The Merlot Murders

A Wine Country Mystery

By: Ellen Crosby

Narrated by: P. J. Davis-Oran

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Lucie Montgomery's semi-estranged brother, Eli, calls her in France to tell her that their father, Leland, has been killed in a hunting accident on the family's 500-acre Virginia vineyard. But the vineyard is now shabby and run-down, and her siblings want to sell it. Then Lucie's godfather tells her Leland's death was no accident. With her greedy brother, hell-raising sister, and a seemingly cut-rate vintner hired by Leland just before he died, all the suspects are disturbingly close to home. Unsure whom she can trust, Lucie must uncover the truth - and oversee a successful harvest - to save the vineyard she loves.

Uncork another Wine Country Mystery.

©2006 Ellen Crosby (P)2006 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Like a fine wine, Crosby's debut is complex and intricate....This is a terrific kickoff to what promises to be a highly satisfying new series." ( Publishers Weekly)

Amazing narrator and the writing is superb!

I was on the edge of my seat!!! Great characters!

Just a heads up tho.. the next book has a different narrator and... she's not as good. Noticeably not as good. I went from book 1 right into book 2. The series is THAT good! but... try to hang in there with the next narrator for book 2.

I read book one years ago and loved it. Really enjoyed listening to it on Audible so many years later!

Murder in a winery

In <strong>The Merlot Murders</strong> by Ellen Crosby, Lucie Montgomery has lived in France on her family's vineyard for the previous two years. She has needed recuperate from a serious car accident that put her in a wheelchair for a long time before physical therapy gave her the ability to walk, but with a limp. Then one evening Lucie gets a phone call from her brother, Eli, with whom she hasn't had contact in months. Their father, Leland, has suddenly died in a shooting accident, and Lucie must drop everything immediately to catch the first plane in order for Lucie to get to the funeral in time.

When Lucie arrives, Eli meets her at the airport and takes her to the vineyard in Virginia on land that their family was awarded for their participation in the American Revolution. Their late mother set up the vineyard from valuable French vines, and it is finally ready to produce its finest quality wine. In the car, Eli lets Lucie know that Fitz, Lucie's godfather, has been claiming that Leland was murdered and wants her to stop Fitz's talk.

But what Lucie finally discovers is that Eli's true purpose in talking to her is that he intends to sell the vineyard, not seeing any value in the land that their family has owned over 200 years. But then at the viewing, Fitz encourages Lucie to find the murderer of her father and also fight to prevent her brother and sister from selling the vineyard. When Eli, in anger over Fitz's communications, chases off Fitz, no one sees Lucie's godfather again. Instead, the next day a winery worker finds him in a ? filled with 100% carbon dioxide, which would have asphyxiated Fitz immediately. This leads to a search for the killer, all while Lucie is dealing with her family's pressure to sell off the vineyard that has been in her family for generations.

I really enjoyed listening to <strong>The Merlot Murders</strong>. The characters seemed very realistic, with their own personal strengths and weaknesses. They made me relate to them and connect to the story. The plot was intriguing and kept my interest throughout the course of the entire book.

P.J. Davis-Oran performs the audio edition of this book. She plays the part of Lucie effectively, giving good expression to her narration. As she performs the other characters, she uses good voices for each one, especially doing a strong job with the French characters and their accents. One problem I did have with the audiobook, however, is that the volume is irregular, louder at times and then softer.

<strong>The Merlot Murders</strong> was a well-written book, with plenty of fascinating information about the wine industry in Virginia and about Thomas Jefferson as well. I appreciated the book and look forward to listening to the next book in the series. I give the book five stars.

Enjoying this new series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this narrator. I actually came back to write the review to note, that this narrator is so much better.

Wine & history w/ your mystery!

The Merlot Murders is an excellent read, esp. for those who like a little history and a little wine thrown into our mysteries. I've lived in the N Virginia area that is the background for this book and know the author has done her homework.The extra information about wine-making, esp. in Virginia, boosts the story. The characters are well-drawn and their relationships believable. There is enough information to begin figuring out possible "who done its" without spoiling it and enough evolving story to keep the reader guessing. Nice mix. The narration is excellent - the Va and Charleston accents are absolutely correct. I recommend this book and am looking forward to the next one in the series.

Place makes a difference

Ms. Crosby does a great job in character development which is conducive to a a good mystery.
She connects us to the land it’s history and benefits for the craft of wine making.
She leaves little nuggets out there for us amateur sleuths to chew on. Left me thirsty for more.

I almost gave up within the first 20 mins

the opening for this book almost had me returning it within 20 mins. but glad I stayed. there are some sections that I rolled my eyes with the writing. and the audio was not consistent. but hearing the accents and strong female character was worth it.

Why is heroine so foolish?

I like this story and am reading other books in the series. I am a little disappointed in the foolish decisions of the heroine. She allows herself to be vulnerable to killers and suspected killers, and instead of avoiding the person who tried to kill her, tells this person (while alone with them) how she figured it all out - leading, naturally, to the killer trying again. Yet, we want her to succeed and I can only hope she gains more common sense as the series continues.

Not memorable

I was prepared to really enjoy this book, and liked the premise, but felt the main character had too many negative situations and was too prone to smark retorts when faced with life threatening characters. Then the author didn't even provide positive details at the end when something good did happen. It left me hanging.