About the Book

Real Estate Rule #4: Beware a house covered in tangled vines, for they conceal deceit."

Chesapeake Bay’s favorite sleuth unearths a vineyard’s poisonous secrets.

Realtor Helen Morrisey is smiling. Her family is close. Her business solid. Her feelings for a local detective stronger than ever. When a string of her clients’ homes are graffitied, Helen writes it off as petty efforts by bored teenagers. Until they raise the stakes.

One by one ‘Your agent is a crook’ is splashed across buildings in blood red letters. Her hometown’s growing distrust in Helen chips away at her resolve, and her business. Overnight, she’s fighting a vengeful vandal to protect her name. Why is she a target?

Her phone rings. Her heart sinks. A local business leader and friend is dead. Last to see him alive, Helen convinces the police her friend’s death is no accident. It’s murder. Days later, she discovers an eccentric vineyard owner was slashed with a bottle of his prized wine. Two distinctly different backgrounds. How can these two crimes be related? Or are they?

Helen is long on loyalty but short on time. Retreating is not in her DNA. She faces two choices. Does she track down the person out to destroy her? Or dig into the dead men’s list of enemies to expose their killers? Can her sleuthing smarts outwit them? Or will Helen be the next victim?

Villain in the Vineyard is the fourth book in the award-winning Chesapeake Bay Mystery Series.

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Praise for Villain in the Vineyard:

"My first time reading a book from the Chesapeake Bay Mystery Series and I did not put it down until finished. Between the fast-paced mystery and the extremely likable characters, I was enthralled with Villain in the Vineyard. Helen Morrisey is the sassy sort of true-blue friend you would want. ...Thoroughly enjoyable. Looking forward to getting caught up by reading the first three  in the series  with a glass of wine and some  of Helen's  Twizzlers."
–Kings River Life Magazine Review

“I’ve loved all Judy L. Murray’s Chesapeake Bay Mysteries, but I think this one may be my favorite. With a richly layered plot, a brilliant cast of characters, and an authentic feel for both policing and sleuthing, Villain in the Vineyard  is a gem.”
– Connie Berry, USA Today Best-Selling Author

Excerpts -

"I'm never quite sure what to do at a wine-tasting. Do you?" Helen reached for her glass. Joe gave a sly look. "Taste wine?" "Very funny," she smirked. "It's groups of strangers making odd mouth-scrunching faces. Can they discern the difference between a pinot and a malbec? I certainly can't." "You might have to figure it out if you're representing Oscar's vineyard," Joe muttered.

"He's an ex-Marine. He ran a Baltimore homicide unit. What could he possibly be afraid of?" Helen countered. Her friend snickered as she tugged on her gloves. "Have you met Helen Morrisey? She can be one intimidating woman."

"I've heard about your Detection Club," the FBI agent said. "A novel way to solve crimes. Joe told me you're a little obsessed." Helen lifted her chin in defense. "I consult with the best on all sorts of problems. You've got your experts. I've got mine."