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Wine Valley Mysteries #1-4
Wine Valley Mystery Books 1-4
Wine Valley Mystery Series pairs just the right wine with just the right murder!
Sandra Woffington is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author.
BURGUNDY AND BODIES, Book 1
The cuts nobody sees bleed a person to death.
If the Addams family’s daughter Wednesday grew up to be a forensic psychologist, she would be Dr. Joy Burton—and Detective Max King’s worst nightmare. In this thrilling page-turner, a beautiful blond is found dead by a creek after a poker game. The suspect pool includes the chief of police. While solving the crime, Max and Joy, recently reunited, dissect their own bizarre past—the years they spent together before being adopted by two different lawmen and raised apart.
PINOT NOIR AND POISON, Book 2
Pushed past a threshold, anyone can kill.
Det. Max King and Dr. Joy Burton enjoy a dinner party at the home of local vintners. A woman who heads a pharmaceutical company keels over at the table. Max does too. In this heart-stopping suspense, suspects cross boundaries. Cross over and you can’t always cross back.
GAMAY AND GAMES, Book 3
Dr. Draven Blackmore is as brilliant. He’s also obsessed with Joy. But is he a killer?
A group of friends gather for a Medieval murder mystery party, at the end of which one of them is dead. Det. Max King and Dr. Joy Burton arrive to investigate. At the crime scene, Joy notices an expensive bottle of champagne. The attached card is signed, Draven Blackmoor—the man who had brought her to the edge of destruction. As Max and Joy unravel the murder, Joy must walk to the edge of the abyss that she had once crawled out of, and Max must stop her from leaping over the edge.
ROSÉ AND ROCKS, Book 4
Diamonds cut glass. Some shred lives.
This fast-paced mystery begins at the Wine Valley Harvest Festival, where an old-timer teaches children to sift dirt to find gems. But no one expects a real find—benitoite—the California blue diamond. The next morning, a geologist inspects the mine. She finds a dead body. To make matters worse, a film crew meddles in the investigation. The director is obsessed with capturing every facet of the unfolding story. Meantime, Max and Joy pursue their mysterious past before being adopted by two different lawmen. Just when they consider burying their past, their secret is unearthed.
Step into the wicked world of Wine Valley. Read Boxed Set 1-4 today.
Sandra Woffington is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author.
BURGUNDY AND BODIES, Book 1
The cuts nobody sees bleed a person to death.
If the Addams family’s daughter Wednesday grew up to be a forensic psychologist, she would be Dr. Joy Burton—and Detective Max King’s worst nightmare. In this thrilling page-turner, a beautiful blond is found dead by a creek after a poker game. The suspect pool includes the chief of police. While solving the crime, Max and Joy, recently reunited, dissect their own bizarre past—the years they spent together before being adopted by two different lawmen and raised apart.
PINOT NOIR AND POISON, Book 2
Pushed past a threshold, anyone can kill.
Det. Max King and Dr. Joy Burton enjoy a dinner party at the home of local vintners. A woman who heads a pharmaceutical company keels over at the table. Max does too. In this heart-stopping suspense, suspects cross boundaries. Cross over and you can’t always cross back.
GAMAY AND GAMES, Book 3
Dr. Draven Blackmore is as brilliant. He’s also obsessed with Joy. But is he a killer?
A group of friends gather for a Medieval murder mystery party, at the end of which one of them is dead. Det. Max King and Dr. Joy Burton arrive to investigate. At the crime scene, Joy notices an expensive bottle of champagne. The attached card is signed, Draven Blackmoor—the man who had brought her to the edge of destruction. As Max and Joy unravel the murder, Joy must walk to the edge of the abyss that she had once crawled out of, and Max must stop her from leaping over the edge.
ROSÉ AND ROCKS, Book 4
Diamonds cut glass. Some shred lives.
This fast-paced mystery begins at the Wine Valley Harvest Festival, where an old-timer teaches children to sift dirt to find gems. But no one expects a real find—benitoite—the California blue diamond. The next morning, a geologist inspects the mine. She finds a dead body. To make matters worse, a film crew meddles in the investigation. The director is obsessed with capturing every facet of the unfolding story. Meantime, Max and Joy pursue their mysterious past before being adopted by two different lawmen. Just when they consider burying their past, their secret is unearthed.
Step into the wicked world of Wine Valley. Read Boxed Set 1-4 today.
Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2020
290 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Woffington
31 books126 followersHi, readers! I love to create stories with pithy dialogue, gritty action, mind-blowing plots and unique characters: flawed, passionate, and sometimes disturbed.
I'm a USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling author. I completed the Humanities Honors Program at U.C. Irvine and earned my MFA in Creative Writing and MA in English from Chapman University. I've spent 15+ years teaching multiple subjects to middle school students. I love to teach as much as I love to write. My students inspire me!
Wine Valley Mystery series is for adults—Noir Crime/Traditional Detective. The boxed set hit #1 Best Seller on Amazon upon release. The prequels of light and cheery Detective Max King, dark and disturbed Dr. Joy Burton, and tough-guy, Officer Reed Steele are FREE.
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/91qn64o3vc
My debut novel, Unveiling, a stand-alone, takes place in the colorful deserts of Saudi Arabia as well as America. It won Honorable Mention from the Writer's Digest SP book awards. Evil Speaks, first book in the Warriors and Watchers Saga Series, a middle grade fantasy, was Finalist (4th place) in the Reader's Favorite 5-star awards (that's out of all of the 5-star books in that category for the year).
I love to hear from readers! Please email me at sandra@sandrawoffington.com or visit my website at SandraWoffington.com. Join my FB Reading group Woffington's Reading Warriors: Mystery, Murder, Magic & More for updates and freebies. Or follow me on Amazon. Thanks for spending time with me!
I'm a USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling author. I completed the Humanities Honors Program at U.C. Irvine and earned my MFA in Creative Writing and MA in English from Chapman University. I've spent 15+ years teaching multiple subjects to middle school students. I love to teach as much as I love to write. My students inspire me!
Wine Valley Mystery series is for adults—Noir Crime/Traditional Detective. The boxed set hit #1 Best Seller on Amazon upon release. The prequels of light and cheery Detective Max King, dark and disturbed Dr. Joy Burton, and tough-guy, Officer Reed Steele are FREE.
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/91qn64o3vc
My debut novel, Unveiling, a stand-alone, takes place in the colorful deserts of Saudi Arabia as well as America. It won Honorable Mention from the Writer's Digest SP book awards. Evil Speaks, first book in the Warriors and Watchers Saga Series, a middle grade fantasy, was Finalist (4th place) in the Reader's Favorite 5-star awards (that's out of all of the 5-star books in that category for the year).
I love to hear from readers! Please email me at sandra@sandrawoffington.com or visit my website at SandraWoffington.com. Join my FB Reading group Woffington's Reading Warriors: Mystery, Murder, Magic & More for updates and freebies. Or follow me on Amazon. Thanks for spending time with me!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 7, 2020
An extraordinary set of stories of secrets, obsessions and chilling murder – Highly Recommended!
I read Ms Woffington’s four book box set right the way through as I couldn’t stop. It was an really fabulous ride. Her ability to create an incredible portfolio of murders whilst developing the arc of Dr Joy Burton and Detective Max King held me captivated and intrigued. Each of the books delves into their origin story and it becomes more puzzling with every turn of the page.
In book 1, Burgundy and Bodies, Max, son of Police Chief David King makes his entrance. From the outset, he’s a holder of secrets he cannot fathom. The murder of a Marilyn Monroe type by the name of Anne Martin - a woman searching for love and taking whatever resembles the nearest thing to it, in lieu of real love, kicks the story into action. As the reader progresses, the life of Anne is explored and she’s found to be quite a tragic character. A gambler, a lover of the high-life, money, fast cars and fast men, but one can see she has a good soul. Through Max’s eyes, as he works through the suspects, more of Anne’s world is revealed. Her passion for struck off Dr Grant, her deep affections for Eugene, her commitment to nursing, her obsessive addictive for gambling – all is laid bare in Max’s dissection of her life.
Ultimately, this book is about obsession leading to addiction. Dr Grant was addicted to alcohol and drugs, and became addicted to Anne. But their love was destructive, almost to the point of being toxic, and Dr Grant knew both their addictions were the ‘beast that couldn’t be tamed’.
Anne walked a fine line, and her gambling addiction led her down dark paths. Seeking financial help from a local drug thug, A-Gamer could only mean the bad things were on the horizon for Anne. With murders, motives and suspects piling up, Ms Woffington produces red herrings at great speed, taking one down alleys, making the reveal of the whodunit even more rewarding. Creation of red herrings is critical in murder mystery novels and Ms Woffington has an ability to obfuscate your mental processes by way of her superb, intricate story-telling.
The reader is a little way into the story before Joy is introduced. She is a Criminologist (or forensic psychologist) who is delivering evening classes at a course attended by Max. In the first few paragraphs, the reader can see that Joy is going to be a forceful powerhouse. Those dark, almost reptilian eyes that interrogate her victims (suspects) and her whole ‘death-goth’ vibe makes Joy a fascinating if not somewhat chilling character. It’s evident that she skirts a razor wire line between light and dark, but her unwavering commitment to bringing down the bad guys is obvious from the moment the reader meets her.
Although a small interlude, Max and Joy’s visit to Anne’s old flame Nico Torres, was something that I found deeply affecting. Nico had dated Anne in the past when he’d been a bad boy biker. After she left him for Dr Grant he’d reformed, found love, married and had kids. Anne visited him after Dr Grant turned violent days before her death, and she declares she should never had left him for Dr Grant. It was a wonderful ‘what if’ moment that really spoke the story of Anne’s fated life and death. It also reflects Ms Woffington’s superb ability to pull poignancy and heart-felt emotion out of a complex crime story. It’s that kind of writing that makes this book and the rest in this boxset memorable.
In book 2, Pinot Noir and Poison, Ms Woffington delves into the world of pharmaceuticals and bitter revenge. Sally Kinsey Fee is the victim, and as victims go, the reader certainly appreciates why someone chose to take her down. Sally is a delightfully bitchy woman who is provocative, glamorous and vain, with low morals and is incessantly on the lookout for her next conquest. The aftermath of her demise leads to something truly shocking, affecting the police team (no spoilers), and is the perfect vehicle to demonstrate the awesome power of Dr Joy Burton when she partners with Officer Reed Steele.
As with any murder mystery, the suspects are plentiful, each with very valid and persuading motives for taking out the vituperative Ms Fee. From Elliott, the long abused husband, Todd, Sally’s long time lover, to even her sister Lizzy, a woman Sally stole Elliott from just to ‘break her heart’ – the list of potential murderers increases as more characters are shown just cause to want Sally dead. Such is the intricate plotting, and Ms Woffington’s excellent knowledge of poisonous botany, that it’s virtually impossible to second guess the way the novel will go.
This second book takes the reader further into the amazing arc story of Max ‘Pride’ King and Beatrice ‘Joy’ Burton. Through little association, ‘I remember oatmeal,’ memories of what happened the night Max and Joy as young children were rescued by their soon to be adoptive fathers David King and Sam Burton. As a reader, it’s like quick immersions into their minds, but still the truth is a long way from being uncovered.
Joy’s relationship with Steele emerges, and although both have fractured souls and a wariness of what love is, they are trying to find their way together. A journey of exploration; a dance of discovery, basking in the rhythmic sensuality of what might be. I truly loved the way Ms Woffington captured this haunting, emotive and deeply special moment.
In book 3, Syrah and Swingers, the tone and subject matter becomes very dark and ominous, and as a result, for the reader is absolutely unputdownable. This book is very much a Dr Joy Burton story, although Max shows his muscle, it is a story of Joy having to face her own demons that are triggered and set free by her former lover and mentor Dr Draven Blackmoor. The swinging culture is handled sensitively, without lurid description or unnecessary graphic fixations, and Ms Woffington gives fascinating insights into the characters’ motivations and ideologies for following such a lifestyle.
Ms Woffington, in delineating the obsessive, possessive behavior of Dr Blackmoor with Joy has made the actual murder of Ted Hook almost a secondary act. More a device in which to play out the macabre, manipulating machinations of Blackmoor. From the initial introduction of Blackmoor, Joy shuts down, and Max knows she’s keeping more secrets from him. Blackmoor’s invisible unyielding control over Joy is something that she must face up to and conquer if she is to move on with her life and with her relationship with Steele.
The psychological power plays of Blackmoor are disturbing, insidious and cruel. The tortured pain of Joy and her self-loathing as a result of what Blackmoor has done to her in the past is evident. But one can feel that cathartic release when she handles Blackmoor intelligently, and she cuts the mental rope that had pulled her into his dark abyss.
Joy’s pet ball python ‘Monty’ (Monty Python! – great joke!), is a stabilizing force in her life. Perhaps, a strange pet, but one that is reflective of Joy’s comfortableness in being the ‘weird one’ and her embrace of ‘dark things’. Her closeness to Monty is described with great emotion, and if this pet were a dog or cat, a read would say ‘aww, that’s lovely’, but as it’s a python, many readers may have a different reaction. When I read the parts in all the books about Joy’s affection for the snake, you could see how much comfort and security Monty gave her, and that she had an almost symbiotic connection with Monty that restored her own balance when she felt vulnerable, hurt or worried.
Out of all the books, Syrah and Swingers is the most complex. The examination of the subject of control, domination and trust; taking acceptance of being truly powerless, yet finding power through that act, demonstrates Ms Woffington’s understanding of psychology and man’s manipulation of others. It is interesting that in a particularly dramatic scene, Max uses exactly that ‘powerless’ technique in his interrogation of Blackmoor, twisting Blackmoor’s intelligence against him a genius way.
In book 4, Rose and Rocks, the readers is taken introduced to Jed Smith, down-to-earth gem mine owner, and his wife Irene, a woman obsessed by gems, jewelry and designer clothes. The couple are an unlikely pairing, and its obvious Irene is only there to take Jed’s money. Unfortunately, Jed isn’t a spender, and Irene has to resort to an affair with Earl, Jed’s brother who owns a jewelry store to obtain the finer things she wants in life. When Blue Diamonds are found by a young kid during a ‘panning for gold’ show at the local fayre, and the dirt comes from Jed’s own mine, as a reader you know dark things are coming for Jed.
Fast on the scene comes Max and Joy to try and solve Jed’s murder, but things get complicated when Irene’s ex-husband Vince Bruce moves into the area, after being released from jail for serving a sentence for white-collar crime, and Irene’s son Eddie doesn’t know where his loyalties lie. Stir into this enthralling mix a publicity obsessed Director Aaron and an eagle-eyed cameraman Pete, and a strange old guy called Coop, fixated on finding treasure from centuries back, and you’ve got an incredible storyline that keeps the reader hooked until the final denouement.
Irene is a character that seems like a gold-digger, however, she is complex, focused and resourceful. As the tale of Vince’s white collar investment crime is spun out, the reader learns of Irene’s involvement, her ability to take risks and manipulate others around her to take the fall. When Ms Woffington writes characters she exposes not only their misdemeanors and foibles, but also their underlying and often twisted psychologies that pervade through their being and dominate their actions. Irene on the surface seemed like she is vulnerable and needs to be taken care of, but she manipulates men to give to her what she needs, her pretty clothes and gems. Jed, Earl, Vince, and the new man, wealthy mine owner Christoph Garrick all fell under Irene’s spell, and end up the worse for her enticements.
Rose and Rocks as a murder mystery held be close, turning the pages, but the twists at the end are nothing short of amazing. As I flipped the pages, I did feel my mouth was dropping open as revelation after revelation hit in swift succession. As for the potential suspects and their motives, as with all Ms Woffington’s books, they stack up, from the wronged lover, the disgruntled husband, the wayward misunderstood son, the in-debt nephew, even the Director who wanted to secure a killer angle – all had motive and opportunity. The fun part of reading all of these books was to realize the clues were there to twist and bifurcate your neural pathways to settle on a suspect, only to be in awe of the truth, when Max and Joy catch the culprit.
This four box set introduces readers to the universe of Detective Max King and Dr Joy Burton and it is a place they will struggle to leave as it is mesmerizing, dangerous and intriguing. Highly recommended.
I read Ms Woffington’s four book box set right the way through as I couldn’t stop. It was an really fabulous ride. Her ability to create an incredible portfolio of murders whilst developing the arc of Dr Joy Burton and Detective Max King held me captivated and intrigued. Each of the books delves into their origin story and it becomes more puzzling with every turn of the page.
In book 1, Burgundy and Bodies, Max, son of Police Chief David King makes his entrance. From the outset, he’s a holder of secrets he cannot fathom. The murder of a Marilyn Monroe type by the name of Anne Martin - a woman searching for love and taking whatever resembles the nearest thing to it, in lieu of real love, kicks the story into action. As the reader progresses, the life of Anne is explored and she’s found to be quite a tragic character. A gambler, a lover of the high-life, money, fast cars and fast men, but one can see she has a good soul. Through Max’s eyes, as he works through the suspects, more of Anne’s world is revealed. Her passion for struck off Dr Grant, her deep affections for Eugene, her commitment to nursing, her obsessive addictive for gambling – all is laid bare in Max’s dissection of her life.
Ultimately, this book is about obsession leading to addiction. Dr Grant was addicted to alcohol and drugs, and became addicted to Anne. But their love was destructive, almost to the point of being toxic, and Dr Grant knew both their addictions were the ‘beast that couldn’t be tamed’.
Anne walked a fine line, and her gambling addiction led her down dark paths. Seeking financial help from a local drug thug, A-Gamer could only mean the bad things were on the horizon for Anne. With murders, motives and suspects piling up, Ms Woffington produces red herrings at great speed, taking one down alleys, making the reveal of the whodunit even more rewarding. Creation of red herrings is critical in murder mystery novels and Ms Woffington has an ability to obfuscate your mental processes by way of her superb, intricate story-telling.
The reader is a little way into the story before Joy is introduced. She is a Criminologist (or forensic psychologist) who is delivering evening classes at a course attended by Max. In the first few paragraphs, the reader can see that Joy is going to be a forceful powerhouse. Those dark, almost reptilian eyes that interrogate her victims (suspects) and her whole ‘death-goth’ vibe makes Joy a fascinating if not somewhat chilling character. It’s evident that she skirts a razor wire line between light and dark, but her unwavering commitment to bringing down the bad guys is obvious from the moment the reader meets her.
Although a small interlude, Max and Joy’s visit to Anne’s old flame Nico Torres, was something that I found deeply affecting. Nico had dated Anne in the past when he’d been a bad boy biker. After she left him for Dr Grant he’d reformed, found love, married and had kids. Anne visited him after Dr Grant turned violent days before her death, and she declares she should never had left him for Dr Grant. It was a wonderful ‘what if’ moment that really spoke the story of Anne’s fated life and death. It also reflects Ms Woffington’s superb ability to pull poignancy and heart-felt emotion out of a complex crime story. It’s that kind of writing that makes this book and the rest in this boxset memorable.
In book 2, Pinot Noir and Poison, Ms Woffington delves into the world of pharmaceuticals and bitter revenge. Sally Kinsey Fee is the victim, and as victims go, the reader certainly appreciates why someone chose to take her down. Sally is a delightfully bitchy woman who is provocative, glamorous and vain, with low morals and is incessantly on the lookout for her next conquest. The aftermath of her demise leads to something truly shocking, affecting the police team (no spoilers), and is the perfect vehicle to demonstrate the awesome power of Dr Joy Burton when she partners with Officer Reed Steele.
As with any murder mystery, the suspects are plentiful, each with very valid and persuading motives for taking out the vituperative Ms Fee. From Elliott, the long abused husband, Todd, Sally’s long time lover, to even her sister Lizzy, a woman Sally stole Elliott from just to ‘break her heart’ – the list of potential murderers increases as more characters are shown just cause to want Sally dead. Such is the intricate plotting, and Ms Woffington’s excellent knowledge of poisonous botany, that it’s virtually impossible to second guess the way the novel will go.
This second book takes the reader further into the amazing arc story of Max ‘Pride’ King and Beatrice ‘Joy’ Burton. Through little association, ‘I remember oatmeal,’ memories of what happened the night Max and Joy as young children were rescued by their soon to be adoptive fathers David King and Sam Burton. As a reader, it’s like quick immersions into their minds, but still the truth is a long way from being uncovered.
Joy’s relationship with Steele emerges, and although both have fractured souls and a wariness of what love is, they are trying to find their way together. A journey of exploration; a dance of discovery, basking in the rhythmic sensuality of what might be. I truly loved the way Ms Woffington captured this haunting, emotive and deeply special moment.
In book 3, Syrah and Swingers, the tone and subject matter becomes very dark and ominous, and as a result, for the reader is absolutely unputdownable. This book is very much a Dr Joy Burton story, although Max shows his muscle, it is a story of Joy having to face her own demons that are triggered and set free by her former lover and mentor Dr Draven Blackmoor. The swinging culture is handled sensitively, without lurid description or unnecessary graphic fixations, and Ms Woffington gives fascinating insights into the characters’ motivations and ideologies for following such a lifestyle.
Ms Woffington, in delineating the obsessive, possessive behavior of Dr Blackmoor with Joy has made the actual murder of Ted Hook almost a secondary act. More a device in which to play out the macabre, manipulating machinations of Blackmoor. From the initial introduction of Blackmoor, Joy shuts down, and Max knows she’s keeping more secrets from him. Blackmoor’s invisible unyielding control over Joy is something that she must face up to and conquer if she is to move on with her life and with her relationship with Steele.
The psychological power plays of Blackmoor are disturbing, insidious and cruel. The tortured pain of Joy and her self-loathing as a result of what Blackmoor has done to her in the past is evident. But one can feel that cathartic release when she handles Blackmoor intelligently, and she cuts the mental rope that had pulled her into his dark abyss.
Joy’s pet ball python ‘Monty’ (Monty Python! – great joke!), is a stabilizing force in her life. Perhaps, a strange pet, but one that is reflective of Joy’s comfortableness in being the ‘weird one’ and her embrace of ‘dark things’. Her closeness to Monty is described with great emotion, and if this pet were a dog or cat, a read would say ‘aww, that’s lovely’, but as it’s a python, many readers may have a different reaction. When I read the parts in all the books about Joy’s affection for the snake, you could see how much comfort and security Monty gave her, and that she had an almost symbiotic connection with Monty that restored her own balance when she felt vulnerable, hurt or worried.
Out of all the books, Syrah and Swingers is the most complex. The examination of the subject of control, domination and trust; taking acceptance of being truly powerless, yet finding power through that act, demonstrates Ms Woffington’s understanding of psychology and man’s manipulation of others. It is interesting that in a particularly dramatic scene, Max uses exactly that ‘powerless’ technique in his interrogation of Blackmoor, twisting Blackmoor’s intelligence against him a genius way.
In book 4, Rose and Rocks, the readers is taken introduced to Jed Smith, down-to-earth gem mine owner, and his wife Irene, a woman obsessed by gems, jewelry and designer clothes. The couple are an unlikely pairing, and its obvious Irene is only there to take Jed’s money. Unfortunately, Jed isn’t a spender, and Irene has to resort to an affair with Earl, Jed’s brother who owns a jewelry store to obtain the finer things she wants in life. When Blue Diamonds are found by a young kid during a ‘panning for gold’ show at the local fayre, and the dirt comes from Jed’s own mine, as a reader you know dark things are coming for Jed.
Fast on the scene comes Max and Joy to try and solve Jed’s murder, but things get complicated when Irene’s ex-husband Vince Bruce moves into the area, after being released from jail for serving a sentence for white-collar crime, and Irene’s son Eddie doesn’t know where his loyalties lie. Stir into this enthralling mix a publicity obsessed Director Aaron and an eagle-eyed cameraman Pete, and a strange old guy called Coop, fixated on finding treasure from centuries back, and you’ve got an incredible storyline that keeps the reader hooked until the final denouement.
Irene is a character that seems like a gold-digger, however, she is complex, focused and resourceful. As the tale of Vince’s white collar investment crime is spun out, the reader learns of Irene’s involvement, her ability to take risks and manipulate others around her to take the fall. When Ms Woffington writes characters she exposes not only their misdemeanors and foibles, but also their underlying and often twisted psychologies that pervade through their being and dominate their actions. Irene on the surface seemed like she is vulnerable and needs to be taken care of, but she manipulates men to give to her what she needs, her pretty clothes and gems. Jed, Earl, Vince, and the new man, wealthy mine owner Christoph Garrick all fell under Irene’s spell, and end up the worse for her enticements.
Rose and Rocks as a murder mystery held be close, turning the pages, but the twists at the end are nothing short of amazing. As I flipped the pages, I did feel my mouth was dropping open as revelation after revelation hit in swift succession. As for the potential suspects and their motives, as with all Ms Woffington’s books, they stack up, from the wronged lover, the disgruntled husband, the wayward misunderstood son, the in-debt nephew, even the Director who wanted to secure a killer angle – all had motive and opportunity. The fun part of reading all of these books was to realize the clues were there to twist and bifurcate your neural pathways to settle on a suspect, only to be in awe of the truth, when Max and Joy catch the culprit.
This four box set introduces readers to the universe of Detective Max King and Dr Joy Burton and it is a place they will struggle to leave as it is mesmerizing, dangerous and intriguing. Highly recommended.
October 27, 2019
Enjoyed Wine Valley Mystery Books 1-4
I enjoyed reading Sandra Woffington’s Wine Valley Mystery Books 1-4. Now I’m tempted to visit the fictionalized Temecula Valley Wine Country.
I enjoyed reading Sandra Woffington’s Wine Valley Mystery Books 1-4. Now I’m tempted to visit the fictionalized Temecula Valley Wine Country.
Want to read
June 8, 2020Author gift
September 1, 2019
Exciting Mysteries
This set of four murder mysteries is fascinating. Each one holds your interest as you try to figure out who the murderer is. Joy and Max do great detective work. You will discover how they learn the surprise that they are half siblings which they need to keep secret to stay on the police force. When the murderer is discovered it always surprised me. Excellent series.
This set of four murder mysteries is fascinating. Each one holds your interest as you try to figure out who the murderer is. Joy and Max do great detective work. You will discover how they learn the surprise that they are half siblings which they need to keep secret to stay on the police force. When the murderer is discovered it always surprised me. Excellent series.
May 31, 2020
Another fine read
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series. The characters are very well fleshed out and the plot well convey. Certain characters are easy to dislike and others to appreciate. The ongoing mystery of Max and Joy's past isn't covered as much in this story but their relationship is closer. I look forward to the next book.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series. The characters are very well fleshed out and the plot well convey. Certain characters are easy to dislike and others to appreciate. The ongoing mystery of Max and Joy's past isn't covered as much in this story but their relationship is closer. I look forward to the next book.
December 18, 2019
This is a must read boxset. Great writing fabulous characters fantastic mysteries. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great mystery with some Romance and family dynamics.
July 11, 2020
Excellent Series!
I really enjoyed this 4 book collection. I'm going to enjoy reading the next stories that Sandra has written. I recommend her books very much!
I really enjoyed this 4 book collection. I'm going to enjoy reading the next stories that Sandra has written. I recommend her books very much!
December 7, 2023
BURGUNDY & BODIES
Pride (Max) and Joy. Separated as children under mysterious circumstances. Each adopted by a single, male, best friends, and kept apart from each other. Why? Will they ever find out?
A nurse and a chemist are murdered. Is there a connection? There are plenty of suspects but the guilty party will shock you.
PINOT NOIR & POISON
So many suspects! This was one victim who really deserved her fate. Sally poisoned everyone she touched, so murder by poison was quite fitting. Who did though, and why?
Max finds it hard to stay impartial in this case as he knows most of the suspects quite well. When the evidence points to his godmother, he is determined to prove her innocence.
GAMAY & GAMES
Max and Joy have their hands full with this one. A themed dinner gone horribly wrong. Suspects who have no memory of events. A murder victim who seemed to have made more enemies than friends in the short time he had spent in Wine Valley.
Then there is Joy's nemesis - Dr. Draven Blackmoor. A nasty piece of work if ever there was one.
Joy and Steele's romance seems to be progressing nicely. I hope it continues as they both deserve some happiness in their lives.
ROSE & ROCKS
I thought Dr. Draven Blackmoor was a piece of work, but the movie director and his cameraman are just as bad, if not worse. Anything for publicity, whether good or bad.
Pride (Max) and Joy. Separated as children under mysterious circumstances. Each adopted by a single, male, best friends, and kept apart from each other. Why? Will they ever find out?
A nurse and a chemist are murdered. Is there a connection? There are plenty of suspects but the guilty party will shock you.
PINOT NOIR & POISON
So many suspects! This was one victim who really deserved her fate. Sally poisoned everyone she touched, so murder by poison was quite fitting. Who did though, and why?
Max finds it hard to stay impartial in this case as he knows most of the suspects quite well. When the evidence points to his godmother, he is determined to prove her innocence.
GAMAY & GAMES
Max and Joy have their hands full with this one. A themed dinner gone horribly wrong. Suspects who have no memory of events. A murder victim who seemed to have made more enemies than friends in the short time he had spent in Wine Valley.
Then there is Joy's nemesis - Dr. Draven Blackmoor. A nasty piece of work if ever there was one.
Joy and Steele's romance seems to be progressing nicely. I hope it continues as they both deserve some happiness in their lives.
ROSE & ROCKS
I thought Dr. Draven Blackmoor was a piece of work, but the movie director and his cameraman are just as bad, if not worse. Anything for publicity, whether good or bad.
January 7, 2025
Intriguing titles live up to their name.
Each book in the set delves into a unique murder with plenty of suspects involved. Detective Max King and Doctor Joy Burton are challenged at every stage of each investigation and Joy’s mental health is in jeopardy when confronted by a past nemesis. The characters of Max and Joy continue to develop with the discovery of their shared past as very young children before being adopted by two different lawmen and raised apart. The relationship between Joy and Reed Steele is progressing - both carry mental scars from the past but just maybe they can help each other heal. You will enjoy the twists and turns throughout this series.
Each book in the set delves into a unique murder with plenty of suspects involved. Detective Max King and Doctor Joy Burton are challenged at every stage of each investigation and Joy’s mental health is in jeopardy when confronted by a past nemesis. The characters of Max and Joy continue to develop with the discovery of their shared past as very young children before being adopted by two different lawmen and raised apart. The relationship between Joy and Reed Steele is progressing - both carry mental scars from the past but just maybe they can help each other heal. You will enjoy the twists and turns throughout this series.
September 24, 2022
Det. Max King and Dr. Joy Burton are incredibly genuine characters. Their supporting cast is excellent as well. Each book has a self-contained mystery that is full of twists and turns. The entire first season has a story arc mystery where a little more is revealed each book. I have been an ARC reader for this series from the beginning and purchased every book. Don’t miss this incredible series. I strongly recommend all of the books!
May 5, 2020
It was a fun read. Not enough wine.
May 7, 2022
AGAIN, A MUST READ
This boxed set keeps you coming back for more. The characters, the stories, everything keeps you from putting the books down! Great job, Sandra!
This boxed set keeps you coming back for more. The characters, the stories, everything keeps you from putting the books down! Great job, Sandra!
November 6, 2023
Wine lovers will enjoy this series set in wine country.
The mysteries in Books 1 to 4 are each unique and fun to read.
The mysteries in Books 1 to 4 are each unique and fun to read.
November 14, 2022
this book is definitely addictive.
August 15, 2020
BURGUNDY & BODIES
Anna as we briefly know her, loves to flirt with the men, and has a gambling problem. Went thru her inheritance, and even to having a monthly bill at the local casino. Borrowed from a loan shark. Nurse and now drugs missing at the hospital, even she told others her life was a mess. After a friend’s monthly poker night, it turned out to be a terrorizing death for her. We meet Max as he tries to put the pieces together with the interviews, of what she was liked. Going to a class at night to learn more about forensics and the criminal mind. The instructor.Dr Joy.Burton keeps looking at him. An early call by the chief brings him in, to find Dr Burton is his new partner to help solve the case. Then the realization they have the same picture of two men their fathers, what was the meaning did they know one another and why the names of Pride and Joy. There is murders, and there is mystery to figure out. Good flowing plot, in which you get to know the characters. I like Max and Joy together as partners, their banter adds a lot. Good beginning.
PINET NOIR. & POISON
Dinner at the winery and two guest had gotten poison, accidental or murder. When a garden yields many things that were poisonous. Max survived and agreed to a DNA test that Joy wanted. Interesting plot.
These are two in this box set. Different all four books were
Anna as we briefly know her, loves to flirt with the men, and has a gambling problem. Went thru her inheritance, and even to having a monthly bill at the local casino. Borrowed from a loan shark. Nurse and now drugs missing at the hospital, even she told others her life was a mess. After a friend’s monthly poker night, it turned out to be a terrorizing death for her. We meet Max as he tries to put the pieces together with the interviews, of what she was liked. Going to a class at night to learn more about forensics and the criminal mind. The instructor.Dr Joy.Burton keeps looking at him. An early call by the chief brings him in, to find Dr Burton is his new partner to help solve the case. Then the realization they have the same picture of two men their fathers, what was the meaning did they know one another and why the names of Pride and Joy. There is murders, and there is mystery to figure out. Good flowing plot, in which you get to know the characters. I like Max and Joy together as partners, their banter adds a lot. Good beginning.
PINET NOIR. & POISON
Dinner at the winery and two guest had gotten poison, accidental or murder. When a garden yields many things that were poisonous. Max survived and agreed to a DNA test that Joy wanted. Interesting plot.
These are two in this box set. Different all four books were
October 10, 2019
A disappointment. The title is a misnomer; other than the town name and the very rare mention of wine, it has nothing to do with wine country. 2 1/2 of the 4 books are full of typos and grammar errors that are very distracting but not nearly as bad as the character confusion. Example: Joy & Max are the investigating partners going together to speak to Todd at his office. The text refers to Joy & Max shaking hands and sitting. huh?? I could only get through 2 1/2 books before I gave up... terrible.
September 5, 2019
Good series
This was a boxed set of Wine Valley Mysteries. I found them interesting, suspenseful, & exciting. My only criticism is the grammar errors and repeated sentences. You need better proof readers.
This was a boxed set of Wine Valley Mysteries. I found them interesting, suspenseful, & exciting. My only criticism is the grammar errors and repeated sentences. You need better proof readers.
September 2, 2019
Not great
Of the the four books the last was pretty good. Did not like the one withswingers. I thought these were cozy mysteries but found out they were not.
Of the the four books the last was pretty good. Did not like the one withswingers. I thought these were cozy mysteries but found out they were not.
October 22, 2019
Great series in the wine country. The books are different and keep your interest all the way
November 2, 2019
Too far out for my liking.
Too far out for me. Surprised me. Read the first book but could not go further. Do not recommend this collection.
Too far out for me. Surprised me. Read the first book but could not go further. Do not recommend this collection.
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