The Taster

by Marc Layton

A labyrinthian cellar. A priceless wine collection. And a vengeful spirit who guards it for eternity.

Hidden in the darkest depths of the famous wine taster Matthew Boudin’s cellar lies a secret – a collection of some of the rarest and most expensive wines the world has ever seen. Guarded by a maze of pitch-black corridors – and the embalmed corpse of the late Boudin himself – the collection has stood untouched for years.

Professor Aldous Crane doesn’t believe in ghosts. Despite writing about the occult for over thirty years, he views their stories as a bit of fun and nothing more. But when he’s called to investigate Boudin’s infamous cellar, he soon realizes that the truth is something far more sinister.

Stepping into ancient tunnels which have never seen the light of day, Professor Crane must discover what lurks in the shadows and put the mystery to rest. And while lost down there, he begins to understand that in every story there’s an element of truth –and sometimes, when you’re alone in the dark, the scary story is about you.

If you love thrilling supernatural and occult stories packed with hair-raising suspense and tension which will keep you on the edge of your seat, then you won’t want to miss The Taster.

Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Novella

69 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2020

About the author

Marc Layton is the internationally bestselling horror author of The Haunting Of Bridge Manor, The Evergreen Motel and The Evil Inside. The only child of American expats, he grew up on a farm in northern Germany, went to boarding school in a remote part of Scandinavia and then returned to his familial roots for University in New Hampshire where he then settled. As an avid traveler, a voracious reader and a professional antiques dealer, Layton is never at a loss for inspiration and ever since he can remember he’s been consumed by the things that go bump in the night. Layton lives and works out of a cottage near the water in Portsmouth, NH and spends his free time hiking with his wife and trusty Australian Shepard Lily.

Visit https://linktr.ee/MarcLayton to learn more or find Marc Layton on social @authormarclayton

Reviews

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spine-tingling horror tale!

The Taster has chilling moments that build to a terrifying conclusion. There's a bit of character development but for the most it's the wine cellar and its previous owner that is most prominent in this eerie tale. I enjoyed it greatly and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. BTW-there is not a cliffhanger in regards to The Taster but there is a hint of an introduction to book 2.

Read via Kindle Unlimited

[Doreen Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dead connoisseur of vintage wines is the bane of the living. Those who have tried to retrieve the wines from his cellar have lost their minds. Professor Aldous Crane is sceptical and his mission is to expose charlatans. His visit to the manor of the dead connoisseur gives him a new perspective on the paranormal. This is a spine tingler which is highly recommended.

[Vicki Herbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a Very Good Year...

No spoilers. 5 Stars. This was an excellent little novella that I stumbled onto... and I believe I'll go read the next installment of this series... now!...

William Myer, a fine wine expert, was sent to New Orleans and to the estate of the late Matthew Boudin, a vintage wine collector...

Myer was hired to locate and catalog a particular collection of rare wines worth half million dollars in the underground wine cellar labyrinth beneath the house...

The stone-built cellar was immense and stretched far beyond the boundaries of the house's foundation with row upon row of rare wines lining the aisles...

The major snag, which caused others before Myer to run screaming from the estate, was the late owner himself who, upon his death, was embalmed, stuffed and placed on display...

... at the end of the wine cellar corridor with his six inch fingernails clutching the arms of his throne like the roots of a tree... an apparent sentry over his beloved wine collection...

... as Myer went about doing his job in the near-darkness of the cellar he heard... tap, tap, tap... like fingernails tapping on the wine bottles...

Well, that marked the end of Myer, who ran screaming from the estate like the others before him... Eventually Prof. Aldous Crane was hired for the task...

There were serious time constraints in locating certain bottles of wine believed to be somewhere down there... they were rare and of a very good year...

I was fortunate to find this very eerie novella. In a way, it reminded me of a tale from Rod Serling's NIGHT GALLERY, an entry titled THE BIG SURPRISE.

If you want a good little bedtime scare, close your closet doors, check under your bed, and read this story before retiring.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly enthralling horror story, well written and plotted, which kept me reading non-stop. My only complaint is that is too short :P

I liked Professor Aldous Crane, and will gladly keep reading his stories.

[Bookish Satty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this a lot though the ending felt a little lackluster to be completely honest. I loved the main character so very much. This story has suspense, dread as well as some humor sprinkled in which was much appreciated by me. Will definitely continue with this series.

[Marie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew Boudin has a world famous wine collection.  When he dies, according to his wishes, he is embalmed and placed in a sitting position at the entrance of his wine cellar so that he can watch over his wine collection, even after death.  Five wine experts, sent to catalog his collection, run out of the wine cellar in terror and refuse to go back.  Professor Aldous Crane, famous for writing about the occult and exposing false psychics, is hired to retrieve six specific bottles of wine, worth $5000,000 each.  In addition, he is supposed to verify that there are no supernatural forces present.  The rest of the book deals with his search.  Does he find the six bottles of wine?  Does he find a ghost?  Or is it just an overactive imagination?

Even though the book may be short, I found it to be a totally entertaining read and would highly recommend it.  Five stars out of five stars!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilling!

From the very first paragraph chills ran down my spine! No fear of things that go bump in the night? This book will give you pause. Wow!! This is a gripping tale of a collecter with a definite twist. The fact that he's dead only adds to the mystery and an ending that will shock when you're already reeling. Marc Layton never disappoints. This is a collectible.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but creepy story. Brings new meaning to things that go bump in the night, or in this case, the dark wine cellar. The epitome of obsession and the extent some will go to in order to always keep things in their possession. This was a good enough story that I've started reading the next in the series.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Myer has been hired to retrieve three bottles of wine from a haunted wine cellar. He encounters exploding bottles and ash filled bottles, as well as an elaborate bottle holder, and a hidden room. But the hidden room no longer exists. The company that hired him, though is happy with his work.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly creepy story! The fear is palpable. I mean, who isn't afraid of a dark, damp cellar?! I about jumped out of my seat reading this. Deliciously terrifying, dark, and twisting. Well worth the money!

[Julie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taster

What a great book!! It was spooky being in the cellar!! Boudin was a creepy embalmed dead guy!! Aldous was very brave to do what he did!! I won't say no more! You really should read this short story!!!

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. Marc Layton really knows how to keep the momentum going. I swear, if someone had tapped me on the shoulder, I probably would have hit the ceiling.

The Taster is the first book I have read from this author but it sure won't be the last.

[Katherine Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, plot was a good one. Characters easy to get in to. Lots of suspense, twists and turns. I love his books and this was no exception!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short scary read! I did enjoy this! Chilling! Don't read this alone at night!!!

[MRS G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eeeew this is proper creepy.... Tap, tap, tap!!!

Really looking forward to reading the next book.

[Artist_carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

good chilly start to a new series , I liked this. Right up my alley good mini thriller. I received this as an ARC and voluntarily choose to reveiw.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost &Wine

This is a book that you can't put down! It was so suspenseful. I know I could not do what he did. Makes me wonder what is coming up next.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story, I just wish there was more to this. It has a good beginning and ending, but ended too quick! I am going to get the next one in the series and see if that one is as good.

[Lottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book to read, if you are in the mood for a spooky mystery.

[Doris Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A labyrinthian cellar. A priceless wine collection. And a vengeful spirit who guards it for eternity".

[Joan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can be read as a standalone or part of a continuously supernatural detective 🕵️‍♂️ story.

It's a retelling of a the secrets that are contain in a wine cellar

[susan gobis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spooky

The Taster is a really good book. I enjoyed reading this book. The tunnels are a bit spooky. also a short book.

[Trick Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc Layton never,ever disappoints on his writing,his stories and the fantastic characters in his books and out of all his books, this one included,you just can't read them at night!! I cant,I tried!! I end up scaring myself and in this series,this is the first book,The Taster is no exception!! Follow the Professor and see where he takes you on this new adventure,mystery is there a killing or murder?? Try and solve what's going on and why,can you? Never,ever will you be able to figure all this out without this Professor who comes across some really unusual characters!! Be prepared to go to down the dark mystery hole and you can be scared,I sure was,just can't wait till the next clues and see what happens next!! Always,Excellent!! Hated to see this story end!! On to the next set of clues,look and pay attention to the way how this story is written,the descriptions are really good where you actually feel like you are in the story yourself ,very well detailed,some readers pay attention some dont,some don't care, but it does to me and I see this in all his stories as in the first series Marc wrote, "Evergreen".. The more description that you are given ,the better the story is where you actually feel as if your there watching The whole story unfold,you are actually part of the story and to me,my opinion,that's hard to do,to write on paper to make you feel like that and in this story,"SCARE YOU"

[Robin Blanksguster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started out with a bang! A wine collector, long dead, has his mummified remains locked in a glass case where he can "see" anyone who goes downstairs to the wine cellar. Five wine appraisers have gone down and within a half hour, run screaming from the house never to return. Also is is a paranormal investigator a who does not believe in ghosts, ghouls, the supernatural. He is asked to investigate and he makes a plan to retrieve several wine bottles for a company. Here is where the fun really starts, the anticipation ratchets up and a few twists with a surprise ending really pulls you in. Loved it!
Red Robin

I received this book as an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Cricket1327_Zmob King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly enjoyed this!
Freaky read about a man who's faced with what he believes is unbelievable!
This story is extremely well written and the characters are fantastic! Will have you hearing bumps in the night and leaving a nightlight on! 😁❤️
Everything that I've read by Marc Layton has left me going back to the bookstore wanting to see what coming next! If you enjoy great horror stories than you definitely need to add him to your library!

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

MARC HAS NOT LOST HIS TOUCH AND, IF IT'S POSSIBLE, MAY HAVE INCREASED HIS SCARE FACTOR A NOTCH OR TWO. A SAVVY WINE CONNOISSEUR IS PAID TO RETRIEVE SOME VERY EXPENSIVE WINES FROM A CELLAR BUT HE'S RATHER NOT DO IT. ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE FROM THERE.
READ IT WITH ALL THE LIGHTS ON. SPOOKY TO THE Nth DEGREE. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[MsRoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Taster (An Investigative Horror Series Book 1) by Marc Layton This book at first was not what I expected so I closed the book. I Opened it again to read some more ... Finally I was so enthralled in the story , without realizing I was on the last page wanting more. Marc Layton Thank You for a great book . I would recommend this book....

[Deb (D L) Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc comes to us again with all of his senses wrapping us in horror. The start is a bit slow but the tension quickly builds. Vintage wine, spooky wine cellars, searching by candlelight all done to scare the hell out of us. AND it works! I can't wait for the next in the series. What horror will Mr. Layton bring to the table next? You won't know unless you read the book.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual, very spooky story. It certainly gives one pause to going in a wine cellar. It was quite an enjoyable tale and I do look forward to reading the next chapter in this story. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.