The Riesling Retribution
by Ellen Crosby
Ellen Crosby sure knows her wine. The Riesling Retribution is one of eight "cozy wine mysteries" that can be read in any order. As I don't happen to be a fan of cozy mysteries, I'll try to keep my review relatively impartial.
This volume takes place in Virginia--others take place in various locals, from Napa, CA, to Washington, DC--and centers around a woman who owns a winery, juggling her business and personal relationships with co-workers. As the southern coast is renowned for less-than-desirable natural disasters, it is a believable plot line that a tornado blows through her property and uncovers a dead body. Hence, the cozy wine mystery.
Unless you happen to find the topic fascinating, Crosby's details of the wine-making process grows tedious. The characters aren't offensive, but I did get lost a couple of times once the murder mystery really took off. In fact, just between you and me, I actually finished the book not entirely sure of the mystery's conclusion. This genre isn't my cup of tea, but if you like cozy mysteries, and you'd find a wine theme interesting, give it a try!
This volume takes place in Virginia--others take place in various locals, from Napa, CA, to Washington, DC--and centers around a woman who owns a winery, juggling her business and personal relationships with co-workers. As the southern coast is renowned for less-than-desirable natural disasters, it is a believable plot line that a tornado blows through her property and uncovers a dead body. Hence, the cozy wine mystery.
Unless you happen to find the topic fascinating, Crosby's details of the wine-making process grows tedious. The characters aren't offensive, but I did get lost a couple of times once the murder mystery really took off. In fact, just between you and me, I actually finished the book not entirely sure of the mystery's conclusion. This genre isn't my cup of tea, but if you like cozy mysteries, and you'd find a wine theme interesting, give it a try!