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The Wine Trail Mysteries #6
Death, Dismay and Rosé
When a local historian is found dead, Norrie Ellington has to dig through the clues to prove the cause was not a centuries-old curse but coldblooded murder . . .
It’s rare that the summer solstice and a full moon fall on the same night, but winery manager Norrie Ellington is all too familiar with the curse that supposedly accompanies the event: the death by suffocation of someone in the area. She’s inclined to write the whole thing off as folktale nonsense―until the president of the local historical society is found smothered on that very night. Local law enforcement aren’t quite so superstitious, however, and they’ve pegged a close friend of Norrie’s for the murder.
Determined to discredit the curse and get her friend off the hook, Norrie begins digging into the background of the victim, only to discover that he had no shortage of enemies. And as evidence emerges of his questionable connections and shady dealings, Norrie follows a trail of clues that leads her smack into the racing world at Watkins Glen. She’ll have to shift into overdrive to save her friend, because curse or not, there’s a flesh-and-blood killer dead set on making Norrie the next victim . . .
It’s rare that the summer solstice and a full moon fall on the same night, but winery manager Norrie Ellington is all too familiar with the curse that supposedly accompanies the event: the death by suffocation of someone in the area. She’s inclined to write the whole thing off as folktale nonsense―until the president of the local historical society is found smothered on that very night. Local law enforcement aren’t quite so superstitious, however, and they’ve pegged a close friend of Norrie’s for the murder.
Determined to discredit the curse and get her friend off the hook, Norrie begins digging into the background of the victim, only to discover that he had no shortage of enemies. And as evidence emerges of his questionable connections and shady dealings, Norrie follows a trail of clues that leads her smack into the racing world at Watkins Glen. She’ll have to shift into overdrive to save her friend, because curse or not, there’s a flesh-and-blood killer dead set on making Norrie the next victim . . .
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2020
16 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Eaton
31 books344 followersAnn I. Goldfarb
New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, they have authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington), The Wine Trail Mysteries (Kensington Lyrical Underground), and coming in August 2018, The Marcie Rayner Mysteries (Camel). In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit the websites at:
www.jceatonmysteries.com
www.facebook.com/JCEatonauthor/
www.timetravelmysteries.com
James E. Clapp
When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching. Visit the website at www.jceatonauthor.com
New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, they have authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington), The Wine Trail Mysteries (Kensington Lyrical Underground), and coming in August 2018, The Marcie Rayner Mysteries (Camel). In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit the websites at:
www.jceatonmysteries.com
www.facebook.com/JCEatonauthor/
www.timetravelmysteries.com
James E. Clapp
When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching. Visit the website at www.jceatonauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 12, 2024
Death, Dismay and Rosé by J.C. Eaton is the sixth book in the cozy The Wine Trail Mysteries series. Each book of this series has it’s own mystery that will be solved within so they could be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. However, for those following from the beginning there is character development that carries over from book to book.
This series began with Norrie Ellington having been asked to return home to upstate New York by her sister to oversee the family business, Two Witches Winery. Norrie’s sister and her brother in law had been given a grant to study a species of insect in Costa Rica for a next year and while Norrie had made her life in New York City she would be able to continue her job as a successful screenwriter anywhere.
Who knew however that returning home to the winery would bring Norrie face to face with so many murders in their normally quiet area though. This time around Norrie is trying to solve a murder that is wrapped up in old folklore. It was said that in the rare occurrence of the summer solstice and a full moon falling on the same night that there would be a death by suffocation of someone in the area so when the president of the local historical society is found smothered Norrie jumps in to find yet another murderer before someone she knows takes the blame.
The Wine Trail Mysteries series is one of two series that I have followed from the beginning written by the husband and wife team writing under the name J.C. Eaton. What I’ve found is that this series along with the other I am reading both have those humorous and quirky nature to them that I love. And as always while laughing along at the events there is a solid mystery to be solved along the way too. Definitely one that I will continue to return to in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
This series began with Norrie Ellington having been asked to return home to upstate New York by her sister to oversee the family business, Two Witches Winery. Norrie’s sister and her brother in law had been given a grant to study a species of insect in Costa Rica for a next year and while Norrie had made her life in New York City she would be able to continue her job as a successful screenwriter anywhere.
Who knew however that returning home to the winery would bring Norrie face to face with so many murders in their normally quiet area though. This time around Norrie is trying to solve a murder that is wrapped up in old folklore. It was said that in the rare occurrence of the summer solstice and a full moon falling on the same night that there would be a death by suffocation of someone in the area so when the president of the local historical society is found smothered Norrie jumps in to find yet another murderer before someone she knows takes the blame.
The Wine Trail Mysteries series is one of two series that I have followed from the beginning written by the husband and wife team writing under the name J.C. Eaton. What I’ve found is that this series along with the other I am reading both have those humorous and quirky nature to them that I love. And as always while laughing along at the events there is a solid mystery to be solved along the way too. Definitely one that I will continue to return to in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 27, 2020
I received an advance copy of this book from net galley and Beyond the Page Publishing in return for an honest review. Release date for this book is 29 Sept 2020.
This was a cute, fun cozy mystery with great characters and a interesting plot. The story took a many pronged approach to the mystery which was quite refreshing and made the story even more intriguing. The setting was perfection for anyone that loves wine and the zaniness surrounding the main characters added in some extra chuckles. This is a great series and one I plan to follow.
This was a cute, fun cozy mystery with great characters and a interesting plot. The story took a many pronged approach to the mystery which was quite refreshing and made the story even more intriguing. The setting was perfection for anyone that loves wine and the zaniness surrounding the main characters added in some extra chuckles. This is a great series and one I plan to follow.
March 9, 2023
Norrie Ellington is managing her family's winery while her sister and her sister's husband are off on an entomology expedition. She expects them home soon, and just wants to get back to her life in Manhattan, where she's a screenwriter -- which she's currently doing from their home.
Looking for information on an old family legend about deaths that occur when the summer solstice has a full moon -- the last one being in 1948 -- she overhears a conversation between another winery owner and the head of the historical society, Vance Wexler, and it's not a good one, either. But when a group of entomologists are nearby, and being disturbed by a group of historical society people who are searching for arrowheads, things get testy. So testy that when someone is murdered, a friend of Norrie's is suspected of murder.
When the local police don't seem to be taking any interest in information Norrie has brought them, she figures the only thing she can do is look around on her own. Enlisting the help of two men who own another winery, she clandestinely starts a search of her own, finding out more about the dead man than she wanted to know. Now all she has to do is find a killer without raising the suspicions of the local police. Easy, right?...
This is the sixth book in the series and just as good as the first. I enjoyed reading it mostly because Norrie can hold her own among others. She doesn't get flustered, and she manages to run the winery, do her job, and still find time to investigate a murder. She doesn't let her two businesses slide which is nice to see.
The plot is an interesting one, actually centering around a curse that two women suspected of being witches placed on the area when they died, and it seems that whenever there's a full moon on the summer solstice a death by suffocation will occur. Even though Norrie 'pooh-poohs' the idea herself, she starts to become a believer and will do anything to break the curse so her winery will be safe.
But when that leads to the discovery of a murder that seems to be much more than it actually is, she finds herself in a race against time to find the object that is causing the problems. She enlists the help of Theo and Don, a couple who own another winery and have helped her before, to find answers without letting anyone know what they're doing.
If anything, this book had plenty of action to it, and when one thing led to another, it seemed to bring a dead end, only to start up again somewhere else. Needless to say, it kept me reading right through the end, which is a good thing.
When the ending comes and the killer is discovered, the motive is as old as time itself. While it all comes about in the end, I would have liked to have some clue to the murderer, but it was not to be. Still and all, I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
Looking for information on an old family legend about deaths that occur when the summer solstice has a full moon -- the last one being in 1948 -- she overhears a conversation between another winery owner and the head of the historical society, Vance Wexler, and it's not a good one, either. But when a group of entomologists are nearby, and being disturbed by a group of historical society people who are searching for arrowheads, things get testy. So testy that when someone is murdered, a friend of Norrie's is suspected of murder.
When the local police don't seem to be taking any interest in information Norrie has brought them, she figures the only thing she can do is look around on her own. Enlisting the help of two men who own another winery, she clandestinely starts a search of her own, finding out more about the dead man than she wanted to know. Now all she has to do is find a killer without raising the suspicions of the local police. Easy, right?...
This is the sixth book in the series and just as good as the first. I enjoyed reading it mostly because Norrie can hold her own among others. She doesn't get flustered, and she manages to run the winery, do her job, and still find time to investigate a murder. She doesn't let her two businesses slide which is nice to see.
The plot is an interesting one, actually centering around a curse that two women suspected of being witches placed on the area when they died, and it seems that whenever there's a full moon on the summer solstice a death by suffocation will occur. Even though Norrie 'pooh-poohs' the idea herself, she starts to become a believer and will do anything to break the curse so her winery will be safe.
But when that leads to the discovery of a murder that seems to be much more than it actually is, she finds herself in a race against time to find the object that is causing the problems. She enlists the help of Theo and Don, a couple who own another winery and have helped her before, to find answers without letting anyone know what they're doing.
If anything, this book had plenty of action to it, and when one thing led to another, it seemed to bring a dead end, only to start up again somewhere else. Needless to say, it kept me reading right through the end, which is a good thing.
When the ending comes and the killer is discovered, the motive is as old as time itself. While it all comes about in the end, I would have liked to have some clue to the murderer, but it was not to be. Still and all, I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
November 6, 2020
Death, Dismay and Rosé
is the 6th book in the Wine Trail Mystery series and this was my 1st dip into the series. Although it was book six, I had no difficulties keeping up with characters and events and it worked for me as an individual story. It was a very entertaining read with stacks of humour and I readily found myself chuckling away.
Winery manager Norrie Ellington was a marvellous protagonist whom I found to be compassionate and smart. Set in Penn Yan in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Norrie is looking after the Two Witches Winery for a year while her sister and brother in law are in Costa Rica. Her time is almost up and she's counting down the days until she can return to Manhattan, but on her watch, a dead body turns up. As the summer solstice and a full moon fall on the same night, a curse by two witches who used to inhabit the land that is now the Winery says that someone will die by suffocation. Local historian Vance Wexler had been making enemies all over the place and it seems that the curse has come true.
The book was well-crafted, swift-paced and thoroughly entertaining. The mystery was very engaging and I was kept guessing until the end of this lively tale. I’m not sure why I have waited so long to try this series, but I am delighted I now have! There are quite a few instalments to catch up on and I can’t wait to revisit Penn Yan again. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Winery manager Norrie Ellington was a marvellous protagonist whom I found to be compassionate and smart. Set in Penn Yan in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Norrie is looking after the Two Witches Winery for a year while her sister and brother in law are in Costa Rica. Her time is almost up and she's counting down the days until she can return to Manhattan, but on her watch, a dead body turns up. As the summer solstice and a full moon fall on the same night, a curse by two witches who used to inhabit the land that is now the Winery says that someone will die by suffocation. Local historian Vance Wexler had been making enemies all over the place and it seems that the curse has come true.
The book was well-crafted, swift-paced and thoroughly entertaining. The mystery was very engaging and I was kept guessing until the end of this lively tale. I’m not sure why I have waited so long to try this series, but I am delighted I now have! There are quite a few instalments to catch up on and I can’t wait to revisit Penn Yan again. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
September 8, 2020
Death, Dismay and Rose is the sixth installment in the A Wine Trail Mystery series set in upstate New York and featuring Two Witches Winery co-owner, Norrie Ellington. Norrie's year babysitting the winery while her sister and brother in law are in Costa Rica is almost up and she's counting down the days until she can return to Manhattan. With all of her screenplays wrapped up for the time being, Norrie only has the annual Winemakers Dinner looming on the horizon - that is until she learns that the summer solstice and the full moon fall on the same night.
According to local legend a curse by two witches who used to inhabit the land the winery sits on says that someone will die, by suffocation. Norrie is convinced it's a bunch of nonsense but never the less is determined to make sure that nobody else dies on her watch. Unfortunately, local historian Vance Wexler has been making enemies all over town and when his body is found dead in a tent the curse appears to have come true.
Norrie, with the help of her fellow winery owners and local professor Godfrey Klein sets out to catch a killer. The plot centers around the witches curse and a local car theft ring. Filled with a cat of series regulars and a twist at the end, readers will enjoy this latest addition.
I received an advanced copy of Death, Dismay and Rose from NetGalley via Beyond the Page Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
According to local legend a curse by two witches who used to inhabit the land the winery sits on says that someone will die, by suffocation. Norrie is convinced it's a bunch of nonsense but never the less is determined to make sure that nobody else dies on her watch. Unfortunately, local historian Vance Wexler has been making enemies all over town and when his body is found dead in a tent the curse appears to have come true.
Norrie, with the help of her fellow winery owners and local professor Godfrey Klein sets out to catch a killer. The plot centers around the witches curse and a local car theft ring. Filled with a cat of series regulars and a twist at the end, readers will enjoy this latest addition.
I received an advanced copy of Death, Dismay and Rose from NetGalley via Beyond the Page Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
September 29, 2020
4.5 stars
The local historian is found dead but there is no lack of suspects wanting to do the deed. The man took his historic opinions to everyone who wanted to add a pool to their land or add a few inches to their porch. He denied all these requests claiming they had to maintain the historic presence of their property.
Norrie's brother-in-law is labeled suspect number one after the body of the historian was found near his insect training ground for students. Norrie accidentally makes the police aware of her brother-in-laws closeness to where the body was found.
The curse on the two witches land was a pretty entertaining secondary storyline. I even wondered why this series wasn't titled two witches. There are lots of twists and turns as Norrie feels like she must find the real bad guy to clear her brother-in-law. Characterization was great. The victim was probably the best described character. Too bad he's dead. He is one of those people you love to hate.
Loving this series for sure. Definitely a series I want to continue with.
The local historian is found dead but there is no lack of suspects wanting to do the deed. The man took his historic opinions to everyone who wanted to add a pool to their land or add a few inches to their porch. He denied all these requests claiming they had to maintain the historic presence of their property.
Norrie's brother-in-law is labeled suspect number one after the body of the historian was found near his insect training ground for students. Norrie accidentally makes the police aware of her brother-in-laws closeness to where the body was found.
The curse on the two witches land was a pretty entertaining secondary storyline. I even wondered why this series wasn't titled two witches. There are lots of twists and turns as Norrie feels like she must find the real bad guy to clear her brother-in-law. Characterization was great. The victim was probably the best described character. Too bad he's dead. He is one of those people you love to hate.
Loving this series for sure. Definitely a series I want to continue with.
September 10, 2020
Norrie Ellington is still at Two Witches Winery, while her sister and brother in law are away. As much as Norrie is anxious to return to her own life away from the winery, she has a close relationship with several people in the small town.
When Norrie looks at her calendar, she sees that a full moon will take place on summer solstice. This discovery only brings an old tale of curses to light, and all Norrie can do is hope that nothing goes wrong. We all know how that will end, and Norrie finds herself defending the curse, and trying to solve the murder of someone who had plenty of enemies.
I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
#netgalley #deathdismayandrose
When Norrie looks at her calendar, she sees that a full moon will take place on summer solstice. This discovery only brings an old tale of curses to light, and all Norrie can do is hope that nothing goes wrong. We all know how that will end, and Norrie finds herself defending the curse, and trying to solve the murder of someone who had plenty of enemies.
I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
#netgalley #deathdismayandrose
September 22, 2020
Norrie is becoming a little crazy and her reasons to investigate a little farfetched. I think she needs some time in jail to help her calm down. Good mystery and fun ending, but Norrie's antics are a little over the top.
February 20, 2021
Norrie was a city gal who had unwittingly knitted herself into the fabric of the wine community. So entwined was she that the local police thought of her as a murder magnet. The mysterious death of Wexter the cantankerous was no exception, although it was shrouded in hocus pocus. Noirre’s curiosity knew no bounds, she refused to let such mumbo jumbo get in the way of her finding the real killer before her friend got sent to prison for a crime he did not commit.
February 21, 2021
Norrie Ellington is managing her family's winery while her sister and her sister's husband are off on an entomology expedition. She expects them home soon, and just wants to get back to her life in Manhattan, where she's a screenwriter -- which she's currently doing from their home.
Looking for information on an old family legend about deaths that occur when the summer solstice has a full moon -- the last one being in 1948 -- she overhears a conversation between another winery owner and the head of the historical society, Vance Wexler, and it's not a good one, either. But when a group of entomologists are nearby, and being disturbed by a group of historical society people who are searching for arrowheads, things get testy. So testy that when someone is murdered, a friend of Norrie's is suspected of murder.
When the local police don't seem to be taking any interest in information Norrie has brought them, she figures the only thing she can do is look around on her own. Enlisting the help of two men who own another winery, she clandestinely starts a search of her own, finding out more about the dead man than she wanted to know. Now all she has to do is find a killer without raising the suspicions of the local police. Easy, right?...
This is the sixth book in the series and just as good as the first. I enjoyed reading it mostly because Norrie can hold her own among others. She doesn't get flustered, and she manages to run the winery, do her job, and still find time to investigate a murder. She doesn't let her two businesses slide which is nice to see.
The plot is an interesting one, actually centering around a curse that two women suspected of being witches placed on the area when they died, and it seems that whenever there's a full moon on the summer solstice a death by suffocation will occur. Even though Norrie 'pooh-poohs' the idea herself, she starts to become a believer and will do anything to break the curse so her winery will be safe.
But when that leads to the discovery of a murder that seems to be much more than it actually is, she finds herself in a race against time to find the object that is causing the problems. She enlists the help of Theo and Don, a couple who own another winery and have helped her before, to find answers without letting anyone know what they're doing.
If anything, this book had plenty of action to it, and when one thing led to another, it seemed to bring a dead end, only to start up again somewhere else. Needless to say, it kept me reading right through the end, which is a good thing.
When the ending comes and the killer is discovered, the motive is as old as time itself. While it all comes about in the end, I would have liked to have some clue to the murderer, but it was not to be. Still and all, I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Looking for information on an old family legend about deaths that occur when the summer solstice has a full moon -- the last one being in 1948 -- she overhears a conversation between another winery owner and the head of the historical society, Vance Wexler, and it's not a good one, either. But when a group of entomologists are nearby, and being disturbed by a group of historical society people who are searching for arrowheads, things get testy. So testy that when someone is murdered, a friend of Norrie's is suspected of murder.
When the local police don't seem to be taking any interest in information Norrie has brought them, she figures the only thing she can do is look around on her own. Enlisting the help of two men who own another winery, she clandestinely starts a search of her own, finding out more about the dead man than she wanted to know. Now all she has to do is find a killer without raising the suspicions of the local police. Easy, right?...
This is the sixth book in the series and just as good as the first. I enjoyed reading it mostly because Norrie can hold her own among others. She doesn't get flustered, and she manages to run the winery, do her job, and still find time to investigate a murder. She doesn't let her two businesses slide which is nice to see.
The plot is an interesting one, actually centering around a curse that two women suspected of being witches placed on the area when they died, and it seems that whenever there's a full moon on the summer solstice a death by suffocation will occur. Even though Norrie 'pooh-poohs' the idea herself, she starts to become a believer and will do anything to break the curse so her winery will be safe.
But when that leads to the discovery of a murder that seems to be much more than it actually is, she finds herself in a race against time to find the object that is causing the problems. She enlists the help of Theo and Don, a couple who own another winery and have helped her before, to find answers without letting anyone know what they're doing.
If anything, this book had plenty of action to it, and when one thing led to another, it seemed to bring a dead end, only to start up again somewhere else. Needless to say, it kept me reading right through the end, which is a good thing.
When the ending comes and the killer is discovered, the motive is as old as time itself. While it all comes about in the end, I would have liked to have some clue to the murderer, but it was not to be. Still and all, I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
October 26, 2020
Princess Fuzzypants here: Norrie is a character who skates precariously close to the edge of being foolhardy and reckless. Even her friends, some of whom aid and abet her, comment not infrequently that she needs to be more self aware. Yet, I have enjoyed the series thus far and continue to do so. I just hope that she does not slide over the edge into Darwin Award territory.
She is still “babysitting” the family vineyard while her sister and her husband are off in search of rare bugs. Her promised stay is almost up but before she can return to her life in Manhattan, she must deal with a curse that pops up when the summer solstice coincides with a full moon. Wouldn’t you know it, It is going to occur on her watch and the same night she has a big winemaker’s dinner. That would be sufficient for anyone but when a friend is accused of suffocating an odious man, she feel obligated to look for the killer.
The local cop, with whom she battles each story, thinks he has his man. That compels Norrie to dig deeper into the many people who may have had a grudge against him. Turns out there is a long line. But there are some other factors that cannot be ignored, including the remote possibility that the curse is real. And we know by now that when Norrie gets started, she does not always think things through.
There are lots of twists and turns and more than one mystery going on. It keeps the reader guessing before doubling back to the person he or she might have considered at the beginning. It makes for a fun read. Four purrs and two paws up.
She is still “babysitting” the family vineyard while her sister and her husband are off in search of rare bugs. Her promised stay is almost up but before she can return to her life in Manhattan, she must deal with a curse that pops up when the summer solstice coincides with a full moon. Wouldn’t you know it, It is going to occur on her watch and the same night she has a big winemaker’s dinner. That would be sufficient for anyone but when a friend is accused of suffocating an odious man, she feel obligated to look for the killer.
The local cop, with whom she battles each story, thinks he has his man. That compels Norrie to dig deeper into the many people who may have had a grudge against him. Turns out there is a long line. But there are some other factors that cannot be ignored, including the remote possibility that the curse is real. And we know by now that when Norrie gets started, she does not always think things through.
There are lots of twists and turns and more than one mystery going on. It keeps the reader guessing before doubling back to the person he or she might have considered at the beginning. It makes for a fun read. Four purrs and two paws up.
December 1, 2020
Death, DIsmay, and Rose had potential, but for me, it sort of fell flat.
I think this may have been part of a series, and perhaps others who have read the series enjoyed it more.
There were passages that were fairly well- written, where there was suspense, and you wondered how things were going to play out.
I was very disappointed in the way the author treated food and drink throughout the book.
For a book ostensibly centered around a winery, there was none of the poetry of wine and wine tasting, or the fun "cellar" experience of being a wine-maker.
In addition, I was just downright annoyed with the food, every other page the protagonist is telling us what she got for lunch, but doesn't actually DESCRIBE it.
For example, I got a tuna on rye for lunch
but not, my tuna on rye was just what I needed, the toast was lightly browned, tart, and crunchy under the flaky, tuna, swimming in rich mayonnaise and counterpointed by the crunch of pickles and onion.
Either describe it well or forget about it. So you had a sandwich - who cares?
The only meal that got even halfway decent treatment was the wine-maker dinner.
I also found some of the action a bit of a stretch, I think the main character would have been locked up long before the end for her meddling in police business..
All in all, I cannot recommend this book- your time is better spent elsewhere.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC, my opinions are my own.
I think this may have been part of a series, and perhaps others who have read the series enjoyed it more.
There were passages that were fairly well- written, where there was suspense, and you wondered how things were going to play out.
I was very disappointed in the way the author treated food and drink throughout the book.
For a book ostensibly centered around a winery, there was none of the poetry of wine and wine tasting, or the fun "cellar" experience of being a wine-maker.
In addition, I was just downright annoyed with the food, every other page the protagonist is telling us what she got for lunch, but doesn't actually DESCRIBE it.
For example, I got a tuna on rye for lunch
but not, my tuna on rye was just what I needed, the toast was lightly browned, tart, and crunchy under the flaky, tuna, swimming in rich mayonnaise and counterpointed by the crunch of pickles and onion.
Either describe it well or forget about it. So you had a sandwich - who cares?
The only meal that got even halfway decent treatment was the wine-maker dinner.
I also found some of the action a bit of a stretch, I think the main character would have been locked up long before the end for her meddling in police business..
All in all, I cannot recommend this book- your time is better spent elsewhere.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC, my opinions are my own.
September 13, 2020
Folklore and a present-day murder intermingle in this book. Summer solstice and a full moon occur on the same night, precisely when an important wine event is held. After the murder of a despised local historian, an arrest is made but Norrie, the temporary Two Witches winery manager, fights...hard...to clear her arrested friend. A curse also threatens the wine event and Norrie finds her time divided between hunting down the murderer and running the winery. Fortunately for her, Norrie knows all the right people who help her in her searches which lead to many trails.
The plots are interesting as is the assortment of characters. The writing style makes this a smooth and easy read, not to mention spirited. The food descriptions make me hungry! I like the historical and modern blend. The ending is fun.
What lacks for me is the believability of Norrie who finds herself in tricky situations yet always has friends still willing to risk arrest with her. Her character is a bit silly and lacks credibility. I don't love the police looking foolish trope but that's just a personal preference.
However, I really like other books by the author duo. The book is still worth reading, just a little too light for me to really engage in and love.
My sincere thank you to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
The plots are interesting as is the assortment of characters. The writing style makes this a smooth and easy read, not to mention spirited. The food descriptions make me hungry! I like the historical and modern blend. The ending is fun.
What lacks for me is the believability of Norrie who finds herself in tricky situations yet always has friends still willing to risk arrest with her. Her character is a bit silly and lacks credibility. I don't love the police looking foolish trope but that's just a personal preference.
However, I really like other books by the author duo. The book is still worth reading, just a little too light for me to really engage in and love.
My sincere thank you to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
September 30, 2020
Norrie Ellington is literally counting the days until her winery overseeing job is complete and her sister and etymologist brother-in-law return. Ah, but that means there is still time for at least one more mystery and this time it involves the two witches which the winery is named for. The two witches who created a two part curse. Any publicity is good publicity right? Not if it means that the odious from the historical society is dead and Norrie's new etymologist friend is Grizzly Gary's number one suspect. Thanks to this series you will learn about wine and bugs, not that they are a good pairing but it does make for interesting reading. Remember to beware the partridge eye while armchair sleuthing. I have noticed that Norrie seems to be getting more and more brave with regards to her fact finding missions and manages to get Don, Theo, Stephanie, and Godfrey involved in one way or another. I am surprised that she hasn't considered using one of her experiences as a screenplay and save herself some work and time. This series is so good with character developement that I am not ready for Norrie to go back to the big city and leave the wine trail, her winey family and friends, or her handsome attorney behind.
September 9, 2020
When the Summer solstice falls on the same day as a full moon, it is said the curse of the two witches extracts their revenge. While Norrie Ellington doesn’t really believe in curses, she knows that it will bring the looneys and look loos to her family’s winery. Then when the first victim is found, and it appears to be the work of the curse, more information is found about the curse and Norrie does everything in her power to stop the second part from occurring…all while trying to find the killer of the first victim.
This is the sixth book in this fun series and while Norrie is looking forward to having her sister back at the winery so she can head back into Manhattan…I’m kinda hoping there are more and more delays so the series can go on! I just wish Norrie were a little more assertive didn’t sound like an air head at times. Though in the end, she always manages to one up Grizzly and the suspects.
This is the sixth book in this fun series and while Norrie is looking forward to having her sister back at the winery so she can head back into Manhattan…I’m kinda hoping there are more and more delays so the series can go on! I just wish Norrie were a little more assertive didn’t sound like an air head at times. Though in the end, she always manages to one up Grizzly and the suspects.
October 9, 2020
Two things rarely happen on the same night, a full moon and the summer solstice. Norrie Ellington believes that when they ultimately fall on the same night, there will be a murder. Maybe it was all just nonsense until.. the president of the local historical society turns up dead and there is no lack of suspects..The police however, have their suspicions about one of Norrie’s friends but Norrie really believes there not only is a curse but it took the life of someone. Norrie must dig deeper to find out what or who performed a murder in her town and could she be next. This is a very cozy murder mystery that actually teaches the reader about wine and bugs as well as moving at a great pace with our protagonist as she hunts a killer. A very nice quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
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October 26, 2020This is the 6th book in the delightful "Wine Trail Mystery Series" by cozy author J.C. Eaton. This is a series that is always fun to return to with great charcters and always a fun sleuth to keep every reader guessing. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.
In this next in series we return to winery manager Norrie Ellington who is skeptical of a solstice event for the full moon and the superstitions that go along with the event that someone will die by suffocation. When a local historian does die by suffocation Norrie is shocked to find out that her friend is suspect number one. As Norrie picks up the investigation she finds the victim did indeed have enemies and many who would have wanted her dead.
I enjoyed this next in series for the excellent well crafted sleuth, the enjoyable supporting charcters and the lovely setting of the winery. This is series not to be missed that every cozy reader will enjoy.
In this next in series we return to winery manager Norrie Ellington who is skeptical of a solstice event for the full moon and the superstitions that go along with the event that someone will die by suffocation. When a local historian does die by suffocation Norrie is shocked to find out that her friend is suspect number one. As Norrie picks up the investigation she finds the victim did indeed have enemies and many who would have wanted her dead.
I enjoyed this next in series for the excellent well crafted sleuth, the enjoyable supporting charcters and the lovely setting of the winery. This is series not to be missed that every cozy reader will enjoy.
September 17, 2021
Norrie is a screenwriter and part owner of Two Witches Winery on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. She is counting the days until her sister returns from Costa Rica to take over the winery again and she can return to her lawyer boyfriend Bradley and her urban life.
Unfortunately, Norrie finds herself, yet again, in the middle of a murder she needs to solve to get a friend released from jail. The situation is not simple, however. Although Norrie is not superstitious, one of her staff members and lots of tourists are. Now Norrie has to deal with a local, two hundred year old curse that supposedly takes effect when a full moon and the summer solstice occur on the same night. The results could be deadly.
Neighboring winery owners Don and Theo and entomologist Godfrey are Norrie’s friends and are dragged reluctantly into her investigations which are not always legal and are sometimes dangerous. The clock is ticking as time draws near for the solstice to occur and for the local police to give up on their murder investigation. Will Norrie be able to solve the crime before another death occurs, Alex is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, some thieves get away with a stolen Porsche engine, or Norrie and Godfrey are arrested? So much is riding on her investigation. Fortunately, Norrie is both spunky and determined.
I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Beyond the Page Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, Norrie finds herself, yet again, in the middle of a murder she needs to solve to get a friend released from jail. The situation is not simple, however. Although Norrie is not superstitious, one of her staff members and lots of tourists are. Now Norrie has to deal with a local, two hundred year old curse that supposedly takes effect when a full moon and the summer solstice occur on the same night. The results could be deadly.
Neighboring winery owners Don and Theo and entomologist Godfrey are Norrie’s friends and are dragged reluctantly into her investigations which are not always legal and are sometimes dangerous. The clock is ticking as time draws near for the solstice to occur and for the local police to give up on their murder investigation. Will Norrie be able to solve the crime before another death occurs, Alex is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, some thieves get away with a stolen Porsche engine, or Norrie and Godfrey are arrested? So much is riding on her investigation. Fortunately, Norrie is both spunky and determined.
I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Beyond the Page Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2020
I ahve read all of this series and this was my least favorite. Although the formula seemed the same and in the past I have liked this character, this time she seemed to be silly and foolhardy. She goes about sticking her nose into the mystery because the police are supposedly not going to solve it. And for someone that she has not even met until the murder, she calls Alex a "good friend" and goes out of her way to risk herself to help him. I found this to be a reach not to mention rash and unbelievable. For someone who thinks that she knows better than the police, everything that she finds out is by chance including the murderer. I hope the next one it better.
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September 21, 2020
This is the sixth book in the series and I really enjoyed reading it. I haven't read the other books yet. I liked getting to know the characters in this book. There are several quirky characters that add humor. Norrie Ellington is the main character. She is running the family winery that she and her sister inherited. Her sister is out of the country with her husband who is on a business trip. Norrie is smart and compassionate. When a friend is accused of murder, Norrie isn't about to let him be convicted of a murder that he didn't commit. The story and the conversations flowed smoothly. I need to go back and read the rest of the series.
February 5, 2021
Death, Dismay and Rosé although the sixth in The Wine Trail Mysteries series by J. C. Eaton is easily followed by a reader new to series. The descriptions of the setting, a winery in the Fingerlakes region of New York, invoke a true sense of the area and made me want to schedule a trip complete with wine tasting tours.
I found the mystery well crafted with a sufficient number of red herrings to keep my interest. As others have noted, Norrie’s actions stretched the imagination of what a rational person might do in a similar situation. However, isn’t that why we read fiction? All in all a solid mystery. ( I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)
I found the mystery well crafted with a sufficient number of red herrings to keep my interest. As others have noted, Norrie’s actions stretched the imagination of what a rational person might do in a similar situation. However, isn’t that why we read fiction? All in all a solid mystery. ( I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)
September 24, 2020
I enjoy this series and was excited to read this one. It is well written, has good character development, and the mysteries are interesting. This had a few subplots before we find out if there is a curse or not and did V.W. die because of it.
The twists, turns, and misdirections had a great flare to the story. I read this in one sitting. Too bad I’ll have to wait awhile for the next one.
I was given an advanced reader’s copy from Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.
The twists, turns, and misdirections had a great flare to the story. I read this in one sitting. Too bad I’ll have to wait awhile for the next one.
I was given an advanced reader’s copy from Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.
January 11, 2021
Norrie is still in the Finger Lake region of New York taking care of The Two Witches Winery while her sister is away. This year a full moon occurs on the Summer Solstice that is said to trigger a curse of the original two witches/sisters. Norrie doesn't believe in curses but a man is murdered. This leads to my love/ hate relationship with Norrie. I want to enjoy her but I dislike the dangerous situations she chooses to put herself into. Other than that, this is a well written cozy mystery in a great setting.
December 27, 2025
I am still not warming up to Norrie. This book just seemed to drag on and on. Maybe if she shared some of her insights with the police instead of needing to compete with them, crimes would get solved more quickly and less accidentally. I'd like the series better if she went back to NYC and the gay winery owners became the lead characters instead of the sidekicks.
October 5, 2020
Another good addition to this excellent series. A solid mystery and a highly entertaining story that kept me hooked.
Good character and plot development, a mystery that kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Good character and plot development, a mystery that kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 4, 2021
This was an enjoyable book, with an intriguing plot and a mystery that kept me guessing. I especially liked the setting and the fun characters. I'm looking forward to reading more by these authors.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book.
September 4, 2020
Love this series. Norrie owns the two witches winery with her sister. When a murder happens norrie sets out to investigate. Love this book
September 8, 2020
What a fun book. The characters were believable and of course the cop just had to be frustrating. I'll have to catch up with the other books in this series.
This is a fair and honest review.
This is a fair and honest review.
June 27, 2023
Another good one in this series.
October 1, 2020
Fun read
I love the winery and finger lakes setting. Norri is obsessed with finding killers and out witting they deputies. It’s a great easy read.
I love the winery and finger lakes setting. Norri is obsessed with finding killers and out witting they deputies. It’s a great easy read.
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