Blood on the Vine is a twisty thriller set in Napa Valley, full of murder, dark secrets, generational trauma, and struggles of power within a wealthy family-owned vineyard. When Lana Burrell, a FBI detective, is tasked to return to her childhood home at Napa Valley to investigate the grisly murders of two women last seen at Golden Eagle Winery, she must also face the powerful Bancroft family. The Bancroft family built an empire from their family-owned vineyard in Napa Valley, with the two founding brothers’ families eventually splitting into two separate factions, a long-standing feud between both. Lana is no stranger to the inner workings of the Bancroft family. Her father worked for Holly Bancroft, one of the present-day owners, and went to prison after Jessica, Holly’s daughter and Lana’s best friend, went missing years ago. Not to mention that Jonah Bancroft, Holly's son, was her first love.

As Lana steps back into the wealth and inner workings of the Bancroft dynasty to investigate the murders, long-hidden ties to secretive societies and cult-like rituals begin to emerge. As she confronts her traumatic past and faces Jonah and Holly, she also begins to investigate Jessica’s disappearance all those years ago, wondering if all of these women are somehow linked. Lana knows that the Bancroft family’s influence runs deep, with ties to powerful people. And the more she uncovers, the more danger she finds herself in.

This was a fast-paced thriller that was hard to put down! I loved the setting in Napa Valley, and I would love to visit there someday. The author discusses winemaking in-depth, and I enjoyed learning more about the entire process. I also liked Lana’s character and her portrayal. She’s blunt and honest in a refreshing way, and I enjoyed her development throughout the novel. I will say that although I somewhat suspected the twist, I was shocked and unsettled when it was eventually revealed. Some details were very hard to read and can be triggering. I highly encourage readers to view the content warnings before reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this gifted eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review Blood on the Vine by J.T. Falco. All opinions are my own.

Lana Burrell is from wine country and grew up really fast when her father was sent to prison for the death of her best friend Jess. She left that behind and eventually started a career with the FBI. Lana is asked to return to the same town twenty years later to help solve the murders of two woman with suspected ritualistic characteristics present.

I loved this story. I enjoyed the mixed media that was spread throughout the book as well as all the different characters. Wine lovers will also appreciate all the information about wine and wine making. I liked the fact that the explanations from the detective work was very plausible and not outlandish like some thrillers. I enjoyed the setting, characters, plot, and ending of the book very much. It kept me in the dark of the culprit for much longer than usual. I could easily see Lana's FBI character go on to solve other mysteries. Blood on the Vine will be available on April 22 to purchase at all major book retailers. Happy Reading!!

Hm, my initial impression is…bored. I didn’t feel like the prologue was especially tense or unique and I also don’t feel like Lana has any real interesting personality. She seems pretty cliche, unfortunately. In general, everything seems a bit cliche - the writing style, the characters. I guess I just didn’t really manage to immerse myself in the thriller. The setting is interesting enough but that didn’t tip the scales for me towards excitement. All in all, it felt a bit too much like a drag.

Blood on the Vine by J.T. Falco

Excellent ~ Couldn’t put it down!

What I Liked:
* Lana Burrell: FBI Agent, lost her mother when young, Father in prison for life, focused on work, tenacious, bright, problem solver, somewhat closed off at first, attracted to Caleb
* Essie Leroux: Sheriff’s Deputy, married, older, baker, talker, wise, paired with Lana on the case
* Caleb Roche: winery owner and wine maker, a bit quirky, open, honest, attracted to Lana
* The location in Napa wine country
* The twisty plot with more than one new and old murder mystery to be solved
* The plot and pacing with great story telling
* The relationship between Lana and her husband and how the connected
* The way the threads of the story all wove together through the story and were tied up neatly by the end
* Finding out who the murderer was and glad that they were caught
* Learning about biodynamic farming – the history of it, the part it played in the story, and the tie-in to Mystica Aeterna group
* The hopeful ending with so much to look forward to
* Reading a new author and loving his work

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about wealthy families and their sense of entitlement
* Not being able to tell you everything I liked about the story for fear of giving something away ;)

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC – This is m y honest review. .

5 Stars

Impressive debut thriller!

After Lana Burrell’s high school best friend, Jess, disappears and is assumed to be murdered. Lana’s dad is convicted of the crime and is spending the rest of his life in prison. Lana went on to become an FBI agent and she is called back home to Napa Valley when two more girls are found dead surrounding very bizarre circumstances.

Could these murders be connected to Jess’s disappearance? Has the killer been loose all these years? Is her dad actually innocent? Lana will discover that the wine country she thought she knew is full of deep dark secrets involving some very powerful people. And the shocking answers she finds just could cost her everything.

This story is everything a thriller lover is looking for: intricately plotted with ZERO fluff; every twist and turn propels the plot line, it contains a captivating murder mystery to solve, nail biting suspense, complex characters to either loathe or root for, and a shocking but satisfying ending leaving the reader breathless and a little sad it’s over. This is definitely an author to watch and I can’t wait to read what he writes next!

Thank you Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on April 22, 2025

Wow! Loved it. As an avid thriller/mystery reader I sometimes find that the stories start to sound familiar, follow the same pattern, etc. This one was not that. The murder mystery element, with a strong female lead, and a fun and interesting backdrop was the perfect combo. I was hooked from the start, entertained throughout, and did not predict that ending!

Lana Burrell is an FBI Agent. She is sent to the Napa Valley to look into the murder of two young women. Lana is reluctant. She grew up in the Napa Valley and lived there until her best friend disappeared and her father was accused and convicted of her murder.

Lana soon finds herself deep in the investigation and being reminded of the time she would most like to forget. The murders took place on or near Bancroft land which isn't surprising since they own a lot of the valley. But the Bancrofts had a lot to do with the events she'd like to forget. Her best friend Jess was a Bancroft and the first love she left behind was her best friend's brother Jonah. Jess's mother is now running the vineyard. The current sheriff was a deputy who arrested her father.

The sheriff assigns her a deputy to be her liaison - a 60+ woman who has only been a deputy for four months. But Essie proves to be a lot of help in the investigation despite really wanting the killer to be the Bancroft who sued her and her husband for selling some wine they produced on their land.

This was a twisty thriller as secrets of the past are revealed, bodies are discovered, cults are outed, and a murderer is found -- but not before Lana finds herself in danger of losing her own life.

Blood on the Vine by J. T. Falco is a highly recommended procedural following the investigation into the recent murder of two young women.

A former resident of Napa Valley, FBI agent Lana Burrell, returns over twenty years later to investigate what may be a situation with an active serial killer. The complications in returning involve the case of her father who is in prison for killing her best friend Jess many years ago at a Napa Valley vineyard. Returning to the area after being gone for years mean Lana must face her memories but she will also have insight into the area and the residents. Once there, Lana notices a man who is following her and she has questions if a cult might be involved.

The narrative opens up with one of the victims fleeing the killer, which immediately grabs your attention. Then readers are introduced to Lana, who is a clearly a flawed, wounded individual. She is also, ultimately, a fully realized intelligent, insightful and competent character. The introduction to her liaison with the sheriff's department, Deputy Essie Leroux, adds some comic relief, but the sixty-year-old recent police academy graduate proves her competence and abilities.

In this well-written, fast-paced procedural, there are several suspects, along with many questions and directions the investigation can go. Clearly, there are a whole lot of secrets individuals are hiding and expect some twists. Between chapters are various pieces of evidence related to the case which includes news articles, interviews, filed court cases, etc., which add depth, background information, and insight into the investigation. This is a debut novel, but written by an experienced writer and it shows.

Blood on the Vine is a perfect choice for those who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This was a twisted sorry. If you like wine, rich people, cults, and serial killers then this book is for you. I think a lot of thriller fans are going to like this one

A good thriller that kept me hooked and guessing. Plenty of action and twists, full of surprises
Enjoyed it
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Finally, a good thriller mystery.
Murder in wine country, decades of powerful wine vintners, disappearances, a cult and an FBI Agent sent back to where she grew up in this wine country to find a chameleon killer.
Lana, the FBI Agent performs well in her job, but is a lonely person as her past keeps her from her future. Essie the deputy assigned to Lana is a delight in her one liners and allegiance to Lana. This debut mystery held my interest and I enjoyed the twisted ending. Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the early copy. I voluntarily have written this review which is my personal opinion.

DNF at 20%

The main character was too unlikable and her inner voice was more that of a 16 years old, than that of a FBI agent which made it all too unlikely for me. Maybe I'm just too old ...

It is a pity as the premise was enticing, I liked the setting of Napa Valley, the wine making, and the mystery around the death of her best friend.

Thank you NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.

FBI Agent Lana Burrell has to confront her own past in this mystery thriller tale, Blood On The Vine by J. T. Falco (2025). When two women are murdered with similar methodology, the FBI sends Lana to northern California wine country to investigate. It’s almost twenty years since Lana’s teenage best-friend was murdered and Lana’s father was found guilty of the crime. Reluctant to return, Lana still believes in her father’s innocence and has to revisit the vineyard and the wealthy family she holds responsible. She is paired up with local Sherriff Deputy, Essie Danby to assist her investigation, and soon discovers a mysterious cult like group, possible links to her own past, and a double murder back in the 1970s. An intricate murder mystery with interesting characters and a history of past secrets that is a four and a half star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given. With thanks to Crooked Lane Books and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

I am just going to put it out there - I felt as if the writer was speaking from a masculine position. I just couldn’t embrace the voice and words given to the protagonist and it threw everything. off for me. The story is solid, interesting and has a great setting. The backstop question: “What are you hiding” applies to almost all the characters and if you can hold onto that and can determine where the battle lines are drawn you will still probably have a hard time figuring it out. Lots of unsettled emotions and past hurts that are still present and constantly pushing every boundary. He knew her when and his friend is going to know her now and she has history with that one and this one and no one is coming at any issue without a lot of history which they are mostly unable to put aside. There is also an underlying twisted vibe which seems to cling to everything.

So, this thriller didn’t grab me but it did hold my attention and that is always a good thing. Rounding up for the thrill, the kill, and the really off the wall final chapters. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for a copy.

This was a really good book! The writing style was amazing as well as the plot!! Loved it, would recommend

3/5 stars: This is Falco's Police Procedural Mystery stand-alone set in Napa Valley, California and follows an FBI Agent who must work with the sheriff's office that put her father in prison for her teenage best friend's murder to investigate a new case, two women found dead near a wealthy family's vineyard. Even though her father was convicted of the murder, she's always believed in his innocence and has always wanted to know the truth about what really happened. Forced to reconnect with her best friend's wealthy family in the course of her investigation, she'll have to deal with reopened old wounds, fight the distraction of old flames and reignited grudges. As she unearths clues to a shadowy cult and deals a mysterious stranger stalking her every step, she'll have to work fast to find the killer before she's next to die. With plenty of plot twists, Falco has written a fast-faced police procedural thriller and crafted a mystery that's well balanced and will leave you on the edge of your seat. The investigation is interesting and the reveals are well-done. Falco's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable. Lana's tough and determined and it's great getting to see her confront her past, work the cases and find justice. With tact and sensitivity, Falco touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and CWs.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Napa, wine, cults, missing women, and a murderer on the loose-this book has it all. I was glued to the pages and read this in one sitting without even putting it down once. There are multiple layers to the plot and the characters making it extremely engaging. I enjoyed the mystery and the twists. The setting of Napa valley is a favorite of mine. There was plenty of action to keep this fast paced thriller highly entertaining.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read this book right after finishing a great mystery/thriller and so while it didn’t live up to this other book I was thoroughly intrigued from the beginning. It kept me engaged right up until the end. I definitely recommend this to all the thriller/mystery fans.

Mixed feelings.
The introduction was tantalizing. Then it got sidetracked by long winded walloping of the main character that made me roll my eyes. I did skip the ramblings.
There is potential in the storyline as I got caught up and wanting to know the end. I like the twist at the end. However, I’m just skeptical that a person who had been through lots of lost of blood, and was in a medically induced coma could just wake up with a clear head and gobbled up 2 muffins!
Three and a half stars for the story line. I felt disappointed that the image of an FBI agent , drunk during her free time, and portrayed as whimsical but hard core at work?
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for letting me read the book.

Secrets abound in wine country! FBI Agent Lana Burrell grew up in Napa Valley, California on a vineyard with her father Cliff and nearby best friend, Jess Bancroft. When Jess was murdered and Lana’s father was found guilty, Lana moved to San Francisco as a teen. With a killer in the Valley, Lana is sent to investigate the death of two women. She’s forced to partner with the sheriff’s department that put her father in prison as well as Jess’s wealthy family. As the past and present reignite grudges and emotions, Lana must keep focused on the murders.

Lana is often seen as detached and unemotional. Despite being a great investigator, she’s lived with guilt most of her life and it seems to drive her. She loves her job and believes in justice. She’s intelligent, competent, and introverted. She’s determined to solve the crimes even though it requires her to work with the local sheriff’s office. Deputy Essie Leroux is not the typical liaison assigned to work with the FBI. She’s only finished the police academy four months ago and is about sixty years old. She’s eager to help on her first assignment that’s not desk duty. I enjoyed the dynamics between the two. Both have flaws that kept them realistic.

A chilling prologue quickly hooks readers. Interspersed throughout the novel are a few letters, interviews, cross-examinations, newspaper articles, and court case summaries. These provide insight into the past and provide links to the present. Full of investigation as well as suspense and action, this crime thriller and police procedural kept me engaged. With many suspects, can Lana and Essie narrow the field and find the killer before another woman dies?

The plot is twisty and flows well. Both past and current plots are woven together seamlessly. There is the right amount of mystery, tension, and secrets to keep readers engrossed and wondering what was going to happen next. The atmospheric writing transported me to wine country. One of the things I loved was the interaction between Lana and Essie. Themes include trust, betrayal, friendship, power, murder, secrets, shadowy organizations, and much more.

Overall, this is a fast-paced, intriguing, and suspenseful tale with great characterization and plenty of action and danger that kept me engaged throughout the story. While this is a standalone novel, I would love for it to become a series. The author is an experienced screenwriter and this novel has been optioned for television development. It didn’t feel like a debut novel. Those who like police procedurals and crime thrillers will likely enjoy this novel.

Crooked Lane Books provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for April 22, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.