Sharp Shooter

June 1, 2002
The scion of a wine family is found murdered; chef Sunny McCoskey's friend Wade Skord is a prime suspect; and the glassy-winged sharpshooter (an insect) is threatening Napa Valley produce, not to mention Sunny's organic restaurant, in Sharp Shooter, Nadia Gordon's tale of land fever and love gone bad in the promised land. The personable McCoskey navigates wine country denizens and six-burner stoves with equal aplomb, and foodies and oenophiles especially will enjoy Gordon's blend of solid suspense and gourmet culture.

June 1, 2002
San Francisco Bay Area resident Gordon's first mystery is set in the picturesque Napa Valley. Sonia "Sunny" McCoskey, proprietor of the Wildside Cafe, enjoys cooking and the local wine. When the scion of one of the area's most prominent wine families is found dead, Sunny's friend, Wade, an eccentric winemaker, is arrested. She launches an investigation to clear him despite the fact that the police have warned her not to interfere. The solution provides insight into the art and politics of making wine as well as a glimpse into the lives of the social elite and common folk of the Napa Valley. A promising debut with a strong plot and colorful characters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)