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daddysprincess's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fabulous. Being from Colorado, I really enjoyed all the Colorado references and knowing what the author was talking about. It was a whodunnit type of story. I figured out the killer early on in the story. It didn’t discourage me from continuing on. I am not a drinker. But all the wine talk was interesting and I even learned a few things about wine and grapes. Will read more in the series.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Killer Chardonnay by Kate Lansing has Parker Valentine opening Vino Valentine in Boulder, Colorado. Parker is surprised when food and wine blogger, Gaskel Brown arrives for a tasting. His review could make or break her new venture. Gaskel tastes her chardonnay and does not seem to enjoy it. He then disappears into the restroom. When the critic fails to return, Parker finds him dead on the bathroom floor. Detective Eli Fuller, an old school chum, is on the case and it does not look good for Parker. Gaskel was poisoned which has #killerchardonnay trending online. Parker’s winery is in danger of closing if she cannot restore her reputation and prove she did not kill the critical critic. Killer Chardonnay is the debut of A Colorado Wine Mystery series. I found Killer Chardonnay to be nicely written with good pacing which made this lighthearted cozy mystery easy to read. Parker Valentine is a friendly and relatable main character with a passion for wine making. I liked her cat, Zin (Zinfandel is full name). There are a variety of secondary characters that include Parker’s parents, her brother, best friend, and a love interest or two. I liked the descriptions of Boulder and Parker’s winery, Vino Valentine. I could imagine the both from the author’s word imagery. It was interesting learning about the different wines and how they are made. I am amazed at the different flavor profiles that can be obtained from grapes (I could envision someone swirling a glass and taking a taste stating they could taste a hint of chocolate or pear with a hint of smokiness—you can tell I do not drink wine). The mystery had a variety of suspects along with misdirection. There was action as the killer attempted to warn off Parker and keep her from finding pertinent clues. The poison was unique, but I wish it had been harder to identify the guilty party. I could see Parker in my mind as she put together the final clue and identified the killer. There was a little too much romance for my taste plus I am never a fan of multiple of love interests. I prefer romantic relationships in cozies to develop slowly instead of instant passion like a romance novel. I would have preferred if the author had not used foul language in this story. There was some luscious food served in Killer Chardonnay. Recipes and wine pairings are included at the end of the book. Killer Chardonnay is a merry cozy mystery with a butchered blogger, wicked wines, a cute chef, social media madness, and a cunning killer.
thephdivabooks's review
4.0
I read Killer Chardonnay during that hazy time during the pandemic when I was just looking to escape a bit. I never posted most of my reviews of books during that time, but since I have continued reading this series I thought I would share my thoughts on the first book in the Colorado Wine Mysteries.
The series centers around Parker Valentine, a new business owner who has started a winery named Vino Valentine in Boulder, Colorado. In the first book, we are introduced to a central challenge in Parker’s life—her family isn’t exactly the most supportive of her business venture. Her parents really can’t be bothered to even commute across Boulder to in order to support her.
However, Parker’s brother Liam is the shining beacon of support within her family, and he just so happens to bring along his very attractive best friend, Reid Wallace, to celebrate the opening. Parker’s best friend Sage is also there to support, along with her boyfriend Jason Valleres.
One other unexpected guest shows up for opening day—food and wine critic Gaskel Brown. His reviews can make or break a new business so Parker is excited but stressed by his arrival. Parker has barely served Gaskel a glass of her Chautauqua Chardonnay and jotted down his less-than-favorable thoughts on her winemaking when he collapses and dies.
Parker soon finds Vino Valentine at the center of a social media firestorm, as early patrons post about the incident using #killerchardonnay to describe her business. Parker knows you can’t put the cork back in the bottle, as they say, and watches in horror as the story goes viral. To make matters worse, her old friend and current detective Eli Fuller is questioning Parker as the prime suspect.
If Parker has any hope of saving her reputation and her business, she will need to use her wits to get to the bottom of who was behind the murder of Gaskel Brown before she not only loses her business, but her freedom.
Killer Chardonnay is a great start to a cozy mystery series and introduced us to Parker and the supporting characters in her life. Parker is definitely early in her tenure as both a business owner and an amateur sleuth and it shows. She is still building her confidence and the lack of support from her parents certainly doesn’t help. She’s an instantly relatable character, and is still learning to trust her palate and knowledge when it comes to her wine making.
Book one also introduces a bit of a love triangle which seems to be a hallmark of the newer era of cozy mysteries. The whodunnit was fairly obvious, but since this is a first book that didn’t detract from the book since we are still learning about the characters and setting.
The series centers around Parker Valentine, a new business owner who has started a winery named Vino Valentine in Boulder, Colorado. In the first book, we are introduced to a central challenge in Parker’s life—her family isn’t exactly the most supportive of her business venture. Her parents really can’t be bothered to even commute across Boulder to in order to support her.
However, Parker’s brother Liam is the shining beacon of support within her family, and he just so happens to bring along his very attractive best friend, Reid Wallace, to celebrate the opening. Parker’s best friend Sage is also there to support, along with her boyfriend Jason Valleres.
One other unexpected guest shows up for opening day—food and wine critic Gaskel Brown. His reviews can make or break a new business so Parker is excited but stressed by his arrival. Parker has barely served Gaskel a glass of her Chautauqua Chardonnay and jotted down his less-than-favorable thoughts on her winemaking when he collapses and dies.
Parker soon finds Vino Valentine at the center of a social media firestorm, as early patrons post about the incident using #killerchardonnay to describe her business. Parker knows you can’t put the cork back in the bottle, as they say, and watches in horror as the story goes viral. To make matters worse, her old friend and current detective Eli Fuller is questioning Parker as the prime suspect.
If Parker has any hope of saving her reputation and her business, she will need to use her wits to get to the bottom of who was behind the murder of Gaskel Brown before she not only loses her business, but her freedom.
Killer Chardonnay is a great start to a cozy mystery series and introduced us to Parker and the supporting characters in her life. Parker is definitely early in her tenure as both a business owner and an amateur sleuth and it shows. She is still building her confidence and the lack of support from her parents certainly doesn’t help. She’s an instantly relatable character, and is still learning to trust her palate and knowledge when it comes to her wine making.
Book one also introduces a bit of a love triangle which seems to be a hallmark of the newer era of cozy mysteries. The whodunnit was fairly obvious, but since this is a first book that didn’t detract from the book since we are still learning about the characters and setting.
thepaige_turner's review against another edition
2.0
Bumped it up a star for throwing me back to Colorado which I miss dearly, but I knew who did it as soon as the character was introduced *eye roll*
barbarakingfisher's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
deanapotter's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars
Parker Valentine is about to see her dream come true. Her winery Vino Valentine, is opening its door. The wine is ready to flow, allowing Parker’s talent shine through grapes and fruits she blends. Opening day is not quite what Parker envisioned when a local food and wine critic unexpectedly stumbles into Vino Valentine. Not being too found of Parker’s Chardonnay, Mr. Critic doesn’t manage to stumble his way back out of the winery when he ends up dead on the floor. Creating the hashtag #killerchardonnay. Parker is caught in the middle of a hot mess as she instantly goes from a new business owner to one trying to save her business.
Parker rocks! I love how she approached everything that was happening around her. She was smooth, just like her wines. She could’ve fallen apart at many points in time yet she held her head high and made it her mission to get to the bottom of it. The descriptions of the wines alone make me wanna run to my local vineyard and see if I can find something even remotely close. I could totally see myself hanging out at the Vino Valentine. The mystery is well written. The story flows easy and just when you think you have it figured out, nope. Kate Lansing throws that twist that changes the game. The story flows so easily and the characters entertain and intrigue before you know it you have become fully invested in Parker. Killer Chardonnay is a mystery, with a good deal of suspense and a great heaping of romance added in. We all know I love the romance, Ms. Lansing blended it perfectly making it an enjoyable part of the story.
Killer Chardonnay is an easy lighthearted enjoyable cozy mystery that is just the beginning to what I’m sure is going to be a fantastic series.
The cat, Zin!!!! That cat, any cat owner will completely understand.
Parker Valentine is about to see her dream come true. Her winery Vino Valentine, is opening its door. The wine is ready to flow, allowing Parker’s talent shine through grapes and fruits she blends. Opening day is not quite what Parker envisioned when a local food and wine critic unexpectedly stumbles into Vino Valentine. Not being too found of Parker’s Chardonnay, Mr. Critic doesn’t manage to stumble his way back out of the winery when he ends up dead on the floor. Creating the hashtag #killerchardonnay. Parker is caught in the middle of a hot mess as she instantly goes from a new business owner to one trying to save her business.
Parker rocks! I love how she approached everything that was happening around her. She was smooth, just like her wines. She could’ve fallen apart at many points in time yet she held her head high and made it her mission to get to the bottom of it. The descriptions of the wines alone make me wanna run to my local vineyard and see if I can find something even remotely close. I could totally see myself hanging out at the Vino Valentine. The mystery is well written. The story flows easy and just when you think you have it figured out, nope. Kate Lansing throws that twist that changes the game. The story flows so easily and the characters entertain and intrigue before you know it you have become fully invested in Parker. Killer Chardonnay is a mystery, with a good deal of suspense and a great heaping of romance added in. We all know I love the romance, Ms. Lansing blended it perfectly making it an enjoyable part of the story.
Killer Chardonnay is an easy lighthearted enjoyable cozy mystery that is just the beginning to what I’m sure is going to be a fantastic series.
The cat, Zin!!!! That cat, any cat owner will completely understand.
porky's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
marbooks88's review against another edition
4.0
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.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
rebeccasreadingrambles's review
4.0
What a great first installment in a new cozy series. I immediately liked Parker and her passion for her winery (despite some unsupportive or doubtful people in her life). I would visit in a heartbeat! The mystery had many twists and turns and though I did have an inkling about the culprit, I love how the ending was executed. I can't wait to read more!