I've read many Ann Roberts books, but this was my first "Ari Adams Mystery." It definitely won't be my last.
What is planned as a first time trip to Oregon wine country and a bit of pre-wedding venue scoping, turns into an intense investigation of murder and wine-driven mystery, with lots of twists and turns. There is an excellent ensemble cast of characters, all of whom are nuanced, fully drawn, and intriguing. It's hard to say which is more interesting - the cast of characters and their relationships, the swift pace of the investigation, or the details of the art and science of winemaking. The relationships portrayed are genuinely adult and therefore complex and engaging. The culture around vineyards and winemaking is a passionate one and that passion is reflected in the characters and situations in the book. Highly recommended. I look forward to starting with the very first Ari Adams mystery and finding out everything I've missed.

Ann Roberts has kept readers entertained for more than 14 years with her Ari Adams mysteries. This is her eighth Ari Adams mystery and I am just as entertained by Ari’s sleuthing as I first was in 2006 when she published her first Ari mystery, Paid in Full. All of the books in the series can be read as a stand alone, but as it’s often said of books in a series, why would you want to deprive yourself? Each book has something new and different to offer readers.

In Dying on the Vine, Ari is once again pulled into a curious mystery, this one taking place at an Oregon vineyard in the Willamette Valley. When Ari agrees to accompany Jane, her best friend and real estate colleague, to Oregon to help her plan her upcoming wedding, the trip actually ends up involving very little wedding planning. Upon their arrival at Jane’s friends’ vineyard, the two are quickly engrossed in the murder investigation of a sommelier. Local vintners, cut-throat sommeliers, lovers and long time friends-everyone is suspect. Ari, known for her sleuthing skills, gets thrust into the mysterious murder and vineyard mayhem at the encouragement of Jane and Jane’s long-time friends. What follows is a drama filled weekend that would rival a soap opera!

Roberts storytelling mimics that of a real Agatha Christie who-done-it, only with modern day twists and turns. Roberts has mastered the in and outs of crime writing with such skill. However, her mysteries are never monotonous or predictable; they remain fresh and unique, this one in particular. Her use of the wine making industry makes this story alluring and quite fascinating. It is definitely a real treat for wine lovers.

Roberts excels in crafting characters that are intriguing and compelling; her characters are never flat. With Dying on the Vine, Roberts manipulates her character development quite effectively. She pushes the limits and incorporates a few character twists that will most assuredly keep readers surprised and entertained. She challenges her readers though to open their minds, but not without purpose. Several of the characters in this story tend to stray a bit in their committed relationships, but their transgressions are necessary for plot advancement. They are needed to build tension and create drama, something this story is certainly not short on.

This book once again proves Ann Roberts is a solid writer. It’s no wonder she’s earned several prominent awards; her talent shines through with each book she writes. Her plotting and pacing are always spot-on. Her characters are intriguing and likable. The tension and suspense are just right. The storytelling is believable and engaging. It’s the perfect mix for a well crafted mystery. I absolutely recommend this wonderful mystery. It is a real delight.

I thought I would like this book but unfortunately I didn't. But someone else may like it. I usually like mysteries themed in a winery. But this was not one of them

What a fascinating story. Not only you learn a little about winery and making wine but also you get to investigate with Ari who is hell of investigator. The story is captivating, the drama happening on top of investigation is trying to get you distracted and it works so well. I didn't know almost to the end who is at fault. Even if I had my suspicions, theose weren't 100%.
Great read.

I have to put this up there from the start: I have not read any Ari Adams Mysteries before this one. And I was very surprised that I could get into the story, even with the obviously large amount of backstory that had built up from the last seven books in the series. To be fair, I did go and read the blurbs on the previous books to get an idea of what I was getting into so I wasn't going in totally blind. It feels like a cozy mystery series, but just a slight bit heavier. It shows with some of the complex characters and relationships - especially in this book. I enjoyed the mystery, but was slightly annoyed that people were more concerned with the open relationship between Cleo and Mina, the owners of the winery the mystery takes place in, than the fact that they basically were dating their employees. Hoo boy there is a lot of stuff that was glossed over there. But that is just a nit pick - even if glaring. Also, I do have to give Roberts a toast for basically make this book a tribute to a dog she met at an Oregon Winery. Adorable.

I'd say this is par for the course for a cozy mystery - the characters are engaging, the mystery is fun and allows you to follow along and solve it along with Ari, and it is set in a beautiful place. It does go into heavier territory in terms of the somewhat complex relationships that have either started in this book or developed over the series. I do have to say that this book makes me curious about what happened to Ari and Molly in the previous books that made their relationship so strong. And how Ari basically became a real estate agent Lady Sherlock.

recommended for the promise of the series, satisfying mystery, and characters. Check this out, but with the recommendation that you at least look at the blurbs from the previous books. It still helps out readers who may not have read the books before, but it helps to have that little bit of context. Cozy Mystery fans will enjoy this one thoroughly.

I enjoy a fine glass of red wine and I love a good mystery. I have not read the first books in this Ari Adams series or any books by Ann Roberts but will now hunt down the others in this series. Dying on the Vine was everything I was hoping it would be and not knowing Ari’s past didn’t affect my reading pleasure.

Ari accompanies her best friend Jane to an Oregon Valley winery called Sisters Cellars to check out the place for Jane’s upcoming nuptials. They arrive to find police at the gate and the winery’s highly prized sommelier Dion dead under suspicious circumstances. The local Sheriff’s office is handling the investigation but the owners Mina and Cleo are happy to have Jane’s friend Ari lend a hand to sort out why Dion has been murdered and by whom. There are plenty of suspects including the owners and their open marriage.

This is an immersive read helping the reader understand the challenges faced by vintners and their crops along with the competitive aspects of the wine industry. So competitive that the suspects are many and the grudges and secrets held make everyone a suspect. I enjoyed working through motives and alibis along with Ari. The cast of characters were entertaining and the way their lives crossed made this a fun mystery to solve.

A pleasure to read.

ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.

This is my first time reading an Ann Roberts book and to be honest I wasn't disappointed. Can't wait to read more of her stuff.

Dying on the Vine is a real good read, full of mystery and a page turner.

Once started I couldn't put down

Would I recommend, Yes can't wait for more from AR

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


This was a good mystery.

I didn’t read the other books in this series but I’m going to when my book fund is build back up.

Ari is company her good friend Jane to Oregon where she meets friends of Jane Mina and Cleo who runs a Winery called Sisters Cellars. She thinks this will be relaxing stay while they work on Jane wedding with her fiancé Rory.

When they arrive a murder has happen and the victim is Dion one of the few sommelier who was in line to win Master Sommelier title but some wasn’t happy with him and is glad he gone.

As Ari investigate she is shock to realize how cutthroat winemaking is what people go through to win. I won’t go into details because I tend to spoil things especially in mystery books but there were great suspects I like how wine is make how much goes with it.