Beaune [bōn] noun: a red Burgundy wine from the Côte de Beaune region of France.

Christmas morning 1902, London, England. A bottle of fine French wine from the Côte de Beaune region of France, intended as a gift from Mr. Sherlock Holmes to his old friend Dr. Watson, is found to have been drained of its aromatic spirits during the night and filled with sand. But not just any sand...Thus begins this short, sweet holiday mystery from the author of One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes (East Dean Press, 2021).

"The prose beautifully evokes Edwardian London at Christmastime...The pacing is swift but even, with a twist at the end that's sure to please genre fans. Most importantly, the author depicts the two main players authentically, showcasing Holmes' quirks and Watson's steadfast loyalty...A treat for Holmes enthusiasts looking for a brisk and satisfying holiday read." -Kirkus Reviews

"As he did in his debut novel, One Must Tell the Bees, Matthews again delightfully twists our Sherlockian expectations with his engaging Christmas mystery, while staying true to the Canon throughout. This traditional Sherlock Holmes story is sure to become a perennial must-read for the holidays." -Ray Riethmeier, BSI, editor of Sherlock Holmes: Stranger Than Truth and Sherlock Holmes: Stranger Than Fiction