A Vintage Murder

A Wine Lover's Mystery #4

by Michele Scott

As the vineyard manager at Malveaux Estates, Nikki Sands knows wine...and has recently gotten to know her own heart. She's finally chosen between two men, and followed one to Australia's wine-producing Barossa Valley. But just when things Down Under start to heat up, murder steps in...

Nikki and her boss -- oops, boyfriend! -- came to Australia to visit the Hahndorf Winery, but it seems they've also walked onto a movie set. An epic film, complete with some of Hollywood's brightest stars, is being shot on the estate. Then, leading lady Lucy Swanson is found dead in her trailer, bitten by a poisonous snake. Ex-actress Nikki is asked to take on Lucy's role, and Nikki agrees to step into the spotlight, hoping to find a villain under the glare. Off the set, she's combing the vineyards, determined to catch a killer with a venomous streak -- before she's struck herself.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Australia, Romance, Mystery Thriller, Cozy

311 pages, Library Binding

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Michele Scott is an American author and the CEO/owner of equestrian sports medicine company Professional’s Choice, Inc. She has written over forty novels in various genres including thrillers, mysteries, young adult mysteries, fantasy, and women’s fiction. Her thriller Daddy’s Home from her Holly Jennings’ series written under her pen name of AK Alexander has sold over one million copies and was the #1 bestselling book in the UK Amazon. Her thriller Mommy, May I? and was number 2 on the Amazon list.

Subsequently, Daddy’s Home hit #4 in the US Amazon store (over all books). She was a featured author in Jeff Bezos letter to the shareholders and one of fifteen authors invited to the reveal of Kindle Fire. Amazon also produced a short documentary about her and her writing story and featured her in a book on bestselling Amazon writers. Daddy’s Home was also a top ten bestseller on The Wall Street Journal bestseller list.

Michele’s bestselling mystery series (The Wine Lover’s Mysteries) has gone into multiple printings and has been optioned by a Los Angeles based producer and production company.

Michele is a lifelong equestrian, having horses since she was five-years-old. If you don’t find her at her desk writing, you’re sure to find her at the barn!

Reviews

[Alamelu Danek · Rating 1 out of 5]

too boring to finish

[Dez Nemec · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't like anything about this. DNF.

[Tia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea, or rather glass of wine. Too much suspension of disbelief required.

[Lexie johnston · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Life is too short to be guilted into finishing boring books

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

An escape back into a cozy series I started years ago, in this installment Nikki has recently chosen her true love, and she follows Derek on a trip to visit an Australian vineyard he plans to partner with for his Nappa Valley winery. They walk into a movie set at the vineyard, and when the leading lady is killed (was the poisonous snake in her trailer an accident, or did someone murder her?), Nikki steps in to the leading role. I know this is fiction, but I found that highly improbable! Nevertheless, a fun read, including some wine and food pairings to delight the taste buds.

[BeverlyB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great Nikki Sands mystery. Derek and Nikki finally connect, or do they? Another set of complications put this budding romance on the back burner again. Nikki finds herself in Australia with Derek and Derek's brother Simon and another suspicious death! Murder? You bet! A great light read.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty breezy read, but with a different location, which was a nice change of pace. I enjoyed getting to know Derek's brother, Simon, a little better in this installment, too. He was a nice addition to the story.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series

In this one, Nikki and Derek go to Australia to see about shipping wines to America. Nikki gets her second chance at stardom …oh and of course solves the murder. Can’t wait to read what happens next!

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series that I happened to pick up at a library sale. Good thing I only paid a quarter for it. I'm not wasting time finishing the book.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first and the last of the book left a lot to be desired unless you enjoy the lusty couple filler of a good mystery. The middle section was the story line. An actress is killed, although most people feel it was an accident. However; the amateur sleuth who replaces the actress in making the film is convinced it's murder. She begins to inquire with probing questions to find an antagonism arising toward her. The boyfriend is gone checking out a winery during this. Their thoughts and emotions are very good through this time. The boyfriend's brother who stays with her is a hoot. The book was alright. I know sex (or the underlying thoughts that continue to go toward it)is a fact of life and some people feel it adds color to a mystery. I am not one of those people. It takes away from a good story. If I had wanted a lusty romance I'd have bought one. I should give her the benefit of the doubt that some of her books may be different, I just do not know if I want to read any more. I gave it a 3. The good parts were good. The conclusion of the mystery has a real twist to it that's fun. I did not even guess it until she spelled it out. And she does have some excellent recipes in the book of an elegant nature.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another reviewer called this a mindless summer read; yet another called it fluffy. It is both. While I ultimately enjoyed this book, I found myself being annoyed with the heroine, Nikki Sands, and her boss, now boyfriend, Derek, the owner of the winery she manages, that I almost wanted to slap both of them in the face and told each to grow up! Both could be so childish and annoying at times; and Nikki really, really skates the line on being a TSTL heroine. She is just too, too nosy and really doesn't seem to have any clue that she is reckless and foolhardy in her attempts to solve the mysteries. She is intrusive, impulsive and just plain stupid at times.

While Derek probably should have more patience with her and a better understanding of her personality and character, if he loves her, she seems to be so totally self-absorbed that she can't respect and can't accept his warnings and his frustrations with her impulsive investigations.

I'm not sure I can go on. On the one hand, I'm invested and I like the characters; on the other, they can be so annoying, I can't stand it at times.

[Lanelibrarylady · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 4th in the "Wine Lovers' Mystery" series. Cute series,great for a mindless "summer read". Main character Nikki Sands plays actress turned wine connoisseur/amateur sleuth when she becomes entwined in yet another murder scene, this time in Australia. When a drama queen actress is found dead from a poisonous snake bite, Nikki is not convinced that it was an accident. Not only is she asked to step in as the leading lady in the movie, she also has to juggle playing detective AND figuring out her romantic (or not) involvement with Derek Malveaux, the hunky owner of the Malveaux Winery in Napa Valley. Not too easy to do, especially when they are sharing a room with Simon, Derek's half brother who has been inconsolable since he has been dumped by his Italian lover.

[Leya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick read. And enjoyable as well. I have read a couple of the other books in the series, and was happy that Nikki chose Derek. I was rooting for them.

Back to the book, I found that everything went smoothly until Nikki was offered the part in the movie. It wasn’t a surprise, considering the blurb. But Derek’s reaction was…not the initial one, the one after, I didn’t see that coming. Nikki was her usual curious self, wanting to investigate and wanting “to help” to detective in charge. With all the drama that was happening, the scene stealer was Simon. I just love him!

I was surprised on who the killer was, it just felt strange. I’m usually pretty good on catching them early but not this one. Oh well, maybe next time.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light, quick read. The storyline and the characters are easy to follow and there is enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. I do like the idea of this series and may check out others. Numerous chapters end with actual recipes from the dinner in the story and wine pairings. I found those interesting. Even though most of the them are meals I would never make, it was still interesting to read through the ingredients. All in all it was an enjoyable read.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, the author spends too much time running around in the protagonist's head and not enough time moving the action forward. Things do eventually happen, after much cerebral agonizing. Love the recipes and wine pairings. I wish we could actually experice a meal now and then, perhaps with an explanation of why this particular wine is a good choice with this particular meal. For someone who is pretty naive about wines, I'd find this entertaining.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Wine Lover's Mystery.
Another great addition to the series. Even though I love the descriptions of the Napa valley, it was nice to see the characters in a different location for once. I loved Simon in this book. He just makes me giggle! The mystery was good and actually surprised me once again at the very end.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! I didn't know whodunit until the very end! Nikki Sands really had alot of roles in this book. She started out going to Australia with Derek, then became an actress, she was sleuthing, etc., etc. I don't want to give away the rest. I would highly recommend this book for those cozy readers looking for a good one!

[VJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book needed a better copy editor. The storyline was great but it just didn't flow well.

I'm glad Nikki ended up with the guy she picked because they seem to work. The mystery itself was rather intriguing due to the various characters who had means, motive, and opportunity.

A good read, but not a great one.

[Helen Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great read, but I was slightly dissapointed in how the romance worked out in the story, which is why I've given four rather than five stars. I'd have given it 4.5 if that were possible.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the the last book in the Wine Lover's Mystery series. Lots of drama and suspense. We find out who Nicki will pick. The mystery from her last book is solved. Just when things couldn't be more perfect. Yet another murder happens. I won't give the story away but a good read

[Katherine P · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a light fluffy book that would be good choice for a plane ride or something like that. The plot was a bit holey and Nikki was just way to perfect. I'm not a big enough wine fan to keep me reading this series but it was still a quick read.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series - light, fun, quick reads! And I read the series (so far) in 2 weeks. :)

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a fluffy murder mystery... great for the plane which is where I read it, but not great enough to go find another one to read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, fun read. Continued to want to know what would happen next. Change of scenery worked. Didn't guess the end.

[Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Main character was too perfect, could do everything - didn't grab my interest and struggled to finish the book.

[Karen]

Nikki finally gets her man.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Wine Lovers Mystery Series. Good, fun, quick read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love Nikki Sands character and this was another good mystery. The end was a little lame in my opinion, but everything else in the plot was very interesting.

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are all fun reads, this one I had a large span of not reading which probably made my rating lower. I look forward to the next. Will be making SOMEthing from the recipes in each SOMEtime!

[Melissa Rhoads · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun book. Mindless. Enjoyable. I liked the characters and the mystery kept my interest. Not the greatest book of all time, but pretty good. Oh, and I love wine, so that part was delicious.