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.

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!

This is the third book in the Whiskey Business Series. A great romantic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The setting is in Scotland and is enchanting. Well written with interesting characters and an entertaining story. I read a reader copy via Net Galley and voluntarily chose to write a review.

Having read the previous books in the series (SINGLE MALT MURDER and DEATH DISTILLED) I couldn't wait to see what had happened to Abi and Grant- had Abi realized she wanted to stay at the distillery with Grant, or had she left him to it? The book picks up months later, after the Christmas holidays, and gets Abi right back into the thick of things. As one of the characters says "death does seem to follow you!". In the middle of an awards getaway she finds herself not only in the middle yet again, but targeted for unknown reasons. I finished the book in one sitting, as I couldn't put it down. It has the perfect blend of humor (runaway sheep brought back in a Mini Cooperanyone? LOL) and mystery (and a little romance) to keep you reading!

Deadly Dram is a great addition to A Whiskey Business series. Love the plot, characters and the Scottish setting. A good quick read. I highly recommend this book and series to mystery fans. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my arc. This is my unbiased review.

Deadly Dram is the third book in the Whisky Business Mystery series.

Time is getting close for the annual Golden Quaich Awards for the best Whiskys. Grant MacEwen, manager/co-owner of Abbey Glen Distillery and Cam Lewis, the distiller, have finally convinced Abi that she needs to attend, especially since Abbey Glen is up for the top award this year. As Abi is greeting friends from the past and making new ones, she soon learns that there seems to be those in attendance that feel the awards should be for Scotch produced in Scotland. She also gets the impression that possibly there is a plan to make sure Scotland brewed Scotch will win. Soon the body of Sir Richard Simpson is found dead in his room by the maid, Sophie. An autopsy shows that he had died of nicotine poisoning. Detective Inspector Ian Michaelson arrives to begin his investigation and, since he has worked with Abi before, asks her to take pictures of the room and to keep her ears open for any information that might be helpful. Then a second judge is killed in the same manner. Michaelson and Abi are stymied as to whether these deaths are related to the award program or possibly a business transaction that happened to involve the two judges.

The story is well written and plotted and has a wonderful cast of believable characters. Abi’s adorable dog, Liam, is back once again to provide some lighter moments.

I’m looking forward to the next to next book in this great series. I’m anxious to see what is happening with Abi and Grant.

I love this series. After the first book I had concerns that the second and third wouldn't be able to hold up. How many murders can happen in a very small remote Scottish town after all. For the third the action is moved away from the town and to a whiskey awards weekend. The characters that we already know are pushed aside a little in this one. This is a little more Abi-centric than the previous books, or a better way to say that is that the side characters didn't feel as developed in this one, probably because they action is moved away from the location of the first two books. I was a little confused by Liam, Abi's dog, was allowed to trot along everywhere with her, including murder scenes, but you can't not love Liam so that was forgivable.

I could have done without the drama around Grant. Either get your characters together or don't but leave me out of the stupid drama. I prefer characters that actually communicate rather than characters that fret and never talk. It's just a trope I hate.

Book # 3 in the series, but the first I've read. I was able to jump right in and enjoyed the characters and the story. I look forward to seeing more in the series and will find the previous two. The interaction between Abi and the two men in her life Grant MacEwan (business partner) and the Detective is interesting.

I received an eARC from Alibi via NetGalley for an honest review.

For my money, this is the best cozy mystery series out there. It takes the familiar cozy tropes (single gal who is more beautiful than she realizes, unexpected inheritance, city gal moves to small town, etc.) and does them so well you forget they're tropes. The story is nice and tidy, if not twisty and shocking, and it still leaves you wanting the next book. Plus, you get to learn a lot about whisky! Highly recommended for any cozy fan, and those who sometimes need an escape.

A new to me cozy series, but I found the description interesting enough to give it a try. I really enjoyed the Scotland setting and the inside look at the whiskey industry, which I didn't have a clue about. Well done characters and well developed enjoyable story. This series will go on my to be read pile after this one.

3.5 stars

Abi Logan is back in the third entry in the Whisky Business mysteries. Abi inherited a distillery from her uncle and has had a big learning curve fitting in to the small village and its male whisky community. She is torn between resuming her career as a war correspondent and photojournalist and settling down to the mostly appealing life in the Highlands. Her distiller Grant MacEwan would like to be more than her business partner, but Abi's track record is not good for romance, and she's afraid a botched relationship would also ruin their business arrangement.

Their company, Abbey Glen, has been nominated for a prestigious award and Abi has been persuaded to attend the festivities and network. But the event is plagued from the outset and it doesn't take long to wonder who is bumping off whisky makers as the bodies accumulate.

I enjoy the writing and the unusual and appealing setting. In my ARC, I found the ending disappointing -- straight out of a romance novel and clearly geared to force us all to read the next novel to read what happens. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.