Murder Uncorked

A CeCe Barton Mystery, Book 1

By: Maddie Day

Narrated by: Linda Jones

Raise a glass to Cece Barton, a widowed single mom and recent L.A. transplant to California wine country, who suddenly finds herself at the center of a murder investigation in this sparkling new mystery series from Agatha Award-winning and national bestselling author Maddie Day.

As the manager of Vino y Vida Wine Bar in Colinas, Cecelia "Cece" Barton's first Alexander Valley harvest is a whirlwind of activity. Her twin sister, Allie Halstead, who owns a nearby Victorian bed & breakfast, is accustomed to the hustle and bustle of peak tourist season. Just when it seems things can't grow any more intense, Colinas is rocked by a murder within the wine community . . . and Cece is identified as a possible suspect!

With her reputation and her livelihood on the line—and the Sonoma County deputy sheriff breathing down her neck—Cece has no choice but to open up her own murder investigation. Tensions are already high in the valley, as a massive wildfire creeps toward Colinas, threatening homes, vineyards, and the vital tourist trade. And now, with a murderer on the loose, and Cece's sleuthing exposing the valley's bitterest old rivalries and secret new alliances, Colinas feels ready to pop! But with Allie's help, Cece is determined to catch the killer and clear her name before everything she's worked so hard for goes up in flames . . .

©2023 Edith Maxwell (P)2023 Tantor

Enjoyable cozy mystery

Murder Uncorked is an enjoyable cozy mystery with engaging characters and entertaining plot. I look forward to the next book.

location descriptions

Great characters & inter actions. plot twists make you pick a murderer than chanchange to another

Preachy

The overall story was okay but it was just too preachy with about as many politically correct thoughts that a person could come up with. And still Cece ate a peach that was not locally grown. Shame! I have always liked this author but I don’t know if I would read another in this series.

Theme of Place was Unique and Engaging

I liked the characters and their relationships with each other. The setting is unique and the characters’ jobs and relationships to the town are engaging. The narrator could try to speak more naturally; however, I like the narrator’s deeper voice, not too high which can be difficult to listen to.

story was great

story line was great, the narrator not so much. It always sounds like she's asking a question.