Title: The Merlot Murders
Author: Ellen Crosby
Copyright: 2006
ISBN-13:978-1-4165-3604-8
ISBN-10: 1-4165-3604-3
Paperback
Pages: 352 plus preview of The Chardonnay Charade
The main setting for The Merlot Murders is a winery and vineyard in Virginia. Readers are treated to a map and diagram of the location where the dramatic events take place.
The main character, Lucie, is living in France when she learns of her father’s death. On her return home, she discovers mixed emotions and her childhood home is no longer meticulously kept. The dissension between the family siblings can be cut with a knife. Lucie is looked down upon because she is disabled caused by an accident two years earlier. She shows her stubbornness to keep the winery and vineyards in the family despite others wanting it to be sold. Cosby portrays Lucie as being intelligent and able to accomplish her goals.
In explaining why she enjoys wine, Lucie says, “I like the fact that wine is somehow connected to so many pleasurable things in life. It’s goes with romance, history, mystery…what more could you ask? I like the fact that archaeologists found wine jugs in the tombs of the pharaohs and that Noah is supposed to have owned the first vineyard.”
Characters
Other characters in the book include Eli - Lucie’s brother and Mia - Lucie’s younger sister. Is Greg an old boyfriend to be trusted or what about the recently hired winemaker? All of the characters are delightfully woven together with the winery and vineyard as the centerpiece.
Detailed Descriptions
The descriptions are detailed and authentic. Readers get an understanding of winery protocol. In order to detail the realistic descriptions, the author spent much time learning the ins and outs of vineyards and wineries. On her website, Cosby writes: “Over the years, I filled countless notebooks with all the information she (winery owner) shared with me and spent hours with her in the vineyard gaining practical experience in the tough-but-rewarding business of growing grapes and making wine.”
History of Virginia Wine Industry
The author ends the book with two pages devoted to the history of wine in Virginia. Cosby writes, “Nevertheless in 1619 the House of Burgesses-stubbornly determined to cultivate a home-grown wine industry-passed a law requiring every male colonist to plant twenty vines. For every dead or non-fruit-bearing vine, the fine was a barrel of corn.”
Pros
It is obvious that the writer, Ellen Crosby, put much work, time and research into developing the story. Those who enjoy mysteries and wine will most likely enjoy reading The Merlot Murders.
Author
Ellen Crosby is a prolific writer, writing both fiction and non-fiction. She has written several winery related mysteries including, The Riesling Retribution, The Bordeaux Betrayal, and The Chardonnay Charade. In addition, Crosby is a freelance journalist and has articles published by The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The Christian Science Monitor.
Kathleen Sullivan - Kathleen Sullivan is the co-owner and writer for Wine Trail Traveler, a winery and vineyard virtual visitor center. The Wine Trail ...
Join the Conversation