Scan barcode
thephdivabooks's review
4.0
I read Killer Chardonnay during that hazy time during the pandemic when I was just looking to escape a bit. I never posted most of my reviews of books during that time, but since I have continued reading this series I thought I would share my thoughts on the first book in the Colorado Wine Mysteries.
The series centers around Parker Valentine, a new business owner who has started a winery named Vino Valentine in Boulder, Colorado. In the first book, we are introduced to a central challenge in Parker’s life—her family isn’t exactly the most supportive of her business venture. Her parents really can’t be bothered to even commute across Boulder to in order to support her.
However, Parker’s brother Liam is the shining beacon of support within her family, and he just so happens to bring along his very attractive best friend, Reid Wallace, to celebrate the opening. Parker’s best friend Sage is also there to support, along with her boyfriend Jason Valleres.
One other unexpected guest shows up for opening day—food and wine critic Gaskel Brown. His reviews can make or break a new business so Parker is excited but stressed by his arrival. Parker has barely served Gaskel a glass of her Chautauqua Chardonnay and jotted down his less-than-favorable thoughts on her winemaking when he collapses and dies.
Parker soon finds Vino Valentine at the center of a social media firestorm, as early patrons post about the incident using #killerchardonnay to describe her business. Parker knows you can’t put the cork back in the bottle, as they say, and watches in horror as the story goes viral. To make matters worse, her old friend and current detective Eli Fuller is questioning Parker as the prime suspect.
If Parker has any hope of saving her reputation and her business, she will need to use her wits to get to the bottom of who was behind the murder of Gaskel Brown before she not only loses her business, but her freedom.
Killer Chardonnay is a great start to a cozy mystery series and introduced us to Parker and the supporting characters in her life. Parker is definitely early in her tenure as both a business owner and an amateur sleuth and it shows. She is still building her confidence and the lack of support from her parents certainly doesn’t help. She’s an instantly relatable character, and is still learning to trust her palate and knowledge when it comes to her wine making.
Book one also introduces a bit of a love triangle which seems to be a hallmark of the newer era of cozy mysteries. The whodunnit was fairly obvious, but since this is a first book that didn’t detract from the book since we are still learning about the characters and setting.
The series centers around Parker Valentine, a new business owner who has started a winery named Vino Valentine in Boulder, Colorado. In the first book, we are introduced to a central challenge in Parker’s life—her family isn’t exactly the most supportive of her business venture. Her parents really can’t be bothered to even commute across Boulder to in order to support her.
However, Parker’s brother Liam is the shining beacon of support within her family, and he just so happens to bring along his very attractive best friend, Reid Wallace, to celebrate the opening. Parker’s best friend Sage is also there to support, along with her boyfriend Jason Valleres.
One other unexpected guest shows up for opening day—food and wine critic Gaskel Brown. His reviews can make or break a new business so Parker is excited but stressed by his arrival. Parker has barely served Gaskel a glass of her Chautauqua Chardonnay and jotted down his less-than-favorable thoughts on her winemaking when he collapses and dies.
Parker soon finds Vino Valentine at the center of a social media firestorm, as early patrons post about the incident using #killerchardonnay to describe her business. Parker knows you can’t put the cork back in the bottle, as they say, and watches in horror as the story goes viral. To make matters worse, her old friend and current detective Eli Fuller is questioning Parker as the prime suspect.
If Parker has any hope of saving her reputation and her business, she will need to use her wits to get to the bottom of who was behind the murder of Gaskel Brown before she not only loses her business, but her freedom.
Killer Chardonnay is a great start to a cozy mystery series and introduced us to Parker and the supporting characters in her life. Parker is definitely early in her tenure as both a business owner and an amateur sleuth and it shows. She is still building her confidence and the lack of support from her parents certainly doesn’t help. She’s an instantly relatable character, and is still learning to trust her palate and knowledge when it comes to her wine making.
Book one also introduces a bit of a love triangle which seems to be a hallmark of the newer era of cozy mysteries. The whodunnit was fairly obvious, but since this is a first book that didn’t detract from the book since we are still learning about the characters and setting.
thepaige_turner's review against another edition
2.0
Bumped it up a star for throwing me back to Colorado which I miss dearly, but I knew who did it as soon as the character was introduced *eye roll*
barbarakingfisher's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
deanapotter's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars
Parker Valentine is about to see her dream come true. Her winery Vino Valentine, is opening its door. The wine is ready to flow, allowing Parker’s talent shine through grapes and fruits she blends. Opening day is not quite what Parker envisioned when a local food and wine critic unexpectedly stumbles into Vino Valentine. Not being too found of Parker’s Chardonnay, Mr. Critic doesn’t manage to stumble his way back out of the winery when he ends up dead on the floor. Creating the hashtag #killerchardonnay. Parker is caught in the middle of a hot mess as she instantly goes from a new business owner to one trying to save her business.
Parker rocks! I love how she approached everything that was happening around her. She was smooth, just like her wines. She could’ve fallen apart at many points in time yet she held her head high and made it her mission to get to the bottom of it. The descriptions of the wines alone make me wanna run to my local vineyard and see if I can find something even remotely close. I could totally see myself hanging out at the Vino Valentine. The mystery is well written. The story flows easy and just when you think you have it figured out, nope. Kate Lansing throws that twist that changes the game. The story flows so easily and the characters entertain and intrigue before you know it you have become fully invested in Parker. Killer Chardonnay is a mystery, with a good deal of suspense and a great heaping of romance added in. We all know I love the romance, Ms. Lansing blended it perfectly making it an enjoyable part of the story.
Killer Chardonnay is an easy lighthearted enjoyable cozy mystery that is just the beginning to what I’m sure is going to be a fantastic series.
The cat, Zin!!!! That cat, any cat owner will completely understand.
Parker Valentine is about to see her dream come true. Her winery Vino Valentine, is opening its door. The wine is ready to flow, allowing Parker’s talent shine through grapes and fruits she blends. Opening day is not quite what Parker envisioned when a local food and wine critic unexpectedly stumbles into Vino Valentine. Not being too found of Parker’s Chardonnay, Mr. Critic doesn’t manage to stumble his way back out of the winery when he ends up dead on the floor. Creating the hashtag #killerchardonnay. Parker is caught in the middle of a hot mess as she instantly goes from a new business owner to one trying to save her business.
Parker rocks! I love how she approached everything that was happening around her. She was smooth, just like her wines. She could’ve fallen apart at many points in time yet she held her head high and made it her mission to get to the bottom of it. The descriptions of the wines alone make me wanna run to my local vineyard and see if I can find something even remotely close. I could totally see myself hanging out at the Vino Valentine. The mystery is well written. The story flows easy and just when you think you have it figured out, nope. Kate Lansing throws that twist that changes the game. The story flows so easily and the characters entertain and intrigue before you know it you have become fully invested in Parker. Killer Chardonnay is a mystery, with a good deal of suspense and a great heaping of romance added in. We all know I love the romance, Ms. Lansing blended it perfectly making it an enjoyable part of the story.
Killer Chardonnay is an easy lighthearted enjoyable cozy mystery that is just the beginning to what I’m sure is going to be a fantastic series.
The cat, Zin!!!! That cat, any cat owner will completely understand.
porky's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
marbooks88's review against another edition
4.0
Parker Valentine is living her dream, opening a winery in Boulder, Colorado. But when a food critic dies at her opening after drinking her Chardonnay it looks like her dream winery could go under before it even really began. Parker is determined to save her winery and is determined to prove her Chardonnay didn't kill him. With the help of handsome chef, Reid she tries to figure out which of the recipients of a bad review was willing to kill the critic. Parker's life is further complicated by a police detective she knew in high school, a friend with big life decisions, and complicated family relationships. A satisfying read that will have you reaching for a glass of wine.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
rebeccasreadingrambles's review
4.0
What a great first installment in a new cozy series. I immediately liked Parker and her passion for her winery (despite some unsupportive or doubtful people in her life). I would visit in a heartbeat! The mystery had many twists and turns and though I did have an inkling about the culprit, I love how the ending was executed. I can't wait to read more!
hugbandit7's review
5.0
What a delightful new series set in Boulder Colorado centered around a new winery with interesting names for the wines and many food descriptions. It is like the best of all worlds for me.
Parker is quite an independent woman that thinks she does not have the support of her parents when she decides to open a winery. It is her passion and she has put everything into seeing this business succeed. However, she doesn't expect someone to be murdered on opening day and for this to create bad press for her winery. Despite the police involvement in trying to solve this case, Parker decides they aren't moving fast enough and decides to do some sleuthing on her own. As with most cozies, this almost lands her in some very hot water and possibly becoming a victim herself.
I was engrossed in this book from start to finish. I tried to figure out who the killer was and while I had my suspicions about this character by the end, I had not figured out the why. There are several red herrings, intriguing characters, and a potential love triangle. This book really starts the series off with a bang and the author has a lot to live up to with the next book.
There were a few quotes that I really liked and I wanted to share them with you:
"Like a good red wine, sometimes you need to let a problem breathe - decant - to better understand its flavors."
"...two undeniably attractive men waiting on my doorstep like Amazon packages."
We give this book 5 paws up and we want to try some of the dishes and the wines!
Parker is quite an independent woman that thinks she does not have the support of her parents when she decides to open a winery. It is her passion and she has put everything into seeing this business succeed. However, she doesn't expect someone to be murdered on opening day and for this to create bad press for her winery. Despite the police involvement in trying to solve this case, Parker decides they aren't moving fast enough and decides to do some sleuthing on her own. As with most cozies, this almost lands her in some very hot water and possibly becoming a victim herself.
I was engrossed in this book from start to finish. I tried to figure out who the killer was and while I had my suspicions about this character by the end, I had not figured out the why. There are several red herrings, intriguing characters, and a potential love triangle. This book really starts the series off with a bang and the author has a lot to live up to with the next book.
There were a few quotes that I really liked and I wanted to share them with you:
"Like a good red wine, sometimes you need to let a problem breathe - decant - to better understand its flavors."
"...two undeniably attractive men waiting on my doorstep like Amazon packages."
We give this book 5 paws up and we want to try some of the dishes and the wines!
thisandthatwithkaren's review against another edition
5.0
“Killer Chardonnay" by Kate Lansing the first in her new “Colorado Wine Mystery” series. What a great start to a new series! I’m not a wine drinker but I enjoyed learning about wine, and things to pair with them. Luckily there are some great recipes at the back of the book.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in two sittings. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises.
I loved the characters which are well developed, especially Parker she made a good protagonist. The secondary characters were likeable as well. It ended with two men vying for Parker’s attention... I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in two sittings. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises.
I loved the characters which are well developed, especially Parker she made a good protagonist. The secondary characters were likeable as well. It ended with two men vying for Parker’s attention... I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.