The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This thriller was SO GOOD! Every time I thought I had the murders solved, another plot twist was thrown at me until all the answers were finally revealed at the end. I got this one as an ARC from Crooked Lane Books, but unfortunately for you all it won’t be published until April 2025.

The main character of this book, FBI agent Lana Burrell is forced to go back to her childhood home while she investigates a double murder. As she investigates the case she stumbles upon a cult, lots of illicit drugs, and more than a few skeletons in a few closets.

Thank you @netgalley !

Rounding up because I was pretty hooked through the majority of the book. There were a few eye roll moments in Lana's thought processes and I didn't love the ending, but I did like the characters (Caleb, Essie) and the Napa Valley setting.
Thank you NetGalley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Interesting story. Started out a little slow but built over time. Lana is called nack to her hometown to help solve the murders of two young girls. She also tries to clear her father's name in the murder of her best friend years ago.

Themes of betrayal, emotional tied to the past as well as the occult.

My 6P review: Premise, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise

FBI Agent Lana Burrell heads back to her hometown of Napa Valley to solve two murders and that of her best friend Jess. In doing so, she also hopes to clear her father’s name. Forced to partner with the sheriff who put her father in prison, Lana must put her personal feelings aside to solve these murders.

It began quite slowly, and I was tempted to DNF this book. There was a lot of purely written information which I found myself skimming. I kept reading though and I’m glad I did.

I like Lana but I liked Bessie even more. She was a fun character who used her age and wisdom especially well when needed.

I found some of Lana’s decision making questionable at times. I also rolled my eyes when she was concerned about shaving her legs. Sometimes there were details which did not add a thing to the story and could have been left out.

The ending was wrapped up in a letter which I found to be the author taking the easy way out instead of the characters coming to the conclusion themselves.

It was a good first novel for this author.

Thank you to Netgally for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 ⭐

Incredible. Very True Detective-ish. Murders (in different years). Cults. Powerful families. Colorful characters. Generational trauma. The lead detective going through emotional hell. And wine.

A good mystery supported by great characters.

Highly Recommended. 👍

THIS is one of the best thrillers i've read omg?

Simple plot: FBI Agent Lana has no choice but to revisit the site of the nightmarish past she tried to leave behind, due to two murders that happened on the same place. The place has several secrets left covered from the past and several going on. With hints of a ancient cult embedded at the center, and someone stalking her every move, Lana’s hope to solve the murders begins to have a fear that she might be the next to die.

This is one of those only ARC's ive no criticism for, like its literally PERFECT. The right amount of suspense, thriller, and a little romance.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

J. T. Falco’s Blood on the Vine is a gripping thriller that masterfully blends the serene beauty of Napa Valley with a dark, suspenseful narrative. This novel is a must-read for fans of atmospheric mysteries and intricate plots.

The story follows Lana Burrell, who returns to her family’s vineyard in Napa Valley after years of self-imposed exile. Her return is marred by the haunting memories of her best friend Jess’s mysterious disappearance and her father’s wrongful imprisonment for Jess’s murder. As Lana delves deeper into the past, she uncovers a web of secrets that threaten to unravel the fabric of her life. The discovery of a secret cult operating within the vineyards adds a chilling layer to the mystery, making Lana’s quest for the truth even more perilous.

Falco’s characters are richly developed and multifaceted. Lana is a compelling protagonist whose determination and vulnerability make her journey both relatable and engaging. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic vineyard workers and the powerful families of Napa Valley, add depth and complexity to the narrative. Each character is meticulously crafted, contributing to the novel’s intricate tapestry of intrigue and suspense.

Falco’s writing is evocative and immersive, capturing the lush landscapes of Napa Valley while simultaneously building an atmosphere of tension and dread. The prose is both lyrical and precise, drawing readers into the story with vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue. Falco’s ability to balance the beauty of the setting with the darkness of the plot is a testament to their skill as a storyteller.

Blood on the Vine explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and the enduring impact of the past. The juxtaposition of the idyllic vineyard setting with the sinister events that unfold creates a powerful contrast that underscores the novel’s central themes. Falco also delves into the complexities of family dynamics and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones.

Blood on the Vine is a standout thriller that combines a richly atmospheric setting with a tightly woven plot and compelling characters. J. T. Falco has crafted a novel that is a page-turner and a thought-provoking exploration of human nature.

This book is highly recommended for readers who enjoy a blend of mystery, suspense, and psychological depth.

FBI agent Lana Burrell once lived in idyllic Napa Valley with her father. But after her best friend was murdered and her father wrongly convicted and sent to prison for that crime, it wasn’t somewhere she ever thought she’d return.

But after a body is found on a neighbouring vineyard to where her best friend was found, Lana is sent back to her hometown to investigate.

While investigating this latest crime, Lana finally gets the courage to find out what truly happened to her best friend and to hopefully prove her father’s innocence.

This is a mystery/thriller with numerous plot twists and definitely kept me on my toes and totally hooked from start to finish! I look forward to this author’s next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my advanced ebook to read and review. Pub date 04/22/2025

I really enjoyed this mystery novel and I'd love to see the main character involved in a series. There was just the right balance of drama, puzzle solving and relationship issues. I wasn't too interested in the facts about wine making but the book wasn't too heavy on this. I got a good feel for the main character and the plot was easy to follow. It was certainly an above average offering in the crime/mystery genre.

Blood on the Vine by J.T. Falco is a good thriller from start to finish. The story follows Lana Burrell, a former resident of Napa Valley, as she grapples with the haunting memories of her best friend's disappearance and her father's wrongful imprisonment. As a seasoned FBI agent, Lana finds herself thrust back into the heart of the vineyard she once called home when a series of disturbing murders occur.

The characters are well-developed, and Lana's determination to uncover the truth despite facing formidable adversaries makes her a compelling protagonist. The author skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural, keeping readers guessing until the final pages.

The novel combines the appeal of wine country with the darkness of a sinister conspiracy, creating a story that is as atmospheric as it is thrilling.

Overall, Blood on the Vine is a good read for fans of suspenseful mysteries.

#BloodontheVine #NetGalley @crookedlanebks

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!

True Detective meets the rolling hills of Napa in this wine-soaked thriller perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Allison Brennan.

Lana Burrell grew up on an idyllic Napa Valley vineyard with her best friend Jess–until Jess mysteriously disappeared and Lana’s father was falsely accused of her murder. Over twenty years later, he’s still serving a life sentence, but Lana knows he’s innocent, just like she knows Jess’s real killer is still out there.

Now, as a seasoned FBI agent in the San Francisco field office, Lana figures she can handle just about anything--until a killer strikes the Valley again and those old wounds come bursting open. Two women are slain in ritualistic fashion near the vineyard she once called home, and Lana has no choice but to revisit the site of the nightmarish past she tried to leave behind.

A past that seems to be repeating itself as the blood and wine continue to spill all over Napa Valley.

With rumors of a dangerous cult embedded at the center of wine country, the most powerful family in the Valley breathing down her neck, and a mysterious stranger stalking her every move, Lana’s quest to solve the murders takes an even darker turn when she soon realizes the awful truth: she might be the next to die.

I loved the character of Lana. No nonsense law enforcement agent with a chip on her shoulder. The storyline interested me right away.

Could this be the start of a new series perhaps? It certainly lends itself to a sequel! 3.75 out of 5 ⭐️

True Detective meets the rolling hills of Napa in this wine-soaked thriller. FBI agent Lana Burrell returns to her childhood vineyard to investigate two ritualistic murders, uncovering dark secrets and long-buried wounds from her past.

The story had me from the get-go with its sharp writing. I even found myself underlining a few lines of character-building brilliance.

"...a hastily ripped bag of popcorn, and the soothing certainty of some old episodes of Seinfeld, that misanthropic lullaby from my pre-teen years that I've binged more times than I can count."

"So maybe life isn't some Instagram wet dream, a humble-bragging hodgepodge of kittens and babies and home remodels. In the game of Life—and by that, I mean the literal board game from the 1960s—I would be losing in spectacular fashion."

The case and investigation unfolded so vividly, almost like a movie—which makes sense, given the author’s background in screenwriting. I devoured this novel.

The main character is well-developed and likable, although a few of her actions felt a bit out of place. For example, she didn’t strike me as the kind of person who’d worry about shaving her legs before getting intimate (don't worry, the brief love encounter is not ruining the suspense!). And while one minor plot point in the character's development had me rolling my eyes, it was thankfully never mentioned again (though this also made it feel like a loose thread).

I’d definitely recommend this novel, it was a solid 4+ read and I would read more from the author. Enjoy it with a glass of Cabernet in hand!

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!

FBI agent Lana Burrell returns home, to Napa Valley, to investigate some recent murders. 2 women have been slain at the same winery where her best friend went missing many years ago. Are they connected?

This is a very well written, suspense-filled murder mystery. Slow reveal that has you thinking you've figured out who the murderer is and then...PLOT TWIST. Highly recommend this if you love lots of twist and turns with a huge payoff at the end.

Thank You NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the free e-galley.
Publication Date: April 22, 2025

What a terrific mystery and hopefully the start of a new series. Publishing in April 2025, Blood on the Vine will likely be one of the best books of 2025. A satisfying story, terrific characters and an ending most readers will not see coming. Set in Napa, the book is filled with unforgettable characters and a FBI agent with Kinsey Mahone qualities. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

This was an exciting book from the start, but I got really into it when it took a turn towards the cult. While it was not entirely about a cult, those kinds of stories always intrigue me. But this was an eye opening welcome into the world of wine, which I had never given much thought to before. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story.

EXCELLENT! I loved it. I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley, publisher, and J.T. Falco for the E-ARC.

10/10 I LOVED this book. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. J.T. Falco writes excellent characters. I was able to visualize each one of them and hear their voices in my head while reading, and I found myself fully immersed in the dark world of Napa Valley winemakers. This book was fun, engaging, and had just the right amount of mystery. I will say I saw the ending early on, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of getting to the final act. Even though I did guess the ending right on my first guess, I definitely questioned if I was actually right all throughout the story as more layers to each character were revealed.
Now onto my favorite and least favorite things about this book. My favorite part of this book was that the ending is not vague what so ever! We, as the reader, aren't left to interpret the events or create our own narrative on how things were resolved. Everything at the end is answered and explained. I am so tired of books leaving plots unresolved and more questions than answers by the end, so this was a refreshing change from what I've been reading lately. Please, Falco, continue to give us wonderful, fully written conclusions in your books!
For my least favorite, and this is a very minor critique, I did not think the romantic story line was necessary. It either needed more development between the two characters or should have been left out, in my opinion. It felt forced that they were suddenly so enamored with each other after just one night and the events that play out in the final act. It's OK for the female MC to not find love and instead just be happy to have solved the case, but again, a minor nitpick that I am not docking stars for. Overall, I will be recommending this book to anyone who enjoys crime, mystery, and thrillers, though a note to maybe check trigger warnings as there is some intense content during the final act that was unexpected. It did not bother me personally, but for some it may come as a surprise given the tone in the rest of the book. I will be buying a hardcover copy to add to my book shelf after this releases.
Goodreads review will be added closer to publishing date.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC Most families have skeletons in the closet, literally and figuratively. These winery families have both. FBI agent Burrell returns to her hometown to investigate recent murders. Four women have gone missing or been murdered during the last 50 years. Could these cases be linked to each other? Lana’s father is in prison for the murder of Agent Burrell’s best friend from high school. Is he guilty or was he wrongly convicted? This book took many twists and turns. Just when you think you have figured out who the murderer(s) could be, the plot takes yet another turn. There are complicated and sometimes disturbing family dynamics among these families going back generations. It took a while to pull the plot to a conclusion. A good read overall. Looking forward to reading more from JT Falco.

A wonderfully well written, at times crude (which I thoroughly enjoyed!) mystery stars Agent Jess Burrell who heads back to where she grew up to help investigate the murders of a couple of young women. Is it all tied to they murder of her highschool best friend, whom her dad (wrongfully in Jess’ opinion) was convicted of killing? A fun mystery where I learned about vineyards and a cult, I enjoyed very much the format and the characters in this story. As a Law & Order fan myself, I quite enjoyed Deputy Leroux! Loved the twists and turns, it was hard to put this one down.