A Toast to Murder by Michele Scott is the 6th and final book in the “Wine Lover’s” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin), April 2010
The big day is swiftly approaching for Nikki Sands—Manager of the Malveaux Estates in Napa Valley—and her fiance Derek Malveaux, who owns the winery. But when they start receiving cryptic messages questioning their belief in fate, things quickly turn fatal…
As the wedding grows closer, it seems the entire affair is cursed. A chewing gum fiasco forces Nikki to cut her hair and go platinum blonde. Then Derek’s old college buddies, along with an assortment of old flames and frustrating family relations, show up to work Nikki’s last nerve. But when Nikki’s close pal Simon is shot as he walks her down the aisle, Nikki realizes that she has to find a matrimonial murderer before her wedding becomes someone’s funeral.
This was a very enjoyable story. The day that Nikki has been waiting for has finally arrived; she’s getting married or is she? Puzzling notes, a shooting and a murder ruins the big day. Assisting the police and with Derek by her side, Nikki does what she does best…gathering clues to bring this person to justice. My rating: 4.5 stars