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Vista del Vino Mysteries
Murder Uncorked: A Vista del Vino Culinary Cozy Mystery
A vineyard, a vendetta, and a very dead vintner. Welcome to Vista del Vino, where the wine is bold, the gossip flows faster than the Cabernet, and murder has just been uncorked.
Casey Nolan thought she was leaving the drama behind when she moved back to her hometown with her teenage son, Liam, and his loyal diabetic alert dog, Ranger. A fresh start, some much-needed family time, and maybe even a chance to finally catch her breath after a rough divorce. But when a local winemaker turns up dead, Casey’s investigative instincts kick in faster than you can say Malbec.
Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery (and keep her friends out of the suspect pool), Casey starts digging—only to find that old secrets have deep roots, and some people would kill to keep them buried. Between juggling single motherhood, Liam’s Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, and the town’s ever-watchful eyes, Casey has her hands full. But with a little help from her friends—and a few well-timed glasses of wine—she just might crack the case.
Murder Uncorked is the perfect pour for fans of cozy culinary mysteries, small-town secrets, and amateur sleuths who refuse to quit. With a delightful blend of suspense, found family, and mouth-watering gluten-free recipes at the end, this book will leave you craving your next visit to Vista del Vino.
Pour yourself a glass and start reading today!
Casey Nolan thought she was leaving the drama behind when she moved back to her hometown with her teenage son, Liam, and his loyal diabetic alert dog, Ranger. A fresh start, some much-needed family time, and maybe even a chance to finally catch her breath after a rough divorce. But when a local winemaker turns up dead, Casey’s investigative instincts kick in faster than you can say Malbec.
Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery (and keep her friends out of the suspect pool), Casey starts digging—only to find that old secrets have deep roots, and some people would kill to keep them buried. Between juggling single motherhood, Liam’s Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, and the town’s ever-watchful eyes, Casey has her hands full. But with a little help from her friends—and a few well-timed glasses of wine—she just might crack the case.
Murder Uncorked is the perfect pour for fans of cozy culinary mysteries, small-town secrets, and amateur sleuths who refuse to quit. With a delightful blend of suspense, found family, and mouth-watering gluten-free recipes at the end, this book will leave you craving your next visit to Vista del Vino.
Pour yourself a glass and start reading today!
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2024
About the author
Erin J. Hayden
9 books21 followersErin writes stories for both kids and adults that shine a light on resilience, adventure, and the power of community—all through a positive disability lens. As a mom of four, including a child with Type 1 Diabetes and celiac disease, she knows firsthand the ups and downs of navigating life with medical challenges. She brings that experience into her books, crafting stories that are heartfelt, empowering, and full of hope.
From middle-grade adventures to cozy mysteries, Erin blends real-life struggles with humor, warmth, and unforgettable characters. Whether she’s writing about young heroes facing everyday challenges or adults unraveling small-town secrets, her goal is to create stories that entertain, inspire, and foster understanding.
When she’s not writing, you can find her trying out new recipes, spending time with her family, or curled up with a good book.
From middle-grade adventures to cozy mysteries, Erin blends real-life struggles with humor, warmth, and unforgettable characters. Whether she’s writing about young heroes facing everyday challenges or adults unraveling small-town secrets, her goal is to create stories that entertain, inspire, and foster understanding.
When she’s not writing, you can find her trying out new recipes, spending time with her family, or curled up with a good book.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 12, 2026
Casey and her son Liam have just moved back to California after her divorce. She reconnects with a group of three siblings who run a winery (which they inherited from their recently deceased parents), and the next day one of them is found dead. Casey is asked by the remaining siblings to look into some shady characters who keep popping up and solve the case.
A cozy mystery that maybe leans too hard into cozy and not enough into mystery. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural in many places. The death of their parents is heavily implied not to be an accident, but the book never really gets into that -- possibly this is explored in another book in the series? I did enjoy that there are recipes in the back, though.
52 Book Challenge March Mini Challenge Case #1/52 Book Club Mystery Genre Challenge Case #24 - Features Small Town Secrets
A cozy mystery that maybe leans too hard into cozy and not enough into mystery. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural in many places. The death of their parents is heavily implied not to be an accident, but the book never really gets into that -- possibly this is explored in another book in the series? I did enjoy that there are recipes in the back, though.
52 Book Challenge March Mini Challenge Case #1/52 Book Club Mystery Genre Challenge Case #24 - Features Small Town Secrets
October 30, 2025
Casey Nolan moved back to her hometown of Vista del Vino, with her teenage son, Liam. They are hoping for a new start. They have with them their dog, Ranger, who is also Liam's diabetic alert dog. When a winemaker is found dead, Casey's investigative mind can't help wondering if there is a connection to his death and his parents deaths a few weeks earlier. She begins digging and uncovers the winemakers family secrets and someone is not happy she is looking into the deaths. With her friends by her side, she is able to uncover hiden truths and enjoy some well deserved glasses of wine.
This book was also very informative and I learned about diabetes and celiac disease and the stuggles the people who have it face.
An enjoyable mystery with some very interesting characters.
This book was also very informative and I learned about diabetes and celiac disease and the stuggles the people who have it face.
An enjoyable mystery with some very interesting characters.
May 30, 2026
Listened to this story on audible.
Rating the story:
The story was super cute, but also touches on some important life matters such as diabetes and celiac disease, and the challenges of raising a teen as a single parent and managing those the best you can.
Prepare to have your mouth water with all the descriptions of delicious, healthy snacks, treats, and food the grandma makes.
If you're a lover of wine, you will appreciate the references to how wine is made.
Rating the narration
The pacing was okay, voice was clear and great to understand, I would have liked to hear more pitch range for whrn she was portraying the other characters voices.
Overall, a delightful, cozy read to enjoy.
Rating the story:
The story was super cute, but also touches on some important life matters such as diabetes and celiac disease, and the challenges of raising a teen as a single parent and managing those the best you can.
Prepare to have your mouth water with all the descriptions of delicious, healthy snacks, treats, and food the grandma makes.
If you're a lover of wine, you will appreciate the references to how wine is made.
Rating the narration
The pacing was okay, voice was clear and great to understand, I would have liked to hear more pitch range for whrn she was portraying the other characters voices.
Overall, a delightful, cozy read to enjoy.
February 15, 2026
What happens when you combine a former investigative reporter, her hometown, and some sketchy fellows? This book. It is a great cozy mystery, but what I really like is the level of detail and thought that goes into each page. I felt like I could have walked into Maeve's house or the vineyard. So much detail. I appreciate the representation of dietary restrictions and the awesome recipes at the end.
It was an enjoyable read and I definitely recommend it. I have no doubt I'll jump into the next book.
It was an enjoyable read and I definitely recommend it. I have no doubt I'll jump into the next book.
December 24, 2025
So cozy
This is a sweet cozy mystery. I enjoyed the strong friend and family bonds, and imagining the winery as well as Maeve's cooking! Sometimes the gushing of love Casey commented about her friends was a bit much, and it wrapped up a little too neatly, but I enjoyed this book for what it was. Cozy mysteries are just what the doctor ordered in these trying times,and I appreciate this book for that!
This is a sweet cozy mystery. I enjoyed the strong friend and family bonds, and imagining the winery as well as Maeve's cooking! Sometimes the gushing of love Casey commented about her friends was a bit much, and it wrapped up a little too neatly, but I enjoyed this book for what it was. Cozy mysteries are just what the doctor ordered in these trying times,and I appreciate this book for that!
October 22, 2024
Intriguing Mystery in a Vineyard Setting!
A delightful blend of mystery and wine! 'Murder Uncorked' kept me guessing with its clever plot twists and engaging characters. The vineyard setting added a unique charm. A must-read for mystery lovers who enjoy a touch of sophistication. Can't wait for the next in the series!
A delightful blend of mystery and wine! 'Murder Uncorked' kept me guessing with its clever plot twists and engaging characters. The vineyard setting added a unique charm. A must-read for mystery lovers who enjoy a touch of sophistication. Can't wait for the next in the series!
December 4, 2024
Vino Muerte -
It is a murder recipe mystery with plot twists and characters set in Vista del Vino. Casey Nolan unravels village secrets and manages the motherhood of her son Liam, who has type 1 Diabetes and celiac disease. The mystery was short, and the disease articulation was technically long-winded.
It is a murder recipe mystery with plot twists and characters set in Vista del Vino. Casey Nolan unravels village secrets and manages the motherhood of her son Liam, who has type 1 Diabetes and celiac disease. The mystery was short, and the disease articulation was technically long-winded.
January 13, 2025
Fun
Trying to keep up with Casey must be exhausting but rewarding! She's trying to change careers and begin life as an author, but life has other ideas and she isn't one to leave questions unanswered. That keeps life interesting for everyone around her, and definitely is entertaining for you!
Trying to keep up with Casey must be exhausting but rewarding! She's trying to change careers and begin life as an author, but life has other ideas and she isn't one to leave questions unanswered. That keeps life interesting for everyone around her, and definitely is entertaining for you!
June 18, 2025
This book has a Vineyard, good friends, a loving family and Maeve “Nana” Nolan the best cook around. While solving the mystery its was difficult not to salivate over the food they share at Nana’s kitchen table. Fortunately for the reader recipes and expert cooking tips for many of the gluten-free dishes are provided at the conclusion of the book.
Enjoy a good mystery with a tasty dish.
Enjoy a good mystery with a tasty dish.
July 31, 2025
A fun but gripping mystery
Following a divorce, the main character moves home, coinciding with her father's death. Untimely deaths pose a mystery to be solved. Loved the cooking and recipes too!
Following a divorce, the main character moves home, coinciding with her father's death. Untimely deaths pose a mystery to be solved. Loved the cooking and recipes too!
July 25, 2024
beach read
An investigator returns to their childhood home where a terrible crime is committed. Very Scandi Noir. Well written and enjoyable.
An investigator returns to their childhood home where a terrible crime is committed. Very Scandi Noir. Well written and enjoyable.
April 10, 2025
Cute
Cute town and characters, especially the mother/son dynamic. I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery. Looking forward to the next one!
Cute town and characters, especially the mother/son dynamic. I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery. Looking forward to the next one!
August 3, 2025
Betrayal and Murder
True friendship that starts in school days
establishes trust and leads a safe solving
a hidden murders.
Plus amazing delious healthy recipes.
True friendship that starts in school days
establishes trust and leads a safe solving
a hidden murders.
Plus amazing delious healthy recipes.
Read
December 30, 2025"Date read 08/15/2025"
September 10, 2024
Who is tampering with the wine and why??? Just to eliminate the competition??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews