Of Merlot and Murder by Joni Folger (Tangled Vines Mystery #2)

Description

Foul play at the festival puts Elise on another murder case

When the Beckett family decides to make River Bend Winery one of the sponsors at the Lost Pines Food and Wine Festival, Elise Beckett dives into helping out with their booth. Once the festival setup starts, the Beckett family cheer is soured by Divia Larson, a rival vintner and nemesis of Elise's grandmother, Abigail.

But then Grandma Abigail finds Divia dead in her hotel room, and the police discover that all clues lead back to Abigail. When her grandmother becomes the prime suspect, Elise and her deputy boyfriend Jackson have to work together to clear Abigail. Will Elise be able to untangle the mess of murder and mystery before it's too late?
Series: A Tangled Vines Mystery (Book 2)

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (September 8, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0738740764
ISBN-13: 978-0738740768

My Review: Of Merlot and Murder by Joni Folger (Tangled Vines Mystery #2)

4 STARS

I really got a kick out of the main characters. They are fun group of family and friends. I would like to see them again. This is the second book of Tangled Vines Mystery. First one I have read. It does a good job of standing alone, but if you are going to read both of them I suggest reading them in order. (Because It does give up lots of spoilers of the first book) I would still like to read it sometime though.

The suspense of the book was good. Kept me guessing most of the book. Lots of suspects who hated the victim. Some action. Lots of humor, wise cracking of characters. Lots of relationships, lots of secrets, some soap opera from some of the characters.

The pace of the book was good and fast. Most of the book took place in one week during The Lost Pines Food and Wine Festival.

Elise Beckett is the main character. She works at the family winery. She is dating Jackson who is the family friend and a deputy. She is very curious and gets lots of lectures to leave the police work to Jackson from everyone. She gets her sister Madison, brother Ross and best friend C.C.'s all taking notice and asking questions.

Jackson is Ross's best friend since childhood. Now it has finally worked out that Elise and him are free to date each other at same time. He feels like part of the Beckett family. He has to ask tough questions about everyone the evidence takes him. Even if it is Abigail Elise's grandmother.

Abigail and Divia are not friends. Divia ended up marring Abigail's high school boyfriend. They are going to be at the wine festival. Divia is not well liked. Abigail finds her body at the local motel and calls Jackson to report it.

Reading this book makes me want to go watch a Sandra Bullock movie again. I need to remember a scene in it better.

I would read more books by Joni Folger based on this book.

I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Midnight Ink