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Watered Down

A Francine Witt Mystery (Francine Witt Investigates, Book 4)

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Watered Down

By: Steve Exeter
Narrated by: Ella Whitehead
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Wine blogger turned accidental sleuth Francine Witt arrives at an exclusive wellness retreat in Germany’s Black Forest expecting healing waters, luxury spa treatments, and a chance to finally unwind alongside her spirited assistant Rosalind Downing.

Instead, a ceremonial tasting of a legendary nineteenth-century wine linked to Pauline von Metternich ends in sudden death.

As snow closes in around the lavish spa resort, rivalries begin to surface between historians, aristocrats, influencers, and wine experts. Whispers surrounding the authenticity of the priceless bottle grow louder, and Fran and Ros soon discover that beneath the retreat’s tranquil facade lies something far more dangerous—a deadly secret steeped in obsession, reputation, and poisoned luxury.

Sensual, witty, and simmering with gothic atmosphere, WATERED DOWN decants Francine Witt’s most intoxicating mystery yet. In Baden-Baden, even the purest spring water can carry a bitter aftertaste.

©2026 Steve Exeter (P)2026 Steve Exeter Amateur Sleuths Mystery Women Sleuths Witty
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Listener received this title free

I got pulled into this mystery pretty quickly, especially once the wine tasting ended in a sudden death. Francine and Rosalind made such a fun team, and I liked trying to figure out who could be trusted as all the secrets around the expensive bottle started coming out.

A Francine Witt Mystery

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Listener received this title free

I absolutely loved this audiobook,the combination of mystery and luxury atmosphere made it incredibly engaging from beginning to end. Francine and Ros are such fun characters and the twists surrounding the priceless wine and sudden death kept me guessing. The narration brought the suspense and elegance of the story to life, making this a thoroughly enjoyable listen!

An enjoyable listen!

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Listener received this title free

I’m a big fan of mysteries that keep me curious without becoming overly complicated, and this one hit that sweet spot for me. I especially enjoyed following Francine as she worked through the mystery and pieced everything together.

The audiobook was easy to get into, and the narration made it an enjoyable listen. It felt like the kind of story I could settle into and just enjoy for a while. If you like cozy mysteries with interesting characters, a good mystery to unravel, and a relaxed listening experience.

A Fun and Easy Mystery

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Listener received this title free

Watered Down is a deliciously atmospheric, high-stakes mystery that pours together the worlds of elite wine culture and classic whodunnit sleuthing. Set against the snow-draped, gothic backdrop of a luxury German wellness retreat, the story trades typical cozy-mystery tropes for a sharp, witty blend of historical intrigue and modern influencer rivalries. If you love locked-room mysteries with a sophisticated palate, rich historical details, and a clever amateur detective duo, this intoxicating listen is well worth uncorking.

Sensual, moody, and surprisingly funny.

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