Review: Death is a Cabernet – Ken Dalton
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| Paperback: 330 pages Publisher: Different Drummer Press (September 14, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 0578091984 ISBN-13: 978-0578091983 |
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Characters:
J. Pinkus “Pinky” Delmont – Defense Attorney
Benate “Bear” Zabarle – Part time Bartender/Investigator
Florence “Flo” Sonderlund – Bear’s girlfriend/Tech helper.
Willow Stone – Chief Deputy District Attorney
Synopsis:
The maker of one of Pinky’s favorite wines is found floating in a vat of Cabernet. Pinky and Bear are off to wine country to find out who killed him, and what secrets were being hidden in the winery.
Review
This is the third entry in the Pink and the Bear mystery series. This one like the previous entries is filled with humor and action. This time around we also see the addition of a precocious young girl who Bear and Flo meet when they rent a cabin near a lake. I’ve read all three of these novels so far for a book tour for Mr. Dalton, and each one has been an enjoyable and fun experience. This one is no different. Overall, I’d say Bear and Flo have quickly become my favorites, while Pinky just seems to be there to control the storyline.
If you are into mysteries, particular comic mysteries such as the Stephanie Plum series, then you should definitely check this one out. I’d rate it for older teens adults to the language and situations. It does come recommended though, so if you read it, be sure to drop back by and let us know what you thought.
About the Author
Ken Dalton was born in 1938 at Hollywood Hospital. He grew up with his parents, his older sister, Pat, and younger brother, Richard in Los Angeles. The year 1938 informs the quick reader that Ken’s older than a lot of people, but younger than some.
In a turn of bad luck, the dreaded Polio virus found Ken.
At the end of World War ll, Ken’s family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming for a year where he learned how to live through snow blizzards, avoid walking through the large pile of coal in the basement, and how to survive life as an Army Officer’s brat on a base called Fort Warren.
By the age of sixteen, after eleven years of operations, therapy, and braces, Ken’s luck changed dramatically when he met the girl of his dreams at a party. A few years later they married, produced three wonderful children, and settled into a happy life in Southern California.
In 1966, Ken, who worked as a technician for Pacific Bell, and his family left Southern California for the green hills of Sonoma County where they bought a home in Sebastopol surrounded with apple trees. A few years later, Ken and Arlene built a new home on three and a half acres. They raised cows, pigs, and learned how to build outstanding fences. While their children grew, they hosted two exchange students, Eva Reimers from Sweden, and Tanja Wuttke from Germany, both of whom are still loved members of the Dalton clan. Also during those years, Ken was promoted to management at Pacific Bell. He eventually ended up responsible for all the central offices, sixty-three, in an area that covered five counties.
In 1977, Ken, Arlene, Bob Wiltermood, and his wife Norma, designed, built, and operated a 2000 case winery named Pommeraie Vineyards. They produced award winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. However, after Bob died, the winery was sold. Ken and Arlene moved to a hilltop in Healdsburg.
With the winery gone, and time on their hands, Ken and Arlene started to perform with the Camp Rose Players. Twenty years and forty productions later, both are still acting and singing.
Life was good. All Ken had to do was learn some lines and bow when the audience applauded.
Then, ten years ago, Ken started to write. His first article was published in Golf Illustrated in August 1996. More golf articles followed in national and regional magazines including Golf Magazine and Fairways and Greens.
After a two-year stint on the County Grand Jury, Ken felt the need to begin his first novel.
Now, after a decade of struggle to learn the craft of writing, Ken has become the publishing world’s latest overnight sensation.
*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Nicole at Tribute Books for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.
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