A Case for the Winemaker
Ainsley McGregor Book 1
by Candace Havens
Genre: Cozy Mystery
About the Book:
The closer she gets to the truth, the more she finds herself drowning in trouble.
It’s an exciting time in Sweet River, Texas, and the whole town's talking. Maybe, a little too much. Former English professor Ainsley McGregor has gambled everything on her new business: Bless Your Art, an artisan market where local artists sell their wares and teach classes.
The bright, white space is filled to the brim with colorful art, yarn, jewelry, pet treats, antiques and even a few medieval weapons. Oh, and there are wine tastings. Everything's better with wine. Ainsley is surprised by how well things are going–right up until the moment her Great Dane finds a dead body. With her friend accused of the murder, it’s up to Ainsley to find the real killer.
As the suspect list grows longer, Ainsley has her work cut out for her. The task is made more difficult by the fact her brother, the sheriff, doesn’t seem to want her help. If she doesn’t wrap up the case soon, she might be the next wine, um, one to die.
My Review:
A Case for the Winemaker is the first book in the Ainsley McGregor series by Candace Havens. Ainsley McGregor opened up a cooperative store called Bless Your Art where she rents spaces to local artisans. This concept is what drew me to the book. Back in the early 2000s, my mom and I were serious crafters and we rented a medium sized space in what the owners named "The Antique and Craft Mall." We would have been lucky to have worked with anyone as nice and friendly as Ainsley. We rarely saw the owners of the business and it didn't seem as though they were as serious about making the craft mall work. Their lack of enthusiasm is probably why I received a frantic phone call from their front desk person one morning telling me they were closing and I had to get in a get our stuff by the end of the day. Bummer. It was fun having an outlet for our products. Hopefully nothing like this happens to the fictional shop created by the author.
When Ainsley's dog, George Clooney, finds a body outside near the shop, one of Ainsley's friends in implicated in the death. Having been seen publicly arguing with the deceased tends to sway the detectives in that direction. Ainsley knows her friend is innocent and something more sinister is afoot. The mystery was set up and executed well and I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it an why.
Ainsley is a wonderful character with business know-how and impeccable customer service skills. Her brother, Greg, is the local sheriff, and he tries to keep her from interfering with the case but with his sights only set on Ainsley's friend, she knows she can't sit on the sidelines. Jake is a firefighter, friend of Greg's, and Ainsley's closest neighbor. Together, the three of them along with Ainsley's friends, make up a great cast of characters.
This books was an enjoyable, fast read that keep me engaged. I loved the setting: an artisan market, the characters were wonderful, realistic, and relatable. The world building allowed me to visualize the scenes and I felt like I was there with the characters as they lead their normal, everyday lives. I couldn't put the book down.
I was provided a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.
My Rating:
A Case for the Winemaker is the first book in the Ainsley McGregor series by Candace Havens. Ainsley McGregor opened up a cooperative store called Bless Your Art where she rents spaces to local artisans. This concept is what drew me to the book. Back in the early 2000s, my mom and I were serious crafters and we rented a medium sized space in what the owners named "The Antique and Craft Mall." We would have been lucky to have worked with anyone as nice and friendly as Ainsley. We rarely saw the owners of the business and it didn't seem as though they were as serious about making the craft mall work. Their lack of enthusiasm is probably why I received a frantic phone call from their front desk person one morning telling me they were closing and I had to get in a get our stuff by the end of the day. Bummer. It was fun having an outlet for our products. Hopefully nothing like this happens to the fictional shop created by the author.
When Ainsley's dog, George Clooney, finds a body outside near the shop, one of Ainsley's friends in implicated in the death. Having been seen publicly arguing with the deceased tends to sway the detectives in that direction. Ainsley knows her friend is innocent and something more sinister is afoot. The mystery was set up and executed well and I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it an why.
Ainsley is a wonderful character with business know-how and impeccable customer service skills. Her brother, Greg, is the local sheriff, and he tries to keep her from interfering with the case but with his sights only set on Ainsley's friend, she knows she can't sit on the sidelines. Jake is a firefighter, friend of Greg's, and Ainsley's closest neighbor. Together, the three of them along with Ainsley's friends, make up a great cast of characters.
This books was an enjoyable, fast read that keep me engaged. I loved the setting: an artisan market, the characters were wonderful, realistic, and relatable. The world building allowed me to visualize the scenes and I felt like I was there with the characters as they lead their normal, everyday lives. I couldn't put the book down.
I was provided a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.
My Rating:
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