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  • Death by Noir: Uncork the most irresistible crime novel of 2026 (The Bottle Bank Mysteries)
  • Death by Noir by Olly SmithHachetteUK
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Death by Noir: Uncork the most irresistible crime novel of 2026 (The Bottle Bank Mysteries)

by Olly Smith (Author) Format: Hardcover
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'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

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    The Bottle Bank Mysteries
  2. Print length
    352 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Baskerville
  5. Publication date
    18 Jun. 2026
  6. Dimensions
    15.4 x 3.4 x 23.8 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    139982984X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1399829847
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From the Publisher

Text reads 'IN AN IDYLLIC SUSSEX TOWN MURDER IS FERMENTING...'. Wine glass icon on blue background with red banner detail.Text reads 'IN AN IDYLLIC SUSSEX TOWN MURDER IS FERMENTING...'. Wine glass icon on blue background with red banner detail.

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Text reads ''Uncork this sparkling delight and quaff deep' BEN ELTON' on solid red background. Quote attribution indicates product-related endorsement or description from named author.Text reads ''Uncork this sparkling delight and quaff deep' BEN ELTON' on solid red background. Quote attribution indicates product-related endorsement or description from named author.

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Review

Olly Smith brings his legendary nose to detecting dark and troubling notes in the vinous twittens of Lewes. I loved his crime debut so much I bought a case of Sussex Seyval Blanc to celebrate it. ― Richard Coles, author of Murder Before Evensong

Death by Noir is cosy crime at its finest: vintage storytelling with a modern twist. I loved it. Olly Smith's rich cast of unforgettable characters, sumptuous setting and pacey plotting ensures this series has legs - and I'm here for the top-up! -- Charlotte Philby, author of ― Dirty Money

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 has created the perfect lead character in brilliant Barclay Flint - with all his own characteristic warmth and unparalleled knowledge for the finer things in life! -- Matt Tebbutt

Olly Smith's passion for wine, East Sussex and grisly murder shine through in this delightfully full-bodied crime story! A charming cast of eccentric characters and a setting that springs to life from the page are complemented by a uniqueness that makes this 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

What a wonderful debut from Olly Smith. Set against the rolling hills of Lewes, Sussex, the story sparkles with sharp humour, all the while carrying delicious undertones of darkness. Barclay Flint is a brilliantly drawn, vibrant character - an unforgettable new detective with flair and wit. I can't wait to spend more time with him and the rest of the Bottle Bank wine shop crew and see what mysteries await them -- Mel Pennant, author of ― A Murder for Miss Hortense

Pop open something special and settle in for a page turner - loved it. ― Dermot O’Leary

I actually want to drink this book. It's as delicious and fun as a naughty glass of Red Burgundy. Loved it! -- Tom Gilbey

As rich and thrilling as a great Bordeaux, with prose that sparkles like vintage Champagne -- Tom Parker-Bowles

Olly's peerless descriptions of wine, using wonderfully surprising, colourful concoctions of unexpected word combinations, have been entertaining and illuminating Saturday Kitchen viewers for 20 years! So, it's no surprise he's used these skills to craft deliciously intoxicating fiction! He's cleverly invented an eclectic cast of endearing characters and created an environment for them to grow, in what will be an addictive series. I have no doubt it will be a success. From the first sip this book is deliciously intoxicating...and like a great wine, after one glass it will be hard for you not to finish the bottle! -- Amanda Ross, CEO and co-founder of Cactus Studios

Delicious, delightful and tantalising! Olly Smith has of course created a brilliantly refreshing tome! Practically perfect in every way! TRULY scrumptious! Bravo! -- Andi Oliver

A murder mystery with proper flavour, and rather moreish. ― Alex James

Barclay Flint, owner of The Bottle Bank wine shop, is truly a wine connoisseur. Think of him as the wand guy in Harry Potter and his skill in matching bottles to owners, and you're on the money . . . although this is a debut, it feels very assured [with] clever writing ― Belfast Telegraph

Book Description

The sparkling debut crime novel by wine expert Olly Smith. Full-bodied, exuberant and explosive!

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About the author

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Olly Smith

Olly Smith

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Olly is an award-winning wine expert, TV personality, author and podcast host. His exceptional blend of passion, enthusiasm and knowledge, as well as his unique turn of phrase, have made him one of the UKs best loved figures in the world of food and drink.

He is a regular wine expert and occasional host presenting live on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen and has a wealth of TV credits internationally. He writes for a wide range of publications including Decanter, The Independent, Iconic, Assemblage and has written eight books - World Cocktail Atlas (2023) is a number one best seller with his collection of over 200 new and classic cocktails from around the world. His latest book WINE: Everything You Need to Know is published October 2025.

Olly’s podcast 'A Glass With’ has featured a dazzling array of celebrity guests including Kylie Minogue, P!NK, Sting, Dawn French and Sam Neill, to name a few.

In his role as Food Hero for P&O Cruises, Olly curates an exclusive wine list for his award-winning wine bar the Glass House across six ships and he appears regularly onboard hosting events and wine tastings.

He has been named International Wine and Spirits Communicator of the Year, Drinks Writer of the Year at the Great British Food Awards and the UK’s Drinks Ambassador to China.

Olly is Patron of the Drinks Trust and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, loves the countryside, his dog and a good pint of beer. With his extensive knowledge of all things booze, the only thing Olly is more enthusiastic about than a glass of the good stuff, is sharing it as widely as possible.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
11 global ratings

Top reviews from the United Kingdom

  • Caroline Gleeson
    4 out of 5 stars
    Slow Burn, Cosy Mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2026
    Format: Kindle Edition
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    How best to describe Death by Noir? I'm leaning towards cosy mystery, a small town whodunit in the same vein as The Marlow Murder Club. There the similarity ends however. You won't find octogenarian hoarders or vicars wives here. No, the hero of the hour in this instance is Barclay Flint, owner of The Bottle Bank wine shop. 🍷

    The noir of the title is Pinot Noir. It is inside a vat of Pinot Noir that the body of vineyard owner Victor Crawshaw is discovered. Was it an accident, suicide or murder? Someone thinks it was murder, and Barclay is the suspect. 🍷

    This was a very slow burn indeed. I admit I almost gave up, but the pace picked up in the final third so I'm glad I persevered. 🍷

    I liked Barclay. He's quite a flamboyant character, and he knows a lot about wine. (Well obviously, given he's the creation of a wine critic.) I, on the other hand, know absolutely nothing about wine, which meant a lot of what Barclay had to say went right over my head. 🍷

    There were some light hearted moments, mainly Pearl's eco protests. I love the idea of flash mob yoga bringing traffic to a standstill. 😀

    Death by Noir may not have been the best book I've read this year, but neither is it the worst. It was entertaining enough to keep me engaged to the very last page. And it had a dog. Called... Pinot.🍷

    Thanks to John Murray Press and Netgalley for the ARC.

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  • Mary S
    5 out of 5 stars
    Excellent story, beautifully written, for lovers of cosy crime.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 June 2026
    Format: Hardcover
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    I absolutely loved this book! Olly is a genius with words and this is a total treat to read. The characters are so full of life, the setting is beautifully vivid, and the story has all the right elements to keep you gripped, entertained and delighted. It's refreshing to read a 'cosy crime' novel that has some real depth of character and Death by Noir really has something extra. A brilliant first novel and I can't wait for the next one!

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  • T. Wood
    3 out of 5 stars
    Not for Me
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2026
    Format: Hardcover
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    When you find yourself a prime suspect in the killing of one of your closest friends you're going to want to clear your name as quickly as possible. Barclay Flint is eccentric, knowledgeable, at least about some things, and can be quite charming, what he hasn't done is kill someone!  As the owner of a wine shop and connoisseur of all things grape he knows his customers appreciate his ability to find them the perfect bottle whatever the occasion, so sniffing out a murderer can't be that difficult, can it?

    I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, John Murray Press, Baskervilles, but the opinions expressed are my own. I have to admit I struggled with this. I so wanted to like it, as I enjoy the author's television appearances as a wine expert but one or two minutes of similes is a lot different to a book full! I found this over long but I did like the different characters Barclay worked with who added depth to the storyline. If you like description heavy books this is for you. Unfortunately, for me, not so much. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

    2 people found this helpful
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  • stephenrichard
    4 out of 5 stars
    A New Crime Series That Will Age Well- A full-bodied investigative delight
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2026
    Format: Hardcover
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    " My dear chap, that is the whole point. Wine, like life, flows on regardless.'

    Olly Smith is the consummate wordsmith in the world of wine and his passion instantly makes you want to search out a new bottle.

    This is his debut into the world of crime fiction and with it comes his linguistic flair and adoration of viniculture. Set in East Sussex, we enter the world of wine connoisseur Barclay Flint- the owner of The Bottle Bank. Alongside are his team of Pearl, Minty and Teddy. Following the death of a good friend Victor Cranshaw found dead in a vat of win, Barclay begins to suspect that his death was less than natural.

    What follows is a tale of family rivalry, deep held resentments between neighbours and the escapades of Barclay and his team; environmental protests- yarn bombing and yoga- sit ins; actions of greed and the imbibing of a range of alcoholic beverages.

    This is the first in a series and like all introductions getting to know the characters and their foibles is part of the fun. It is the second half of the book where the plot really kicks in.

    Olly Smith's prose is laden with description - metaphors and figurative language pervade - pulling together those skills as a wine writer. This doesn't detract from the plot but adds a lovely eccentricity which matches the character of Barclay.

    It will be interesting to see how the series progress - this is an elegantly understated debut with a bubbling effervescence - with rich notes of the earthiness and oaky tones of the Sussex countryside - building up to deeper and more full bodied things to come !!

    A great debut and a book that will certainly bring people to Lewes ( a place I know well). This is escapism crime writing and in a world of uncertainties this is no bad thing

    Quotes: "The thing is, Pearl, music and wine are emphatically and identically splendid. One is liquid fun, the other aural ecstasy. And both inevitably lead to dancing."

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  • U4ea
    2 out of 5 stars
    Not one for me sadly.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2026
    Format: Hardcover
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    I enjoy reading Olly Smith's articles and reviews about wine, and also his television appearances. His very effusive descriptions in those settings I find both informative and entertaining. However for me, that doesn't transfer to this book. I was disappointed.

    The title comes from one of the characters being found dead in a vat of his wine. With that,and the setting in a quiet town in a rural area, I was expecting a cosy mystery, but for me it didn't deliver. The descriptions that I enjoyed in other media were over the top here, with the story just plodding along. It just didn't grip me, and I gave up on it twice. It didn't work the third time either, so I skipped to the end.

    3 people found this helpful
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  • JC
    4 out of 5 stars
    Mystery and wine
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2026
    Format: Kindle Edition
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    I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher. What a fascinating exploration of wine and the people who love it. This is all centred around a close knit community and the death of a vineyard owner and the suspicion cast on those who surround him. We follow the owner and workers at a local wine shop, the bottle bank as well as the family and associates of the deceased as people try to make sense of what’s happened to him. I’m going to try to be very careful about spoilers so this may sound a bit vague.

    I enjoyed the cast of eccentric characters with their passions, quirks and side quests. Also the sense of place that was so integral to this story, little things like colloquial language and the effigies which show how much the location influenced the story. This was nicely done to give the book a strong, unique personality. The focus on wine I also really liked, and how different attitudes towards cultivating vines affected people, shaping or halting relationships. The exploration of different wines was a fun detail.

    I did find it a bit tricky to keep track of who was who at the start as the stories meanders into itself a little, creating a nice flow but also making it a tad fuzzy. Not a particular issue as this had resolved itself within the first third of the book.

    A cool mystery defined by its unique setting and love of wine.

    3 people found this helpful
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  • Dee Groocock
    3 out of 5 stars
    Death by Noir
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2026
    Format: Hardcover
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    Review of advance copy from the publisher.

    Barclay Flint owns The Bottle Bank wine shop in the Sussex town of Lewes. He is eccentric but certainly has a great knowledge of wine.

    When his friend, vineyard owner, Victor Crawshaw, is found murdered, Barclay finds himself in the frame. Barclay is determined to prove his innocence and find the real culprit.

    This was a cosy crime story and started out a slow paced one.

    There were a lot of characters, which made it difficult at times for me to remember who was who.

    It did take me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I found it to be an entertaining and enjoyable read.

    One person found this helpful
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  • Martin Southard
    4 out of 5 stars
    A Cosy, Quirky Mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2026
    Format: Hardcover
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    Olly Smith’s Death by Noir is a charming, wine-infused romp through the Sussex countryside, blending humour, eccentric characters, and a dash of small-town intrigue. At its heart is Barclay Flint, a wine merchant whose sharp wit and love for the grape make him an unlikely but endearing guide through this light-hearted whodunit.

    The book’s strength lies in its vivid setting—Lewes and its bonfire traditions feel alive, and the cast of locals add plenty of colour. While the wine descriptions are rich (sometimes too rich for those not well-versed in vintages), they lend the story an authentic, laid-back charm. The pacing is leisurely, but the payoff is worth it, with a twist that feels both clever and satisfying.

    If you’re after a cosy mystery with personality and a strong sense of place, Death by Noir delivers. Just pour yourself a glass and enjoy the ride.

    Many thanks to John Murray Press and NetGalley for providing this advanced copy

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