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A review by jcbmathcat
Dying on the Vine by Aaron Elkins
3.0
I checked out this book from the library after reading a promising review online. I took it with me to the hospital today to read while waiting for a procedure. Arriving at 9am, I learned I was far too early, so I read for three hours. I finished the book when I got home and slept off the anesthesia. It was the perfect choice for today, as it was easy to follow, descriptions of the scenery, art, food, and wine added to the book, and the characters were likable, even though there turned out to be a murderer in their midst.
Gideon Oliver is renowned as the Skeleton Detective, and even though he is on vacation, his skills are called into play the he is asked to reexamine the remains of a mysterious family tragedy. Pietro Cubbiddu, former patriarch of the Villa Antica wine empire, is thought to have killed his wife and then himself in the remote mountains of the Apennines. It does not take long for Gideon to deduce that, whatever happened, a murder-suicide it was not.
Gideon and Julie are actually staying at the Villa Antica, as they had become friends of the family before Pietro's disappearance. His skeleton, along with that of his second wife, had just been found at the base of a cliff after a year's disappearance. Pietro's three sons, Franco, Luca, and Nico, along with his stepson, Cesare, had all helped in the family business. The family lawyer also lived at the Villa.
The mystery almost seemed secondary to the interactions of Gideon, the local carabinieri, and the family members. Of course, it was lovely to read about the food, having fasted for my procedure!
Gideon has a tendency to use every moment as a teachable moment, but he will catch himself and try to stay focused on the tasks at hand. He does not come off as insufferable, but is, rather, endearing.
I did not guess the conclusion, although it did make sense.
Gideon Oliver is renowned as the Skeleton Detective, and even though he is on vacation, his skills are called into play the he is asked to reexamine the remains of a mysterious family tragedy. Pietro Cubbiddu, former patriarch of the Villa Antica wine empire, is thought to have killed his wife and then himself in the remote mountains of the Apennines. It does not take long for Gideon to deduce that, whatever happened, a murder-suicide it was not.
Gideon and Julie are actually staying at the Villa Antica, as they had become friends of the family before Pietro's disappearance. His skeleton, along with that of his second wife, had just been found at the base of a cliff after a year's disappearance. Pietro's three sons, Franco, Luca, and Nico, along with his stepson, Cesare, had all helped in the family business. The family lawyer also lived at the Villa.
The mystery almost seemed secondary to the interactions of Gideon, the local carabinieri, and the family members. Of course, it was lovely to read about the food, having fasted for my procedure!
Gideon has a tendency to use every moment as a teachable moment, but he will catch himself and try to stay focused on the tasks at hand. He does not come off as insufferable, but is, rather, endearing.
I did not guess the conclusion, although it did make sense.