I’m sitting at a table on the outdoor deck at Auberge du Soleil restaurant. I was enjoying a delicious Sunday brunch and spectacular views of the Napa Valley vineyards until a few minutes ago. I just moved to the area for a temporary veterinarian job filling in at a local veterinary hospital while the owner veterinarian is recovering from surgery. He’s going to be laid up for at least a month. I was happy that I got a job where my best friend Sophie lives so I can spend more time with her.
I’m on my own today though. Sophie’s on a deadline to complete a project design for her interior design business by tomorrow. I asked her what kinds of things she suggested that I do while I’m in the Napa Valley, and she said I should treat myself to brunch here.
I was startled out of my peaceful reflections when a man started yelling at another man at a table on the other side of the deck. There was a loud cracking noise as the man stood up quickly and his chair toppled backwards onto the deck.
“Put it on my tab!” the red-faced, heavyset older gentleman yelled as he stalked across the deck through the tables of people that had been chatting and enjoying their meals. He nearly knocked over a waitress. Everyone stopped talking and stared at the angry man.
“Of course, Mr. Marchetti!” the stunned waitress called out.
The same waitress almost got knocked over again as the man who’d been sitting with Mr. Marchetti rushed after him.
I almost choked when I saw who was running after Mr. Marchetti. It was Lucien, my best friend Sophie’s husband! What was going on?
Sophie told me a few months ago that something seemed to be bothering Lucien, and she was worried about him. She said she couldn’t get him to talk to her about it. She said she was hoping that I might be able to help her figure out what was going on while I was staying in the Napa Valley.
Yesterday when Sophie and I were having lunch at the Goose and Gander restaurant, she gave me more details. She said Lucien’s been working late for months now. Sometimes he doesn’t come home until after she’s already gone to bed. And when he’s around, he seems distant and distracted.
I’ve never been that close to Lucien. He was a year ahead of Sophie and me in college, so the only time I ever saw him was when he was with Sophie. I know he’s a good guy though. Sophie wouldn’t love him if he wasn’t.
I’d like to find out what that argument with Mr. Marchetti was all about. I hope Lucien isn’t in some kind of trouble. Maybe whatever is going on with Mr. Marchetti has something to do with why Lucien has seemed so distant and distracted lately.
I need to talk to Sophie about this. But I can’t bother her right now. She’s on a deadline.
“Excuse me!” I called out to the waitress as she passed my table.
The waitress turned to look at me, her face flushed.
“Who’s that man? That man you called Mr. Marchetti?” I asked.
“What? Oh, um, his name is Lorenzo Marchetti. He owns Il Capriccio bar in St. Helena,” she replied.
She quickly turned to look towards the door that led off the deck into the restaurant, then looked back at me. “I’m sorry, but unless you need something, I have to go.”
She rushed out the door.
Vengeance in the Vines: Rylie Sunderland Mysteries Book 2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: January 2025
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link
Secrets can be deadly. When the owner of a local bar is found dead in his home after eating at her best friend’s husband’s restaurant, veterinarian Rylie Sunderland is determined to uncover the truth to save her friend in this intriguing small town cozy mystery.
Rylie’s thrilled when she gets a long-term locum veterinarian job in the beautiful Napa Valley wine country where her best friend Sophie lives, and she’s looking forward to enjoying the area and spending time with Sophie and Sophie’s husband, Lucien.
That is until the owner of a local bar is found dead in his home after having eaten at Lucien’s restaurant during the Chamber of Commerce awards dinner.
Evidence piles up against Lucien, but Rylie is certain he’s innocent. She feels compelled to do whatever she can to help clear Lucien of suspicion.
When Rylie meets Alex, the handsome son of the man who died after eating in Lucien’s restaurant, they can’t deny their attraction to each other. And they’re both motivated to find out who killed Alex’s father. Alex believes Lucien’s innocent. And he has some ideas of his own as to who may have had motive to kill his father.
Rylie goes to the detective in charge of the case with each new piece of information she finds that she thinks could be relevant to the murder investigation. But the detective seems laser focused on the mounting evidence against Lucien and doesn’t seem swayed by any of the information Rylie brings him.
The pressure increases as Rylie’s best friend Sophie struggles to deal with the stress of the investigation involving her husband. Will the secrets of the past prevent the truth from being revealed?
About the author
Rachele Baker is a veterinarian and mystery author in northern California close to Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley wine country where the books in the Rylie Sunderland cozy mystery series take place. She drew on her many years of experience as a practicing veterinarian to develop the main character for this series, Rylie, who is also a veterinarian. Rachele’s golden retriever Savanna was the inspiration for Rylie’s golden retriever Bella. In her free time, Rachele enjoys exploring northern California wine country, Lake Tahoe, and areas along the California coast like Mendocino, Monterey, and Big Sur. Some of her favorite things include freshly brewed coffee in the morning, walks in nature, and, of course, golden retrievers. Sign up for Rachele’s Cozy Chat monthly e-newsletter where she shares info about her books, photos from her adventures, news for book lovers, some of her favorite recipes, book deals and discounts, and the opportunity to participate in fun contests and giveaways. You can also visit her website and connect with her online on Facebook, Instagram, X, BookBub, and Goodreads.