Review: Killer Chardonnay by Kate Lansing

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
Berkley

Release Date:
May 26, 2020








Synopsis from Goodreads:

A young winery owner won't let one sour grape ruin the bunch in the first installment of this exciting cozy mystery series.

Parker Valentine has always dreamed of opening her own winery in her hometown of Boulder, Colorado. But she gets more than she bargained for when a food and wine critic unexpectedly shows up at Vino Valentine on opening day. A negative review could be fatal for her business, and not only does he seem to hate her chardonnay, he also collapses and dies shortly after drinking it.

Although Parker hoped that the attendees would put a cork in it, soon her winery is at the center of a social media firestorm. With #killerchardonnay trending online, Parker's business is in danger of closing, and she has no choice but to investigate the murder herself.

To restore her reputation, catch a killer, and keep her struggling business open, Parker needs only one thing: some good proof.

My Review

One of Parker Valentine’s biggest dreams is to open her own winery. Where better to do that than her hometown of Boulder, Colorado? She’s more than a little nervous as she is also desperate to please her difficult parents.

Opening day has arrived, but things take a nasty turn when a famous food and wine critic shows up unexpectedly. He doesn’t seem to be thrilled with her wine and that’s no way to start off her new business. Things really turn into a nightmare when the critic suddenly dies after drinking her wine.

The gossips are out in full force when #killerchardonnay starts trending. Parker’s clientele is almost non-existent and the police turn their investigation on her. The town thinks they have a killer in their midst.

Parker takes it upon herself to do some investigating and find out who the real killer is, despite the police telling her to butt out.

I loved, loved, loved this one! It’s the first in a brand new cozy mystery series, A Colorado Wine Mystery and it’s off to a wonderful start. It’s so much fun to get in on a series right from the start.

The characters are well-written and well-developed. Parker is an ambitious, likeable amateur sleuth, surrounded with a strong supporting cast. I feel like I’m part of their group already :)

It’s a fast-paced mystery which kept me guessing until the end. I thought I knew who did it but I was so wrong and happy to be wrong. There’s an exciting finale to wrap everything up. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series. Yes, I wanted wine with every page I turned! Great start!

This is one of those books I would have rated higher than five if I rated books higher than five :)

For reading challenges:
Cruisin thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2020
Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2020
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2020

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.