Seven Deadly Zins: A Wine Country Mystery

The discovery of a body in a fermentation tank at Tim Slade’s winery in Sonoma County, Calif., drives Parra’s so-so sequel to 2017’s A Case of Syrah, Syrah. Tim is suspect number one in the minds of the local cops, and his friend Taylor O’Brian, the founder of a wine tourism company, steps up to help him out. Meanwhile, another friend asks Taylor to look into a “weird healing guru,” who has come to town with plans to develop a large compound in which to accommodate his many followers. Another death is followed by the kidnapping of Taylor’s Aunt Jemma. The ransom request is merely that Taylor cease her investigations. On the personal side, Taylor bounces lightly back and forth between two potential suitors, the local sheriff and her lawyer. Overwrought prose (“ ‘I’m fine,’ he said through gritted teeth that chattered”) slows the action, which eventually reaches a convoluted conclusion. Even cozy fans used to minimal character development and illogical behavior will struggle with this one. [em]Agent: Paige Wheeler, Creative Media Agency. (Jan.) [/em]