Samantha Powers' dream wine country getaway turns deadly when she uncovers the secrets of a powerful winemaking family.
On her "Sea-to-Vine" press trip to Santa Barbara, travel writer Samantha Powers expects sunlit coastlines, hills filled with wineries, and a chance to explore the American Riviera for Carmel Today magazine.
When Sam learns her boyfriend, Maui detective Roger Kai, has an estranged friend in the area, she sets out to track him down-only to discover he died in a suspicious car accident six months earlier. Before she can dig deeper, Roger surprises her by joining the trip, and together they head to the Santa Ynez Valley, where his friend's ties to one of the region's oldest winemaking families begin to unravel.
As Sam peels back the layers, she finds a family determined to keep its secrets buried. When her search for answers leaves her hiding behind wine casks from a murderer, Sam realizes she may have finally pushed her luck too far.
Destination Santa Barbara is the fifth installment in the Destination Murder Mystery series, blending exotic locales, a behind-the-scenes look at the travel industry, and the twists and turns of a gripping mystery.