The Vineyard Victims

Lucie Montgomery is driving back to her vineyard when she sees a car racing straight at her. In The Vineyard Victims by Ellen Crosby, Lucie flashes back to her accident at the very same spot 10 years prior. She veers off the road and hears a crash. Lucie races to the car and discovers Jamie Vaughn, recent candidate for president of the United States pinned behind the wheel.

As she tries to pull Jamie from the car, he seems to resist her help and says, "Tell him I'm sorry. Tell Rick I need him to forgive me." While she struggles with the door, a MedicAlert bracelet slips from his hands. Neighbor and friend Mick Dunne arrives on the scene, grabs Lucie and carries her away as the car bursts into flames.

Did Jamie deliberately crash his car into the pillar or was it an accident? He smelled of alcohol and seemed unfocused, but Lucie knows she cannot accuse the man who nearly became president of killing himself.

Who is Rick and why does the family not want Lucie to talk to the press? With the help of her

newspaper friend Kit Noland, Lucie soon discovers all was not  well at the Vaughn family business and maybe even in the campaign headquarters. The campaign manager and Jamie's wife insist Rick is a large donor, but somehow that doesn't sit well with Lucie.

Before long Lucie discovers a connection between Jamie and some of his old friends with a 30-year-old murder. As she probes, she learns "Rick" is someone named Taurique, a young black man who was charged with the murder of Webster Landau, one of Jamie's college friends. What is the connection between Jamie, Taurique and the death of Webster Landau?

The more Lucie digs, the more dangerous her discoveries become. Another exciting book from Ellen Crosby. I always enjoy the journey into viticulture as well.