Festival of the Vine: Mac and Millie Mysteries, Book 4 is a sleuth mystery novel written by J.B. Michaels. While Mac and Hank were experiencing one of the most exciting football games ever, Millie was fretting over the amount of wine her mother, Becca, had already “sampled.” The two of them were enjoying the special preview wine tasting event which was kicking off Geneva’s Festival of the Vine. Becca had a mind of her own, however, and was determined to enjoy herself. Mac and Hank’s exuberance over the last-minute and hard-won victory of their beloved Vikings was swiftly forgotten, however, when the two friends heard a scream emanating from the location of the goalpost. Mac’s police officer instincts kicked in and he went to assist the officer already at the scene. Officer O’Malley had assessed the situation, and he had tried to revive the man using CPR, but he was bleeding too profusely from his chest to continue. This start to the Festival would be a unique one for sure. Mac would be trying to solve the mystery of the murdered coach while figuring out the right moment to propose to Millie. What could go wrong?

J.B. Michaels’ Festival of the Vine is a well-written and fast-paced story that kept me engaged and entertained from start to finish. While it’s the fourth book in his Mac and Millie Mysteries Series, Michaels provides enough background information for it to be read as a stand-alone story. His opening football game is a marvelous treat for anyone who’s ever enjoyed the intensity and familiar flavor of high school sports, and his descriptions of the Festival of the Vine make one want to be there themselves. There is any number of red herrings for Mac and the reader to ponder as he investigates the murder; the plot fairly bristles with them. Michaels’ characters are authentic and have quickly come to seem like old friends, and his story is exceptionally well-presented. I particularly enjoyed the paranormal elements woven throughout the tale. Festival of the Vine is most highly recommended.