The death of a volunteer subject, a homeless man who was really an autistic runaway with a family who was looking for him, sets in motion a chain of events among six colleagues and friends known as the Mandrake Society, one of whom was Paul.  In California, Luce searches for one of the remaining Mandrakes while she tries to sort out her relationship with her winemaker and former lover Quinn. Traveling back to Virginia, Luce does not feel any closer to the truths about the death of the friends or why members of the group have suddenly begun dying within months of each other. However, a series of events brings everything into focus and also brings danger and probable heartache to Luce’s front door.

Luce is a very independent character who has been made stronger by recent events in her life: the death of her parents, an accident that left her with a permanent leg injury and taking over her family’s vineyard in Virginia. Luce invites her brother Eric and his young daughter Hope to move in with her, infusing more life into her home. Luce and Quinn have a difficult relationship and have been through several stages from employer/employee, to trusted colleagues to lovers. But now Luce is not sure the relationship is a good fit for either her or Quinn and is willing to let it go at that.  

Luce’s grandfather always injects a shot of energy into Luce’s life and the promise of a trip to France for Luce lingers in the air upon his departure.  The plot is neatly plotted, shifting back from past to present, making connections where there are none to be seen, creating a rich landscape with interesting characters. A good curl up in your favorite chair with your favorite beverage book with some wine lore thrown in for good measure.                                        

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry