Hi, Iโm Penny Lively, owner of Joyeux Winery (
ONE FOOT IN THE
GRAPE). Joyeux is a smaller winery in
comparison to several of our neighbors, but enjoys a great reputation. As it
happens, Iโve also managed to gain a reputation for my knack for finding bodies.
I donโt know if knack is the right wordโฆConnor would call it a gift, but the
statement would be said under his breath and likely dripping with sarcasm.
Connorโs my winery manager. My manager and nothing more. Yup, nothing more. Heโs
the best manager on the central California coast and Iโm lucky to have him in
that capacity, which is why Iโve stifled any urges I might have for him in any
other capacityโฆ
Where was I? Right. So after a long career as an investigative photojournalist,
I came home to the winery Iโd inherited. Iโd been worried small town life would
be too slow. Instead, Iโve been back less than a year and so far Iโve managed to
find more bodies than I did in an entire career investigating situations where
one might reasonably expect to find bodies. The local police canโt decide what
to do with me, but itโs not like Iโm asking for this. Although, I have to admit,
once Iโm involved Iโm not about to walk away. Either the police manage to get it
wrong, or someone I care about is a suspect and asks for my help. The first time
it happened, my neighbor, Antonia Martinelli, thought someone was sabotaging her
winery. She didnโt want to go to the police because she thought one of her
children might be involved. Simple, right? Nobody mentioned murder. They never
really do.
Between running the winery and running just ahead of whatever mess Iโm no doubt
in, I stay pretty busy. Connor does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to
the winery, so I have free time on my hands. I spend most of it with my camera,
a holdover from my last profession. My focus is on the landscape now, and this
is a part of the country where itโs easy to find inspiration. The winery is
beautiful, vineyards stretched across rolling hills in tones of bronze and
umber, and just a short drive from Monterey Bay, Pebble Beach and the fabulous
town of Cypress Cove.
Thatโs another thing; murder just shouldnโt happen somewhere so beautiful. The
mean streets of Los Angeles? Sure. The underbelly of Chicago? Whoโs surprised?
Nobody. Here, when you find a body set against such beauty, it seems so much
more shocking, vicious, and wrong. Thereโs a Latin saying, โIt is well to
remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend;
one's present or future thirst; the excellence of the wine; or any other
reason.โ After what Iโve just been through I would include finding a body in
your neighborโs crusher. Just saying.
In California wine country, the town of Cypress Cove may seem peaceful. But
someoneโs about to pop their corkโฆ
After losing her job as a photojournalist, Penny Lively is trying to get her
life back in focus. Inheriting the family winery from her late aunt may be the
fresh start she needs. Thankfully sheโs got her niece Hayley and her handsome
winery manager Connor to help. But the person in need of more urgent assistance
is Antonia Martinelli, the owner of the neighboring winery, who has her own
barrel full of problems. Someoneโs spoiling her wine, and with the upcoming
Autumn Festival, she needs Pennyโs nose for clues to sniff out the culprit.
But Pennyโs search for answers sours after the body of a staff member is found
in a grape crusher. Since Hayley was the last to see him alive, sheโs the prime
suspect in the case. Now Penny must hurry to find the real killer before Hayley
withers on the vineโฆ
About Carlene O'Neil
Carlene OโNeil grew up in the heart of Northern California Wine Country and is
accredited by the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. A former television writer,
she currently makes her home outside Los Angeles, where she can be found sailing
in the Santa Monica Bay or doing research for her next novel.
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