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Death by Noir

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What to expect

'An outstanding cosy crime debut. Death by Noir is the sparkling start to a corking new series!' JANICE HALLETT, bestselling author of The Killer Question

'Uncork this sparkling delight and quaff deep. With high notes of comedy, suspense and fruity characterisation Olly Smith's debut is instantly addictive' BEN ELTON

'Olly Smith brings his legendary nose to detecting dark and troubling notes in the vinous twittens of Lewes'
RICHARD COLES, author of Murder Before Evensong

In an idyllic Sussex town, murder is fermenting...

Barclay Flint is the charmingly eccentric proprietor of The Bottle Bank wine shop, nestled in a picturesque Sussex town renowned for its gloriously anarchic Bonfire Night celebration.

Barclay can taste a kaleidoscopic universe in a single glass of wine and delights in matching customers to the grapes of their dreams. But when his close friend, struggling regenerative vineyard owner Victor Crawshaw, is found dead, Barclay finds himself a prime suspect.

To crack the case and clear his name, Barclay must deploy his wine detection skills and follow his nose through the rolling Sussex hills where a tangle of old resentments and rivalries awaits to ensnare him.

With a killer on the loose and Bonfire Night fast approaching, the town crackles with anticipation. This year the fireworks might not be the only things to explode...

Join Barclay and his friends from The Bottle Bank in this sparkling debut novel by wine expert Olly Smith. It's time to uncork the most exuberant and irresistible mystery of the year!

'What a wonderful debut... Barclay Flint is a brilliantly drawn, vibrant character - an unforgettable new detective with flair and wit' MEL PENNANT, author of A Murder for Miss Hortense

'Death by Noir is cosy crime at its finest: vintage storytelling with a modern twist. I loved it' CHARLOTTE PHILBY, author of Dirty Money

Critics Review

Olly Smith brings his legendary nose to detecting dark and troubling notes in the vinous twittens of Lewes. I loved his crime debut so much I bought a case of Sussex Seyval Blanc to celebrate it.
Richard Coles, author of Murder Before Evensong
Death by Noir is cosy crime at its finest: vintage storytelling with a modern twist. I loved it. Olly Smith's rich cast of unforgettable characters, sumptuous setting and pacey plotting ensures this series has legs - and I'm here for the top-up!
Dirty Money
Uncork this sparkling delight and quaff deep. With high notes of comedy, suspense and fruity characterisation Olly Smith's debut is instantly addictive
Ben Elton
As rich and thrilling as a great Bordeaux, with prose that sparkles like vintage Champagne
Tom Parker-Bowles
Olly has created the perfect lead character in brilliant Barclay Flint - with all his own characteristic warmth and unparalleled knowledge for the finer things in life!
Matt Tebbutt
What a wonderful debut from Olly Smith. Set against the rolling hills of Lewes, Sussex, the story sparkles with sharp humour, all the while carrying delicious undertones of darkness. Barclay Flint is a brilliantly drawn, vibrant character - an unforgettable new detective with flair and wit. I can't wait to spend more time with him and the rest of the Bottle Bank wine shop crew and see what mysteries await them
A Murder for Miss Hortense
I actually want to drink this book. It's as delicious and fun as a naughty glass of Red Burgundy. Loved it!
Tom Gilbey
Olly's peerless descriptions of wine, using wonderfully surprising, colourful concoctions of unexpected word combinations, have been entertaining and illuminating Saturday Kitchen viewers for 20 years! So, it's no surprise he's used these skills to craft deliciously intoxicating fiction! He's cleverly invented an eclectic cast of endearing characters and created an environment for them to grow, in what will be an addictive series. I have no doubt it will be a success. From the first sip this book is deliciously intoxicating...and like a great wine, after one glass it will be hard for you not to finish the bottle!
Amanda Ross, CEO and co-founder of Cactus Studios
Delicious, delightful and tantalising! Olly Smith has of course created a brilliantly refreshing tome! Practically perfect in every way! TRULY scrumptious! Bravo!
Andi Oliver
A murder mystery with proper flavour, and rather moreish.
Alex James
Pop open something special and settle in for a page turner - loved it.
Dermot O’Leary
Olly Smith's passion for wine, East Sussex and grisly murder shine through in this delightfully full-bodied crime story! A charming cast of eccentric characters and a setting that springs to life from the page are complemented by a uniqueness that makes this an outstanding cosy crime debut. Death by Noir is the sparkling start to a corking new series!
The Killer Question

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