A relaxing vacation away from London with their two-year-old Sarah, now out of nappies and talking in sentences, becomes a murder-filled holiday for Francesca and Ben Hamilton. During a visit with their friend, Kate and Derek, in the preeminent grape growing and wine producing Barossa Valley of South Australia, Ben becomes involved in murder investigations between two feuding families, much to Francesca’s objections. He uncovers clues to related crimes, after which Francesca is mugged while protecting Sarah. In a fit of anger Ben attacks Francesca’s assailant and decides to inform the wily detective with whom he has been working. Together they are able to solve the murders and the Hamiltons return home. But not without Francesca yearning for the day when they will be able to have a peaceful, non-adventurous, holiday. (2014)
Reviewer’s Comments:
“I must say again, that I am ‘lost in wonder, love and praise’ for your ability to write stories. You’ve captured our little corner of the world in your descriptions.
– Barossa Valley Resident and Psychoanalyst
“What a great story. It has all the makings of a movie or stage play. It is well written and is a fast read.”
– Educator and passionate red-pen reader, New York“As usual, you have a good plot built into an interesting story. I didn’t want to put it down once I started reading, and appreciated how accurate all things Australian were.”
– Minister and Environmentalist, Bethany, South Australia“Good story. Full of intrigue and suspense with a great description of a part of the world I know very little about.”
– Author and Librarian, New York
