Thank you to the author, publisher, narrator and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this title in exchange for my review.

This is twisty, turny ride through the family secrets of winery families! Wow. The drama! A FBI agent returns to her hometown to investigate the recent murders of four women who have gone missing or been murdered over the past 50 years to determine if the cases are linked with each other.

This debut novel will keep you thinking once the book is finished!

4 stars.

Look it wasn't a bad book, it just didn't wow me or surprise me. It was just okay for me in the end. There were some overused tropes that just annoyed me a little and the storyline was a little slow moving for me.

We are following FBI agent Lana Burrel, who is investigating a murder case in Napa Valley whom her father is in prison for. When similar deaths happen again and Lana is determined to free her dad and find the killer.

I thought this book was ok,I was a bit bored at times and didn’t love Lana as a main character. I hate to say that it sounded like she was written by a man, but it did. The whole “omg did I shave my legs” before sex made my eyes roll and just other ways she talked would not be how a woman would talk. It’s your typical alcoholic, horney female main character that I don’t really enjoy.

I didn’t guess the killer so that had a nice twist at the end, but I would have liked to see what happened with her dad. The ending was a bit abrupt. I would give this author a try again in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A detective who grew up in Napa is assigned to a murder case back in her old stomping grounds. Here she must come face to face with the locals and local law enforcement who put her father in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, wrangle with the wealthy vineyard owners who have shunned her, and demand justice for both the rich white girl found dead and for the migrant girl who went missing a month before.
Lots of politics, a little winemaking, and some detecting craft keep this novel interesting and different.
Good narration. I thought I had this figured out, but thankfully I did not. Makes it much more enjoyable that way. 4 1/3 stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @SpotifyAudiobooks, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #BloodontheVine for review purposes. Publication date: 22 April 2025.

Overall, I enjoyed this one, but there were a few plot elements that I was not a huge fan of (especially the way the case wraps up in the end and some of the events from the past that contributed to it). I loved the Napa Valley setting and some of the dynamics that revolved around the wine making industry. I thought that Lana's character development was well done, but some of the other characters could have been a bit more fleshed out. I will definitely check out more from this author in the future.

Oh, my heart hurts that I am not in love with a debut novel from an author. I want people to hit home runs when up at bat, but Blood on the Vine was just ok. That said, will I pick up the next book J.T. Falco writes? Yup. But, I'm also going to be honest in hopes my 3 stars are at least insightful.

Falco is a man according to the web, and the protagonist in this book is a woman. A woman I could not like, enjoy, care about, or become invested in during the journey. I just didn't like her, her alcohol use, her behavior, the very young sounding inner voice. None of it resonated with me and without a hero to love, it's just a lot of words.

I did love the setting, the audio narrators and the pretty quick read.

This is the first book I have read by this author so i went in without any expectations. For the most part I found this book to be an enjoyable read that kept me engaged but it didn't wow me. The main character is an FBI agent who eats like crap and drinks too many Heineken but that's about all the character depth that you get. There is some back story but I just need a little more connection to my protagonists. The dark plot into an underground sex cult added some fun to the story as did the backdrop up the wine industry. I would recommend this as a light read that if you take for what is then you'll enjoy it.

This one starts off with a nice swirl-and-sniff of mystery before pouring into a full-bodied thriller. FBI agent Lana Burrell is dragged back to wine country where her best friend was murdered, her dad was framed, and now—surprise!—the body count is rising like the price of a good cabernet.

Is it the cult? Is it the wine snobs? Is it that cop who ruined her life with big “I’m the law” energy? You’ll have to read to find out.

It slows a bit in the middle (like that one dinner party that should’ve ended after the second glass), but the finale is a wild ride. I guessed some of the twist, but the full uncorking? Deliciously unhinged. I needed just a touch more at the end to really savor the finish, but still—a good pour.

Also, Essie? MVP. Give that woman her own spinoff.

Pick this one up if you like twisty thrillers, complex women, vineyard drama, and maybe a little culty chaos with your merlot.

3-Star Review: Blood on the Vine

I was pleasantly surprised by Blood on the Vine. Going in, I expected a run-of-the-mill thriller, but what I got was something much more unique. The storyline took some unexpected turns, and the originality of the plot really stood out. While it didn’t quite blow me away, it was a refreshing change from the usual formula and definitely worth a read for anyone looking for something a little different in the thriller genre.

This is a decent mystery, with some unlikable characters, some very weird plot points, a twist, and a light romance. It's pretty mediocre in all ways. The dialog seemed stilted at times and the believability was somewhat sketchy, but it was highly readable and an interesting setting.

Narrated by Abigail Reno
Presented by Spotify Audiobooks

Clearly written by a man, this one.

Aside from the gratuitous sex scenes, though, not too bad a crime novel.

Two bodies turn up so our protagonist is sent back to her hometown in Napa Valley to investigate. Along the way she's got to deal with the local rich family, a cult, and the sheriff that put her father in prison many years ago for the murder of her best friend.

I was quite intrigued at first but once the cult was introduced my mind started to drift a little bit. It all seemed a bit too far-fetched and I just found it hard to follow how everything was tying in.

The pace wasn't too bad - there always seemed to be something happening and there are plenty of different threads to follow. Lana is not too bad for a protagonist, but nothing particularly new, either.

Some of the occurrences did seem a bit unnecessary for me, and the male author was very evident. I don't think it needed as much detail as it included.

I liked the setting, with some interesting tidbits on wine-making and the like.

The narrator was decent, and gave a good performance. It was fairly easy to distinguish most voices, and there was enough emotion to convey urgency when needed. I'd happily listen to this narrator again.

Nothing particularly memorable, but a neat crime novel that ties everything together nicely.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

A murder mystery set in wine country? Say no more—I’m in! Working in the wine industry, I was completely drawn in by the richly atmospheric setting. The detailed descriptions, especially of Napa Valley, felt so authentic and immersive, it was like stepping right into the vineyards I know so well.

This was such a gripping read—where past and present collide in a twisty, corkscrew-like police procedural and crime thriller. I couldn’t put it down.

Learning that Flaco is a screenwriter and that this story is already optioned? It makes perfect sense. It reads with cinematic flair and doesn’t feel like a debut in the slightest. I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next!

Book Review: Blood on the Vine by J.T. Falco

Blood on the Vine by J.T. Falco is, without a doubt, one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read this year. It’s a brilliant cocktail of everything I love in a novel: crime, mystery, cults, New Age philosophies, and conspiracy theories all woven into a dark and intense thriller. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The pacing is tight, the twists are well-executed without feeling overdone, and the way the narrative plays with cult mythologies adds a unique and refreshing touch to the genre. This book had me glued from start to finish; it was exactly my cup of tea.

That said, I was fully prepared to give this book a five-star rating. Unfortunately, two things seriously disrupted the experience for me. First, the unnecessary and distasteful Charlie Hebdo Muslim stereotype joke—completely out of place, unwise, and offensive. The author could have made the same point or injected dark humor without resorting to targeting a group of people. It stood out in a bad way and left a sour taste.

Second, the romantic and se?ual scenes between the main character and the love interest felt not only forced but completely out of sync with the tone of the story. They were jarring, awkward, and detracted from the otherwise gripping narrative. Given the dark, serious themes at play, the story would have been stronger without them.

Despite these disappointments, Blood on the Vine remains a powerful, unique, and thrilling read. If you enjoy intelligent, layered crime fiction with a dark, conspiratorial edge, this one will definitely pull you in. I just wish it had been more thoughtful in certain choices.

I enjoyed this book way more than I anticipated. I knew I was going to like it—murder, vineyards, and cults? Count me in—but thrillers often lose me when I start spotting patterns early on. That wasn’t the case here. I had my suspicions about who the killer might be but ended up second-guessing myself thanks to some well-placed red herrings.

What really stood out to me was how tight and cinematic everything felt. Every scene was purposeful, every thread neatly tied off. It wasn’t until the afterword that I realized Falco wrote this during the writers’ strike, and suddenly it made perfect sense—this read like it was crafted by someone who knows screenwriting inside and out. The detail-oriented nature of the storytelling kept me totally locked in.

I received the audiobook version of this, produced by Spotify Audiobooks (which, funny enough, I didn’t even realize was a thing until now—despite being a regular audiobook listener on the platform). The production quality was top-notch, and Abigail Reno's narration was excellent.

This is a 5/5 star read for me. Twisty, well-paced, and unexpectedly layered. The ending left me with a bit of “wait, what?” energy—but in a very good way. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever J.T. Falco does next. Big thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the advanced copy!

Blood on the Vine takes place in Napa Valley and brings a mix of murder and wine. I really enjoyed this fast-paced story filled with the right mix of secrets, wealth, power, crime and of course wine. I would love for this book to be the first in a series about FBI Agent Lana Burrell.

I was surprised to learn this was JT Faldo’s debut novel and I look forward to reading her future books. Abigail Reno did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Spotify Audio for letting me read this ARC.

4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you: Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for this ARC audiobook by: J.T. Falco
Publication date: April 22, 2025

This story follows Lana, who back in high school, her father was convicted of murdering her best friend Jess and was spending the rest of his life in jail.

Lana went on to become an FBI agent and was asked to return home to investigate the murders of two girls who were found dead by bizarre circumstances.

Many dark secrets begin to unravel and Lana starts to question if her father was wrongly convicted and Lana is determined to uncover the truth.

I found this to be well written, engaging, with depth, twists, turns and was unpredictable until closer to the end of the book. I highly recommend this book.

Once again, thank you to Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for this ARC audiobook.

#BloodOnTheVine #NetGalley #SpotifyAudiobooks out this book on Goodreads: Blood on the Vine https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219401055-blood-on-the-vine

I’ll start with the narrators, they all fit with their characters and I liked that. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook and will look for these narrators in the future!

The storyline kept me engaged and wanting to keep listening. The story was told very well and and it was engaging. This was an enjoyable audiobook and I will also look into the author for further reads!

The ending had me shook like whaaaat?!? No way, definitely a four star book!! A strong four!!

First off, I didn’t even realize this was J.T. Falco’s debut novel until after I finished it. It felt way too polished and gripping for a first-timer. Seriously impressive.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Abigail Reno, and wow… she nailed it. I was hooked from the very first minute. She really brought the story to life, especially the tense and eerie moments scattered throughout the book.

Now let’s talk about Lana. She’s... complicated. Not exactly someone you'd want to grab coffee with—especially with the way she treats Deputy Leroux—but there's something about her that pulls you in. The more you learn about her past, the more you understand where she’s coming from. You can tell she’s 100% committed to her job and trying to do right by everyone, even if she’s not super warm and fuzzy about it.

I absolutely loved the setting. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set in Napa Valley, and now I’m wondering why more thrillers don’t go that route. The contrast of lush vineyards with this ominous, creeping sense of dread? Perfection. It added so much atmosphere and made me want to keep going just to stay in that world a bit longer.

As for the plot—it’s the kind that makes you side-eye everyone. I thought I had it figured out more than once, and then bam, the twist hit me right out of the blue. So well done. Super satisfying.

Even though it’s technically a standalone, I can totally see this becoming a series. I’d be the first in line for book two if Lana decides to take on another case!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

*ARC Review*

Set against the backdrop of Napa Valley, this mystery novel weaves together the elegance of wine country with a gripping tale of secrets and suspense. The lush vineyard setting is more than just scenery—it’s practically a character itself, steeped in history and whispers.

The story introduces a cast of intriguing characters, each with hidden motives and tangled pasts. As the mystery unfolds, so does the complex web of relationships, rivalries, and betrayals.

“Blood on the Vine” is an amazing book and I loved the narrator!

Lana's father is in prison for a murder she knows he didn't commit. She has avoided her hometown because the wealthy Bancroft family set her father up. Now an FBI agent, she is sent back to her hometown after two women were murdered. As she digs in, she finds that it may be connected to her best friend's murder- the one her father is in prison for. Can she figure it all out before someone else dies?

The characters were complex and the plot interesting. I almost passed because of the setting, but it was fine. It helped that Lana also hates wine.

Lana finds herself on many paths when trying to uncover the truth. Cults, orgies, threats to her, some romance. There is a lot going on with this one.

Favorite character: Essie. Lana is a close second.

Abigail Reno narrates the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.