Chardonnayed to Rest

In Seneca Lake, New York, Norrie Ellington’s Two Witches Winery has been selected by the local vintner community to host the annual Federweisser, a celebration of the season’s first fermentation of white Chardonnay grapes. But the festivities are spoiled when Norrie learns that landowner Roy Wilkes has raised her neighbor Rosalee Marbleton’s rent so high, she may have to close her vineyard.

Before the rent hike could go into effect, Wilkes is found dead on Rosalee’s property, stabbed to death, and she becomes the number one suspect. To clear her friend’s name, Norrie conducts her investigation. But as she gathers clues, Norrie finds herself targeted by a killer, and if she’s not careful, her desire to see justice done may die on the vine.

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Series: The Wine Trail Mysteries – Book 2
Author: J.C. Eaton (Ann I. Goldfarb and James E. Clapp)
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Lyrical Underground

Rating:

The work of J.C. Eaton, the husband and wife team of Ann I. Goldfarb and James E. Clapp, is always original. Their combined skill makes just about anything they write entertaining and fun. Chardonnayed to Rest is the second book in the “Wine Trail Mysteries” series. The writing is easy to follow with smooth transitions.

Norrie Ellington is a bit preoccupied with her own interests. Her writing career is on the line if she doesn’t meet her deadlines. Unfortunately, the winery and murder keep getting in the way. It is easy-to-understand Norrie’s self-absorption. What writer worth a dime isn’t self-centered? But this character takes things a bit too far.

Norrie is supposed to be looking after her family winery, which her sister- and brother-in-law take care of, while they are away for a year. She isn’t good at it. In truth, if this were real life, the winery would already be shut down with Norrie in charge. She pays no attention to the winery business, and it would be astounding if it actually made money and stayed afloat. The character is just a bit too inattentive, and her interests take precedence over everything, and everyone else. It appears that if her neighbor hadn’t been accused of murder, she wouldn’t even be aware that someone had died. Or of the festival her winery is hosting, or anything else that takes place throughout the story. To put it simply, Norrie is not a pleasant character. Other characters are hugely more attractive to readers.

Rosalee, with her straightforward manner, and her ability not to know when to stay silent is endearing. Don and Theo are adorable as a couple and as neighbors. They play a pivotal part in the investigation and find most of the interesting clues. Readers will want to learn more about them and follow their antics in future books. The victim, although not necessarily likable, is intriguing. The more information that is uncovered about him, the more the reader will want to know why, and who killed him.

The wine country setting is exciting. Having competing wineries working together and helping each other is a delightful idea that would be great in a world where it’s every man for himself. A sticking point for some readers will be the name of Norrie’s winery; Two Witches Winery can be misleading to readers who think they are getting a paranormal/witch-based cozy.

There is some humor in this book and an interesting plot. When the killer is revealed, it won’t come as a surprise but how it transpires might. In the end, if a reader is looking for a quick read where they don’t have to do a lot of deep thinking to figure out what is going on or who the killer is, then Chardonnayed to Rest is for them.