Dollycas’s Thoughts

With New Year’s Day approaching bar owner Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton has decided she has just one New Year’s resolution . . . to get her life back! Two people close to her have been killed and she knows she is next. This dastardly letter writer has threatened her and her friends long enough. She has a plan to nab the killer right after the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s and put an end to the race against time she has been on long enough.

What could possibly go wrong?

Ms. Abbott has created a large dynamic and diverse cast of characters over the course of this series. I find them very easy to keep track of because of the excellent character development that has taken place. The cool thing is there is still room for them to grow. I love the Capone Club and its endeavors to solve mysteries. Mack has kept her personal case from most of them to try to keep them safe. She really does put everyone else first. Still on crutches she and the undercover cop pretending to be her boyfriend Mal work hard to chase down clues before the time runs out staving off another death.

What I really enjoy is virtually traveling with these characters to Milwaukee’s wonderful tourist attractions. In this book, we visit the Mitchell Domes, the Pabst Mansion, and the Milwaukee Museum all decked out in their holiday finery. They are all places I love to take my family. They also have perfect little nooks and crannies and dirt for Mack and Mal to look for clues. It was fun the last few books to go everywhere with them but being tied to a possible murder made things intense.

In past installments, there was always a primary mystery with the letter-writer mystery holding the secondary place. This time it had to be the main mystery to enable it to reach its satisfying conclusion. The author added plenty of twists and turns. Many involved Mack’s special Synaesthesia gift and others good old-fashioned legwork. With a long list of suspects, they had a quagmire of details to work through.

Also wrapped up at the end of this story was the romantic triangle of Mack, Duncan, and Mal, but I was pretty unhappy with the choice she made. I am curious to see how the relationship she has chosen works.

A Toast to Murder is a complex mystery with genuine characters. Having it set close to where I live and have traveled and the fact that I grew up in a bar environment too makes this series extra special for me. It was a Perfect Escape.

I have enjoyed the Mack's Bar Mystery series. Learning about Synesthesia, which is a neurological glitch that mixes up the senses such as smelling or tasting something when you hear a sound or voice. This neurological glitch is a real thing and in Mack's case, allows her to figure out clues to crimes that others will miss. The ongoing story in this series is that someone has challenged Mack. She receives letters and clues that she has to figure out within a certain time or someone is murdered. In the previous books, she has kept this a secret from her friends and fellow bar detectives, but is not thinking that the person responsible for the murder of some of her friends and acquaintances is someone close to her and/or her bar. Her plan is to have a private New Year's Eve party and determine not only who the killer is, but their accomplice and get them to confess.

A Toast to Murder contains good writing and has a nice flow making it easy to read and enjoy. I will say that it is important to read these books in order or you will not be able to follow the story that continues with each book. I like Mack Dalton and her uncommon ability, although I really wanted her to make up her mind as far as which detective she really wanted to have a relationship with. I am happy to say she makes her choice in this book. This book did not showcase the Capone Club as much as in previous books. This story was pretty much Mack and the two detectives, solving this one. There was still a lot of computer work and sneaking around listening to conversations, but I missed some of the main characters from the other stories. The mystery is complex and it has developed over the five books in the series. There were plenty of suspects, and most readers, myself included, will be surprised when the guilty party is revealed. The clues pointing to the person’s identity are subtle, but in hindsight, you can see them. I was glad to see this storyline come to a satisfactory ending and look forward to what is next for Mack and The Capone Club.

Not a cozy, nor hardboiled nor funny yet a true mystery with a plot unlike I've read before. Its interesting in its way but the motive for the crime is ridiculous to me

I really like how Mack Dalton and her cohorts at the bar strategize and solve these cases. This is not the first in the series, so it took a bit to get going. It didn't take long however, as the pace and suspect list kept clipping a long at a good pace.

A Toast to Murder

by Allyson K. Abbott

There are suspects galore. The wannabe detective actually gets unwanted official recognition. The setting is interesting—a bar whose owner caters to the Capone Club, an informal crime solving group, by providing a room in the bar for their gatherings. There is a lot to like about this book.

You know what’s coming up next…a medium sized “but.” Yes, I liked the book, but it was not an “I just can’t put this down” mystery despite the fact that lives were hanging in the balance. This is not a case of book bashing because a serial book does not work well as a standalone: A Toast to Murder can stand on its own. The author actually does a good job of bringing the reader up to speed, but it is a constant process and becomes slightly intrusive. Because this mystery seems to occur over several books, it just doesn’t have a comfortable cohesiveness. Another problem I have with the book is that many of the suspects are not fleshed out enough for the reader to invest interest in the probability of their being the criminal. There are two love interests for bar owner Mack, but I had a hard time caring about her relationship with either of them. Perhaps that would be different if I had read previous books in the series.

On the positive side, the main character, Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton, has an interesting neurological disorder called synesthesia. In Mack’s words, “It causes one’s senses to get mixed up or cross-wired so that any sense I experience—smell, for instance—is manifested through a second sense at the same time. For instance, I not only hear people’s voices, I often taste them.” Although this disorder can be stressful for Mack, she has learned to use it to her advantage in solving crimes. The author deserves kudos for her creativity in constructing a plot that would focus on Mack’s skills in this area.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #5 in Mack’s Bar Mystery Series
2. Bonus section with mixed drink recipes

Publication: July 25, 2017—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

They hung around for an hour or two, chatting about the letter writer, speculating about motive, comparing whoever was behind it to Sherlock Holmes’s nemesis, Professor Moriarty. By inference, it meant they were comparing me to Sherlock Holmes, and I had to admit that I found the analogy a little flattering.

Synopsis

As Milwaukee counts down to New Year’s Eve, bar owner Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton has but one resolution—unmask the dangerous mastermind who has been taunting her and killed bouncer Gary Gunderson. Mack and her fellow barflies have fleshed out a suspect and arranged an invite-only party to put a cork in the murderer’s game for good. But when the clock strikes midnight and their suspect is found cold and stiff on the basement stairs, it seems the celebration may have come too soon. Now Mack must rely on her special talents to find the real criminal among the crowd of revelers—or someone won’t survive until last call . . .

Book Review:  
This book was an interesting read.  I don't mean that in a good way.  I had a difficult time reading the book because the MC: Mack was very self-centered.  I mean every three chapters we heard about her background, how she got her gift and on and on. . . .I almost made it a three, but the author did such a nice time in writing the book and I did like her friend that help her solve the mystery.

This is a great book but think I should have read the 4 books before hand as this one is the conclusion so sometimes I got a bit confused with some of the characters and the history. Well worth a read though

A Toast to Murder by Allyson K. Abbott is the fifth novel in A Mack’s Bar Mystery series. Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton owns Mack’s Bar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mack has been able to use her synesthesia to help solve crimes. But one person does not believe in her ability. Mack keeps receiving letters that test her abilities and each missive has a deadline. If Mack does not interpret the clues in time, a person close to her will die. One person has already lost their life (Mack was in an accident and broke her leg). Mack, with the help of her friends, sets up a trap to catch the killer. She has an idea as to the identity of one of the perpetrator’s, but she believes the individual is not working alone. A New Year’s Party at the bar is the perfect venue to expose the evil doers. But things do not work out quite as planned. Mack will need to use her special gift to reveal the villain before he (or she) is disappears into the night. Will Mack’s New Year’s resolution come true?

A Toast to Murder contains good writing and has a nice flow making for an easy to read (and enjoy) cozy mystery. I like Mack Dalton and her uncommon ability (I consider it a gift not a disorder). It something I was unfamiliar with prior to this series, and it is unique in cozy mysteries. A Mack’s Bar Mystery series needs to be read in order. Otherwise, you will be missing pertinent details regarding the mysterious letter writer and havoc it has caused to Mack’s life. There is some repetition of details (Mack’s disorder and the case). I am rating A Toast to Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The mystery is complex and it has evolved over the five books in the series. I did feel that the suspect list was a little long (over a dozen). I believe most readers (except armchair sleuths) will be surprised when the guilty party is revealed. Avid mystery readers, though, should be able to pinpoint the wrongdoer. The clues pointing to the person’s identity are subtle. My major issue with A Toast to Murder is the prominent romance. There is a love triangle (big sigh) that has unfolded slowly over the last four books. I am happy that Mack decides between her two beaux at the end of the book, but I was disappointed Mack’s choice. I did favor one fellow over the other (I would say which one, but then I would spoil it for you). I look forward to reading the next book in A Mack’s Bar Mystery series.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

A Toast to Murder by Allyson K. Abbott is book five in the Mack's Bar Mysteries series. This is the first book I have read in the series, and I was not lost at all. Mack (Mackenzie) owns a bar and has a neurological condition that allows her to experience multiple sensations at once. For example when someone speaks, she hears as well as sees or tastes their voice. She and the members of her Capone Club work together to solve mysteries. In this book that means tracking down a letter writer who is taunting her and targeting her friends. The story is told entirely by Mack and moves along quickly. The book is a bit darker than the usual cozy mystery, but I enjoyed it. The plot was well thought out, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end.

This book captured my interest and would not let me go. Mack has an unusual neurological condition that helps her solve the mystery. Sure beats ghosts and talking animals any day. This could be something the author made up for all I know, but as a book gimmick, it works. The drink recipes are an added bonus. I look forward to reading the next one in this enjoyable series. Celebrate New Year's Eve with Mack soon. You will be glad you did and no hangover (cliff hanger).

This is the fifth book in the mack's bar series. Mack Dalton is a bar owner. It is almost the new year and Mack is determined to solve the mystery of who has been taunting her with threatening letters and killing people close to her. Mack uses her skill of knowing when people are telling her the truth or not to try to find the culprit. She relies on a few trustworthy friends to help her as the letter writer insists that the police not be involved. But when an article comes out about her consulting with the police things take a turn. Mack must solve the writers letter fast before someone else gets hurt.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I do however wish I would have read the previous books as part of the plots were given away. The mystery was very well done. I did not guess who the culprit was. I will definitely be going back to read the previous books to see how the full story played out. I received an advanced copy from net galley for an honest review.

I had to go back and read the one before this to understand about the letters. It's okay as far as protagonist goes. The writer does have wonderful secondary characters in the Capone club members though. Mystery within itself was interesting I just didn't care for Mack

I think I will like this book better when I go back and read the 4 previous stories in the Mack's Bar series. Mack and her friends are being taunted by someone out to commit the perfect crime. This story has the Capone Club solving the murder of the bar's bouncer. Mack uses her special senses, being a human lie detector and extra sense of observation to catch the suspect before he can kill again. The cast of characters is unusual and likable and plenty of personalities for continuing the series.

The chilling scavenger hunt where Mack’s ability to decipher clues determines whether or not one of her friends or even she herself will die finally comes to a head in A Toast to Murder.  Don't be afraid to pick this novel up if you haven't read Allyson K Abbot’s previous novels.  She does an exemplary job of explaining previous events without it being boring or repetitive to readers who have read the previous novels.  Mack has synesthesia.  She experiences sensory information in multiple modalities, making her privy to information others are not, including giving her an uncanny sense when others are lying.  A Toast to Murder is a game changer.  While Mack believes she knows the identity of the letter writer, she has little concrete evidence.  She is also uncertain of who the writer’s accomplice is, although it is clear it is a member of the Capone club that has betrayed them.  As the police have put forth that Mack and her crew have been working as consultants all along,  Mack and her friends know that time is of the essence.  If Mack can’t trap the killers before midnight strikes on New Year’s Eve, she may not survive the festivities.

A Toast to Murder is a fantastic conclusion to the story arc begun in Murder on the Rocks.  Mack is an unusual and unforgettable lead.  Abbot skillfully details how Mack experiences information making it possible for readers to not only empathize but to understand the challenges that face her as well as the nature of her gift.  The Capone Club has successfully solved cold cases and redeemed a man unjustly imprisoned.  I can’t wait to see what is in store now that a serial killer isn’t pursuing Mack and now that she and the Capone club are openly to liaison with police.

5 / 5

I received a copy of A Toast to Murder from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

I especially liked this because of Mack's synthenesia= not a condition I've seen in any other mystery novel. Although I had not read the earlier books, I was able to catch up quickly due to the synopsis in the early chapters (I know this probably bothered readers of the series but it was helpful to me). Liked the bar setting, liked the cast of characters, and liked the fact that it was a little different from the traditional cozy Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC Try this if you enjoy mysteries that are light but a little twisty and which have some unique aspects.

My Rating, 3 out of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 5 in the series.

This book is an improvement over books 3 and 4. The plot is interesting and the characters are well developed but I still greatly dislike the mystery-within-a-mystery nonsense that was happening. I think weaving that plot-line through multiple books was kind of a cheap way of getting the reader to hang in there and keep reading. Between that and the love triangle, I very nearly didn't read this book. For the devoted reader, we do finally get an end to that mystery, and sort of an end to the love triangle, though at the end the other guy doesn't know Mac's made her choice.

So while I like Mac and her motley crew of mystery solvers, as well as Mac's special ability, I just don't think I will bother with reading any more books in this series.

5 stars for this excellent cozy mystery ! A Toast To Murder is book number 5 in the Mack's Bar mystery series. This can be read as a stand alone however I do recommend the entire series. The author does a excellent job of introducing each character if this is your first in series.
Bar owner Mackenzie has her hand full in this exciting mystery. Her bouncer has been murdered and someone is stalking her by letter. The letters contain clues with threats that her loved ones will be murdered unless she solves the clues. She has to act fast and solve the most difficult of all clues to save her employees, her boyfriend and herself.
I love the fast pace of this mystery and the well crafted clues. The mystery was full of twist and turns to delight any mystery reader. The characters all add depth to the story and feel like family to Mackenzie. . The addition of her mystery group that meets weekly at the bar to help her solve these clues add a element of fun for any mystery reader.
A very enjoyable mystery series with a fun element of a great sleuth. Very well recommended for any fan of cozy mysteries.
Thank you for the ARC which did not influence my review.

A Toast to Murder is an excellent addition to this exciting series by Allyson K. Abbott.
Mack is a strong character and her loyalty to her friends makes her extremely likeable.
I could imagine myself sitting down with her, just to get to know her.
In this thrilling story, Mack is done with the letter writer who is tormenting her with outlandish clues and killing those close to her.
She plans a New Year's Eve party and plans to draw the suspect out. Unfortunately, that means she needs to let all the members of the Capone Club know about the threats and the letters.
Knowing that her plans could backfire, Mack is still determined to put an end to this crime spree.

This is my favorite in the series so far. The plan to draw the suspect out was diabolical, and I found myself nervous that Mack would somehow get hurt.

I am looking forward to the next book.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

A Toast to Murder brings to a close an ongoing story arc about Mack Dalton's bar and the people who frequent it. Mac mostly grew up in the bar, as she was the only child of a widowed father and inherited it after he was murdered. Mack is grieving her father but wondering what she can do to solve the crime and enlists some of the long-time customers of the bar to help her. Mack has some unusual abilities that she thinks can help her. She has a neurological condition called synesthesia; one which gives her a heightened perception of stimuli. Synesthesia is described as a phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to an involuntary experience in a second pathway. For instance, she often sees colors and has tastes associated with certain people's voices. It also makes her an excellent lie detector. After a lifetime of coping with often conflicting sensory input, Mack sees a way to put her condition to good use. The detective investigating her father's murder, Duncan Albright, thinks so too.

With the help of the Capone Club, a group of old and new friends who meet in the bar, Mac has solved several cases, including that of her father, but there is a new problem. Two old friends have been murdered and Mac is receiving threating letters containing taunts about her abilities and newfound unwanted celebrity. Unless Mack solves the cryptic clues in the letters more friends will die and she will be the last victim. She must also do this without any help from the police or the Capone Club. The pressure is mounting and Mack decides that she must move to end it and forms a plan to bring all the suspects together at the Bar on New Year's Eve.

The Mack's Bar Mysteries have an interesting concept. Synesthesia is a real condition and Mac's version is an extreme one, as least from what I have read on the subject. My problem with the books is the number of suspects and characters, some of whom are not particularly memorable. Compounding the problem was the fact I missed reading one of the books and felt at sea until I realized it. There is a massive info dump at the beginning of A Toast to Murder but it didn't help so I went back to read the book I had missed. I don't recommend trying to read it out of series order.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a digital copy. The opinions above are my own.


RATING- 2.5 Stars