Series: A Colorado Wine Mystery, #1
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Source: Review copy from the publisher
Rating: ★★★★½

A young winery owner won’t let one sour grape ruin the bunch in the first installment of this exciting cozy mystery series.

Parker Valentine has always dreamed of opening her own winery in her hometown of Boulder, Colorado. But she gets more than she bargained for when a food and wine critic unexpectedly shows up at Vino Valentine on opening day. A negative review could be fatal for her business, and not only does he seem to hate her chardonnay, he also collapses and dies shortly after drinking it.

Although Parker hoped that the attendees would put a cork in it, soon her winery is at the center of a social media firestorm. With #killerchardonnay trending online, Parker’s business is in danger of closing, and she has no choice but to investigate the murder herself.

To restore her reputation, catch a killer, and keep her struggling business open, Parker needs only one thing: some good proof.

KILLER CHARDONNAY is a smart and juicy beginning to the Colorado Wine Mystery series set in downtown Boulder. The opening day of Vino Valentine turns into a disaster for owner Parker Valentine when a local wine & food critic dies after sampling her chardonnay. Of course Parker is horrified that this means the end of all her hard work, unless she can prove that her wine had nothing to do with his death.

This is the first cozy mystery I’ve read that centers around a winery, and it was a lovely change of pace. The rich descriptions of gourmet food and wine were delightful. Parker and the supporting cast of characters were well-developed and relatable, and their interpersonal challenges added to the enjoyment of the story.

Parker is a clever and determined amateur sleuth, and I enjoyed the intriguing mystery she was faced with solving. KILLER CHARDONNAY is a fresh and modern cozy mystery that will appeal to foodies and wine lovers. Highly recommended!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.