Grand Cru Heist (Winemaker Detective) - Hardcover

Praise:

"Already turned into a popular television series in France, this book and its successors will whet appetites of fans of both Iron Chef and Murder, She Wrote."
-Booklist

"I love good mysteries. I love good wine. So imagine my joy at finding a great mystery about wine, and winemaking, and the whole culture of that fascinating world. And then I find it's the first of a series. I can see myself enjoying many a bottle of wine while enjoying the adventures of Benjamin Cooker in this terrific new series."
--William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Back Bay and The Lincoln Letter

Rachel Cotterill Book Reviews on Treachery in Bordeaux: "An enjoyable, quick read with the potential for developing into a really unique series."
"A fine vintage forged by the pens of two very different varietals. It is best consumed slightly chilled, and never alone. You will be intrigued by its mystery, and surprised by its finish, and it will stay with you for a very long time."
-Prize-winning, bestselling author Peter May

"A series that is both delectable for connoisseurs of wine and an initiation for those not in the know."
--Marine de Tilly, Le Figaro

"Benjamin Cooker uses his composure, erudition and intuition to solve heady crimes that take place in the exclusive--and realistic--world of grand cru wines."
--Jean-Claude Raspiengeas, La Croix
"This is definitely a book for those who like the finer things in life (or at least like reading about them). The food and the wine and the cigars makes you want to open a Premier Cru of something lovely, sit back and enjoy a good cigar. The mysteries are secondary to the food and wine, and whilst diverting and entertaining are not the point of the story, so shouldn't be thought about too deeply." --Writing about Books

"With poetic lyrics and brilliant rendering of atmosphere, Alaux and Balen have created a mystery series and armchair detective that are as mellow and delightful as a Grand Cru vintage." --Mommasez

"Will Benjamin and Virgile discover who committed the two murders? Is the stolen wine tied to Benjamin's car-jacking or is it just a coincidence that the stolen wine was one of his favorite vintages? You'll have to read Grand Cru Heist to find out. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of this series." --Queen of All She Reads

"When the real world is hectic with all that running around it is nice to escape into a holiday with vintage wines." --Valli's Book Den

"There is some lyrical writing, and sharp observation. It's tightly written, moves steadily and always with dignity, like Cooker himself, and is an intriguing mystery." --Books are cool

"A story that is so utterly French, focus on the more important elements of the moment, with an eye for appreciating all of the good and minimizing that which does not bring enjoyment. Luxuriant in its wandering, from scenery to scent, taste and texture of food and wine, this is a story that eschews conventional presentation to put the countryside, the feel and taste of France at its center, and leaving the mystery to slowly unfold, almost forgotten in the need to present the next delight for the senses." --I am, Indeed Blog

In another Epicurean journey in France, renowned wine critic Benjamin Cooker’s world gets turned upside down one night in Paris. He retreats to the region around Tours to recover. There a flamboyant British dandy, a spectacular blue-eyed blond, a zealous concierge and touchy local police disturb his well-deserved rest. From the Loire Valley to Bordeaux, in between a glass of Vouvray and a bottle of Saint-Émilion, the Winemaker Detective and his assistant Virgile turn PI to solve two murders and very particular heist. Who stole those bottles of grand cru classé?