with Edward Finstein
We are delighted to welcome mystery author Edward Finstein — internationally known as "The Wine Doctor" — to Omnimystery News today.
Edward's first mystery is Pinot Envy (Bancroft Press; July 2013 trade paperback and ebook formats), which introduces Woody Robins, a wine guru who solves mysteries in Napa Valley.
We recently had a chance to talk to Edward about how well mysteries and wines go together.
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Omnimystery News: You are a recognized expert in wines and your character is a wine guru. Is that where the similarity ends?
Photo provided courtesy of
Edward Finstein
Edward Finstein: I would be lying if I said that there wasn't some of me in Woody. It's much easier to write from personal experience. Not so much what happens to him, but certainly his character, likes and dislikes, taste in clothing and music and light-hearted approach to life.
There are certain traits of some people I know in real life that are infused into characters in Pinot Envy, but “the names and identities have been changed to protect the innocent and any similarities are strictly coincidental." How's that for legal mumbo-jumbo?
OMN: How would you categorize Pinot Envy?
EF: Pure entertainment value! A fun, easy read, where one might learn a little something about wine through a mystery adventure of sorts, all led by an irresistible, quirky protagonist and his accompanying, unusual posse. It's mainstream enough to appeal to both wine lovers and regular aficionados of hardcore mysteries. I feel Woody is likeable enough for, folks who read it, to crave for more, like the next installment (it's supposed to be a series) which is ¾ written. I really feel it has all the makings for a feature film (like Sideways) or a made-for-TV movie. If categorized, definitely a cross-over, because of the wine aspect, but also because of the comical side. I'd call it a Comical, Cozy, Wine-Drenched, Suspense Thriller. I think labeling it as such leaves a lot of room for creativity in the style. The only drawback would be if I decided to pen a really serious mystery and folks would find it hard to accept that style because it wasn't what they were used to from me.
OMN: Describe your writing process for us.
EF: My writing style actually combines a little of everything. I certainly have an idea of the story line, but this all evolves as the novel moves on. The main characters in a series, as this is supposed to be, usually remain intact with some slight alterations depending on subplots. As far as other characters, sometimes I'll find as I'm writing that a particular one is not working out as planned, so I'll go back and alter them. I'll even add a new one if it will make the story better. Either way, there is much rereading of the finished product and many alterations made, both in main plot, sub-plot and character development.
OMN: What is the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author? And what might you say to new writers in the field?
EF: Some of the best advice I've received as a fiction author of mysteries where there is a main male character or sleuth is that women are the largest market for this genre, so you best cater to them. You can't have your main male character bouncing from bed to bed. He or she needs to have a regular par amour. Oh they can be tempted alright, but there needs to be some sort of solid, steady love interest. One of the harshest is that if a number of pages or chapters don't move the plot along, they are not necessary and simply just filler, so get rid of them. It's so easy to ramble on about something or other that you might think is amusing or informational, but making sure it adds something to the story is key.
My advice to aspiring authors is to keep on writing, no matter what kind of criticism you receive. Write about what you know … it's usually the best policy.
OMN: What kind of feedback do you get from readers?
EF: I quite enjoy readers asking wine-related questions like where to go and stay in wine country. I also like hearing stories about their adventures in the wine world. Certainly questions about specific characters in the book are always welcome, especially if they have had first hand experience with someone like one of my characters.
OMN: You mentioned that you thought Pinot Envy would make for a good film or television movie. Who would you like to see playing the key roles?
EF: Deciding who would play certain characters is a tough call. Maybe someone like Robert Downey, Jr. could pull off Woody. Perhaps Jack Black could channel Charlie. Haven't really given the other characters much casting thought. I'll consult my casting agent!
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?
EF: I read many of the classics like Stevenson, Bronte, Orwell, Shelley and Twain. Also sci-fi stuff like Bradbury, fantasy like Tolkien and futuristic things like Huxley! I don't suppose any if them really influenced my writing today other than to impart the concept of good structure in a story with well-developed characters and plot lines.
OMN: What books do you read now for pleasure?
EF: Nowadays I tend to still read a lot of mysteries. For hardcore, Jonathan Kellerman, Peter Robinson, James Patterson, etc. On the lighter side, I'm presently working my way through Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington series.
OMN: Do you have any favorite series characters?
EF: I love Archie McNally in Lawrence Sanders' McNally series. Fun stuff along the lines of Woody Robins! I also dig Nick Charles in Dashiell Hammet's The Thin Man series. Also somewhat tongue and cheek! On a more serious note I enjoy Inspector Banks in Peter Robinson's series as well as Alex Cross in James Patterson's books.
OMN: Where might we find you when you're not writing?
EF: I travel a lot for wine business (judging, media trips, journalism, etc) and still love it. Having played music professionally for many years, I still listen to much music (sadly, don't get to play anymore). Having done a fair bit of acting myself, I adore live theatre. In fact, my wife and I have had season's subscriptions to many theatre series for the last 15 years. I enjoy reading, baseball, hockey, and of course wining and dining. And yes, many of these things work their way into my books on some level, especially the wine aspect.
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Edward Finstein, a.k.a ''The Wine Doctor,'' is an internationally recognized wine expert and the award-winning author of Ask the Wine Doctor. A TV and radio host, he is a renowned journalist writing for numerous newspapers, magazines and on the Internet in North America and abroad. As an international wine judge, he travels the world judging in competitions.
Edward is also a Professor of Wine at George Brown College's School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, a wine consultant, wine appraiser, wine tour guide, and former V.P. of the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada. ''Doc,'' as he is known, believes wine should be fun, and he preaches the gospel with a sense of humor and whimsy. He lives in Toronto with his wife Jo Ann and their cat Pepper.
For more information about the author and his work, please visit his website at WineDoctor.ca, or find him on Facebook.
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Pinot Envy
Edward Finstein
A Woody Robins, Wine Mystery
Murder, mayhem, and mystery in Napa …
Meet Woody Robins, a bon vivant, devil-may-care wine guru who specializes in investigatory work involving rare artifacts of a vinous nature. Amidst the backdrop of world-famous Napa, California wine country, and upbeat, cosmopolitan "city by the bay" San Francisco, Woody finds he's bitten off more than he can chew when hired by a wealthy grape grower to retrieve his stolen, rare, priceless, large bottle of red Burgundy that once belonged the French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte.
Tested by a colorful cast of characters, deceit, blackmail, intrigue, dealings with the mob, and even murder ensue. With the help of his dozy boyhood chum, girlfriend, aunt, and detective buddy with San Francisco's finest, he eventually manages to unravel the case, but not before he learns a thing or two about himself.
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