This series is a lot of fun. I’m sure there are others that exist, but this is the only wine themed mystery series I’ve come across and as a wine-lover myself, I enjoy the theme.

Parker and Reid’s relationship is becoming more serious, so much that they are taking a couples weekend with Parker’s brother Liam and his girlfriend Sage to a ski resort in Silver Creek, CO. Though her last name is Valentine, Parker has a lot of sadness and anxiety around the holiday ever since her beloved Aunt Laura passed away. Her aunt always made Valentine’s Day a big deal and Parker—who hasn’t always felt the most supported by her parents—has so many feelings wrapped up around her aunt, the holiday, and her grief.

Before we even get to the mystery, I’ll pause to say that this theme continues throughout the book. Though Liam warns her that Reid is planning something for Valentine’s Day, Parker really beats herself up for not getting him something in return. Perhaps I’m just not a big Valentine’s Day person, but I’ve never felt that grand gestures are needed there. If you’re already spending the day with your partner, should you expect gifts to be involved? Parker and Reid do, and Reid even seems disappointed at first that Parker hasn’t done anything for him. This got a bit shmoopy for me, and was too much of a focus of the book. However, I did understand the complications Parker felt due to her late Aunt Laura’s special connection to the day.

Back to the mystery… Parker uses the opportunity to set up a pitch meeting with the wine director at Silver Creek Lodge to taste her mulled wine, and consider carrying it at the resort. Parker is even more excited when former Olympic skier and owner of the resort, Annemarie Bauer joins for the tasting and wants to put in an order. However, the next day when the two couples hit the ski slopes, Annemarie’s body is discovered partway down one of the runs. The police soon make it clear they are investigating the death as a murder.

Not only does Annemarie’s death put Parker’s deal with the resort in jeopardy, but she also can’t shake the fact that she was one of the closest witnesses who may be able to offer clues to help solve the case. Someone else must know it too, as deadly mishaps begin to occur, threatening to ruin not just the weekend, but potentially Parker’s life!

I’m continuing to really enjoy this series, though I did feel that this book went a little too heavy on the story surrounding Parker’s anxiety around Valentine’s Day and whether she got Reid the perfect gift. This felt a bit superfluous to me, particularly the part around the gift exchange. That said, having read the prior two books, I did really feel for Parker. We saw how her parent’s aren’t very supportive of her, and there is always a distance between them. Parker has her brother Liam, and from this book we learn how special her relationship with her late Aunt Laura was.

The mystery was interesting and engaging. I loved the setting at the ski resort. It felt like my own little getaway, and it was nice to see them out of town for a mystery since the last two have surrounded Parker’s and Reid’s businesses. Lansing does a great job offering plenty of viable suspects. There was a scene towards the end to help unmask the murderer that reminded me of classic mysteries like Nero Wolfe, where the suspects are all invited to dinner or an event and the detective walks through a show of revealing whodunnit.

A fun mystery! I definitely plan to continue to book 4 in the series. As always, I’ll mention that these can be read alone, but I think the character development across the series makes some of the subplots more meaningful, so I recommend reading in order if you are able to. Grab a glass of wine and cozy up with Mulled to Death this winter!

I've now read the entirety of the Colorado Wine Mystery collection, and I genuinely enjoyed it every step of the way! Cozy mytery + wine + Colorado = a perfect combination in my mind!

I think the only thing that could have elevated these books for me would have been fewer wine puns/anologies, honestly. Obviously that's the point of the series, but I thought the books were great WITHOUT needing to add all the wine references in!

Mulled to Death desperately makes me want to learn to ski, and gives me the overwhelming urge to cook up a big vat of warm, mulled wine and snuggle up on a mountain somewhere - but obviously I'll be choosy with my company!

MULLED TO DEATH is the third book in the Colorado Wine Mysteries by Kate Lansing. What could be better than a romantic mountain ski resort getaway with lots of mulled wine and delicious food? Not much… but the death of the resort owner puts a damper on the Valentine’s weekend celebration for the protagonist, winery owner Parker Valentine, and her boyfriend, Reid. The author’s strong descriptive voice pulled me in so that I felt the biting chill of the snow, the warmth of the roaring fire, and heard the chattering guests as they enjoyed the delectable dishes from the resort’s chef. Ms. Lansing also weaves in Parker’s winemaking skills and her reflections on wine without detracting from the plot. I enjoyed how she relates the tasting notes of individual wines to what’s happening in the story and how Parker feels about it. It’s obvious the author has done her research on wine and wine making and it adds to the enjoyment of the book. I also enjoyed that Parker’s brother, who is dating Parker’s best friend, are both included in the getaway. I loved the dynamics between the two couples.

The mystery is well-plotted and even though Parker might not have a strong reason for getting involved in the investigation, she manages to find out clues. The action is fast-paced, which kept me turning pages, wondering what would happen next. When Parker’s life is threatened—twice, it only adds to the tension and inspires Parker to pry into the lives of those who surrounded the victim and dig up the secrets they’d been hiding. The reveal came as a complete surprise to me, which adds to the entertainment value! While this is the first in the series I’ve read, it was easily read as a standalone and easy to get to know the characters. I’ll be picking up the other books to catch up with this delightful series.

What do you do when you go on a Valentine's Day weekend getaway and the owner of the ski lodge ends up dead? Parker Valentine goes on a Valentine's Day weekend with her boyfriend, brother and best friend. What was supposed to be a fun weekend getaway turns into tragedy when the owner of the ski lodge winds up dead. Being the sleuth she is, Parker starts to dig trying to find out what really happened but finds herself becoming the next target. Can she find out who's behind it all before it's too late?
Thank you Netgalley, Kate Lansing and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book. This is a part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. Though this was the first book I've read in the series, I really enjoyed it. I liked the characters though I'm sure if I had read the first two books in the series I would have gotten a better sense of character development. The writing seemed to flow with a good storyline. This was an easy to read entertaining book. If you enjoy cozy mystery, try giving this series a whirl. I'm rating this ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I think this series is really rounding out well. I enjoyed this installment and found the mystery to be well thought out and plenty of red herrings. I really enjoyed the setting of the ski lodge and the rounding in of Valentine's Day. I'm excited to see this one continue.

Another wonderful addition to the series. Love the way Lansing infuses a conversational chatty tone to the book. The younger main character is refreshing and feels real. I also appreciate how Lansing tackles some deeper issues like ongoing grief, complex female friendships, and thorny personal histories.

Mulled to Death takes place over a very short time period with a lot of dizzying events. It’s suspenseful while being a pleasurable cozy read.

As Parker tries to salvage her pitch for the resort to try her new mulled wine and remember how to ski, she finds herself the only witness to a shadow in the trees exactly where Akira was killed. There are multiple suspects and with "accidents," Reid supports her efforts to find out who is behind the murder and a threat to her. An extra layer of tension, her brother, Liam, is not so supportive and, is very vocal in trying to stop her efforts to solve the murder.

The story is well-written and the pace is steady, with enough tension to keep me reading one more chapter, multiple times. The core characters are well-developed and Parker is smart and likable, as are Reid and Sage. The rest of the characters (suspects) develop over the course of the study with some first impressions proved wrong.

This is the first in the Colorado Wine Mysteries I've read and it can easily be read as a standalone. I always suggest readers start with the first in the series, though, and I've added the first two to my very long TBR list. This is a new release with a special bonus of wine pairings and recipes at the end.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Author Kate Lansing is the reason I fell in love with cozy mysteries–– and she doesn’t disappoint in this third installment of the Colorado Wine Mysteries. Parker and Reid are such lovable characters, the descriptions of the ski resort take you right to the mountains, and the mystery keeps you guessing. I highly suggest curling up next to the fireplace–this book in one hand, and a glass of mulled one in the another! A perfect (and fun) winter escape.

First time reading this author and I would probably read more by them. I haven't actually read many cozies about wine so this was refreshing, plus I liked that it took place at Valentines Day, another thing I haven't seen in many cozies!

Once again I loved 🥰 this book and couldn’t wait to see what Parker and the gang get into when they go to a snowy weekend getaway. Trouble follows her when a famous skier ⛷ is found dead and they can’t leave, because of a storm.

This has become one of my favorite cozy series. I adore the Colorado setting and learning about wine. The protagonist is relatable, and I had a lot of fun with the love triangle. The mystery was well paced and well written.

Reading Mulled to Death brought back wonderful memories of my younger days when I used to ski, mostly in New England. The descriptions of the Silver Creek ski resort in Colorado were so beautiful and vivid. There were also a lot of descriptions of food (one of the main characters is a chef, so that’s not too surprising). The main character, Parker Valentine, is a winemaker and the author weaves in a lot of wine-related knowledge along the way. As far as the story goes, I thought Parker’s involvement was a bit far-fetched; she really should have left it to the local sheriff, but then it wouldn’t be a typical cozy mystery. Also, I got bored with the endless repetition of how handsome her boyfriend Reid is. It was a reasonably good story but I probably won’t be picking up any further books in this series.

Mulled To Death is the third book in the Colorado Wine Mystery series but the first one I’ve read. I think it was just fine to read without having read the other two books, although I’m sure the backstories of the main characters would have had even more depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

First off, this wine cozy includes recipes which I am looking forward to making the mulled wine, snacks, and cupcakes. They will be a perfect pairing while reading during the 12 Days of Cozies. Great plot with plenty of misdirection and suspects. I especially liked the side story of the sneak thief. Parker is a great character, a passionate vintner who relates almost everything through wine and the process of making wine, which was both entertaining and educational. Some very nice interactions between Parker and Reid as well as Parker and Liam. No need to have read the other books to understand who the players are, but you will find that you enjoy this one enough to go back to the series starter. A nice bit of girl power without being overdone between BauerPower and Aunt Laura’s Galentine celebrations.

What an awesome book!!!! I did not read the others in this series but had no problem picking this right up. The characters are flawed but lovable. The plot was interesting and drew me in. It kept me guessing all the way to the end! The writing was concise and easy to read. I really enjoyed this book and want to read more from this writer. This was a cannot miss book.

What can I say? I love this series so much and the latest installment is just as intriguing and delightful as the previous two, which I also adored. There are certain books that you can pick up knowing you are in for a treat and that is how I feel about Lansing's style and writing. I know I'm going to be engaged, surprised, and come away feeling really good. After following Parker's adventures for the past three books, I feel like I know her and the supportive cast if characters around her. I was delighted to learn that there will be a BOOK FOUR coming next fall and I can't wait for more! All the stars!

“Here’s the thing about female friendships: They can be some of the most fulfilling relationships in your life, full of wisdom, laughter, and support. And chocolate and wine, naturally. But that trust, once broken, is hard to earn back.”

When Parker Valentine decides to take a weekend away with her boyfriend Reid, a ski trip sounds perfect. She can both have a lovely getaway and try to sell her fabulous mulled wine to the resort. But when she witnesses the untimely death of Olympic champion skier and resort owner Annmarie, her weekend turns out to be a bit more than she bargained for. Can she make it through the weekend with her heart, and life, intact?

This was the coziest of murder mysteries and is book three in the Colorado Wine Mystery series. I have not read the first two but had no issues getting pulled right into the story. I have skied since I was a kid and, for all that I read, I haven’t read a book set in a ski resort since Shiver earlier this year. Parker was a hoot, inserting herself into active investigations and firmly believing that she, and she alone, can avenge Annmarie. Minus the murder and arson, this book makes me want to slip back into my skis and get out on the slopes! If you love skiing, wine, and food (and who doesn’t love wine and food?) you will really enjoy this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Colorado Wine Mysteries by Kate Lansing keep getting better. Grab a glass of your favorite wine (I prefer a crisp Sauvignon Blanc… although since this is a Valentine themed book, you may prefer a juicy, red Dornfelder…) and get to reading!

In this series what really shines for me is how well Lansing incorporates wine making and history into the story. Some cozies use the food or hobby as more of a gimmick to get readers to pick up their book, but you can tell Lansing really enjoys her subject matter.

Along with the fabulous wine and delicious food accompaniments (thanks to Parker’s love interest) we also get an insider’s view into Colorado’s cities and countryside. My husband and I love to vacation in Colorado, but if I had never been there before, Lansing’s books would definitely make me want to plan a trip.

Besides all the above mentioned wonderfulness, the reader also gets to enjoy well developed and complex characters… no one dimensional people here. And in Mulled to Death there were a couple of incidents that read more like a thriller than a cozy, which was a fun change of pace and really had my heart racing.

The Colorado Wine Mysteries is a cozy series I highly recommend!

In the third book in the Colorado Wine Mysteries, vintner Parker Valentine and her boyfriend Reid, leave Boulder for a ski getaway over Valentine’s weekend. Their destination: Silver Creek Lodge, a resort owned by Olympic medalist Annemarie. And If Parker can convince the resort’s wine director to offer Vino Valentine’s mulled wine, all the better.

When Parker sees Annemarie start a run on a notoriously difficult trail, she pauses to watch an Olympian in action. However, Annemarie never emerges from behind a copse of trees. Equally curious and concerned, Parker navigates between trails to find a group gathered around Annemarie’s lifeless body, a death later determined to be homicide.

Shortly thereafter, Parker and Reid, enjoying the hot tub, are locked on the roof and the electricity goes out. That might be an accident but further scrapes indicate she is being targeted. Unless she finds the killer first, she may be the next victim.

Moving locations gives Parker new foils and helps make her involvement in another murder case believable. She also questions how she finds herself entangled in so many investigations.

Liam, Parker’s brother, and Sage, her best friend, who recently started dated, are along for the fun, and seeing them in the glow of new love Is fun, while Parker and Reid’s relationship develops nicely as Parker confides in Reid about her past.

We don’t have Parker’s cat Zin in this novel, but Madeline is the Silver Creek Lodge resident cat and a very fun and sassy character.

As in the previous books, wine-making takes a central role and provides a number of parallels to the action as well as more casual metaphors. Some of these, I think, are more natural to the narrative than others.

While the book can be read as a stand-alone in terms of the mystery, some of the characters and relationships may not be as clear to those joining the series with this entry.

With the characters bundled up to ski or warming up in the lodge, MULLED TO DEATH is an especially cozy cozy mystery with many viable suspects and a satisfying conclusion. Plus, the book includes recipes, one being for mulled wine, of course!

The weekend is off to a rough start. Parker Valentine has an appointment scheduled to pitch her Snowy Day Syrah wine with mulling spices to the wine director at Silver Creek Lodge, but traffic has her delayed. It’s also Valentine’s Day weekend, and Parker struggles with the holiday due to memories of her aunt. She hasn’t told her boyfriend, Reid, all the details so she’s also on edge about the romantic weekend getaway they are on. Unfortunately, shortly after their arrival, the owner and former Olympic medalist, Annmarie Bauer, is found dead on one of the resort’s ski trails. Parker wants to stay out of it and Reid, her brother, and her best friend are all urging her to just enjoy the weekend, but Parker senses something is amiss… especially when the dangerous mishaps start.

MULLED TO DEATH is the third book in the Colorado Wine Mystery series and can easily be read as a standalone. Readers new to the series should note that references to the prior book’s murder investigation are made as well as spoilers about the identify of the killer in the first book. The mystery itself stands on its own merits and Kate Lansing provides sufficient back history on the characters and their various relationships to one another to thoroughly enjoy MULLED TO DEATH.

I love Parker and her desire to make her dreams come true. I’ll admit I was a little frustrated at her for not communicating better with Reid, but that’s also part of the growth of any relationship and I love how Kate Lansing handles it. I also love the glimpses we are getting into Parker and Reid’s lives before they met and became a couple as we see their characters grow and develop with each new installment in the series.
And Liam! I can’t help but mention Parker’s younger brother. I have a soft spot for him and his struggle to find his direction in life. He’s finally settling in, and Parker helps him overcome a huge obstacle he’s had about success. I can’t wait to see more of Liam in the future!

MULLED TO DEATH is a phenomenal murder mystery, along with a great education in the tasting and brewing of wine! I am by no means a wine aficionado (dessert wines are my only true “loves” when it comes to wine”) but Kate Lansing is educating me and encouraging me to broaden my palate. The characters, the mysteries, and especially the food and wine all work together to make MULLED TO DEATH and the Colorado Wine Mystery series a hit!

*review is in the editing queue at Fresh Fiction*

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Mulled to Death, the third book in the Colorado Wine Mystery Series, takes readers away from its established Boulder setting to a luxurious ski resort where murder and misadventure threaten to ruin Valentine’s Day Weekend. Author Kate Lansing delivers an action packed, intriguing cozy tale.

Winemaker Parker and her chef boyfriend Reid, along with her brother and best friend, get away for the weekend at the Silver Creek Ski Resort. Its pristine snowy setting is beautiful, but Parker is having a hard time since the Valentine holiday makes her miss her deceased aunt even more than unusual. At least she has the opportunity to pitch her mulled wine to the wine director of the resort Akira while she is there. Things look promising until the resort’s owner, Olympic champion Annamarie Bauer dies in an apparent skiing accident. But, Parker thinks it was more than a mere accident and investigates. She must be on the right track because the “accidents” she is having are getting more and more dangerous.

I enjoy the premise of this series, and there is just the right amount of wine tidbits sprinkled throughout to make the winemaking theme compelling but not so many that a non-drinker would lose interest. Parker is an interesting protagonist, observant and a good problem solver but quite relatable with insecurities that most of us experience as we go about life. Reid, Liam, and Sage are all fun to hang out with, and their relationships with Parker are the heart of the book.

The variety of characters central to the murder mystery is entertaining, even the often unpleasant one like resort manager Paisley. Reid worked at the resort at one time, and his familiarity with several of the employees helps readers get to know the new characters quickly. I hope that Akira appears in future books in the series. Even though Annamarie dies early in the story, readers learn a lot about her from Parker’s chats with her suspects. There are plenty of clues sprinkled throughout the story, but I did not figure out the killer’s identity before the very Hercule Poirot style reveal.

As always with this series, my only quibble is that it is written in present tense. It is not my favorite, but I seemed to acclimate better here than in previous books in the series. Mulled to Death is a fun, engaging read sure to please any cozy mystery fan.