Ellen McKenzie and her fiancé, Chief of Police Dan Dunham, are on their way to the very upscale Harvest Festival Dinner, hosted by Ellen′s niece, Sabrina, and her husband, Mark Tortelli. They are seasoned winery professionals. What could go wrong?
New to Silver Springs Winery, the Tortellis have been worried for weeks that their jobs depend on the success of this event, and the reputation of the guest chef hasn′t helped calm their nerves. Otto Messinger is noted for his temper tantrums. Ellen is hoping he′ll keep himself in check. Dan is hoping the Tortellis, who have been staying with Ellen for a month, will triumph and soon find their own place to live.
Tonight′s guest list seems to include everyone who has ever had a feud with Otto, a fact the chef is thoroughly enjoying. The dinner progresses, a little shaky but without disaster.
Then it′s time for dessert. But where is Otto?
It is Sabrina who finds him, quite dead, in a wine fermenting tank. Who helped him into it? Dan seems to think it was Sabrina. Ellen would prefer Dan find another suspect—and there are plenty....
From Publishers Weekly
Harvest Festival Dinner at the Silver Springs Winery sounds ideal, and it is—until master chef Otto turns up dead before the sumptuous final course in Delaney's auspicious first outing in California wine country. Real estate broker Ellen McKenzie and her fiancé, chief of police Dan Dunham, are soon embroiled in the case. Ellen's niece Sabrina and Sabrina's new husband, Mark Tortelli, were counting on this splashy event to solidify their reputation as new managers of Silver Springs—especially since there's some question as to why they left their last job. The legendarily cantankerous Otto had numerous fans but even more foes, including Mark's father. Feuding shareholders and real estate developers further threaten the winery's tranquility, and Ellen must sift through all the drama to find the killer, while planning her wedding and solving family problems. Delaney's choice of setting, gossipy milieu and colorful (if somewhat predictable) suspects help to keep Ellen scrambling and move the action right along. (July)
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Review
"The California wine country is host to fine food, fine wine and a fine murder or two.
Realtor Ellen McKenzie has prevailed upon her fianc, Police Chief Dan Dunham, to escort her to an evening gala at the Silver Springs Winery, where her niece Sabrina's husband Mark has just taken over as winemaker. Everything looks beautiful, but behind the scenes the temperamental Chef Otto is pitching a fit. The atmosphere is not eased by the arrival of Mark's father Frank Tortelli, restaurateur, chef and Otto's hated rival. Also seated at Ellen's table are Jolene Bixby, an attractive but inebriated food-and-wine writer; Ian Applby, one of the winery's owners; and sleazy realtor Carlton Carpenter, who recently bought a small share in the winery and sold Chef Otto a house he plans to run as an upscale B&B. Otto's assistant Larry Whittaker, Ellen's old high school friend, wants to renew what he regards as their ancient romance. But after years in a bad marriage, Ellen's ambivalent about marrying Dan. When Otto is found dead in the fermenting tank, Sabrina is a suspect, and Ellen feels a little sleuthing on her part won't hurt. Another murder and a stolen vat of wine merely make Ellen more determined to hunker down.
Spotting the killer is easy, but congenial characters make Delaney's debut an enjoyable addition to the cozy scene." --Kirkus Reviews