I really enjoyed this historical book set in WWII. The story gave a fresh and interesting twist to this genre of stories. The author says that the stories are based in truth, from tales that his colorful sounding grandfather told of his exploits during the war. As I just finished visiting this area of France, I found the book extra interesting.

In 1940, knowing that the Nazis will soon be stealing all his wines, a French winemakers poisons a case of this special pinot noirs. He presents the case to the German commander, who immediately gifts each bottle to individuals of his acquaintance scattered around France and Germany. Two people are poisoned before the commander figures out he's been duped. But he wants to recover the bottles secretly, because he's afraid he will be punished, probably executed, if the truth is know. He hires Mads Molnar, a psychiatrist turned detective, for the job.

From this point on it is a rollicking ride as each individual bottle is recovered. This one would make a great tv movie or mini series. Quite a fun read, plus points for different and original!

I really wanted to like this book! The premise is definitely fascinating. I personally found it hard to overlook the excess violence and bits of suggestive material throughout. Excepting that, I think I might have really liked the book, but it was a little too much for my taste. I also felt like the hero was not as strong a character as he could have been and even seemed a bit passive at times. However, it did keep my interest until the end and the pacing was done well. I was grateful for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

Pinot Noir is inspired by the true story of a case of wine that has been sent out bottle by bottle to some high ranking Nazi’s, but unbeknownst to the sender, another high ranking Nazi, the wine has been poisoned.

I found the plot fascinating especially the fact that each of the twelve bottles has its own story. I liked it but didn't love it has I found the characters almost cartoonish and not quite true to life.

Would recommend to anyone interested in historical fiction set in World War 2.

Received a review copy from the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.

#PinotNoir #NetGalley

I finally came around to read and review this book. It had been on my Netgalley shelf for quite some time but there was always another book I just had to read or review first.
Although the title and the subject appealed to me and made me request the book I didn't quite know what to expect.
The book description advertised Pinot Noir as a WWII Novel, inspired by true events.
When I started reading the book I didn't quite know what to make of it in the beginning, The main characters were almost a caricature and the protagonist, Mads Molinar III, reminded me very much of a kind of Hungarian version of Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe transported to France, Germany and Hungary during the second WW. So I was not surprised when I read the description again on Netgalley.
Even though I found it hard to take the story serious at times I still enjoyed reading the book, because of the rather over the top descriptions and situations and the humour it exuded.

Would recommend the book for wine lovers and everybody who loves to hate the Nazis.

I want to thank Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, reading it reminded me reminded me of when I used to listen to mystery radio dramas when I was younger. The backstop was great and the characters were engaging.

Forcing a vintner to select a case of his best wine and taking it without payment seems so unfair, but in occupied Alsace Nazi Colonel Karlin Riffel does just that. He intends to send prominent individuals a bottle of the fine wine to increase his reputation and stature. Good idea. But wait, the vintner poisoned each bottle Riffel had taken. Already a Gestapo General drunk a bottle and died. Riffel needs to get the remaining 11 bottles of wine back without creating a stir.
Riffel needs a smart detective who won't give up until a case is fully solved. Enter Mads Molnar. No not enter, dragged in is more like the way the detective with the reputation of solving every case he has looked into. Why would this Hungarian detective take this job?: Two reasons: (1) the Arrow Cross, the Hungarian Gestapo wants him dead and (2) Riffel promises him "exit papers". Mads can leave Germany and go to Sweden if he helps the Colonel.
Armed with a list of wine recipients, Mads begins his secret search for the wine. And what a search it is through car chases, Arrow Cross and Gestapo interrogations and beatings, airplane chases, shootings and assaults. Mars prods searching for the wine that will ultimately lead to his exit papers. The question is, will he find all of the wine?
This is a logical planned story with fully developed characters. No one is perfect but everyone is interesting. I appreciated the minor incidents that added so much to the story. Plenty of characters to dislike but a novel to really like.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #PinotNoir

I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity,
An interesting take on the WW2 genre in that it read like a comedy with WW2 as a background, The writing was good and fast paced. The events were strange and wacky, just on the edge of being believable. The characters are quite engaging and I liked the real life links in this story.
A good read.

This book is a mix of historical fiction, action-adventure, romance, crime with just a bit of paranormal. I also found myself laughing at times thinking “these Nazis are really dumb”.
Overall it was a fast and enjoyable read but I found some pieces here and there that confused me at times and distracted from the main story.


Thank you to Net Galley and ATS Press for an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest review.

In Nazi occupied Europe during WW2 a Nazi Colonel uses his powers to forcefully obtain a case of 1934 Pinot Noir to send to various other Nazi members with a personalized note in an attempt to impress them and perhaps further his career.
What he doesn't know is that the winemaker, frustrated and sick of the Nazi occupation, has added a little bit more than Pinot Noir to those 12 bottles.........
When the first "lucky recipient" of the Pinot Noir meets a unexpected death, the Colonel realizes what has happened and takes Mads Molnar into his employ to find the remaining bottles and notes before it reflects back on him and jeopardizes his career ambitions.
I enjoyed this book, all the twists and turns. The character descriptions were vivid and even the names of the main characters seemed to fit in with their personalities so brilliantly.
The epilogue was a brilliant touch and a great end to an enthralling story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.

I love books based in WW2, they are fascinating and horrifying, I loved the plot for this book, but I thought the execution was just okay, I didn’t feel any real connection with the main characters as such I didn’t really care what happened to them, I liked how this book was divided by the 12 bottles and I liked the endings for certain characters,

Based on the author's grandfather's exploits, also Mads Molnar, the book traces Molnar's efforts to recover a dozen bottles of wine that were poisoned and sent to various Nazi officers. A private detective, Molner needs to use all his skill to evade another detective whose father was the first victim of the poisoned wine.

The book is exciting, fast-paced, and well-written. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Definitely enjoyed this one! Such an interesting concept and the writing was well done. I'll be looking for more from this author.

Pinot Noir is a great book that you will really enjoy. You think the people you trust should have question marks after some of the people that you think are your friends......BEWARE!!!!!!

Thank you for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Pinot Noir by Mads Molnar III.
I love a good red wine and paired with historical fiction, how can you go wrong?? This book was an interesting side of the war story that I hadn’t yet heard. Fans of The Winemaker’s Wife will enjoy this one!! It read a little like an old Sinatra or Brando movie; I could see either as Mads and each would have done an excellent job of capturing his mischievous charisma. It gave me some Guys and Dolls vibes, minus all the singing. And did I mention there was wine??

Pinot Noir is a WWII novel inspired by true events.

The Nazis are raiding winecellars and René Neuf, a French winemaker, poisons 12 bottles of his best Pinot Noir. Colonel Riffel takes the wines and, not knowing they are poisened, he sends the bottles as gifts to people in high places he wants to impress.

When the first bottle is consumed and Riffel finds out the case of wine is poisened, he calls Hungarian detective Mads Molnar for help. He is send out to find the bottles and destroy the evidence that points to Riffel.

I really enjoyed reading this novel. Pinot Noir is an adventure novel with a good dose of humor, romance and action.

I wasn't sure what to make of this book. I was expecting it to be a crime thriller set during World War 2, but it turned out to be a comedy as well. For me it was a bit far fetched (but presumably meant to rather OTT?) but I kept reading to the end.
This is one for which the reader will definitely need to suspend belief.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ebook.

A story- inspired by true events- about a psychologist turned detective who was tasked to track down and destroy 12 bottles of poisoned wine; each chapter is dedicated to one bottle and the retrieval of it. The premise was very interesting, and it did deliver. I liked the characters and the fast-paced, action packed events. The book started out pretty strong, but the number of things that were happening on the second half of the book made me lose connection with the plot itself, especially when the romance kicked in. I would have loved to see more character development as the story progressed, and I wasn't really satisfied with the ending. The suggestive content also bothered me. But overall, it was an easy, quick read; the writing style was simple and blunt. It held my attention and was very entertaining.

This wonderful book took some time to truly appreciate. The ending was amazing. World War 2 setting has everything you can ask for romance, revenge, and betrayal. Read as Mads finds bottles of pilot noir across Nazi Germany in hopes of freedom. Simply a must read.

“Trickles of blood sent darker-red rivulets through the lighter-colored wine. Neuf’s hard face smiled. He chuckled softly. He looked to the ceiling. The smile grew, and he fell back to his knees. His tears continued—but another, new emotion winked in his eyes. The gleam had returned” (8).

During World War II, an Alsace Vineyard was raided by the Nazis. Little do they know that the confiscated Pinot Noir was sealed with the kiss of death. The wine takes its first victim, Troy Bastick, whose son promises to avenge his death. Colonel Riffel enlists Made Milner, a psychologist turned detective, to retrieve the remaining bottles in exchange for a pardon.

“Men in fear for their lives rarely lie. And if they do, it’s quite easy to detect” (33).

One aspect that pushed me to pick this up was the format and time period. It did not disappoint! Each chapter is dedicated to the journey of each bottle and Mad’s retrieval of said bottle. That’s twelve individual stories all connected to the main plot which takes the reader on a European adventure. Another interesting aspect is that the entire novel is based off of the author’s grandfather and his account. It’s unique and fascinating, accompanied by a profound prose.

“Bastick’s mind switched the neurological tracks to save him anguish, turning negative feelings into overwhelming determination—to succeed, to destroy” (168).

Noir detective novel filled massive amounts of action. Mads is on this heavily weighted quest while having the Arms Cross Party and Wolfram Bastick hot on his tail. Yet the author manages to disperse romance and betrayals in a well mannered fashion. The other aspects feed the initial journey as opposed to overpowering. That was a major plus for me. There are also notes of criticism on both World Wars that I found to be very powerful.

“… a single bare bulb above the man’s head revealed dozens of bottles of wine along the walls of the little room—like books in the shelves of a library… He realized that this was the fuel that powered Nazi officers as they made decisions of life or death for millions of young men. It was the fortification they needed to pull a thousand triggers without leaving the room” (160).

A fast paced noir detective novel with sarcastic humor that could be drunk in a day.

Thank you to Mads Molinar III, ATS Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fast paced fascinating murder mystery set during 1940's!

The Nazis have invaded France and are picking over the spoils. An Alsace winemaker has poisoned twelve of his fabulous Pinot noir wines and gifted them to the Nazi commander, Colonel Riffel, as his cellar is being raided. Riffel in turn gifts them to high ranking officers with whom he wants to curry favor, Generalleutnant Troy Bastick. Bastick then gives a bottle to eleven other elite officers.
After a fatal death, Mads Molnar, a German psychologist-turned detective, is requested (well that's the polite word for it) by the Gestapo to recover the bottles.
Meanwile Mads is trying to gain his exit papers to Sweden. However the Arrow Cross—Hungary’s fascist party, wants him dead. Mads agrees to roundup the bottles for Riffel in return for a pardon and an exit visit.
Hot on his trail is Wolfram Bastick, son of the Generalleutnant, a brutal German detective who is bent on vengeance. The action sweeps from Hungary to France and Berlin.
I found the plot fascinating. Twelve bottles, each with its own story. The character of Mads Molnar reminds somewhat of Bernie Gunther, although an altogether different proposition. I enjoyed this German noir thriller . My impression of Mads is a hard nosed, laconic investigator with a heart, whom Humphrey Bogart could easily play. The action fairly leaps of the page, convincing and intriguing!

An ATS Press ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)