Murder at the Vineyard Inn

A Read Between the Wines Cozy Mystery #2

by Dani Simms

Innkeeper and vineyard owner, Avery Parker, is thrilled to play a part in the town’s long-awaited wedding.

Guests from near and far have gathered for what was meant to be a joyous union.

But instead of ringing toasts and happy cheers, a mysterious death casts a pall over the festivities.

When a dead body is discovered in her newly opened inn, Avery's dear friend is quickly put at the top of the suspect list.

Now it's up to Avery to prove her friend's innocence and discover the identity of the murderer before they strike again.

It's a race against time that could prove deadly if Avery fails.

Will she be able to uncover the truth before it's too late?

Wine pairings and irresistible recipes included!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2023

About the author

Dani Simms is a big dog lover, oenophile, and author of wine and canine themed cozy mysteries. She lives in the Orange County area of California with her three sons and oversized German shepherd mix. In between writing projects, Dani loves visiting central California to research wines and plot her upcoming books.

Grab a copy of Dani’s FREE novella “Murder at the Cellar” and be the first to know about new releases when you sign up for her newsletter at https://danisimms.com

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Avery significantly more in this book. Loved Charles again. But it felt really pro cop anti defense lawyer in certain parts so I'm knocking a.star down.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. Avery owns an inn and there was a wedding. Unfortunately, a dead body was found. The man wasn't well liked, so it was hard to know who did it. Thankfully, Avery figured it out and all is well for now.

[Aparna J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Vineyard Inn is one of the most amazing cozy mysteries that I have read until now. Author Dani Simms has come up with a beautiful story and a perfect plot. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every single page. I would definitely say that it's a page turner.
Avery Parker is a widow, whose husband James, was a mystery writer. She's attending the wedding of her friends, Eleanor and Samuel Moses with her well trained dog, Sprinkles, stealing the show with his impressive performance. She notices Sprinkles stopping by a man whom she learns from Camille (one of her friends in the Stammtisch meeting) is the highly unpopular and an arrogant snob, Dean Scott, whose mother, Mrs. Scott is also equally vain after gaining immense wealth and owning a rose farm.

Unfortunately, the wedding party is interrupted as the police make their way to announce the probable murder of Dean Scott, a guest at Avery's inn, Cellar Vie Guest House. Dean Scott's death is very mysterious. The door appears to be broken with someone robbing him of his money. Is it a murder motivated by robbery? Is it someone seeking revenge? Clues are misleading and the pendulum of oscillation keeps moving on from one suspect to another one. Is it homicide or suicide?
Avery is planning to write a crime thriller and with the help of her best friend Charles, a retired police officer decides to investigate. Catch this awesome cozy mystery that would be available on Amazon on March 23, 2023. I found it so exciting to find the changing suspects throughout the story and what a wonderful twist and fabulous climax! Please don't miss out reading this one.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story!

by Barbara Kelley

"Murder at the Vineyard Inn" is book 2 of A Read Between the Wines Cozy Mystery series, written by Dani Simms. This is the third book I've read by this author, the prequel and books 1 and 2 of this series. The series is about Avery, a widow who returned to her family's California Wine Vineyard. In the prequel, she helped solve the case of a body she found stuffed in a wine barrel. In book 1, she helped solve the body of a dead man found on the festival grounds. In this book, she helps solve the murder of a man that nobody in town liked. One of her friends, Deb, is the main suspect, and Avery sets out to prove that she didn't kill the man. Avery, also, starts writing a crime novel based on the murder events in her town, by following the police and asking them questions. One of my favorite characters is Sprinkles, the beautiful Yellow Labrador dog on the front cover of the book. He is the ring bearer at the wedding in Chapter One. On the way back down the aisle, he stops and sniffs the hand of the man who is later murdered. Why did Sprinkles stop to sniff this man's hand? Who killed this man? Was it somebody at the wedding? Was it somebody who didn't attend the wedding? Could it have been a relative if the dead man? You must read it to find out. This was a very good book and I gave it 5 stars.

I received a copy via booksprout and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Killed Dean Scott ? . . .

Eleanor and Samuel said their vows in the small chapel. It looked like the entire town was here. Avery’s dog, Sprinkles, with a white bow-tie, carried the rings down the aisle as every smiling face sighed in delight. As Sprinkles returned to the back of the church, he stopped to sniff a stranger’s hand. The man seemed out of place and ignored the dog. He didn’t rejoice with everyone else and seemed unhappy to be there. Later, when Avery described him to Camille, she identified him as Dean Scott who was not well liked.

At the celebration, the Police Chief came in to announce they had found Dean Scott murdered in Avery’s inn and everyone would have to remain in town until they were questioned and released. Evidence pointed to someone from the wedding scaring Dean into thinking he was in danger. Can Avery figure out the identity of the murderer? The police may be looking at the wrong person and she needs to work quickly.

This was a well-written story line and Sprinkles was a big part of it. You’ll love him and all the clues he points them to! Grab your copy and find out who the killer was and what provoked the murder!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dani Simms is an accomplished cozey mystery and murder writer and has once more brought forth an intriguing tale in the best way a cozey murder mystery can work and entertain you. The array of characters are vibrant, some colorful others silent strong and secretive add one very unassuming. All drawing you into a town of tranquil charm , a town you would certainly want to visit persons you yourself would want to socialize with. You are then enticed further through an intriguing death. What happened doesn't appear to make sense. It had to have been murder right, or was it while you try to figure it out you're emerced into a plot that will lead you from one eye opening clue to the next unraveling secrets and lies cleverly hidden until now. I stayed up late into the night letting this well written cozey unraveling in front of me unable to go until I reached the unexpected and climatic conclusion. Acquire " Murder at the Vineyard for hours of sensitive, intriguing and enjoyable entertainment. Kat.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in a terrific series. The wine country setting is one of the main characters. I want to live in that small town with Avery, Charles, Sprinkles, and the assorted townfolk. When a man universally disliked by almost everyone is found dead in one of Avery's guest cottages, homicide is suspected, Avery and Charles decide to do some sleuthing. Most everyone in the village is a suspect. They whittle the list down through good detective work. Lots of twists and red herrings. Watching Avery and Charles together is fun, and the puzzle of who killed Dean Scott kept me turning pages. Avery is learning to enjoy her new life away from the city and working in the family vineyard. She will always grieve for her husband but she's finally able to move on a little. She even starts writing a crime novel much like the novels her late husband was famous for. The ending was satisfying with the killer caught and some good news for Avery. Is a romance in the works between Avery and Charles? I can't wait to find out.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery Parker, vineyard and Inn owner is hosting the long awaited wedding of Eleanor and Samuel at the property. Everyone in town was there including Avery's dog Sparkles who was the ring bearer. One of the guests who showed up, Dean Scott, was not even invited and didn't look too happy at the wedding. Avery was told he was not well liked in town and why was he even there? When he is found dead in Avery's Inn, the police is now investigating his death as a murder and Avery's friend is at the top of their suspect list. Avery knows that's not true and decides to investigate herself. Can she find the murderer and save her friend? As disliked as the victim was, Avery had her hands full in her investigation! This is a fun addition to the series and can be read in one sitting since you won't want to put it down. I can't wait to see what else is in store for Avery! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery Parker's good friends are getting married and almost the entire town is ther. Her dog Sprinkles is the ring bearer and as he returns to Avery after making his ring delivery he stops at a man that Avery doen't know. She finds out at the reception that the man is Dean Scott, who is profoundly disliked by everyone for his rotten demeanor. Nearing the end of the wedding celebration the police arrive and announce that Scott has been found dead in his room at Avery's inn and that everyone at the wedding is a suspect. A great deal of investigating is needed but Avery and her pals are the people to do it. A good story with expanding character development from the first book. An enjoyable read with an interesting mystery.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good follow-up to the first book. Not sure where this is supposed to take place, but with the vineyards all around, I'm guessing it's somewhere in California which accounts for the mostly nice weather. People weren't that upset when the town narcissist ended up dead during Eleanor and Samuel's wedding reception, but Avery sure wasn't happy since he was found in his room at her inn.

I really never guessed whodunit after the person I did guess had an alibi. Avery did a great job sleuthing as always and Sprinkles was a big help this time. Even Tiffany got in on the action a little. Loved that the endings are always food, family and good times.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the author via BookSprout, and my opinions are my own.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Avery’s friends has just been married. All of their friends have gathered at the wedding reception to celebrate but it is interrupted by the arrival of the police investigating the death of someone who was at the wedding. To make matters worse, he was murdered in one of the rooms at Avery’s new vineyard inn and they suspect one of her good friends of being the killer. Avery jumps into the investigation to clear her friend. Will she be able to figure this one out? I loved the characters, and the little touches of romance and the love her family shows are heartwarming. Not to mention, Sprinkles, her dog, is an absolute delight! Hope it won’t be long before the next book comes out!

[Shannon M · Rating 5 out of 5]

On what should have been an extremely happy occasion, tragedy strikes. After the police interrupt the reception with the terrible news, Avery, a good friend of the bride and our protagonist, convinces the police chief to let her follow the investigation as research for the book she wants to write.

I love Sprinkles, Avery's smart and funny dog, as well as the entire town of quirky characters. I'm very interested and invested in her Avery's relationship with Charles, a former police detective and her employee at the vineyard. This book will keep you guessing as it twists and turns to a very satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this series. Happy reading!

* I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent mystery with a great cast of characters and a dog who stole my heart the first time I read about him and continues to own my heart. The characters here are realistic, fully developed, and three-dimensional. They are people the reader could know in real life. Even the "bad guys" are realistic and not caricatures. I enjoyed the setting of the vineyard and the surrounding area. Ms. Simms provides enough description to easily picture where things are occurring without bogging down the movement of the story with extraneous detail. There is plenty of action and suspense, a touch of dry humor, and the possibility of a slowly developing romance. I highly recommend this series.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion.

[Joanie Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Avery and most of the small town are at a wedding, a guest at Avery's guest house is murdered. Or is it a suicide. With the door broken off its hinges the police believe it's murder. Since nearly all of the towns residents and even the victims own mother disliked him who is the culprit. Avery is given permission by the police chief to follow them on their investigation to gather information for the book she is writing about the town so her and Charles do some sleuthing as well as gathering notes for her book. Can Avery solve the case before the police or are there too many suspects to find the guilty one...

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean Roehrs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam and Emily's wedding was beautiful. The wedding reception was in full swing when the sheriff interrupted the party to announce that one of the wedding guests had been murdered so now all the guests were suspects and no one could leave town. Where was the body found? At Avery's inn; the second body found there since Avery took over ownership. Can Avery discover who the murderer is? Can she get some good ideas for the novel she would like to write? How will her dog, Sprinkles, help? Not exactly a page turner; however, the book is well written and the characters believable. An enjoyable read. Jean ARC team

[Therese Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, Avery, the owner of the Vineyard Inn, is fairly complex. She is recently widowed, returning to the community where her parents reside, and helps anyone who needs it. The murder occurs during a wedding reception at the inn necessitating all guests including the newlyweds to remain in town during the investigation. Avery's sympathy for the newlywed couple and their disrupted honeymoon plans leads to her contacting the police with the wedding video, time-stamped scenes, to arrange for the police to allow the newlyweds to leave town and go on their honeymoon. This action, her friendship with a retired police detective, and the antics of her dog, Sprinkles, lead to more sleuthing until the murderer is finally revealed after several other suspects are eliminated.
An enjoyable, simplistic mystery.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is excitement in the air for Eleanor and Samuel as they were joyfully married and celebrating at their reception. Avery and her dog, Sprinkles, had been part of the festivities and were enjoying the party as well as several of Avery’s friends. All was going smoothly until the police arrived and told everyone a murder had occurred and they must remain in town until they were cleared. Avery was granted permission to be a part of the investigation so she could write a book about it. Will she figure out whodunnit?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I got this as a free copy as part of the author's ARC group I also bought a copy as I loved it so much. Avery, Sprinkles (her dog) and Charles are lovely as are Avery's bunch of girlfriends (known as the Stammtisch - and I'd love to a member lol!).
Avery is having a wedding at her vineyard, two of her friends are getting married, but unfortunately an uninvited guest is murdered and one of her friends is top of the suspect list. Avery has to solve the mystery, and quick, so her friends can go off on their honeymoon. It's a great book to read, very much a page turner and I can't wait to read more about Avery, Sprinkles, Charles and the stammtisch girls.

[Rose Mcclarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleanor and Sam's wedding was such a joyful occasion, until police interrupt the reception to announce there's been a murder and the man was a total narcissist named Dean Scott who no one liked but now all the guests are suspects Avery gets permission to observe the police investigation for the book she is writing and Charles is once again acting as a consultant as they watch and aide the police in investigating the few suspects they have and just when the police think they have their killer Avery finds new evidence and is questioning if there is one more suspect being overlooked. Lots of twists and turns and a few surprises along the way. Great read.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery’s dog, Sprinkles, is the ring bearer for the wedding taking place. After delivering the rings, he stops at a man that Avery doesn’t know. She finds out later he is Dean Scott, a man hated by everybody in town. During the reception the police arrive and announce everybody is suspect, as Dean has been found dead in his room at the Inn. The Inn owned by Avery. Now Avery needs to solve the mystery and clear herself and the town’s people of the murder. An enjoyable second book in the series.

[Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of Dani Simms Books so far and I think this is her best one. I enjoyed trying to solve the murder mystery before she revivals who the murderer is. I love all of her main characters and how they work in every story. The Characters are so believable I really love how Charlie and Avery have great chemistry. And I love how Dani has made the dog such an important part of the story as well. So if you like to read cozy mysteries I would recommend this author to everyone. I have already recommended her to some of my friends as well.

[Kelly A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book draws you in slowly, so you become immediately invested in Avery, her life, and her friends. You want her to succeed in every endeavor, including solving the murder that occurs at her Inn during a wedding. It is an intriguing puzzle because the dead man was not loved and there are a million possibilities as to who may have killed him and why. Just when you think you have figured it out, another twist comes rolling along. Enjoy the ride,.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Erin M. Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second cozy mystery by Dani Simms is really good. I didn't think it could even get better. It all starts with a wedding that the whole town seemed to be invited to. Then the cops crash the reception, alerting that everyone is a suspect in a murder. Sprinkles is by far the cutest character in the book, and looks like Avery and Charles are getting closer. I can't wait until the next book, I would love to see how the relationship between them progresses. 
I received this ARC from the author for a fair and honest review.

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely cozy mystery from beginning to end! Appropriate for. Those aged 9 to 99, you can have your tween to your granny read this without embarrassment for anyone! There is plenty of mystery and twists to keep the reader entertained through out the book. The author continues to develop the characters and their relationships, without it becoming a drag on the storyline. When will Avery realize that there is someone who loves her as much as she is missing her passed husband? Perhaps in the next book!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, a mystery included plot was very well done and kept this reader guessing till late in the story. It also included a friendship that grew in closeness and the main character explained how the police and detectives examined a murder through their investigation. It held my interest and attention all the way through. There were several typo/grammar errors, but they did not detract from attention to the story. I would recommend you get and read this story if you like mystery plots.

I did receive an ARC from author (at BookFunnel) requesting a review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike other series, even though I did not read the first book, it can easily be a standalone mystery as Simms catches readers up real fast.

Avery, a recent widow of mystery writer finds herself in a real-life mystery in the middle her friends' Eleanor and Samuel's wedding. Even though the scene of the crime is her new inn, all guests including the bride and groom are considered suspects.

Unfortunately, there is no love lost between the narcissistic victim and the townspeople including his own mother.

I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Vineyard Inn is the second Book of A Read Between the Wines Cozy Mystery Series. Author Dani Simms has come up with a beautiful story and a perfect plot. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every single page. This was a well-written story line and Sprinkles was a big part of it. You’ll love him and all the clues he points them to! I would definitely say that it's a page turner. I found it so exciting to find the changing suspects throughout the story and what a wonderful twist and fabulous climax!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a read between the wines cozy mystery, book two. I have never read anything by Dani Simms before, OMG this was fantastic! Everyone is enjoying themselves at Samuel and Eleanor's wedding and reception; when the police show up. Someone who was at the wedding and reception has been murdered. Avery who owns the Bed and Breakfast where the body was found, is a suspect as well as all the party goers. So many suspects, who could murder someone at a wedding reception? Love the plot, great setting. and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Dani Simms!!

[Fred Masek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is book 2 in a series it’s a complete story in itself. At a wedding reception, police stop the music to announce there was a murder in Avery’s inn and everyone is a suspect. Avery, who had helped her late husband write murder mysteries, had talked about writing a book herself and decided this was the time. The police chief allowed her to follow them since he knew she would get involved sooner or later. I liked the surprise twist with dog. This was an easy to read mystery that I enjoyed and recommend.
I received a free copy and am writing this honest review voluntarily.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining book!

A book well worth reading. It's the second book I've read in the Read Between the Wines series and they are both excellent. Clever plots and lots of twists that leave you guessing until the end. I love the characters and the great group of friends having fun and investigating the mysterious death. You'll love it!

I read this book as past of an advance reader team and am providing my honest opinion.