BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER, MYSTERYB.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE, HISTORICAL FICTIONREADERS’ FAVORITE GOLD MEDAL WINNER, MYSTERY
Multi-billionaire banker and philanthropist, Ekram M. Almasi, has just been murdered…
And there’s only one person who can uncover the mystery behind this international banking scandal:
Louise Moscow.
Able to handle a high-powered speedboat, an ex-lover, and a … to handle a high-powered speedboat, an ex-lover, and a ginger-haired villain with equal ease, this international spy embarks on a journey that will take her to Monte Carlo, Paris, and Burgundy.
The amazing scenario, however, cannot hide a complicated and awful truth.
On her journey, Louise struggles against uncooperative witnesses, a mysterious vine disease, a gun-wielding monk, and a secret society.
Even though local investigators seem to have found the ideal culprit for the murder, the case is not as open-and-shut as it might seem…
Buy Pinot Noir today and discover an exciting new mystery you won’t be able to put down.
What readers are saying about Pinot Noir:
★★★★★ – “A high concept “noir” adventure that goes down like a fine wine. Pinot Noir is one of the best thrillers I have read in recent times.” ~ Astrid Iustulin, Readers’ Favorite
★★★★★ – “What a great sequel to Foliage! Highly recommend this addictive thriller and be sure to have a yummy glass of red wine nearby!” ~ Nelle L’Amour, New York Times Bestselling Author
★★★★★ – “A great, modern thriller by Lorraine Evanoff. The writing crackles with a smart, sexy, intelligent energy and Louise Moscow is a credible, gutsy, fabulous heroine.” ~ Dominic Piper, International Bestselling Author
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Pinot Noir is a well-written, hard-to-put-down spy mystery novel with many elements of action, with banking scandals as the scaffolding, set in multiple international locations, filled in by carefully developed characters.
The story is in third person narration. Evanoff’s grasp of knowledge, especially of the French culture, is both educational, complementary and entertaining, so the outtakes for background information does not distract from the story. No matter what subject is introduced, Evanoff shows an immense understanding and applies it appropriately.
This complex story is richly set in various locales – familiar and accurate for those with travel experience, be it in the islands, New York or Europe. It’s evident that Evanoff has personally been there adding to what feels like a gratifying, extensive Rick Steve’s tour.
The story is set immediately after the 9-11 aftermath, when the US was struggling with terrorist intel and developing personal electronic communication. The author does a very credible job of incorporating both the limits of 2000’s technology and its maximum use, along with banking scandals that preceded it.
Because of the various settings, the plot of the novel influences both the characters and opportunities for this spy mystery. You feel each character’s cultural and personal background in all their interactions. The emotions of each character are genuine and almost heart felt as she draws the reader into the joy, desire, love, fears, anxiety and even violence that occurs along the colorful interactions. Evanoff seamlessly blends settings and ties up multiple plot lines with satisfaction and surprise.
This excellent novel blends in the genres of mystery with nice touches of relevant banking finance, intelligence, crime and even food. Of course, the title of the book is aptly explained with an informed tour de force of French wine in Burgundy where much of this rich story courses through!
Lorraine Evanoff is experienced as an CFO for major corporations, book editor, film script writer and has lived abroad in Paris. ‘Pinot Noir’ is Evanoff’s 2nd “Louise Moscow” novel: “An International Banking Spy Thriller”. Reading of the 1st book is not necessarily required to thoroughly enjoy the 2nd, though.
The character of Louise Moscow is an experienced expert in banking, living incognito due to her previous exposure as a key investigator and expert witness in a major international banking scandal. That time influences the direction of this book as she has both befriended and angered powerful individuals.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel because it allowed me to explore a different genre from what I am used to. It satisfies with the touches of history, culture, international settings and very catching characters – both good guys, bad guys and all in between. Looking very much forward to reading the ‘prequel’ novel now that I’m hooked!
Even if this genre, which I think closely resembles what Ian Fleming might write, is not your cup of tea – indulge yourself for Evanoff’s richly satisfying spy mystery. This book should be a movie and I hope Evanoff is working on a screenplay!! It would be a great vehicle for a female actor to show off in.
Mark R. Ayers, Reader
January 2020, Houston, Texas
Pinot Noir is a compelling murder mystery spy thriller with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing who really are the good actors and bad actors that the heroine Louise Moscow is dealing with as she tries to solve the murder of a prominent banker.
The mystery and intrigue start off quickly in the wealthy city-state of Monaco. Louise ultimately journeys to the Burgundy region of France in search of answers in hopes that she will solve who was responsible for the murder and what their motivation was. The reader is treated to interesting archeological information about this crossroads of past civilizations as the story unfolds in the picturesque French countryside, as well as an interesting peek into the people and workings of the wine-producing region of France.
Louise is fearless, almost to a fault, as she is determined to unravel the mystery that keeps getting deeper as the story progresses. The ending is quite thrilling and worthy of the great story that leads up to it.
Lorraine Evanoff has a beautiful writing style that brings the places Louise visits to life and keeps the reader guessing about whom Louise can trust throughout the novel. I highly recommend Pino Noir to anyone who loves a good murder mystery with a spy thriller angle mixed into the plot.
THIS NOIR NOVEL GOES WELL WITH FINE WINE AND BEAUTIFUL DAMES
I’ve traveled all over the world but for some reason have never been to France. After reading Lorraine Evanoff’s new Louise Moscow novel, “Pinot Noir” I got the vistas, the tastes and smells of the South of France and is up there with the best of noirish mystery and adventure novels. That it is a high concept “noir” adventure, the story goes down like a fine wine. Sorry for mixing the metaphors, but this book grabbed me from the start! That the 2nd novel about Moscow starts out with quick brisk chapters, I couldn’t put the damn thing down and read it straight through. What’s really wonderful is to watch the emergence of a fantastic writing talent in Evanoff. This is her best book yet. I feel like I was in Louise Moscow’s pocket for the entire adventure and want MORE Louise Moscow books NOW. Fantastic job! I read the Kindle edition but when the paperback comes out, I’m nabbing a copy or two. This one is definitely worth sharing. 5 Stars!
Pinot Noir is a GREAT follow-up to Lorraine’s first novel, Foliage, and I think even better written than Foliage.
Louise Moscow has become one of my new favorite spy thriller heroines, and it’s exciting to watch her character develop as she becomes further immersed in the world of forensic accounting and espionage. Louise is becoming a bad-ass in her own right, and I can’t wait to see where her adventures take her!
Keep up the great work, Lorraine! Your fans are anxious for the next chapter in the life of Louise Moscow!
Three years ago, after reading FOLIAGE, I ended my review saying I was looking forward to the next adventure. And it’s finally here! Another Louise Moscow mystery/thriller. As in the first book, Ms. Evanoff has created a complex female protagonist who is intelligent, spiritual, romantic, and tenacious as she navigates several plot threads to solve several mysteries that dovetail into each other. And once again, the author blends factual history with fiction that feels so authentic and believable that I found myself referring to the footnotes to try and figure out what was real or made up. Fun! I love novels that expertly juggle in-depth authentic descriptions of places and history with plot points that keep you turning the page. Bravissima! Or rather, merveilleuse!
nothing like a great book to read by one of the best book authors i think youd really enjoy this book or any she writes she is great the more i read in this book the better and better it gets loved it.