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J.H. Wear

A Taste of Murder Kindle Edition

by J H Wear (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Oscar Detrick, a well-known sommelier was known for being arrogant and using his oversized figure to intimidate others. Detrick wrote a wine column in the local paper and it made him a formidable man.

The Stony Hills Wine Festival features hundreds of vendors sampling wine, beer and spirits to thousands of customers. On the morning of the second and final day of the event, Detrick is suddenly collapses at his booth after sampling a glass of his own wine.

Detectives Moss Stone and Anya Roberts face the daunting task of going through a long list of suspects, including his business partner, ex-wives and other vendors. To solve the case they immerse themselves in the world of the business of wine and wine shows. As the wine festival draws to a close, Stone and Roberts are in a race to catch the perpetrator before he or she can leave the city. And does the missing bag of garbage holds the clues they need to solve the murder?

Print length

180 pages
Language

English
Publication date

October 25, 2016
File size

1240 KB
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Product details

ASIN : B01M8JM0KI
Publisher : Melange Books, LLC; 1st edition (October 25, 2016)
Publication date : October 25, 2016
Language : English
File size : 1240 KB
Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 180 pages
Lending : Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #5,269,315 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #19,987 in Private Investigator Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- #30,683 in Private Investigator Mysteries (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Haunted Reader

Multiple plot twists and personable detectives

Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2018

Review: A TASTE OF MURDER by J. H. Wear

An endearing Canadian mystery with a multiplicity of plot twists, A TASTE OF MURDER keeps Edmonton detectives--and readers--pondering who is the killer, and even who was the intended victim--and why? Why this victim, and why at this particular time?

At a regional wine festival held at an Edmonton convention center, a partner in a sales agency dies during his booth's morning set-up. He did have some cardiac weakness, but the cause of death was more imminent. Did he anger someone sufficiently to inspire premeditation? Certainly this wasn't spur of the moment manslaughter. So who wanted him out of the way, and why?

Enjoyable homicide detectives, an unusual approach to investigation (quantum metaphysics as investigative tool), and an education in wine production and marketing keep suspense turned up and readers tuned in.

I reviewed a digital copy generously provided by the author via NetGalley, at no cost or obligation. I opted to review this title.

Helpful

Thora Dorn

A Hint of Spice - A Taste of Murder

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016

A crisp, clear story written in a knowledgeable, humourous, and entertaining style. This story brings intrigue into the world of wine and alcoholic beverage sales, with just a hint of spice. The level of detail made it so real, right down to the flavour of the wine. I couldn’t put it down.

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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer

This skillfully written page-turning murder mystery set against the backdrop of a wine and spirits show, will keep you guessing

Reviewed in Canada on July 25, 2018

Verified Purchase

A friend recommended this novel; aware that I knew something about the wine and spirits business. The cover of A Taste of Murder by J.H. Wear is upscale, eye-catching and promises a well-laid out story themed around wine. I'm not a hard-core mystery buff, but a good story is a good story. And with a wine and spirits show, something I'm familiar with, as the setting for the crime, I was intrigued.

It's no surprise that author J.H. Wear, who has a number of science fiction and fantasy genre books to his credit, comes from the wine industry. I guess A Taste of Murder is a case of "write what you know". The wine part that is, as I don't think the author has every been involved in such a dastardly deed as murder, even if the wine business is somewhat competitive.

The author has a knack for character development and description, which for me is a must. Imposing in size, sommelier and half owner of a wine agency, Oscar Detrick is also an influential wine critic. His newspaper column, however, often favors the wines he sells and the establishments that carry them. Conflict of interest doesn't deter the pompous man from using his power as a bullying tactic, and he doesn't rule out other underhanded methods either, to get what he wants. Over the years, he's made quite a number of enemies; among them someone who would teach him the ultimate lesson it would appear.

Enter detectives Moss Stone and Anya Roberts; partners with a personal history predating their current work situation. Having left their fling in the past in favor of a friendship that is an acceptable part of their professional relationship, they make an effective team. That's not to say that there isn't still some residual attraction that manifests occasionally as sexual tension, to liven things up. I'm pleased that the author has chosen to write them this way, rather than as two-dimensional figures moving around in the story. They are the main characters after all, and such details allow readers to know who they are and help us understand how their qualities, quirks and familiarity with each other, might impact their thought process and crime-solving.

Though Stone and Roberts have a good record of solving homicides, with this case, they are pitted against time. They have only the duration of the show to find the evidence and interview a myriad of suspects. With a reputation for picking fights and doing damage to brands and business owners, it's common knowledge that the victim was generally disliked within the industry; which keeps widening the pool of suspects. Then just to throw the detectives and readers off balance, some information comes out that indicates Oscar Detrick wasn't all bad all of the time.

To uncover clues, Stone and Roberts have to move fast to learn all they can about the important wine and spirits show and its exhibitors.

Whether you are an oenophile, enjoy the occasional glass of wine, or have no interest in wine whatsoever, if you enjoy a suspenseful story with plenty of twists and turns, this book is for you.

Cheryl Schenk

A Taste of Murder has body and legs.

Reviewed in Canada on May 11, 2017

Verified Purchase

This murder mystery was set in two of my favourite places. My hometown (or at least only 5 minutes away), and at a wine tasting festival. I enjoyed the read and found the plot to be plausible. I did figure out "who done it", but it wasn't so early in that it mattered. I also learned quite a bit of information about the festival, and some of the tricks of the trade where liquor stores and agents are concerned.
I found the author spent more time describing his driving routes than what I thought was necessary, but he did point out some restaurants and pubs that I may end up checking out, both downtown and in the High Street areas.
Overall it is a quick read that I would recommend if you enjoy murder mysteries.

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