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Wine Country Mysteries #5
The Viognier Vendetta
Ellen Crosby’s fifth mystery takes readers into Washington’s corridors of power, where Lucie Montgomery uncovers a political and financial scandal while trying to locate her missing friend.
When Lucie Montgomery visits Washington, D.C., during cherry blossom season she doesn’t expect her reunion with old friend Rebecca Natale is a setup. But Rebecca disappears into thin air after running an errand for her boss, billionaire philanthropist and investment guru Sir Thomas Asher. Also missing: an antique silver wine cooler looted by British soldiers before they burned the White House during the War of 1812.
The next morning Lucie identifies Rebecca’s neatly folded clothes found in a rowboat floating in the Potomac River. Is it suicide, murder—or an elaborate scheme to disappear? A clandestine meeting in the U.S. Capitol, a startling revelation on a windy hill, and cryptic messages from Rebecca cloaked in eighteenth-century poetry are all part of the suspenseful tale of whether Rebecca is alive or dead—and the truth about Asher Investments.
Featuring an absorbing plot, colorful characters, and fascinating winemaking detail, The Viognier Vendetta combines an entertaining mystery with luminous prose that has become Crosby’s trademark.
When Lucie Montgomery visits Washington, D.C., during cherry blossom season she doesn’t expect her reunion with old friend Rebecca Natale is a setup. But Rebecca disappears into thin air after running an errand for her boss, billionaire philanthropist and investment guru Sir Thomas Asher. Also missing: an antique silver wine cooler looted by British soldiers before they burned the White House during the War of 1812.
The next morning Lucie identifies Rebecca’s neatly folded clothes found in a rowboat floating in the Potomac River. Is it suicide, murder—or an elaborate scheme to disappear? A clandestine meeting in the U.S. Capitol, a startling revelation on a windy hill, and cryptic messages from Rebecca cloaked in eighteenth-century poetry are all part of the suspenseful tale of whether Rebecca is alive or dead—and the truth about Asher Investments.
Featuring an absorbing plot, colorful characters, and fascinating winemaking detail, The Viognier Vendetta combines an entertaining mystery with luminous prose that has become Crosby’s trademark.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
41 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Crosby
26 books487 followersEllen Crosby is the author of the Virginia wine country mysteries, the Sophie Medina mysteries, and MOSCOW NIGHTS, a standalone. DEEDS LEFT UNDONE, her 13th wine country mystery, will be out on August 5, 2025 in hardcover, as an ebook, and as an audio book from Tantor Media. Previously she was a freelance reporter for The Washington Post, Moscow correspondent for ABC Radio News, and an economist at the US Senate. She lives in the Washington, DC suburbs of northern Virginia after living overseas for many years and is currently busy writing the 14th wine country mystery which will be out in 2026. More at www.ellencrosby.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
April 21, 2019
The Wine Country Mysteries is one of my new favorite series. While it falls under the cozy sub-genre, it's not at all light and whimsical. The Viognier Vendetta, the 5th book in Ellen Crosby's wonderful series, is another fine edition worthy of just over 4 stars.
In this book, Lucie's former college pal, known affectionately as Big because of their sisterly relationship back on a running team, asks her to meet up in DC after a ten-year absence. Right off the bat, I knew she'd either die or be accused of murder, but it still made me ever the more curious to find out which. The bodies continue to pile up as Lucie learns of a financial firm's connections to several of her friends and acquaintances back in Atoka, Virginia. Ultimately, it's another war between the British and America, not too dissimilar from the one in 1812 decades after independence. Someone's playing games regarding investment fraud and an urn that needs to be returned to its rightful owner. Whodunit?
Crosby weaves history and mystery like no one else in this elaborate and complex story. Her characters are complex and multi-dimensional, despite sometimes being a little boring when it comes to what they're after. It's always money! LOL That said, I truly enjoy reading one of these novels and will be sad when I catch up to the latest one that just came out. I'm about halfway thru the series and already wondering what will take its place? Who wouldn't love a storm about American history, wine, and drama?
In this book, Lucie's former college pal, known affectionately as Big because of their sisterly relationship back on a running team, asks her to meet up in DC after a ten-year absence. Right off the bat, I knew she'd either die or be accused of murder, but it still made me ever the more curious to find out which. The bodies continue to pile up as Lucie learns of a financial firm's connections to several of her friends and acquaintances back in Atoka, Virginia. Ultimately, it's another war between the British and America, not too dissimilar from the one in 1812 decades after independence. Someone's playing games regarding investment fraud and an urn that needs to be returned to its rightful owner. Whodunit?
Crosby weaves history and mystery like no one else in this elaborate and complex story. Her characters are complex and multi-dimensional, despite sometimes being a little boring when it comes to what they're after. It's always money! LOL That said, I truly enjoy reading one of these novels and will be sad when I catch up to the latest one that just came out. I'm about halfway thru the series and already wondering what will take its place? Who wouldn't love a storm about American history, wine, and drama?
April 21, 2015
I'm in it for the vineyard and the winery, when it comes to these books, so being that this one was set almost entirely in Washington DC, I wasn't super keen. And I feel like I'm a broken record on this particular point, but the completely irrelevant focus on Kit's weight and the constant shaming of her every time she dares to eat something grates worse and worse with each book. The 'code' that the mystery was centred on was honestly a pretty ridiculous plot point, and as always—even when I enjoy the book—I don't enjoy the American history lectures throughout (I suppose particularly since I've grown up hearing a different side of most of it). Still, it was very readable, which they all tend to be. I just hope the next (and apparently last?) one is back in the setting in enjoy.
April 12, 2011
Interesting topical theme of Ponzi schemes and investment frauds--generally well handled, especially with the particular take of how that might affect a small, interconnected community. On the other hand, I'm a little tired of the supposedly fiery romance that isn't going anywhere. Why is she so hung up on him? I wonder. He's overly macho and fairly self-centered. Can't see the appeal there.
February 12, 2018
Nice to return to this series and now I remember why I enjoyed it so much. This book was a bit different in that much of the plot involved Washington, DC "insiders" but the story also cleverly interwove Lucie's seemingly quiet life in the vineyard. Her romance with Quinn also has a new plot twist while their wine, Viognier, wins a tasting award.
It was fast-paced and I did not want to put it down! So I didn't and stayed up late until I finished it..
It was fast-paced and I did not want to put it down! So I didn't and stayed up late until I finished it..
March 4, 2011
This is a fun read. I love Ellen Crosby's Wine Country mysteries, partially because we have lived in Virginia and I can visualize the scenes so clearly and partly because there's always a little twist you don't expect. I highly recommend this book and am ready to read her new one as soon as it comes out!
July 28, 2021
I loved this book, but get them together already!
August 18, 2020
Another fun cozy mystery set in northern Virginia DC area. The national monuments, cherry blossoms and Library of Congress settings add to the charm as vineyard owner Lucie Montgomery solves more insider murders.
April 19, 2021
The author seems to be getting better with each book. This one was the best of the series thus far with more true who done it possibilities
April 24, 2011
Love this series. I don't know why it took me so long to get to this book. I think I should have read it sooner, since I had trouble with the history - couldn't really remember some things that happened in previous books. Don't be alarmed by that statement - I don't think you need to read them in order to enjoy them. It was just little things for me.
This mystery is basically set in Washington D.C., not far from Lucy Montgomery's vineyard. I found the descriptions of Washington and it famous landmarks very interested. I was only in Washington once, as a very young person and didn't get to all the places in the book. It may be time to go back.
Enjoyed the mystery in this book. Lucy's college friend comes back into her life after many years and promptly disappears. Is she alive and has she absconded with money from her boss and mentor's investment company, or was she done away with by that very same boss because of his investment schemes?
While Lucy is trying to unravel this mystery, she is also beset with complications arising in her relationship with her wine maker at the vineyard. Will he be leaving her - not only in a business capacity, but personally?
I was so intrigued I had to keep reading this, and basically did it in "one" sitting - with a few interruptions. There appears to be another book coming soon. Can't wait - but maybe I should re-read some of the previous ones first.
This mystery is basically set in Washington D.C., not far from Lucy Montgomery's vineyard. I found the descriptions of Washington and it famous landmarks very interested. I was only in Washington once, as a very young person and didn't get to all the places in the book. It may be time to go back.
Enjoyed the mystery in this book. Lucy's college friend comes back into her life after many years and promptly disappears. Is she alive and has she absconded with money from her boss and mentor's investment company, or was she done away with by that very same boss because of his investment schemes?
While Lucy is trying to unravel this mystery, she is also beset with complications arising in her relationship with her wine maker at the vineyard. Will he be leaving her - not only in a business capacity, but personally?
I was so intrigued I had to keep reading this, and basically did it in "one" sitting - with a few interruptions. There appears to be another book coming soon. Can't wait - but maybe I should re-read some of the previous ones first.
December 2, 2012
One of my favorite mystery series. Crosby has the right blend of puzzle, place, history, and romance. As a bonus, this one features DC gardens. My highest tribute is that it hasn't mattered that I've read all of these out of order--still enjoyed.
September 13, 2016
Really enjoyed the diverse setting in this installment. I also loved the LOC component!
July 16, 2021
SPOILER ALERT
Lucie Montgomery is pulled into murder and a treasure hunt by an old college classmate that she hasn't seen in twelve years. When Rebecca Natale calls and asks to see her, Lucie is perplexed. They had parted on less that good terms, when Natale had left school under a cloud of inappropriate sexual behavior with a professor, whose marriage failed as a result. Rebecca apparently trusted Lucie because Lucie had never judged or talked about the affair with Connor. Now she invites Lucie to accompany her to an opening of the exhibit being donated to the Library of Congress by her boss Sir Thomas Asher, an investment advisor or considerable wealth. The collection is comprised of architectural drawings, newspapers, maps and correspondence of the design and planning of Washington. He and his wife are also being recognized for their generosity and good works. However, he is also being summoned before a hearing committee on Capitol Hill looking into his business.
As Lucie walks with Rebecca to the Vietnam Memorial where she leaves flowers for Richard Boyle, supposedly Rebecca's biological father, whose name Lucie will look for later and be unable to find on the Memorial, then part when Rebecca goes to pick up a package for Asher. It is a secret that Asher's ancestor stole the Madison wine cooler during the War of 1812 that he intends to return to POTUS in private. Then Rebecca disappears, not showing up for the dinner or opening. Later is will be revealed that she had an affair with Harlan Jennings, and with Asher, and had been pregnant.
Her clothes are later found at Fletcher's Boat House, neatly folded. After an extensive search she is found days later, after much of the case is known. Both Lucie and Ian Philips, an ex investment analyst with Asher, both get postcards from Rebecca, they are confronted with poetry of Alexander Pope for clues and begin a hunt for they believe are documents related to Asher's business. Lucie is nearly run off the road and is then followed. Ian is killed. The failing Asher Investments it turns out involves all of the members of the Romeos (Mac Macdonald/Austin Kendall/Seth Hannah/Harlan Jennings), Mick Dunne her former lover, Thelma Johnson of the General Store, and worst Quinn Santori, her winemaker He invested all of his recently inherited funds with which he was planning to by a vineyard of his own. Many of the Middleburg community will be ruined. Harlan (and Dr. Alison) Jennings, friend of Lucie's, was instrumental in getting all of the investors. They, too, will lose all of their estate.
Lucie is looking for a summerhouse, as referred to in the Pope poem. When she finally decides to look at the Arboretum and the Capitol Columns, she finds the summerhouse, and in the fountain a packet of papers. She is pursued by Asher who intends to kill her and obtain the papers that will prove his Ponzie Scheme. Instead he falls down stairs in the Arboretum and over the balustrade to his death. Asher's half brother, Simon DeWolfe, who is involved with Dominique, helped with Rebecca's murder. Quinn is leaving Atoka and returning to California to decide where to go from there. Lucie is devastated. During this story it is revealed that the new Voignier wine that Montgomery Estates has produced has received the Governor's Award. I found little connection between that wine and the plot of this book.
Lucie Montgomery is pulled into murder and a treasure hunt by an old college classmate that she hasn't seen in twelve years. When Rebecca Natale calls and asks to see her, Lucie is perplexed. They had parted on less that good terms, when Natale had left school under a cloud of inappropriate sexual behavior with a professor, whose marriage failed as a result. Rebecca apparently trusted Lucie because Lucie had never judged or talked about the affair with Connor. Now she invites Lucie to accompany her to an opening of the exhibit being donated to the Library of Congress by her boss Sir Thomas Asher, an investment advisor or considerable wealth. The collection is comprised of architectural drawings, newspapers, maps and correspondence of the design and planning of Washington. He and his wife are also being recognized for their generosity and good works. However, he is also being summoned before a hearing committee on Capitol Hill looking into his business.
As Lucie walks with Rebecca to the Vietnam Memorial where she leaves flowers for Richard Boyle, supposedly Rebecca's biological father, whose name Lucie will look for later and be unable to find on the Memorial, then part when Rebecca goes to pick up a package for Asher. It is a secret that Asher's ancestor stole the Madison wine cooler during the War of 1812 that he intends to return to POTUS in private. Then Rebecca disappears, not showing up for the dinner or opening. Later is will be revealed that she had an affair with Harlan Jennings, and with Asher, and had been pregnant.
Her clothes are later found at Fletcher's Boat House, neatly folded. After an extensive search she is found days later, after much of the case is known. Both Lucie and Ian Philips, an ex investment analyst with Asher, both get postcards from Rebecca, they are confronted with poetry of Alexander Pope for clues and begin a hunt for they believe are documents related to Asher's business. Lucie is nearly run off the road and is then followed. Ian is killed. The failing Asher Investments it turns out involves all of the members of the Romeos (Mac Macdonald/Austin Kendall/Seth Hannah/Harlan Jennings), Mick Dunne her former lover, Thelma Johnson of the General Store, and worst Quinn Santori, her winemaker He invested all of his recently inherited funds with which he was planning to by a vineyard of his own. Many of the Middleburg community will be ruined. Harlan (and Dr. Alison) Jennings, friend of Lucie's, was instrumental in getting all of the investors. They, too, will lose all of their estate.
Lucie is looking for a summerhouse, as referred to in the Pope poem. When she finally decides to look at the Arboretum and the Capitol Columns, she finds the summerhouse, and in the fountain a packet of papers. She is pursued by Asher who intends to kill her and obtain the papers that will prove his Ponzie Scheme. Instead he falls down stairs in the Arboretum and over the balustrade to his death. Asher's half brother, Simon DeWolfe, who is involved with Dominique, helped with Rebecca's murder. Quinn is leaving Atoka and returning to California to decide where to go from there. Lucie is devastated. During this story it is revealed that the new Voignier wine that Montgomery Estates has produced has received the Governor's Award. I found little connection between that wine and the plot of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2023
This is the fifth book in the series that I’ve read. I tried to like the main characters but they are so annoying (except for Frankie).
While it is interesting to learn about the winemaking process, some of techniques are complicated so not easy to understand. I do however enjoy the descriptions of the vineyard and surrounding countryside.
For the purposes of suspense Luci once again places herself in danger knowing she is being followed and threatened for investigating a murder. To make it exciting the villain turns out to be Tommy Asher a wealthy well known CEO, who takes time to try and kill her himself. Not sure how he knew where she would be since most tycoons don’t follow people around.
Luci never seems to remember to charge her cell phone and repeatedly drinks copious amounts of wine so falls asleep in her clothes. Is this supposed to demonstrate her stress levels?
Also I found the comments about Kit being overweight and eating excessive amounts of fattening foods repetitious. So too Dominique’s misuse of the English language not amusing the 4th or 5th time around.
Lastly Quint the winemaker is SO rude and disrespectful to Luci almost every time they are together and yet Luci still puts his disrespectful treatment aside because their sex is great.
Amazing how everyone seems to know what is going on between Luci and Quint and yet she keep denying it. At the end Quint leaves abruptly for CA and not sure when or if he is coming back.
As for me this is one reader who is definitely not coming back and #5 the last book in the series for me.
While it is interesting to learn about the winemaking process, some of techniques are complicated so not easy to understand. I do however enjoy the descriptions of the vineyard and surrounding countryside.
For the purposes of suspense Luci once again places herself in danger knowing she is being followed and threatened for investigating a murder. To make it exciting the villain turns out to be Tommy Asher a wealthy well known CEO, who takes time to try and kill her himself. Not sure how he knew where she would be since most tycoons don’t follow people around.
Luci never seems to remember to charge her cell phone and repeatedly drinks copious amounts of wine so falls asleep in her clothes. Is this supposed to demonstrate her stress levels?
Also I found the comments about Kit being overweight and eating excessive amounts of fattening foods repetitious. So too Dominique’s misuse of the English language not amusing the 4th or 5th time around.
Lastly Quint the winemaker is SO rude and disrespectful to Luci almost every time they are together and yet Luci still puts his disrespectful treatment aside because their sex is great.
Amazing how everyone seems to know what is going on between Luci and Quint and yet she keep denying it. At the end Quint leaves abruptly for CA and not sure when or if he is coming back.
As for me this is one reader who is definitely not coming back and #5 the last book in the series for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2018
Not my favorite entry in the series but still a good read.
This series is about Lucie Montgomery who owns and operates a vineyard in rural Virginia. It is a small town with many interesting characters each with their own quirks. Due to its close proximity to D.C. the town also boasts many wealthy and influential residents as well. In this entry a friend from college calls Lucie out of the blue to invite her to D.C. for the weekend. The friend hasn't contacted her for 12 years and Lucie is very suspicious. In the end she agrees and finds herself rubbing elbows with many of the rich and powerful. Her friend is an assistant to a powerful and wealthy investment manager. When her friend suddenly disappears Lucie is sucked into the mystery and turmoil that follow.
This book is primarily set in D.C. and I kind of liked the change of scene. I find the men in her life to be overbearing and they don't really listen to her. Lucie does not really share how or what she is feeling and neither do her lovers. Mick Dunne is just like a steamroller and is only interested in what he wants. Quinn is full of inner turmoil that he isn't interested in sharing, which to me means he isn't ready to be in a relationship at all. They mystery was entertaining and twisty but I did figure out the who and why way in advance on this one. This book just didn't seem to have the same spark. I am excited to read the next book to see where the story goes from here.
This series is about Lucie Montgomery who owns and operates a vineyard in rural Virginia. It is a small town with many interesting characters each with their own quirks. Due to its close proximity to D.C. the town also boasts many wealthy and influential residents as well. In this entry a friend from college calls Lucie out of the blue to invite her to D.C. for the weekend. The friend hasn't contacted her for 12 years and Lucie is very suspicious. In the end she agrees and finds herself rubbing elbows with many of the rich and powerful. Her friend is an assistant to a powerful and wealthy investment manager. When her friend suddenly disappears Lucie is sucked into the mystery and turmoil that follow.
This book is primarily set in D.C. and I kind of liked the change of scene. I find the men in her life to be overbearing and they don't really listen to her. Lucie does not really share how or what she is feeling and neither do her lovers. Mick Dunne is just like a steamroller and is only interested in what he wants. Quinn is full of inner turmoil that he isn't interested in sharing, which to me means he isn't ready to be in a relationship at all. They mystery was entertaining and twisty but I did figure out the who and why way in advance on this one. This book just didn't seem to have the same spark. I am excited to read the next book to see where the story goes from here.
September 5, 2023
This series is good and has taught me a lot about wine and wine making, although this book didn’t teach as much as the earlier books in the series. I hope that doesn’t mean the ‘lessons’ have ended!
It took a few books for me to warm up to Lucy, the MC, but I’ve come to like her spunk – when she’s not busy worrying about things she can’t control or feeling sorry for herself because of the direction her personal life is taking. A little introspection is fine (we all do it), but it seemed to be excessive in this book. I liked the Washington, D.C., setting, but several landmarks were mentioned that I’m not familiar with, so now I want to go back and check them out.
It took a bit to determine if there was a murder or simply an abduction/disappearance, but before that was decided, Lucy and the local law began looking for the culprit. As more was learned about the victim, the list of suspects grew, and there were plenty of red herrings to throw the reader off track. The person ultimately identified as the one behind the crime was near the top of my list, but didn’t quite make it to the top until just before the confrontation scene in the book. The motive fit the character, and I nearly cheered at the way Lucy got away from the villain.
The next book in the series is in my Audible Plus library, and if I don’t get to it before the end of this year, it will definitely go on my list for 2024.
It took a few books for me to warm up to Lucy, the MC, but I’ve come to like her spunk – when she’s not busy worrying about things she can’t control or feeling sorry for herself because of the direction her personal life is taking. A little introspection is fine (we all do it), but it seemed to be excessive in this book. I liked the Washington, D.C., setting, but several landmarks were mentioned that I’m not familiar with, so now I want to go back and check them out.
It took a bit to determine if there was a murder or simply an abduction/disappearance, but before that was decided, Lucy and the local law began looking for the culprit. As more was learned about the victim, the list of suspects grew, and there were plenty of red herrings to throw the reader off track. The person ultimately identified as the one behind the crime was near the top of my list, but didn’t quite make it to the top until just before the confrontation scene in the book. The motive fit the character, and I nearly cheered at the way Lucy got away from the villain.
The next book in the series is in my Audible Plus library, and if I don’t get to it before the end of this year, it will definitely go on my list for 2024.
December 12, 2025
Starting to get back into reading and I just finished this book today. Enjoyed it overall, very descriptive imagery for the setting and was easy to follow the introduced characters who are relevant within Lucie Montgomery’s life. I would give this book 3.5 stars but have rounded up to a 4. Really disliked the romance within Lucie’s life, don’t know how she put up with that man plus their relationship wasn’t something I was rooting for since the beginning. Very little character development for Quinn and he was too secretive, I don’t know how she put up with him. I understand this isn’t a romance book but he infuriated me. But besides that I enjoyed the information about the War of 1812 and enjoyed how I learned new things about vineyards, U.S history, and poetry. Lucie as a character is intelligent, loyal, kind, and curious. The ending seemed a little rushed, dropping information in the last chapter but did answer my questions about what happened to Rebecca.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2018
I've enjoyed all of these wine country mysteries. This one takes place with vintner Lucie Montgomery going back and forth from her winery in Virginia to Washington, D.C. Rebecca, an old and previously close friend, now working for a billionnaire philanthropist, made contact for the first time after rudely dropping their friendship 12 years ago and invited Lucie to come to the Willard in D.C. and go to a gala that evening as her guest. Apprehensive yet curious, Lucie agreed. They met briefly at the Lincoln Memorial and Rebecca left to do an errand before meeting Lucie in their room at the Willard, but was never seen again. It's a fun mystery, fairly predictable but with enough twists to keep it interesting. As always in this series, there's the backstory for those who like romance fiction, but it's more of a complement to the plot than a deterrence.
October 24, 2022
Ellen Crosby did it again!
This is a phenomenal series. I can't stop reading it. Not only is it non stop action with a lot of plot twists but it's also extremely educational. I've learned about what it takes to create a bottle of wine from the terra to the finished product. There is also a history lesson in every book. I've read quite a few mystery novels in my life and I'm usually pretty good at figuring out "who done it" but after reading five books in this series, I have yet to figure out " who done it." The plots have more twists and turn than a back country road. I can't stop reading until I finish this series. It's a good thing I'm retired!
This is a phenomenal series. I can't stop reading it. Not only is it non stop action with a lot of plot twists but it's also extremely educational. I've learned about what it takes to create a bottle of wine from the terra to the finished product. There is also a history lesson in every book. I've read quite a few mystery novels in my life and I'm usually pretty good at figuring out "who done it" but after reading five books in this series, I have yet to figure out " who done it." The plots have more twists and turn than a back country road. I can't stop reading until I finish this series. It's a good thing I'm retired!
September 21, 2023
In this episode ( :) ) , Lucie Montgomery has been contacted by an old college friend, after 12 years. Rebecca, now a high advisor in a huge investment company, wants Lucie to accompany her to a party for the company's founder, Sir Thomas Asher, who is donating a huge amount of material to the Library of Congress. But at the party, there's no evidence of Rebecca, but a lot of undercurrents, with Mick accompanying Lucie, and tensions with another old friend of Lucie's, Harlan, a former Senator from Virginia, and now an investor connected with Asher Investments. Can anyone say Ponzi scheme?
Good story, but the second one this week I've read about an investment scam!
Good story, but the second one this week I've read about an investment scam!
February 14, 2017
An invitation from a college friend not seen in over a decade puts Lucile in a boiling pot of a hot mess. Financial impropriety, dead bodies, and clandestine affairs. Then there's the hot mess at the winery between Quinn and Lucile and the unsettling realization that many of those she cares for have lost everything. It's not a great story, and the rocky relationship with Quinn is frustrating, but it's a fun enough read that I'll keep working through the series.
June 30, 2019
A pretty good entry in the series. Most of the action takes place in Washington DC. Lucie's college friend enmeshes her in a Madoff-type fraud scheme that ends in murder. The author always gets the DC details done right. There are some more ups and downs in Lucie's romantic life. In this book, many of Lucie's friends lose money. i can't recall if that's reflected in later books - I'll have to check. the author is always worth reading.
June 19, 2022
Fun book set in Washington DC and Middleburg, VA. Rebecca asks her friend Lucie to come to DC for an event. Unfortunately, things go awry and Lucie ends up in a new mystery. While all this is going on she is trying to figure out why Quinn is being standoffish. We seem to be off the Civil War and this book is about the War of 1812, and as the book say not a lot of people pay attention to this war and I think they are right. Fast read, 2 days.
July 20, 2024
The more I read these books the more I want to move to this place and stay there in the most majestic home in Virginia. This book also has a great back story of the history of the state and I now want to go back for a visit and see some of these places again. I haven't been there in many years and it would be nice to go back.
This book sort of ended with a little cliff hanger so I am going to start the next one tonight and see if it gets resolved.
Stay tuned....
This book sort of ended with a little cliff hanger so I am going to start the next one tonight and see if it gets resolved.
Stay tuned....
January 31, 2017
This time Lucie Montgomery gets involved in the disappearance of a college friend. The missing friend turns out to be just the beginning of everything bad that happens to many friends of Lucie including Quinn,her winemaker. A lot of the story takes place in Washington,D.C. The book was a quick easy read.
November 5, 2020
Another solid mystery. Intense and suspenseful. The characters are believable. The killer, a crazed greedy fool. Our lead women (the cousins) have terrible taste in men. Smart, creative and downright dumb about men and their personal safety. Quinn is getting tiresome with his angst and bad decisions. Dump him.
March 24, 2021
when Lucie gets a call from her old college friend to come for a weekend in Washington D.C. she is wondering why her friend when call her after such a long time. But when that friend goes missing after them only spending an hour together. She must figure out the clues to find out what happened to her friend.
July 27, 2021
I like this series as it is easy reading and set in Virginia wine country. i was excited to find several more books in the series. This book is set mainly in the Washington D.C. area which was a disappointment but the story is good. A Ponzi scheme is involved which encompasses many of the people of the series
May 9, 2019
I like this series for the information about vineyards and the geography. This book adds interest of Washington, D.C. buildings and more history. If course I still like the flawed main characters, too.
August 12, 2019
This is number 5 in the audiobook series. In this one, Rebecca, an old friend, asks Lucy to come meet her in DC and then ends up dead, so Lucy has to find Rebecca's body and solve the mystery that involves Rebecca's investment company and hurts all of Lucy's friends who invested.
June 26, 2020
Meh. Ponzi scheme and Lucie’s friend who slept with a bunch of older guys + DC politics. I prefer the stories set in sleepy VA with a view of the Blue Ridge Mts. And history. This one was more about poetry. Not my thing
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