Merlot Murder: A Meadowood Mystery

The Gardner family and friends are going on vacation to Lake Erie. A short cruise to the South Bass Island, Ohio, finds them enjoying a luxurious condo on Put-in-Bay, compliments of Doug's mother, Maude Gardner. The setting is idyllic with private beaches, open air concerts, historic monuments to explore, and great food.

Only one thing has gone wrong. A tour of the local vineyard ends in death as a tour guide drinks a sample of wine loaded with poison. The situation grows worse when Doug confides to Merry that he believes the poison was meant for him. Has an enemy followed the sheriff to the island community? Who would want him dead? Can Doug's parents provide clues to the villain as they share a story from their past?

Danger escalates as the killer tries again to harm the Gardner family, first by tampering with a golf cart's brakes then with a kidnapping attempt of the Gardner children. If he wanted a fight, he'll get one with Anna and Merry both vowing to protect their families. Merry and Anna confront the mysterious man squatting in a vacant condo and accuse him of spying on their family activities. He leads Merry and Anna on a whirlwind chase through the village before getting away. Doug and his father, Harold, delve into past wrongs and accusations from Harold's past business partner. Is he out for revenge after decades passed? The Gardner family along with friends Colleen and Ron plus Anna and Chuck explore the island vacation spot while searching for clues to the identity of the winery killer and their threatening stalker.

Merry and Doug enlist friends and family to trap the elusive killer as their plans for a relaxing summer vacation turn into a deadly cat and mouse game. Merlot Murder proves once again it takes a "village" to solve a cozy mystery filled with twists and a cast of villainous characters.