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Cece Barton Mystery #2
Deadly Crush
It’s the beginning of a new year, and for widowed single mom and recent L.A. transplant to California wine country, Cece Barton, that means green hillsides, flowing streams from winter rains, pruned vineyards—and a murder to solve . . . After a mostly stress-free Christmas with her college-age daughter, and despite enjoying a current budding romance with fellow newcomer, Benjamin Cohen, it’s time for Cece to focus on Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. Electrical work and an outdoor security camera are needed, and she’s hired local electrician Karl Meier to do the job, along with the help of his nephew Ian. But she regrets her choice when she witnesses Karl needlessy berating Ian in her presence. On top of that, Karl leers at her, then presents her with an inflated bill before the work is complete. Still, she’s shocked when she gets a call from Karl’s ex-wife, Josie, that she’s found Karl . . . crushed to death beneath the lift in her automotive shop. Cece convinces Josie to call the police, even though Josie is terrified. After all, Karl was an abusive husband, was threatening her, and she has no alibi. With Josie’s future on the line, and maybe her own, Cece starts her own investigation. From the customers Karl cheated to the other women he harassed, she finds there’s no lack of suspects—other than the shelter kittens to whom he was an uncharacteristically sweet volunteer. With a bouquet of motives and unanswered questions, Cece is going to need the help of her twin, Allie, who owns a nearby B & B, as she dives into Karl’s past—before the killer catches up with her, and the lights go out for good . . .
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 26, 2024
85 people are currently reading
9038 people want to read
About the author
Maddie Day
29 books1,553 followersMaddie Day is a pseudonym for Agatha Award-winning mystery author Edith Maxwell.
As Maddie Day, Edith writes the Country Store Mysteries, from Kensington, set in southern Indiana. Maddie lived in the area some years ago and loves writing the adventures of Robbie Jordan, a country store owner and chef in South Lick, Indiana.
She also writes the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, with bike shop owner Mackenzie Almeida and her cozy mystery book group solving murders in a fictional Cape Cod village.
Her new Cece Barton Mysteries series, set northern California wine country, releases in fall, 2023
Please see Edith Maxwell's author page for more information about her other mystery series and her award-winning short stories.
As Maddie Day, Edith writes the Country Store Mysteries, from Kensington, set in southern Indiana. Maddie lived in the area some years ago and loves writing the adventures of Robbie Jordan, a country store owner and chef in South Lick, Indiana.
She also writes the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, with bike shop owner Mackenzie Almeida and her cozy mystery book group solving murders in a fictional Cape Cod village.
Her new Cece Barton Mysteries series, set northern California wine country, releases in fall, 2023
Please see Edith Maxwell's author page for more information about her other mystery series and her award-winning short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
December 12, 2024
As a cozy mystery fan, I always give a chance to those author's (who I've already read) new series, and when Maddie Day's Cece Barton's series kicked off last year, who couldn't resist one set in a vineyard town? Deadly Crush opens with an electrician who clearly has made some enemies, so it's no surprise when he's the victim... but the volume of people who disliked him and his obnoxious ways was bigger than you'd think. Which one of them killed the guy? As things come together, we find there are people working with each other to keep secrets. And the biggest one of all is connected to the identity of all the new characters in the story. Enjoyed the setting. Good mystery. One more book and I'll know if the series is a total keeper, tho I tend to love most things the author writes already!
April 1, 2025
EXCERPT: I followed her through the office door, clicking it shut behind me. Jo moved into the garage proper, and I stepped in behind her. She moved to one side. My hand flew to my mouth as a noisy breath rushed in.
A man lay face down. He was pinned under the lift, except it wasn't lifted at all. 'Pinned' wasn't the right word either. It was more like he'd been crushed. My brain was oddly keeping track of words. Words or not, this was murder. He couldn't have lain on the floor AND controlled the lever. The bouquet of the shop now included another smell, and it wasn't a pleasant one.
Dark stuff stained the floor under his head. That had to be blood. The thought roiled my stomach. But who was this guy? And why was he dead?
ABOUT 'DEADLY CRUSH': It’s the beginning of a new year, and for widowed single mom and recent L.A. transplant to California wine country, Cece Barton, that means green hillsides, flowing streams from winter rains, pruned vineyards—and a murder to solve . . .
After a mostly stress-free Christmas with her college-age daughter, and despite enjoying a current budding romance with fellow newcomer, Benjamin Cohen, it’s time for Cece to focus on Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. Electrical work and an outdoor security camera are needed, and she’s hired local electrician Karl Meier to do the job, along with the help of his nephew Ian. But she regrets her choice when she witnesses Karl needlessly berating Ian in her presence. On top of that, Karl leers at her, then presents her with an inflated bill before the work is complete.
Still, she’s shocked when she gets a call from Karl’s ex-wife, Josie, that she’s found Karl . . . crushed to death beneath the lift in her automotive shop. Cece convinces Josie to call the police, even though Josie is terrified. After all, Karl was an abusive husband, was threatening her, and she has no alibi.
With Josie’s future on the line, and maybe her own, Cece starts her own investigation. From the customers Karl cheated to the other women he harassed; she finds there’s no lack of suspects—other than the shelter kittens to whom he was an uncharacteristically sweet volunteer.
With a bouquet of motives and unanswered questions, Cece is going to need the help of her twin, Allie, who owns a nearby B & B, as she dives into Karl’s past—before the killer catches up with her, and the lights go out for good . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I read Deadly Crush, the second book in the Cece Barton Mysteries, as a stand-alone, not having read the first in the series and it worked just fine.
It seems that Cece has previously solved a murder in Colinas and so she is the ideal person to call for help when mechanic Jo finds a body in her workshop. The identity of the victim only makes more trouble for Jo, although there is no shortage of suspects for the man's murder - he was not well-liked and had a shady past.
I liked the way the author blended Cece's family, personal and business lives seamlessly into the narrative and how Cece could use the cover of her business to continue her investigation into the murder. But she always put her business first.
There are red herrings carefully laid, and a little suspense when it appears Cece is being followed.
I also enjoyed the character of Cece's sister, Allie, who jumps at the chance to help Cece investigate, unwittingly placing herself in danger.
I enjoyed this cosy-mystery. The plot is well developed as are the characters, and I didn't know who the murderer was until they were apprehended.
I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
⭐⭐⭐.7
#DeadlyCrush #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Maddie Day is a pseudonym for Agatha Award-winning mystery author Edith Maxwell.
Edith was first recognized for her fiction writing at the age of nine.
She won the Pasadena Star News contest for her short story, “Viking Girl” and walked away with the prize money of $2.00!
So how did Edith go from being a nine-year-old award-winning fiction writer to the best-selling mystery author and sought-after speaker that she is today?
While writing has been a life-long craft, her fiction career took a few detours before she penned her many multi-setting crime capers. Constructing fictional worlds rich with passion, intrigue, and the true mystery of human behavior is what makes her happiest.
Edith lives in Amesbury, Massachusetts, but is originally a fourth-generation Californian. She has two grown sons and lives in an antique house with her beau and their sweet tabby cat, Martin. (Source: edithmaxwell.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Deadly Crush by Maddie Day for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
I combined reading with listening to Deadly Crush by Maddie Day which was well narrated by Linda Jones.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
A man lay face down. He was pinned under the lift, except it wasn't lifted at all. 'Pinned' wasn't the right word either. It was more like he'd been crushed. My brain was oddly keeping track of words. Words or not, this was murder. He couldn't have lain on the floor AND controlled the lever. The bouquet of the shop now included another smell, and it wasn't a pleasant one.
Dark stuff stained the floor under his head. That had to be blood. The thought roiled my stomach. But who was this guy? And why was he dead?
ABOUT 'DEADLY CRUSH': It’s the beginning of a new year, and for widowed single mom and recent L.A. transplant to California wine country, Cece Barton, that means green hillsides, flowing streams from winter rains, pruned vineyards—and a murder to solve . . .
After a mostly stress-free Christmas with her college-age daughter, and despite enjoying a current budding romance with fellow newcomer, Benjamin Cohen, it’s time for Cece to focus on Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. Electrical work and an outdoor security camera are needed, and she’s hired local electrician Karl Meier to do the job, along with the help of his nephew Ian. But she regrets her choice when she witnesses Karl needlessly berating Ian in her presence. On top of that, Karl leers at her, then presents her with an inflated bill before the work is complete.
Still, she’s shocked when she gets a call from Karl’s ex-wife, Josie, that she’s found Karl . . . crushed to death beneath the lift in her automotive shop. Cece convinces Josie to call the police, even though Josie is terrified. After all, Karl was an abusive husband, was threatening her, and she has no alibi.
With Josie’s future on the line, and maybe her own, Cece starts her own investigation. From the customers Karl cheated to the other women he harassed; she finds there’s no lack of suspects—other than the shelter kittens to whom he was an uncharacteristically sweet volunteer.
With a bouquet of motives and unanswered questions, Cece is going to need the help of her twin, Allie, who owns a nearby B & B, as she dives into Karl’s past—before the killer catches up with her, and the lights go out for good . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I read Deadly Crush, the second book in the Cece Barton Mysteries, as a stand-alone, not having read the first in the series and it worked just fine.
It seems that Cece has previously solved a murder in Colinas and so she is the ideal person to call for help when mechanic Jo finds a body in her workshop. The identity of the victim only makes more trouble for Jo, although there is no shortage of suspects for the man's murder - he was not well-liked and had a shady past.
I liked the way the author blended Cece's family, personal and business lives seamlessly into the narrative and how Cece could use the cover of her business to continue her investigation into the murder. But she always put her business first.
There are red herrings carefully laid, and a little suspense when it appears Cece is being followed.
I also enjoyed the character of Cece's sister, Allie, who jumps at the chance to help Cece investigate, unwittingly placing herself in danger.
I enjoyed this cosy-mystery. The plot is well developed as are the characters, and I didn't know who the murderer was until they were apprehended.
I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
⭐⭐⭐.7
#DeadlyCrush #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Maddie Day is a pseudonym for Agatha Award-winning mystery author Edith Maxwell.
Edith was first recognized for her fiction writing at the age of nine.
She won the Pasadena Star News contest for her short story, “Viking Girl” and walked away with the prize money of $2.00!
So how did Edith go from being a nine-year-old award-winning fiction writer to the best-selling mystery author and sought-after speaker that she is today?
While writing has been a life-long craft, her fiction career took a few detours before she penned her many multi-setting crime capers. Constructing fictional worlds rich with passion, intrigue, and the true mystery of human behavior is what makes her happiest.
Edith lives in Amesbury, Massachusetts, but is originally a fourth-generation Californian. She has two grown sons and lives in an antique house with her beau and their sweet tabby cat, Martin. (Source: edithmaxwell.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Deadly Crush by Maddie Day for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
I combined reading with listening to Deadly Crush by Maddie Day which was well narrated by Linda Jones.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
June 28, 2025
A wonderful story with great characters. I hope Ms. Day continues the series.
January 1, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
With the holidays behind her, Cece Barton is getting things done at Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. Hiring Karl Meier for electrical work may not have been her best decision. He’s a creepy grouchy man who verbally abuses his helper, his nephew Ian, who did all the work – work that took much longer than planned. Then the man handed her a scrap of paper with the amount he said she owed, higher than agreed and before the work was done.
Turns out Karl wasn’t a popular guy around town but she never expected to get a call from his ex-wife and her new friend Josie asking her to come quickly to her automotive garage. When she arrives she sees Karl is dead, crushed under the car lift.
Josie is frightened, she doesn’t have an alibi, but Karl was an abusive husband, and that’s why she left him. Cece persuades her to call the police but when they arrive they question Cece as a suspect too. To clear both their names Cece starts to investigate. With the women he harassed, customers he gouged, and others that just generally disliked him, she had a plethora of suspects. She needs her twin sister Allie’s help to sort through all the clues, motives, and opportunities. She just hopes they can decant the killer before the killer bottles them.
Ms. Day has created interesting core characters for this series. Cece is finding her stride in her new job and is much more confident than in Murder Uncorked. She is making inroads with her previously estranged daughter. She has a closer relationship with her twin sister. She has a true friend in her neighbor Richard despite the age difference they have common interests. She also has a “beau of sorts” who is a consultant to various law enforcement agencies. She employs and works side by side with Mooncat and Dane at Vino y Vida. In this story, we meet Jo Jarvin an auto mechanic who specializes in vintage cars like Cece’s Blue. The characters are diverse and well-crafted with plenty of room for growth as the series continues.
The author seamlessly weaves Cece’s everyday life together with her sleuthing, giving the story an excellent flow. Sifting through all the suspects was a huge job, but she did receive help and information from a variety of people. They wanted to help while also hoping to be deleted from her suspect list. She also had an eagle-eye neighbor making key observations. But she and Allie make a mistake going into WWNDD (What Would Nancy Drew Do) mode, followed quickly by an intense showdown.
I love the wine bar theme. Informants and suspects come right through the door as do some interesting tourists. I would love to have a job where you can take opened bottles home when the work day is done.
Maddie Day knows how to set a scene and tell a story that draws her readers in and keeps them fully engaged. Deadly Crush is a well-plotted mystery filled with twists, turns, secrets, lies, and surprises. Cece has grown since book one which has opened her up to realize all the good people she has around her. I am excited for this series to continue.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
With the holidays behind her, Cece Barton is getting things done at Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. Hiring Karl Meier for electrical work may not have been her best decision. He’s a creepy grouchy man who verbally abuses his helper, his nephew Ian, who did all the work – work that took much longer than planned. Then the man handed her a scrap of paper with the amount he said she owed, higher than agreed and before the work was done.
Turns out Karl wasn’t a popular guy around town but she never expected to get a call from his ex-wife and her new friend Josie asking her to come quickly to her automotive garage. When she arrives she sees Karl is dead, crushed under the car lift.
Josie is frightened, she doesn’t have an alibi, but Karl was an abusive husband, and that’s why she left him. Cece persuades her to call the police but when they arrive they question Cece as a suspect too. To clear both their names Cece starts to investigate. With the women he harassed, customers he gouged, and others that just generally disliked him, she had a plethora of suspects. She needs her twin sister Allie’s help to sort through all the clues, motives, and opportunities. She just hopes they can decant the killer before the killer bottles them.
Ms. Day has created interesting core characters for this series. Cece is finding her stride in her new job and is much more confident than in Murder Uncorked. She is making inroads with her previously estranged daughter. She has a closer relationship with her twin sister. She has a true friend in her neighbor Richard despite the age difference they have common interests. She also has a “beau of sorts” who is a consultant to various law enforcement agencies. She employs and works side by side with Mooncat and Dane at Vino y Vida. In this story, we meet Jo Jarvin an auto mechanic who specializes in vintage cars like Cece’s Blue. The characters are diverse and well-crafted with plenty of room for growth as the series continues.
The author seamlessly weaves Cece’s everyday life together with her sleuthing, giving the story an excellent flow. Sifting through all the suspects was a huge job, but she did receive help and information from a variety of people. They wanted to help while also hoping to be deleted from her suspect list. She also had an eagle-eye neighbor making key observations. But she and Allie make a mistake going into WWNDD (What Would Nancy Drew Do) mode, followed quickly by an intense showdown.
I love the wine bar theme. Informants and suspects come right through the door as do some interesting tourists. I would love to have a job where you can take opened bottles home when the work day is done.
Maddie Day knows how to set a scene and tell a story that draws her readers in and keeps them fully engaged. Deadly Crush is a well-plotted mystery filled with twists, turns, secrets, lies, and surprises. Cece has grown since book one which has opened her up to realize all the good people she has around her. I am excited for this series to continue.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Read
December 14, 2024I love these books so much! The community is very diverse and close-knit, Cece is really nosy but in a super polite way. Can't wait to read more by Maddie Day!
December 31, 2024
DEADLY CRUSH, the 2nd book in Maddie Day's CeCe Barton Mysteries series, finds our series heroine CeCe still managing the Vino y Vida wine bar in Colinas, CA.
But as the story opens, she's stuck waiting for an electrician she hired to finish working so she can open for the day.
Karl Meier may be a good electrician but as CeCe learns, he's not exactly people friendly. He's verbally abusive to his nephew that works for him and seems to take his own sweet time doing work despite being on a timeline. CeCe's already decided never to use him again for the wine bar but that's going to be the least of her problems.
Maddie Day introduces a new character to the series in the form of Jo Jarvin, an auto mechanic specializing in cars that are pre-computer age. She's got a penchant for heavy metal T-shirts (Iron Maiden in this book) and a kind of no-nonsense demeanor.
CeCe drops her car, Blue, off to have some work done and along the way learns that Jo's ex-husband is none other than Karl Meier. But the next morning when Jo calls her and asks her to come to the shop, she discovers that Karl has been killed, crushed beneath the car lift in the autoshop.
Jo is immediately a suspect but swears she didn't do it. Her marriage was long over and she had little if anything to do with her ex.
Accepting that she is in fact an amateur detective, CeCe begins looking into the murder despite the misgivings of the police. But what she finds is that pretty much anyone who met Karl ended up despising him. Her two main employees, Mooncat and Dane, both have their issues with him. Karl's nephew Ian could've snapped after all the abuse and anyone that ever hired the man to do electrical work found their way to despising the man. And despite her pleas of innocence, Jo is still not in the clear either.
CeCe finds the only redeeming quality about Karl was that he liked cats and volunteered at a cat rescue. But even then, he was a pain to the other volunteers to the point some of them quit and he even acted as if he knew more than the owner of the place.
How do you winnow away at your suspect list when it is so large? This is the question CeCe must solve. But as she does, she's looking for a killer that has no problem putting once person down, so why not another? Soon CeCe is dealing with being followed by a mysterious car and someone trying to break into her garage.
When you add in her personal life, a sister she feels inferior to, a daughter who has been estranged from her for a long time that is only NOW starting to come around and trying to manage the wine bar plus her new boyfriend Benjamin, CeCe has a lot of balls in the air.
There's also the matter of a shady real estate guy in town looking to buy properties that are clearly not for sale. He's not making friends to say the least. Could he have something to do with Karl's death.
As CeCe learns more about why each individual suspect might have wanted Karl dead, she'll need to do everything she can to bring a killer to justice before they have a chance to add her to their body count.
I really enjoyed MURDER UNCORKED, the 1st book in the series, but the progress that Maddie Day has CeCe Barton making in this book actually has endeared her to me that much more. In the first book, she was questioning herself so much about everything, you wondered how she got out of bed in the morning.
But in DEADLY CRUSH, she's showing increased self-confidence born of finally realizing that she's doing great things with her life. The fact she's not in competition with her sister (and her realization of that) helps. The thaw in her relationship with her daughter and the growing affection for her boyfriend also gives CeCe a more confident air about her.
I like the supporting cast a lot. Detective James Quan may be all business on the job but I like that he does see value in CeCe's contributions even if he doesn't want her pursuing things. Plus the little characterization tidbit that CeCe discovers through the course of the story was a nice touch.
From CeCe's nephews, to her 90-year-old neighbor and her employees, all of the supporting characters get their moments in the story and only add to the texture of the entire series. Heck, I don't even drink and I like the various tidbits woven into the story about all the various wines mentioned while CeCe is at the wine bar.
Quality storytelling, compelling characters with clear character advancement from one book to the next and an intriguing whodunnit...DEADLY CRUSH is a tale well told!
(FULL DISCLOSURE: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. But as always, my opinion is my own.)
But as the story opens, she's stuck waiting for an electrician she hired to finish working so she can open for the day.
Karl Meier may be a good electrician but as CeCe learns, he's not exactly people friendly. He's verbally abusive to his nephew that works for him and seems to take his own sweet time doing work despite being on a timeline. CeCe's already decided never to use him again for the wine bar but that's going to be the least of her problems.
Maddie Day introduces a new character to the series in the form of Jo Jarvin, an auto mechanic specializing in cars that are pre-computer age. She's got a penchant for heavy metal T-shirts (Iron Maiden in this book) and a kind of no-nonsense demeanor.
CeCe drops her car, Blue, off to have some work done and along the way learns that Jo's ex-husband is none other than Karl Meier. But the next morning when Jo calls her and asks her to come to the shop, she discovers that Karl has been killed, crushed beneath the car lift in the autoshop.
Jo is immediately a suspect but swears she didn't do it. Her marriage was long over and she had little if anything to do with her ex.
Accepting that she is in fact an amateur detective, CeCe begins looking into the murder despite the misgivings of the police. But what she finds is that pretty much anyone who met Karl ended up despising him. Her two main employees, Mooncat and Dane, both have their issues with him. Karl's nephew Ian could've snapped after all the abuse and anyone that ever hired the man to do electrical work found their way to despising the man. And despite her pleas of innocence, Jo is still not in the clear either.
CeCe finds the only redeeming quality about Karl was that he liked cats and volunteered at a cat rescue. But even then, he was a pain to the other volunteers to the point some of them quit and he even acted as if he knew more than the owner of the place.
How do you winnow away at your suspect list when it is so large? This is the question CeCe must solve. But as she does, she's looking for a killer that has no problem putting once person down, so why not another? Soon CeCe is dealing with being followed by a mysterious car and someone trying to break into her garage.
When you add in her personal life, a sister she feels inferior to, a daughter who has been estranged from her for a long time that is only NOW starting to come around and trying to manage the wine bar plus her new boyfriend Benjamin, CeCe has a lot of balls in the air.
There's also the matter of a shady real estate guy in town looking to buy properties that are clearly not for sale. He's not making friends to say the least. Could he have something to do with Karl's death.
As CeCe learns more about why each individual suspect might have wanted Karl dead, she'll need to do everything she can to bring a killer to justice before they have a chance to add her to their body count.
I really enjoyed MURDER UNCORKED, the 1st book in the series, but the progress that Maddie Day has CeCe Barton making in this book actually has endeared her to me that much more. In the first book, she was questioning herself so much about everything, you wondered how she got out of bed in the morning.
But in DEADLY CRUSH, she's showing increased self-confidence born of finally realizing that she's doing great things with her life. The fact she's not in competition with her sister (and her realization of that) helps. The thaw in her relationship with her daughter and the growing affection for her boyfriend also gives CeCe a more confident air about her.
I like the supporting cast a lot. Detective James Quan may be all business on the job but I like that he does see value in CeCe's contributions even if he doesn't want her pursuing things. Plus the little characterization tidbit that CeCe discovers through the course of the story was a nice touch.
From CeCe's nephews, to her 90-year-old neighbor and her employees, all of the supporting characters get their moments in the story and only add to the texture of the entire series. Heck, I don't even drink and I like the various tidbits woven into the story about all the various wines mentioned while CeCe is at the wine bar.
Quality storytelling, compelling characters with clear character advancement from one book to the next and an intriguing whodunnit...DEADLY CRUSH is a tale well told!
(FULL DISCLOSURE: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. But as always, my opinion is my own.)
September 5, 2024
I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was so happy when I got approved for this on Netgalley and started it right away. Deadly Crush follows Cece as she solves another mystery. I like the blend of daily life and mystery solving scenes and enjoyed both aspects. It also is fun to read a cozy set in California wine country, it has quite the different vibe from most cozies due to the setting.
The mystery one kept me guessing and there were plenty of suspects. It slowly comes together with more hints and clues. The mystery had a sense of progress, even though no suspects get ruled out until the reveal of the murderer. I liked how Cece is usually smart about how she investigates. The reveal made sense, although I would've liked it if Cece figured it out before the murderer confronts her. I had a few questions remaining about the how, but the why was clear as the murderer explains that.
I like the way this author writes the daily life scenes, it all feels so cozy. It was interesting reading about Cece's house, her friends, family and neighbors as well as her work at the wine bar. There is some change in her relationship with her daughter. And we see a bit more of the romance as well as they're together now. I really liked reading about Cece's personally life, she also grows a bit in confidence and gets the hang of investigating.
It did bother me how the main character referred to her father and his behavior in a very negative way, her father sounds like an ADHD'er. I am hoping the main character will grow in her opinion about neurodivergence as she can be a bit harsh on herself as well, but for now it bothered me.
To summarize: I really liked this book and reading more about Cece as she solves another mystery. I like the blend of daily life scenes and mystery solving scenes and enjoyed both aspects. There is a great group of friends, family and a neighbor around Cece and I liked reading about them and seeing them interact with Cece. This book really has that cozy vibe and I liked reading about Cece. The mystery kept me guessing and I appreciated how Cece is smart about investigating. All in all I am really enjoying this series so far and look forward to the next one!
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was so happy when I got approved for this on Netgalley and started it right away. Deadly Crush follows Cece as she solves another mystery. I like the blend of daily life and mystery solving scenes and enjoyed both aspects. It also is fun to read a cozy set in California wine country, it has quite the different vibe from most cozies due to the setting.
The mystery one kept me guessing and there were plenty of suspects. It slowly comes together with more hints and clues. The mystery had a sense of progress, even though no suspects get ruled out until the reveal of the murderer. I liked how Cece is usually smart about how she investigates. The reveal made sense, although I would've liked it if Cece figured it out before the murderer confronts her. I had a few questions remaining about the how, but the why was clear as the murderer explains that.
I like the way this author writes the daily life scenes, it all feels so cozy. It was interesting reading about Cece's house, her friends, family and neighbors as well as her work at the wine bar. There is some change in her relationship with her daughter. And we see a bit more of the romance as well as they're together now. I really liked reading about Cece's personally life, she also grows a bit in confidence and gets the hang of investigating.
It did bother me how the main character referred to her father and his behavior in a very negative way, her father sounds like an ADHD'er. I am hoping the main character will grow in her opinion about neurodivergence as she can be a bit harsh on herself as well, but for now it bothered me.
To summarize: I really liked this book and reading more about Cece as she solves another mystery. I like the blend of daily life scenes and mystery solving scenes and enjoyed both aspects. There is a great group of friends, family and a neighbor around Cece and I liked reading about them and seeing them interact with Cece. This book really has that cozy vibe and I liked reading about Cece. The mystery kept me guessing and I appreciated how Cece is smart about investigating. All in all I am really enjoying this series so far and look forward to the next one!
August 13, 2024
#DeadlyCrush #NetGalley is the newest book in this series.
Cece is happy with her life, things are going well with her job, her family, and her boyfriend and Benjamin.
While having some electrical work done in the wine bar, she has the unpleasant experience of meeting Karl, who is doing the work. She isn't impressed by him, especially the way he treats his help, or the way he looks at women.
Unfortunately for Karl, someone else isn't impressed by him, and his body is found at his ex wife's auto repair shop, crushed under the lift.
I like this series, the characters are interesting and the setting is interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Cece is happy with her life, things are going well with her job, her family, and her boyfriend and Benjamin.
While having some electrical work done in the wine bar, she has the unpleasant experience of meeting Karl, who is doing the work. She isn't impressed by him, especially the way he treats his help, or the way he looks at women.
Unfortunately for Karl, someone else isn't impressed by him, and his body is found at his ex wife's auto repair shop, crushed under the lift.
I like this series, the characters are interesting and the setting is interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
January 22, 2025
"Deadly Crush (Cece Barton Mystery)" by Maddie Day does the wine theme without making everyone seem like alcoholics. That can be a fine line to walk as a theme.
In this one the electrician Cece hires turns out to be someone she wishes she hadn't hired and the more people she talks to about him the more she realizes she should have asked around before hiring him. Next thing she hears about him, he's dead in her friend's auto-body shop. Since this friend is also his ex-wife some suspicion falls on the friend and Cece just has to help.
In this one the electrician Cece hires turns out to be someone she wishes she hadn't hired and the more people she talks to about him the more she realizes she should have asked around before hiring him. Next thing she hears about him, he's dead in her friend's auto-body shop. Since this friend is also his ex-wife some suspicion falls on the friend and Cece just has to help.
December 26, 2024
I really am enjoying this series so far. I can't wait to see what happens next.
December 2, 2024
Cece Barton, who manages a wine bar, manages to get herself involved in a murder investigation. She recruits her twin sister Allie to help. Wonderful characters described in detail and a very well written mystery. This book will keep you guessing and you won't be able to stop turning the pages!
April 24, 2025
It's probably going to be a very good cozy mystery series. There is a lot to like! The setting is Colinas, California, where Cece Barton owns and runs a wine bar that opens at 1:00 P. M. and closes around 9:30 P. M. No food is served, except for some munchies and snacks. No meals, no beer, no hard liquor, and no soda. The mystery story was interesting, and the character development continues to grow. We will see where the series takes me!
February 19, 2025
Honestly have no idea where to start with this review. TBH would’ve DNF’d way earlier on but this is a book club pick. Reasons for 1 star below with spoilers.
1. I hated the main character. Cece is a one dimensional character who just goes around inserting herself into an active investigation she has no business being a part of. Half of the book is her walking around going “hm I wonder who did it?” or outright asking every person their opinion on this murder making her involvement clear to the entire town.
2. Some characters in the book have a lot of page time for zero reason. For example; Mooncat (seriously wtf kind of name is that?) is mentioned multiple times through the book and it’s stressed that she’s been off work suspiciously since the murder due to a migraine. This led me to think “oh maybe Mooncat has something to do with the murder” only for it to be a plot point for no reason.
3. The reason for the murder was stupid. Wes Holt murdered Karl his 1/2 brother because Karl was demanding profits from his business? Which he had no claim to anyways?? Aside from being mildly irritating that was such a flimsy reason for why it happened.
4. It’s never discussed who the person who aggressively tail gated cece while driving was. Literally never find out who it is.
5. The whole vibe of the town following the news is “oh no there was a murder! But it was just Karl and we hate him so we don’t really care”. It felt very insensitive of the author to just write off his character completely and not have any other character showcase a semblance of sadness over the murder. Okay so Karl was a shitty guy, but this town is supposedly so small that everyone knows everyone and NOBODY was upset?
6. It’s literally never discussed how the murder happened or why it happened at the auto shop. The perpetrators are just arrested and everyone celebrates.
7. Vineyard prunes are not sharp enough to hurt someone. As a former viticulturist this fact irritated the shit out of me. It’s also mentioned multiple times that Holt splurged on good vineyard equipment especially prunes. The high end vineyard prunes do not open enough to hold at the base of someone’s neck. Vineyard tape also isn’t that strong that you can’t rip it off your arms.
8. High end vineyard in California pruning their vines in December/January??? Again this is me being nitpicky as a viticulture technician but that isn’t the right time of the year to be pruning in California. Any respectable vineyard would wait closer to March.
9. What is the point of her boyfriend?? He added absolutely nothing to the storyline and walks in/out just to remind us that Cece is still desirable?? I don’t get it. Also what even is his job?? He barely offers anything about his work but has something to do with police and then OOPS he’s off again?
10. There’s a lot of subtle mentioning of the previous book in the series without giving any specifics. I found this quite annoying as I had no idea what they were talking about.
11. In what world would police officers and sheriffs allow random civilians to assist in the investigation?? Why the hell is Cece collecting DNA evidence and texting the sheriff her thoughts? Regardless of how small of a town they’re in, no respectable police officer would allow civilians (especially initial suspects) to offer their opinion.
………………………………………………………………………………
I think the biggest thing I learned from this book is that I don’t like “Cozy Mysteries”. I didn’t feel cozy once reading this, I just felt irritated and like the book was missing substance. I’m a huge mystery/thriller fan but this was boring.
1. I hated the main character. Cece is a one dimensional character who just goes around inserting herself into an active investigation she has no business being a part of. Half of the book is her walking around going “hm I wonder who did it?” or outright asking every person their opinion on this murder making her involvement clear to the entire town.
2. Some characters in the book have a lot of page time for zero reason. For example; Mooncat (seriously wtf kind of name is that?) is mentioned multiple times through the book and it’s stressed that she’s been off work suspiciously since the murder due to a migraine. This led me to think “oh maybe Mooncat has something to do with the murder” only for it to be a plot point for no reason.
3. The reason for the murder was stupid. Wes Holt murdered Karl his 1/2 brother because Karl was demanding profits from his business? Which he had no claim to anyways?? Aside from being mildly irritating that was such a flimsy reason for why it happened.
4. It’s never discussed who the person who aggressively tail gated cece while driving was. Literally never find out who it is.
5. The whole vibe of the town following the news is “oh no there was a murder! But it was just Karl and we hate him so we don’t really care”. It felt very insensitive of the author to just write off his character completely and not have any other character showcase a semblance of sadness over the murder. Okay so Karl was a shitty guy, but this town is supposedly so small that everyone knows everyone and NOBODY was upset?
6. It’s literally never discussed how the murder happened or why it happened at the auto shop. The perpetrators are just arrested and everyone celebrates.
7. Vineyard prunes are not sharp enough to hurt someone. As a former viticulturist this fact irritated the shit out of me. It’s also mentioned multiple times that Holt splurged on good vineyard equipment especially prunes. The high end vineyard prunes do not open enough to hold at the base of someone’s neck. Vineyard tape also isn’t that strong that you can’t rip it off your arms.
8. High end vineyard in California pruning their vines in December/January??? Again this is me being nitpicky as a viticulture technician but that isn’t the right time of the year to be pruning in California. Any respectable vineyard would wait closer to March.
9. What is the point of her boyfriend?? He added absolutely nothing to the storyline and walks in/out just to remind us that Cece is still desirable?? I don’t get it. Also what even is his job?? He barely offers anything about his work but has something to do with police and then OOPS he’s off again?
10. There’s a lot of subtle mentioning of the previous book in the series without giving any specifics. I found this quite annoying as I had no idea what they were talking about.
11. In what world would police officers and sheriffs allow random civilians to assist in the investigation?? Why the hell is Cece collecting DNA evidence and texting the sheriff her thoughts? Regardless of how small of a town they’re in, no respectable police officer would allow civilians (especially initial suspects) to offer their opinion.
………………………………………………………………………………
I think the biggest thing I learned from this book is that I don’t like “Cozy Mysteries”. I didn’t feel cozy once reading this, I just felt irritated and like the book was missing substance. I’m a huge mystery/thriller fan but this was boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2025
*big sigh* where do I even begin with this one.
I read the first chapter and knew this was gunna be a long read. This reminded me of Nancy Drew. And Junie B. Jones if this were made into satire and aired on SNL. This book could have been 10 pages and it would have made more sense than this.
Everything was happening except the actual plot. When I was reading it I felt like someone was saying ‘look over there!’ ‘And over there’ ‘and over here!’ Where the heck and am I supposed to look?! How does every tourist know about the murder in this book. And everyone who lives there knows, gossips about it and then basically says well he’s a shit person and nothing else comes from it. AND the solving of the murder makes no sense! ‘Oh a dna website shows they’re related’… what 😂
Every time Cece talked about her car it made me feel like I was listening to a terribly written ad about her mechanic. And it took me until the protagonist said she was in her 40’s for me to get that she wasn’t a poorly written 20 year old.
Idk I could go on. It was bad. I almost DNF this.
This book simply doesn’t need to exist 🤷♀️
I read the first chapter and knew this was gunna be a long read. This reminded me of Nancy Drew. And Junie B. Jones if this were made into satire and aired on SNL. This book could have been 10 pages and it would have made more sense than this.
Everything was happening except the actual plot. When I was reading it I felt like someone was saying ‘look over there!’ ‘And over there’ ‘and over here!’ Where the heck and am I supposed to look?! How does every tourist know about the murder in this book. And everyone who lives there knows, gossips about it and then basically says well he’s a shit person and nothing else comes from it. AND the solving of the murder makes no sense! ‘Oh a dna website shows they’re related’… what 😂
Every time Cece talked about her car it made me feel like I was listening to a terribly written ad about her mechanic. And it took me until the protagonist said she was in her 40’s for me to get that she wasn’t a poorly written 20 year old.
Idk I could go on. It was bad. I almost DNF this.
This book simply doesn’t need to exist 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2025
I've read several Maddie Day books and always enjoy them. Deadly Crush was a nice read. It's more laid back, and at times I felt I was all over the place, but still a nice read.
Cece's twin, Allie, takes on a more active role, and we see a thawing in the mother-daughter dynamic between Cece and Zoe - also nice was seeing Benjamin is still in the picture, although he was hardly in the story.
Cece's twin, Allie, takes on a more active role, and we see a thawing in the mother-daughter dynamic between Cece and Zoe - also nice was seeing Benjamin is still in the picture, although he was hardly in the story.
November 15, 2025
Enjoyable!
November 4, 2024
I enjoyed another visit to wine country with Cece, Allie and family and Cece growing circle of friends and customers. Even though it's a cool January in California, Cece is happy, the wine bar is making money, and people enjoy the changes she's made, her relationship with her daughter Zoe is slowly improving and she is dating and interesting and caring man. When her friend and the mechanic for her vintage, Mustang calls her at 7:30 in the morning, sounds shaken, and asks her to come to the garage Cece comes. When Jo shows her into the garage, she sees the body of Jo's ex, crushed under one of the car lifts and obviously dead. Knowing that Jo is going to be a main suspect, Cece starts asking a few questions. The fact that the man was a shoddy electrician, a mean employer, and had money issues gives Cece plenty of suspects. Come along as Cece narrows the search with the help of friends, family, and customers. A very pleasant read! Thanks to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for a chance to read. #DeadlyCrush #CeceBartonMysteries #MaddieDay #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
September 18, 2024
I enjoyed Deadly Crush by Maggie Day. The plot was interesting, and I loved how there was a Vinyard involved in this book, not just a wine tasting store. I also liked that we saw Ceces daughter in this one, and their relationship is being repaired. I hope to see more of that in the next book. My only criticism is the character of Cece I felt was in her 60s and whe. I found out she was my age, I couldn't believe it. She's acts much older than a 40 year old, same with Jo. Other than that, I enjoyed the book
September 23, 2024
DEADLY CRUSH by Maddie Day is the second book in the Cece Barton Mystery series. It’s the magnificent written, page-turning story of Cece Barton as she tries to help a friend charged with murdering her ex-husband, all while keeping her name off the suspect lists and from becoming the next victim.
Having survived the holidays, Cece’s attention is on Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. However, between hiring Karl Meier - an irritating and over-priced electrician, a college age daughter - who she is somewhat estranged, and a friend charged with murdering her ex – who just happens to be same electrician she’d hired, Cece’s life is anything but boring. Taking on the task of trying to help Jo Jarvin, owner of JJ Automotives, often bring more questions than answers. She’s going to need some help. Naturally, the first person she turns to is Allie, her fraternal twin.
When the suspect list is long due to the victim’s mean personality and hateful actions, the process of elimination tends to be extremely slow. While the police warn Cece to stay out of their investigation, they also welcome any tidbits of information that she may turn over to them. Evidently her amateur sleuthing is getting too close to the truth when attempts are made on her person and property. She’s glad to have many eyes to keep her aware and protected including her elderly, but very alert, neighbor, the employees at the wine bar, her many friends and Benjamin, with whom she has a budding romance. During it all, can her relationship with her daughter start to heal?
DEADLY CRUSH is such an exciting cozy mystery that you can’t help but read this can’t put down book in one sitting. Written so vividly that if you closed your eyes, you could visualize the town, the wine bar and the local people. It will make you protective of the historical aspects of town when “investors” start snooping around. You become friends with Cece and those closest to her wanting to help solve the whodunit so as to clear any of them from the charge of murder. As you turn the pages, you will guess and second guess the clues until the big reveal. Will you be right or will you be gobsmacked like I was on who the guilty culprit is? Maddie Day has done it again! She has brought us a FIVE STAR cozy mystery that I highly recommend to anyone.
I receive an ARC of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#DeadlyCrush #CeceBartonMystery #MaddieDay #cozymystery
Having survived the holidays, Cece’s attention is on Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. However, between hiring Karl Meier - an irritating and over-priced electrician, a college age daughter - who she is somewhat estranged, and a friend charged with murdering her ex – who just happens to be same electrician she’d hired, Cece’s life is anything but boring. Taking on the task of trying to help Jo Jarvin, owner of JJ Automotives, often bring more questions than answers. She’s going to need some help. Naturally, the first person she turns to is Allie, her fraternal twin.
When the suspect list is long due to the victim’s mean personality and hateful actions, the process of elimination tends to be extremely slow. While the police warn Cece to stay out of their investigation, they also welcome any tidbits of information that she may turn over to them. Evidently her amateur sleuthing is getting too close to the truth when attempts are made on her person and property. She’s glad to have many eyes to keep her aware and protected including her elderly, but very alert, neighbor, the employees at the wine bar, her many friends and Benjamin, with whom she has a budding romance. During it all, can her relationship with her daughter start to heal?
DEADLY CRUSH is such an exciting cozy mystery that you can’t help but read this can’t put down book in one sitting. Written so vividly that if you closed your eyes, you could visualize the town, the wine bar and the local people. It will make you protective of the historical aspects of town when “investors” start snooping around. You become friends with Cece and those closest to her wanting to help solve the whodunit so as to clear any of them from the charge of murder. As you turn the pages, you will guess and second guess the clues until the big reveal. Will you be right or will you be gobsmacked like I was on who the guilty culprit is? Maddie Day has done it again! She has brought us a FIVE STAR cozy mystery that I highly recommend to anyone.
I receive an ARC of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#DeadlyCrush #CeceBartonMystery #MaddieDay #cozymystery
October 22, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Maddie Day for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Deadly Crush coming out November 26, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
After a mostly stress-free Christmas with her college-age daughter, and despite enjoying a current budding romance with fellow newcomer, Benjamin Cohen, it’s time for Cece to focus on Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. Electrical work and an outdoor security camera are needed, and she’s hired local electrician Karl Meier to do the job, along with the help of his nephew Ian. But she regrets her choice when she witnesses Karl needlessy berating Ian in her presence. On top of that, Karl leers at her, then presents her with an inflated bill before the work is complete. Still, she’s shocked when she gets a call from Karl’s ex-wife, Josie, that she’s found Karl . . . crushed to death beneath the lift in her automotive shop.
Cece convinces Josie to call the police, even though Josie is terrified. After all, Karl was an abusive husband, was threatening her, and she has no alibi. With Josie’s future on the line, and maybe her own, Cece starts her own investigation. From the customers Karl cheated to the other women he harassed, she finds there’s no lack of suspects—other than the shelter kittens to whom he was an uncharacteristically sweet volunteer. With a bouquet of motives and unanswered questions, Cece is going to need the help of her twin, Allie, who owns a nearby B & B, as she dives into Karl’s past—before the killer catches up with her, and the lights go out for good . . .
I love cozy mysteries and this author’s writing! I haven’t read the first book yet, but I was excited to check this one out. Food mysteries are really fun to me. I love that Cece had a twin who helps her solve cases. I love the budding relationship with Benjamin. I think there are a great cast of characters and I love the setting. I would definitely check out more books by this author.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
After a mostly stress-free Christmas with her college-age daughter, and despite enjoying a current budding romance with fellow newcomer, Benjamin Cohen, it’s time for Cece to focus on Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. Electrical work and an outdoor security camera are needed, and she’s hired local electrician Karl Meier to do the job, along with the help of his nephew Ian. But she regrets her choice when she witnesses Karl needlessy berating Ian in her presence. On top of that, Karl leers at her, then presents her with an inflated bill before the work is complete. Still, she’s shocked when she gets a call from Karl’s ex-wife, Josie, that she’s found Karl . . . crushed to death beneath the lift in her automotive shop.
Cece convinces Josie to call the police, even though Josie is terrified. After all, Karl was an abusive husband, was threatening her, and she has no alibi. With Josie’s future on the line, and maybe her own, Cece starts her own investigation. From the customers Karl cheated to the other women he harassed, she finds there’s no lack of suspects—other than the shelter kittens to whom he was an uncharacteristically sweet volunteer. With a bouquet of motives and unanswered questions, Cece is going to need the help of her twin, Allie, who owns a nearby B & B, as she dives into Karl’s past—before the killer catches up with her, and the lights go out for good . . .
I love cozy mysteries and this author’s writing! I haven’t read the first book yet, but I was excited to check this one out. Food mysteries are really fun to me. I love that Cece had a twin who helps her solve cases. I love the budding relationship with Benjamin. I think there are a great cast of characters and I love the setting. I would definitely check out more books by this author.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
November 29, 2024
Grab a snack, a comfy blanket and a glass of wine (and leave the bottle nearby) because as soon as you opening up Deadly Crush, the second book in the Cece Barton Mystery series by Maddie Day, you are not going to be moving off the couch or chair.
In Deadly Crush main character Cece Barton takes her beloved car, Blue, to her friends garage for a tune up. But before Jo can get to work on Blue, she called Cece to come to the garage immediately. Once Jo gets to the garage she finds Jo's ex-husband Karl dead .... crushed under the lift in the garage. Cece had Karl in her wine bar the day before working on an electrical issue and even though she didn't know him well, she wasn't a big fan of him.
Cece soon learns that not many people in Colinas had fond memories of their experiences with the electrician but she knows that there is no way that Jo killed him. So she finds herself asking questions trying to get to know the person Karl was. As she does this her list of suspects grows and grows .... and, of course, as word gets out that she is talking, some want to tell her more but others may be trying to silence her.
If you are not a fan of Maddie Day I cannot stress it enough that you need to be !! Your life will be so much better as you read her books and get to know the characters. And with the Cece Barton Mystery series, it is encouraged for you to have a glass of wine or as Cece likes, a couple fingers of scotch. It helps with the reading process ..... well, it wouldn't hurt. But a nice cup of tea or coffee is acceptable as well. Whatever your beverage of choice may be, grab it and dig in to Deadly Crush.
In Deadly Crush main character Cece Barton takes her beloved car, Blue, to her friends garage for a tune up. But before Jo can get to work on Blue, she called Cece to come to the garage immediately. Once Jo gets to the garage she finds Jo's ex-husband Karl dead .... crushed under the lift in the garage. Cece had Karl in her wine bar the day before working on an electrical issue and even though she didn't know him well, she wasn't a big fan of him.
Cece soon learns that not many people in Colinas had fond memories of their experiences with the electrician but she knows that there is no way that Jo killed him. So she finds herself asking questions trying to get to know the person Karl was. As she does this her list of suspects grows and grows .... and, of course, as word gets out that she is talking, some want to tell her more but others may be trying to silence her.
If you are not a fan of Maddie Day I cannot stress it enough that you need to be !! Your life will be so much better as you read her books and get to know the characters. And with the Cece Barton Mystery series, it is encouraged for you to have a glass of wine or as Cece likes, a couple fingers of scotch. It helps with the reading process ..... well, it wouldn't hurt. But a nice cup of tea or coffee is acceptable as well. Whatever your beverage of choice may be, grab it and dig in to Deadly Crush.
November 28, 2024
Deadly Crush by Maddie Day takes us to the Alexandra Valley north of San Francisco and is wasn’t warm. Rain forecast for later. Cece had taken Vino and Vida into the black in the years she’d been manager so she was beginning to upgrade. Her first improvement was swapping the old pendant lights for new ones. It had been tough to find an electrician but she finally had in Karl Meier. It turns out that was a mistake, which she learned on her own, but discovered that literally anyone could have told her if she’d asked. Not only was he late and slow, but he was rude and very rough on his nephew/assistant. She had to get her vintage Mustang convertible to JJ’s Automotive for some work and she had to work herself. The next morning, Jo, the mechanic, called and asked her to hurry over. She did and found Karl Meier dead.
Cece is a good heroine. She has a boyfriend, but he is not local law enforcement, which is a nice change. She is very familiar to local law enforcement, though, and they were not happy to see her at the crime scene. This is a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business. She had not been there long enough to know all the past relationships, but she was learning fast. It was an entertaining book, but all of Maddie Day’s are. And the oddest person came to her rescue. I always like it when there is a legitimate twist. Good read.
I was invited to read Deadly Crush by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #MaddieDay #DeadlyCrush
Cece is a good heroine. She has a boyfriend, but he is not local law enforcement, which is a nice change. She is very familiar to local law enforcement, though, and they were not happy to see her at the crime scene. This is a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business. She had not been there long enough to know all the past relationships, but she was learning fast. It was an entertaining book, but all of Maddie Day’s are. And the oddest person came to her rescue. I always like it when there is a legitimate twist. Good read.
I was invited to read Deadly Crush by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #MaddieDay #DeadlyCrush
April 4, 2025
I know I firmly stated that I would not continue this series after really disliking the first book, but then I saw this book was available through Kindle Unlimited. So I thought, why not give it a second chance. I'm glad I did. Cece still mentions her vegetarianism, but she blends it in with the story. She makes mention of some of the problems Californians have to deal with that the folks in her series set in Indiana for the most part do not, but they just serve to remind us without preaching to us. Cece is starting to loosen up. Though she's not quite warm and fuzzy, she's less sharp and prickly. We get to know some of her friends and neighbors better, and she and her daughter are starting to bond back together. The main problem left is one of personal interest. I am not a wine drinker. I find the tasting room to be totally boring and lacking ambiance. Why is she serving pretzels with wine? I'm not a beer drinker, either, but I associate pretzels with beer. Cece does ponder that perhaps she should offer cheese and grapes. Sounds more appropriate to me. So I consider this book a good step towards a more likable set of characters. If there is a third book, I hope the wine bar can also start to develop a personality—maybe more regulars instead of the constant stream of just passing through tourists.
So for fans of Maddie Day who, like me, didn't like the first book, I'd recommend giving the second one a chance.
So for fans of Maddie Day who, like me, didn't like the first book, I'd recommend giving the second one a chance.
April 15, 2025
(2.75 stars)
Deadly Crush is the second book in a cozy mystery series set in the Alexander Valley wine country in California. The main character is Cece, who has relocated to the fictional town of Colinas to manage a wine bar in its historic district. Her twin sister, Allie, lives there and of course, that was a major reason the location and job appealed to Cece.
Cece employs an electrician to fix some lighting in her wine bar, but he turns out to be both rude and incompetent. And then he is found murdered in her friend Jo’s car repair shop.
This book wasn’t as engaging as the first one in the series (Murder Uncorked) and it felt longer than under 280 pages. Cece sticks her nose into everything, for no good reason, other than she feels her friend Jo could not have murdered the electrician (she was long divorced from him). Not a lot happens until very near the end of the book and the motive for the murder was pretty unbelievable.
I enjoyed the local atmosphere and some of the wine talk, but it didn’t really make up for a boring story. Also, I don’t need to know the details of what everyone is wearing, unless it impacts the story in some way. (It doesn’t.)
I probably won’t continue with this series - there are too many other good cozy mystery series out there!
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to Goodreads and Kensington Cozies for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Deadly Crush is the second book in a cozy mystery series set in the Alexander Valley wine country in California. The main character is Cece, who has relocated to the fictional town of Colinas to manage a wine bar in its historic district. Her twin sister, Allie, lives there and of course, that was a major reason the location and job appealed to Cece.
Cece employs an electrician to fix some lighting in her wine bar, but he turns out to be both rude and incompetent. And then he is found murdered in her friend Jo’s car repair shop.
This book wasn’t as engaging as the first one in the series (Murder Uncorked) and it felt longer than under 280 pages. Cece sticks her nose into everything, for no good reason, other than she feels her friend Jo could not have murdered the electrician (she was long divorced from him). Not a lot happens until very near the end of the book and the motive for the murder was pretty unbelievable.
I enjoyed the local atmosphere and some of the wine talk, but it didn’t really make up for a boring story. Also, I don’t need to know the details of what everyone is wearing, unless it impacts the story in some way. (It doesn’t.)
I probably won’t continue with this series - there are too many other good cozy mystery series out there!
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to Goodreads and Kensington Cozies for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 1, 2024
DEADLY CRUSH by Maddie Day
Good food, wine, and weather, great friends and family, all would be perfect for Cece and her twin Allie and all the good people in Colinas, except . . . A call from friend Jo, a grisly murder at JJ’s Automotive, specializing in vintage “analog” cars. The list of people with reasons to dislike the murder victim is far too long — ex-wife, nephew, disgruntled clients for electrical work, women he has harassed. It’d be easier to list those he hadn’t made enemies of.
Cece keeps promising to stay safe and not get involved, but how can she when people she cares about are under suspicion? To add to the angst, unscrupulous speculators have their eyes on the historical adobes, city-owned, occupied by Vino y Vida and other businesses.
Family, especially twins, and friends of all kinds balance the bad, helping one another and making life wonderful.
I happily read to the end, but now I’m a bit sad, wishing I could join everyone, wine tonight, huevos at the diner in the morning? I confess that, in case of trouble, I’ll be more likely to act as her neighbor does, call the police and stay safely inside, but I do admire Cece and the core strength from her daily Pilates. <3
The book will be out in November, which gives time, if you wish, to read the earlier works, CHRISTMAS MITTENS MURDER and MURDER UNCORKED, both also great fun.
Good food, wine, and weather, great friends and family, all would be perfect for Cece and her twin Allie and all the good people in Colinas, except . . . A call from friend Jo, a grisly murder at JJ’s Automotive, specializing in vintage “analog” cars. The list of people with reasons to dislike the murder victim is far too long — ex-wife, nephew, disgruntled clients for electrical work, women he has harassed. It’d be easier to list those he hadn’t made enemies of.
Cece keeps promising to stay safe and not get involved, but how can she when people she cares about are under suspicion? To add to the angst, unscrupulous speculators have their eyes on the historical adobes, city-owned, occupied by Vino y Vida and other businesses.
Family, especially twins, and friends of all kinds balance the bad, helping one another and making life wonderful.
I happily read to the end, but now I’m a bit sad, wishing I could join everyone, wine tonight, huevos at the diner in the morning? I confess that, in case of trouble, I’ll be more likely to act as her neighbor does, call the police and stay safely inside, but I do admire Cece and the core strength from her daily Pilates. <3
The book will be out in November, which gives time, if you wish, to read the earlier works, CHRISTMAS MITTENS MURDER and MURDER UNCORKED, both also great fun.
October 27, 2024
Midway through Deadly Crush I found myself reaching for my phone to google the exact location of the town of Colinas, California because I wanted to move there. It seemed so real. Which is a tribute to author Maddie Day (aka Edith Maxwell); she has populated this mythical village in the Sonoma Valley wine region with a compendium of realistic people, in a setting that feels completely genuine.
The amateur sleuth for this series, Cece Barton, manages a wine tasting room in the center of town, with such tempting wines and informal hospitality that I’d love to stop in. Cece’s nearby family includes her married BFF twin sister and twin nephews, as well as her somewhat distant college-age daughter. In this book, Cece’s new relationship with slightly mysterious Benjamin is warming up very satisfactorily. Of course there’s a murder, which Cece must solve because her friend discovered the body, and called Cece to come see it before the police. Uh oh.
Crammed with red herrings and real clues, the investigation nevertheless proceeds in a gentle fashion, as befits a cozy. Until one morning when Cece’s sister is threatened because Cece is coming too close to the truth.
I don’t think it’s a spoiler alert to say that in the end, everyone lives to see another day, and savor another enticing glass of wine.
The amateur sleuth for this series, Cece Barton, manages a wine tasting room in the center of town, with such tempting wines and informal hospitality that I’d love to stop in. Cece’s nearby family includes her married BFF twin sister and twin nephews, as well as her somewhat distant college-age daughter. In this book, Cece’s new relationship with slightly mysterious Benjamin is warming up very satisfactorily. Of course there’s a murder, which Cece must solve because her friend discovered the body, and called Cece to come see it before the police. Uh oh.
Crammed with red herrings and real clues, the investigation nevertheless proceeds in a gentle fashion, as befits a cozy. Until one morning when Cece’s sister is threatened because Cece is coming too close to the truth.
I don’t think it’s a spoiler alert to say that in the end, everyone lives to see another day, and savor another enticing glass of wine.
October 3, 2024
Wow…after finishing this atmospheric and thrilling cozy mystery I need that single malt Scotch that Cece and Allie were enjoying in the book!
This was the second mystery book in the Cece Barton Mystery series (plus the novella that preceded them), and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Ms. Day is a brilliant and prolific cozy mystery writer, which I do so appreciate because I have more books in her series to look forward to reading.
Her characters are “alive” and we are allowed inside the protagonists’ mind, so we are “seeing” the action through her eyes. Some people were not what they seemed, which added to this intriguing plot. It was a nail biter in the end, and I could not guess whodunnit, which was a great surprise. All “issues” were cleared up, and all is well in Cece’s world, so everybody can drink in peace…until the next mystery comes along.
I highly recommend this book and the 2.5 books in this series, as well as all the other series that Ms. Day writes, including those she writes as Edith Maxwell.
I thank Net Galley and Kensington Cozies for making an advance reader’s version available for me to read and post a personal review. I also thank Maddie Day for writing this book.
This was the second mystery book in the Cece Barton Mystery series (plus the novella that preceded them), and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Ms. Day is a brilliant and prolific cozy mystery writer, which I do so appreciate because I have more books in her series to look forward to reading.
Her characters are “alive” and we are allowed inside the protagonists’ mind, so we are “seeing” the action through her eyes. Some people were not what they seemed, which added to this intriguing plot. It was a nail biter in the end, and I could not guess whodunnit, which was a great surprise. All “issues” were cleared up, and all is well in Cece’s world, so everybody can drink in peace…until the next mystery comes along.
I highly recommend this book and the 2.5 books in this series, as well as all the other series that Ms. Day writes, including those she writes as Edith Maxwell.
I thank Net Galley and Kensington Cozies for making an advance reader’s version available for me to read and post a personal review. I also thank Maddie Day for writing this book.
November 28, 2024
"Deadly Crush" is book #2 in the "Cece Barton Mystery" by Maddie Day.
Cece regrets hiring local electrician Karl Meier at the wine bar she manages when she hears him berating his nephew Ian - not to mention his leering at her and presenting her with an inflated bill for the very slow work they did. She's shocked when she learns that the man has been found crushed to death under an auto lift in the shop owned by his ex-wife Josie. Cece soon learns that Karl had a nasty attitude to most people and no one she talks to had anything nice to say about him.
So who had he aggravated enough to actually kill him? His ex? His nephew? A customer? Someone else? The method was brutal, but the motive and who done it were a bit more complicated. For me, there were only 2 or 3 real possibilities as to who. I got to the truth a few chapters before Cece.
Getting to the reveal took some interesting turns as Cece thought out various scenarios and gathered information with the help of family and friends. Of course there were a couple of places where things got a bit scary for Cece and at least one other character before the ultimate takedown.
Diversity among the core characters, evolving relationships and a dash of humor go a long way to make this an entertaining read!
Cece regrets hiring local electrician Karl Meier at the wine bar she manages when she hears him berating his nephew Ian - not to mention his leering at her and presenting her with an inflated bill for the very slow work they did. She's shocked when she learns that the man has been found crushed to death under an auto lift in the shop owned by his ex-wife Josie. Cece soon learns that Karl had a nasty attitude to most people and no one she talks to had anything nice to say about him.
So who had he aggravated enough to actually kill him? His ex? His nephew? A customer? Someone else? The method was brutal, but the motive and who done it were a bit more complicated. For me, there were only 2 or 3 real possibilities as to who. I got to the truth a few chapters before Cece.
Getting to the reveal took some interesting turns as Cece thought out various scenarios and gathered information with the help of family and friends. Of course there were a couple of places where things got a bit scary for Cece and at least one other character before the ultimate takedown.
Diversity among the core characters, evolving relationships and a dash of humor go a long way to make this an entertaining read!
January 5, 2025
Cece’s wine tasting business is doing well. She lives in the same town as her twin, Allie, the real estate maven and she has build a cadre of friends. Life is good. Then she gets the phone call from her mechanic friend Jo. There is a body in her repair shop and it is the electrician CeCe just used and to whom Jo had been married. As often is the case with cozies, the deceased is not a very nice person. His work is questionable, he is nasty to the people around him but he has one redeeming quality. He loves kitties and is very kind to them.
Right from the start, CeCe is convinced the killer is not Jo. So who committed the grisly crime. What CeCe is able to discover is how many people the victim wronged. There is quite a substantial list. They include everyone from relatives to real estate developers. They all have a reason to want Karl gone. Who did the deed?
As CeCe and Allie narrow down the suspects the actual killer confronts them. Help comes at just the right moment when another of the suspects turns up and foils the plot of the villain. It’s not a story filled with a lot of suspense or tension but it remains entertaining. Four purrs and one paw up.
Right from the start, CeCe is convinced the killer is not Jo. So who committed the grisly crime. What CeCe is able to discover is how many people the victim wronged. There is quite a substantial list. They include everyone from relatives to real estate developers. They all have a reason to want Karl gone. Who did the deed?
As CeCe and Allie narrow down the suspects the actual killer confronts them. Help comes at just the right moment when another of the suspects turns up and foils the plot of the villain. It’s not a story filled with a lot of suspense or tension but it remains entertaining. Four purrs and one paw up.
August 18, 2024
This was my first read by Maddie Day, and a very enjoyable story. Cece Burton is a manager of a wine tasting shop, and seems to like to do a little investigating on the side. She has many friends, a twin sister and a special man in her life Benjamin. In this story, a very irritable electrician is murdered in his ex wife’s car repair shop.
Cece has experience with the victim, when he was supposedly fixing some electrical work for the wine shop. He took way longer than he stated, was abusive to his helper and equally rude to Cece. The only real regret she has when she hears of his murder, is that it was at her friend Jo’s car repair shop, and she is considered a suspect. Her investigation begins.
I enjoyed the wine talk, and her special relationship with her twin. Her reputation as an investigator is know by the police, and they are constantly discouraging her to stop. Cece can’t help herself from continuing to dig. Even when danger seems to be escalating.
Thank you NetGalley for this entertaining book.
Cece has experience with the victim, when he was supposedly fixing some electrical work for the wine shop. He took way longer than he stated, was abusive to his helper and equally rude to Cece. The only real regret she has when she hears of his murder, is that it was at her friend Jo’s car repair shop, and she is considered a suspect. Her investigation begins.
I enjoyed the wine talk, and her special relationship with her twin. Her reputation as an investigator is know by the police, and they are constantly discouraging her to stop. Cece can’t help herself from continuing to dig. Even when danger seems to be escalating.
Thank you NetGalley for this entertaining book.
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