Death by Noir: Uncork the most irresistible crime novel of 2026

Olly Smith

'An outstanding cosy crime debut. Death by Noir is the sparkling start to a corking new series!' JANICE HALLETT, bestselling author of The Killer Question

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

'Olly Smith brings his legendary nose to detecting dark and troubling notes in the vinous twittens of Lewes'
RICHARD COLES, author of Murder Before Evensong

🍷In an idyllic Sussex town, murder is fermenting... 🍷

Barclay Flint is the charmingly eccentric proprietor of The Bottle Bank wine shop, nestled in a picturesque Sussex town renowned for its gloriously anarchic Bonfire Night celebration.

Barclay can taste a kaleidoscopic universe in a single glass of wine and delights in matching customers to the grapes of their dreams. But when his close friend, struggling regenerative vineyard owner Victor Crawshaw, is found dead, Barclay finds himself a prime suspect.

To crack the case and clear his name, Barclay must deploy his wine detection skills and follow his nose through the rolling Sussex hills where a tangle of old resentments and rivalries awaits to ensnare him.

With a killer on the loose and Bonfire Night fast approaching, the town crackles with anticipation. This year the fireworks might not be the only things to explode...

Join Barclay and his friends from The Bottle Bank in this sparkling debut novel by wine expert Olly Smith. It's time to uncork the most exuberant and irresistible mystery of the year!

'What a wonderful debut... Barclay Flint is a brilliantly drawn, vibrant character - an unforgettable new detective with flair and wit' MEL PENNANT, author of A Murder for Miss Hortense

'Death by Noir is cosy crime at its finest: vintage storytelling with a modern twist. I loved it' CHARLOTTE PHILBY, author of Dirty Money