When screenwriter, Norrie Ellington, is asked to leave New York City and look after her family’s winery, while her sister and brother in-law take a one year sabbatical to study bugs in Costa Rica, she is reluctant. Even though she grew up on Two Witches Winery and has been a silent partner in the business for years, she’s a city girl with no desire to return to her roots. However, as a screenwriter, she can work from anywhere. Plus, the winery staff will take care of the day-to-day operations, so there really won’t be much for her to do. That is, until B&B owner, Elsbeth Waters, is found murdered in the back of the winery. The local sheriff seems really slow about solving the murder and Norrie is anxious to get this resolved. That’s when she decides she’s written enough murder screenplays to know how to find a real murderer. So, with the help of nearby winemakers and some of her trusted staff, she sets out a trap. With a goat, a plott hound, a seance and plenty of help, she lays out a plan that’s worthy of an award. But, the murderer doesn’t stick to the script and the danger is real. Can Norrie get to the truth before the curtain falls on her?
J.C. Eaton is the husband and wife writing team of Ann I. Goldfarb and James E. Clapp who live in Arizona. A Riesling To Die is the first in their new Wine Trail Mysteries. The book demonstrates the couple’s extensive knowledge not only about upstate New York, but their intimate knowledge about wineries. I enjoyed this book and found the series well plotted with interesting characters and a humorous thread that kept my interest until the final scene. If you enjoy cozy mysteries and wine, I recommend you give A Riesling to Die a shot.