When a wine collector dies mysteriously, chef Marcus Boudreaux uncovers a deadly conspiracy spanning eight decades.
Six months after exposing an international art theft ring, Marcus Boudreaux thought he could return to running his New Orleans restaurant in peace. But when renowned wine collector Henri Dubois is found dead in his cellar—and his most valuable bottles stolen—Marcus and his team are pulled into their most dangerous case yet.
The missing bottles aren't just worth millions. They're evidence of systematic theft from Jewish families during the Holocaust, part of a wine collection that was supposed to remain buried forever. When Henri's daughter reveals that her father was planning to return the stolen bottles to their rightful owners, Marcus realizes Henri was murdered to protect an eighty-year-old secret.
From the elegant auction houses of New York to the historic vineyards of Bordeaux, the investigation reveals a network of dealers, collectors, and government officials who have been profiting from Holocaust victims' stolen wine collections for generations. Led by the ruthless Philippe Beaumont of Maison Beaumont Auctions, this conspiracy has eliminated anyone who threatened to expose their crimes.
As Marcus, his historian fiancée Dr. Celeste Boudreau, and his brilliant eighteen-year-old son Tyler trace the wine's bloody provenance, they discover they're not just hunting thieves—they're confronting the descendants of Nazi collaborators who will kill to keep their family secrets hidden.
With international law enforcement closing in and the network growing increasingly desperate, Marcus must protect his family while ensuring that justice is finally served for Henri Dubois and the countless families whose heritage was stolen.
Perfect for fans of Louise Penny's atmospheric mysteries, Daniel Silva's international intrigue, and Steve Berry's historical thrillers, this culinary mystery combines the charm of New Orleans with the high-stakes world of Holocaust property recovery.
