This book was entertaining and enjoyable to read. I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

POV: Third Person

I wanted to like this; small-town Texas, wine, murder? Sounds like a fun mix of cozy and campy. Unfortunately, Killer Vintage didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The setup had promise: a suspicious death with just enough Southern flair to give it personality. But the story got bogged down in clunky pacing, flat characters, and dialogue that tried to be snappy but mostly felt forced. The mystery lacked urgency, and for a book that opens with a body, it somehow managed to feel… slow. Bud’s transformation drives the story’s tension (or attempts to), from fraternity pranks to crime scene recon. His youthful perspective contrasts with the gritty noir vibes of the wine‑thriller setting, blending charm with stakes. But again, with the pacing and lack of depth and intense, thrilling mystery, it just didn’t work out.

Overall, behind this book is a good solid concept, however it is let down by an uneven execution. Though Eric Sanchez’s knowledge and background, Killer Vintage offers a unique and atmospheric spin on the classic murder mystery, set against the evocative backdrop of West Texas wine country. Sanchez’s clear passion and deep knowledge of the wine industry is brought alive on the page, which allows for the narrative to be deep and rich. The noir tone and the setting are distinct and makes for a stylish read. But sections are let down by long descriptions and overly explained passages which can be distracting and ultimately undercuts the tone and exciting.

Sanchez connects the human experience to the setting and the winemaking process, with some moments of sharp humour. The noir tone here really leads to a memorable read.

Killer Vintage has a great original concept with a wonderful sense of place and tone, but long descriptive passages which cause pacing issues prevented me from being fully enthralled in the book. For those who enjoy a slower-burn mystery with atmosphere and flair this is an enjoyable read, and I will be keen to see what Sanchez comes up with next.

I loved this book! My only complaint is that it had to end!! Overall, a great read that I highly recommend!