Murder Uncorked is the first book in a new series by Maddie. In the Cece Barton Mysteries, we meet Cece, a widowed single mom who moved to Colinas, California to be close to her twin sister. Her daughter is away at college, and Cece is running the local wine bar, Vino y Vida. Cece is trying to fit in, but juggling her job and all the politics of the local wine association, as well as worrying about her relationship with her daughters, she is constantly on her toes. When a local man, one that Cece had argued with, is found murdered, Cece is the prime suspect. With her livelihood and freedom on the line, she begins her own investigation into the death, and with Allie's help, there is no doubt the real killer will be found.

As this is the first book in a series, we get to know Cece, her friends, and family. I enjoy books set in small communities, especially where there is an eclectic and diverse cast of characters. The mystery was an easy one for me to figure, but I was still interested in the story. The book sets up the series with good character development, descriptions of the town, area, and local police, and even a possible love interest for Cece. There were a lot of suspects, and some red herrings to add interest to the story. The showdown was great, with Cece coming out on top, with some minor injuries. I enjoyed this one enough to look forward to the next book to see what Cece gets up to.

I regret to say that "Murder Uncorked" by Maddie Day ended up being a big fat did not finish (DNF) for me. As someone who eagerly anticipates Maddie Day's books and enjoys her series, I was shocked that I just couldn't get into this one.

The story follows Cece Barton, a widowed single mom managing Vino y Vida Wine Bar in Colinas, California, during the bustling Alexander Valley harvest. However, despite the promising premise and Day's typically engaging writing style, I found myself unable to connect with the narrative.

My attempts over several months to immerse myself in the book and give it another chance sadly failed. The pacing felt off, and I struggled to engage with Cece's character and the murder investigation that should have been intriguing. It's disheartening when a beloved author's work doesn't resonate as expected, especially in a series I typically enjoy.

While I can't provide a comprehensive review due to not finishing the book, I wanted to share my experience to offer a different perspective. I hope that other readers may find more enjoyment in "Murder Uncorked" than I did.

Located in the town of Colinas, nestled in the Alexander Valley is a wine bar managed by Cece Barton called Vino y Vida. The mom of a college student and a widow, Cece is happy with her new life and location which puts her in the same locale as her twin sister Allie and family. Cece has a little experience already with mystery solving having cleared her sister as a suspect while visiting Colinas (Christmas Mitten Murder). When a somewhat prickly and demanding Vincent Sardo is found dead, Cece ends up on Officer Daniel’s suspect list all because of some heated email exchanges. There are plenty of other suspects who were in conflict with Sardo, starting with his ex-wife Inez who had to take a job at the local bookstore as a result of the new marital status. Wayne, the VVA lawyer had issues with Sardo and was even suggesting that Sardo had been embezzling from the VVA. The mysterious and attractive consultant named Benjamin, who is staying at Allie’s B&B, and working with the VVA is not above suspicion. Allie thinks that it is time for Cece to put herself back out there, hint-hint. Nicole throws shade at Pete, next door neighbor Richard’s nephew with talk of questionable parentage. Officer Daniel’s is still coming after Cece because she has no alibi. All the more reason for Cece to continue does have lots of questions which may or may not have led to a hit‑n‑run incident. This story has multiple plot points that may or may not tie together which keeps you guessing and turning pages. Looking forward to the next one.

I always enjoy books by this author. Not saccharine sweet, and also has diverse characters. Thanks for another enjoyable read.

this was so fun. it felt like a cozy night in with nancy drew for adults - i was here for it. It was quick, fast paced and kept you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I will absolutely be reading more from this author and seeing what crime our FMC tries to solve next.

I always like giving a new series a chance. I picked this up because it is the first in another cozy mystery series with a different setup. Our leading lady works at a wine bar and an unlikeable man makes an appearance in the beginning and we know who the intended victim will be.

I liked the concept of the group of businesses working in close proximity and the way everyone interacts with each other. The mystery plot itself was not for me. I figured out the culprit early on, even though it did not seem like the entire situation was worth the trouble they went into.

The writing is simple, and you can feel the weather and surroundings of the places the author describes, but ultimately, it is not a series I will be continuing with. I found it easy to read all the way through in a few sittings.


I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I started the book with the impression that I was reading a cozy mystery. Instead I got a political agenda. I could care less what an author's political opinions are. I read to escape the near constant bickering about politics not to get more of it.

Cece Barton, a widow and mother, is the manager of a wine bar in Northern California. She was lured there to be closer to her family, and never expected to be in the middle of a murder investigation.
After the head of the local wine association is found dead, and apparently murdered Cece finds herself a suspect when the local detective uncovers that Cece and the deceased man, Vincent, had a negative business relationship. Cece employs her sister Allie in a search for suspects that make more sense. It isn’t long before someone seems to be targeting Cece leading her to believe she is getting close to finding the killer.
This is the first book in the Cece Barton Mystery series. The characters are developed nicely. There is realistic tension between Cece and her daughter. There were some awkward interactions from some of the characters to drop a red herring or two. The plot was unique and moved at a steady pace. I recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

This series is definitely one that I would continue to read. A winery and a bed & breakfast, I’m in!
I love how the characters are being developed, and I hope there are more to come!

I read the short story that introduced these characters, and I enjoyed this full length book featuring them!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher

As a fan of author Maddie Day, I was thrilled to find that she has started a new series, A Cece Barton Mystery series. I was hesitant, I’ll admit, since I love the Country Store Mystery series. But as I read, I quickly became immersed in the story and ended up enjoying it a great deal.

This new series takes us across the country to California wine country, and is set in a small town wine bar. Cece Barton is settling into her new town, new home, new job, new neighbors, and worrying about her estranged daughter. With the murder of an angry man - a man who Cece had words with - Cece is now in hot water with the local police. And to top it all off, there’s a massive wildfire creeping toward her new hometown. But Cece is on the case, with her sister helping out the investigation.

While this new series is different from Maddie Day’s other series’, I am happy to report that the author is up to the challenge of creating a new world and characters. Brava, Maddie Day! I raise my glass of Chardonnay to you and your new series!

Murder Uncorked is an interesting read funny, entertaining and enjoyable. Cece Barton. decides she has to look into who killed the man in the bar where she works. Maddie Day's characterization of her characters is very good in helping you read and follow the flow of the book.

Widow Cece Barton has packed up and left southern CA for a small town in wine country, Colinas, CA. It makes sense, her twin sister is there, and her daughter (and fraught relationship) attends college nearby. The small business community seems to be thriving and Cece manages a wine bar. When an unpleasant member of the Vineyard association, Vincent Sardo is killed, Cece winds up on the police's radar after evidence of argumentative emails were exchanged between the two. All in all, it was a good start to a new series. There were a lot of characters, and I look forward to seeing which of them float to the top as mainstay secondary characters. I really liked Cece's elderly neighbor.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Murder Uncorked (Cece Barton Mystery, #1) by Maddie Day. I received a digital copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

I knew a little about this cozy mystery because the author wrote a prequel that was published in a collection of novellas, and I wasn't disappointed. This story was a fun, easy read and perfect to read while on vacation. I liked that it took place near vineyards and that the reader gets a little insight of how they might promote their products.

Most of the characters were likable, and I felt like I could be friends with several of them. The culprit was a bit obvious, but there were a couple of red herrings that made me second guess myself. I look forward to reading more of this series by Maddie Day. Four out of five stars is what I gave Murder Uncorked (Cece Barton Mystery, #1) by Maddie Day.

Murder Uncorked

I loved Maddie Day's first book in the Cece Barton mystery series set in the fictional California wine country town of Colinas. The book is a delightful cozy mystery with no death messiness on the page, but enough action that kept me guessing on the ending. I also enjoyed that this story varied from the typical cozy mystery story pattern. While Cece is starting again in a small town, she is not the typical twenty or early thirty something as she is an older sleuth with a grown child. I also enjoyed the interactions between Cece and her sister Allie and her family.
I hope this book becomes a series so the characters and their interactions become more developed.

Thank you Net Galley and Kensington Books for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. I will post reviews on post this review on Goodreads, Bookbub, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

You had me at WINE :)
This first in series had a great setting, interesting characters, and contained a well-planned mystery that kept me guessing to the end. I have read other cozy mysteries by this author and this is my favorite yet. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

A great start to a new series and I really liked the wine theme. There were plenty of suspects for the murder and some twists also. I look forward to the next installment.
Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Interesting start to a new Cozy Mystery series set in California wine country. I like the main character, CeCe, although she definitely needs to build up her self-confidence. I enjoyed the mystery, descriptions of her town, the wine bar where she works, and meeting her family that lives in town. I'm intrigued to see where this mystery series goes, and if CeCe's character grows along with the series.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Cece Barton has made the move from Los Angeles to the Northern California wine country to be near her twin sister and family. Cece is working as manager of Vino y Vida Wine Bar and enjoying her new life when a murder rocks the wine community.

Cece and her sister put their heads together to identify the killer so their small town can get back to normal.

#MurderUncorked

This was just an OK cozy mystery. I enjoyed the California Wine Bar setting and the small town. I had a hard time warming up the main character. She makes some questionable choices during her investigation. One of my biggest problems with this book is that this is the first book in a series but not the first time this sleuth solved a crime. She is first introduced in a Novella in Christmas Mittens Murder and the first mystery she solved is mentioned a lot. I did not read Christmas Mittens and I was very confused at the beginning. There are a lot of things are mentioned over and over again that do not have anything to do with the mystery. CeeCee does a lot of whining and is overly concerned with her food choices. The mystery was very easy to solve. I was able to figure out the who and motive early. I normally enjoy this author's other cozies but this one was boring.