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Blood & Wine
A Purple Heart veteran framed for murder in a town that sees only his scars.
Scarred inside and out, Michael Flaherty came to Ruidoso to disappear. The small mountain town felt like the perfect place to bury his past—until a brutal crime drags him back into the spotlight he’s been running from.
When the sheriff names Michael a suspect, Officer Gracie Kim isn’t sure what to believe. The man with the ruined face looks dangerous, yet something in his eyes tells a different story. As secrets seep through the town’s polished veneer—affairs, debts, old grudges—Gracie is torn between duty and instinct.
In Ruidoso, everyone hides something. And when the truth surfaces, no one walks away clean—not even those chasing redemption.
Set against the haunting beauty of New Mexico wine country, Blood & Wine is a gripping noir about how we see others—and how we choose to be seen.
Scarred inside and out, Michael Flaherty came to Ruidoso to disappear. The small mountain town felt like the perfect place to bury his past—until a brutal crime drags him back into the spotlight he’s been running from.
When the sheriff names Michael a suspect, Officer Gracie Kim isn’t sure what to believe. The man with the ruined face looks dangerous, yet something in his eyes tells a different story. As secrets seep through the town’s polished veneer—affairs, debts, old grudges—Gracie is torn between duty and instinct.
In Ruidoso, everyone hides something. And when the truth surfaces, no one walks away clean—not even those chasing redemption.
Set against the haunting beauty of New Mexico wine country, Blood & Wine is a gripping noir about how we see others—and how we choose to be seen.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2025
About the author
Bryan James Beck
4 booksBryan J. Beck grew up between Las Cruces and Albuquerque, New Mexico, living in over forty homes and attending eighteen different schools before the age of twenty-one. Through it all, one constant kept him grounded—stories. Whether watching, reading, hearing, or writing them, Bryan has always believed that storytelling has the power to transform lives.
After seventeen years in food service and eight in banking, Bryan finally wrote the novel he’d always dreamed of: A Debt in Time, his debut adventure about unlikely heroes, family legacies, and finding your place in history. He holds degrees in business administration, film technology, bartending, and office administration, but his favorite title by far is storyteller.
Bryan lives in Albuquerque with his partners and family, surrounded by books, laughter, and endless conversation. When he’s not writing, he’s probably sharing a story over coffee, hiking New Mexico’s trails, or plotting his next creative adventure.
After seventeen years in food service and eight in banking, Bryan finally wrote the novel he’d always dreamed of: A Debt in Time, his debut adventure about unlikely heroes, family legacies, and finding your place in history. He holds degrees in business administration, film technology, bartending, and office administration, but his favorite title by far is storyteller.
Bryan lives in Albuquerque with his partners and family, surrounded by books, laughter, and endless conversation. When he’s not writing, he’s probably sharing a story over coffee, hiking New Mexico’s trails, or plotting his next creative adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 2, 2025
“Twists, Tension, and a Kickass Female Lead!”
As someone who lives in New Mexico and loves wine, I was immediately drawn to the setting of Blood & Wine—and Bryan Beck absolutely delivers. The way he captures the beauty, tension, and hidden darkness of New Mexico wine country feels authentic and atmospheric. I could practically smell the pine trees and taste the cabernet.
But what really hooked me was the story itself. Michael Flaherty, a wounded veteran trying to disappear, is such a deeply human, heartbreaking character. Seeing the world through his eyes makes every accusation against him feel personal.
And then there’s Officer Gracie Kim. I absolutely loved having a strong, capable female lead who isn’t afraid to question what she’s told. Getting the story from both her perspective and Michael’s adds so much emotional weight. Their inner conflicts, their trust, and the way their perceptions of each other evolve—all of it made the mystery even richer.
The plot twists, the small-town secrets, the slow unraveling of who to believe… I was glued to every page.
A beautifully written, gripping noir with heart, atmosphere, and two unforgettable leads.
As someone who lives in New Mexico and loves wine, I was immediately drawn to the setting of Blood & Wine—and Bryan Beck absolutely delivers. The way he captures the beauty, tension, and hidden darkness of New Mexico wine country feels authentic and atmospheric. I could practically smell the pine trees and taste the cabernet.
But what really hooked me was the story itself. Michael Flaherty, a wounded veteran trying to disappear, is such a deeply human, heartbreaking character. Seeing the world through his eyes makes every accusation against him feel personal.
And then there’s Officer Gracie Kim. I absolutely loved having a strong, capable female lead who isn’t afraid to question what she’s told. Getting the story from both her perspective and Michael’s adds so much emotional weight. Their inner conflicts, their trust, and the way their perceptions of each other evolve—all of it made the mystery even richer.
The plot twists, the small-town secrets, the slow unraveling of who to believe… I was glued to every page.
A beautifully written, gripping noir with heart, atmosphere, and two unforgettable leads.
December 13, 2025
Wow! Another amazing book by new author, Bryan James Beck! This one was a serious page turner! I was pulled in almost immediately. Great plot, lots of suspense, and it took me a while to figure out who the killer was. I felt like I was in Ruidoso, NM with the characters! I loved the way the chapters went back and forth between the points of view of the two main characters.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews