The Illuminated Vineyard

Past and present converge with sobering results in Moynahan's intoxicating debut set in Oregon wine country. When middle-aged, recently widowed Rachel Jarvis hires young transient Michael Broom and his girlfriend, Cara Littleton, to make some repairs to her house in Birchwood, Ore., Rachel's daughter, Clarissa, doesn't approve. Her son, Brett, on the other hand, immediately forms an attachment to the attractive Cara. When somebody fatally stabs petty crook Brady Devon at neighboring Fargeau Vineyards, the police take an interest in Michael, who may have a link to the vineyard's owner, Rob Fargeau, with whom Rachel had a fling 30 years earlier. The attempted poisoning of Brady's longtime girlfriend, Vonda Gallard, who later goes missing, raises the stakes. As Rachel digs for answers, another brutal murder underlines what deadly effect long-hidden secrets can have when they come unraveled. (Jan.)