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yetanothersusan's review
4.0
Looks like Abi Logan is finally realizing how serious the whiskey business is when she attends a conference and whiskey awards event. Serious enough that people might be dying over it! And then, of course, when people near and dear to her are suspected of the murders, Abi steps in to investigate. This time, in contrast to previous opportunities, with the tacit approval of the detective, who is extremely short handed due to a flu that seems to have taken down the force. While I enjoyed the mystery, I really enjoyed the relationship blooming between Abi and the detective. Not romantic, but a solid friendship. Rarely do we see that in most cozies. Usually it is a bit adversarial. This, like a good good whiskey, was rare and refreshing.
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Random House - Alibi in exchange for an honest review.
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Random House - Alibi in exchange for an honest review.
mssunnyskies's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
longtimereader's review
5.0
Scotland, whiskey, and murder. What a great premise for a cozy and a series. I love the title and the series has a good bit of humor and puns. I like that a great deal. As the third in the series I didn't feel like I missed too much if it were standing alone. I like Abi. She's tough, and she's good. The story has great pacing you have finished it so much faster than you realized. It's a nice who-done-it mystery. I hope to read more of this series.
Thanks to Net Galley for my digital copy of this book. This review is my own. A positive review is never required.
Thanks to Net Galley for my digital copy of this book. This review is my own. A positive review is never required.
mystereity's review
4.0
One of the last of the reviews I have to make up from Netgalley
I can't believe this is the third book in this series already, seems like only yesterday Abi showed up to take over her uncle's whisky distillery. In this book, Abi and the distillery gang heads to a whisky competition and on the first night, a competition judge turns up dead, poisoned. As Abi races to discover how is behind the poisoning, another judge is found dead, also by poisoning. As she closes in on the killer, her partner Grant is poisoned after borrowing Abi's toothpaste and is hospitalized. There was no shortage of suspects in this one, most of whom had their own interrelated paths that wove a tangled web into the investigation. Bit by bit, Abi untangled the knots but not before two men died and her business partner (and romantic interest) nearly died. I liked the police inspector, Michaelson, had more background added, making him more a part of the story than in the other books. The addition of Breanna, Grant's ex-girlfriend also added another layer and looks like she will be in further books.
The explosive ending was by far the best part. I had an inkling who the murderer was around halfway or two thirds through the book, and I wanted to smack Abi and tell her she was on the wrong track. Still, it was an exciting ending and a great cap to a great book.
I have one small complaint: No, you cannot go to the store and buy a bottle of vape juice and poison someone with it. Also, vape juice is not nicotine with flavoring added, there also PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin) added. Nicotine is also already diluted when you buy it, usually with PG, but sometimes with VG and in varying concentrations. With all the hoopla in the news lately about how "vaping is killing people" it isn't and considering how many people have stopped smoking cigarettes with vaping (I'm one of them) I hate to see misinformation being spread. It's bad enough in the media, but I've read a couple of books with this as a plot device and it's unacceptable.
I can't believe this is the third book in this series already, seems like only yesterday Abi showed up to take over her uncle's whisky distillery. In this book, Abi and the distillery gang heads to a whisky competition and on the first night, a competition judge turns up dead, poisoned. As Abi races to discover how is behind the poisoning, another judge is found dead, also by poisoning. As she closes in on the killer, her partner Grant is poisoned after borrowing Abi's toothpaste and is hospitalized. There was no shortage of suspects in this one, most of whom had their own interrelated paths that wove a tangled web into the investigation. Bit by bit, Abi untangled the knots but not before two men died and her business partner (and romantic interest) nearly died. I liked the police inspector, Michaelson, had more background added, making him more a part of the story than in the other books. The addition of Breanna, Grant's ex-girlfriend also added another layer and looks like she will be in further books.
The explosive ending was by far the best part. I had an inkling who the murderer was around halfway or two thirds through the book, and I wanted to smack Abi and tell her she was on the wrong track. Still, it was an exciting ending and a great cap to a great book.
I have one small complaint: No, you cannot go to the store and buy a bottle of vape juice and poison someone with it. Also, vape juice is not nicotine with flavoring added, there also PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin) added. Nicotine is also already diluted when you buy it, usually with PG, but sometimes with VG and in varying concentrations. With all the hoopla in the news lately about how "vaping is killing people" it isn't and considering how many people have stopped smoking cigarettes with vaping (I'm one of them) I hate to see misinformation being spread. It's bad enough in the media, but I've read a couple of books with this as a plot device and it's unacceptable.
dollycas's review
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Abigail Logan still has a lot to learn about being a distillery owner but she is really making herself at home in Balfour. She is trying to keep her mind on Whisky business, but when she and her business partner, Grant MacEwan attend a whisky competition at a 5-star resort she may not be able to resist his charms. Then before the Golden Quaich competition begins, where several Abbey Glen Whiskys are up for awards 2 of the judges are killed. DI Ian Michaelson asks for Abi’s help as a photographer to take pictures of the crime scenes. Her keen observation skills see things other people don’t and she soon finds herself investigating. If she is not careful, she may be the killer’s next victim.
Abigail Logan is a wonderful protagonist. Smart, strong, and independent. She has taken on the job as owner of the distillery quite well. She has a great team helping her and teaching her everything about the whiskey business. She is still trying to keep Grant in the friend zone, but there is no denying the chemistry there. Grant stole my heart long ago so I am rooting for them to have a relationship that works. Her friend Patrick redeemed himself for me in this story. I wasn’t so fond of him in the last one. I really enjoy the friendship between Abi and Katherine McRae. Their shopping trip to get Abi the right clothes was fun to read. I also enjoyed that the resort allowed pets so Liam could go too. He was on his best behavior, for the most part 🙂
The story is set at a whisky convention so we are introduced to several characters. The author does an excellent job of making them each unique so I was able to get to know them pretty quickly. There was a character that returned from a prior story too, it was great to have him cross Abi’s path again. As always a certain 4-legged character gives the story some laughs.
This mystery had a whole resort full of suspects, some were easily eliminated but others needed more investigation. Ms. Mullet has a great talent for misdirecting her readers which makes following along with Abi and her friends so entertaining. She ratchets up the suspense at the perfect time and gives readers a great conclusion. She also gives us just a little cliffhanger that leaves as longing for the next book.
I love the way she sets a scene. She describes everything in a way that puts you right there in the room or out in the countryside. She also educates her readers about Whisky and I love learning new things when I am reading. I like whiskey but have never had Scottish whisky. I may have to rectify that soon.
For me, this was A Perfect Escape!! A stellar mystery with great characters set in a beautiful place. I can’t wait for my next visit! Died in the Wool: A Whisky Business Mystery comes out May 14, 2019.
Abigail Logan still has a lot to learn about being a distillery owner but she is really making herself at home in Balfour. She is trying to keep her mind on Whisky business, but when she and her business partner, Grant MacEwan attend a whisky competition at a 5-star resort she may not be able to resist his charms. Then before the Golden Quaich competition begins, where several Abbey Glen Whiskys are up for awards 2 of the judges are killed. DI Ian Michaelson asks for Abi’s help as a photographer to take pictures of the crime scenes. Her keen observation skills see things other people don’t and she soon finds herself investigating. If she is not careful, she may be the killer’s next victim.
Abigail Logan is a wonderful protagonist. Smart, strong, and independent. She has taken on the job as owner of the distillery quite well. She has a great team helping her and teaching her everything about the whiskey business. She is still trying to keep Grant in the friend zone, but there is no denying the chemistry there. Grant stole my heart long ago so I am rooting for them to have a relationship that works. Her friend Patrick redeemed himself for me in this story. I wasn’t so fond of him in the last one. I really enjoy the friendship between Abi and Katherine McRae. Their shopping trip to get Abi the right clothes was fun to read. I also enjoyed that the resort allowed pets so Liam could go too. He was on his best behavior, for the most part 🙂
The story is set at a whisky convention so we are introduced to several characters. The author does an excellent job of making them each unique so I was able to get to know them pretty quickly. There was a character that returned from a prior story too, it was great to have him cross Abi’s path again. As always a certain 4-legged character gives the story some laughs.
This mystery had a whole resort full of suspects, some were easily eliminated but others needed more investigation. Ms. Mullet has a great talent for misdirecting her readers which makes following along with Abi and her friends so entertaining. She ratchets up the suspense at the perfect time and gives readers a great conclusion. She also gives us just a little cliffhanger that leaves as longing for the next book.
I love the way she sets a scene. She describes everything in a way that puts you right there in the room or out in the countryside. She also educates her readers about Whisky and I love learning new things when I am reading. I like whiskey but have never had Scottish whisky. I may have to rectify that soon.
For me, this was A Perfect Escape!! A stellar mystery with great characters set in a beautiful place. I can’t wait for my next visit! Died in the Wool: A Whisky Business Mystery comes out May 14, 2019.
lisaeliza's review
4.0
A lovely, atmospheric cozy. There were lots of interesting suspects and backstories but let’s be real. It’s all about Liam. Definitely one of my favourite literary puppers.
robinwalter's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This series started off with quite a bit of promise, The first in the series was quite taut and credible, with enough of an edge set it apart from most cosies. But the writing, especially the characterisation of the lead, got worse with each of the next two books. In book 2, the lead comes across as a different character altogether - a hardened war photographer fleeing in fear from from a murder scene just one example.
Book 3 was so dire it was time to ditch the series. Book 2 of the series had a few instances of the allegedly UK-born and raised journalist lead using Americanisms that such a character wouldn't, and that sort of sloppy, lazy writing got worse in book 3 - there's no way the lead character would call someone knighted for services to business "a peer of the realm", especially in her own mind.
The lead also got progressive more unlikeable. She thinks VERY highly of her skills, yet all three books see her making serious errors of judgment and deduction, while still insisting that she is more competent than the police and knows best. And not just in matters of crime solving. Despite being a complete failure at relationships, she gives advice to the investigating officer with a truly aggravating air of superiority. She's not, she doesn't and nor, sadly does the author. Just another crank 'em out cosy series after all.
The lead also got progressive more unlikeable. She thinks VERY highly of her skills, yet all three books see her making serious errors of judgment and deduction, while still insisting that she is more competent than the police and knows best. And not just in matters of crime solving. Despite being a complete failure at relationships, she gives advice to the investigating officer with a truly aggravating air of superiority. She's not, she doesn't and nor, sadly does the author. Just another crank 'em out cosy series after all.
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