Late Harvest Havoc

Another great book in this series, and as the others did, it went by too quickly. I am amazed at the large amount of information on wines, wine-making, and the French countryside is contained in this story of the solution of crimes of vandalism and passion. The interaction between Cooker and Virgule provides much entertainment, and this story incudes a red herring or two to keep the reader thinking. I recommend this book far both entertainment and education.

I really love this series, they are a pleasure to read. This one again had lots of twist and turns and came to a very satisfying ending - it wasn't the best one I have read, but I think I have been spoilt with such a wonderful series that this one wasn't as cohesive as the others - don't get me wrong - it certainly won't disappoint and it had all the charm that we expect from such a fabulous team, and again the translation was faultless.

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
There has been a subtle shift in the Winemaker detective series in last few books. They have gotten a little less cozy and a little darker. This doesn’t mean that the series still isn’t cozy or that all have a sudden Alaux and Balen have become Nordic crime writers. And the change, to be frank, isn’t bad, and is for the better.
But is a noticeable change – one that had me double checking the authors as well as the translator.
Benjamin and his assistant Virgile are in Alsace to taste the wines. Naturally, this means something is going to happen. First someone dies, and then it turns out the grape crops are under attack.
Someone’s assaulting the vines.
Benjamin finds himself in a bad mood, in part because an injury, and in part because he sees the wine market as under attack. He is grouchy. This is a somewhat new and surprising event, for Benjamin always has charm to spare. The use of grouchy and snarky is new, and once gotten use to, welcome. Cooker was always in danger of becoming a saint – the perfect father, husband, and employer. He, at times, in the series, seemed too good to be true. Here, he becomes human, and no less likable. In fact, the flaws make him more likable.
Virgile is still a ladies’ man, but becomes a bit younger. He isn’t less likable for this, yet there is something about his bon homme contrasts nicely with Cooker’s older, grouchy behavior. In fact, it is Virgile who becomes focused on the mystery in a way his employer does not. Virgile gets a bit more screen time here, and it is a welcome change. Though the sexuality of the character, his almost constant evaluation of women based on their looks can be a little trying at times.
What is also important that various levels of the French police get screen time as well, Cooker and Virgile are not operating in the quasi vacuum that they almost seem to do in some of the novels. In other words, the police are actually working here. Despite the slight shift in characterization and a more adult feeling in subject matter of some sections (the previous book in the series had a sex scene that went beyond what had been the norm before in the series), all the winning parts of the series are still here, and the shift seems to bring them out more. It’s like another type of wine with a different bouquet.
The descriptions of Strasburg, in particular of the clock, are wonderful. One is transported to the country side and the various wineries by the descriptions of the mountains as well as the actual farming itself. The writing has vim and vigor. You are in many ways being treated to a literacy movie, one that calls for wine and cheese instead of popcorn.

Another great addition to the short winemakers novellas. A well plotted and structured story, the setting is Alsace. The wines, food and culture of the area are in the spotlight.

There is the death of a tour guide and valuable grape vines are being cut. I renew my acquaintance with Benjamin and Virgile as they go on the trail to discover what is going on. A great quick read to nourish me until the next story. Many thanks to Le French, the publishers for a ebook copy via netgalley.

I thoroughly enjoy this series and this book was again a treasure to read. I love the main characters and I always feel educated after reading the book and know more about wine and the regions in France visited by Benjamin Cooker and his assistant, the lovely Virgil. Already looking forward to the next book - lovely way to pass the time, the writing just flows for me. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

‘In just minutes, death would strike again.’

Benjamin Cooker and his assistant Virgile are on their way to Colmar in the Alsace region. Benjamin Cooker is perplexed by the destruction of some vines – 120 in total – cut by a chainsaw. He is also thinking about life and death, having witnessed a death in a cathedral in Strasbourg. No sooner does he arrive at the vineyard where the vines were destroyed when other vineyards are attacked. Benjamin Cooker himself falls under suspicion. There doesn’t seem to be any connection between the vineyards attacked. Who is attacking the vineyards, and why?

As Benjamin Cooker investigates, he finds all is not as it seems. Under the surface, there’s plenty of intrigue, jealousy, and rivalry. Who can be trusted?

This is the tenth book in the Winemaker Detective series, and the second I’ve read. This time I was able to work out some of the answers (but not all) before the end of the novel. These are short, highly entertaining novels, perfect for whiling away a short trip. Or, perhaps, while preparing for dinner and considering the wine menu.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Le French Book for an opportunity to read this novel.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

As in all the Winemaker Detective stories, Bejamin Cooker and his trusty assistant, Virgile, are in another area of France, tasting and helping winemakers with their vintages. This time they are in Alsace.
It is always informative reading these books as I come away with a deeper knowledge of wines and the areas from which they hail. This time there was some history as it is an area that has vollied back and forth between France and Germany.
Someone is vandalizing the vines just as the late harvest is almost ready. With power shears, the vines are being chopped down and the local police are at a loss to figure out why and whom.
Benjamin uncovers the scoundrels, and there are several to go around. Despite an injury, he saves the day once again.
Over and above the knowledge one gains from these books, they are a quick and fun read. It is impossible not to like Cooker who enjoys life to the fullest. It is fun to read how he interacts with the locals and his assistant.
If you have yet to discover this series, the first three books are being published as an omnibus for a very reasonable price. It would be an economical way to be introduced to Cooker.
I am glad he is someone whom I gotten to know.

This series continues to entertain and pleaseme enormously - Benjamin,the winemaster enjoys his food, and wine and imparts lectures not only to his cocky assistnat,Virgile, which also inform us, but the authors describe in detail sometimes the surroundings with insider information that is added bonus tothe rather slightly discombobulated crime story - but there are always colourful characters - from a guide Benjamin flrts with who suddenly collapses to the various wine growers in the area - plice chiefs and incompetents along the way - the answer rests deep in a local family and resentments deeply held. I read these stories in one gulp - they are diverting and informative. I look forward to the next - I am always impressed that the standards are maintained - they are not well-structured etc crime stories but the crime stories are certainly part of the narrative structure. it's the characters, the wine and the landscape that is top priority.

Another wonderful trip into wine, history, French and German countryside with Benjamin and Virgile. Mayhem ensues, somebody is destroying vineyard vines causing all kinds of finger pointing and accusations. The sabotage seems unrelated and local police are at a loss. Not much is cozy this time for Benjamin, no gentlemen quarters with book lined rooms and leather chairs. But rather open air, quaint towns, landscapes, local color both in the surrounding and it's people. Cooker is ever charming and Virgile ever the flirt, but both very serious about their love of wine, good company and solving problems. A nice addition to the series. A delightful escape for a weekend read.

This is book ten in the Winemaker Detective Mystery series and it's the first one I've read. This did not affect the novel as well and I thought it held up well as a stand alone novel - always a risk in a mystery series.

I found the characters extremely engaging. I loved Benjamin and Virgile - our main characters in this book and will be looking for more books from this series in the future. They are well written characters.

Having recently made our own trip to the fall wine festival in the Okanagan (BC, Canada's wine region), I truly enjoyed the parts of this book dedicated to wine and wine tasting. To be honest, it's rare for me to drink a wine and taste the subtleties in the wine, but I still enjoyed reading about it and didn't find that it overwhelmed the rest of the story.

I liked the characters, the plot and the setting - Strasbourg and the Alsace region are on my travel plan for some future date.

I would definitely recommend this book for wine & mystery lovers.

I am writing this review in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I have read several of these mysteries and what I like the most are the main characters (Benjamin and Virgile) and the knowledge gained about French wines. Foods are paired with wines and you will be hungry as you turn the pages!
This book fell a little short of others in that Benjamin, the winemaker and writer of the Cooker Reviews, was not himself. Normally a jovial and full of life and love of food and wines he was more sullen. Although his detective skills were spot on, as in all books, his true personality did not shine.

I must learn to time my reading of Benjamin Cooker's adventures. No matter where he goes with his assistant, I know I'll end up hungry and craving a good glass of wine. This book takes us to Alsace, beginning by Strasbourg's cathedral, with its clock. For people who will go there, it is something else that must be organized. because at noon, once a day, the automata move and you get the complete show.
From Strasbourg, the pair moves to Colmar and the duo of detectives will explore Alsace.and its wines. Someone is destroying vine plants around Colmar. Nothing seems to link the attacks together: the vineyards do not belong to the same persons, did not produce the same wine... No link can be found, until Virgil compares the author of the damages to an arsonist. Someone aiming at destroying for the pleasure of it must be behind the damages, as no logical link can be found..
The two detectives will solve the mystery and take us around Alsace wines and food. I learned there is no Tokay there anymore, it's now a Pinot gris and the amount of Flammkuchen eaten by Virgile made me ravenous.

Late Harvest Havoc is another visit to the wine-growing regions of France, this time, Alsace. Our guide is the eminent wine critic, Benjamin Cooker and his assistant, Virgile. There is trouble in Alsace though; vines are being destroyed by a mysterious vandal. The vineyards involved are seemingly unrelated, but can the answer be revenge, possibly linked to the Nazi occupation of France? Cooker himself even comes under suspicion for a brief time.

Benjamin is his usual dapper, urbane and somewhat irascible self while Virgile provides comic relief in his never-ending pursuit of the ladies. The Winemaker Detective series are fun, brief reads packed with wine lore and colorful characters. I particularly enjoyed Late Harvest Havoc because of it's setting. I have visited Alsace and Colmar and loved the mixture of French and German cultures--not forgetting the great food and wine!

I would recommend the entire Winemaker Detective series as the perfect evening read, accompanied with wine, cheese and possibly a roaring fire. Thanks to NetGalley and LeFrench Books for an advance digital copy.

From the publishers Le French Book, via Netgalley in exchange for a review. Number 10 in the Winemaker Detective series - I have read and reviewed the previous books in this series and links to the reviews can be found at the bottom of this post.

This time Benjamin Cooker and Virgile Lanssien are in the Alsace region of France during the wintertime. Due to its location, ie. in France but bordering Germany and Switzerland, the Alsace region has alternated between German and French control over the centuries and reflects a mix of the 2 cultures.

The story starts with Benjamin looking around Strasbourg Cathedral, where he gets to flirt and show off to a local (female) tour guide - only to witness her death from a heart attack minutes after the tour finishes. Her death generally puts him out of sorts for the rest of the book.

Benjamin and Virgile are in the area to check on and review the output from the Deutzler family estate, only to find a crippled head of the family and a deadly undercurrent of tension going on between his offspring and their spouses (and his nurse).

Someone is vandalising local vineyards just as the late harvest is about to start. There seems no pattern to the attacks, nothing to connect the damage at one estate to that of another attack miles away (sometimes on the same night). As Benjamin and Virgile dig deeper there's the suspicion that the attacks are in retaliation to what happened during WWII and it soon transpires that whoever is involved knows more about viniture than meets the eye - the tools involved and the damage done takes some expertise in the wine world.

Meanwhile, someone seems to know that Cooker is in town - and considers him to be a threat - by slashing the tires on his car, making the pair resort to borrowing cars from various people

Now they are in a different region of France - and one so close to the border with Germany - it almost goes without saying that Benjamin and Virgile do not sting on sampling the local delicacies:

The small fried perch was always crusty, the baked fois gras was wonderfully creamy, and the squab was so tender, Benjamin would almost forget to put his fork to the delicate mushroom tart accompanying the dish.

in particular the cheese (Cooker seems to believe in "the smellier the better"):

He loved it particularly ripened, when the golden crust was nice and firm, and the rind had gone from soft to cream. As with wine, Benjamine Cooker assessed Munsters with his nose. He'd plunge his knife to reveal the center of this cheese from the Vosges Plateau. The more tenacious and rustic the aroma - even a tad repugnant - the more the cheese lover's nose quivered.

As per usual, these are not long books, and don't go into too much heavy detail as to motive etc. You are there to enjoy the scenery, the food, the smell of good cigars, and hopefully enjoy the challenge of who does what to whom, especially when people and places have long memories.

I enjoy every one of the books in this series. They are a very gentle murder mystery, with French backdrops and wine knowledge beingddeveloped. More please!

I loved all the books I have read in this series but it was my favorite. It was most adventurous, full of twists and suspense with some interesting historical references. In this new adventure Benjamin showed us around another beautiful French region, Alsace. I have been there a few years ago and I found it charming, a perfect mix of French and German culture. I liked so much to visit it again with the famous winemaker.
Benjamin and his increasingly indispensable assistant Virgile are in Alsace for a tasting and find themselves involved in an unpleasant episode. In the picturesque town of Colmar a mysterious vandal destroyed some vines. This act is somehow connected to the Nazi occupation of the region? Virgile and her cantankerous boss will try to find the culprit.
A plot well woven, a compelling mystery to solve, magnificent and vivid descriptions of landscapes, great tasting and wine recommendations and perfect culinary combinations: this book is a real treat, ideal for a pleasant winter evening.
I can't wait to see where Benjamin and Virgile bring us in their next adventure.

VERDICT: Appealing mystery for all your senses, with a strong sense of unity between plot and place. A very enjoyable way of discovering a unique region of France.

I first discovered the Alsace region during a grade school trip back in the 1970s, then went back twenty years later and fell again under its charm. So there was no way I was going to skip Late Harvest Havoc as it is set there, and it was delightful to follow the characters in that really neat area.
First, take time to appreciate the ambiguous cover. What is really coming out of that tonneau? Know that the French title of the series translates literary as “the blood of the vine”. This is particularly relevant for this specific mystery, as you will see later.
Wine connoisseur and detective Benjamin is to meet a businessman in Germany, so he decides to stop in Alsace on his way, with his assistant Virgile.

As soon as they get there, Benjamin goes to visit the marvelous cathedral of Strasbourg, unique with its pink stone. The exterior color evolves as the light changes during the day, and it is a gem. Here are a few of my pictures (all the pictures here below are mine)

The inside of the cathedral has different periods, some parts going back to the 8th century.
There are a few unique pieces in it, and that’s how the mystery begins, with Benjamin admiring the Astronomical Clock as well as the nearby Pillar of Angels. The description and history are included in the narrative thanks to a local tourist guide Benjamin is listening to.
In the clock, an apostle comes out at every hour, but the crowds gather at half past noon to see the procession of the 18 inch high figures of Christ blessing all his Apostles, while the life-size cock crows thrice. The first clock was built in the 14th century. The current one dates from 1843. It is an amazing work of art, with many details.
But shortly after, Benjamin sees the guide fall to her death in a strange way. Who is she? Was it an accident or did someone kill her?
As Benjamin and Virgile visit other quaint Alsace cities, Colmar being one of these beauties, they hear about another strange happening: vines are being cut down with a chainsaw! And they multiply all over the area. Imagine: a serial killer attacking not people but vineyards, with a powerful weapon, and with no apparent connection between the places attacked.
To top it all, Benjamin discovers soon after that someone slashed the back tires of his car!
What’s going on here?
Now, I pasted the map of France, so you could see how close Alsace is to Germany. The border is the river Rhine itself. The two countries are so close there that the region has been back and forth French and German during different periods in history. It has a unique culture and even a unique local type of dialect.
France-Germany, that sends us back for instance to World War Two. Could all these happenings be related to old revenge (the book opens precisely with a quotation by Balzac on revenge!), about dealings during WWII? about the Resistance? And how are these connected with the death of the tourist guide?
Grudges can go on for generations, and resentment is not uncommon in rural areas.
The relationship between Benjamin and his young assistant has evolved along the series. This time, Benjamin does not hesitate to go alone to his business meeting in Germany. He leaves Virgile by himself to do some precious groundwork to try to solve this mystery and prevent the killer from destroying more vineyards.
Benjamin is indeed changing, getting older, physically more fragile (and this is closely tied to the plot), whereas Virgile is still into nightclubs… So tension is not always absent between them.
If you have ever tasted some Rieslings or other wines of the region, you will be appalled that someone would destroy so many vineyards. If you have not, I’m sure you will want to after having read this short mystery. These wines have a particular taste, partly due to the fact that the grape harvest sometimes does not happen until Christmas in that region, so a few months later than for most of French wines – hence the book title, though the word late can also point to the theme of revenge.
And be prepared for the amazing scenes of wine and food pairing, for instance in chapter 4! Never read a book of this series when hungry, you could turn dangerous yourself!
With the wonderful description of the region (I didn’t talk about the geography and the Grand Ballon d’Alsace), its food and wine, I really enjoyed this book, its plot and its complex and evolving characters. In fact, I believe this is so far my favorite in that series, with its strong sense of unity between the crime and the region. It starts in a very dramatic way, and there’s a neat inclusion as well, as the book ends with an Epilogue in the cathedral again.
There’s also, inevitably, a rather inadequate French police officer!

Rife with puns and turns of phrase, the latest Winemaker Detective book highlights the banter between Benjamin and Virgile, allowing us a deeper look into their personalities and partnership. Several times the characters almost break the fourth wall – you expect them to turn and wink at the reader at any moment! It is a book that is very aware of itself, even going so far as to self-reference its own title! You can tell the authors were having a lot of fun writing this one.

In addition to the self-aware aspect of the writing, the style from chapter to chapter matches Benjamin’s mood and circumstances, keeping the reader immersed, and feeling the events with him.

As always, the story is experienced most through the senses, with the flavor and smell descriptions even more vibrant than before. Indeed, I recommend more than ever having something to eat before reading, as your stomach will yearn for the delicious dishes, and your palate will crave the riotous flavors of the wine, throughout all the meals featured. This work however, also provides a great visual stimulation for the reader as well. The detailed description of the astronomical clock and the cathedral were so beautiful and moving, that I looked them up after reading, putting them on my bucket list to visit someday.

I love the way the authors take the time, through Benjamin’s hobby of giving Virgile a little history lesson here and there, to explain side details to the reader. It adds a great layer of communication between author and reader, beyond the story. For example, the lesson on toasting history was very neat, as it puts many other works in a new light, allowing me to deepen my reading of them.

The conclusion wraps up all the loose ends, and the culprit and motive are hidden until the reveal, keeping the reader turning the page in anticipation. A satisfying read!

I received a review copy of this work from the publisher through NetGalley

Read aloud to each other

There is something so sexy about the human voice; it is an aphrodisiac in its own right. Choose a book that both of you like and read it aloud to each other, taking turns so that you can enjoy each other voices without the commotion of everyday life.

And since this is an epicurean night, “Late Harvest Havoc” from the Winemaker Detective Mystery series is perfect for the mood of the evening.

Usually, the stories happen in France’s wine country. But for “Late Harvest Havoc,” the setting is Alsace in Germany during the winter time where the master winemaker Benjamin Cooker and his sidekick Virgile Lanssien are tasting celebrated wines.

While the the famous winemaker from Bordeaux, Benjamin Cooker and his assistant Virgile settle into their hotel in the old city of Colmar, distinguished vineyards are attacked. The plot thickens when estates with no apparent connection to one another suffer the same sabotage just days prior to the late harvest.

As it is in every book in the series, the story is experienced through the senses, the author describing the flavor and smell not only of the wine and the food but also the setting. You and your partner might find the description so detailed that you will want to plan a trip to France after reading the book.

It is a mystery/thriller after all, so there is also that Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson quality in the story telling, French style of course! You will love Benjamin and Virgile perhaps the same way you love Sherlock and Watson.

This story involved a love triangle of a woman (Veronique Deutzler), her lover (Andre Deutzler) and her husband (Iselin Deutzler). It involved being snubbed when he (Andre) was in the ninth grade. He (Andre) took it out on the other wine makers by cutting their vines.

This was followed by several deaths which I can say are red herrings except for one. That is the death of the father Vincent Deutzler by his nurse. In the beginning a guide to a cathedral died of a heart attack. Then the owner of a cafe died of a heart attack. It made an impression on Benjamin who later had a mishap and sprain an ankle.

Benjamin and Virgile had more legal dealings with the cases and followed it up with the police. Who used their ideas to solve the case of the vandal.

A lover of good food and sweet wine, I was more than happy to get a chance to read and review Late Harvest Havoc, the tenth (10th) book in The Winemaker Detective series by Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noel Balen. Set in Alsace, the northeastern French region of the Rhine River, wine experts and amateur detectives Benjamin Cooker and his assistant Virgile find themselves embroiled in solving another murder and dealing with suspicious wine growers all while traveling back and forth between Germany and France. Filled with the history of the region, colorful descriptions of the region’s food and local people, Late Harvest Havoc is a fine addition to an already established series.

Deciding to introduce his assistant/apprentice to the Northeast countryside of France and its regional wines, Benjamin Cooker and Virgile Lanssien head to the Alsace region in Benjamin’s vintage Mercedes with plans to eat, drink and conduct more research for the “Cooker” guidebook. They didn’t plan one of the local guides dropping dead during a historical chapel tour or on becoming suspects in a local police investigation of “vine vandalism”. A suspicion Benjamin doesn’t take well, especially since his beloved car is also vandalized.

Already a fan of this series, I could not wait to see what Mr. Alaux and Mr. Balen had in store for Benjamin and Virgile in this installment and I was not disappointed. As this series continues to progress, Benjamin and Virgile become more like a father and son; they understand each other’s mood swings and truly care for one another. Their dialogue is witty, occasionally sarcastic and they have a lot of fun traveling the countryside tasting wine. Especially since it is often accompanied by great food. While they can’t seem to help getting involved in solving murders, murder literally seems to follow them around, they enjoy the challenge solving a crime gives them and Benjamin is becoming quite proud of how much better they are at it than some of the local police.

The authors do a wonderful job educating the reader about the Alsace region while solving a mystery. A region steeped in both French and German history, Alsace is clearly filled with natural beauty, great wines and good food. I personally have always wanted to visit this region of France because of how it has gone back and forth between France and Germany since the end of the Roman Empire. The two mysteries (the murder and the vandalism) are well written and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader entertained and guessing. I especially enjoyed reading the back and forth between Benjamin and Virgile when they were both tired and a little stressed out.

Will Benjamin and Virgile discover who is behind the “vine vandalism” in the region? Will Benjamin’s beloved car suffer as a result of Benjamin’s investigation? And will they discover who killed the chapel tour guide and why she had to die? You’ll have to read Late Harvest Havoc to find out. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more books in this series.

Tragedy strikes in the mountainous Reisling region

The Alsaec wine revision of France is the setting for this the 10th book in this exceptional mystery series. I adore returning to the two unbeatable investigators . This is such a well plotted mystery that I am invested from page one without interruption.
The setting is sublime, the educational walk throughout the wine region a delight.
The characteristics of each are described to perfection. The sleuth is well developed and a surprising set of clues for any mystery lover. . This series is pure reading delight. Thank you for the advance reading copy.

This was the first Benjamin Cooker mystery that I have read. All of the Cooker mysteries involve wine and France. I freely admit that I know very little of either. Even without that background, I found the mystery delightful to read. Cooker is an intelligent and thoughtful character to get to know. I look forward to reading about another mystery he has solved.

Benjamin and Virgile head to the Asace the northeastern French region of the Rhine River. There to introduce Virgile to that wine region, they are caught up in an investigation of vine cutters and a tour guide in a historical chapel who drops dead in the middle of the tour. This is one of the best one in the series,I want more.

****I received this book in exchange for an honest review.****

Murder and Destruction in Alsace

The Alsace region is steeped in the history of both France and Germany. It is also a region where belief in witchcraft is rife. Benjamin Cooker is looking forward to introducing his assistant Vergile, to the wines and sumptuous food of this region, but almost immediately they are met by a death while touring the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg. This unpleasant start to the trip is rapidly followed by an attack on Benjamin's car and the wanton destruction of vines at several local vineyards. The police are stymied, but Vergilie is sure that he and Benjamin can solve the puzzle.

Benjamin Cooker and Vergilie and delightful characters. Benjamin appears quite straitlaced while Virgilie has all the energy and enthusiasm of youth. Benjamin, as usual, plays a significant role in solving the mystery, but this time Vergilie goes off on his own. I was delighted to see him getting more individual attention in the novel.

The descriptions of Alsace are wonderful, as are the descriptions of the wine and food. I love reading these books. They're better than a travelogue. You are transported to an exotic region and steeped in culinary delights. In addition, you can learn a great deal about wines, how to select them, and how to pair them with a meal.

If you enjoy a good mystery coupled with wonderful scenery and delightful cuisine, not to mention the wines, you'll enjoy this trip to Alsace.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

This was my introduction to Benjamin Cookson and his assistant Virgile I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them in Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen’s Late Harvest Havoc. It won’t be my last encounter.
The storyline takes place mostly in Alsace, France. The buildings, churches, countryside and vineyards were unfamiliar to me. I spent some time googling many of the locations, hotels and restaurants. It made the already good descriptions come to life.
The solution to the mystery was somewhat telegraphed, but that took nothing away from my enjoyment of the book. I learned about tastings and vineyards and what a competitive occupation it is. The blurb of the book summed it up nicely, so I won’t try to add to it.
I look forward to reading the series from the start. I’m sure there is much background tidbits that would have enhanced the experience of Late Harvest Havoc. My only complaint would be in the downloaded copy I received from NetGallery, the word “havoc” was spelled “Hvaoc.” Every time my eyes went to the top of the page, I cringed.
I received a free copy of Late Harvest Havoc from NetGalley in exchanged for my honest review. Thank you.

I'm completely hooked on this brilliant French detective series! Each mystery is the perfect length for a weekend's entertaining read, Late Harvest Havoc is no exception. This book, along with others in the series, would be a wonderful birthday or holiday gift for anyone who enjoys a good French wine.

Another good entry in the “Winemaker” series of novellas.

In this episode, we have someone attacking vineyards, cutting young vines to the ground. Virgile and Benjamin get to the bottom of the crimes after another lovely tour of the region and winemaking.

A nice little story.