4.5 Stars

This is the first book in the A Colorado Wine Mystery series by Kate Lansing.

I know nothing about wine or alcohol. I don’t even drink. But I still was glued to my seat by this Chardonnay Mystery.

Basic premise: Parker Valentine is starting her first business as a wine maker. On the opening day of her winery, a food and wine critic makes an appearance and ends up dead in the middle of the festivities. Parker needs to prove she had nothing to do with his death if she wants her business to survive.

Since this is a new series, everyone is a suspect here. None of the main cast are really a reality yet. So it was hard going for me. I was so suspicious of Reid, the flirty wanna be restaurant owner/chef. My chips were all in the court of Detective Eli as far as the romance aspect went. So I guess I was just hoping for a love connection there. Maybe there will be hope in the future.

I think the mystery of this was just so spot on! So many suspects. Then when the kid she wants to question also ends up dead…. wow! Drama! Detective Eli lost a bit of respect for Parker in that instance, I think. I am sure it had all of us scratching our heads in wonder of whodunit. I was completely clueless and so shocked when the true killer was revealed. Great plotting and triumphant red herrings.

This is definitely a series I want to continue with. I am all in now! Can’t wait for book two!

If you are looking for a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Killer Chardonnay was my first ever cozy mystery read, and I couldn't have kicked off my dip into the genre with a better story! The plot was intriguing and twisty with a modern feel, keeping me guessing until the finale. All of the characters were well-rounded and interesting, with each adding their own unique value and element of depth. I connected with Parker so much and found her relatable and inspiring, and the food and wine descriptions were both tantalizing and seamlessly blended in to the superb writing. Looking forward to more cozies from Kate Lansing. Until then, I'll have to try the fabulous recipes in the back while I re-read this gem of a debut.

3.5 stars

Promising series debut for the Colorado Wine Mysteries. The setting is Parker Valentine's newly-opened wine shop in Boulder, Colorado, and the locale and mood of the town are well-drawn. Parker is an appealing character. The wine shop is the fulfillment of her dreams, and she feels that apart from her late Aunt Lucy, she hasn't had much family support in realizing it.

She's set for her grand opening when almost the worst imaginable tragedy happens: a visiting wine critic dies of poison in the winery after tasting Parker's wines. How will her fledgling business survive? Despite warnings from the police, Parker feels driven to help investigate to clear her name.

The supporting cast is the investigating detective Eli, an old high school classmate of Parker's; her parents and her brother Liam; her best friend Sage and Sage's boyfriend Jason; Parker's star employee and winery assistant, and last but not least Reid, Liam's friend and a potential love interest for Parker.

Parker is a nicely fleshed-out character and her musings add to the story interest. Thanks to Net Galley and to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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.

From the first pages, I was immediately transported to Vino Valentine, the winery owned by Parker Valentine. I could smell it, see it, taste the wine and as a wine lover, I was immediately in love. I wanted to be at the opening party for the winery. Well, except when the famous critic dies from his sip of the winery's chardonnay. And the book was off and running.

Wine, possible sparks between two men, a cat named Zinfandel and a mystery make this a page turning read. Plus it was beautifully written, so much so that I could picture Colorado and the characters perfectly, imagining myself there. I read this is two days, rooting for Parker and her new winery, hoping she survives this mystery that surrounds the opening of her winery. A definite recommend!

Killer Chardonnay by Kate Lansing
Book #1: Colorado Wine Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Berkley
Rating: 4/5 stars

Nothing will kill a brand-new business like a scandal on opening day! Parker Valentine has poured every ounce of everything into her new Boulder-based winery and though she is looking forward to finally being open, she’s also tremendously nervous. As it turns, her nerves aren’t unfounded. Shortly after opening, a rather stylish couple break out into a fight and a man is found dead in the bathroom. Before her business is even allowed to crawl, Parker’s winery is already on its last leg.

As if the fight and the dead we’re bad enough, the dead man was also a notorious food critic whose left-behind notes seem to implicate Parker as his killer. In no time flat, social media has picked up on the story and in the blink of an eye, Parker’s winery is trending, and not in the good way. If her business is going to have any chance of survival, Parker has got to figure out who killed the critic and why. Though the police have warned her to stay out of the investigation, Parker has never been one to sit still and do nothing and what harm can asking a few questions really cause?

In the course of her investigation, Parker discovers all kinds of dirty little secrets and players in an elaborate game. She also discovers a delectable local chef who is intent on having Parker’s wine in his new restaurant and helping her solve the mystery of the dead critic. He’s handsome, smooth, and one of her brother’s good friends which makes him virtually off limits. Trouble is, he’s also kind and willing to help Parker which makes him an ally in what becomes a very dangerous investigation.

The Bottom Line: I’m not particularly a wine drinker but I sure do love books about wine and wineries! Parker’s winery is set in an ideal and beautiful location to be utterly successful but her first day bad luck nearly topples her efforts before she even has a chance to get started. The investigation she embarks on is dangerous, twisty, and turny, and just right for the cozy mystery genre. There are a suitable number of minor characters who are interesting and will provide loads of entertainment as the series begins to unfold. I have a great deal of hope for this series after this promising beginning.

KILLER CHARDONNAY is the first cozy mystery I've read...and it won't be the last, especially if written by Kate Lansing. I loved this book--the twists in the plot, the wonderfully rendered characters (especially hot/sexy chef Reid), the setting, the lightning-fast pacing, the snappy dialogue, and the food and wine descriptions. Add in a murder mystery with a dash of romance, like a glass of wine, I gulped this one down in two delicious tastings. Refill, please! I'm happy to see this is book one of a planned series.

An added bonus? Three mouth-watering recipes with wine pairings! Oh yes, count me in! The author had me at truffle.

Killer Chardonnay is a great first book in a new series! With a Boulder, Colorado, setting it's fun to read for that alone. But with a relatable main character, a twisty plot, lots of great wine and food (a must in a cozy) and a wonderful supporting cast, Kate Lansing has crafted a winner.

A new cozy series!

This one is set in a winery that has just opened in Boulder, Colorado. Parker's dreams are about to come true at her grand opening, until a murder take place! And to make matters worse, its a famous wine critic.

I really enjoyed this one. Parker is a great character and her cat, Zin is a great addition. The mystery was well developed with plenty of suspects to point fingers at.

Great for fans of cozy mysteries. I'll be anxious to read the next installment.

Parker is celebrating the opening of her winery when a food critic is murdered. Almost everyone is a suspect. A surprising end. Interesting facts about wines and wine tasting. Includes some interesting recipes at the end.

A cozy mystery taking place in Boulder, Colorado. Parker has fulfilled a dream and opened her own winery, complete with upscale tasting room. At her grand opening, someone dies. This someone was a food and wine critic, who could either make or break her business. She has a brother, Liam, who has never seemed to find himself, bouncing from one endeavor to another. Parker's friend, Reid, is a chef with dreams of opening his own restaurant. Zin, her diva cat, helps Parker out by doing what cats do best. The setting for this story is beautiful, and, as she and Reid travel around the area, trying to solve the mystery, we see a lot more of what makes Colorado a nice place to live.

Parker has dreamed of this day for a long time, the day her own winery finally opens to the public. She can't believe it when a well known critic shows up, and is even more surprised to later find him dead. How can her new business survive this publicity? Filled with some great chemistry between well developed characters, this is a start to a fun new series.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery! The characters were extremely well thought out and developed. I loved the relationship that is slowly developing. And I loved Parker. She was such a strong lead in this story. I am not a wine drinker but I still appreciated the descriptions of the different wines and the wine making process! I hope there is more of how the wines are made in future books! The mystery was also well developed and there were enough suspects to keep me guessing until the end. If you like cozy mysteries, and are a fan of wine, I definitely recommend checking this series out!

I love wine, and I adore cozy mysteries. So it came as no surprise to me that this book would be a top favorite! Killer Chardonnay is the first book in the Colorado Wine Mystery series and I know readers are going to LOVE IT. I read this book in one sitting as I was so caught up in the characters and the mystery that I couldn't put it down! I can't wait for the next one!

Interesting setting in a Colorado vineyard. The characters were well defined and the plot believable. Will look forward to the next in this series.

In Killer Chardonnay, the protagonist Parker, wasn't afraid to share her findings with the police detective. A nice change from many mysteries and it didn't detract from the plot. There were lots of fun characters and a lot of information about wine. It was nice to have one highlighting Colorado vineyards. I will definitely recommend this one.