Sadie Kramer has always had flair when putting outfits together, and using that flair and passion for fashion, she created and opened Flair, a fashion boutique. With the variety of store merchandise, she's inspiring others to discover their self-expression and enjoy their unique fashion sense. Matteo Tremiato is a chocolatier with a business next door. With a mutual interest in business and as Sadie loves chocolate, it was easy to imagine her becoming friends with Matteo and naming her little Yorkie Coco. Sadie's curiosity takes her on a road trip to the Tremiato Winery, not realizing how important the timing of her road trip would become to Matteo and his family.

I loved the names of the stores, Flair and Cioccolata. From the descriptions of Sadie's outfits and chocolate that makes taste buds crave delectable confections, it's easy to imagine the delight of being a customer of the establishments. The investigation has red herrings until the motive, means, and opportunity are skillfully blended for the reveal.

My one disappointment is that the storyline exhibits one of my highest pet peeves in cozy mysteries where the entrepreneur is rarely at the business and, even when physically present, is more interested in deciding on the next sleuthing steps. ( )

I like the friendship between Matteo and Sadie and that she's willing to go see his family to try to determine what has him upset. I have to admit to understanding the love of chocolate and the love of good food moreso than the love of wine and the fashion flair aspects of the book. Sometimes the descriptions of the clothes and accessories got a bit tedious for me.

It's a wonder Sadie finds time to run her shop--and it's a good thing she has an understanding and capable assistant, because Sadie seems gone from her shop more than she's there in this book.

Coco seems to be a cute dog, but I think Sadie overdoes it with carrying her almost everywhere in a tote. I also never figured out if Tina knew Sadie was keeping Coco in the room. I can kind of understand Sadie talking to the dog, but I always feel it is a bit of a stretch when authors start making it seem like animals participate in solving the problems.

I did not guess the killer until it was revealed--and I'm still not quite sure how Sadie put the pin and the pen together with the killer. ( )

Sadie is a character that I enjoyed reading about. The story is a murder mystery set in wine country. How can a book go wrong? I really enjoyed it and felt pulled in from the beginning. I enjoyed Sadie and her friends along with the other characters. It was a great mystery and I can't wait to read the second one. ( )

This is the first book in a new series for this author, and it definitely sets the stage for even more fun and adventure to come.

The main character is very likable and realistic. I enjoyed her conversations with her Yorkie, and can just imagine people thinking she is talking to her tote bag.

The plot is well-developed, and the mystery has the reader asking all sorts of questions along with Sadie, trying to figure out who committed murder and why.

I can't wait to see what Sadie's next adventure is going to be.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.** ( )

Spending time in the country, sipping wine and eating chocolate – it’s a rough job, but someone has to do it :)

Sadie Kramer is up for the task, and somehow, mysteries just seem to fall into her lap. Sadie runs a successful and busy boutique shop in San Francisco with her assistant, Amber. Sadie decided she needed / deserved a little getaway. Knowing Amber was more than capable of handling things in her absence, she decided to take a long weekend up the coast to wine country.

Since she has been worried about her friend and chocolatier business neighbor, Matteo, she decided she would visit his family’s winery, the Tremiato Winery in St. Vincent’s Hollow.

When she stops in the tasting room, she meets all of Matteo’s siblings and mother, without them knowing of her friendship with Matteo, who is apparently the black sheep of their family. She agrees to come back in the morning to enjoy their annual Harvest Festival.

She arrives refreshed the next day, after a pleasant nights stay at a local B&B (also owned by a Tremiato family member); to find the hubbub of a crime scene … someone had been murdered at the winery. And just like that, another mystery falls into Sadie’s lap.

Deborah Garner is gifted at bringing each character to life. She adds details seamlessly, making it seem like you know these people. She presents scenarios that have you thinking you know who did it, and then in the next sentence you are second guessing yourself. And that is to say, this is a great “who done it” … it gets 2 thumbs up from me :) ( )