A Vintage Murder

Annie MacPherson #3

by Janet L. Smith

Seattle attorney Annie MacPherson is stunned to receive a desperate phone message from her old high school friend, Taylor North. They haven't spoken in seventeen years, ever since a bitter fight involving Taylor's violent boyfriend -- and eventual husband -- Steven Vick. So, with trepidation and a touch of dread, Annie rushes to the Yakima Valley, where Taylor owns a winery.

In the six months since Taylor threw Steven off the land and out of her life, threatening events have begun to plague the North Faire Winery. Bottles and corks vanish, spray paint spoils the ripe grapes, salt is sifted into the wine. But the worst is yet to come when a bludgeoned body is found -- and Taylor is the prime suspect....

Genres: Mystery

228 pages, Hardcover

First published August 9, 1994

Reviews

['jean]

Fun to read something set in WA. I've read better.

[David Hibberd]

Taylor North operates a winery in the Yakima valley in Washington. She contacts Annie MacPherson, a Seattle attorney and former high school friend for help in getting a divorce. That changes when Taylor's husband, Steven Vick is murdered and Taylor is found holding the murder weapon.
There are plenty of suspects with hints for each of them as the killer. Janet L. Smith does a good job at hiding the true killer's identity.

[Marilyn]

I picked up this book because I collect mysteries and was missing this one in the series. I enjoyed it. I loved the setting as I live in WA state, I enjoy WA wine country and thought the story was well plotted. It was a lovely pastime during the "stay at home" pandemic.

[Paul Close]

Colorful, interesting.

[Sharon]

This was a good who dunnit, set in Washington State.

[Kay]

After a difficult birth (oh those long, hard words in the first pages), the book finds its pace in a plot that is complicated but clear—I was never confused about who was who. If only the hard-hitting style of the last third of the book were applied to the first few chapters, this would be tops in its genre. Best surprise, the denouement, while not what I was expecting, was not sprung on the reader like so many are. It evolved nicely from the plot. The ends of chapters were often effective cliff-hangers, which writers like Lee Child use with such effect. Well done! I learned a lot about starting one’s own vineyard and how it all works. I was pleased that the rarely addressed topic of anger management was given full rein. The sentences, the pace, the plot were all outstanding. Tension, suspense, clarity—all nailed. A good read, and I am mystified at the low-star reviews. I really enjoyed this. I’m going to look for others by Janet L. Smith!

[LJ]

A VINTAGE MURDER - Poor
Smith, Janet L. - 3rd in Annie MacPherson series

Seattle attorney Annie MacPherson is stunned to receive a desperate phone message from her old high school friend, Taylor North. They haven't spoken in seventeen years, ever since a bitter fight involving Taylor's violent boyfriend—and eventual husband—Steven Vick. So, with trepidation and a touch of dread, Annie rushes to the Yakima Valley, where Taylor owns a winery.

In the six months since Taylor threw Steven off the land and out of her life, threatening events have begun to plague the North Faire Winery. Bottles and corks vanish, spray paint spoils the ripe grapes, salt is sifted into the wine. But the worst is yet to come when a bludgeoned body is found—and Taylor is the prime suspect....

Very simplistically written. Relies too much on coincidence.

[Amber Berry]

Set in Washington state.