Hello, how are you? I’d love to stop and chat, but I really should be packing my suitcase. I’m catching a plane to Florence, Italy in a few hours. No, I’m not going on holiday. It’s for work. You see, I’m the buyer for King Wines, the company my parents set up when I was just a baby. The reason for my trip to Florence, is to taste and hopefully, place orders for Tuscany’s most famous wine, Chianti Classico. I know it sounds glamourous and I am very lucky to have a job I love, but there’s also a lot of pressure. The thing is, I’ve only been the buyer for a few months. Last year, my parents were involved in a serious car accident. My dad broke his hip and he also lost his sense of taste and smell. For most people this would be an annoying inconvenience, but for someone who tastes wine for a living, it’s a disaster. With dad out of action and mum busy caring for him, my sister Maddie and I had to step up. Fortunately, I inherited dad’s excellent pallet and Maddie, his business acumen. Between us, we have managed to keep the company going, but it’s been tough. I’m hoping if my visit to Italy is a success, we might be able to relax a little.

One of the things I love about going on a buying trip, is that I get the chance to meet up with friends. Kiara, my best friend, is staying at the same hotel as me. We met at college years ago and she’s great fun. Now she lives in India, so we hardly ever see each other. Nico will be in Florence too. He’s another friend from my college days. I used to have a huge crush on him. He’s still very handsome, but he can be a bit grumpy. Like me, he’s half English and half French. Last, but definitely not least, is Paddy, who is actually driving me to the airport. Paddy is the buyer for one of London’s oldest wine merchants and he’s also been a huge help to Maddie and me since Dad’s accident.

My first solo buying trip was to Bordeaux a couple of months ago. I stayed with Henri and Celeste, old friends of my parent’s, at their chateau. Unfortunately, while I was there, one of their neighbours was murdered and at first, their son, Oscar, was the chief suspect. However, with a little help from my friends and me, the police finally caught the real culprit. Let’s just hope nothing like that happens in Florence. Must dash. Ciao!

THE CHIANTI CASE
Series Name: A Vineyard Mystery, Book 2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: January 2026
Format: Digital, Print
Purchase Link

Tuscany’s vineyards promised fine wine—until Emma uncorked a murder.

Emma King is half English, half French and one hundred percent disorganised. As the head wine buyer for her family’s business, she has a keen palate, generous heart and a fiercely loyal nature. Still getting used to her new company role, she joins her old friends Paddy, Kiara and Nico, who are also in Italy to buy the famous Chianti Classico.

When Kiara’s ex-stepmother is poisoned after buying a glass of wine from one of Florence’s famous wine windows, in a bar owned by Kiara’s Italian boyfriend, Kiara becomes the prime suspect. Emma is determined to show the police they have the wrong woman. There are many suspects with strong motives, and she enlists her friends’ help. But the flirty inspector seems more interested in quoting Shakespeare and quickly closing the case than investigating.

More frustrating, the deeper Emma digs, the murkier the facts become. Can she clarify this case before she and her friends end up corked?

Sharp, suspenseful, and impossible to put down, this second installment delivers murder, intrigue, and a relentless search for justice.

Meet the author
H L Marsay grew up binge reading Agatha Christie novels and promised herself that one day, she would write a murder mystery too. Living in York, an ancient city full of hidden corners and dark snickleways, she is never short of inspiration and the Chief Inspector Shadow Mysteries were born. She has also written The Lady in Blue Mysteries, The Secrets of Hartwell and now, The Vineyard Mysteries. When she isn’t coming up with new ways to bump people off, she enjoys red wine, dark chocolate and blue cheese – not necessarily together!