Vintage Polo [Hardcover]

Jerry Kennealy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1993

Accompanying a friend to the gala opening of the Baroni Estates vineyard, Nick Polo finds himself back on the job when Baroni himself asks him to find out who has threatened to sabotage and set fire to the vineyards.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A California PI himself, Kennealy ( Polo Solo ) captures some of the classic Hammett/Ross Macdonald spirit in the eighth Nick Polo case, a tale of greed, ambition, nasty sex, blackmail and murder in a rich California family with lots of dark secrets. With his girlfriend, reporter Jane Tobin, Polo is attending the opening of Baroni Estates' grand new winery when he is summoned to meet Angelo Baroni Sr. Wheelchair-bound and with a womanizing son about to be divorced for the third time, the elder Baroni suspects that someone is trying to destroy his winemaking empire. His worries are soon given credibility when an explosion levels the new facility. Polo's investigation opens a can of worms, the nastiest involving a pedophilic, gambling mobster. Two murders and an accidental drowning lead to a lethal duel between Polo and the mob figure, followed by a leisurely explication of tangled relationships and a somewhat ambiguous but satisfying resolution. Polo, whose lawyer is named Collin Wilcox (after another noted mystery writer), and Tobin engage in some too-cute dialogue, but Kennealy moves the plot briskly and deftly lays out his puzzles.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Baroni Vineyards is opening a new sparkling-wine facility. Private investigator Nick Polo tags along to the gala with reporter Jane Tobin. Amidst the fun, Nick takes a case at the behest of Angelo Baroni. Someone is sabotaging his vineyards: a tank of chardonnay spoiled, irrigation systems dismantled, theft, and--the weekend of Nick's visit--arson. The competition in wine is fierce, so it could be a business rival, but an inside job is more likely. The Baroni family is a rat's nest of divorce, bitterness, ambition, and greed. Junior's soon-to-be-ex has Mob connections, and her brother is in prison for an earlier attempt on Baroni the elder's life. Polo doggedly pursues the case as the bodies pile up and the threats to both his life and Jane's increase in intensity. This eighth Polo novel continues the series' strong tradition of tight plotting, crisp dialogue, and self-deprecating humor. Polo's curmudgeonly landlady, the old-as-dirt Mrs. Diamonte, serves as a protector, doctor, and occasional Tonto to Polo's Lone Ranger. It's a fun relationship, and it makes for good reading. Wes Lukowsky

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 246 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (December 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312099320
• ISBN-13: 978-0312099329
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,263,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a native San Franciscan - a rare breed nowadays; a former policeman, fireman, licensed private investigator for more than twenty years, and past Vice President of the Private Eye Writers of America.
Married to Shirley, the love of my life, also a San Francisco native, we have two sons: Frank and Steve, and a grandson, Jake.
When I was struggling to get my first mansucript finished, a friendly, established author encourged me, saying that my background should be helpful, and then he gave me this piece of advice: "Write what you know, and fake the rest."
I've been writing ever since. My first books were all first person private eye adventures, including ten in the Nick Polo series, and most of the action took place in San Francisco.
The following eight thrillers moved around from London, to Madrid, Russia, etc., but usually had a scene or two in San Francisco (write what you know).
Now I'm back in the city with a new series, stating with JIGSAW, featureing an offbeat hero, Mr. Carroll Quint, and entertainment editor for the San Francisco Bulletin.
I'm presently working on STILL SHOT, the second in the Carroll Quint series.
Thanks for reading about me here, and I hope you enjoy my novels.

Jerry Kennealy