A good second book in the series. Rylie is in Napa, near her friends and loves her interim vet job. But when a local restaurant owner dies, Rylie's friend, Lucien and his restaurant are under investigation. Rylie begins to ask questions and finds herself in the process of getting information for the police. I liked the story, however the sudden love interest felt very rushed and got deep a little quickly. It seemed out of character for Rylie. Overall a good read!

Vengeance in the Vines is a simply written and easy to read story that takes place in the scenic Napa Valley. Riley is a veterinarian who travels to St. Helena to fill in for a doctor who is on medical leave. The good news is her best friend, Sophie, lives in town. The bad news is that someone is murdered in Sophie's husband's restaurant and her husband is a suspect. However, Sophie has discovered a few interesting facts and may be able to help clear him from suspicion.

The main character is likable and relatable, making it easy to get invested in her journey. However, there is a moment when she makes an extremely impulsive personal choice that feels unrealistic and detracts from the overall believability of the story. Despite this, the book is an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Vengeance in the Vines is book #2 in the Rylie Sunderland Mysteries series by Rachele Baker.

Rylie Sunderland is a veterinarian who goes to St. Helena to cover for another vet. She’s in the same town as her best friend, Sophie. Sophie’s husband is a suspect in a murder and Rylie wants to clear his name. I liked the characters in this book and that Rylie is a veterinarian. Rylie takes advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the new location and meet new people. I enjoyed the mystery. Plus, there are sweet dogs in the book.

Thank you to the author, Fleur de Soleil Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Rachele Baker for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Vengeance in the Vines coming out January 11, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I didn’t actually read the first book so I need to go back and read it. This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy cozy mysteries. I’ve read a ton of them. I thought the setting was really good. I enjoyed the aspects of Italian culture. I feel like the romance moved really fast in a short period of time. I wasn’t totally into that. Usually it’s more of a slow burn with cozy mysteries that have romance. I’m not sure if I completely trust that. But I would check out more books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

This was my first cozy mystery with the MC being a veterinarian. It was interesting to read and get a little insight on a vet’s perspective. I really enjoyed the plot and the storyline. The base of the story was good but there were a few things that would have brought it to the next level. I did feel like people’s names were used a bit much. I thought it was a little repetitive with certain things Rylie would explain. Some of the statements seemed a little too formal for me, especially when talking with friends. I am all for romance in cozies, but I thought Rylie moved a little too fast. I was not expecting some of the things for someone she just met. Rylie seems a little reserved, so it felt a little off character for me. Overall, I did enjoy the story, the mystery and the investigation. This would be a 3.5 rounded up to a 4 for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read in exchange for my honest review.

Rylie is new to town, as a locum veterinarian. Her best friend Sophie lives there so now they can get together more. Then Sophie's husband is suspected of murder and Rylie jumps in to help. This is a fun read and there are lots of little side adventures as well. You get a really good feel for the are with the descriptive writing. This looks to be a fun series.

Vengeance in the Vines is a new cozy mystery by Rachele Baker and it is off to a great start. It is part cozy mystery and part romance. Rylie Sunderland is a visiting veterinarian and she is excited about being near her best friend Sophie and Sophie's husband Lucien. Lucien owns an upscale restaurant and the Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner is held there. It's a nice event until a local who was there ends up dead. Lucien is the prime suspect. Rylie meets several locals at the dog park with her golden retriever, Bella. It's a fun way to introduce characters. Detective Aaron Michelson is in charge of the investigation and they work together to solve the murder. She meets several ladies who she becomes friends with. They get together every week and the descriptions of their activities are detailed and excessive. I kept waiting for something to happen. She meets Alex and they have chemistry. Alex's father is the man who was murdered. Their relationship moves very quickly (especially for a cozy). Alex is a likable character but the focus of the story is as much on their romance as it is on the mystery of who killed Alex's father. There are only a few suspects and the mystery kept me guessing. The reveal was low-key and not suspenseful. I enjoyed this story and the characters. #VengeanceInTheVines #RylieSunderlandMysteries #FleurDeSoleilBooks

"Vengeance in the Vines (Rylie Sunderland Mysteries #2)" by Rachele Baker has Rylie in yet another new location working as a fill in Veterinarian in the town her college best friend lives in. This move may be more permanent since she's making friends and has two possible love interests. One she seems very serious about.

Rylie's main love interest's father is found dead under suspicious circumstances and Rylie's bff's husband is one of the top suspects. There are a couple other suspects as well. However, the culprit ended up being someone I wasn't expecting until the reveal was happening.

Vengeance in the Vines by Rachele Baker is an engaging and suspenseful cozy mystery set in the picturesque Napa Valley wine country. As the second book in the Rylie Sunderland Mysteries series, it weaves together intrigue, charming characters, and small-town secrets that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.

Veterinarian Rylie Sunderland is thrilled about her new long-term locum position in Napa Valley, especially because it allows her to reconnect with her best friend, Sophie, and Sophie's husband, Lucien, who owns a renowned local restaurant. However, their reunion is overshadowed when a local bar owner is found dead shortly after dining at Lucien's restaurant. The police quickly zero in on Lucien as the prime suspect, threatening to upend the lives of those closest to Rylie.

Determined to clear Lucien’s name, Rylie steps into the role of amateur sleuth, uncovering clues and digging into secrets that might explain the victim’s death. Along the way, she finds an unexpected ally—and potential romance—in Alex, the victim’s son. Their shared determination to uncover the truth adds layers of tension and intrigue, as they navigate a maze of suspects and motives.

Rachele Baker skillfully blends a compelling murder mystery with richly drawn characters and the charm of the Napa Valley setting. The vivid descriptions of the area, the delectable food details, and the realistic dynamics between the characters make the story come alive. While the mounting evidence against Lucien adds a sense of urgency, the revelations about hidden secrets and past grievances keep readers guessing until the end.

Fans of cozy mysteries by Kate Carlisle and Ellie Alexander will appreciate Baker’s approachable writing style and the relatable yet tenacious protagonist in Rylie Sunderland. The book balances suspense with heart, making it a perfect pick for those who enjoy small-town mysteries with a side of personal drama and budding romance.

Thank you to Rachele Baker for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Vengeance in the Vines. I highly recommend it to cozy mystery enthusiasts looking for an engaging, well-paced read with twists that will keep them guessing.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Their is a murder mystery that Rylie feels she must help solve because it looks like the husband of her best friend could be guilty,