Uncorking a Lie

Uncorking a Lie by Nadine Nettmann tells the story of sommelier and amateur sleuth Katie Stidwell. Katie, a lover of wine and a dynamic main character, finds herself at a dinner party for known wine enthusiast and collector Paul Rafferty. Among the party guests, she meets some interesting characters, to say the least, who all engage in witty banter as the soiree begins. The action starts within the first few chapters, as a murder occurs and a rare wine is debunked as fake. The complex story, filled with twists and turns, takes Katie on quite the adventure, even engaging with some personal drama as well to add to the tension (not to give too much away since it is a mystery).

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Nettmann’s book is the wine recommendations at the beginning of each chapter. Should you be of age, perhaps pour a glass and enjoy the read. Nettmann’s book is engaging, fun, and overall a great read. But the book plays to the reader’s interests. To thoroughly enjoy this novel, you must first enjoy mysteries and second enjoy wine. There are quite a few facts and trivia about wine that might turn away a person not interested in this deep of an understanding of wine. As I understand, this is the second book with Katie as the protagonist, but I didn’t feel lacking for not having read the first, though it might have enhanced the experience. But overall the essence of a good mystery is not in the ability of the reader to solve it but in the narrative, the characters, and the quality of the story.