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Death among the Vines
Brent Umber, a charming young private investigator, is building a new life for himself after the murder of his best friend. The two of them had been like brothers - they had also been thieves. The murder caused Brent to re-evaluate his life and change course so that now he investigates crimes rather than commits them. He tries to keep busy to mask his loneliness and temper his self-reproach.
Due to a curious chain of events, Brent is approached by a senior police official to assist a team of detectives. They are working, without result, on a murder case - a woman slain in her own vineyard. Brent jumps at the opportunity, knowing he can use his special skills to go where the police cannot go.
What are these special skills? They seem to be simply that he talks, he listens, and he perceives, allowing full rein to intuition and instinct. It also helps that he has an array of useful contacts from his wayward days, each member with his own speciality or skill.
The account of Brent’s first case alongside homicide detectives is a sophisticated yet light-hearted cozy mystery, involving police, ordinary people, gangs, and business elites.
This is the first story in an entertaining series.
Due to a curious chain of events, Brent is approached by a senior police official to assist a team of detectives. They are working, without result, on a murder case - a woman slain in her own vineyard. Brent jumps at the opportunity, knowing he can use his special skills to go where the police cannot go.
What are these special skills? They seem to be simply that he talks, he listens, and he perceives, allowing full rein to intuition and instinct. It also helps that he has an array of useful contacts from his wayward days, each member with his own speciality or skill.
The account of Brent’s first case alongside homicide detectives is a sophisticated yet light-hearted cozy mystery, involving police, ordinary people, gangs, and business elites.
This is the first story in an entertaining series.
Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2021
186 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 23, 2025
Three and a half stars.
Brent Umber is a former thief turned private detective. After solving a tricky issue involving the stepson of a Police Chief, he is invited to assist local officers in solving the murder of Sheila Babbington, an apparently devoted wife and mother who was stabbed in the heart in her own vineyard in broad daylight. There are multiple suspects, but apparently no motives, or if people might have motives they have alibis.
Brent's methods may be unorthodox, he isn't interested in evidence so much as whether someone presents as innocent or guilty ... and guilty of what.
This is a hard one to review, I enjoyed reading it but I couldn't tell you what happened because it all got so convoluted and there were multiple conflicting motives and (frankly) the characters weren't distinct enough for me to be able to keep them straight in my own mind.
Accordingly, I am in two minds as to whether to read the second book, although the introduction does intrigue me.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Brent Umber is a former thief turned private detective. After solving a tricky issue involving the stepson of a Police Chief, he is invited to assist local officers in solving the murder of Sheila Babbington, an apparently devoted wife and mother who was stabbed in the heart in her own vineyard in broad daylight. There are multiple suspects, but apparently no motives, or if people might have motives they have alibis.
Brent's methods may be unorthodox, he isn't interested in evidence so much as whether someone presents as innocent or guilty ... and guilty of what.
This is a hard one to review, I enjoyed reading it but I couldn't tell you what happened because it all got so convoluted and there were multiple conflicting motives and (frankly) the characters weren't distinct enough for me to be able to keep them straight in my own mind.
Accordingly, I am in two minds as to whether to read the second book, although the introduction does intrigue me.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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January 14, 2026Great fun for those of us who like classic mysteries. This book features Brent Umber as a recurring main character in the series. All the books in this series start with the title Death, and there is a variety of settings. I have read all that have been published. The author was born in England and I thoroughly enjoyed finding the British mannerisms in the story.
The author has a second series set in 1920's England with Sofie Burgoyne as a main character. This series is a delight for history buffs as well as those of us who enjoy reading a good mystery. (I have read all of the published Sofie Burgoyne mysteries as well).
The author has a second series set in 1920's England with Sofie Burgoyne as a main character. This series is a delight for history buffs as well as those of us who enjoy reading a good mystery. (I have read all of the published Sofie Burgoyne mysteries as well).
February 15, 2025
Weird
I got this because I have really enjoyed the Sophie Burgoine series but I found I was very disappointed with this book. It's like listening to an amateur dramatic play read through, slightly stilted not quite seated in reality and not totally believable. It's not set in time it could be any time from the 90's to present and it's setting is America but could equally be somewhere else it just doesn't ring true. Having said that the plot is quite clever and possible and it was good enough for me to finish it, but I'm not sure I'll read any more.
I got this because I have really enjoyed the Sophie Burgoine series but I found I was very disappointed with this book. It's like listening to an amateur dramatic play read through, slightly stilted not quite seated in reality and not totally believable. It's not set in time it could be any time from the 90's to present and it's setting is America but could equally be somewhere else it just doesn't ring true. Having said that the plot is quite clever and possible and it was good enough for me to finish it, but I'm not sure I'll read any more.
April 30, 2022
An engaging and thoroughly enjoyable introduction to Brent Umber PI
Characters and settings well developed with good depth and believability. You get to know Brent and his array of unconventional approaches and associates that lead to solving a seemingly baffling murder mystery. The stage is set for continuing entertainment as Brent undoubtedly will be called upon to assist in solving difficult murder cases in the future!
Characters and settings well developed with good depth and believability. You get to know Brent and his array of unconventional approaches and associates that lead to solving a seemingly baffling murder mystery. The stage is set for continuing entertainment as Brent undoubtedly will be called upon to assist in solving difficult murder cases in the future!
December 9, 2024
Even though the letter to the reader's prologue warned me that British English and spelling would be used in this mystery that takes place in a fictitious state of America--150 miles "east" of Nantucket, I couldn't place it in New England. At first I kept seeing it in California, but when we got into the cops, it swung back to England and the local bobbies asking help from Scotland Yard. Mystery was okay.
November 19, 2022
Four point nine
This book is everything a classic should be - while remaining a lightweight, unputdownable, easy read. It's not Pulitzer, but it gave me a great deal of enjoyment, even some tension and excitement, and something to think about.
Not your run of the mill detective story.
This book is everything a classic should be - while remaining a lightweight, unputdownable, easy read. It's not Pulitzer, but it gave me a great deal of enjoyment, even some tension and excitement, and something to think about.
Not your run of the mill detective story.
January 11, 2023
Brent Umber
Brent not Burnt Umber is a fascinating character. He presents as a renaissance man with intriguing secrets that will undoubtably be doled out in a fashion designed to keep the reader engaged.
Brent not Burnt Umber is a fascinating character. He presents as a renaissance man with intriguing secrets that will undoubtably be doled out in a fashion designed to keep the reader engaged.
May 22, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The main character was thoughtful and multi-faceted. Numerous twists and turns that kept the story moving. Just enough development of the characters to keep the interest flowing. I'm very interested in continuing the series.
January 14, 2024
a great bottle of wine
This is the first book of the Brent Umber series, it’s a great easy read keeps you guessing all the way to the end. Author keeps all the twists and turns locked together, including new suspects laying out why they could be the villain, then a few chapters later showing they’re not guilty of this crime it moving else and has sweet talked them turning them self in. The fast paced story keeps you guessing til the end.
This is the first book of the Brent Umber series, it’s a great easy read keeps you guessing all the way to the end. Author keeps all the twists and turns locked together, including new suspects laying out why they could be the villain, then a few chapters later showing they’re not guilty of this crime it moving else and has sweet talked them turning them self in. The fast paced story keeps you guessing til the end.
November 18, 2024
Good story line, but maybe a bit confusing at times. I liked the main character. In some places the writing style was a bit stiff.
March 29, 2025
Very good read
Really enjoyed this book. Very well written and a very good storyline. You like the main character very quickly. Will read number 2 soon.
Really enjoyed this book. Very well written and a very good storyline. You like the main character very quickly. Will read number 2 soon.
September 17, 2025
Great Protagonist!
This was a delightful surprise. I loved the main character - smart, creative, kind… eminently likeable. I am looking forward to more!
This was a delightful surprise. I loved the main character - smart, creative, kind… eminently likeable. I am looking forward to more!
November 5, 2021
Not sure what to make of this book
I found myself getting a little bored by the book but decided to see it through to the end. The plot is pretty unbelievable and it lacked pace. All a bit contrived and the characters did not gel for me. As a whodunnit it just doesn't work, how Brent Umber came to the conclusions he did was a bit far fetched. Not for me and I won't be reading any more of the series.
I found myself getting a little bored by the book but decided to see it through to the end. The plot is pretty unbelievable and it lacked pace. All a bit contrived and the characters did not gel for me. As a whodunnit it just doesn't work, how Brent Umber came to the conclusions he did was a bit far fetched. Not for me and I won't be reading any more of the series.
February 18, 2023
A different sort of whodunit, with a private detective hired to help out on a stalled murder case. A woman, killed in her vineyard, little to go on, a slightly irregular approach is called for.
I liked the characterization, and the plot was twisty enough that I hadn't guessed the full extent of the mystery.
I liked the characterization, and the plot was twisty enough that I hadn't guessed the full extent of the mystery.
July 14, 2021
Very entertaining new series
Characters and plot well developed and have nice depth. After completing the read, you are definitely left wanting more of Brent Umber’s investigations!
Characters and plot well developed and have nice depth. After completing the read, you are definitely left wanting more of Brent Umber’s investigations!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews