Peter Stafford-Bow, a wine professional, writing thrilling wine suspense novels, has just released his new wine thriller. I hope you’re not a nail biter. I gave up chewing nails long ago. I do know I wouldn’t have any nails left for “The End” if I hadn’t, after Black Odesa. This is his fifth novel, and each one pulls you deeper into the world of Felix Hart.
Stafford-Bow has developed a series, and I’ve had a front row seat for each one. They are impossible to put down once started, which means clearing the decks. I can’t live in that kind of nail-biting suspense that each paragraph brings, but I push through. It’s my other duties that have to wait, unless they’re an emergency. Having to know what’s coming next is paramount. The main character in each book is Felix Hart. He is “a handsome and morally flexible wine executive,” who always seems to find himself embroiled in major trouble. It’s always what he does to get himself untangled, and as they say, it ain’t ever easy.
Peter Stafford-Bow books in order of publishing, left to right
Book History
I’m going to list Peter Stafford-Bow’s books on Wine Blog in their order of publishing, most current first, then how I’ve read and reviewed them. Might as well get this updated list out there straight away, because been there, done that, and lived through it without having a heart attack. It’s been worth every second’s impulse to bite my nails again. Control is important.
- First book is Peter Stafford-Bow’s Novel Corkscrew: Volume One of the Felix Hart Novels, the highly improbable, but occasionally true, tale of a professional wine buyer.
- Second one is Peter Stafford-Blow’s Novel BRUT FORCE: Volume Two of the Felix Hart Novels, staggering adventures of a professional wine buyer.
- Third is Peter Stafford-Bows Novel FIRING BLANCS: Volume Three of The Felix Hart Novels, I wrote this one about 1:00 a.m. I was so inspired to write it, I couldn’t sleep.
- Fourth book is Peter Stafford-Bows Novel EASTERN PROMISE: Volume Four of The Felix Hart Novels, bordering on the outlandish, yet probable. Peter Stafford-Bow is keeping up with the times, creating what seems to be the unimaginable.
- The Current ~ Peter Stafford-Bows Novel BLACK ODESA: Volume Five of the Felix Hart Novels, out now. I’m not going to give it away here. I will say this: put gloves on if you’re a nail biter.
Black Odesa
There’s a lot going on inside my head trying to start this review, and it’s not easy. The story is dedicated to finding the Black Odesa wine variety, the one that’s unimaginable. Taking away from the story, would be so easy, but I won’t. If you love wine, suspense, and learning about some pretty far out categories of wine knowledge, make some time for yourself to become embroiled. As busy as I am, and I am, once I read the first paragraph, that was it! I was gone for a few days.
The main character in each novel is Felix Hart, who now has an unusual love interest in this one, and it’s all pretty engaging, but will they ever get there, damn it. They do (giving that away), but it’s pretty poignant.
Tempting?
Felix Hart is always in trouble. In this novel, he gets himself arrested, is fired, and immediately finds himself penniless as well as jobless. With time on his hands, he gets himself embroiled in a huge mess, teaming up with Katja, a Russian siren. They’re naughty influencers who go wild, not even how you and I could concoct. Peter Stafford-Bow has quite the imagination. Together they decide to become online influencers, and do such outlandish things you’ll blush for them. They land sponsorship deals, which become luxury propaganda. Follow them through occupied Ukraine with a group of politicians. Naughty together, so go find out the luscious details for yourself.
About Black Odesa
Yes, one exists for real. Called Black Odesa, also called Odessa Black or Alibernet), and it is a fascinating Ukrainian red grape variety. It’s a cross of Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon, and created in 1948 by the Tairov Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking in Odesa. It’s a teinturier grape, which means both the skin and the flesh are pigmented, that is why the wines come out almost inky black. Originally Ukrainian, it’s now also grown in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary, plus some plantings in Moldova. And, it has a “wild horse reputation. due to it’s dark color, rich flavors, and is highly tannic, like Petite Sirah! (I had to throw that in, if you know me at all.)
© Jo Diaz, July 7, 2026, All rights reserved.
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Written by Jo Diaz, a partner of Diaz Communications, who is helping to make stars realize their dreams.
Edited by partner Jose Diaz.
To reprint, please contact Jo Diaz: jo@diaz-communications.com
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