Returning to her Virginia vineyard home after the unexpected death of her father, Lucie Montgomery is dismayed by her father's gambling debts, which are complicated by the discovery that someone had a lot to gain from her father's death and the sale of his winery. 17,500 first printing. Lucie Montgomery is recuperating in France from an automobile accident that left her dependent on a cane. When her brother calls to tell her that their father, Leland, has died, she returns to the family estate in Virginia. She finds that both the house and the vineyards have been badly neglected due to her father's gambling and shady business deals. Her brother, Eli, needs money to support his new wife's expensive tastes, and he has persuaded their younger sister, Mia, to sell the estate. Before the funeral, Lucie's godfather tells her that Leland's death was not accidental and that the possible sale of the land played a part in the murder. Lucie must uncover the truth about the murder if she is to ensure the vineyard's survival. An absorbing plot, rich with details on the wine industry, and an evocative sense of the lush Virginia countryside are the main sources of appeal here. Barbara Bibel Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "A neat whodunit." -- The New York Times "Fast-paced...a treat for those who like unusual settings." -- Library Journal "Superb. Crosby delivers a fine mystery full of twists, realistic characters, and finely ladled suspense." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel Ellen Crosby is a former freelance reporter for The Washington Post and was the Moscow correspondent for ABC Radio News. She is the author of The Viognier Vendetta, The Riesling Retribution, The Bordeaux Betrayal , The Chardonnay Charade, and The Merlot Murders , as well as Moscow Nights , a stand-alone novel published in London. Crosby lives in Virginia with her family.