Rings On Water

RINGS ON WATER THE MATAKANA SERIES MADELEINE ESKEDAHL PRAISE FOR BLOOD ON VINES “Littered with twists and turns, Blood On Vines is one of those novels that will have you second guessing with motive and the killers identity again and again.” AustCrime “I couldn’t put it down…The second sentence gets you in the prologue, that’s how gripping the novel is.” Kapiti Beach Radio “This isn’t evil for the sake of evil, Eskedahl knows the motivation…for it to really get under your skin.” RNZ, Standing Room Only “Readers who enjoy a more traditional crime novel will love Eskedahl’s debut set in the halcyon environs of Matakana wine country…But what elevates Blood On Vines are the multi-dimensional and relatable characters, something she worked hard to achieve…As the shocking events unfolds…Eskedahl expertly ramps up the tension to an action packed finale.” New Zealand Herald Canvas Magazine “Eskedahl has a tight grasp on writing a crime thriller, emphasised by an obvious understanding of pacing, and a strong sense of place. This is an author to watch! Chronicles of Crime “Madeleine’s willingness to wade into murky territory makes this an assured and exciting read.”Woman Magazine “Eskedahl brings a descriptive literate touch to the genre that will entice crime fiction aficionados. Blood On Vines is a solid start to what promises to be an interesting and distinctive local series.” The Police News Magazine “From the opening page, Eskedahl sets up a thrilling mystery. It’s beautifully written with fabulous description throughout until the plot brings you to a satisfying conclusion. So looking forward to the second book in the series. Well done Ms Eskedahl, take a bow.” Catherine Lea, author of The Water’s Dead “Eskedahl has written an immensely enjoyable murder mystery…word pictures are drawn, the Matakana area with its vineyards and nicely drawn characters. The mounting tension is handled well and there’s just enough gruesomeness to satisfy the most discerning aficionados of the crime fiction genre The attractions of a wine growing area are beautifully evoked and I felt a close connection…I look forward to the next book in the series. Reading High Reviews “In conclusion, this novel is worthy of a film screenplay for Netflix. It combines all the elements one could wish for - fast paced, escalating suspense, frequent plot twists and secrets. Subtle clues, psycho- thriller, and the best of all, wait for it…a surprising end.” S Fairchild This edition published by Matheson Bay Press 2023 ISBN 9781738594900 Copyright © 2023 by Madeleine Eskedahl The right of Madeleine Eskedahl to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with the Copyright Act 1994 The story contained within this book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the authors’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. This book is set in New Zealand and written in British English. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. A catalogue record for this book is available from The National Library of New Zealand. Cover design: Jeroen ten Berge To my darling Mormor, thank you for being the most incredible grandmother a child could ever have. You always had time for me, and your love and passion for so many things have made me what I am today. But most of all, thank you for showing me your love of books, and for passing that on to me. I wish that you were still here…. CONTENTS Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 55 Chapter 56 Chapter 57 Chapter 58 Chapter 59 Chapter 60 Chapter 61 Chapter 62 Chapter 63 Chapter 64 Chapter 65 Chapter 66 Chapter 67 Chapter 68 Chapter 69 Chapter 70 Chapter 71 Chapter 72 Chapter 73 Chapter 74 Chapter 75 Chapter 76 Chapter 77 Chapter 78 Chapter 79 Chapter 80 Chapter 81 Chapter 82 Chapter 83 Chapter 84 Chapter 85 Chapter 86 Chapter 87 Chapter 88 Chapter 89 Chapter 90 Chapter 91 Chapter 92 Epilogue Acknowledgments About the PROLOGUE TI POINT, NEW ZEALAND He knew they should never have gone out in these conditions. The two-metre-white caps washed over the Sealegs amphibious craft and tossed the boat like a toy. He’d underestimated the ferocity of the churning sea, which soaked the three men as they hunkered down in the open hull. Before leaving the small sandy beach in Ti Point, Mike had handed out their life jackets. He knew it would be a rough ride. The impenetrable darkness of the night and the stinging rain made it impossible to see more than a few metres ahead, let alone each other. The small craft and the strong wind threw the men around like bowling pins. Mike lowered the front of the boat and powered through the waves head-on to stabilise and keep them from being chucked around more. It took them a good hour fighting the currents before they reached the shipping channel. Mike slowed the boat as they neared the pickup site. The GPS screen lit up, and he was thankful they were in the right spot for the retrieval. “Get the gaff, Chook,” Mike yelled at the