Another excellent addition to this beloved series.
I had a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's full of humor, the characters are as likable as usual and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Can't wait for the next installment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is book 5 in the series and I think I laughed all the way through it. Aunt Ginny and the Biddies are such wonderful characters and when you thunk they can't be any funnier, they are. Poppy is a great protagonist, she's sometimes a little naive but perfectly enjoyable. The mystery in this one is fun to solve, the murderer caught me by surprise. I can't wait for more in this laugh out loud funny series.

Wine Tastings Are Murder by Libby Klein

It’s vintage Poppy when the gluten-free baker, and B&B owner, tries to solve a murder at a Cape May winery.

I enjoyed this book.. It was well-written and had very lovable characters. IT was a surprise when I found out who the killer was. Very unexpected. Nice love.triangle, but II wasn’t happy with the ending.


Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

I love foodie cozy mysteries. This one was a lot of fun, if just for the bed-and-breakfast aesthetic. Loved this one and can't wait to see more from this series.

I really loved this book in a new to my series. Tha characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end

Synopsis:

It's vintage Poppy McAllister when the gluten-free baker and B&B owner tries to solve a murder at a Cape May winery . . .

When Poppy and Aunt Ginny agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at their Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast on the Jersey Shore, they never anticipated such a sour bunch. Grumpy guest Vince Baker should be in a better mood--he's filthy rich and on his honeymoon with his much younger wife Sunny, who seems to dote on him almost as much as her high-spirited teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.

But the honeymoon is over when Vince drops dead the next day touring the Laughing Gull Winery. Turns out he's been poisoned, and it seems like everybody on the tour is hiding something. Now Poppy has to put her gluten-free baking on the back burner and bottle up her feelings for the two men in her life while she charges after a bitter killer with a lethal case of sour grapes . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy's Kitchen!

"Fans of Chopped will have fun juggling the complicated set of suspects and following a romantic triangle that has yet to be resolved."
-- Kirkus Reviews on Restaurant Weeks Are Murder (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Aunt Ginny and her friends are so funny and some of the situations they find themselves in are hilarious. Figaro is up to his old tricks and made me smile. Poppy is still having trouble deciding between two suitors and I think that detracted from my enjoyment of the book a little bit.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait to read about Figoro’s next shenanigans, and the humans too.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Wine Tastings are Murder by Libby Klein is book five in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I love this series and book five did not disappoint. Who knew getting involved in a murder investigation could be funny! Then throw in a love triangle. Ms. Klein has another well written Cozy that you can't put down. She has given plenty suspects. The story has romance and laugh out loud humor. Love of family and friends. Cute, but spoiled pets, and a jaw dropping end. I can't wait for book six!
I was given an ARC from Kensington via NetGalley for an honest review.

Another wonderful installment in the series by Libby Klein. I love the Biddies, Poppy, and the rest of the cast. You can’t help but laugh out loud during this series, and the mysteries are great. What an ending! Can’t wait to see what happens next.

I am really enjoying this series. I love the characters, especially Poppy and Aunt Ginny. There are guests staying at the B & B in this book that are on a Wine Tasting Tour, which brings in several new characters for this book. Also, Aunt Ginny has an Alexa which had me laughing many times throughout the story. The mystery was very interesting trying to figure out how it happened, and why. But equally interesting was that Poppy was trying to make a decision about who she wanted to date, Tim or Gia. I love how Sawyer and Kim were involved in the story, as well as how Aunt Ginny's friends were included in the story too. The ending of the mystery was well written, but there was a bit of a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4 stars = Great! Might re-read.
Such a fun series. This is one that actually does make me laugh out loud at times. The characters are a lot of fun, and the mysteries are always excellent. Both of those things are true for this latest story in the series. The mystery kept me guessing until the end, and I loved how it all came together. Aunt Ginny and her friends are a hoot, but they don't overwhelm the story with their antics (which happened in another book I read recently). The author does a great job of keeping a LOT of moving pieces well balanced. I didn't love Poppy's obsession with her weight and her diet in this one - it seemed like a bigger piece of this book than in previous ones.

My only real complaint is the love triangle. I don't mind them in a single book. There's a place for that sort of relationship dynamic. But I do not love them in cozy series where the triangle lingers from book to book to book. In fact, I have quit reading series that have languished over the will-she-or-won't-she question for what felt like too long. There's finally some movement on this at the end of this book, although the author throws in a new wrinkle to carry us into book 6. I was happy enough with how things closed out here to keep moving forward with the series.

(Poppy spends a lot of time in this book thinking about her weight, her diet, and what she is and isn't eating. This could be triggering for some readers.)

I've got to stop reading these in public. I'm laughing so hard and trying not to laugh out loud that people think I'm crying. These books are so funny and highly entertaining. I can't get enough of this series!

Oh my goodness, just when you think Aunt Ginny can't get any funnier or over the top, she never disappoints. She and her posse of biddies (as Poppy lovingly refers to them, she does really love all the ladies) are always so hilarious in this series. Figaro had really amped up his game too, since one of the guests had brought a mini Pom with them. Now Fig had a new victim instead of the humans, wow, what a new concept, torment the dog not Poppy. But the little dog, all four pounds of her, was definitely able to hold her own. Most times I was Team Fig, because I had a feeling this little fuzzy visitor was playing him and making him look bad, lol. Then as if it couldn't get crazier, Aunt Ginny had bought an Alexa device which kept going off at sometimes very inappropriate times with statements that were, well, appropriate. And somehow, packages from the big box store started showing up on Ginny's doorstep, a fun little mystery in itself.

There was definitely a murder in all the madcap fun. Poppy's friend Connie wasn't in this book much. Instead, there was another friend named Kim who worked at the local winery, and she was afraid her boss was going to be arrested for a murder, which was the murder of one of Poppy's own B&B guests. Lots of digging later, everyone working together (yes, even Amber was a bit better with wanting Poppy's help this time), the case was solved. During this whole time, Poppy had told herself she'd make her decision between Tim and Gia, which I'm not even going to go into, since everyone can read that for themselves.

Helpful hint for reading this book: If you're drinking anything, you might spew it from laughing and drench your book or e-reader. Enjoy, 'cause I know you will. I absolutely can't wait for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Truly enjoyable cozy mystery starring a wonderful protagonist and a great cast of supporting characters. It's a witty story with a touch of romance and great friendships.

This is the fifth book in the Poppy McAllister series but the first one that I've read. It's easily read as a standalone but I enjoyed it so much I'm going to read the earlier entries in the series.

Poppy and her Aunt Ginny (her Alexa mishaps are a hoot) have just opened a B&B and their first guests have arrived. Vince and Sunny are part of a wine tasting tour. Vince is a wealthy older gentleman and he is married to a much younger woman. Surprise guests show up-Vinces's daughter and her husband who have also decided to take part in the tour. They've heard that Vince has recently changed his will and are trying to change his mind. Poppy hosts a happy hour for the entire group and we meet the rest of the cast of characters.

The next day, while touring a local winery, Vince dies and while the thought is that he had a heart attack, the police discover he was murdered.

It's a great mystery with many twists-the young wife, the daughter or son-inlaw, someone else from the tour group etc. You will not solve this one early on.

Highly recommend and look forward to future installments of this series.

I received an ARC but the opinion expressed is my own.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Poppy McAllister is back along with her Aunt Ginny. Their B&B is open and they are hosting a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group. The members of the group are staying at various B&B’s, one couple is even staying at a campground in their RV. Vince and Sunny Baker along with her Pomeranian, Tammy Faye are staying at Poppy’s Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast. They are later joined by Vince’s daughter and her husband when they unexpectedly crash the party and join the tour. They are not happy with Vince’s new wife and make their displeasure clearly known.

The next day the tour group travels to the Laughing Gull Winery. In the middle of the tasting, Vince keels over dead. At first, everyone thinks he had a heart attack but the man was definitely poisoned and everyone in the room becomes a suspect. With one of her guests dead, Poppy adds catch a killer to her long to-do list. Wait! Could the killer be under her roof as well?

OMG! I laughed so hard several times while reading this book, One time I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. My funny bone was thoroughly tickled time and again.

Victory emerged from Aunt Ginny’s bedroom at the back of the kitchen wearing a low-cut French maid costume with thigh-high stockings.

Sawyer came in just in time to see me choke on my coffee. “Whoa!” Sawyer giggled and had to cover her mouth. “Oh, Poppy. That is so much better than I imagined.”

Aunt Ginny emerged behind Victory with a genuine feather duster in her hand. “Look it fits her. What? Why are you making that face?”

and

“The Bible says: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Aunt Ginny folded her arms across her chest and tried to stare me down.

“That’s not the Bible. That’s Spider-Man.”

Aunt Ginny narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure? I think it’s in the Bible.”

“Not unless there’s a chapter written by Stan Lee.”

Those are just two of my favorite scenes. There are many more.

Beyond the humor, Ms. Klein serves us such wonderful characters. Libby and her Aunt Ginny are two of my favorite cozy personalities. You never know what is going to come out of Ginny’s mouth or the antics she and her friends are going to get into. Think Golden Girls on steroids!

Poppy is still trying to decide between Gia and Tim while baking for each of their restaurants, running the B&B, trying to keep Ginny in line, and now investigating another murder. She gets stronger in each story. Her sleuthing is improving too.

All the supporting characters are developing nicely. The new characters that are introduced are quite a crew. All seem to be hiding something. They were all very well-crafted. The pet characters are great too! Figuro may have met his match!

The mystery to solve was so much fun with a plethora of twists and turns. To avoid spoilers I won’t say more but the big reveal was epic and a total surprise. I loved it!!

This entire series is fantastic. I anxiously await each new book. Wine Tastings Are Murder is stellar, captivating, hilarious, and a must-read. The ending also sets up a huge cliffhanger! So now I am counting down the days until June 29, 2021. The day Beauty Expos Are Murder hits store shelves! 203 days!

Wine Tastings Are Murder is definitely one of the best books I have read this year and receives my Paradise Rating!

4.5 stars

This is the fifth book in the Poppy McAllister mysteries by Libby Klein.

Poppy has allowed some people from a tour to come to her Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast for a wine and cheese tasting. Then one of the men ends up dead, putting Poppy into quite a fix. Her Aunt Ginny is quite a hoot in this story. She and her friends act more like rebellious teenagers than actual teenagers. There is even a funny storyline thread concerning Ginny and her new Alexa that had me rolling on the floor. Not to mention two little animals who were at odds for the entire book. All the little background things really make this story super fun!

Another secondary plotline concerns who has captured Poppy’s heart. I have to admit that Gia and his son just grabs at my heart strings. Just a really nice mystery that kept my attention all the way through and I found myself both annoyed and charmed by Ginny and her friends.

Loving this series. Definitely put this on your must read list.

If you like cozy mysteries, check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Often madcap humor pops up in cozy mysteries, but I have never been a fan. However, I absolutely love Poppy McAllister, her Aunt Ginny and all the rest of the characters . The humor is just right and never goes to far. Pilot's B&B is opening for business and her first set of clients would tax the patience of a saint. Then one of them dies on a winery tour and Poppy gets roped into investigating. The series is a winner, as is this book.

Poppy and Aunt Ginny, owners of the Butterfly B&B in Cape May, on the Jersey Shore, are a little short on guests so are particularly pleased that a newlywed couple is checking in and that Lily Snow of Pink Sandals Boutique Tours has scheduled a happy hour in their lounge, a teaser for the next day’s wine tasting at Laughing Gull Winery.

Poppy keeps her game face on when Vince Baker was old enough to be his wife, Sunny’s father, and they introduce their Pomeranian as Tammy Faye Baker. Her composure is strained, however, when Baker’s resentful daughter, Alyce, and pushy son-in-law, Ryan, arrive with no reservation and insisted on a room.

Joining the Bakers are Rosie and “Cowboy Bob” Smith, a retired couple traveling by Winnebago, and Ken and Willow, a couple taking a “babymoon” before their baby arrives. The group doesn’t seem to be too happy during happy hour, but Poppy is busy with other concerns. Two men, one with a restaurant, one with a coffee shop, have show interest in her, and she can’t decide which one is right for her. Meanwhile, she is baking desserts for both businesses.

Poppy doesn’t have any time for more commitments, but during the wine tasting at the Laughing Gull, Vince drops dead, and the police suspect foul play. Poppy’s friend, Kim, invested her savings in the winery without telling her husband, and she needs to exonerate the winery’s owner and winemaker. Kim begs her to put her investigative skills to work to save the business—and her marriage. Poppy can’t resist the challenge.

I love that Poppy is a fortysomething protagonist with an active love life! It doesn’t seem there are many main characters in their forties. I wish there wasn’t so much negative self-talk about her weight. She could be a great example of body positivity for readers; instead, she checks off lots of negative stereotypes of plus-size characters. To her credit, though, she does have two hot men vying for her attention.

Aunt Ginny is a riot. Most of her comments are completely off the wall, but every so often, she throws out a nugget of wisdom. She and her group of friends, in their eighties, don’t let age slow them down.

The mystery, too, was interesting, though I don’t want to say anything that might reveal spoilers. I would have liked even more focus on the investigation and less on Poppy’s love triangle.

One thing that didn’t work for me in this book was the new housekeeper, Victory. I believe she was written as comic relief, but her behavior was too irresponsible and problematic to be funny.

This is book five in the series, although the first book I read. It was easy to jump in; however, there were things that only made sense in the context of previous books. At the same time, knowing those things was not necessary to understanding this book. For example, a character named Connie was mentioned as giving Aunt Ginny a ride, and there was no indication about her relationship to Poppy or Aunt Ginny.

I do plan on continuing with the series! Although the mystery was completely wrapped up, there was quite a cliffhanger regarding Poppy’s personal life.

Poppy McAllister was back on my blog after missing out the last book in the series. Ah well, this book helped me bridge the gap as Poppy was still undecided about whom to choose. Her love life was like a grandfather’s clock, tick-tocking away with the pendulum swaying between the two guys.

With a B&B to run, Aunt Ginny to manage, and two hunks who wanted her body and her baked goods, she barely had time for her workouts. Add to that, obnoxious guests with their secrets and a handbag pom dog, her cup of woes overfloweth.

One of the guests dropped dead. He was poisoned, and it was up to Poppy and author Libby Klein to pen the most intriguing murder plotline along with some delish pastries. Yes… Recipes included. It wouldn’t be a cozy otherwise.

The story had suspects and red herrings. Poppy was all over it. And it was quite intriguing to see the two loves all over her. Aunt Ginny and her friends were a hoot in this book. They produced the largest of smiles and giggles from me.

Quite a fun murder mystery. It relieved my stress and kept me happy.

Wine Tasting are Murder by Libby Klein is the 5th book in A Poppy McAllister Mystery series, and another fun addition. I rated this book five stars because it made me laugh out loud the whole book. Nothing lifts my spirit more than a funny cozy mystery. Ms. Klein I love your sense of humor. Poppy and her Aunt Ginny are hosting a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour at their bed and breakfast. When a guest drops dead on a tour, the mystery begins. Not only is this book funny, it a great mystery too. There are twists and turns around every corner. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. If you love funny cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book/series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm a happy reader when I can spend time with a satisfying mystery that includes great characters, lots of laugh out loud humor, romance and an animal or two. This, the fifth of the Poppy MCallister series, has it all.
Poppy and her Aunt Ginny have their hands full at their B&B, Butterfly House. Their guests are enjoying a wine tasting tour on the South Jersey shore and the B&B puts together a wine and cheese happy hour. Too bad one of the guests, who on the surface should be very happy, is getting the award for Mr. Grumpy. When he drops dead the next day while on a winery tour, it isn't by natural causes. He has been poisoned. There is a killer in their midst and Poppy, Aunt Ginny and her friends, The Biddies, shift gears and go into investigative mode. The laughs are plentiful and the mystery is well crafted but the characters are the big draw for me. These days I really need lots of laughter and this series delivers. As for the romance - which guy will Poppy pick? I'll stop so I don't spoil it for you but it quite the ending. I'm eager for the next in the series, Beauty Expos are Murder, due out June 29, 2021.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.