Welcome to J.H. Wear!
H. Wear lives in Edmonton, Alberta. He enjoys writing fiction in a variety of genres, including murder mysteries, fantasy and science fiction. Currently he is working on a science fiction story and a murder mystery, and is hopeful both will be published early this year. His publisher may have a difference of opinion on how quickly a novel can be made ready.
Besides writing, he works as a liquor agent in Alberta, dealing with variety of beverages. A Taste Of Murder allowed him to bring his story telling to where he does some of his work- wine festivals. He suggests sipping a glass of wine as you read his murder mystery.
Besides writing, Jack Wear has an interest in astronomy, photography and science. He is married to a lovely redhead and has three adult sons.
Oscar Detrick, a well-known sommelier was known for being arrogant and using his oversized figure to intimidate others. Detrick wrote a wine column in the local paper and it made him a formidable man.
The Stony Hills Wine Festival features hundreds of vendors sampling wine, beer and spirits to thousands of customers. On the morning of the second and final day of the event, Detrick is suddenly collapses at his booth after sampling a glass of his own wine.
Detectives Moss Stone and Anya Roberts face the daunting task of going through a long list of suspects, including his business partner, ex-wives and other vendors. To solve the case they immerse themselves in the world of the business of wine and wine shows. As the wine festival draws to a close, Stone and Roberts are in a race to catch the perpetrator before he or she can leave the city. And does the missing bag of garbage holds the clues they need to solve the murder?
Detrick looked across the aisle to where a woman was setting up her booth. She appeared to be busy and focused on her table display, ignoring his attempt at an exchange of hellos. He suspected she was still annoyed at him over a minor incident that had taken place a year ago in Calgary.
Turning away, he noticed the table in front of him was empty save for one business card. He picked it up, recognized the owner, and read the handwritten message on it. He tossed it back on the table and looked around, seeing another vendor standing by a security guard. She gave him a quick wave then continued her conversation with the guard. He was curious about the note she had left but decided he had to concentrate on setting up his own booth.
Detrick retrieved the partially-full bottles of wine from yesterday’s tasting. Two of the reds were empty, so he opened their replacements and allowed them to breath before tasting them himself. He set the ice bucket—an elegantly styled metal tub—on the table. He then placed the Sauvignon Blanc inside and removed the half-exposed cork from the previously opened Pinot Grigio. Other white wine bottles would be placed inside the tub as well, waiting for ice to be added. He hoped the trolley would be brought to his table soon and, if not, he would make sure the event organizers heard from him. He selected one of the two sample glasses that had been left at each booth for the vendors by the festival staff. Detrick was aware that an occasional bottle of new wine might be corked, and it was prudent to taste it before handing it out as a sample. The same was true for wine left overnight; infrequently, an open bottle of wine could change dramatically over even that short period of time. He opened the Pinot Grigio, knowing to always try the lightest wine first, and poured a small sample into the glass. He swirled it around, sniffed it, and creased his nose.
Detrick sniffed it again, unsure if he detected a strange odour. Frowning, he stared at the nearly-clear liquid as he held the glass up in the air. The dim lights of the hall did little to satisfy his decision, and he poured the contents of the glass into his gaping mouth. He swirled the wine around, pushing it from cheek to cheek.
He decided it was a bit off—a touch bitter compared to what he had come to expect from that particular wine. He swallowed it, deciding that he should try a second sample of the same. A poorly-washed glass could cause the same symptoms with the soap film changing the nose and the palate. He picked up the second glass and poured again; the flavours were the same as the first glass. Annoyed, he set the bottle to the side, knowing he would have to open a new one for the tasting.
Next, he reached for the Sauvignon Blanc, poured himself a generous sample, and breathed in the gooseberry and grassy notes. Pleased the second wine didn’t exhibit the same odd smell, he raised the glass to take a drink.
Suddenly, his stomach burned, tightening into a knot. Detrick bent over, gasping with pain. He reached out with his hand for the edge of the table, gripping the blue tablecloth. He felt his heart thundering in his chest and sweat beading on his forehead as he fell to his knees. The cloth, whose edges were locked in his fist, began to slide toward him. He dropped the glass and clung to the edge of the table with the now free hand. Slowly, he dropped onto his back; the table was no match for his poundage and tumbled to its side. Detrick didn’t have the breath to shout out for help as he collapsed. Bottles, glasses, and table decorations crashed to the floor around him. His jaw opened and closed like that of a dying fish out of water, and he foamed at the mouth. His eyes were open but refused to focus. He saw a blurred vision of faces from above and heard mumbled yells cascade around him during his final seconds of consciousness. The pain subsided. He tried to speak, but his tongue refused to move. Fifty-two years of life ended in a gurgle.
A Taste of Murder can be purchased here:
Canadian Trivia Question:
Since my book is called A Taste Of Murder, I thought I would ask a trivia question about an alcoholic drink.
Who and where invented the Caesar?
For your chance to win an ebook copy of A Taste of Murder comment below with the answer to the trivia question. Winner will be selected on Wednesday.
Hint: the answer can be found by visiting Eve Langlais.
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