The Riesling Retribution (Wine Country Mysteries) - Tapa dura

When a tornado rips through Montgomery Estate Vineyard, it not only destroys some of Lucie Montgomery’s newest grapevines, it also unearths an old grave. After the dead man is identified as a former business associate of Lucie’s father, it seems everyone in Lucie’s hometown has already decided Leland Montgomery is a murderer. As the evidence piles up against him, Lucie sets out to prove her father’s innocence.

But Lucie has more on her mind than a dead body. Her new vineyard manager has accused her winemaker, Quinn Santori, of abusing the vineyard’s migrant workers, while Lucie’s relationship with Quinn grows increasingly more com- plicated. Meanwhile, Lucie has given permission to a group of Civil War re-enactors to recreate a local battle on her farm. But when one of the re-enactors is shot with live ammuni- tion, Lucie wonders whether it was an accident or an attempt at murder.

As Lucie pieces together the truth about the deaths on her estate, she learns that while everyone is entitled to a private life, living a secret life will get you in trouble. An intriguing combination of colorful characters, fascinating history, and winemaking detail, The Riesling Retribution offers the fast- paced suspense that has become Crosby’s trademark.