Corks and Corpses: A Small Town Wine Themed Cozy Mystery With Cat

by Maisy Marple, Wendy Winchester

From New York publishing to country winemaking... to murder investigation?

When Vivian Barnes trades her senior editor position at a prestigious New York publishing house for a second act as a vintner in the charming town of Prose Valley, she expects a peaceful new beginning. Her literary-themed winery, Prose & Vines, seems like the perfect blend of her two passions—books and wine.

But her grand opening turns sour when the region's most feared wine critic, Vernon Palmer, publicly eviscerates her signature rosé. When Palmer is found dead the next morning among her vines—with her promotional corkscrew in his back—Vivian becomes the prime suspect in a murder that threatens to crush her dreams before the first bottle is sold.

With her business at stake and the detective eyeing her for the crime, Vivian must put her editor's eye for detail to work alongside her loyal cat Shakespeare and new friend Ellie Chen, the town's librarian. Together, they uncover a complex web of blackmail, counterfeit wines, stolen manuscripts, and secrets worth killing for.

As they navigate through a suspect list including a competing vintner with a perfect rating streak to protect, a restaurant owner with a questionable wine list, and a distinguished bookseller hiding literary theft, the unlikely investigators race to find the real killer before Vivian's second act comes to a premature end.

A delightfully witty cozy mystery that pairs complex characters with notes of danger and a satisfying finish. Perfect for fans of wine country mysteries and literary sleuths who know that sometimes the best detective skills come from years of reading between the lines.

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2025

Reviews

[Eirlys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

An intriguing story about a winery owner who moves into a small town, only to have a wine critic die on her opening day. I liked how Shakespeare, her cat helped find clues to the murderer. Characters were nteresting.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the series. The main characters are Vivian and Ellie. Vivian moves to a small vineyard and starts a winery. Ellie is the town librarian and knows most of the gossip. After her opening Vivian finds a body in the middle of her vines. Of course the cops think the newcomer to town must be guilty. Vivian and her friend Ellie set out to find out who really did it. They start asking questions and before long they receive threats . Can they figure this out before they are the next one dead ?

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun first book in a wine based theme

Vivian has left a successful career in publishing to move to wine country and open a winery with a literary theme. On her opening night a notorious wine critic makes an appearance and criticizes her wines. Later that night he is found murdered in the vineyard. Lots of twists and turns with a surprise ending. A fun read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

CORKS AND CORPSES is an entertaining cozy murder mystery. The protagonist, Vivian, takes some ridiculous risks and there are a couple of small plot inconsistencies, but overall the story is well written, well edited, and attention holding.

[Mary Everette · Rating 5 out of 5]

wine and feline delights

Shakespeare, the inquisitive cat aides in solving a new business gone sour due to an untimely murder. Intrigue among the towns people involved in its twisted plot to save not only the winery but the reputation of many proprietors in this small town.

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Needs A Good Editor

Cute concept. Formulaic, as expected. Would benefit from a good editor. Lots of unnecessary repetition, a few confusing passages, and some characters acting uncharaterstic.

[Melissa Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute small town mystery

Interesting characters, with enough of a backstory to feel real. A nasty blackmailer is murdered, and there are many possible suspects.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too predictable,

[Carolee DeWitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read and not the ordinary cozy.

[Susanne Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun ready. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.