"Villain in the Vineyard" By Judy L. Murray: Review/Giveaway

Review by Tracy Condie

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of one of Judy's books and a link to purchase the new one.

If you are a fan of Delaney Nichols from the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series with her bookish voices, then you are really going enjoy Helen Morrisey and her Detection Club, which is made up of some of the greatest female fictional sleuths. There is Nancy Drew, Jane Marple, Jessica Fletcher, Nora Charles, and Agatha Raisin. Each of the sleuths is unique and offers different insights and methods. This is my first time reading a book from the Chesapeake Bay Mystery Series, and I did not put it down until I finished. Being the sort of series addict that I am, it means that I will be adding the other three to my TBR list for a possible binge-reading weekend. This cozy mystery is so well-written that it elicits emotional reactions that are almost visceral. The characters are completely relatable, and their reactions to their circumstances are believable.

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Helen Morrisey is the sassy sort of true-blue friend who you would want to sell your house or help you find a new abode. Her best friend is Tammi Damon, an irreplaceable assistant who endeavors to talk Helen off the ledge and remind her that Twizzlers are not a food group. We learn that Helen is a widow, but she isn’t alone. She has a set of grown children––twins Lizzie and Shawn, who respect the uniqueness that is their mom while also showing her such love and support that it makes you sigh. Rounding out this inner circle is Helen’s love interest, Detective Joe McAlister. Helen and Joe have an easy-going relationship with plenty of teasing as well as tenderness and a little agitation. (Helen has been known to take a risk or two.) Joe appreciates Helen’s ability to notice details and to think through situations. He is not necessarily a huge fan of the Detection Club because sometimes the ladies convince Helen to dig a little deeper and look a little longer.

With two murders, there are a good number of suspects. For Bill Elison, there is Todd Myers, the ill-tempered son-in-law for starters, and there is concern also that those who clean houses see and know things that maybe they shouldn’t have. For Oscar Banyon, there are quite a few more since he was a bit of a snoot who isn’t mourned by anyone, including his wife, Paula. At one point, I suspected that everyone had done the deed including the FBI agent who probably moonlighted as a Wonder Woman stand-in.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable cozy, and I am looking forward to getting caught up by reading the first three with a glass of wine and some Twizzlers.

To enter to win either an ebook or print copy of Villain in the Vineyard or any one of Judy's other books (winner's choice), simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "Judy Murray,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 26,, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase the ebook version of this book. The print version will be available to purchase next week. 

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.