Uncorked

A Chrissy McMullen Mystery #7

by Lois Greiman

The romance between LA psychologist Christina McMullen and Lieutenant Jack Rivera is finally sizzling...until Chrissy catches the lieutenant in a compromising position. Still, when a vicious criminal from their past is released from prison, Rivera is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Chrissy safe--but does that include murder? Despite sound advice from her best friend, Brainy Laney Butterfield, Chrissy is determined to clear Rivera's name. But first she'll have to tango with a quintet of sexy suitors and her own current beau, Doctor...what was his name again? And when Chrissy is attacked, the stakes become more dangerous than ever, for she's about to pop the lid on the most lucrative criminal enterprise in LA--and to the surprise of this shrink, more than one deep, dark secret is about to become uncorked.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Comedy, Humor

336 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2011

About the author

Born on a North Dakota cattle ranch, Lois Greiman graduated from a high school class of sixty students before moving to Minnesota where she professionally trained and showed Arabian Horses for several years. Since that time she's been a high fashion model, a fitness instructor, and a veterinary assistant. But an incurable case of writing fever put a stop to all those occupations.

Since selling her first book to Avon in 1992, she has sold twelve other historical romance novels, most of which are set in medieval Scotland and involve her very popular Forbes clan. In an attempt to pursue her love of humor, Ms. Greiman has also recently sold three romantic comedies to Harlequin Enterprises.

While caring for three children, fifteen horses, and a menagerie of pets on her small farm in Minnesota, Ms. Greiman writes full time, producing two or three novels a year and garnering much praise from readers and reviewers alike. Affaire de Coeur called HIGHLAND WOLF "magnificent." Romantic Times proclaimed LADY AND THE KNIGHT"...pure magic." Christina Dodd proclaims "Lois Greiman delivers....The Fraser Bride offers delightful characters, breathless adventure."

Her Highland novels have received Affaire de Couer's Critic's Choice Award, Romantic Times K.I.S.S. Award, and been nominated for Romance Writer's of America's prestigious Rita. Her titles have appeared on Barnes and Nobles Best Selling Romance list and won her the Midwest Fiction Writer's Rising Star Award.

Reviews

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and love Chrissy McMullen and all the men in love with her. She is funny, hopeless and always finds the murderer. I am kind of tired of the on and off again with Jack Rivera they love each other so just let them be together. Chrissy is set on proving that Jack is innocent of shooting a man. The story line is really great though I had figured out who the murderer was in this case earlier on it was a great story.

[Karyogini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok... I started reading this book while waiting in the ER from my Brother-in-Law to be cleared. It took all my strength to keep a straight and somber face as to not bother all the other people in the holding area... Maybe a few giggles and a couple of smiles escaped...

I totally love this series... And when I started reading this, I was actually looking for a "replacement" of Stephanie Plum... And this was way back before I found out about Goodreads! I was totally trolling cyberspace hunting for the next series/book because I couldn't wait for the next SP book. Anyway... I don't like to make my favorites compete... but right now, this book is rating higher than the other SP books... just because it brought back the old Mac.

Her love for frozen deserts is hilarious and the witty crazy quotes makes me pause my reading because I simply must laugh out.

I don't really remember how the previous book (6 not 6.5) ended... and who the hell is Marc??? In the end, who cares? Leney was sweet here. I was getting annoyed with her at some point in the previous books. But in this one, she seems more like a real person... not the perfect woman that all men fall for. Pfft.

[Moondance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up my cordless on the third ring.

This is the seventh book out starring psychologist Chrissy McMullen. She and Jack Rivera are on the outs again after she thinks he cheated on her. A designer drug dealer that Chrissy and Jack helped put away is released from prison and an attempt is made on his life. Rivera is arrested for the crime. Despite multiple warnings from the police, colleagues and friends, Chrissy begins investigating too. This quickly becomes a dangerous situation for Chrissy.

Chrissy was a tad irritating in this installment. She kept referring to her Irish heritage which I don't recall from previous books. Her relationship with Jack drives me nuts. It is very obvious that she cares for him but constantly pushes him away. Her relationship with Marc is so nondescript that she frequently forgets his name. Her dogged determination puts her in harm's way more than once.

I always enjoy when Laney steps in. She at least tries to be the voice of reason. I did miss J.D.'s actual presence.

The intertwined story line with a drug dealer, his abused girlfriend and her pit bull adds interest to the plot. The drug dealer's phone provides the answers to the true mystery behind Rivera's arrest.
This was a quick easy read that did not wow me, but kept my interest to the end.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual Chrissy McMullen can't keep her nose out of everyone else's business and finds herself in deep doo-doo once again. When on-again-off-again boyfriend and cop, Jack Rivera is arrested for attempted murder, Chrissy jumps in with both feet to rescue him. I love how there is barely any sex (or a relationship for that matter) in this series. There's a ton of sexual attraction, sexual innuendos and major heat but they never actually get anywhere. Poor Chrissy is severely frustrated and Jack too, I imagine. This book was published in 2011 and nothing since but I sure hope this isn't the series ender. This series is just too darn funny and sexy to be over and done.

[Janeene · Rating 3 out of 5]

continue to enjoy this series - my favorite parts are the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.

[Jen Flanagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, spicy read, similar to Janet Evanovich. I was impressed at the amount of tension she was able to keep in this book. Lois Greiman is good at writing heat and pent up frustration between characters. It didn't feel contrived and the action was solid throughout.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

4--1/2 stars: This book was classic Chrissy McMullen complete with her sass, witt and hilarious one-liners. Oh, and let's not forget the heat between her and Rivera, though sadly, he is not in the book as much as I would have liked, but definitely as much as he could be given the premise of the storyline. It's great that Greiman has written another book in this series and I hope she continues to write more. However, the fact that this book was self-published is evident in the very poor Kindle formatting and somewhat spotty proofing. Just a word of warning to those buying the kindle edition, every few paragraphs are indented so far that it sticks out glaringly, then several paragraphs will be back at the left margin and this goes back and forth throughout the entire book. It was quite distracting. Also, there was several instances of missing words, double words, missing punctuation. Considering Ms. Greiman decided to charge as much for this book as the major publishers charge for most of the kindle versions of their mass market paperbacks (in other words, $7.99), I expected the formatting and proofing to be as good as those from the major publishers. However, I did not take price and poor formatting into consideration when rating the book. The story itself is spot on and fans of the Chrissy McMullen series should be very happy with this newest addition to this fabulous series.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and was thrilled to find that another book had been published. Uncorked didn't disappoint me at all (except for a lack of Jack throughout most of the story). I love Chrissy's humour and the amount of denial she embraces in her life. The story is both serious and outright hilarious at the same time, a feat I would not imagine is easy to achieve. A great secondary cast of characters is usually along for the ride, but Uncorked saw them mostly absent, but surprisingly, I didn't much miss them, as Chrissy manages to touch base with just about all of them at some point in the story or another.

I hope this means that the 'un' series will continue and I very much look forward and hope to read more about Chrissy and Jack's chaotic life.

[KVR · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for something to read after Stephanie Plum and found this series. I really love it especially the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. However, I felt 'Uncorked" fell short of the preceding books. The lack of detail of Chrissy's and Jack's break up and the new boyfriend felt like their should have a been another book before this one that would have explained it better. Maybe in the book "Unfortunate" that was never finished/published. This book felt like the author was done and just trying to close out the series. I'm disappointed that it's been 3 years with no additional books. Would love to continue reading this series.

[Ron Louthan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best part of this book is the aphoristic wit at the beginning of each chapter.
e.g. "Men, they have the two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an erection, you fix him a burrito."

"You're only given a drop of madness. Don't piss it away.

When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's $3.95 a minute."

[Bookcrazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't like the beginning the story, the break-up of Chrissy and Riviera, but it lead to hilarious dialogues and behaviour.
This final book of my favourite series was great, I laughed a lot, but I'm a bit disappointed from the ending. Only such a short scene with Jack :( No epilogue :(

So "only" 4.5 stars for the finale from one of my favourite series.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm running out of series that are similar to Stephanie Plum... what's not to like? funny and sexy... the mysteries aren't in the forefront, but similar to Evanovich's Stephanie Plum or Shelly Fredman's Brandy Alexander.

[Stacie Haden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, even though there was a little too much review of the previous books in this series. I thought this was the last one, but "Unleashed" had a preview at the end of this book, and sure enough it was on Amazon. 1/4 through it already. Love the instant gratification of my Kindle. :)

[Sue Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Funny stuff! Hard to put it down. As usual Chrissy can't stay out of trouble and her Irish temper gets in the way. Can't wait to read her next adventure.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of this series....love the humorous characters!

[Ming · Rating 4 out of 5]

A laugh out loud hoot

[Qui2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like these goofy books.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope there are more....

[Kimbelry Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't believe all of the terrible things that happened to Chrisy. I loved this book but it kind of leave you hanging.

[Bethann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in the series...hope there will be more!

[Nicessus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Josi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining book in the Chrissy McMullen series. I liked how several characters from previous books make cameos. I hope Chrissy and Jack finally get their happily ever after.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the story, but my version appeared to be unedited. Very hard to get through the grammar and concentrate on the story!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Chrissy and Jack! Can't wait for Unleashed to come out!!!!!

[Dpage · Rating 3 out of 5]

A recap of her previous books

The author uses this book to recap her previous books . This book is missing the humor, wit and charm of her first books .

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh no! I've finished them all so far! loved them!

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. Glad they're back together.

[Dal]

I really enjoyed the humor in this book.