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Kate Benedict #7

The Secret of the Chateau

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A JUG OF WINE, A LOAF OF BREAD—AND DEATH.
SHE KNOWS IT’S COMING; SHE HAS TO STOP IT!


London architect Kate Benedict has barely shucked off her coat before she spots her host's aura, a swirling pattern above his head that Kate has come to recognize as a prediction of death within a few days.

And she’s barely realized he’s in danger when he drops to the floor, shot by an unseen assailant.

It should have been the perfect junket—escaping miserably rainy London to a luxurious chateau in the Burgundy countryside. All she had to do was advise the owner on rebuilding his winery's tasting room. But trouble seems to come in threes...

The first person to rush into the room, the young woman who manages the tasting room, also has an aura, as does the winemaker, nephew to the dead man.

Surrounded by absolute strangers and the ever-present reminders of imminent death, Kate is overwhelmed by uncertainties: Where is the danger coming from? Does it extend to her? And dodgiest of all, Whom to trust?

She makes fast friends with the tasting room manager, and she knows from past experience that if she can discover the source of the danger she can cheat death out of a victory. She desperately wants to save this woman.

So she’ll have to make the chateau give up its centuries of secrets: betrayals among the highly competitive vintners of the region, disputed ownership claims, deceitful spouses, treacherous employees, even secret passageways.

And, of course, since it’s a 700-year-old chateau, there will be ghosts. The question is: Does the elegantly-caped gentleman in the green hat mean to help…or to harm?

Just as you’re thinking, “What a clever solution,” the tale takes an even cleverer twist. This is a book with pretty much everything—a likeable heroine, an ancient chateau, all the wine you can drink, a fun plot, and a ghost to top it off. The very definition of cozy.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2022

110 people are currently reading
153 people want to read

About the author

Carrie Bedford

28 books47 followers

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5 stars
253 (58%)
4 stars
136 (31%)
3 stars
37 (8%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Pamela.
1,827 reviews39 followers
April 13, 2023
Kate Benedict takes a job to expand and design a French hotel wine tasting room in France. She is excited as much of the work has been completed by text , and email. Now she was to meet the owner of the hotel, look at the room, and see to any changes. The woman who meets her has the whirling Aura, that proceeds death above her head, and so does the owner, and the head of the wine making area. The firs day there one is dead. It was a race against time, as kidnapping happens, and other mysteries come forward. At one point your not sure who to trust. The story was intense with something happening all the time. The ending was good, and unexpected. It had a twist to it. I enjoyed the story very much. I gave it a 5. I would read it again.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Wolf.
35 reviews
April 8, 2022
excellent book

I couldn’t stop reading this book. It was even better than the other books in this series. The mystery was great. I never saw the end coming. It was a complete surprise. That makes a book even better. I can’t put in words how much I enjoyed reading this book. The best in a long time
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,648 reviews63 followers
December 15, 2023
Hey there, Book Lovers; I have another Kate Benedict Mystery for you today.

Carrie Bedford gives us her book seven in the Kate Benedict series, 'The Secret of the Chateau' is a thrilling blend of architecture, psychic powers, and mystery. Kate Benedict is an architect who can see auras above people who are about to die. When she visits a winery in France to design a new tasting room, she witnesses the murder of the owner, Thomas, and sees his aura fade away. She also sees auras around one of his employees and nephew, both suspects in the case. Kate must use her intuition and skills to find out who is behind the killing and why. Along the way, she encounters a ghost, a kidnapping, and many twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you love psychic mysteries with a touch of romance and humor, you will enjoy The Secret of the Chateau. Carrie Bedford has created a captivating heroine and a fascinating world that will make you want to read more. The book is available now on Amazon and other platforms. Don't miss this exciting adventure!

• ASIN: B09QJV4P93
• Publisher: booksBnimble
• Publication Date: 2/15/2022
• File Size: 3497 KB
• Print Length: 312 pages
• Genre: Women's Detective Fiction, Psychic Mysteries, Traditional Detective Mysteries
415 reviews6 followers
February 17, 2022
These books just keep getting better! Kate travels to Burgundy to work on a tasting room in a historical chateau with winery. But no sooner does she meet the owner than he is shot dead in front of her eyes! People rush from all over, but the killer is gone. He had a spinning "aura" over him, and to Kate's dismay, so do his tasting room manager Adele and the owner's nephew, all involved in running the winery. Kate slowly wins over the local investigator and stays to help the investigation and to try and prevent more deaths. Adele helps her find her way around and ask questions of the staff and the neighbor whose family used to own the chateau – and the more she asks, the more complicated the situation gets. The story is well written and exciting, with a surprise twist or two at the end. – I received an advance copy and freely leave this honest review.
Profile Image for Linda Thomas.
842 reviews9 followers
October 4, 2022
Kate is on job sight when the Aura intruded and the Chateau owner is murdered.

Kate has been brought to the Chateau to finish plans for a wine tasting room. While starting her first tour with the owner he is shot before she can warn him. As others gather round she sees two more Auras on people at the Chateau so she knows the murders are not finished. With the help of a ghost and the local police she is in over her head in no time.
Profile Image for Helen.
308 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2024
As usual with the Kate Benedict stories, I loved it! It's well-written and plotted, and the major characters are developed well. The story is a typical Kate Benedict, but this one takes place in France, in a chateau that has a winery. Kate sees auras over three people. She is too late to help one person and vows that she will not be too late for the others. Will she manage to save the other people?

Exciting and fun, I enjoyed this a lot. Didn't want to put it down.
Profile Image for Margaret Jones.
113 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2022
France and adventure

Kate goes to France for a repair and meets 3 people with death auras. One of them is shoot to death immediately.Kate try’s to help and the adventures begin. This is a well written story with a interesting story, maybe a little windy to my taste but a really good read
69 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2022
hope this isn’t the last in series

It’s happened. I’ve become addicted to the Kate Benedict books. At first I wasn’t sure about this aura issue but now after reading seven books I am totally addicted to it and look forward to more. It’s a unique concept but the characters are smart and I really like the way they reason out the issues that arise.
135 reviews3 followers
October 6, 2022
Hmmm

I have read a number of kate Benedict books. Each time I find them a bit slow and drawn out more than necessary. The story itself was well thought out but the pace and repetition isn't my kind of read. I believe it's the European novels
versus American writers that I find a bit lacking
278 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2023
Auras, Ghosts, and Murder

Kate Benedict is on an architectural assignment at a French castle and winery when she meets three people who will soon be dead if she cannot stop the murderer. Another good mystery storyline, but I do wish that Kate and Josh's relationship was given some more time and story development.
953 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2024
Outstanding Book

This is the best Kate Benedict story yet. It's also the most complex. The plot and several subplots mesh well and unwind at a good pace. Kate's character seems to be developing nicely from book to book and the guest characters, as always are well rounded and believable. I'm ready for book 8.
Profile Image for Suzan.
1,650 reviews17 followers
April 27, 2022
I enjoy this series even though it is not my normal genre. Carrie Bedford is a great story teller. She even has me believing Kate can see aura's. This is book 7 in the series but could be considered a stand alone book if you had not read others in the series.
401 reviews3 followers
May 22, 2022
Assistance from a Spirit is Helpful

Kate once again finds herself in the midst of a mystery. Thankfully she's on assignment, so isn't missing work. While doing both she meets her French look-alike and saves her. A 500 year-old ghost helps. Another great read.
129 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2022
Great

Another hit! This is a great book…with everything you could want. It has mayhem,mystery,murder and so much more. I would like to say that I figured it out but that would be a lie. Kate takes you on a ride you won’t soon forget! Definitely recommend you read this,
Profile Image for Tonya Peterson.
1,601 reviews3 followers
November 14, 2023
The history spoke

For the first time, it was Kate's boss who sent her away for a over night trip but, of course, saw an aura over the person she was working with. Her life was almost instantly in danger. The history spoke and helped solve the puzzle.
Profile Image for Gerry.
1,802 reviews
May 9, 2024
The Secret of the Chateau

Once again as with the previous six books in this series this one was just as catching and difficult to put down. Really looking forward to reading more of Carrie Bedford books and highly recommend that you read them as well.
4,417 reviews43 followers
March 23, 2022
Who killed Thomas and why??? Thank you, Kate, for your auras – they saved Adele!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
7 reviews
April 10, 2022
Book Fanatic

Thoroughly enjoy this series. Interesting theory the auras. Recommend to other readers. Hope Carrie Bedford continues to write about the auras.
40 reviews
April 13, 2022
Very good story

The story is very good. Highly recommend. A lot of twist. Surprise ending with ghosts and mystic powers. Good read
Profile Image for Maria do Socorro Baptista.
Author 1 book27 followers
June 2, 2022
Um dos melhores da série, acho, embora esteja ficando muito repetitivo: Kate vê alguém com uma aura sobre a cabeça, sabe que a pessoa vai morrer, faz de tudo para salvar tal pessoa, e se envolve em sérios perigos. Gosto dos aspectos sobrenaturais, que neste livro são muito importantes.
Profile Image for Harry Delong.
147 reviews4 followers
February 22, 2023
Pretty good. At times a little slow but overall you will enjoy the characters, the well written scenery and setting and the story line.
718 reviews7 followers
February 26, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much. Didn't guess the culprit at all. Good complex characters. Some unbelievable recovery following devastating action, but all in all a gripping read.
206 reviews
March 30, 2023
wow

A whodunnit for sure! Several times over! Kate was very busy with Adele. Chappell was an interesting character. A good read! Read it!
68 reviews
February 25, 2024
What a week.

It was hard to believe the entire book took place in one week. So many twists and turns. Want to visit France to see the vineyards.
Profile Image for Sheryl Jeffery.
12 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2024
Another Exciting Tale

This story is fast paced with exciting twists. I have read several of these books. They are each fun, fast paced mysteries.
514 reviews5 followers
May 30, 2024
Very engaging

Definitely a mystery with a few surprise endings. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and the characters, along with learning about wine making and distinctions.
Profile Image for Vicki.
247 reviews69 followers
February 16, 2022
Architect Kate Benedict has a peculiar skill — she sees “auras” above the heads of people who are in grave danger. In this seventh book in the series, she has travelled to the Burgundy region of France to consult on a project for a winery when suddenly the client is shot right before her eyes. As the investigation gets underway, the police ask her to stay around a few extra days in case they have further questions. Kate readily agrees, as she has seen auras over the head of two other people at the winery, and she desperately wants to help save them if she can.

This is a fast-paced and puzzling mystery with likeable characters and an appealing setting. A perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter day.
Profile Image for Bonnye Reed.
4,706 reviews112 followers
March 3, 2022
This is the seventh in a series of novels featuring Kate Benedict, but the first I have read. I will be catching up on backstories and looking for more from Carrie Bedford.

Kate is a wholesome, well-rounded gal with a degree in architecture and a bit of a SiFi twitch that alerts her to an impending death, which of course she must do her best to avert. Keeps her on her toes. In The Secret of the Chateau, Kate finds herself in Burgundy country, mapping out upgrades and repairs on a tasting room for one of the major wine-makers of that area of France. With only limited French, she isn't really prepared to solve crimes and save people while on this working jaunt, but she doesn't have much choice - Adele and Mark are both marked for imminent death, and she must do all she can to save them. Turns out she can't do it all, but she can do a LOT. This was a who-dun-it I thoroughly enjoyed.

I received a notice on 2-16-22 from BooksBNimble to submit my review -did not receive a copy of this novel from them, but downloaded it from Kindle Unlimited and will read and submit it.

Reviewed on February 18, 2022, at Goodreads and Amazon. Not available for review on B&N, BookBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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