Norrie Ellington is a sucker for doing good deeds, but when she agrees to let a film crew use her winery as a backdrop and one of them turns up dead, she’ll have to act fast because this crew knows how to put on an act . . . When screenwriter and winery co-owner Norrie Ellington agrees to let her producer film a movie scene at Two Witches Winery, her biggest concerns revolve around the crew … trampling her precious vines and starstruck fans crowding the vineyard to spot the famous actors. But nothing had prepared her for the film’s director, an unbearable diva with a growing list of unreasonable demands—along with a growing list of enemies. And when the director turns up dead, apparently the victim of foul play, a very public altercation Norrie had with the victim the day before puts her in the spotlight as the lead suspect.Knowing she’ll have to root out the killer herself to get off the narrow-minded local sheriff’s most-wanted list, Norrie compiles a large selection of potential suspects, including vengeful actors the director had once blacklisted and even the director’s estranged husband, a high-profile candy magnate trying to bring a burgeoning market for concord grapes to the region. Weeding out false leads and planted clues, Norrie knows it’ll take some quick thinking to track down the culprit, before she becomes the murderer’s next target in a deadly harvest . . .Praise for the Books of J. C. Eaton:“A sparkling addition to the Wine Trail Mystery series. A toast to protagonist Norrie and Two Witches Winery, where the characters shine and the mystery flows. This novel is a perfect blend of suspense and fun!” ―Carlene O’Neil, author of the Cypress Cove Mysteries, on Chardonnayed to Rest “A thoroughly entertaining series debut, with enjoyable yet realistic characters and enough plot twists―and dead ends―to appeal from beginning to end.” ―Booklist, starred review, on Booked 4 Murder “Filled with clues that make you go ‘Huh?’ and a list of potential subjects that range from the charming to the witty to the intense. Readers root for Phee as she goes up against a killer who may not stop until Phee is taken out well before her time. Enjoy this laugh-out-loud funny mystery that will make you scream for the authors to get busy on the next one.” ―Suspense Magazine on Molded 4 Murder
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
Murder rears its ugly head again near Two Witches Winery and this time it involves a film crew filming a scene from one of Norrie Ellington’s screenplays. When the over-the-top director is found dead the entire cast and crew find themselves in the police spotlight. Surprisingly Norrie finds herself there too due to a public altercation. The victim’s husband, a candy magnate bringing his business to the area also plays a key role. First, bringing excitement to the area with his expected need of concord grape juice but also could he have been in the area and killed his wife?
To help catch the real killer Norrie enlists the help of her friends from the neighboring wineries. They all know their businesses depend on putting the murder behind them as quickly as possible especially when it looks like the killer’s sights are now set on Norrie.
With this installment, the series has moved to a new publisher and I am so happy about that because I was definitely not ready to see these character’s stories end.
All the recurring characters are strong and Norrie is a great protagonist. I really appreciate the relationships she has built with everyone around her especially because her time at the winery is basically limited to the year her sister and brother-in-law are in Costa Rica studying a very special bug. I could see her lengthening her stay though because of these friendships and her new romantic relationship, but we will have to see. I do enjoy the way her personal life story continues to evolve and grow.
The mystery was an entertaining one to follow and solve. The nods to Miss Marple and Nancy Drew were a nice touch. There were plenty of twists and turns. The social media research done to investigate the suspects felt very current. I did enjoy the big reveal and thought it was pretty funny that is didn’t play out as planned. There was also a Wine and Cheese Festival the wineries are hosting and the staff at Two Witches have to deal with all the fans that show up because actors Priscilla McCoy and Gavin Chase are now filming in the vineyards. The authors blend all the drama and day to day activities very well.
Divide and Concord is a delightful addition to this series. Engaging characters and a stirring mystery kept me captivated from the first page to the last. I am hoping for many more books in this series.
I really enjoyed reading this fun cozy mystery. Norrie is getting ready for a wine and cheese weekend when a film crew arrives to film a scene in the vineyards. When a member of the crew is found dead and they frame Norrie she sets out to solve the crime. I really liked the characters and the Finger Lakes wine trail setting. The mystery was good with enough suspects to keep it interesting and the solution made sense. I am looking for word to reading more in the series. Enjoy
This is the first book in the Wine Trail Mystery Series I’ve read and it was a lot of fun. I didn’t feel left behind coming into the series in the middle. Norrie is a spirited and strong-willed protagonist and you just had to shake your head at her inquisitive nature. An entertaining books!
https://cozyexperience.com/divide-and-concord-book-review/
Poor Norrie just can’t catch a break with the dead bodies. A film crew and a couple of actors come to shoot a scene from one of Norrie’s screenplays at Norrie’s family’s winery. Everyone seems to dislike the director, thus leaving lots of suspects when she is found dead. Norrie investigates with help from Theo, Don, Cammy, and Stephanie. This is an interesting series and I really enjoy the friendship Norrie has struck up with the staff as well as nearby winery owners, Don and Theo. I like the friendship between Norrie and Godfrey and the romance between Norrie and Bradley. I will be curious as to what’s next for Norrie and the winery!
cozy-mystery, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, family-dynamics, friendship, situational-humor, verbal-humor, dog
What do you mean this is book 5 in series? ! This is too much fun and sleuthing! Easily stands alone but I want to read the others for the fun! Norrie is a script writer and co owner of brother’s grapes and wine business. While covering one business, the other intrudes in the form of a film crew and Canadian film stars. And a murder. Norrie heads into things without thinking and is joined in the lunacy by friends and other wineries despite the head shaking attitude of the local law. Tons of situational and verbal humor! Fun characters and interesting observations. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
This is not an unbiased review because my sister has a Plott Hound and I’ve never seen another in a story.