The Recommended Reading Order for the Wine & Dine Mysteries
If you want to experience Emmy Oak's journey from a stressed private chef to a skilled vineyard manager and amateur sleuth, the best way is to follow the series in its publication order. Because the characters' personal lives, relationship dynamics, and the ongoing struggles of Oak Valley Vineyards progress continuously across the books, reading them chronologically ensures you do not encounter spoilers about Emmy’s romance with Detective Christopher Grant or her family's winery.
Wine & Dine Mysteries Publication & Chronological Order
- A Sip Before Dying (2019) – Emmy Oak hosts a high-profile party to boost Oak Valley Vineyards' reputation, only for a local wine critic to drop dead from poisoned wine. Emmy must find the killer to save her family's vineyard.
- Chocolate Covered Death (2019) – A wine and chocolate pairing event turns deadly when a chocolatier is found murdered, and Emmy’s close friend Ava becomes the prime suspect.
- Victim in the Vineyard (2019) – Emmy hosts a major food and wine festival, but when a celebrity chef is found dead on the property, she has to dig through a list of competitive culinary rivals.
- Marriage, Merlot & Murder (2020) – Wedding bells are ringing in Sonoma, but the ceremony is disrupted by a corpse, prompting Emmy to investigate secrets buried within the local elite.
- Death in Wine Country (2020) – Emmy steps away from the vineyard temporarily, but murder follows her to an exclusive wine country estate.
- Fashion, Rosé & Foul Play (2020) – A glamorous fashion shoot hosted at the vineyard goes awry when a model is found murdered, putting Emmy's eye for detail to the test.
- Killer Among the Vines (2021) – Emmy investigates when her vineyard's security guard is found dead, uncovering a complex web of corporate greed and local scandals.
- Uncorked & Undercover (Book 8) – Emmy goes undercover to crack another high-stakes mystery in Sonoma Valley.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
Written by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gemma Halliday, the Wine & Dine Mysteries are cozy whodunits that perfectly combine lighthearted humor, mild romantic tension, and delicious culinary themes. The story is set in the scenic Sonoma Valley, California, centering on Oak Valley Vineyards. Emmy Oak, the protagonist, is a trained chef who returned to her hometown to care for her ailing mother and rescue their struggling family winery from corporate takeover. Her background as a chef means food plays a major role in the books, with delicious recipes and suggested affordable wine pairings included at the end of each story.
Companion Books and Special Releases
In addition to the main mystery novels, fans of Emmy Oak's culinary creations can enjoy a special companion release:
- Wine Country Recipes: A Wine & Dine Mysteries Cookbook (2021) – Co-authored by Gemma Halliday and her mother, Susie Halliday, this cookbook compiles the mouthwatering recipes featured in the first seven books of the series. From quick weeknight comfort food to elegant dinner party dishes, it offers practical recipes alongside family photos and behind-the-scenes insights into the writing of the series.
Practical Reader Guidance and Standalone Potential
Can you read these books as standalones? Yes, each novel features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the final page. You won't be left hanging with an unsolved crime. However, the subplots—particularly Emmy's slow-burn romance with Detective Christopher Grant, her friendship with Ava, and the financial health of Oak Valley Vineyards—develop linearly. If you read them out of order, you will quickly learn who Emmy is dating and how major family secrets unfold. For the most satisfying experience, starting with the very first book, A Sip Before Dying, is highly recommended.