In Vino Veritas

Lambert and Hook #23

by J.M. Gregson

The new Lambert and Hook mystery - Martin Beaumont is the uncompromising owner of a successful Gloucestershire vineyard. He has built the company steadily over the years, with a small but dedicated team by his side. However, he sees Abbey Vineyards as his company, to do with as he pleases, much to the chagrin of his senior staff members. So when he is found dead in his car, Chief Superintendent Lambert and DS Hook don’t have to look very far to find people with strong motives for the murder . . .

Genres: Mystery, Crime

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2010

About the author

James Michael Gregson taught for twenty-seven years in schools, colleges and universities before concentrating on full-time writing. He has written books on subjects as diverse as golf and Shakespeare.

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Beaumont runs a very successful vineyard, shop and bed and breakfast establishment. Unfortunately he seems unwilling to give anyone else a share in his success even though he has several loyal staff members who have been with him from the start of the enterprise. There is no doubt he has done well but being an autocrat can result in enemies and some of them may be willing to take the ultimate step and murder him.

When Beaumont's body is discovered in an isolated spot with a bullet through his head it seems the situation has got too much for at least one of his colleagues or his nearest and dearest and decided the world would be a better place without him. Lambert and Hook must try and find the murderer when everyone they interview is hoping they don't succeed.

Lambert and Hook are at their best in this story. Questioning people in tandem and managing between them to get the information they need from their suspects. The characters are all well drawn and I could sympathise with all of them including the murderer. I didn't work out who had done it and the result was a surprise to me though the clues are all there when I looked back.

If you like low key crime novels with interesting and believable characters and likeable police characters then this may be the book and the series for you. The series can be read in any order.

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so glad that a friend recommended this writer who was unknown to me. I’ve been reading a lot of mediocre stuff lately, so it was a joy to read a good, solid, well-written police procedural. I especially enjoyed the detailed character sketches. No complaints about anything in this book. I quickly ordered a few more by the same writer from my library.

[Sophie Houston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excellent, if you're in need of a cure for insomnia.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The boss of a winery is found dead in a car. Lambert and Hook have to comb through all possible suspects to find the killer.

Good police procedural.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martin Beaumont, the owner of Abby Vineyards is a real jerk. He tyrannizes his staff including the five people who help him run the vineyard. Then he's murdered.....and rightly so, I think. Lambert and Hook are the two detectives who are assigned to the murder. They "round up the usual suspects" and start looking into their alibis. They all lie!!!!! Mainly because they each had a valid reason to get rid of him. Trying to figure out who dunit, kept me going right up to the end.

[Bob Bauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

First in the Lambert and Hook series. Book is unusual in that all suspects for a yet to be committed murder are introduced with their various motives. This beginning is long and not all that interesting with selfish or uninteresting characters. After Lambert and Hook are more prominently featured, the book moves a little quicker and becomes more interesting. Almost gave up on this one.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book got a low rating because it took over a hundred pages for the crime to be committed, and I was so aggravated at that point I almost quit before finishing it. Nor did I like the solution all that much--it probably should have gotten a single or half a star.

[scherzo♫ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Key staff doesn't include a viticulturist or a vintner?