Bitter Roots - (Wine Country Mystery) by Ellen Crosby

About the Book

Vineyard owner Lucie Montgomery's upcoming wedding to winemaker Quinn Santori is threatened by diseased grapevines, a catastrophic storm and the discovery of a dead body. But what especially troubles Lucie is why the victim had secretly arranged to meet Quinn - and whether Lucie's soon-to-be husband knows something he's not telling her.

Book Synopsis

The brutal murder of a beautiful vineyard expert and a devastating storm force Virginia winemaker Lucie Montgomery to confront painful changes on the eve of her wedding.

In just over a week vineyard owner Lucie Montgomery and winemaker Quinn Santori will be married in a ceremony overlooking what should be acres of lush flowering grapevines. Instead they are confronted by an ugly swathe of slowly dying vines and a nursery owner who denies responsibility for selling the diseased plants. With neighboring vineyards facing the same problem, accusations fly and the ugly stand-off between supplier and growers looks set to escalate into open warfare.

When Eve Kerr, a stunning blonde who works at the nursery, is found dead a few days later, everyone wonders if someone in the winemaking community went too far. What especially troubles Lucie is why Eve secretly arranged to meet Quinn on the day she was murdered - and whether Lucie's soon-to-be husband knows something he's not telling her.

Then a catastrophic storm blows through, destroying everything in its path. With no power, no phones, and no wedding venue, Lucie needs to find out who killed Eve and what her death had to do with Quinn.

Review Quotes

Crisp and elegant ... The disparate plot threads come together in an exciting and satisfying conclusion. Crosby knows how to keep the reader guessing-- "Publishers Weekly on The Angels' Share"

Crosby's reliable character-driven series once more offers a good mystery and relevant social commentary-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Entwined with fascinating facts about wine and winemaking, this satisfying addition to the series will please oenophiles-- "Booklist on The Angels' Share"

Intriguing ... Well-researched historical details bolster the complex plot-- "Publishers Weekly on The French Paradox"

The lifestyles of the rich and famous dovetail neatly with art history in Crosby's newest character-driven mystery-- "Kirkus Reviews on The French Paradox"

Wine lore and mystery, both historical and modern, combine in an enthralling read -- "Kirkus Reviews on The Angels' Share"

About the Author

Ellen Crosby is a former reporter for the Washington Post and foreign correspondent for ABC News Radio. She has spent many years overseas in Europe, but now lives in Virginia with her husband. She is the author of eleven previous Wine Country mysteries.