I was thrilled to be asked to review Steven Laine’s latest book, Jupiter’s Blood. Steven’s books always combine mystery and wine and reading has always been one of my favourite things to do.
During my Round The World adventure I started reading on the Vancouver to Tokyo flight. I asked for a glass of red and settled in! I finished reading it at the Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul. A suitable location because this hotel is where Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express.
Jupiter’s Blood
American wine expert, Dante Lombardi, is struggling to come to terms with his best friend’s suicide. His world is further upended when his ex, Dr. Claire Durant, introduces him to a synthetic lab-made wine she’s developed. Replivino can pass for the finest wines produced by the world’s best winemakers at a fraction of the cost.
When Claire and her company’s ‘Vino Code’ disappear, however, Dante must put his feelings for what he deems frankenwine aside and rush to Europe to find her.
But Dante isn’t the only one looking for Claire as she pursues her own agenda to pop the cork on the traditional world of wine. So too is a ruthless wine counterfeiter. In a race across Europe, Dante must rely on his French and Italian wine industry connections, partner with new allies and old adversaries, and plumb the depths of his memory cellar to find Claire. Can he do so in time to save the global wine industry from ruin in the face of mass commoditization?
Steven is Canadian and always mentions things about Canada. This book I learned about importing wine in Canada. The one thing I always enjoy about Steven’s books is the characters. I got quickly attached to Dante and Dante, Vivian and Ryko were great as they travelled around the world trying to find Claire. Jupiter’s Blood grabbed my attention and kept me guessing as they chased Claire.
The concept of synthetic wine doesn’t appeal to me. I don’t like fake anything ~ fake purses, fake meat, fake people and I’m sure fake wine. It may taste the same, but even knowing that it’s fake will turn me off. As a wine lover, I love the ambience of a winery and the rows and rows of grapes on the vine. I’m not an expert, but I find it interesting to learn about the different types of wine, the history and the locations where the wine is made. I always learn something from Steven’s books.
Things from the book to ponder ~ wine ocean bladders, wine holes and champagne sabers! I really want a saber for Christmas. Vinum vita est. Wine is life!
Jupiter’s Blood is a great read from start to finish.
My last destination on my Round The World adventure was London, England. I had the pleasure of meeting Steven in person for lunch at the Crystal Moon Lounge in Corinthia London. My one regret is I didn’t take a picture of us, it’s on the to-do list for my next trip to London.
About Steven
Steven Laine is the author of several wine thrillers. His first novel, Root Cause, was released in 2019, by Turner Publishing. Kirkus Reviews called it “An entertaining, wine-soaked mystery.” The Washington Post wrote; “If Michael Pollan and Dan Brown sat down over a bottle of Barolo and brainstormed a novel based on the neuroses of the natural wine movement, they might have come up with something like ‘Root Cause’.”
Steven Laine is currently living in London working on his next wine thriller, The Somm, and studying for the WSET Level 4 Diploma, the pre-cursor to the Master of Wine program.
Check out Steven on Instagram @steven.laine!
More Reviews
Happy Travels and Keep On Reading 📚