Death by Noir

As rich and thrilling as a great Bordeaux, with prose that sparkles like vintage Champagne

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!

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

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!

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!

I actually want to drink this book. It's as delicious and fun as a naughty glass of Red Burgundy. Loved it!

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.

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

Delicious, delightful and tantalising! Olly Smith has of course created a brilliantly refreshing tome! Practically perfect in every way! TRULY scrumptious! Bravo!

A murder mystery with proper flavour, and rather moreish.

Pop open something special and settle in for a page turner - loved it.

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!

Barclay Flint, owner of The Bottle Bank wine shop, is truly a wine connoisseur. Think of him as the wand guy in Harry Potter and his skill in matching bottles to owners, and you're on the money . . . although this is a debut, it feels very assured [with] clever writing

Written with verve and skill, [Death by Noir] announces the arrival of an engaging new series.