The Recommended Reading Order for the Wine Lovers Mysteries
For the best reading experience, you should follow the Wine Lovers Mysteries in their original publication order. Because the series features significant character development, evolving relationships, and a continuous narrative arc for protagonist Nikki Sands, reading the books out of order will spoil major plot points, including Nikki's career progression and her romantic life.
Here is the recommended reading path for the series:
- Murder Uncorked (2005)
- Murder by the Glass (2006)
- Silenced by Syrah (2007)
- A Vintage Murder (2008)
- Corked by Cabernet (2009)
- A Toast to Murder (2010)
- A Perfectly Purloined Pinot (2012 — Novella)
- A Killer Margarita (2013)
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Fortunately, navigating the Wine Lovers Mysteries is straightforward. The publication order matches the chronological storyline. The only minor exception is the novella A Perfectly Purloined Pinot, which was published in 2012 between the sixth novel, A Toast to Murder, and the seventh novel, A Killer Margarita. For the most seamless experience, read this novella (often referred to as Book 6.5) after Book 6 and before Book 7, as it catches up with Nikki's life as a married woman before her trip to Mexico.
The Wine Lovers Mysteries: Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. Murder Uncorked (2005)
The series opens with Murder Uncorked, where we meet Nikki Sands, an aspiring actress working as a waitress in Los Angeles. When she meets Derek Malveaux, the charismatic owner of a Napa Valley vineyard, he is impressed by her wine knowledge and hires her to work at Malveaux Estates. However, Nikki's new start is instantly ruined when she discovers the dead body of Gabriel, the vineyard's master winemaker. Suspicion falls on Derek's family, forcing Nikki to search for the real killer.
2. Murder by the Glass (2006)
In the second book, Nikki has settled into her role as vineyard manager, but trouble follows her. When a spoiled bride is poisoned at an extravagant Sonoma County wedding catered by Nikki's best friend, Nikki must jump into the investigation. Her search for suspects takes her across Sonoma and into the heart of San Francisco, pairing wine tastings with high-stakes interrogation.
3. Silenced by Syrah (2007)
Malveaux Estates expands by opening a boutique hotel and a high-end restaurant, "Georges on the Vineyard," run by a temperamental chef. The grand opening turns deadly when the chef is shot dead while taking a relaxing "Syrah bath" at the estate's new spa. Nikki is forced to investigate a recipe for murder while managing her complicated feelings for Derek and winemaker Andres.
4. A Vintage Murder (2008)
Nikki and Derek travel to Australia to visit the Hahndorf Winery, but the trip is far from a vacation. The winery is serving as a film set, and when the lead actress dies from a venomous snakebite in her trailer, Nikki realizes it was no accident. She must navigate the Australian vineyard to find a killer before they strike again.
5. Corked by Cabernet (2009)
Back in Napa Valley, Nikki boards the famous Napa Valley Wine Train for what should be a peaceful journey. Instead, a devotee of a local spiritual guru is found murdered on board. Nikki team up with her friends Simon and Marco to untangle a web of secrets, scandals, and deceit among the guru's followers.
6. A Toast to Murder (2010)
Nikki's dream wedding to Derek Malveaux is finally here, but the celebration is derailed by cryptic threat messages and the arrival of old flames. The situation turns tragic when Nikki's close friend Simon is shot while walking her down the aisle. Determined to find the culprit, Nikki puts her wedding on hold to hunt the shooter.
7. A Perfectly Purloined Pinot (2012 Novella)
This shorter novella is set on Nikki's birthday. Derek tasks her with finding a rare, missing bottle of "Pearl's Pinot" in time for an important dinner party. Everyone in their circle, including their friends and the new chef, becomes a suspect as Nikki tries to track down the stolen vintage.
8. A Killer Margarita (2013)
Looking for a break from Napa Valley, Nikki heads south to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a sunny beach vacation. But when an unidentified body washes ashore, Nikki, along with her loyal friends Marco and Simon, gets drawn into a dangerous mystery that proves she cannot escape murder, even with a margarita in hand.
What to Know Before You Start
Michele Scott's Wine Lovers Mysteries are the quintessential cozy mystery. They offer a lighthearted tone, quirky characters, and a rich, atmospheric setting that brings California's wine country to life. One of the series' signature hooks is that each book concludes with real recipes and wine pairing tips inspired by the events in the chapter. From decadent desserts to robust red wine suggestions, these additions make the books a multisensory delight for food and wine enthusiasts.
Spin-Offs and Related Works
While the Wine Lovers Mysteries ended with A Killer Margarita, Michele Scott has written other cozy series that share similar themes. An avid equestrian, Scott wrote the Michaela Bancroft / Horse Lover's Mysteries (starting with Tempest in the Stable) and the Fairmont Riding Academy series. Additionally, readers looking for darker suspense can check out the thriller novels Scott writes under the pseudonym A.K. Alexander.