Clarets of Fire (Rose Avenue Wine Club Mystery #4) by Christine E. Blum

Clarets of Fire

(Rose Avenue Wine Club Mystery #4)

by Christine E. Blum

Paperback, 272 pages

Published September 24th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Goodreads synopsis:

Wine connoisseur Annie "Halsey" Hall must turn up the heat on a felonious firebug . . .

Halsey and the ladies of the Rose Avenue Wine Club are celebrating with newlyweds Penelope and Malcolm, who are thrilled to be opening their new winery. They're also partnering with a cherished neighborhood eatery, Rico's Pizza, which will be serving young clarets from their fall harvest. But as Halsey attempts to savor the bouquet of her Tooth & Nail Cab, a different scent intrudes--smoke. The nearby pizza parlor is going up in flames. As they rush to the scene, Halsey's rescue dog Bardot pulls a body from the burning building--the pizza delivery driver--but it's too late.

When investigators determine a rag soaked with gasoline in a bottle from the winery started the blaze, police suspect both the pizza parlor owners and Penelope and Malcolm of arson and murder. With her friends' business and freedom at stake, it's up to Halsey to smoke out the real arsonist--before somebody else gets scorched . . .

***

4 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Rose Avenue Wine Club Mystery series by Christine E. Blum.

I have never been much up on alcoholic anything and that is why I found this book fascinating. I have always wondered about the lure of this substance. And these characters were very familiar with their alcohol.

When a local pizza establishment catches fire, Halsey’s dog finds a body in the ashes… a pizza delivery driver. Suspicions fly as a couple from a local winery are deemed suspects. Halsey has to jump into action and save her friends and their business from going up in smoke.

This is almost like a feel good girl movie with a twist. This jolly group of girlfriends is just what the doctor ordered, especially if you are a big fan of wine with your mysteries. The mystery was well plotted and it really kept me guessing all the way through. Just a jolly great book. I will definitely keep a lookout for Christine E. Blum books in the future.

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check out this one. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.