Benjamin Cooker, author of a famed wine guide, is taking a break from being a vintner to be guest of honour at a dinner in the town of Vougeot. Next morning it's on with the serious - though delightful - task of wine-tasting in this Burgundy country. His younger assistant Virgile is taking care of his own batch, so Cooker has time to notice unusual Latin graffiti around town. Soon afterwards two teenagers are shot by a farmer with a shotgun while spraypainting a wall in the supposedly quiet town. The punishment seems excessive, so was there a reason to silence them? Cooker learns from a monk that the Latin quotes are from a Psalm of David.

Summoned to his boss's side, Virgile drives through places like Marsannay-la-Cote, Chambolle Musigny and Brochon - a sea of grapevines being tended at the start of spring with chateaux and abbeys built from local stone. The food is just as lush... stuffed saddle of rabbit with prunes and bacon on spinach and tomato confit. Too satisfied to move, the gentlemen discuss the tragic shooting, which has resulted in the deaths of the boys. Other strange events occur in the village, which have historical parallels; they sound like the effects of a poltergeist but the police are kept busy. Is everything connected, and are superstitions to blame?

Chatting and puzzling their way through the mystery and local characters, Virgile and Cooker once more introduce us to some wine lore and French history. Novella length, this mystery is just right for relaxing with over one evening, while learning a little more about the wine in our glass and how the limestone, clay, or well-drained soil affects the flavour. Translated by Sally Pane, NIGHTMARE IN BURGUNDY by Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noel Balen reads fluidly, and we can almost smell the morels and goats' milk cheeses. Bon appetit!

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