightly. Neither does the killer as he sets his sights on her.
I really like Norrie. She takes on everything thrown at her. She has become to go to person called to investigate anything shady or nefarious in the Seneca Lake wine community. Heck, they call her before calling the authorities, something that really upsets Deputy Sheriff Gary Hickman. Norrie has a great group of people to support her. These characters are diverse and very well crafted. They have their gifts and idiosyncrasies, but they will do anything for Norrie and the Two Witches Winery. The author has done a great job of making these characters genuine.
J. C. Eaton has fermented a fun mystery for readers to enjoy. A victim no one knows much about except for the fact that he didn’t have any friends and that no one is upset he is gone. A little digging brings more suspects to light but the author also serves up a good share of red herrings to divert and confuse. I enjoyed following along with Norrie, Theo, and Don as they not only did the legwork but online searches too. Even following along I was surprised by the way the big reveal took place. It was exciting and loved that some assistance came from someone truly unexpected.
I was captivated from beginning to end. A real character-driven mystery with just a blossom of romance and glass or two of humor. This Wine Trail Mystery gives us a peek at winemaking and running a successful winery along with an entertaining story. Pinot Red or Dead? will be out March 26 and I am impatiently waiting
Since I am not into wine, I wasn’t sure I would like this book but I did and I’m glad I took the chance! Lovely characters and wonderful plot that keeps you guessing. I can’t wait to read more by this author!
A great addition to a series I hope will continue for a long time. This book had me laughing out loud, especially near the end. So much fun!
A fun second book in this series! Norrie is at it again when one of her fellow winery owners finds the dead body of a man who had been raising her rent. She investigates with the help of Theo, another winery owner. When her car is tampered with and poisoned chocolate is sent to her, she knows she is getting close to finding the killer. With the big Fedderweiser festival coming up, she’s determined to catch a killer. Looking forward to seeing what’s next for Norrie and the rest of the winery gang as well as her friends, Theo and Don!
great characters, kept me guessing!
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from Kensington Book’s Lyrical Underground via Netgalley and these are my own opinions.
I requested this book on Netgalley as I enjoy the first in this series and it is set in the picturesque Finger Lakes in New York. Also, the cover is hard to resist and the description was enticing.
Lots of suspects, twists and turns and great characters. I am having a hard time believing Norrie can write screen plays, manage a winery and sleuth at the same time. I do not believe the police in this story are inept even though Norrie feels they are. There is more of an adversarial tone towards the law than other cozies without supporting evidence for the underlying current.
We do find out what a scumbag the victim was and it isn’t hard not to be sad he is no longer among the living.
This can be read as a standalone.
In Seneca Lake, New York, Norrie Ellington’s Two Witches Winery has been selected by the local vintner community to host the annual Federweisser, a celebration of the season’s first fermentation of white Chardonnay grapes. But the festivities are spoiled when Norrie learns that landowner Roy Wilkes has raised her neighbor Rosalee Marbleton’s rent so high, she may have to close her vineyard.
Before the rent hike could go into effect, Wilkes is found dead on Rosalee’s property, stabbed to death, and she becomes the number one suspect. To clear her friend’s name, Norrie conducts her investigation. But as she gathers clues, Norrie finds herself targeted by a killer, and if she’s not careful, her desire to see justice done may die on the vine.
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Series: The Wine Trail Mysteries – Book 2
Author: J.C. Eaton (Ann I. Goldfarb & James E. Clapp)
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
The work of J.C. Eaton (Ann I. Goldfarb & James E. Clapp) is always original. Their combined skill makes just about anything they write entertaining and fun. Chardonnayed to Rest is the second book in the “Wine Trail Mysteries” series. The writing is easy to follow with smooth transitions.
Norrie Ellington is a bit preoccupied with her own interests. Her writing career is on the line if she doesn’t meet her deadlines. Unfortunately, the winery and murder keep getting in the way. It is easy-to-understand Norrie’s self-absorption. What writer worth a dime isn’t self-centered? But this character takes things a bit too far.
Norrie is supposed to be looking after her family winery, which her sister- and brother-in-law take care of, while they are away for a year. She isn’t good at it. In truth, if this were real life, the winery would already be shut down with Norrie in charge. She pays no attention to the winery business, and it would be astounding if it actually made money and stayed afloat. The character is just a bit too inattentive, and her interests take precedence over everything, and everyone else. It appears that if her neighbor hadn’t been accused of murder, she wouldn’t even be aware that someone had died, or of the festival her winery is hosting, or anything else that takes place throughout the story. To put it simply, Norrie is not a pleasant character. Other characters are hugely more attractive to readers.
Rosalee, with her straightforward manner, and her ability not to know when to stay silent is endearing. Don and Theo are adorable as a couple and as neighbors. They play a pivotal part in the investigation and find most of the interesting clues. Readers will want to learn more about them and follow their antics in future books. The victim, although not necessarily likable is intriguing. The more information that is uncovered about him, the more the reader will want to know why, and who killed him.
The wine country setting is exciting. Having competing wineries working together and helping each other is a delightful idea that would be great in a world where it’s every man for himself. A sticking point for some readers will be the name of Norrie’s winery; Two Witches Winery can be misleading to readers who think they are getting a paranormal/witch-based cozy.
There is some humor in this book and an interesting plot. When the killer is revealed, it won’t come as a surprise but how it transpires might. In the end, if a reader is looking for a quick read where they don’t have to do a lot of deep thinking to figure out what is going on or who the killer is, then Chardonnayed to Rest is for them.