A Vintage Murder [Mass Market Paperback]

Janet L. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 1995

Seattle attorney Annie MacPherson is stunned to receive a desperate phone message from her old high school friend, Taylor North. They haven't spoken in seventeen years, ever since a bitter fight involving Taylor's violent boyfriend -- and eventual husband -- Steven Vick. So, with trepidation and a touch of dread, Annie rushes to the Yakima Valley, where Taylor owns a winery.

In the six months since Taylor threw Steven off the land and out of her life, threatening events have begun to plague the North Faire Winery. Bottles and corks vanish, spray paint spoils the ripe grapes, salt is sifted into the wine. But the worst is yet to come when a bludgeoned body is found -- and Taylor is the prime suspect....

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Seattle attorney Annie MacPherson comes to the aid of a high school friend harassed by her abusive spouse in Smith's third mystery (following Practice to Deceive). After Taylor North, a vineyard owner in Washington State's Yakima Valley, throws her estranged husband, Steve Vick, out of the house, her business is beset by a series of petty thefts. Everyone suspects Steve, who, with his well-known temper, hasn't taken his ejection calmly. Annie arrives to help Taylor with her divorce proceedings in time to attend a Wine Gala at which Steve makes a melodramatic entrance and becomes verbally abusive. Persuaded to leave, he is found dead later that evening, with Taylor at his side, cradling a wine bottle that appears to be the murder weapon. When Taylor takes an overdose of pills and is rushed to the hospital in critical condition, Annie resolves to find out if Taylor killed Steve as the evidence suggests. While Smith's descriptions of wine tasting and the Washington State wine industry are titillating, Annie solves the puzzle too easily, imparting a flat aftertaste to this uneven tale. Author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

The attorney author of Practice To Deceive (LJ 6/1/92) offers readers another highly entertaining mystery featuring Seattle lawyer Annie MacPherson. Attending a wine gala in eastern Washington at the request of a vineyard owner, Annie discovers her former best friend standing, dazed and bloody, over her estranged husband's body. Annie attempts to find the true murderer by investigating recent winery sabotage and reports of wife abuse. Rural surroundings, details related to the wine business, and a somewhat routine plot all lend this work credibility, but swift-moving action, an efficient protagonist, and polished prose infuse the work with its infectious bouquet.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett (September 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804113858
• ISBN-13: 978-0804113854
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,277,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read from a good author, July 25, 2001

By 

"saved6299" (Lewisville, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Vintage Murder (Mass Market Paperback)

Perhaps I am a bit spoiled with The Murder She Wrote mysteries, but I found this book to somewhat lack character and plot development. While the book is well written and esily understandable, the ending lacked much to be desired. To many twists and turns, much like the Runaway Mountain at Six Flags. All in all a good read and a good introduction to the author.