MRC RECOMMENDS: Murder with Wine
by Anita Dickason
“…drawn in by the intrigue, the humor, and the comforting cadence of a story steeped in both mystery and community.”
—The Mystery Review Crew
Murder With Wine
By Anita Dickason
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Tori Winters Book 3
Deceit Runs Deep. Danger Runs Deeper!
What begins as a spine-tingling ghost tour, a night of unexpected thrills and chills for Tori Winters, quickly twists into something far more sinister.
Her free ticket from an anonymous source pulls Tori into the heart of a deadly conspiracy, entangling her in a treacherous web of murder and deceit.
While whispers of scandal ripple through Granbury, the unthinkable looms. Is Tori about to be arrested for a murder she didn’t commit?
As suspicion tightens its grip, something even more insidious lurks in the shadows, dragging her deeper into a maze of hidden motives and lethal deception.
Tori is the killer’s next target.
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Review of Murder with Wine by Anita Dickason
Murder With Wine by Anita Dickason was a fun, twisty, cozy mystery case that kept us hooked and eagerly turning the page to see what would happen next—drawn in by the intrigue, the humor, and the comforting cadence of a story steeped in both mystery and community.
The story revolves around Tori Winters and her inherited mansion, which she is renovating to become an inn, in the town of Granbury, Texas. Although Murder with Wine is book three in the series, readers will not feel lost starting with this book. Dickason did a great job making you feel like you were thrust into a world of characters that felt like family—even though you may not have met them before.
We enjoyed the historical details that were woven throughout the story, as well as the author’s notes at the end. It was neat to read more about the history behind the Granbury Opera House, where several scenes in this book take place. These details lent an air of believability to the case as a whole, adding another layer of depth that we appreciated.
Each character who showed up in this story had a unique and engaging personality, from the head of security, Parker, who loves a good muffin, to the Inn’s general manager and resident baker, Mia, to David, the potential romantic interest with quiet strength, and even the ever watchful homicide detective, Andy. Last but not least, Tori Winters. She’s a character who embodies the characteristics of a sharp, self-assured woman who ensures she surrounds herself with people who uplift her.
The mystery that unfolds in Murder With Wine is like a fine wine; you get notes and hints as to the source, yet the full flavor still catches you by surprise. The same goes for this mystery. There are several “credible” suspects, some are easy to eliminate, others you leave on your mental list of “maybe?”, and at the end, you are left nodding, saying you ‘knew’ it all along.
One of our favorite parts of this mystery was the story. The bravery (somewhat strong-headedness) of the characters, the light romance, and the smooth flow of constant coffee. We were caught at the end, wondering how the author would tie up the loose ends left hanging, and now we are eagerly awaiting the next Tori Winters mystery.
Just a warning: keep coffee and muffins on hand while reading—you’ll crave them before the final chapter.
About Anita Dickason
Award-Winning Author
Anita Dickason
Anita Dickason is a retired police officer with a total of twenty-seven years of law enforcement experience, twenty-two with Dallas PD. She served as a patrol officer, undercover narcotics officer, advanced accident investigator, tactical officer, and first female sniper on the Dallas SWAT team.
See more about Anita Dickason by visiting her website https://www.anitadickason.com.
