| Murder Uncorked ( A Wine Lover's Mystery) | 
 enlarge | Author: Michele Scott
Publisher: Berkley
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
Buy New: $2.75
You Save: $4.24 (61%)
New (31) Used (33) from $1.93
Avg. Customer Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 88623
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 042520684X
EAN: 9780425206843
ASIN: 042520684X
Publication Date: October 4, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Plesantly Surprised January 26, 2006
Since returning to work after being out on maternity leave I haven't been able to get my fix of Law & Order so this book was a perfect fun and fluffy read. It contained all of my favorite things, food, wine, handsome men, and intrigue. I look forward to Ms. Scott's next installment.
Excellent start to a new mystery series November 23, 2005
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
Nikki, a failed actress from LA who's working as a waitress in a high-class restaurant, finds herself invited to consider a position working in a Napa valley winery. But all too soon, she stumbles over a body. Nikki has all the requisite skills of a volunteer sleuth -- among other things, she played a detective on TV -- and she "naturally" falls into the role.
The story is an enjoyable one, and I didn't even get close to correctly guessing who committed the murder. The author did a very good job of creating a setting, but she didn't let the wine info overtake the tale telling. If you don't know much about wine, you'll definitely learn quite a bit. If you *do* know something about wine, however, you won't find the basic information to be distracting or annoying, In other words, she go the tone exactly right.
The author also included a few recipes for dishes that the characters cook during the course of the novel. It's a nice touch.
The characters are believable, too. Nikki didn't do anything that made me roll my eyes, even in the unusual circumstances. There's more to learn about these characters... and I'm looking forward to learning more about them in the novels to follow.
I'm pretty sure this is a first novel. It has some of the rough edges you expect from one -- and the pacing isn't perfectly smooth. In particular, the ending feels rushed; I can almost hear a New York editor saying, "We need that last chapter by Monday!" Nonetheless, it's a great little cozy mystery. I definitely recommend it.
a toast to a superb amateur sleuth November 2, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In Los Angeles, wannabe actress waitress Nikki Sands serves a nasty bimbo and her hunk, but the woman treats her like dirt for doing her job quite well. Nothing satisfies the bimbo especially when Nikki displays her knowledge of wines. When a drink she is carrying spills on the bimbo, Nikki saves her boss the trouble of firing her by quitting. She goes across the street to get a drink when the hunk follows her. Derek Maleveaux buys her dinner, but asks Nikki to select the wines; she does a perfect job at that. Impressed, Derek, owner of Maleveaux Estate, a winery in Napa Valley, hires her on the spot.
They fly to his estate, but even before she unpacks Nikki notices something strange outside. She investigates only to find the murdered corpse of renowned winemaker Gabriel Asant. While the police look at Derek as the prime suspect, Nikki, who has had TV experience as a detective, decides to use her skill to uncover the identity of the real culprit but is unaware that if she gets to close she could be next.
Besides educating readers on what wines to use with different repasts, MURDER UNCORKED is a superb amateur sleuth tale starring an upbeat heroine and a fabulous prime suspect. The story line is fast-paced even before Derek flies Nikki to his estate as the audience will enjoy the lead female's failed efforts to appease the bimbo customer from Hades. The romance between the lead couple is a light blending that augments a fun who-done-it.
Harriet Klausner
Grab a glass of wine, a comfy chair... and THIS BOOK October 30, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
What a debut!
Whether you're a mystery lover, a romance lover, a wine enthusiast or a foodie, this is the book for you. (And if you're all four -- even better!) Nikki Sands loses her waitressing job after a run-in with a blonde bimbo... only to receive an enticing career offer from handsome winery owner Derek Malveaux. She's not sure if it's the thing for her, but she agrees to spend a few days in wine country finding out. Unfortunately, no sooner has she unpacked her suitcase in the cozy guesthouse when she steps outside and makes a gruesome discovery -- Malveaux's winemaker, strangled with grapevines.
With tantalizing recipes and descriptions of vintages that would drive a Baptist to drink, this book is a feast for the senses -- and a devil of a mystery.
Highly recommended.
Great First Book! October 29, 2005
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Loved this book! The pace of the book kept me reading, ignoring all household chores, etc. Couldn't put it down. The characters are well drawn and each has their own voice. The amateur slueth Nikki Sands character is believable, very likeable and she is very adept at amateur sluething. The plot is good and unfolds slowly. Everything isn't dropped on you at the end of the book. No questions went unanswered. The relationship between Nikki and Derek develops at a believable pace and I cannot wait to find out what happens with them next.
I look forward to many more books from this new author. The wine pairing and recipes are an added bonus. I actually learned something :)
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