Select one of the keywords
Blood for Wine: A Cal Claxton Oregon Mystery    by Warren C. Easley Amazon.com order for
Blood for Wine
by Warren C. Easley
Order:  USA  Can
Poisoned Pen, 2017 (2017)
Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth

If you have read any previous novels by Warren C. Easley, then I know you will enjoy the author's fifth - Blood for Wine. Protagonist Cal Claxton lives in an old farmhouse high in Oregon's Red Hills. He is deeply in love with the house, the view, his dog Archie, and the wine that is produced from the grapes grown in the surrounding countryside. Archie is the creature that Cal bounces his ideas off. I would love to have a dog like that.

When Lori Kavanaugh is murdered, Cal, a trial lawyer, is approached by the woman's husband to represent him. He is sure the police will tap him for the crime. The urgency of the appeal is that the grapes the man grows are ready for picking and then myriad actions must take place if Kavanaugh is to make enough wine to pay his bills and make his prize-winning 'nectar of the gods'.

Of course, another murder is committed. Cal is beaten to a pulp. A PI or two make their appearances. There is enough suspense to please anyone who loves a good murder mystery. If any readers have ever thought of growing their own grapes and producing their own wine, there is almost enough wine producing information to give a good start.

Don't do as my Dad did during prohibition. When a new wringer washing machine was delivered to our house, Dad had my three brothers standing in the new washer stamping the grapes. I don't think that would be very acceptable today. Anyway, this is a good read. Don't miss it.

Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons.

Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews