This is the third entry in Mullet’s Whisky Business Mystery series.

Abigail (Abi) Logan is attending her first conference for distillers since inheriting the Abbey Glen distillery. She and her business partner, Grant MacEwan, are in attendance because Abbey Glen has been nominated for three of the prestigious award given out on the last night of the convention. Before the convention is barely underway, there is a murder. Another occurs the next night. Abi is asked by the Inspector in charge of solving the murders because the local station is short-handed. Abi may have over-stepped her assignment when she goes beyond what the Inspector has asked her to do after a friend of hers becomes the Inspector’s prime suspect.

This is a fast-paced cozy mystery that is well written with charismatic characters and believable plot lines, including bit of romance. Abi is well drawn as a down-to-earth ex-photo journalist and war correspondent trying to learn the ins and outs of distilling spirits as the Scottish arm of the industry’s only woman. Some readers may be upset because the Inspector called on Abi to help out, but he didn’t ask her to go into the field to help with the day-to-day investigation nor did he put her in danger. She took the crime scene photographs and was asked to find out where a few of her fellow attendees were at the time of the murders. Anything she did beyond that was on her. She wasn’t careless and did not put herself into life-threatening jeopardy

While this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone as well. This is my introduction to the series and I had no trouble with knowing who the characters were because Mullet was savvy enough to provide the new reader with just the right amount of background information to keep the reader from feeling left out. Having said that, I will be reading the first two books in the series because I enjoyed this story and the writing was well done.

Twists, suspense and drama keep this story a real page turner. I really enjoyed this story and would love another soon.

Abi is back in another great installment in the series! What I love most about this series is that Abi has a great relationship with the local law enforcement, and actively helps them solve cases. It's a refreshing change from most cozies where our amateur sleuth is tolerated at best. In a way, this story reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel - not sure if it was the mystery or the setting. Regardless, I enjoyed it! I can always count on Melinda Mullet to deliver a light, yet meaty, cozy.

I would give this ten stars if I could. I just love this series and I anxiously anticipated 'Deadly Dram'. I wasn't disappointed. I find Abi Logan an intriguing character, with a surrounding cast that is engaging. The mystery was so well done and kept me guessing until the very end. Abi's romantic life has a big hurdle that needs to be resolved, and I can't wait for the next book in the A Whiskey Business Mystery series. It can't come soon enough!

A lovely, atmospheric cozy. There were lots of interesting suspects and backstories but let’s be real. It’s all about Liam. Definitely one of my favourite literary puppers.

This is my first time reading this author and it took me longer than I'd like to get into the story. I believe this is the third in the series and as a result, I kept feeling two steps behind with the characters. So that annoyed me to no end. I typically LOVE when a location feels like a character in the book, in this instance it didn't.

With that being said, I ended up liking the book. There were enough twists to keep me guessing and I grew to like the main character. I will go back and read the previous books in the series.

About half way through this entertaining cosy-mystery I sure wanted to taste a quality single malt whiskey. The story has interesting characters and a vivid setting. This is lightweight reading at its best.

Who knew distilling whiskey would be deadly. Abi, Grant and Patrick attend an awards weekend for whiskey distillers from around the world. A streak of nativism hits the “Barley Boys” as Abi calls them and suddenly two members are dead. Is someone trying to kill the judges to keep the non-Scots out of the running? Abi struggles to find the killer endangering Grant’s life.

cosy-mystery, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, murder-investigation, scotland, poisons

Respected whisky distillers from within and without Scotland gather at a fantastic resort for judging and award presentation, including the only female distillery co-owner and her beloved dog Liam. Abi is also a former photo journalist who is not only very good at sleuthing, but has had occasion to work with Detective Michelson on a murder case in the recent past. It was supposed to be a good time with friends like Patrick and her co-owner Grant. Then came the first murder. Lots of sleuthing, red herrings, twists, and many things to learn about whisky culture make this one fine read! See publisher's blurb for further clues, but no spoilers here.
I requested and received a free ebook review copy from Random House via NetGalley. Thanks!

Having just finished this book, I have to get the first and second in this series because I have fallen in love with Liam and Abigail. This is a cozy mystery that ticks all my boxes. First, great characters, second, wonderful concept, and third, a mystery that kept me on my toes. Bravo ,Ms. Mullet, I raise my glass (of good Scottish whisky) to you. I received this e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

When I received the ARC for review I realized this was #3 in the series. So of course I went back and read the first two books before this one! I loved books 1 and 2 and this one didn't disappoint either! The mystery was compelling, I love trying to figure it out before the characters in the book, but Abi beat me to it this time. The twists and turns this book takes keeps you reading, I didn't want to put it down because I needed to know who did it!

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Deadly Dram is the third book in Melinda Mullet’s Whisky Business Mystery series. Abbey Glen Distillery heiress and renowned photojournalist Abi Logan has just returned to the Village of Balfour in Scotland. She had first been on assignment and then spent the Christmas holidays with her best friend, Patrick Cooke in Glasgow. She is celebrating the new year at the Larches, estate of business partner Grant McEwan. The following week the Abbey Glen crew, Abi, Grant, and distiller Cam Lewis will be traveling to the Golden Quaich Awards as they have been nominated for a couple of awards.

The prizes are awarded by a series of blind tastings. This time there are even foreign offerings nominated. Sir Richard Simpson, Archie MacInnes, and several others are the judges this year. Sir Richard is quite vocal in his support of the foreign contenders which ruffles many feathers. When he is found poisoned that is the motive that comes to the forefront.

As the local police department is decimated by a case of flu, Detective Inspector Ian Michaelson calls upon Abi to serve as his crime scene photographer. They have worked together and butted heads in prior installments, but in this tale they truly work together.

When Archie MacInnes is also found dead a couple of days later, and an attempt is made on Abi that lands Grant in the hospital, it seems paramount to put the puzzle pieces together and stop the mayhem. Using all of her resources, Abi is able to put some of the pieces in place, but the late night attack of another of the award nominees reveals a very unexpected villain behind the deaths.

Once again Ms. Mullet has woven a tale of intrigue. But the secondary aspect of her intense tales is the human story, that gives a character sketch not to be missed. A page turning story, it will keep you reading well into the night. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do recommend it!

Abi Logan, partner in Abby Glen whisky distillery, is attending her first Golden Quaich Awards at an exclusive resort. But when two of the judges are murdered, Abi unleashes her journalist instincts and is hot on the trail of a murderer. But when her partner Grant is poisoned when she was the target, things get personal and Abi turns up the heat to find the murderer.

I loved this book for so many reasons. Abi is smart, capable, and loyal. A strong character that really appealed to me, as a professional woman myself. This is a well written story and the author keeps things moving. Giving us Liam, the Islay malt loving terrier, is an added bonus that just warms my heart. Scotland is a great setting an I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Abi, Grant, Patrick, Liam and Abbey Glen.

I enjoyed this book but didn’t love it. It’s full of interesting characters and the heroine is likable. The mystery aspect was good with lots turns and surprises. So what’s not to like? Well, there is a romance aspect to this book....in fact running through all in the series involving a “will they or won’t they” situation. To me this feels like cheap filler in a book that doesn’t necessarily need a romance. But if the author feels the need to include this then just do it. Make them a couple. The whole will they/won’t they is tired and overused and I found it distracted from the main story and kind of ruined a good ending. All in all it’s a decent cozy but I am unlikely to read more in this series.

A great mystery. The clues kept pointing in different directions, but Abi stayed focused on finding the killer. The dialogue was fast paced and held your interest. This was my first book from this author, but I would love to see the love interest between Abi and Grant continue. I will definitely read more from her.

Loved, loved this book. It's a great mystery with lots of supense mystery and thrill and with a hint of romance. Even though this was third in the whiskey business series it's a book you can read without feeling loss. I am going back to ready the first two books just to get a better since of the characters Grant, Cam, Louisa, and Abi. Some of the Scottish words can you throw you off but if read it carefully you can get them. This book is for any type of reader.

This was an enjoyable read with great characters, a hilarious dog and a twisty plot with an unrequited love match thrown in. Will be looking forward to the next in the series.

A whiskey drinking dog, a (nearly) locked room murder, and a likable heroine equals a good rainy day read.

I really enjoyed this book based on the whiskey industry, the wealthy owners, and the politics involved. I enjoyed the main characters as well. Abi Logan is feisty, smart, and intuitive, but not infallible. She works the murders of the whiskey competitors like any real person would. The descriptions and situations are well written and not formulaic. I definitely enjoyed this alcohol-drenched tale and will read more of this series. Just enough romance to create dynamic tension, which I like in a mystery. I also liked Inspector Michaelson who was not strictly adversarial to Abi. I'm a bit weary of the inspectors hating those who investigate on their own. They make a good team, and I wouldn't mind seeing them work together more often. I will feature this book on my blog in the near future.

Loved it! A fun, fast-paced who-done-it set in whiskey making areas of Scotland. Although so many characters were introduced at the beginning it was hard to keep track of them but you soon slotted them into categories. Good guy, bad guy, iffy. And the dog stole the show!