A Taste for Death: A Finger Lakes Wine Mystery is a police procedural mystery written by Don Stevens. Someone murdered the capricious and often cruel French critic at the grand opening party for the Allenwood Winery. Sydney Keller, the niece of the winery's owners, found the body; an inauspicious way for the young refugee from the big city to start her life anew in upstate New York. Sydney's readings of the cards had warned her that there would be problems, but she had long since accepted that her life would be one of sacrifice and had badly wanted the change of scenery. Inspector Louis Deville is in charge of the investigation into the murder. He has his own issues stemming from a childhood in France that he cannot remember, although sometimes in dreams he catches glimpses of that past life.

Don Stevens weaves a story that is both a police procedural and a psychological thriller in his Finger Lakes Mystery, A Taste for Death. This debut offering is an absorbing and unpredictable mystery that teems with red herrings as Deville tries to find the murderer and stem the rising death toll. The upstate New York location for this book is inspired, and I found myself attracted to the Finger Lake region in spite of its brutal winters. But the real story in A Taste for Death, for me at least, was the psychological struggle of a damaged man who must somehow regain his past identity and survive the shock that he knows is waiting concealed within his psyche. Stevens's gift for storytelling makes it easy to get caught up in his plot and become involved with the characters who people the book. A Taste for Death is highly recommended.

A Taste for Death: A Finger Lakes Wine Mystery by Don Stevens is a thrilling murder mystery set in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The book begins with an introduction to the area’s wineries and vineyards as we learn about the murder of a well-known wine critic named Gerard Bellamont. A French investigator named Louis Deville sets about to solve the mystery and, as the plot evolves, we realize that Gerard is someone that could have had quite a few enemies. Not only have some of his negative reviews angered several of the winery owners, but he also has people in his personal life who may wish him harm. As the story unfolds, we see Louis grappling with demons from his own past as he delves deep inside himself in his attempts to catch the murderer.

A Taste for Death: A Finger Lakes Wine Mystery by Don Stevens is an exciting read with plenty of interesting characters. The character of the detective is unique and intriguing as he deals with coming to terms with his own past while solving the mystery. The writing is engaging and keeps you guessing until the end. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the vineyards and the landscape of New York’s beautiful Finger Lakes region. All in all, A Taste for Death: A Finger Lakes Wine Mystery by Don Stevens is definitely a novel that mystery lovers will enjoy and one that I would recommend as a fun read on a rainy day.

A Taste for Death by Don Stevens is a murder-mystery centered on who killed Gerard Bellamont. Bellamont is a critic whose reviews can make, break, and/or destroy lives and careers. It’s easy to see why such a person’s life might be at risk, especially if the person doesn’t care whose life he makes or breaks. After he’s killed, Inspector Louise Deville is tasked with finding the murderer. The inspector has his own emotional baggage that is constantly unpacked as he works this case.

I found Don Steven's A Taste for Death to be truly enjoyable, mainly because of Louis Deville. This character is professional, courteous, vulnerable, and good at what he does. Two other detectives rank among my favorites, and now, including Louis, there are three.

I like to be surprised when the murderer is finally revealed, and in this case, I certainly was. The possible suspects are all credible and could easily have killed Gerard Bellamont. The lives of the characters are complex and interrelated in ways that made me wonder who actually had the greatest motive. Moreover, I liked the variety in the personalities and actions of the characters. I enjoyed their honest portrayals and, in some cases, their genuine dedication to each other.

I didn’t experience any moments in which the story dragged. Moreover, the balance between Louis’s personal life and inner conflicts and the flow of the action surrounding the mystery was just right. I was glad to see that Don knows how to unfold a story in a way that avoids lots of repetition and that has the kinds of twists and turns that made me want to stay with the book until the end. I look forward to the next installment featuring Deville.