Seven Deadly Zins by Nancy J. Parra is the second book in the “Wine Country” cozy mystery series, coming January 8, 2019.

Which suspect drowned an inspector in the Zinfandel? Sonoma tour guide Taylor O’Brian uncorks another intoxicating Wine Country mystery.

Taylor O’Brian, founder of “Off the Beaten Path”, takes small groups on wine country tours of romantic Sonoma County. Friends are everything in the tour business, so Taylor is happy to guide investors to the winery owned by her friend Tim Slade. But vintage turns to vinegar when an FDA inspector is found floating face down in one of Tim’s vats of squished grapes.

Tim is arrested on suspicion of murder, and Taylor and her friends rally to prove his innocence. But it’s not an easy task, especially since the winery proprietor’s acidic sense of humor tends to reap a harvest of sour grapes. Taylor’s investigation is withering on the vine until she discovers that Tim’s girlfriend, Mandy, is having an affair with a self-help guru. But before she has a chance to confront Mandy, Taylor finds Tim standing over the body of the dead guru.

This tart turn of events sends a bottle shock through Sonoma. Might Taylor’s friend really be a Zin-ful killer? If so, could Taylor be the next victim? The tour guide and her friends come to realize that the true murderer’s scent is obscured by an unsavory bouquet of red herrings.

A complex mystery designed to delight the palate of wine and cozy mystery enthusiasts alike, Seven Deadly Zins is the second quirky installment in Nancy J. Parra’s Wine Country mysteries.

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This was a fun book to read. When her friend is accused of murder, believing in his innocence, Taylor starts an investigation to see who has a stronger motive.

The author does a great job in telling a story with a mystery that had me glued to the pages as I had to know what happens next. With visually descriptive narrative, the dialogue kept me engaged letting me see into the psyche of the various characters. There were plenty of suspects and a few twists and turns that enhanced how well this story was being told. I did like that the drama started slow and as the story moved forward the pacing increased as we got closer to the apprehension of the killer. Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

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FTC Full Disclosure – I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the publisher.