Pairing a Deception by Nadine NettmannThough this is the third book in the series, it's the first one I've read. I didn't feel like I needed to have read the first two. There was enough backstory without an info dump to know what was going on with the series. Katie Stillwell is volunteering at a wine and food festival the weekend ahead of her advanced sommelier exam. Her beau John Dean is with her as well, taking well the fact that he was signed up as "Dean Stillwell" and generally proving himself to be a really, really good boyfriend. Too bad the rest of the weekend is moving as smooth. There's a young woman chasing down the emcee. He's avoiding her for most of the day but Katie leaves them at a table together at the end of the evening. Too bad the young woman ends up dead outside his door the next day.

The ending didn't make a lot of sense to me but it was overall a pretty good book.



Four stars
This book comes out May 8
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

The charm of this cozy series is in Katie and the fact that she's studying for her sommelier exam. I enjoy how Nettman winds details about the wine business into a fairly standard plot, which makes it stand out. This time Katie's at a festival with her sweetie Detective John Dean and when someone is murdered, well of course she's going to investigate. Hudson Wiley might have issues but Katie's convinced he didn't do it. There are some twists and you'll likely find yourself nodding at the end when the killer is revealed. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to the next installment to see if Katie passed!

Katie Stillwell is participating in a wine festival just days before her Advanced Sommelier exam when she encounters murder. Despite her boyfriend Dean’s advice not to pursue the murder, she does and nearly doesn’t make it to her exam

Preparing for her Advanced Sommelier exam, Katie Stillwell and her boyfriend John Dean head to the Wine and Food festival in Santa Barbara to relax and help her prepare for her upcoming exam. When they arrive, Katie meets the Master Sommelier who is not only hosting the weekend events, but also her exam the next week.

When an attendee is found murdered outside the master sommelier’s room, Katie puts herself in danger as she follows the clues to finger the murdered. Along the way there are some fine wines and good food, but will Katie make it to sit for her exam or will it be postponed because the proctor is booked for murder?

The story is solid and the characters multidimensional and well developed. When the murdered is finally revealed you’ll be surprised. Along the way, enjoy the wine pairings for each chapter and learn a bit more about wines around the World. The only way this book would have been better is if the wines were a true tasting menu with each chapter. Looking forward to reading the first two books in the series and the next adventure with Katie and Dean.

Sommelier Katie Stillwell and her new boyfriend Detective John Dean are taking their first weekend away by attending a wine and food festival in Santa Barbara. Katie is studying hard for her advanced Sommelier exam and Dean has a case that is in process too but they are eager to spend some time together.

The festival is being attended by a colorful variety of characters including the emcee, Master Hudson Wiley, who will be proctoring Katie's exam the following week. When one of the attendee's body is found murdered and propped up against Wiley's hotel room, Katie is eager to figure out who murdered her.

As she investigates, she finds that the victim was using a false name. She also finds a number of suspects who might have wanted her dead and who might have wanted to blame Wiley. This cozy is filled with great information about all kinds of wine. I learned a lot even though I am not a wine drinker.

This third book in a series includes likable characters, a nice twisty plot, danger for the heroine, and lots of information about wine.

I've read so many cozies revolving around wine lately that I thought I would be burnt out by this book. That wasn't the case, I really enjoyed it.

The Sommelier mysteries are a smart and engaging read. A Certified Sommelier herself, Nadine Nettmann skillfully applies her wine expertise to bring a quality of authenticity to Katie Stillwell’s character in her adventures. In fact, one of the more interesting features of this series is the way Ms. Nettmann weaves winemaking details into the story line.

In this adventure, Katie and her boyfriend Dean, a police detective, are taking a long weekend to attend a wine festival in Santa Barbara. Katie also plans to get some studying done for the Advanced Sommelier exam she will be taking in seven days. Of course there is a murder at the festival and it may involve the Master Sommelier who will be proctoring her upcoming exam. Naturally Katie begins sleuthing while Dean reluctantly supports her efforts and warns her to be careful.

The mystery storyline is well-conceived with twists, turns and red herrings that keep the reader guessing. Dialogue is realistic. This is a fast-paced read that is over just a little too soon. Let’s hope the next adventure is coming soon.

While preparing to take her Advanced Sommelier exam, Katie and Dean take a few days off to attend a food and wine festival in nearby Santa Barbara. When a festival guest is found dead, and Katie discovers that people aren't who they say they are, she finds herself in the midst of a jumbled mess, and unsure of who she can trust.

I really liked the first book in this series, but felt rather so-so about the second. Happily, I enjoyed this book more than the second, and am glad I continued the series. I always learn a lot while reading these books, but I'm still not sure I understand the "pairings" at the beginning of each chapter. Maybe if I was more into wine, those would make more sense? I like the way the relationship between Katie and Dean is growing with each book, rather than being hit in the face with it all at once. The identity of the villain surprised me, but that won't keep me from reading the next book in this series when it is released.

Fast-paced new entry following the adventures of Katie Stillwell as she attends a wine festival with boyfriend, John Dean. While her plan is to enjoy her first weekend trip with him and study up for the sommelier's exam the following Tuesday, the murder of another attendee requires her unique skills to solve the crime. Enjoyable mystery that plays fair with its clues, but kept me guessing until the end. Can't wait for the next book and to find out how Katie does on the sommelier's exam. If you are at all interested in wines, this is a don't miss for you!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoying this series which stars Katie, who is studying for her advanced Sommelier exam. This times she is attending a wine and food festival, and of course there is a murder. Katie tries to stay out of it and study her flash cards, but of course ends up smack in the middle of everything. Nice mystery and you get a lot of wine information in the series.

Pairing a Deception continues the story of our favorite sommelier, Katie, as she and Detective Dean take their first weekend trip together, down to a wine festival near Santa Barbara. In the now familiar fashion, a murder happens, along with a case of stolen identity, and there is a great deal of wine drunk, discussed, mentioned, and otherwise referred to. This is a very quick read, though I didn't enjoy it as much as the first 2. On the plus side, Katie and Dean's relationship is progressing and we should know by book 4 if the Palate has passed her Advanced Sommelier exam.

Pairing a Deception is a delightful book. The characters are well-rounded and interesting. The story flows like a good wine (pun intended) and the mystery is absorbing. This is the third in the A Sommelier Mystery Series, but this was the first book in the series I have read. I was able to jump right in and enjoy it. Katie is attending the Harvest Days Wine and Food Festival with her beau Dean, a Napa Valley detective. Katie is also studying for her advanced sommelier exam. The grand emcee of the festival happens to be the proctor for the exam. When a festival-goer is murdered and the emcee is suspected, Katie and Dean find themselves involved in a complicated mystery. The book was engaging. I now plan to purchase the first two books in the series. I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my rating, however. I have provided an unbiased and honest review.

A nice little cozy mystery featuring Katie, a sommelier, and her boyfriend Dean, a police detective. They're attending a wine festival weekend when they find one of the attendees murdered outside the host's hotel room. The plot is nicely outlined, and the characters are interesting. I wasn't expecting to learn a lot about wines, but the format of the story was such that I did learn some interesting things without even trying! Each chapter begins with a "suggested pairing" that describes a wine type in a short sentence. I wasn't so sure about the significance of that--paired with chapter content? or simply a good wine suggestion? Maybe that takes an expert to understand. I always thought pairing meant selecting a wine to go with a particular food (or another wine). But the book was an easy and fun read. I'll have to seek out more of this author's books.

I admit - I love wine, so I was especially interested in Nadine Nettmann's series. It did not disappoint. With her unique perspective as a Sommelier, she weaves a wonderful mystery with unforgettable characters and a great education on wines and pairings. Katie and Dean (and poor guy, had to go by Deal Stillwell through most of the book) navigate yet another satisfying mystery and keep the romance going. I love this series of books and hope to read more of their adventures.

A beautiful setting. Delightful characters. An intriguing read with a story line that flows flawlessly like the wine. A great addition to the series. I can't wait for the next installment.

Love, love, love this book! Since the first book in the series, I've been totally enthralled with this series and the storyline. I love that Katie's personality is getting stronger and showing more confidence. The storyline was fantastic. I honestly didn't know the killer until Katie did. Her way of solving the crimes is unusual but effective and very entertaining. Highly recommend!!