Derek was impressed with Nikki’s wine knowledge and pairings and wants to offer her a job as the general manager of his vineyards. Nikki doesn’t know anything about Derek, but knows Malveaux wine by reputation and agrees to go to the vineyard for the weekend to consider the proposition.

Upon her arrival, Nikki is greeted less than cordially, by Derek’s ex-wife Meredith, step-mother Patrice, half-brother Simon & Simon’s Italian lover Marcos, along with other vineyard workers. Derek’s family can’t imagine why he would offer a position of such responsibility to a stranger and even what in the world he sees in Nikki.

Their reception grows even chillier when Nikki finds the body of the vintner Gabriel on her first night. The second night, during a fundraiser for Derek’s leukemia charity, Nikki stumbles across the body of vineyard accountant Minnie. Instead of packing and heading back to LA, Nikki hangs around and even begins to nose around and ask questions.

When Nikki’s snooping includes breaking into Minnie’s office and rifling through the vineyard’s books, Derek gets a little annoyed. But he quickly has a change of heart and allows this stranger, who he has good vibes about (despite his past track record of selecting women) to stay and continue poking around in his business, possibly bringing further danger to the vineyard and Derek’s family and staff.

Murder Uncorked is the first in a series that has great potential. Readers will find themselves wanting to like Nikki and Derek but will find themselves asking why each one should trust the other. Nikki makes many references to her past, and parts of it are revealed, though not entirely explained, and integrated into Nikki’s character. The Napa Valley is a lush setting, and foodies will drink in the wine lore and will savor the recipes for tasty tidbits. The mystery is substantial enough to hold readers’ interest, though Nikki’s motives for starting and continuing the investigation are not clear.

There are plenty of clues and red herrings, though the answers are pretty easy to figure out as the story unfolds. All told, Nikki shows promise as an amateur detective, and as a character readers will grow to love.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry