"Diplomatic Tales" tells the story of how American diplomacy works overseas. Career diplomat William S. Shepard first guides us through the practical side of diplomatic experience in Part One, Consular Tales, a record of his actual experiences in five missions overseas, and in the Department of State in Washington.

In Part Two, Foreign Service Tales, we explore through fiction every part of an American Embassy, from the glamorous Ambassadorial suite to the General Services Office where essential security and other administrative functions are performed. Along the way, jealousy, love lost and gained, murder and hauntings can be expected

"Shepard's Guide to Mastering French Wines" makes you an authority on the finest French wines. Explore the vineyards region by region. Then throw away those misleading point scorecards as you develop your own wine taste.

What They Are Saying About Shepard's Robbie Cutler Diplomatic Mystery Series "Bill Shepard has adroitly used his encyclopedic knowledge of Bordeaux and the region to weave a fascinating story. If you like Bordeaux wine read "Vintage Murder,"" - Evan Galbraith, United States Ambassador to France 1981-1985. ""Murder On The Danube" is very well written, very informative and very entertaining. Reminds me of Eric Ambler's "A Coffin for Demetrios,"" - John Goodspeed, Star/Democrat.

"The Saladin Affair is equal parts Graham Greene, John Le Carre, and Ian Fleming, rounded out with a generous dash of Robert M. Parker. Pour a glass of wine and enjoy this timely thriller." Ben Giliberti, former Washington Post Wine Critic

"Having served with Bill Shepard in Viet-Nam, I value his diplomatic skills highly. In The Saladin Affair, his imaginative and accurate depictions of Vienna, Dublin and Riga, which I know well, put you into those cities and the world of high stakes diplomacy." Vernon Penner, former Ambassador to Cape Verde (1986-1990) and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs.

"Diplomatic Tales" tells the story of how American diplomacy works overseas. Career diplomat William S. Shepard first guides us through the practical side of diplomatic experience in Part One, Consular Tales, a record of his actual experiences in five missions overseas, and in the Department of State in Washington.

In Part Two, Foreign Service Tales, we explore through fiction every part of an American Embassy, from the glamorous Ambassadorial suite to the General Services Office where essential security and other administrative functions are performed. Along the way, jealousy, love lost and gained, murder and hauntings can be expected!

Diplomat Robbie Cutler and his bride Sylvie have spent an adventurous honeymoon in the scenic Dordogne region of France. The scenery and good food were expected--the murders were not!

They discover the Chateau de Rastignac, the French White House, and its secrets. It was in this historic chateau that the French owners tried to hide priceless paintings from the Nazis during World War Two. But the paintings disappeared, and have not been seen since that time.

The Cutler honeymoon is abruptly interrupted by the discovery of a murder victim, a young woman who served with the French Resistance. Solving the mystery of her death--and the possible fate of the missing paintings--takes some sleuthing through Resistance history.

History ends when a vicious killer tries to murder the newlyweds. Then it is a race against time, before the killer strikes once again.

"Shepard's Guide to Mastering French Wines" makes you an authority on the finest French wines. Explore the vineyards region by region. Then throw away those misleading point scorecards as you develop your own wine taste.

What They Are Saying About Shepard's Robbie Cutler Diplomatic Mystery Series "Bill Shepard has adroitly used his encyclopedic knowledge of Bordeaux and the region to weave a fascinating story. If you like Bordeaux wine read "Vintage Murder,"" - Evan Galbraith, United States Ambassador to France 1981-1985. ""Murder On The Danube" is very well written, very informative and very entertaining. Reminds me of Eric Ambler's "A Coffin for Demetrios,"" - John Goodspeed, Star/Democrat.