Vulture au Vin

by Lisa King

Theodore Lyon, oil billionaire and wine collector extraordinaire, asks San Francisco-based wine writer Jean Applequist to cover a historic tasting at his Southern California compound. It's a creer coup for Jean and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to taste great Sauternes from as far back as the 1811 comet vintage. What could possibly go wrong?

A tragic end to Jean's first luncheon with Lyon foreshadows trouble to come. Her worried boyfriend, Zeppo, insists that their friend Roman Villalobos, a gay martial arts expert, accompany Jean to Lyon's palatial Phoenix Gardens for protection. At Lyon's estate, Jean and Roman find not only a world-class wine cellar, but a museum-quality collection of Chinese art. Jean discovers an outrageous ulterior motive for her invitation to the tasting. She and Roman also befriend Bernie Lyon, the scion of the Lyon clas and a struggling filmmaker.

It turns out Zeppo was right to be concerned. Jean and Roman encounter family drama, drug dealing, manmade disasters, betrayal, and murder, all against the backdrop of ever-present vultures. Is there a connection between the stabbing death of a youn local woman and the Lyon family? Are all of Lyon's eccentric guests really who they claim to be? As great wine flows, the body count mounts. Before the weekend's out, Jean and Roman must prevent their own brutal murders and flee a raging wildfire.

Back in San Francisco, all seems well until repercussions from the Phoenix Garden fiasco lead to a brutal resolution that leaves Jean, Zeppo and Roman deeply shaken and changed forever.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2014

Reviews

[stylelover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Stuff!

I love the witty dialogue and colorful language this author employs to deliver a story of intrigue, murder, and romance. I can’t wait for book 3!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vulture au Vin offers a fine modern-day mystery, set in California’s beautiful wine country, with all the intrigue, red herrings, and multiple reasons for murder you might expect in an Agatha Christie novel; plus a veritable feast for the senses—-sights, sounds, scents, tastes and sensually physical, unquestioning romance. If you like wine, you’ll love the glorious wine-tasting, with ancient delights, some corked, some wonderfully aged to make the palette soar. If you like love, you’ll find a woman too easily tempted, a man too hurt to try, a youth rejected by his father... If you’re looking for hope and forgiveness you’ll see it entangled with mercy and guilt. And if genuine mystery tempts you, the growing body-count will surely draw you in.

A worthy successor to Lisa King’s Death in a Wine Dark Sea, Vulture au Vin takes wine-writer Jean, whose tastes outpace her finances, to the beautiful home of an oil billionaire. A once-in-a-lifetime tasting of vintage Sauternes is about to take place. But youthful Zeppo’s not too sure about his partner’s trip, given a recent death connected with the mansion. Still, Jean can’t resist, of course.

The result is an explosive mix of high finance, fine art, love, duty and power, all setting the stage for death and disaster, all set against a backdrop of beauty, with vultures flying overhead. Once everyone’s been tempted, the testing and tasting begin, and the novel explodes into action, followed by suspense, tense drama, suspicion and more. Can friendship survive? Can hope? Can love? Can art?

Wise, wonderful and fun, Vulture au Vin is a pleasing mystery with fantastic location, great characters, plenty of heart, and even some good food for thought. It stands alone, but if you’ve not read Death in a Wine Dark Sea, you’ll want to pick it up as soon as you finish. And if the author writes more in this series I shall certainly want to pick them up too.

Disclosure: I received a free bound galley from the publisher and I offer my honest review.

[Syd · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a preview copy of this book through a goodreads first reads giveaway.

I read the first Jean Applequist novel and wasn't expecting much from this one. It started out strong. The first chapter was intriguing and had me hooked, Katharine's POV was detailed and she seemed like an interesting woman, but it was down hill from there.

My main complaint about this book is Jean. From the start Jean was irritating and constantly and rather shallowly concerned with money and getting things for free. She never seems to be happy with what she has. Almost like she can't appreciate what she has and is convinced she deserves more. It really bothered me that Jean is on one hand very accepting of individuals (well, at least members of the LGBT community) but she tries to get back at someone with a half-hearted accusation of an eating disorder? That was low, very low. I would expect better of someone who probably has had her fair share of nasty names and accusations thrown her way. Jean having a bad temper is just a bad excuse, she barely seemed bothered by it. Roman is right when he calls her a greedy, insensitive fool.

Same as in the previous book, the characters felt far too blunt. Ted especially was so over the top it was completely unbelievable.

Also the author seems to think we'll forget that Roman is; gay, a member of Bash Back, chained by survivor's guilt, and that Jean wants nothing more than to sleep with him. It was obnoxious to read. Even more so since there were constant reminders in the first book.

Overall it was a decent mystery with murder, high society, and international cons that was ruined by annoying characters and unnecessary repetitions.

[Cheryl Dietr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book with a formidable plot wrapped around fatally flawed characters who each needed one another in a variety of interesting and complex ways. While the central character, Jean, is a ball-busting gal with a penchant for going after what she wants; I think the author's intension was to create a female protagonist that mimicked the rich men that we read about in the news and in literature leaving Zeppo to play the typical in-the-shadows female role. While this makes for some interesting reading in the end I could not understand why he continued to put up with her "bad boy" behavior and what the glue was that held them together. Sex is only sticky for so long.

While I thought the plot was inventive and entertaining something about the writing style itself stymied the story making it slow going at times. I wish I could say what that particular "something" was but I am at a loss.

Further, my suggestion to the author would be to either let Zeppo soar or cut him loose in any future outings.

Finally, having owned a winery and having written some magazine pieces on the subject, it is obvious that the author knows her stuff about the wine world that her characters frequent. This knowledge added a richness which ultimately enhanced the storyline.

*Disclaimer. I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. Thanks!*

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are into debauchery and hedonism this book is for you and naturally the author had to include crude language to make it more real. Typical story about the rich and not so famous, hanger ons, etc. Some of the above had to think they were outside the law and so murder seemed to be the answer at the time. Fairly predictable story line with no real surprises. I must say the author either did a lot of research on the excesses of the life style or is well versed. The women who wasn't a law enforcement helped solved the crime. She had sex with about anybody that looked her way. I would be a fool to say that there aren't many like her. Sad how the immorality of the day is a focus of a book. I would have given this one star but for the fact that the author is a good writer. Too bad.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

The worst problem I had with this book is that much of it did not seem to be about the main plot at all. The author went into all kinds of tangents about wine and food, but they did not add anything to the story at all. A good chunk of the book did nothing other than introduce the setting of the crime through the use of a wine tasting, but this part was dragged out far too long without any plot development. There was some potential in the writing and the story, but it was not as enjoyable after having to wade through all of the unnecessary prose to get to it.

*** I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads ***

[Irene Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a very enjoyable read with many twists and turns throughout including murder with several sub-plots. The main character, a freelance writer, covers a winetasting weekend. She is very knowledgeable about wines and has an appetite for good wine, good food, fast cars, and sexy men. She has a hot and sexy boyfriend who is kind and very, very understanding. I especially enjoyed the author’s colorful descriptions of this beautiful area of California, its flora and fauna. I’m anxious to read the author’s next book. This is an excellent book and I recommend it.

[Barbara Heckendorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easygoing reading. A bunch of people were invited by a very rich and self-centred man for some wine degustations at his vast home. A journalist who is also an amateur detective and her friend as a photographer were there to make a big story for a wine magazine. Already before the degustation's weekend as well during and after the event there were several murders which soon made clear that they were related to each other. Half away through the story it was clear who the evil ones were and therefore the suspence was unfortunately broken. The second part wasn't so gripping anymore.

[Shesani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic murder mystery with a mix of wine 101 mixed in. The Lead character is a young, ambitious,and sensual woman, making her easily relatable to young woman today. The story envelopes and keeps you guessing, while there were some portions of the story that one was able to predict the story itself twist and turns and you never really know what is going to happen next. It was a smooth read, with likable characters. I definitely recommend.

[Misty Jodun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got sucked into this book from the start! It's very well written and really descriptive in the details. It's about love, friendship, betrayal and so much more! Its suspenseful and has many twists. By the end it really has you guessing who did it and why. I really felt for some of the characters. As the story unfolds the suspense heightens, which for me, makes it harder to put the book down. I hope others enjoy this book as I have. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Rhonda Gilmour · Rating 3 out of 5]

The middle part of this novel is superb--fast-moving, exciting and crammed with ever-mounting danger. The first section, in which King introduced her characters, lots and lots of them, moved slowly, but I did enjoy her feisty, horny protagonist. I just wish she hadn't revealed the killer so early in the game. The final third or so of the book revolved around whether the killer would be apprehended--rather anticlimactic, in my opinion.

[Sammie Gooden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truthfully this book is very interesting, but the story does not follow the plot. The first few chapters are gripping, but they start getting boring. Other than the fact that it's starts to lose my interest, it is actually a very good idea for a plot and very well written. As crazy as it sounds. It is a book that is a good read at up your bedside. Not a waste of time.

[msleighm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads First Read give away.

This book started dreadfully slowly for me. The exposition seemed written to be for audio books. Once the plot picks up so does the pace. Lisa King has a good ear for dialogue. The ending is set up nicely for the next installment....

[Lotus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don't read books like this, but thought otherwise when I seen it had wine as one of the themes and slightly vultures :*). Im glad I won this as a giveaway on here! im really curious now what will happen, the ending had me wanting me more.

[David Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rather pleasing mystery as our amateur investigators find themselves caught up in a dangerous situation in a more remote part of California.

http://opionator.wordpress.com/2014/0...

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit like Falconcrest meets Agatha Christie.. light hearted entertainment of the lives of the rich and famous :) Some of the characters were somewhat annoying but overall I liked most of them - to me the characters are the most important part of a book. Three & a half starts for me :)

[Nerdy]

DNF!!!! I really tried. I will try again later, but I can't seem to focus on it. There is a lot of things going on that do not seem to go with the storyline.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, but a fast-paced tale set largely in North County San Diego. Quite compelling.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

read my review here: http://entertainmentrealm.com/2014/07...