Review - Pairing a Deception

I reviewed the 1st in series, Decanting a Murder (click here) by Nadine Nettmann - a real-life Sommelier.  I missed the second in the series, but here is the third in the series for you.

Author: Nadine Nettmann

Copyright: May 2018 (Midnight Ink) 240 pgs

Series: 3rd in A Sommelier Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Katie Stillwell, Restaurant Sommelier prepping for Master Sommelier exam

Setting: Modern, Santa Barbara

Obtained Through: Publisher for an honest opinion -Netgalley

Cover Blurb:  "With only a few days left until her Advanced Sommelier exam, Katie Stillwell hopes to balance studying with attending a wine and food festival in Santa Barbara.

The weekend with Detective Dean is off to a great start―until an attendee is murdered and suspicion falls on the festival emcee, Master Sommelier Hudson Wiley. Katie tries to keep her focus on the festival and her last-minute studying, but when she discovers people aren’t who they say they are, she finds herself in the middle of a tangled web where nothing, except the wine, is what it seems."

Katie Stillwell takes most everything in stride, including her boyfriend having to rush back to the city for his job in the middle of their romantic weekend.  She  isn't intentionally investigating, not much, but she is putting together a number of clues.  Detective Dean is the romantic interest who gets called back to his job a few times in the course of this novel.  Thus, there wasn't much revealed about him in this novel other than he is trying to make the relationship work. Hudson Wiley, the Master Sommelier and prime suspect exhibits plenty of strange behavior and you never quite know what his deal is.  This time around there is no wine tasting group or friends in the story, but there is an eclectic group of festive attendees.

The setting of the wine festive works well.  The plot was a little disjointed for me (may just be me), and the pacing stayed steady, perhaps a little too steady.

The climax had a slight killer confrontation that was okay, but I didn't really feel it.  I really prefer a killer reveal that has me flipping pages with my heart pounding - this didn't do that for me.  I have even enjoyed books that have less suspense for more realistic with the police involved in the killer reveal, but that wasn't the case here either. 

This was a fast read in that it seemed short and compact (a mere 240 pages). The story was entertaining enough, but I didn't feel a sense of urgency for Katie to solve the crime.  I would have liked a bit more suspenseful killer confrontation or romance to get the blood pumping and invest me in the story, but others may like the even emotions of the story.  I really enjoyed the wine references and notes throughout and the setting.

Good - A fun read with good qualities for those who enjoy a tamer mystery. 

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Don’t know much about wine? Or perhaps you know a friend

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Buy Here:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble  | Website

Kerrianne (Goodreads) 5 star  "Great and compact intro into the world of wine. Can't wait to tour some local wineries with my new found knowledge. So happy I was able to win this through a Goodreads Giveaway!"

Cynthia Calongne--Lyr Lobo 5 star  "What a great book - fun content, well-organized and easy to read and digest!"

Review - Decanting a Murder

I was intrigued with this mystery book featuring a Sommelier as the main character, so I had to read this debut book in a new series.  See if it sparks your interest.

Author: Nadine Nettmann

Copyright: May 2016 (Midnight Ink) 264 pgs

Series: 1st in Sommelier Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Katie Stillwell

Setting: Modern day, California Wine Country

Obtained Through: Publisher/NetGalley for honest review

"Katie Stillwell focuses on two things in her life: work and practicing for Sommelier Certification with her blind tasting group. The exam was supposed to be the hardest part of her week, but that was before a body was found at an exclusive Napa Valley winery party.

When all the evidence points to Katie's best friend, the outspoken and independent Tessa, Katie drops everything to clear Tessa's name. Using her deductive wine skills, she tries to track down the real killer. But when repeated attempts are made on her life, Katie discovers that everyone's secrets must be uncovered―including her own."

Katie Stillwell is challenged in many ways in this book, the least of which is the Sommelier certification exam.  She is a steadfast friend who is doing everything in her power to help her friend Tessa.  She has some baggage to deal with along the way.  Tessa is a bit of a party girl with a bad reputation, dysfunctional and exhibits poor judgement sometimes, but she is devoted to Katie.  Dean is the investigating detective that somewhat likes Katie but keeps his distance throughout.  

Wine country is the backdrop and the many details of vineyard work.  This is well presented and gives a melancholy aspect I thought.  One setting of the wine barrel storage that is dark, isolated, and cut into a hillside was really used effectively.  The plot is straight forward, but the complicated characters and relationship between Katie and Tessa stand out.  The pacing gets going once we reach the murder and the subplot of how Tessa is involved.   Then Katie is setup and it gets interesting.

The killer reveal has some good tense moments, and a pretty tense scene three/fourths the way in which gave me some chills.  The wrap up was the one part that I would have liked to see different. I believe this is meant to be a series, but the ending didn't setup anticipation for the next book.  

Overall I liked the story, loved the Sommelier angle and hope that is maintained as the series continues.  Although this classifies as a cozy with no real violence, mild or no swearing, no intimate scenes etc. I was left with a feeling of Amateur sleuth because of the more serious tone and Tessa's character.  

Rating:  Good - A fun read with good qualities.

Find out more about wine (click here).

Guest Post - Character Penny Lively

The second book in the Cypress Cove Mystery series, Ripe for Murder, is out and my review will be posted shortly.  I reviewed the first book in the series, One Foot in the Grape (click here), and we were tickled to have the main character guest post for us (click here.)  Today we have some thoughts on the wondrous magic of making wine from the main character, Penny Lively.

The Angels Share

Hi, I’m Penny Lively, owner of Joyeux Winery, along the central California coast. As a winery owner, I’m often asked why we still use wooden barrels to age and store wine. Visitors to Joyeux winery see that we use both oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Steel tanks seem easier to use, and they are. A lot of fresh, fruity white wines do better in stainless steel. The important difference is the white wines aren’t for aging. Usually the sooner you drink them, the better they are. The steel keeps the fruity flavors fresh and crisp. Red wines, though, are a different matter. Most red wines improve with age, especially in oak barrels, but it took a while to figure this out.

Letting crushed grapes sit around in wooden pails until it turned into something, well, a little tastier, has been going on for more than 5,000 years. The first wine drinkers weren’t overly picky, and it didn’t take a lot of flavor to keep the average wine drinker happy. Let’s be honest; flavor wasn’t the primary concern.

This went on for quite some time. Until the Iron Age, to be exact, when the pails were enclosed and barrels came into use. When this happened everything changed for winemakers. At first it was simply convenient to store the wine in barrels. It certainly made shipping easier. They didn’t break like the clay containers used before, and the barrels could be easily rolled. Barrels also allowed wine makers to make more wine at once, leaving it sitting in the barrels until it was needed.

The consumer of this wine soon discovered a greater benefit. It didn’t take long to realize something wonderful was happening. This wine was different. This wine tasted good. Softer. Flavors like vanilla and tea. Caramelized sugar. The wine was vastly improved, and all by happy accident. These added flavors and depth to the wine are why wooden barrels are still used, even in a time when synthetic materials and stainless steel are available and would be easier. Barrel making itself has become an art form. The barrel size or the ways they are made can influence the flavor of the wine. The type of oak, and if it’s sawn or hand-split. Is it heated over a fire or is boiling water used to bend the staves? New Oak for intensity or old oak for elegance?

Another reason wooden barrels work so well is that they allow for oxidation. They are porous. The very gradual oxidation increases the complex flavor and fragrances in the wine. The barrels breathe. In some cases ten to fifteen percent of the wine evaporates while it is in the barrels and before it’s bottled. That’s where the term “Angels Share” comes in. It takes a bit of luck, magic, and yes, a little help from the heavens to make a wonderful wine. If the angels want to have a taste, it’s fine with me. We can use all the help we can get.

Cheers,

Penny Lively

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THANK You Miss Lively for stopping by and sharing with us.  I love the idea of an "Angel's Share".

And if anybody would like to find out a little more about wine, check out this book - the Little Wine Guide (click here).  This is a quick start guide for the "wine timid".

Review: A Toast to Murder by Michele Scott

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I have managed to read a second book this week to post...yea!  I am trying to get through that stack.  I hope you are enjoying the extra reviews.  This is a book that was released April 6th.  Enjoy.

Author: Michele Scott

Copyright: April, 2010 (Berkley); 267 pgs.

Series: #6 in A Wine Lover's Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild references 

Mystery sub-genre: Cozy

Main Character: Nikki Sands, once starred in a short lived TV series but now manages a vineyard

Setting: Current day in Napa Valley on the Malveaux Estates/Vineyard

Obtained book through: Publisher for an honest review

In book one Nikki gives up the last of her dreams of being an actress in Hollywood and takes a job at the Malveaux vineyard working for Derek - the owner.  Throughout the books there has been increasing romantic tension between Nikki and Derek even though both were dating other people.  Can you tell I have read most of the series?  Most significantly Nikki was dating the manager of another vineyard, Andre and Derek briefly dated Renee Rothschild before coming together - and both Andres and Renee are back in this installment.

The property was acres and acres of rolling vineyard.  On the highest peak, with a fantastic view of the valley, sat the hotel and spa, done in an old-world Tuscan  style that was intended to make guests feel as if they'd really stepped out of the hustle of life and into luxury and relaxation.  Farther back from the hotel was the winery where wine tastings were held daily.  Connected to the winery were the offices where Nikki and Derek worked.  Back behind the offices stood the warehouse and large metal wine vats.  And about half a mile from there stood the old mansion where Derek had grown up and which now served as home to Simon, Marco, and Violet.  Derek and Nikki's home was a smaller ranch style that was located just behind the front gates and to the side of the entrance of the property, set against a lovely pond that a handful of ducks had made their home.

The story begins with introducing Violet, the newly adopted toddler of Simon (Derek's brother) and his partner Marco.  Violet falls asleep with Nikki and upon waking finds gum stuck in her hair.  Only a few days before her wedding to Derek (that's right - they are tying the knot) the gum must be cut out and Simon gets the hairdresser to turn Nikki into a platinum blond while he is at it.  That evening Nikki meets Derek's old college friends for the first time.  Derek's friends seem nothing like the Derek she knows, catty, mean and a bit scandalous.  The fact is established early that Nikki has been receiving notes, even text messages with the theme "Do you believe in fate?" and signed with the Greek words Moros Apate Thanatos (Doom, Deceit and Death) and that morning she had received a newspaper clipping of Derek's first marriage notice to Meredith (first book - she is now in jail and Nikki helped put her there).

To add to the complications to Nikki's life and approaching wedding, Patrice, Derek's step mother, comes back uninvited and moves in claiming this is her home.  Patrice was in the first book and hated Nikki then and probably still does.  The stess mounts and Nikki is trying her best not to be a Bridezilla.  The wedding day seems on track and Simon is walking Nikki down the aisle when Simon takes a bullet in the arm that was likely intended for Nikki.  Then one of Derek's college pals is found dead and the sleuthing begins.  In past books I got tired of Derek's never ending demands that Nikki stop her snooping but this time Derek joins her (partly to protect her and also to speed things up so they can get married.)

Could anyone have a stranger couple of days leading up to their wedding? Not only had all the crazy stuff happened, but now it seemed like all the ghosts of Nikki's past were coming back to haunt her. First Patrice and now Andres and Renee. The even stranger part was that two out of three of the ghosts from Nikki's past had both used the word "fate" when speaking to her.

Nikki still makes a few misteps (she always does) that as a reader you are yelling "No, take Derek with you - don't see Andres alone!"  Nikki is a likeable main character who seems to have a judgement error at least once in each book.  They aren't usually tragic but they do tend to complicate her life and throw some drama in.  As a main character Nikki is well thought out and well rounded with a flaw her or there.  I felt that Derek was portrayed more fully in this book.  In past books I would have a hard time with this character but I liked him in this one much better. 

The story kept moving and the plot was just intricate enough.  I honestly have to say that there were so many viable suspects in this story that my suspicion kept shifting.  It has been a good while since I have been fully stumped as to the killer even though the clues were there. Kudos Ms. Scott. 

The newly introduced characters are nicely brought to life and the drama they all created well done.  The supporting cast of Simon and Marco continue to develop and they definitely grow on you in the books.  The setting is lovingly cast and I have put Napa on my "must vacation there" list due in large part to these books.

I felt the climatic reveal was a bit rushed - Nikki is checking out a theory and in a paragraph or two wham, killer revealed and show down.  I felt like a few more chapters were needed to lead into the revealing of the killer.  But otherwise it was a suspenseful revealing with palpable danger.  I do have reservations for future books - I like the current arrangement and I fear that if Nikki and Derek start a family, as the book indicates they are trying to do, that much of what I like about the series will completely change and be a different dynamic - essentially a different series. I can easily see there being the "before kids" book and the "after kids" books division taking place. 

A Toast To Murder is a well plotted cozy that has reached maturity and pairs with a comfortable chair for a pleasant reading experience. 

As always in the series there are recipes with wine pairings to enjoy.  In this book the recipes include: Peach Galette with Gouda Cheese with Bonterra Rose; Grilled Pork in Sun-dried Cherry Cabernet Sauce with Bonterry Cabernet Sauvignon; Stuffed French Toast with Mimosas, Pan Seared Scallops, Champagne-Pear Cream  and Chervil with Bontera Viognier; Grilled Ahi with Poblano Cream Sauce with Bonterra Chardonnay; Baked Lemon with Mozzarella and Mushroom Crostini with Bonterra Syrah; and Asian Beef Tip Salad with Bonterra Merlot.

For your convenience, you may purchase your copy here.