When a tornado destroys some of her newest grapevines and unearths the grave of a murdered man, Lucie Montgomery finds herself having to defend her father's innocence in the face of increasing evidence. - (Baker & Taylor)

When a tornado destroys some of her newest grapevines and unearths the grave of a murdered man, Lucie Montgomery finds herself having to defend her father's innocence in the face of increasing evidence, a situation that is further complicated by abuse allegations that target winemaker Quinn Santori. - (Baker & Taylor)

When Lucie Montgomery stumbles across a skull in her vineyard--just after the tornado that almost kills her--little does she suspect the skeletons in the family closet to which the discovery will lead in Crosby's sprightly fourth Virginia wine country mystery (after 2008's The Bordeaux Betrayal). But who can blame the amateur detective for being a bit off her game, with the hurricane of headaches already buffeting Montgomery Estate Vineyard? Hot-tempered winemaker Quinn Santori and handsome new manager Chance Miller (Lucie is attracted to both) are at each other's throats--and hundreds of Civil War buffs are due in days to re-enact the 1861 Battle of Ball's Bluff. - (Baker & Taylor)

When a tornado rips through Montgomery Estate Vineyard, it not only destroys some of Lucie Montgomery's newest grapevines but also unearths a grave in an abandoned field. The discovery sets tongues wagging in the small town of Atoka, Virginia, especially after the police inform Lucie that the odds are good someone in her family is responsible - possibly for murder.
But Lucie has more to worry about than family secrets buried with the victim in her vineyard. Her charming new farm manager clashes constantly with Quinn Santori, her winemaker, and accidents, broken equipment, and injuries fuel the combustible atmosphere around the winery. Lucie's complicated feelings for Quinn - romantic and professional - are tested when she learns he may be involved in disturbing activities that could cost him his job.
Meanwhile, Lucie has granted permission to a group of Civil War reenactors to use a field near the grave site to stage the local Battle of Ball's Bluff, though she is unsettled by stories of ghosts who still haunt the real battlefield and its cemetery of unknown soldiers. As the day for the reenactment draws near, the ghosts of her own family's past converge for an outcome she could never have anticipated. - (Blackwell North Amer)

Ellen Crosby returns with the fourth book in her rich mystery series set amidst the vines of Virginia wine country.

When a tornado rips through Montgomery Estate Vineyard, it not only destroys some of Lucie Montgomery’s newest grapevines, it also unearths an old grave. After the dead man is identified as a former business associate of Lucie’s father, it seems everyone in Lucie’s hometown has already decided Leland Montgomery is a murderer. As the evidence piles up against him, Lucie sets out to prove her father’s innocence.

But Lucie has more on her mind than a dead body. Her new vineyard manager has accused her winemaker, Quinn Santori, of abusing the vineyard’s migrant workers, while Lucie’s relationship with Quinn grows increasingly more com- plicated. Meanwhile, Lucie has given permission to a group of Civil War re-enactors to recreate a local battle on her farm. But when one of the re-enactors is shot with live ammuni- tion, Lucie wonders whether it was an accident or an attempt at murder.

As Lucie pieces together the truth about the deaths on her estate, she learns that while everyone is entitled to a private life, living a secret life will get you in trouble. An intriguing combination of colorful characters, fascinating history, and winemaking detail, The Riesling Retribution offers the fast- paced suspense that has become Crosby’s trademark. - (Simon and Schuster)

Booklist Reviews

Once again Crosby gives us the opportunity to learn more about winemaking, a flourishing industry in many states including Virginia, the setting of the series starring vintner Lucie Montgomery. This fourth installment begins with a tornado ripping through the Montgomery Estate vineyard. Lucie and the vines survive the storm, but she is soon involved in trying to solve a decades-old murder. The locals have decided that her late father, Leland, was probably to blame for the murder. As Lucie sets out to clear her father's name, she also has to cope with the escalating arguments between her vineyard manager and her winemaker. Meanwhile, she has given permission for Civil War reenactors to re-create a local battle on her property. Someone uses live ammunition during the mock battle, so now there is a very recent murder to solve as well. The mystery element in this entertaining, fast-paced series is enhanced by both the fascinating winemaking details and the Civil War background. Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.