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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Single Malt Murder by Melinda Mullet is the first book in A Whiskey Business Mystery series. Abigail “Abi” Logan has returned to England upon hearing about the death of her uncle, Bennett Logan. Abi is a photojournalist and was in Africa on assignment when she received the call that he was dying. Ben suffered from lung cancer and the end came quicker than expected. Abi heads to Scotland with her friend, Patrick (associate editor for Wine and Spirits Monthly) for Ben’s funeral and the reading of his will. Before leaving London, Abi receives a threatening note. Someone is not happy that Abi is inheriting Abbey Glen, Ben’s single malt whiskey distillery. About fifteen years prior, Ben retired and sold Haven, his home. He relocated to Balfour, Scotland where he renovated an old distillery and house for himself. This is Abi’s first visit to Ben’s home (she held a grudge with Ben for selling Haven). They arrive at Ben’s home to find another warning (a very nasty one which I am not describing). Abi discovers that someone has also been sabotaging the distillery. Abi and Patrick decide to check on the distillery before retiring on the day of the funeral (worried that someone would take advantage of the place being empty). They are in the Yeast Room and find a body in a washback. It seems that the saboteur has escalated to murder. Abi is planning on selling Abbey Glen, but she cannot move forward with her plans until she finds the person responsible. She does not believe the local police are up to the task. But the locals do not appreciate Abi’s presence and prefer to keep their secrets hidden. It will take all of Abi’s investigative skills to uncover the offender and remain alive to see the wrongdoer brought to justice.
Single Malt Murder contained an interesting and complex mystery. A good sleuth will be able to identify the wrongdoer if they pay close attention (one sentence provided me with the identity). The novel is easy to read (for the most part), but I did find the pace a little slow at times. I had trouble liking Abi. She is an acquired taste (just like whiskey). I did like her approach to investigating the crime, though, I quickly tired of her three words for each person. I give Single Malt Murder 4 out of 5 stars. The setting sounded beautiful. I would love to visit the area. The whiskey making process is described in the book. It is complicated and involves many steps (this is one area where the flow is slow). I do not drink so I was unaware of the different types of whiskey. I believe the book could have done with just a little more editing. I found it to be a little too long. I wish the author had not made the romance element so prevalent. I did tire of Abi admiring Grant’s appearance and personality as well as debating the merits of getting involved with him. Single Malt Murder is a good first book and it will be interesting to see where the author takes the series in the future.
Single Malt Murder contained an interesting and complex mystery. A good sleuth will be able to identify the wrongdoer if they pay close attention (one sentence provided me with the identity). The novel is easy to read (for the most part), but I did find the pace a little slow at times. I had trouble liking Abi. She is an acquired taste (just like whiskey). I did like her approach to investigating the crime, though, I quickly tired of her three words for each person. I give Single Malt Murder 4 out of 5 stars. The setting sounded beautiful. I would love to visit the area. The whiskey making process is described in the book. It is complicated and involves many steps (this is one area where the flow is slow). I do not drink so I was unaware of the different types of whiskey. I believe the book could have done with just a little more editing. I found it to be a little too long. I wish the author had not made the romance element so prevalent. I did tire of Abi admiring Grant’s appearance and personality as well as debating the merits of getting involved with him. Single Malt Murder is a good first book and it will be interesting to see where the author takes the series in the future.
allykat's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
h3dakota's review against another edition
3.0
3-3.5 stars. Love the details of whiskey making in this one. Liked most of the characters. Main character had her truly stupid moments (see someone watching her house at night, doesn't call the police, but takes a sleeping pill instead?!), but as a whole, I liked her. Like it enough to continue with the series.
raucous's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
SINGLE MALT MURDER by Melinda Mullet
The First Whisky Business Mystery
Raised by her Uncle Ben after her parents died in a tragic accident, Abigail Logan is a world-renowned photojournalist. After getting word that her uncle has taken a turn for the worse, Abi leaves her assignment in Sierra Leone, but returns home too late. Her uncle has died of cancer. Along with her best friend, Patrick, Abi heads to Scotland for the funeral and to see Abbey Glen, the distillery she's inherited. But before she can even cross the border, she begins to receive threatening misogynistic messages. Someone does not want a woman running a distillery. Upon her arrival at the well respected Scottish boutique distillery Abi is met with ill concealed disdain. The threatening messages continue and Abi also learns that Abbey Glen has been dealing with sabotage. The night after Ben's funeral Abi and Patrick discover the body of a young employee. Was he the victim of sabotage, or was it murder?
SINGLE MALT MURDER is a traditional mystery with more adult themes and a darker ambiance. It's a novel about trust. Are the employees of Abbey Glen faithful to the distillery, or are they working against Abi? Could a potential buyer be behind the sabotage and threats? What about the villagers? Can Abi trust herself? Compelling, complex characters inhabit this world throwing suspicion in all directions.
Melinda Mullet chose a unique and fascinating setting and topic for her mystery series. While I'm not a fan of Scotch, I do like whisky and enjoyed learning more about distilleries, their history, and the hobby of collecting the spirit. This first Whisky Business mystery is an absorbing read that gives a satisfying conclusion yet leaves plenty of avenues to explore in future Whisky Business books.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The First Whisky Business Mystery
Raised by her Uncle Ben after her parents died in a tragic accident, Abigail Logan is a world-renowned photojournalist. After getting word that her uncle has taken a turn for the worse, Abi leaves her assignment in Sierra Leone, but returns home too late. Her uncle has died of cancer. Along with her best friend, Patrick, Abi heads to Scotland for the funeral and to see Abbey Glen, the distillery she's inherited. But before she can even cross the border, she begins to receive threatening misogynistic messages. Someone does not want a woman running a distillery. Upon her arrival at the well respected Scottish boutique distillery Abi is met with ill concealed disdain. The threatening messages continue and Abi also learns that Abbey Glen has been dealing with sabotage. The night after Ben's funeral Abi and Patrick discover the body of a young employee. Was he the victim of sabotage, or was it murder?
SINGLE MALT MURDER is a traditional mystery with more adult themes and a darker ambiance. It's a novel about trust. Are the employees of Abbey Glen faithful to the distillery, or are they working against Abi? Could a potential buyer be behind the sabotage and threats? What about the villagers? Can Abi trust herself? Compelling, complex characters inhabit this world throwing suspicion in all directions.
Melinda Mullet chose a unique and fascinating setting and topic for her mystery series. While I'm not a fan of Scotch, I do like whisky and enjoyed learning more about distilleries, their history, and the hobby of collecting the spirit. This first Whisky Business mystery is an absorbing read that gives a satisfying conclusion yet leaves plenty of avenues to explore in future Whisky Business books.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
katy82's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok. I was really more interested in reading a cozy mystery than learning about whiskey. The story stops for pages at a time so that we can learn all about making whiskey and buying whiskey and drinking whiskey and on and on and on.
Also, I felt like there was too much monologuing. The author gave us sketches of good characters, but instead of letting their relationships develop - and the mystery unfold - through action in the story, she gives us long passages of the main character, Abi, just talking at people (or thinking about people.)
I’m always on the lookout for a new cozy series, but I don’t think I’ll be picking up the other books in this one.
Also, I felt like there was too much monologuing. The author gave us sketches of good characters, but instead of letting their relationships develop - and the mystery unfold - through action in the story, she gives us long passages of the main character, Abi, just talking at people (or thinking about people.)
I’m always on the lookout for a new cozy series, but I don’t think I’ll be picking up the other books in this one.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book! It has a unique premise, superb setting and wonderful characters. I learned a lot about the process of distilling whisky. I like learning. I like whisky. Not usually Scotch whisky, but some of the ones described in the book sounded pretty wonderful.
Anyway....the main character is believably drawn into the investigation. She's an investigative photo journalist, so searching out the truth comes naturally to her. I liked her. She has flaws that she's working through and she wants to do the right thing by the folks in the village. And for herself.
The mystery was very well done. I had no clue of the whodunit, but it was smoothly believable.
I'm really looking forward to the next in the series, DEATH DISTILLED.
I can definitely recommend this book.
Anyway....the main character is believably drawn into the investigation. She's an investigative photo journalist, so searching out the truth comes naturally to her. I liked her. She has flaws that she's working through and she wants to do the right thing by the folks in the village. And for herself.
The mystery was very well done. I had no clue of the whodunit, but it was smoothly believable.
I'm really looking forward to the next in the series, DEATH DISTILLED.
I can definitely recommend this book.
tracy_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
This was a excellent debut cozy mystery for Ms. Mullet. It is well written with fully developed characters that are realistic and dimensional and a complex, layered mystery that had a very satisfying ending. I also very much enjoyed the unique theme and learning more about the making of whiskey. I for one am looking forward to more to come from this author.
A full review will be posted after the release date per the publisher request. It will be posted to my blog http://peggysbookshelf.blogspot.com/.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley. This did not influence my opinion and the thoughts expressed are my own.
A full review will be posted after the release date per the publisher request. It will be posted to my blog http://peggysbookshelf.blogspot.com/.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley. This did not influence my opinion and the thoughts expressed are my own.
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
Abigail has inherited a distillery, the only problem is that it comes with a body too... I am not sure if the quality of the whiskey would be any good with body flavour! ;)
This book is not only for mystery lovers, is perfect for whiskey connoisseurs too!
This book has surprised me a lot, it's not just intriguing, the mystery will keep you guessing till the end of the book and there are a few interesting lessons about whiskey.
While we enter to the whiskey world, we would meet some very interesting characters, of course, all of them with a good motive to kill... Would Abigail discover the truth before it's too late?
This is the first book of the Whiskey Business Mystery, and I can not wait to read the next one! I am quite intrigued on how Abigail would continue her adventure in the whiskey world, and of course, will she find a little bit of love?
It was interesting the Abigail sixth sense, whenever she meets a new person, her mind gives her three adjectives to describe this person, this helps her to solve this mystery, but at the same time helps us, the readers, to connect better with the story and the characters. And let me say it, I can wait to discover the next adjective of the attractive Grant...!
I was resigned to discover that the whiskey's world is men's exclusive, I am not a whiskey fan, but I prefer a good whiskey than some wines! And I am sure, sooner or later, this "exclusive world" would have to accept women, and we will make good whiskey too!
Do you like whiskey?
This book is not only for mystery lovers, is perfect for whiskey connoisseurs too!
This book has surprised me a lot, it's not just intriguing, the mystery will keep you guessing till the end of the book and there are a few interesting lessons about whiskey.
While we enter to the whiskey world, we would meet some very interesting characters, of course, all of them with a good motive to kill... Would Abigail discover the truth before it's too late?
This is the first book of the Whiskey Business Mystery, and I can not wait to read the next one! I am quite intrigued on how Abigail would continue her adventure in the whiskey world, and of course, will she find a little bit of love?
It was interesting the Abigail sixth sense, whenever she meets a new person, her mind gives her three adjectives to describe this person, this helps her to solve this mystery, but at the same time helps us, the readers, to connect better with the story and the characters. And let me say it, I can wait to discover the next adjective of the attractive Grant...!
I was resigned to discover that the whiskey's world is men's exclusive, I am not a whiskey fan, but I prefer a good whiskey than some wines! And I am sure, sooner or later, this "exclusive world" would have to accept women, and we will make good whiskey too!
Do you like whiskey?