Reviewed by Cheryl

TITLE: The Case of the Voracious Vintner

SERIES: Middlemark Mysteries #2

AUTHOR: Tara Lain

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 290 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 29, 2019

BLURB:

Where Bo Marchand comes from, gay men are just confirmed bachelors who never found the right girl. But now Bo’s a successful winemaker on the central coast of California, supporting his whole damned Georgia family, and all he really wants is the beautiful, slightly mysterious Jeremy Aames. Jeremy’s vineyard is under threat from Ernest Ottersen, the voracious winemaker who seems to know all Jeremy’s blending secrets and manages to grab all his customers. Bo tries to help Jeremy and even provides a phony alibi for Jeremy when Ottersen turns up dead in Jeremy’s tasting room. But it’s clear Jeremy isn’t who he claims, and Bo must decide if it’s worth tossing over his established life for a man who doesn’t seem to trust anyone. When Jeremy gets kidnapped, some of the conservative winemakers turn out to be kinky sex fiends, and the list of murderers keeps dwindling down to Jeremy. Bo has to choose between hopping on his white horse or climbing back in his peach-pie-lined closet.

REVIEW:

This is a charming book that gives a fascinating peep at the lives of the vintners of the central west coast of California. Previously, I had no idea what went on behind the scenes in the making of wine. It appears that the growing of grapes and production of wine is a cutthroat business.

Ottersen, a new producer on the scene is slowly taking over by trampling all over the others. In particular, he’s targeting Jeremy Aames, a relatively new and small producer. Jeremy can’t understand why Ottersen has it in for him but undercutting of sales, stealing of clients and even the burning down of his vines all point to a personal vendetta, and to Ottersen – that is, until he’s murdered when all the fingers point at Jeremy.

Fortunately for Jeremy a well established and respected wine producer, Bo Marchand befriends him and takes him under his wing. Together with their friends, they band together to track down the culprits and protect their interests, and ultimately themselves.

The first half of the book is a nice, slow build up. We’re introduced to the characters and shown around the location. We get some delightful incites and a peep into what seems to be a beautiful and fascinating area. Bo and Jeremy are very different. Indeed, all the characters are unique, from Bo’s over-dramatic mother, to Jeremy’s perky assistant, to Ottersen himself, as well as the other vintners, who are a motley crew to say the least. There’s a lot of dancing around each other as their love, and their personalities slowly unfold.

In the second half, the speed picks up. Jeremy and Bo finally get together and then all hell breaks loose. Jeremy takes one hit after another, while Bo struggles to support him, cope with his family and try to find out what the hell is going on.

The situation gets more and more dangerous, with surprises coming thick and fast, as it builds to an explosive conclusion.

This book has everything – good writing, a strong story, engaging characters and some beautiful world building. I wouldn’t say it’s quite edge-of-your-seat stuff, but close. There is definitely enough to keep your interest going from the first page to the last.

Highly recommended.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon