The basic concept of this cozy was good but it somehow just came up short. It was just an OK read.

First all, the main reason I wanted to read this was because I read one of Parra’s previous books: Kale to the Queen—a cozy mystery series that she writes under the pen name Nell Hampton, and I absolutely loved that so I was excited to pick up something new by the author!

A Case of Syrah, Syrah is the first book in the new Wine Country Mystery series, and I have to say that it was really fun to read! In the book, we meet up with the main character Taylor O’Brian who just started her own wine touring business and while she’s giving her first tour—someone winds up dead with her corkscrew buried in their neck. So Taylor must clear her name before she winds up in prison!

I LOVE cozies, but I’m very picky—I’m quick to DNF if it’s boring or predictable or I hate the characters or the writing style, but I loved everything about this book! It was exciting and easy to read. Taylor was very intelligent, clever and down-to-earth. She made smart, realistic choices in regards to solving the mystery, and I related to her very easily. The secondary characters were all delightful and enjoyable as well, especially her aunt and her best friends. #GirlPower.

The mystery itself unfolded rather quickly and kept my interest throughout the entire book. It was very intriguing and unpredictable—there were so many twists and turns that I didn’t want to put the book down. I literally devoured it in one day because the storyline and the characters were just so much fun to read about, and I had to know who the bad guy was—the author kept stumping me and throwing me off so I wasn’t putting it down until I found out haha.

Overall, a great start to a new series! I do hope we get to learn more about Taylor’s possible love interests in the next book—I can’t figure out which one I like more: the cute sheriff or the sexy lawyer? Oh, well—either way, I can’t wait for the next installment!

I liked this book. Nancy Parra has a writing style I enjoy and the subject matter was quite timely with the disclosure of the Equifax mess last week. I would warn readers that Taylor is one of those cozy heroines who doesn't listen to her lawyer and the extent she goes to in her investigation gets close to being head knocking extreme, but didn't cross the line for me.

There seem to be two prospective love interests developing, but it's just hinted at. Please, please don't let this become another cozy series with a love triangle.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The identity theft story in this book was very timely considering the Equifax mess that's currently going on. It was neat to read a different angle I that hasn't berrn done a million times. I found the main character doing a lot of dumb stuff, some of which was understandable, but it was an enjoyable story nonetheless. Looking forward to more adventures with Taylor and the gang!

I usually don't follow wine country series, but this one peaked my curiosity and I'm glad I had the chance to read it given the likable, believable characters and the twists in the story, this series will be on my to follow list.

This first offering in Nancy J. Parra's Wine County Mystery series kept me guessing until the very end. There was a constant and underlying tension as Taylor O'Brian worked to clear her name and solve the murder of a tour member in her new venture of Wine Country Tours. The characters were likeable, although at times were foolish in their involvement in investigating murders. There is much promise for future offerings in the series and I look forward to them.

I am always on the lookout for a new cozy mystery series and this one hit the spot! The author did a fantastic job at bringing these characters to life while also adding a great mystery that was hard to figure out! When I read a book like this, I want to be a sleuth too, and that's exactly what Nancy did for me. I can't wait for the next installment!

Imaginative new cozy series

Nancy J. Parra did an excellent job of setting down a hood foundation for this new series.
Taylor is a believable main character and the cast of family and friends enhanced the story. The mystery has a lot of twists and turns in finding the murderer.
I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

This was a really fun start to a new series! I loved the characters and the setting and I felt that the mystery was very well done with a lot of good deflections and twists. I'm looking forward to reading book two.