THE BORDEAUX BETRAYAL

Crosby’s third Wine Country mystery involves the intricacies of wine making and murder. In the wine country of Virginia, Lucie Montgomery, who runs a vineyard, is in charge of a charity auction that features a bottle of Bordeaux supposedly purchased by Thomas Jefferson for George Washington. But is it real? As she delves into the wine's history, Lucie's quest is jolted by a couple of murders. Christine Marshall does a credible job of portraying Lucie and her grandfather, but the minor characters are barely distinguishable from one another. The narration is uneven—sometimes slowing to a pace that is downright irritating. Overall, Crosby's effort to integrate murder and wine making doesn't quite work. M.T.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2008]