The publishers offered me the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Body at the Vineyard (thank you Storm Publishing.) After reading the synopsis I was intrigued, and just had to accept, despite this being book 6 of a series and my not having read its predecessors. 🍷
I'm glad I did accept because this was a very enjoyable read. I would categorise it as a cosy mystery, a quirky one at that. Think Randall and Hopkirk (Decessed), and you'll kind of get my drift. 👻🍷
Ghostly sleuths aside, there was plenty going on to keep me interested. The discovery of a skeleton in a pond during a photoshoot at a vineyard, was swiftly followed by the discovery of a body in a fermentation tank at the same vineyard. Were these two deaths, nearly 100 years apart, the result of accidents, or was it foul play? That folks, you will have to find out for yourselves. 🍷
To sum up then; The Body at the Vineyard is a quirky, cosy mystery that reels you in straightaway, and leaves you wanting more. Can easily be read as a standalone. 🍷
Oh, I forgot to mention, there are dogs. Spaniels and labradors, my two favourite breeds. 🐕🍷
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

Set in the English wine country. Kate Hardy is a new-to-me author. I saw the synopsis on Netgalley and requested the ebook. I found the story unique for a mystery but it could have been ripped from local news just about anywhere. It is a standalone read. Even though this is book six in the series, I did not feel lost in the story line or back history of the group.

The story has two intertwined mysteries, a ghost, Doris, that guides Georgina and Bertie, Georgina’s dog, into finding the bones of people with an unexpected death. The ghosts have unresolved deaths – they don’t know how they died.

The family has many dark secrets that most of the members are unaware of since they do not communicate freely. The are a number of bullies in the family that have caused grief over the years.

I enjoyed the book despite its dark tones.

I recommend the book to those mystery enthusiasts that appreciate the non-gory graphic details. Thank-you Storm Publishing and Netgalley for recommending the book. These are my opinions.

Georgina is going on a simple photo shoot at a vineyard with her friends (and her resident ghost, Doris), but Doris alerts here to the presence of an old skeleton by the vineyard pond. Upon returning to the vineyard buildings, they find that a body has been found in one of the fermentation vats. The family that owns the vineyard is sharply divided: most of the men are unfaithful bullies and the women are the true vintners. The two deaths are related to a tragic history between the vineyard family and their neighboring farm family. Georgina delves into the skeleton’s mystery, with the help of Doris, determined to prove to Colin, her detective boyfriend, that she really does talk to a ghost. She also aids Colin in solving the current murder.

I really enjoy this series. The mysteries are well-done and I love the characters and the setting. The presence of Doris, whom Georgina hears through her hearing aids, is a unique touch.Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

BOOK SIX.
Georgina Drake when a murder bubbles up in wine country.a murder mystery at its best.
This book has page after page of gritty dark family history.
Glory be!!! It's unputdownable.
Rosa Wines and Gaby Edwards is not having it easy, her bullying brother is found drowned in a fermentation tank, then there is also a skeleton uncovered in a pond.
On her way for a photo shoot trip with Sybbie and Cesca this is one Georgina will never forget.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Georgina Drake is looking forward to her latest photographic assignment at an organic vineyard with friends Sybbie and Cesca. Georgie's friend, Doris is also along for the ride, not that anyone can see her as Doris is a ghost, helping to give other spirits peace one unexplained death at a time via Georgina’s hearing aids! With the help of Bert, Georgina’s loyal spaniel, a skeleton is discovered in the shallows of the vineyard pond. Unfortunately, it's not the only unexpected death at the same location that day and before long Georgina’s partner, Detective Inspector Colin Bradshaw, is on the scene following the discovery of a body in the fermentation tanks! Two deaths, one location, one fragmented family, and two intertwined tragic histories, between them Georgina and Colin, should be able to make sense of everything, shouldn't they?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. I love Kate Hardy's original take on a cosy crime series, and the admissions Colin makes this time around made me like him even more. The results of both investigations were extremely satisfying, and I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. Highly recommended, as is the whole series.

In The Body at the Vineyard, Kate Hardy serves up a sparkling blend of charm, suspense, and mystery with the flair of a seasoned storyteller. This is the first book in what promises to be an utterly addictive series featuring Georgina Drake — photographer, accidental sleuth, and the kind of protagonist cozy mystery fans will immediately adore.

What starts as a simple assignment — a vineyard photoshoot with an up-and-coming winemaker — quickly spirals into something much darker. When Gaby Edwards’ bullying brother is found dead in a fermentation tank, and a hidden skeleton turns up in the pond (thanks to Georgina’s curious spaniel, Bert), it’s clear something sinister is fermenting beneath the surface of this picture-perfect wine country estate.

Hardy has a clear talent for building layered plots without sacrificing clarity. The murder mystery is smartly constructed, with well-paced reveals, subtle clues, and red herrings that actually pay off. But what makes this book stand out isn’t just the whodunit — it’s the heart behind it. The tension between family loyalty and old rivalries feels real, as does the impact of long-buried secrets coming to light. These aren’t just twists for the sake of shock; they’re grounded in character, history, and motive.

Georgina is a standout lead — observant, level-headed, and determined, but never reckless or overly quirky (a pitfall for many cozy heroines). Her friendship with Sybbie, her bond with Bert, and her slow-burn rapport with the skeptical but intriguing DI Colin Bradshaw add warmth and texture to the story. They aren’t just there to fill space — they all serve the plot and give the book a genuine ensemble feel.

The setting deserves special mention too. Hardy captures the beauty and quiet menace of the English countryside with elegance — there’s a strong sense of place that gives the story both charm and weight. The vineyard isn’t just a backdrop; it’s steeped in history, secrets, and simmering conflict, and Hardy uses it to full effect.

For fans of authors like M.C. Beaton, Richard Osman, or Faith Martin, this book hits the sweet spot: cozy but not cloying, suspenseful but never grim. It’s the kind of story you race through but also want to savor — comforting, clever, and just a little bit dark around the edges.

The Body at the Vineyard is an ideal entry point to what could easily become your new favorite cozy mystery series. It’s witty, atmospheric, and rich with possibility. Kate Hardy has bottled something special here — and it’s definitely worth a second glass.

A very enjoyable read. Perfect for a summer by the beach. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review

I found this to be a good flowing plot, and easy to read..
i enjoyed reading about ner family at these. Vineyards.
I recommend this book
Thanks to Net Galley and Storm Publishers for my arc.

I'm really loving this series. Such wonderful characters, interesting cases to solve, and a gentle relationship between Georgie and Colin. This time Georgie, Sybbie and Bert go off to take photos of Gaby Edwards at her vineyard. Unfortunately, while there, Bert (with Doris' help) finds a skeleton in a pond and there's a body in a wine fermentation vat. Colin comes to investigate the body and is still a little skeptical about Doris helping Georgie with the skeleton case, although he's really trying to believe in Doris. The cases have a number of parallels and the modern case becomes quite twisty. As usual, a fantastic story!
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Kate Hardy for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.