Decent cozy mystery for an evening or two. Honestly a bit too predictable, though. I enjoyed the setting and the writing style was alright. I could read more from this author in the future.

This is a cozy mystery story. Cece runs a bar in a small town, a murder occurs and she is a suspect. In order to clear her name and to help catch the culprit she starts investigating on her own.

"I have lived a long life, and a good one. I don't choose to live in fear. I hope you won't, either."

This book is a quick read and an enjoyable one too. The characters are lovable and the story is smooth. Cece has her own past that she's trying to sort out along with fighting her present battle. It is not easy to guess the murderer because too many people are the suspects with strong motive. The best part about this book is that it actually explains what a cozy mystery novel is, flawlessly. Overall, it is a fun read and is recommended to all mystery lovers.

I enjoyed reading it but it didn't stand out for me. I received this as a complimentary copy from the author via NetGalley - thank you. I leave this review voluntarily.

Cece Barton is the manager of a wine bar. When she witness two men having an argument and find that one of them is Vincent Sardo, who works for the VVA. Vincent has been trying to pressure Cece thru increasingly hostile email and calls to host an event for VVA for free. When Vincent is found murder there are no end to the suspects including Cece.

I used to really like Maddie Day books but the tone of her books has changed recently to more of a platform to get her political views across. This book was no different. There is very little in the way of mystery or "sleuthing" instead it is an extremely long slow book more on the line of dealing with some of today's issues than a cosy mystery. Most people read books like cosy's as an escape not to be hit over the head with politics. That is not to say these are not important issues, but this is probably not the format to do so.

Cece Barton has made Colinas her new home. Close to her twin sister, she runs a swine tasting room and has been settling into life in the Alexander Valley. When a man who was in the tasting room is found dead the next day, Cece finds herself on the police’s people of interest list.

While not the primary suspect, Cece can’t help but get involved in trying to figure out who had it on for the unpleasant man. She knows she didn’t off him, but there are plenty of others who could have done it. Can she figure it out before the killer uncorks Cece for good?

Is there anything Maddie can’t do? Every single series she has written has been a success and she’s done it yet again! A fabulous wine country setting, a strong female protagonist, cute kitties and wine makes for a great new series. Can’t wait for more in this series!

#MurderUncorked #NetGalley.
Maddie Day has added a new character and series to her published works.
Cece Barton is a solid character, who is the new manager of the local wine bar.
Cece finds herself involved in a murder investigation, and the suspect list has a wide variety of suspects.
The story is interesting and even though I didn't feel an immediate connection with Cece, I'm hoping that will come with future books.
The other characters are colorful and add a bit of humor to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Cecelia Barton is the manager of a wine bar called Vino y Vida. Earlier a man named Vincent Sardo stopped by the bar to hire Vino y Vida to host an event for the valley association. But Cece decided they couldn’t accommodate the event under the conditions he proposed. The next day Vincent turns up dead. According to the sheriff he was murdered. Who would want him dead and why?
Thank you to Maddie Day, NetGalley and Kensington Books for the arc of this book

Murder Uncorked by Maddie Day is a great cozy mystery that is the first in a new series: A Cece Barton Mystery.

I love anything Maddie Day writes, so of course I had to start reading her new cozy mystery series set in Wine Country, California.

I enjoyed meeting Cece, her sister, and the whole collection of new locals that will grace us with their literary presence in this series.

It was a nice opener, giving us the backdrop, background, and some of the pluses and minuses of living in a touristy, but picturesque locale. There are risks within the murder/mystery, as well as externally as well.

Looking forward to more!



4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/24/23.

I liked the characters and the setting and the details. It was a fun mystery even though the killer was obvious and the ending was a bit predictable.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the setting and that it was so realistic with the wildfires being mentioned. The characters are good too, I found them interesting. The killer is a bit obvious but I liked how the reveal came about. #MurderUncorked #NetGalley

new-series, wine, California, family, friends, first-in-series, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, twins, suspense, widow, murder, murder-investigation, pet-cat, empty-nester, inheritance, law-enforcement, small-town, small-business*****

Good start to a new series by an author I really like! Lots of suspects, a possible romance, great friends and family, disturbing things like a near break-in and truck vs bicycle incident. Cece spends a lot of time and energy delving into the dead man's past and relationships to people in town despite the rude deputy who gives Cece a slight case of paranoia. The publisher's blurb does a good job, but the story itself is what kept me up way too late!
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley.