Book Review: Blood on the Vine by J.T. Falco

Blood on the Vine by J.T. Falco is, without a doubt, one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read this year. It’s a brilliant cocktail of everything I love in a novel: crime, mystery, cults, New Age philosophies, and conspiracy theories all woven into a dark and intense thriller. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The pacing is tight, the twists are well-executed without feeling overdone, and the way the narrative plays with cult mythologies adds a unique and refreshing touch to the genre. This book had me glued from start to finish; it was exactly my cup of tea.

That said, I was fully prepared to give this book a five-star rating. Unfortunately, two things seriously disrupted the experience for me. First, the unnecessary and distasteful Charlie Hebdo Muslim stereotype joke—completely out of place, unwise, and offensive. The author could have made the same point or injected dark humor without resorting to targeting a group of people. It stood out in a bad way and left a sour taste.

Second, the romantic and se?ual scenes between the main character and the love interest felt not only forced but completely out of sync with the tone of the story. They were jarring, awkward, and detracted from the otherwise gripping narrative. Given the dark, serious themes at play, the story would have been stronger without them.

Despite these disappointments, Blood on the Vine remains a powerful, unique, and thrilling read. If you enjoy intelligent, layered crime fiction with a dark, conspiratorial edge, this one will definitely pull you in. I just wish it had been more thoughtful in certain choices.

I enjoyed this book way more than I anticipated. I knew I was going to like it—murder, vineyards, and cults? Count me in—but thrillers often lose me when I start spotting patterns early on. That wasn’t the case here. I had my suspicions about who the killer might be but ended up second-guessing myself thanks to some well-placed red herrings.

What really stood out to me was how tight and cinematic everything felt. Every scene was purposeful, every thread neatly tied off. It wasn’t until the afterword that I realized Falco wrote this during the writers’ strike, and suddenly it made perfect sense—this read like it was crafted by someone who knows screenwriting inside and out. The detail-oriented nature of the storytelling kept me totally locked in.

I received the audiobook version of this, produced by Spotify Audiobooks (which, funny enough, I didn’t even realize was a thing until now—despite being a regular audiobook listener on the platform). The production quality was top-notch, and Abigail Reno's narration was excellent.

This is a 5/5 star read for me. Twisty, well-paced, and unexpectedly layered. The ending left me with a bit of “wait, what?” energy—but in a very good way. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever J.T. Falco does next. Big thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the advanced copy!

Blood on the Vine takes place in Napa Valley and brings a mix of murder and wine. I really enjoyed this fast-paced story filled with the right mix of secrets, wealth, power, crime and of course wine. I would love for this book to be the first in a series about FBI Agent Lana Burrell.

I was surprised to learn this was JT Faldo’s debut novel and I look forward to reading her future books. Abigail Reno did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Spotify Audio for letting me read this ARC.

4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you: Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for this ARC audiobook by: J.T. Falco
Publication date: April 22, 2025

This story follows Lana, who back in high school, her father was convicted of murdering her best friend Jess and was spending the rest of his life in jail.

Lana went on to become an FBI agent and was asked to return home to investigate the murders of two girls who were found dead by bizarre circumstances.

Many dark secrets begin to unravel and Lana starts to question if her father was wrongly convicted and Lana is determined to uncover the truth.

I found this to be well written, engaging, with depth, twists, turns and was unpredictable until closer to the end of the book. I highly recommend this book.

Once again, thank you to Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for this ARC audiobook.

#BloodOnTheVine #NetGalley #SpotifyAudiobooks out this book on Goodreads: Blood on the Vine https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219401055-blood-on-the-vine

I’ll start with the narrators, they all fit with their characters and I liked that. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook and will look for these narrators in the future!

The storyline kept me engaged and wanting to keep listening. The story was told very well and and it was engaging. This was an enjoyable audiobook and I will also look into the author for further reads!

The ending had me shook like whaaaat?!? No way, definitely a four star book!! A strong four!!

First off, I didn’t even realize this was J.T. Falco’s debut novel until after I finished it. It felt way too polished and gripping for a first-timer. Seriously impressive.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Abigail Reno, and wow… she nailed it. I was hooked from the very first minute. She really brought the story to life, especially the tense and eerie moments scattered throughout the book.

Now let’s talk about Lana. She’s... complicated. Not exactly someone you'd want to grab coffee with—especially with the way she treats Deputy Leroux—but there's something about her that pulls you in. The more you learn about her past, the more you understand where she’s coming from. You can tell she’s 100% committed to her job and trying to do right by everyone, even if she’s not super warm and fuzzy about it.

I absolutely loved the setting. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set in Napa Valley, and now I’m wondering why more thrillers don’t go that route. The contrast of lush vineyards with this ominous, creeping sense of dread? Perfection. It added so much atmosphere and made me want to keep going just to stay in that world a bit longer.

As for the plot—it’s the kind that makes you side-eye everyone. I thought I had it figured out more than once, and then bam, the twist hit me right out of the blue. So well done. Super satisfying.

Even though it’s technically a standalone, I can totally see this becoming a series. I’d be the first in line for book two if Lana decides to take on another case!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

*ARC Review*

Set against the backdrop of Napa Valley, this mystery novel weaves together the elegance of wine country with a gripping tale of secrets and suspense. The lush vineyard setting is more than just scenery—it’s practically a character itself, steeped in history and whispers.

The story introduces a cast of intriguing characters, each with hidden motives and tangled pasts. As the mystery unfolds, so does the complex web of relationships, rivalries, and betrayals.

“Blood on the Vine” is an amazing book and I loved the narrator!

Lana's father is in prison for a murder she knows he didn't commit. She has avoided her hometown because the wealthy Bancroft family set her father up. Now an FBI agent, she is sent back to her hometown after two women were murdered. As she digs in, she finds that it may be connected to her best friend's murder- the one her father is in prison for. Can she figure it all out before someone else dies?

The characters were complex and the plot interesting. I almost passed because of the setting, but it was fine. It helped that Lana also hates wine.

Lana finds herself on many paths when trying to uncover the truth. Cults, orgies, threats to her, some romance. There is a lot going on with this one.

Favorite character: Essie. Lana is a close second.

Abigail Reno narrates the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Spotify Audio for my gifted ALC! And thank you to Crooked Lane Books for my gifted copy!

Blood on the Vine was lusciously atmospheric. It’s exactly what I wanted, a glimpse into wine country. But, I guess with a little bit more culty drama than I expected. That said, I enjoyed it even if I had to get adjusted to the type of FBI agent Lana was. She gave Elle Woods from Legally Blonde vibes. There is nothing wrong with that - I just expected her to be like Agent Lee Harker from Longlegs, or Clarice Starling from Silence of the Lambs. Buttoned up, stern, serious, voracious. So it took a little bit of mental gymnastics to change that image of my head to somebody more bubbly. This book was full of some solid sleuthing and twists. I was genuinely surprised by whodunit in the end. I definitely would recommend this as a good popcorn thriller!

Thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audio for an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Lana Burrell is a FBI agent in San Francisco who is sent to Napa after two women are killed. Lana grew up in Napa and hasn't been back in 20 years since her dad went to jail for allegedly killing Lana's best friend Jess. Fantastic audiobook that kept me wanting to keep listening. Some great characters and I hope to see more of Lana and especially Essie LaRue. Great debut and look forward to reading more from J.T. Falco in the future.

Excellent narration by Abigail Reno.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬

FBI Agent Lana Burrell was raised on a picturesque Napa Valley vineyard alongside her best friend Jess, until Jess was tragically murdered at the very place they once called home. Lana’s father was convicted of the crime and is serving a life sentence, but she has always believed he was innocent and has long sought the truth about what happened to Jess.

Though Lana chose her career with the FBI over the chance to clear her father’s name, when a new killer strikes in the Valley, she is drawn back to the case that has haunted her for years. Two women are found dead near the spot where Jess's body was discovered, forcing Lana to confront the painful past she tried to escape.

Now, working alongside the sheriff's office that imprisoned her father and reconnecting with the powerful family behind the region’s wine industry, Lana struggles with old resentments and personal distractions. As she uncovers evidence of a mysterious cult at the heart of Napa’s wine country, and a shadowy figure begins stalking her, Lana’s determination to solve the murders is overshadowed by a growing fear that she may be the next victim.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Wow, this one was a wild ride! The book was super fast-paced and twisty—I was hooked from the very beginning and ended up finishing it in just 24 hours. It’s one of those stories that totally pulls you in.
Lana, the main character, was such a strong and determined lead. I really enjoyed following her as she tried to solve the recent murders while uncovering connections to the past. There were so many secrets woven into the plot, and I definitely didn’t see that twist at the end coming! I have to say, the narrator did an awesome job too if you're into audiobooks.

Definitely recommend if you’re into twisty crime thrillers with lots of secrets and surprises. Just make sure to check for trigger warnings before diving in!

Thank You @Netgalley and @spotifyaudiobooks for allowing me to review this ALC.

FBI Agent Lana Burrell grew up on an idyllic Napa Valley vineyard with her best friend Jess–until Jess was murdered. Lana’s father is serving a life sentence for Jess’s murder, but Lana has always believed in his innocence. Lana gave up the chance to exonerate her father for a career with the FBI, but when a killer strikes the Valley again, those old wounds reopen and she grasps at the chance to solve the case that has haunted her entire life. Two women are slain near where Jess’s body was once found, and Lana is forced to revisit the site of the fraught childhood she tried to leave behind. And the investigation begins

I really loved and enjoyed the story! J. T. Falco did a great job! The story was interesting and engaged me until the very end!
Abigail Reno did a great job too narrating the book!

This one was just okay for me. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. It was a quick read which I appreciated, but I just couldn’t really connect with the characters or get fully into the story. Nothing particularly wrong with it, it just didn’t click with me. Might be a better fit for someone else

First of all, if you have any intimate knowledge of the FBI or any police department—this book is impossible. It just wouldn’t happen.

That being said, FBI agent Lana Burrell loses both her best friend Jess and her father when he’s convicted of Jess’s murder after a fire destroys a batch of wine Jess’s mother and her son (Lana’s boyfriend) were working on together.

Set in wine country, this thriller paints a shadowy version of Napa filled with twists and shocking revelations. The major reveal is disturbing and honestly, I’m glad it came so late in the book because I don’t think I could’ve stomached it any earlier. To give a trigger warning would ruin the story’s impact, so I’ll just say: go in with cautious eyes.

Lana is pretty annoying but so are most women in power when they’re written by men (especially men with a TV background). I couldn’t tell if the issue was the way she was written or the voice actor’s performance, but she grated on me enough that I almost stopped listening.
I’m glad I didn’t, though mainly because of the vivid descriptions of the wine, the vineyards, and the California landscape.

Still, the entire premise of an FBI agent investigating a case tied directly to her father’s conviction (and involving her ex-boyfriend’s family, her best friend’s murder, and the sheriff who put her dad away) is beyond unbelievable. Anyone with even a basic understanding of law enforcement knows that’s a massive conflict of interest. There’s no way she would’ve been allowed to work that case.

Wow I loved this! Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC of the audiobook.

This is a straightforward, solid mystery novel that really shines because of the unique setting of Napa wine country. If you like mysteries and you are looking for something thats the same, but different, you'll probably like this one. This book has just enough of other elements to set it apart - several interesting characters, backstory, wine knowledge, a cult, even a little tiny bit of romance. It's easy to follow with just enough twists to keep it interesting, and the ending wasn't obvious. Also, the audiobook narrator was superb. 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5.

Also, this is a debut author, which makes it extra impressive! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for future works by JT Falco.

You know when you find a really good streaming series with a little drama, a little suspense, and a little romance? Add in a cult and the cutthroat business of Napa Valley. That's this book. I was thoroughly entertained and listened to it in just a few chunks. I'll look forward to more of Falco's books! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Blood On the Vine was an absolutely perfect suspense thriller. It was a police procedural which I love. It featured an FBI agent forced to return to Napa to investigate the murder of two young women – a place she swore she would never return to because of a teen age trauma, and a loveable and funny police detective who was new to the job but at 60 years old was full of wisdom and insight. Also front and center were feuding families, a possible cult based on ancient writings where drugs, wine and sex were the norm, and a fascinating look at the science of wine making. You will definitely be hooked by the prologue and will be fooled more than once as you try and figure out who killed Catherine and why.

This book definitely kept me on my toes! There are so many twists, and I legitimately had no idea what would unfold next as I was listening to this story. I enjoyed the character of FBI agent Lana Burell, but my favorite character by far was Essie LaRue, the sheriff deputy assigned to support Lana on the case. I think cults are fascinating, and I love a good twisty mystery, so this book was fun for me as a whole, though it's definitely dark, and has some upsetting content. All in all, I think it's a great pick for those who enjoy getting lost in psychological thrillers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the advanced audio book.

When FBI agent Lana Burell is sent to Napa Valley to follow up on two murders, she isn't excited. Napa is where she grew up with her dad and where her life fell apart after her dad was convicted of killing Lana's best friend. Now she'll need to confront her old demons in order to help solve these murders.

BLOOD ON THE VINE was a solid mystery/thriller that'll be great for a summer beach trip or a spring vacation. Lana is a compelling character to follow and while the details behind the death of her best friend more than a decade earlier get a little soft (in terms of how everything hangs together), the shock value is there.

Blood on the Vine is out April 22, 2025

"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."

This debut novel from TV screenwriter and showrunner J.T. Falco is a glimpse into the inner machinations and fortunes of the people wrapped up in the Napa Valley wine machine.

Lana Burrell is sent to investigate two murders in the one place she never wanted to return to: the place where her high school best friend disappeared and where her father was arrested for her disappearance and likely murder. She doesn't want to confront the past but in order to solve the gruesome murders, she must.

So this is a pretty great story about a likeable detective and her fight against the past and for current justice. The story is interesting and engaging, with an unusual setting. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to Falco's next book!

I received a free audiobook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.