Customer Reviews

Sharpshooter: A Sunny McCoskey Napa Valley Mystery (Napa Valley Mysteries)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really enjoyed reading this book and I don't normally read fiction. (As my previous reviews indicate.) I had just finished reading a beautiful big coffee table book - "Napa Stories: Profiles, Reflections, and Recipes from the Napa Valley" by Michael Chiarello. I was certainly in the mood.

Author Nadia Gordon did her homework about the Napa Valley. As a biologist I wasn't sure the glassy-winged sharpshooter was an actual insect. Well, it certainly is. She creates a very real "sense of place" about this world famous valley. She weaves in a lot about wine making, believable local politics, society and personal relationships.

I guess I am being a little bit picky, but I wish the book were a little bit longer to flesh out some of the characters more. However, this is the first of a series, so I guess it is a complement that I would like to know the characters better. The only other comment would be one of the main characters is named Rivka. It is a little bit difficult to mentally pronounce.

I must admit it was a great read and I look forward to the rest of the series.

I found this book from my little neighborhood book store couple weeks ago. I just wanted to have something light to read at the beach. It was light but on a good way, like good summery Chardonnay. Writing is very snappy, fun and it is a page turner. I read it on one sitting, which needless to say wasn't the smartes thing to do on a beach. So, despite my severe sunburn I do recommend this to anyone who's into good, fun mysteries. My hat's off to you Nadia, or should I say skin?

I can't wait for the next Nadia Gordon's book.
I loved it. Great book specially the Napa Valley setting. I love that area and felt like I was there with Sunny!
I recommend it for anyone looking for a good mystery.
Thanks to my train commute, it made my ride shorter and something I was looking for so I could grad my book and read another chapter.

If you love Napa, the wineries, the bistros, the relaxation, you'll love this mystery! Nadia Gordon weaves a wonderful story, full of friendship and memorable characters - not to mention the scenery. Sit down with a glass of Pinot Noir and read this book!

this book was really great. I hope nadia gordon will match this book's superbness with her next one. can't wait! she expresses the napa wine valley beatifully and makes the story easy to follow.

Especially nice if you know the Napa Valley and if you like to speculate on just WHO in real life would make the best verisons of the fictional characters in this easy-to-read, enjoyable book. I even learned how to enjoy that left-over red wine the morning after!

Good read, nice holiday gift along with a bottle of a great Napa Rutherford Cabernet!

I couldn't put this book down! Sharpshooter is an engaging mystery novel, very suspensful with a terrific plot set in the beautiful, sexy Napa Valley food and wine community. The sensual descriptions of fall feasts accompanied by witty dialogue and a good solid crime story make for a great read. Very engaging, much fun.

what fun to discover a new author and character that you look forward to hearing more from in the future - hope this is just the beginning! this was not an easy book to set aside, the combination of food and wine combined with a mystery setting was terrific. having been in the restaurant business for many years some of it was a bit of a stretch realistically but it didn't alter my enjoyment of the book.

An interesting blend of fine foods, wine, and mystery amoung the Napa Valley eaters, drinkers, and growers. In some parts the food preparation was equally as entertaining as the "whodoneit". The reader is also exposed to the growing of food and wine and the problems associated. I am not sure how well it was all blended into the same story, but it was interesting and worth the read.

Bought this book very inexpensively and did not have much in the way of expectations. Really enjoyed the character development and the plot.