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A Saint-Emilion Vineyard Mystery #1
The Grape's Joy
Wine, wine, wine...
English widow, Jean Valeix, is the owner of a vineyard in the French wine village of Saint-Emilion. But her cherished château is struggling to sell its produce. A handful of people - among them a charming middle-aged Scotsman, a jaw-droppingly beautiful girl and a talented autistic boy - will change her life completely. But not all her visitors are who they claim to be. All she needs to do is find out who's telling the truth, save her business from bankruptcy and solve a murder. Only then might she discover that sometimes even good things come in threes.
Viticulture and poetry, mental health and murder all tumble, along with the cabernets and merlots, into the fermenting vat of this dark but uplifting novel.
English widow, Jean Valeix, is the owner of a vineyard in the French wine village of Saint-Emilion. But her cherished château is struggling to sell its produce. A handful of people - among them a charming middle-aged Scotsman, a jaw-droppingly beautiful girl and a talented autistic boy - will change her life completely. But not all her visitors are who they claim to be. All she needs to do is find out who's telling the truth, save her business from bankruptcy and solve a murder. Only then might she discover that sometimes even good things come in threes.
Viticulture and poetry, mental health and murder all tumble, along with the cabernets and merlots, into the fermenting vat of this dark but uplifting novel.
- GenresMystery
279 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
22 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Hilyer
5 books11 followersPatrick Hilyer, author of the award-winning wine travel guide French Vineyards, lives and works in Normandy, France.
"For the first ten years of life in rural France we ran a small restaurant called Le Délice. My wife was the chef de cuisine and I did all the non-skilled work...
In 2008 I got a publishing deal with the guidebook publishers Alastair Sawday's for a book on the French wine regions called French Vineyards. I've since published two novels: The Grape's Joy and A Devil in the Grape. Now I'm working on the third book in the series and a book about our experiences in the French restaurant trade.
I have a typically ambivalent relationship with my adopted country: I adore the French landscape, the ancient architecture, the fine food and wine; I can't abide the bureaucracy or the way my neighbours drive. As in every other country I've ever visited (including Great Britain) the people are, on the whole, very nice. I invariably regard my glass as being half full.
I don't write like Elmore Leonard or James Elroy, and for that I offer no apologies.
I enjoy all good writing. One of my earliest literary memories goes back to when I was three or four, listening to my mother reading "The Outing" by Dylan Thomas. I've enjoyed lyrical prose ever since. My favourite crime-writers are Donna Leon, Michael Dibdin and Thomas Harris.
I imagine myself writing like Julian Barnes, drinking like Tennessee Williams and living like Ernest Hemingway; then reach for my pipe and slippers and a hot cup of cocoa.
Brexit stinks."
"For the first ten years of life in rural France we ran a small restaurant called Le Délice. My wife was the chef de cuisine and I did all the non-skilled work...
In 2008 I got a publishing deal with the guidebook publishers Alastair Sawday's for a book on the French wine regions called French Vineyards. I've since published two novels: The Grape's Joy and A Devil in the Grape. Now I'm working on the third book in the series and a book about our experiences in the French restaurant trade.
I have a typically ambivalent relationship with my adopted country: I adore the French landscape, the ancient architecture, the fine food and wine; I can't abide the bureaucracy or the way my neighbours drive. As in every other country I've ever visited (including Great Britain) the people are, on the whole, very nice. I invariably regard my glass as being half full.
I don't write like Elmore Leonard or James Elroy, and for that I offer no apologies.
I enjoy all good writing. One of my earliest literary memories goes back to when I was three or four, listening to my mother reading "The Outing" by Dylan Thomas. I've enjoyed lyrical prose ever since. My favourite crime-writers are Donna Leon, Michael Dibdin and Thomas Harris.
I imagine myself writing like Julian Barnes, drinking like Tennessee Williams and living like Ernest Hemingway; then reach for my pipe and slippers and a hot cup of cocoa.
Brexit stinks."
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 29, 2020
This book is available from Kindle Unlimited now. I did not read the paperback edition, but that is the only one loaded on goodreads. Published 2011
There is interest here for those who like learning more about viticulture. Since it is called a "mystery" I was expecting a murder mystery with this French setting, but it is not that. Yes, someone dies eventually...but that is not the main theme. It is a romance featuring a widow who has to take over the working and management of a vineyard. The cast of characters is somewhat large, sharing space with vintages and recipes and the life as lived in the French countryside.
The widow is English but gains acceptance by her French counterparts and neighbors. She finds love and also trouble - but comes out alive with a promising future after going through the loss of another man in her life.
Kindle Unlimited
There is interest here for those who like learning more about viticulture. Since it is called a "mystery" I was expecting a murder mystery with this French setting, but it is not that. Yes, someone dies eventually...but that is not the main theme. It is a romance featuring a widow who has to take over the working and management of a vineyard. The cast of characters is somewhat large, sharing space with vintages and recipes and the life as lived in the French countryside.
The widow is English but gains acceptance by her French counterparts and neighbors. She finds love and also trouble - but comes out alive with a promising future after going through the loss of another man in her life.
Kindle Unlimited
June 4, 2012
I got this book as a Kindle freebie and more often than not the freebies are terrible. Not the case with this book!
Quite an enjoyable read- good story line and intriguing characters (as Jeanne says of Andrew "perfectly flawed"). I particularly enjoyed the relationships between the characters. The murder mystery part (Jeanne's role) was a bit far fetched and not really in line with the rest of the story, though from the glimpse at the next book, it seems we will see more of this.
Looking forward to the follow up!
Quite an enjoyable read- good story line and intriguing characters (as Jeanne says of Andrew "perfectly flawed"). I particularly enjoyed the relationships between the characters. The murder mystery part (Jeanne's role) was a bit far fetched and not really in line with the rest of the story, though from the glimpse at the next book, it seems we will see more of this.
Looking forward to the follow up!
February 6, 2013
Decided to come back to this one and review. I should have reviewed it at the time because it fully deserved one but I never got around to it. This book is still with me and that's why I am going to review it now!
Let's start off by saying that this was definitely one of my favourite books of last year and by an indie author no less! I found the quality of Patrick's writing and ability to story tell surpasses even some of the established writers out there who have been writing for years. Some of whom are still crap many years later.
I gt into this book very very quickly, I found it a page turner in the extreme. I fell in love with the female protagonist, such a lovely woman(I hate that word but it describes her so well) and she is that well developed, even months later, I can picture her with me here right now.
It was the same for all the ther character, all extremely well developed although mt all as well liked. Couldn't stand Aimee, what a two faced, snide so and so she was!!
The plot changes as you go along, it starts ff as what you may think is boy meets girl ina vineyard and that's that but then changes into a story of deception and even murder therefore it is hard to categorise this into one genre as it encompasses many.
I would go as far as to say, one of the best books I have read by an Indie author so pick it up!!
Net to author: Hurry up with the next one! I can't wait!!
Let's start off by saying that this was definitely one of my favourite books of last year and by an indie author no less! I found the quality of Patrick's writing and ability to story tell surpasses even some of the established writers out there who have been writing for years. Some of whom are still crap many years later.
I gt into this book very very quickly, I found it a page turner in the extreme. I fell in love with the female protagonist, such a lovely woman(I hate that word but it describes her so well) and she is that well developed, even months later, I can picture her with me here right now.
It was the same for all the ther character, all extremely well developed although mt all as well liked. Couldn't stand Aimee, what a two faced, snide so and so she was!!
The plot changes as you go along, it starts ff as what you may think is boy meets girl ina vineyard and that's that but then changes into a story of deception and even murder therefore it is hard to categorise this into one genre as it encompasses many.
I would go as far as to say, one of the best books I have read by an Indie author so pick it up!!
Net to author: Hurry up with the next one! I can't wait!!
Read
December 10, 2012Grape’s Joy was an enjoyable read, a good first novel. The setting and background of a French vineyard, while not completely original, is not common, and sufficient detail is incorporated in the narrative to make it interesting and distinctive. The two major characters are mature and aware of their own shortcomings and flaws as they attempt to form a relationship after a bad marriage breakup and the tragic loss of a spouse. Aimee is a fascinating minor character, who creates much of the drama in the narrative and their relationship. What little violence there is this novel mostly occurs offstage, which in itself is a refreshing change and enhances the story. Told in the first person.
October 13, 2012
Not my usual kind of read but had got it free on kindle so thought I would give it a go. So glad did it was really enjoyable, lovely range of characters and beautiful setting. Well done looking forward to reading more from Patrick Hilyer.
October 6, 2012
Wonderful book. Just wonderful. A mystery? Yes, but even more about a young widow and how she is dealing with life. With the disappointments, with the sorrow and yes, with the joy. I may just read it again tomorrow.
December 22, 2017
3.5 star
Read it. Enjoy it. But don't expect it to feel like a mystery. The pacing is too slow for that and the book is more about everything else. So drop expectations to have best chance of enjoying what it does offer.
Read it. Enjoy it. But don't expect it to feel like a mystery. The pacing is too slow for that and the book is more about everything else. So drop expectations to have best chance of enjoying what it does offer.
December 20, 2019
A slice of French life
Once you get into this book it is a joy to read you can almost feel the warmth of the French sun and good food and taste the beautiful wine. What a great series it would make on TV.
Once you get into this book it is a joy to read you can almost feel the warmth of the French sun and good food and taste the beautiful wine. What a great series it would make on TV.
September 16, 2017
An interesting novel with an element of mystery.
May 17, 2020
Less would be more
Martin Walker he is not. Too many unnecessary details and not a convincing plot. The wine references made it worth the time.
Martin Walker he is not. Too many unnecessary details and not a convincing plot. The wine references made it worth the time.
October 26, 2022
Kindle version entitled, “The Grape’s Joy.”
June 12, 2013
This was a really enjoyable read! It's a light novel with themes of wine, romance and even some murder/drugs/suspense thrown in for good measure. It perhaps isn't the most original piece of art, but what it does well is tell a good story with characters that, for the most part, are more three dimensional than in most such light reads. (Though perhaps it helps that I'm a wino commenting on a fellow wino's book? :D ) It's a short book, but if you need some 3-4h's diversion, this is a very pleasant distraction from life if at all interested in wine. And even if not, I suspect there's enough non-wine substance to the book that it's worth reading.
August 13, 2012
The story takes place in the French village of Saint-Emilion – the main protagonist, Jeanne Valeix, being a winemaker somewhat down on her luck. When Scotsman Andrew happens along, things seem to be coming together at last but then she employs a beautiful young girl and everything turns on its head.
There are so many facets to this story: love, intrigue, murder. As a backdrop to all of this, the author gives us a wonderful sense of place and a knowledgeable insight into viticulture and oenology. Sad at times and amusing at others, this is a satisfying tale with well-portrayed characters.
There are so many facets to this story: love, intrigue, murder. As a backdrop to all of this, the author gives us a wonderful sense of place and a knowledgeable insight into viticulture and oenology. Sad at times and amusing at others, this is a satisfying tale with well-portrayed characters.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews