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Cypress Cove Mystery #1
One Foot in the Grape
In California wine country, the town of Cypress Cove may seem peaceful. But someone’s about to pop their cork�
After losing her job as a photojournalist, Penny Lively is trying to get her life back in focus. Inheriting the family winery from her late aunt may be the fresh start she needs. Thankfully she’s got her niece Hayley and her handsome winery manager Connor to help. But the person in need of more urgent assistance is Antonia Martinelli, the owner of the neighboring winery, who has her own barrel full of problems. Someone’s spoiling her wine, and with the upcoming Autumn Festival, she needs Penny’s nose for clues to sniff out the culprit.
But Penny’s search for answers sours after the body of a staff member is found in a grape crusher. Since Hayley was the last to see him alive, she’s the prime suspect in the case. Now Penny must hurry to find the real killer before Hayley withers on the vine�
After losing her job as a photojournalist, Penny Lively is trying to get her life back in focus. Inheriting the family winery from her late aunt may be the fresh start she needs. Thankfully she’s got her niece Hayley and her handsome winery manager Connor to help. But the person in need of more urgent assistance is Antonia Martinelli, the owner of the neighboring winery, who has her own barrel full of problems. Someone’s spoiling her wine, and with the upcoming Autumn Festival, she needs Penny’s nose for clues to sniff out the culprit.
But Penny’s search for answers sours after the body of a staff member is found in a grape crusher. Since Hayley was the last to see him alive, she’s the prime suspect in the case. Now Penny must hurry to find the real killer before Hayley withers on the vine�
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 5, 2015
12 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
Carlene O'Neil
3Ìýbooks102ÌýfollowersCarlene O’Neil grew up in the heart of Northern California Wine Country and is accredited by the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. A former television writer, she currently makes her home outside Los Angeles, where she can be found sailing in the Santa Monica Bay or doing research for her next novel.
Clearly, any novel set in wine country requires extensive research. One Foot in the Grape Ìýis her debut novel, coming out in spring 2015 from Berkley Prime Crime. Visit her online at , and
Clearly, any novel set in wine country requires extensive research. One Foot in the Grape Ìýis her debut novel, coming out in spring 2015 from Berkley Prime Crime. Visit her online at , and
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
July 17, 2018
I thought this was a very good first in series, an overdue read from my staggering TBR. The setting is a winery in the Carmel/Monterey region, a lovely, special area of California. I certainly plan to read the next.
April 15, 2015
One Foot in the Grape is the first book in the A Cypress Cove Mystery series.
A wonderful new series, full of mystery and also giving the reader an insight to the wine industry.
Penny Lively, after losing her job as a photojournalist has to decided to come back to Cypress Cove to take ownership of the winery she has inherited from her Aunt Monique. The winery has been running under the capable direction of her winery manager, Connor and her niece, Haley. About six months after Penny arrived, the owner of the neighboring winery, Antonia Martinelli pays a visit. Antonia feels that someone is trying to damage the winery's reputation and asks Penny for her help in finding who is doing the sabotage. Antonia feels that it might be someone within the family or her manager. Penny is reluctant at first, knowing how demanding a person Antonia can be, but feels she owes her for having been such a good neighbor to her aunt in her final days.
When Todd Ryan, who works in the Martinelli's wine tasting room, comes to ask Penny to take photos at is upcoming wedding, Penny takes the opportunity to ask how things are at the winery. He begins to say how great it is to work there, but then seems hesitant to say much more. That evening, Penny, Haley and Connor go the Martinelli's for a Wine Growers Association meeting. While there she sees the eldest of the children, Francesca, can be as strong and as unnerving as her mother and is upset with her mother who has given her brother control of winery. There is doubt that he is capable of handling the job, even though his mother says he has come up with some great improvements to the winery. Then there is Chantal who hasn't met a man she doesn't want to love and Penny feels she is paying too much attention to Connor. As Penny is getting ready to leave the meeting, where she was elected vice-president, much to chagrin of Francesca, she hears a scream coming from the fermentation building. Upon entering the building she can hear one of the crusher running and when she looks into the crusher she finds the body of Todd. With Haley being the last person, other than the killer to see Todd alive, Penny begins to look into Todd's death to see if it might be related to sabotaging that Antonia feels is going on.
With the help of the “town gossips�, Ross Sterling owner/chef of Sterling and Thomas who owns the gift shop, Beauty and Bean, next door, is off to try and learn who and what is behind the attempt to discredit Martinelli Winery.
Penny soon learns of Francesca's shading land dealing, the philandering of Francesca's husband Brice and gambling problems of winery manager Marvin Karp, and is Stephen really as talented as people say he is at running the winery. Penny needs to sort through the facts and find the killer so see can see the next grape harvest.
I really enjoyed this new series, a wonderful cast of characters, and just the right amount of looking into a winery's operation. Looking forward to the next book to see what is up next in the wine country and if Penny and Connor will be willing to admit that there might be mutual feelings for each other.
A wonderful new series, full of mystery and also giving the reader an insight to the wine industry.
Penny Lively, after losing her job as a photojournalist has to decided to come back to Cypress Cove to take ownership of the winery she has inherited from her Aunt Monique. The winery has been running under the capable direction of her winery manager, Connor and her niece, Haley. About six months after Penny arrived, the owner of the neighboring winery, Antonia Martinelli pays a visit. Antonia feels that someone is trying to damage the winery's reputation and asks Penny for her help in finding who is doing the sabotage. Antonia feels that it might be someone within the family or her manager. Penny is reluctant at first, knowing how demanding a person Antonia can be, but feels she owes her for having been such a good neighbor to her aunt in her final days.
When Todd Ryan, who works in the Martinelli's wine tasting room, comes to ask Penny to take photos at is upcoming wedding, Penny takes the opportunity to ask how things are at the winery. He begins to say how great it is to work there, but then seems hesitant to say much more. That evening, Penny, Haley and Connor go the Martinelli's for a Wine Growers Association meeting. While there she sees the eldest of the children, Francesca, can be as strong and as unnerving as her mother and is upset with her mother who has given her brother control of winery. There is doubt that he is capable of handling the job, even though his mother says he has come up with some great improvements to the winery. Then there is Chantal who hasn't met a man she doesn't want to love and Penny feels she is paying too much attention to Connor. As Penny is getting ready to leave the meeting, where she was elected vice-president, much to chagrin of Francesca, she hears a scream coming from the fermentation building. Upon entering the building she can hear one of the crusher running and when she looks into the crusher she finds the body of Todd. With Haley being the last person, other than the killer to see Todd alive, Penny begins to look into Todd's death to see if it might be related to sabotaging that Antonia feels is going on.
With the help of the “town gossips�, Ross Sterling owner/chef of Sterling and Thomas who owns the gift shop, Beauty and Bean, next door, is off to try and learn who and what is behind the attempt to discredit Martinelli Winery.
Penny soon learns of Francesca's shading land dealing, the philandering of Francesca's husband Brice and gambling problems of winery manager Marvin Karp, and is Stephen really as talented as people say he is at running the winery. Penny needs to sort through the facts and find the killer so see can see the next grape harvest.
I really enjoyed this new series, a wonderful cast of characters, and just the right amount of looking into a winery's operation. Looking forward to the next book to see what is up next in the wine country and if Penny and Connor will be willing to admit that there might be mutual feelings for each other.
April 28, 2015
ONE FOOT IN THE GRAPE was a good start for the new Cypress Cove Mystery series.
Although I’m not a wine drinker (not a drinker at all for that matter), the beauty of vineyards are undeniable. While reading this story, it was easy to picture myself among the rows of ripening grapes, with the sun shining on a quiet, peaceful day. Well, you know, if there hadn’t been a murder. ;-)
Author Carlene O’Neil has done a wonderful job on this first book. Well thought out characters, like protagonist Penny Lively, make for an entertaining read. I look forward to watching the growth of these characters in upcoming installments.
Brava to the author for a death I haven’t seen in a cozy before . . . a grape crusher! Once the body is found, the mystery continues to ripen as the book draws to a conclusion I didn’t come close to guessing.
A robust bouquet of well written mystery, ONE FOOT IN THE GRAPE is sure to be a new favorite among cozy fans.
Although I’m not a wine drinker (not a drinker at all for that matter), the beauty of vineyards are undeniable. While reading this story, it was easy to picture myself among the rows of ripening grapes, with the sun shining on a quiet, peaceful day. Well, you know, if there hadn’t been a murder. ;-)
Author Carlene O’Neil has done a wonderful job on this first book. Well thought out characters, like protagonist Penny Lively, make for an entertaining read. I look forward to watching the growth of these characters in upcoming installments.
Brava to the author for a death I haven’t seen in a cozy before . . . a grape crusher! Once the body is found, the mystery continues to ripen as the book draws to a conclusion I didn’t come close to guessing.
A robust bouquet of well written mystery, ONE FOOT IN THE GRAPE is sure to be a new favorite among cozy fans.
June 3, 2015
It took me way too long to choke this one down. I know there have been several positive reviews but I could not get into this one. I don't know - something about the characters didn't resonate with me. I definitely like wine and wine country. The main character wasn't 100% likeable and neither was Antonia, the matriarch of the family she's been ordered to help (their wine has been 'bad'). Again, another pain in the ass old lady character who rules with an iron fist. Seriously. I prefer the love triangle to the old woman who everyone bows down to. Frustrating. I did receive a free copy of this book from a book blog so no harm, no foul. Just disappointed it wasn't better. It had potential but it soon fizzled the more I read.
February 3, 2025
Quick airplane read
Mom
Mom
October 12, 2024
A fun quick mystery that takes place in California's wine country
February 24, 2016
Dollycas's Thoughts
Penelope (Penny) Lively has inherited the family winery and after a little dust-up at her last job it is perfect timing. Her cousin Hayley has the degree in Viticulture and Connor manages the day to day tasks of the vineyard. Penny focuses on the business side of things. As a photojournalist she has a keen eye and takes some wonderful pictures that she sells as prints as postcards. Her keen eye is just what is needed to help Antonia Martinelli. The Martinelli winery and Penny's winery border each other. Antonia asks Penny to help her find out who is sabotaging their wine. With the Autumn Festival just days away, she desperately needs to cork up that issue right way. Penny agrees to help but before she has a chance to do anything one of the Martineeli staff is literally crushed and her cousin Hayley is the prime suspect.
This was an impressive debut for this series. I would have thought competing wineries would be more cutthroat but in this story the neighboring wineries work closely together. Not only does Penny try to help Antonia, they work together planning the festival and even seem to share temporary help. The victim was someone very well liked with a bright future. Penny was not only investigating to save her cousin but to find the killer of someone she respected.
The characters in this story were very interesting. Penny, Hayley and Connor are solid, relatable characters that will allow the series to succeed. The Martinelli family is quite a bunch. Antonia is ready to pass the winery on to her family, specifically to her son, but she isn't sure he is ready. Her oldest daughter, a lawyer, has a huge chip on her shoulder and thinks the winery should be hers. The youngest daughter has a set of problems all her own. This was a great supporting cast. I hope we see them again in future stories.
The plot of the story is a unique one with some clever and surprising twists, although it did go a little bit awry at that start. It was the little clues that I almost wrote off that pulled this whole mystery together. I was on the right track but it turned out to be much more than I ever imagined.
The author has left Penny holding back a very important tidbit and I wonder how long it will be before it is revealed to everyone. This has me anxious to read the next installment, Ripe For Murder, out on March 1. I was late to the party for this book. That won't be the case with the next one.
Penelope (Penny) Lively has inherited the family winery and after a little dust-up at her last job it is perfect timing. Her cousin Hayley has the degree in Viticulture and Connor manages the day to day tasks of the vineyard. Penny focuses on the business side of things. As a photojournalist she has a keen eye and takes some wonderful pictures that she sells as prints as postcards. Her keen eye is just what is needed to help Antonia Martinelli. The Martinelli winery and Penny's winery border each other. Antonia asks Penny to help her find out who is sabotaging their wine. With the Autumn Festival just days away, she desperately needs to cork up that issue right way. Penny agrees to help but before she has a chance to do anything one of the Martineeli staff is literally crushed and her cousin Hayley is the prime suspect.
This was an impressive debut for this series. I would have thought competing wineries would be more cutthroat but in this story the neighboring wineries work closely together. Not only does Penny try to help Antonia, they work together planning the festival and even seem to share temporary help. The victim was someone very well liked with a bright future. Penny was not only investigating to save her cousin but to find the killer of someone she respected.
The characters in this story were very interesting. Penny, Hayley and Connor are solid, relatable characters that will allow the series to succeed. The Martinelli family is quite a bunch. Antonia is ready to pass the winery on to her family, specifically to her son, but she isn't sure he is ready. Her oldest daughter, a lawyer, has a huge chip on her shoulder and thinks the winery should be hers. The youngest daughter has a set of problems all her own. This was a great supporting cast. I hope we see them again in future stories.
The plot of the story is a unique one with some clever and surprising twists, although it did go a little bit awry at that start. It was the little clues that I almost wrote off that pulled this whole mystery together. I was on the right track but it turned out to be much more than I ever imagined.
The author has left Penny holding back a very important tidbit and I wonder how long it will be before it is revealed to everyone. This has me anxious to read the next installment, Ripe For Murder, out on March 1. I was late to the party for this book. That won't be the case with the next one.
May 5, 2015
Reviewed for Read Your Writes Book Reviews
by Kim
Penelope (Penny) Lively has returned to Cypress Cove, California after losing her job, to take over her Aunt Monique’s winery, after the woman’s death. Six months in, things are going well, until Antonia Martinelli, a distant relative, Monique’s cousin and owner of the neighboring winery asks her for help in figuring out who is sabotaging her wine. The Autumn Festival and harvest time are near and if Antonia can’t figure out who’s behind the sabotage, Martinelli Winery could be no more.
Penny is very witty and thinks fast on her feet. She has a curious nature about her, but she isn't someone who likes to take risks. Generally, she pretty much does things without thinking about the consequences, which of course usually lead to bad things happening. Penny ultimately stumbles upon the body of a well-liked winery employee and feels the need to investigate his murder since her niece was the last person to be seen with the employee.
Penny doesn't necessarily go looking for trouble, it just sort of finds her. In looking into and questioning events and people, Penny unknowingly puts her life in danger. The killer is closer than she thinks, but who they are and why they're on a killing spree is a mystery. One Penny has to solve, before it's too late.
The climax is surprising, leading to an unexpected twist with an ending I didn’t see coming. Even now, I’m playing back the events wondering exactly how Penny truly figured all of the pieces out.
One Foot in the Grape had me at page one. The book is full of murder, adultery, sabotage and of course, wine. Turning cozy mystery books into movies are a big thing now. I can totally see this book making a wonderful movie. The characters are perfect; from Penny, to her niece Hayley, Winery Manager Connor, Chief Lucas and Antonia. Add in the possibility of romance and I'm really a happy girl.
I have found a new author and series to love. Told in first person, One Foot in the Grape is the first book in the Cypress Cove Mystery Series from debut author Carlene O’Neil. This is definitely a must read book.
**Received a copy from Penguin Berkley Prime Crime for an honest and unbiased opinion.**
by Kim
Penelope (Penny) Lively has returned to Cypress Cove, California after losing her job, to take over her Aunt Monique’s winery, after the woman’s death. Six months in, things are going well, until Antonia Martinelli, a distant relative, Monique’s cousin and owner of the neighboring winery asks her for help in figuring out who is sabotaging her wine. The Autumn Festival and harvest time are near and if Antonia can’t figure out who’s behind the sabotage, Martinelli Winery could be no more.
Penny is very witty and thinks fast on her feet. She has a curious nature about her, but she isn't someone who likes to take risks. Generally, she pretty much does things without thinking about the consequences, which of course usually lead to bad things happening. Penny ultimately stumbles upon the body of a well-liked winery employee and feels the need to investigate his murder since her niece was the last person to be seen with the employee.
Penny doesn't necessarily go looking for trouble, it just sort of finds her. In looking into and questioning events and people, Penny unknowingly puts her life in danger. The killer is closer than she thinks, but who they are and why they're on a killing spree is a mystery. One Penny has to solve, before it's too late.
The climax is surprising, leading to an unexpected twist with an ending I didn’t see coming. Even now, I’m playing back the events wondering exactly how Penny truly figured all of the pieces out.
One Foot in the Grape had me at page one. The book is full of murder, adultery, sabotage and of course, wine. Turning cozy mystery books into movies are a big thing now. I can totally see this book making a wonderful movie. The characters are perfect; from Penny, to her niece Hayley, Winery Manager Connor, Chief Lucas and Antonia. Add in the possibility of romance and I'm really a happy girl.
I have found a new author and series to love. Told in first person, One Foot in the Grape is the first book in the Cypress Cove Mystery Series from debut author Carlene O’Neil. This is definitely a must read book.
**Received a copy from Penguin Berkley Prime Crime for an honest and unbiased opinion.**
May 16, 2016
I have just finished reading One Foot in the Grape by Carlene O'Neil and I put into words the sheer pleasure of being in wine country again. I closed my eyes and I was back by the lone cypress, driving along the ocean, seeing Pebble Beach for the first time, and especially the sweet smells of the grapes in the air. I closed my eyes a lot.
Penny Lively has returned to run her aunt's winery after the death of her aunt and her loosing her job as a photojournalist. She becomes involved in the death of the neighboring winery's taster while investigating the problem of inconsistent wine at Martinelli's Winery. The winery of her late aunts' best friend, who is obnoxious to say the least. As dead bodies and threats pile up, Penny just can't stop keeping her promise. And the major hint to the killer, though small was sheer genius and something I kept going back to but just couldn't put my finger on.
The characters are well written and I felt that if I ran into them in the town of Cypress Grove I could pick them out in a minute. The story and setting is true to life, and the police are not made out to be fools, even for a small town.
Can't wait to read next in series, Ripe for Murder.
Penny Lively has returned to run her aunt's winery after the death of her aunt and her loosing her job as a photojournalist. She becomes involved in the death of the neighboring winery's taster while investigating the problem of inconsistent wine at Martinelli's Winery. The winery of her late aunts' best friend, who is obnoxious to say the least. As dead bodies and threats pile up, Penny just can't stop keeping her promise. And the major hint to the killer, though small was sheer genius and something I kept going back to but just couldn't put my finger on.
The characters are well written and I felt that if I ran into them in the town of Cypress Grove I could pick them out in a minute. The story and setting is true to life, and the police are not made out to be fools, even for a small town.
Can't wait to read next in series, Ripe for Murder.
September 24, 2022
One Foot in the Grape is the first in the Cypress Cove Mystery series and it will be my last. The main character was kind of bitchy and for no reason that was revealed to the reader. The neighbor was pretty awful as well. None of the characters felt like they had any depth at all. The writing was terrible at making you care about anyone. The mystery element wasn't bad and the setting descriptions were good, but that all falls apart when you're character writing is t good. This is a debut novel for this author, so I hope she gets better. But I won't be reading to find out.
May 14, 2015
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Daniele
One Foot in the Grape is the first book in the Cypress Cove Mystery series, and it is a strong debut. Penny, who sees life best through the lens of a camera, has left her job as a photojournalist to embark on a new adventure. She has inherited her Aunt Monique’s winery, and with the help of her handsome manager Connor and her niece Hayley, she has settled into a good routine. Harvest is quickly approaching and the annual Autumn Wine Festival will soon be upon them. As if these were not enough to keep everyone busy, Penny’s distant cousin and neighboring winery owner Antonia comes to Penny with concerns that someone is sabotaging her wine and fears that it will be the end of the Martinelli wine legacy. She asks Penny to look into things at the winery, and Penny feels honor bound to accept. After all, what could go wrong?
During the course of talking to and observing people of interest, including Antonia’s children and manager, she has the misfortune of discovering the likable tasting room manager Todd in a grape crusher. Todd’s death definitely raises the stakes, and Penny feels that the murderer is someone very close at hand. The more she digs, the more secrets she unearths, and the more dangerous the situation becomes.
All of the characters are solidly constructed and well executed. Penny is curious by nature, and though trouble seems to find her, she is not one of those too stupid to live protagonists you sometimes find in cozy mysteries. She is impetuous yet logical in her approach to investigating. I enjoy her wit and sarcasm. Her friends Ross and Thomas, Hayley and Connor provide a good support system to Penny, and there is a hint of potential romance between Penny and Connor. The suspects were viable and easy to dislike � nervous daughter-in-law Veronica, wet blanket Stephen, vixen Chantal, spiteful Francesca, philandering Brice, and conniving Marvin. Their intermingling motivations kept me guessing for a good part of the story. Even when I thought I had figured out whodunit, I was unsure of his/her drive to commit such heinous acts.
O’Neil paints a vivid picture of California wine country and includes loads of winemaking tidbits that are well integrated into the story. I now totally want to take a wine touring vacation.
One Foot in the Grape is full of murder, sabotage, adultery, and wine. I really enjoyed this first book in the series and recommend it to any cozy mystery reader, especially those who love wine and a twisty plot.
May 6, 2016
ONE FOOT IN THE GRAPE is an entertaining, well plotted book. I loved the winery setting with the tidbits of running a winery, harvesting, and making wine woven into the story. I think Carlene must have done some awesomely fun wine tasting tours…ahem…I mean research, to write this book. The characters were well developed and Penny is a likable, sassy protagonist. She has several one-line zingers that had me laughing out loud, and one incident was so funny (at least to me), I had to go back and re-read it the next day for another chuckle.
The author’s subplots are nicely woven into the main story, with several strong suspects that kept me guessing to the very end. Carlene managed to pull all the threads together and wrap up the ending for a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed the interaction between Penny and her friends, which gave the book depth and insight into Penny’s character. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series and seeing what happens next at Joyeux Winery!
The author’s subplots are nicely woven into the main story, with several strong suspects that kept me guessing to the very end. Carlene managed to pull all the threads together and wrap up the ending for a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed the interaction between Penny and her friends, which gave the book depth and insight into Penny’s character. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series and seeing what happens next at Joyeux Winery!
May 8, 2015
When Antonia Martinelli asks Penny Lively to look into sabotage at the Martinelli Winery, Penny feels like she has to say yes. However, things quickly escalate to murder, and Penny feels like she has gotten in over her head. Can she find the killer? Is the murder related to the sabotage?
This debut is filled with strong characters and a compelling plot that kept me turning pages. Sadly, the timeline early on had some errors in it, which is a big pet peeve. Those issues were resolved later in the book, and it never impacted the story. Overall, this is a strong book in what could easily become a long running series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at .
This debut is filled with strong characters and a compelling plot that kept me turning pages. Sadly, the timeline early on had some errors in it, which is a big pet peeve. Those issues were resolved later in the book, and it never impacted the story. Overall, this is a strong book in what could easily become a long running series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at .
April 27, 2017
E pensare che all'inizio avevo accantonato questo libro nella lista delle possibili letture, quelle da rivalutare prima di acquistare! Poi ho letto i commenti di alcune mie amicizie qui su GR e ho deciso di dargli una possibilità . Sono stata subito catturata dalle prime pagine: mi piace lo stile di questa autrice. Poi c'è un bel cast di personaggi. Infine, per una volta non sono riuscita a capire chi era il colpevole: fino all'ultimo c'erano varie possibilità e solo una decina di pagine prima dello "svelamento" ho considerato quello che poi è risultato il colpevole, ma l'ho scartato perché non capivo il movente. Eppure, gli indizi c'erano tutti, ma non li avevo capiti... Insomma, il libro mi ha colpito. Magari non sono 5 stelle piene, ma gliele do lo stesso volentieri. E ho già messo il successivo nella lista dei prossimi acquisti.
June 3, 2015
California wine country setting, family owned vineyards and murder. This is a great combination in this new series. I really enjoyed the whole approach that the author took, as it was the murder that took front and center with the setting more in the background. The characters were very defined and totally believable. The murder is complex, with twists and turns to a surprising end. This is a series to start and keep up with. Carlene O'Neil has a good thing going.
June 23, 2015
Being a bit of an Oenophile I was thrilled to read this story. Many of my vacations have included visits to local wineries. The story was a fun read, and Penny is one gutsy lady with a great support team. I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a new author to enjoy and grow with.
February 21, 2021
Penny is in her mid thirties, a head strong person used to being on her own. She is a likeable character. Haley complements Penny well and grounds her. Connor, the Winery manager is the potential romantic interest who harps about Penny's safety. Antonia is the iron-fisted matriarch of a dysfunctional family that includes daughters Francesca and Chantal, plus Stephen the heir and his wife Veronica. Chief Lucas works the case without being antagonist with Penny. This cozy has solid characters and less of the eccentric or comic elements, but not as gritty as an amateur sleuth or PI novel.
A good portion of the story takes place during the Autumn Festival, a two-days of wine, food, and judging local vineyards wine entries. I particularly enjoyed the luscious descriptions of wine country during harvest and decorated in autumn colors.
The plot had several elements in play, so there is no simple solution which made this solid mystery. The pacing was steady throughout, resulting in what felt like a "fast" read. The mystery resolution and killer confrontation was exciting with some good nail-biting suspense. The wrap-up tied up the remaining issues.
This is a solid debut with a strong likeable main character, fantastic setting, and multifaceted mystery. If you enjoy the Wine Lover's Mystery series, check this new series out.
Rating: Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list.
A good portion of the story takes place during the Autumn Festival, a two-days of wine, food, and judging local vineyards wine entries. I particularly enjoyed the luscious descriptions of wine country during harvest and decorated in autumn colors.
The plot had several elements in play, so there is no simple solution which made this solid mystery. The pacing was steady throughout, resulting in what felt like a "fast" read. The mystery resolution and killer confrontation was exciting with some good nail-biting suspense. The wrap-up tied up the remaining issues.
This is a solid debut with a strong likeable main character, fantastic setting, and multifaceted mystery. If you enjoy the Wine Lover's Mystery series, check this new series out.
Rating: Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list.
August 27, 2020
I'd read the third book in this series probably three years ago, so I honestly didn't remember much of anything about the characters. It was kind of all new to me, but I did enjoy this author's first novel (according to her bio) a lot and thought she did a great job for a first cozy mystery. I'm hoping the next book gets a little more into the key characters, because I feel like I know the Martinelli family a lot better than I do Penny, Connor and Hayley even though I like their characters a lot.
Antonia cracked me up with how proper she tried to act, but Penny could get away with giving lip right back to her when she got a little snarky. Antonia reminded me so much of Angela, the matriarch on the old Falcon Crest TV show. I was totally able to picture that family as hers, and it was kind of fun thinking of it that way. Antonia even talked Penny into exploring a crime scene before calling the police, lol. I'm pretty sure Angela would have done that too!
I had actually called the killer fairly early on, but it was simply a hunch that ended up being right. The showdown was pretty exciting, and Penny really had to fight for her life against a crazed killer. I'm looking forward to reading the next book as well. I'm a little surprised that the publisher never apparently ordered more than three of this series.
Antonia cracked me up with how proper she tried to act, but Penny could get away with giving lip right back to her when she got a little snarky. Antonia reminded me so much of Angela, the matriarch on the old Falcon Crest TV show. I was totally able to picture that family as hers, and it was kind of fun thinking of it that way. Antonia even talked Penny into exploring a crime scene before calling the police, lol. I'm pretty sure Angela would have done that too!
I had actually called the killer fairly early on, but it was simply a hunch that ended up being right. The showdown was pretty exciting, and Penny really had to fight for her life against a crazed killer. I'm looking forward to reading the next book as well. I'm a little surprised that the publisher never apparently ordered more than three of this series.
January 30, 2024
After refusing to embellish a story, Penny is fired from her job as a photo journalist. However, she recently inherited a small winery from her aunt, and Penny relocates there to reset and reevaluate. When the Antonia Martinelli, owner of the neighboring winery, confides in Penny that someone is sabotaging her wines, Penny agrees to help. Things become more complicated when one of Antonia's employees is murdered, and the last person to see him alive was Penny's niece and employee, Hayley. In the course of her investigation, Penny is drawn further into the dysfunctional dynamics of the Martinelli family. The trick will be figuring out which of them is capable of murder.
Very well written and engrossing. Penny is an engaging character, and other characters are fully realized, from austere Antonia to conniving Francesca to Penny's gay friends, Ross and Thomas. The plot was sensible and fast paced. Enjoyable and entertaining, four stars
Very well written and engrossing. Penny is an engaging character, and other characters are fully realized, from austere Antonia to conniving Francesca to Penny's gay friends, Ross and Thomas. The plot was sensible and fast paced. Enjoyable and entertaining, four stars
December 11, 2018
Penny Lively is back home after inheriting her Aunt's winery. With her niece Heidi and manager Conner she thinks life is going well until her neighbor and good friend of her aunts asks her to look into a case of sabotage at her winery. Penny sets out to solve the case but when murder happens followed by a second one Penny starts to wonder if she is in over her head.
This is a great story. Lots of suspects and great character development. The story line moves fast but is well developed. I love how the characters interact with each other and was interested in getting a glimpse into the wine making industry. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
This is a great story. Lots of suspects and great character development. The story line moves fast but is well developed. I love how the characters interact with each other and was interested in getting a glimpse into the wine making industry. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
February 23, 2019
Penny Lively loses her photojournalist job over the questionable ethics of her editor and finding another proves difficult. When her aunt passes leaving her the family winery she relishes the fresh start. When the Martinelli Winery next door owned by a distant cousin begins having sabotage problems its matriarch, Antonia, asks Penny to investigate. When the body of a staff member is found and it looks like a member of the family may be involved questioning becomes difficult and secrets are brought to light. A good plot. I'll look for more of this series.
March 4, 2018
I’m an aspiring wine lover and a new reader to cozy mysteries, and this book took it to a whole new level for me! The cute, flirtatious budding romance between main character and an important figure to her winery was an added bonus. However, the twists and excitement of trying to figure out who was responsible kept me hanging on every word. I can’t wait to pick up the next book in this series and hope that Carlene O’Neil will write many more in the Cypress Cove Mystery line.
October 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the setting, enjoyed the characters. Enjoyed the plot. The only thing with some of the newer books is that when a character gets roughed up, it doesn’t seem to phase them much. I’d hurt, move slow the next few days and be rather shocked so I don’t know if it’s even necessary for the characters to get hurt - just scare them. Otherwise, let us know they feel it.
Regardless the author does a good job weaving a story.
Regardless the author does a good job weaving a story.
April 2, 2024
Do you like “closed� mysteries where everything happens in one location, such as a mansion? And in a short amount of time—a week in this case? This solid mystery is very much in that Agatha Christie tradition, but the author lets the characters visit a couple of places off-site. Photojournalist and small winery owner Penny Lively finds herself in the thick of murders at the bigger winery next door owned by a distant relative, Antonia. The gathering of bickering, cheating relatives and spouses at the estate is a perfect murder setup (and may remind you of various TV series), and I almost expected Hercule Poirot to stop by to solve things. Instead we get the capable Penny Lively as our sleuth and she’s a good one, smart, and with the right amount of humor that didn’t try to force jokes on us. I learned a lot about the wine business and that information kept me reading, too. The writing skill is first-rate. I highly recommend One Foot in the Grape, Book 1 in a series.
January 4, 2020
Fairly standard, but cute cozy mystery. The plot was better than the average cozy mystery though the romance is flatter and the characters are bit less fleshed out. The main character occasionally annoyed me, and she's pretty judge-y. But overall, not bad. And it works very well for my puntastic popsugar challenge.
March 21, 2023
It’s been a long time since I have picked up a 1st in series cosy and was hooked from page one. This one fit the bill. I immediately enjoyed the characters and their chemistry. I struggled a bit with the ages - a niece who’s early 20s. A chief of police in his 20s? I will continue on in this series.
August 9, 2023
ONE FOOT IN THE GRAPE has all the right elements: a likable journalist-turned-vintner protagonist to cheer for, a stunning location, sabotage, plot twists, mystery, suspense, wit, and wine. Not only does it have a great storyline (who doesn't love a body in a grape crusher?), it would make an exciting movie!
February 3, 2019
Very enjoyable book! Beautiful descriptions of the various locations brought them alive in my imagination. Believable characters and a storyline that kept me guessing to the end made this a good read and wishing that I had the next book in the series available.
May 28, 2019
The mystery was good with lots of viable suspects. My only issue was that the main character constantly did stupid things that put her in danger. I felt like I was watching one of those stupid horror movies where the teenagers go into the serial killer’s lair.
July 20, 2020
This book started really strong, I laughed out loud at the very first page. It did slow down as the book progressed and there wasn't a lot of investigation but it was still very enjoyable. I have the next book and can't wait to read it!
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