Sipped

by C.T. Collier

After a rough semester, Professor Lyssa Pennington just wants to post her grades and join her husband, Kyle, in Cornwall for Christmas. First, though, she’s expected to host an elegant dinner for Emile Duval, the soon-to-be Chair of Languages at Tompkins College.

Too bad no one told Lyssa murder is on the menu. And, by the way, Emile Duval is an imposter.

Who is he really? And who wanted him dead? Without those answers, the Penningtons can kiss Christmas in Cornwall goodbye.

389 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2018

About the author

C T Collier grew up in Seneca Falls, NY, left the area for college and jobs, and always wanted to return to the Finger Lakes. After careers in high tech (networking software) and education (teaching and learning with technology), she lives today in a beautiful small city on one of the prettiest of the Finger Lakes, not unlike fictional Tompkins Falls on lovely Chestnut Lake. Most days you’ll find her writing in her tiny office looking out on a woods populated with fox, deer, wild turkeys, and songbirds. In her career as a tech-savvy college professor she has been endlessly fascinated with campus intrigue. Her mystery series The Penningtons Investigate revolves around Tompkins College, which is entirely fictional.

Author also writes the Lakeside Porches romances as Katie O’Boyle:
Facebook: katie.oboyle.author
Website: http://katieoboyle.com

Reviews

[Danielle's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies, murder and a mystery to solve. It's been a while since I've read a true murder mystery (not a romance novel with a murder). Professor Lyssa Pennington is looking forward to her summer break with her partner, Kyle. They plan a trip to sunny Cornwall. As the semester is coming to an end one night changes everything. It starts a domino effect leading with murder. A dinner party in which Lyssa is hosting for the new facility member leads to a bigger mystery and more questions. Lyssa ends up at the centre of the investigation and becomes our very own Ms Fletcher.

This was a good mystery that fit together perfectly. The title made sense which is always a plus for me. I enjoyed the story unfolding and each chapter gave depth to why the first victim was killed.

The first victim's sexual orientation is part of the story and this bothered me a little at first but the author made it work.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Celeste Crotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book enormously. I came into the series here at the third book. While I could tell there was a history with the other characters, I in no way felt it impedes the story by having not read the other two before reading this one. I do intend to read the first two because I truly enjoyed the characters and the way the mysteries unfolded. The story involves a lot of different parts, and just when you think you have it all figured out, a new clue appears and completely changes everything. 5 out of 5 Stars for me!!

[Shari Nagy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book! This book revolves around our two characters: The Penningtons: Lyssa and Kyle. They take turns narrating throughout the story, so be sure to pay attention as to who is talking. Lyssa works at a college and is the AA sponsor of Marguerite, who also works at the college. After an odd exchange with Lyssa in a parking lot, Marguerite is involved in a car crash...but it was no accident. Lyssa then takes it upon herself to determine who killed her friend.

As the college is looking to replace Marguerite’s position, Lyssa is in charge of this mission. As part of the process, they hold a dinner with one of the candidates, Emile Duval. At this dinner, a bottle of wine and card are sent special for Duval. He takes a sip and suddenly Lyssa is tasked with investigating two murders. This all happens within the first quarter of the book!

The twists in this story are great and kept me on my toes! I could not put the last half of this book down! I wanted to know what was going to happen next and how the murders are solved!

Before reading, I did not realize this was the third book in a series. That would explain the lack of character development, my only main flaw in this story. I had trouble keeping the characters straight and following their stories. However, that is easily explained by the fact that this is the third book in the series and I imagine the characters are developed in the first two books.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

[Kit Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! Not sure I've read a cozy-esque mystery with dual protagonists before, but I like it, because it helps alleviate some of the issues a single-protagonist mystery runs into with trying to find and compile enough information to solve the mystery while also being believable (though it does lend itself to some repetition as characters touch base).

This is the third book in the series, though the first I've read. It was easy enough to pick up, though, and despite the great number of supporting characters, I never felt lost. The Penningtons are enjoyable enough to read along with, and the plot provides enough twists to not be predictable. I liked the academic setting but how the characters had their own lives outside of their jobs.

The theme for the series seems to revolve around Lyssa's AA membership, and there is talk of former abuse of drugs and alcohol. I know that can be upsetting to some people, but I do feel like the topic is handled in a respectful manner.

Overall, I would recommend this book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not having read the previous books in this series, I was able to follow this story quite well. It is a complicated, complex murder mystery. There are some adult subjects or themes, but all is tastefully presented. Unlike many mysteries, while relationships are discussed, and make significant difference to the story, I would not say there is a romantic element to this book. It is strictly a crime novel.

The main story takes place on a college campus with plenty of rivalries and academic political confrontations and disagreements. When a department chair is found dead and a replacement must be assigned in short order, tensions run high. Secrets are revealed. Friendships and loyalties are tested.

An intense read with plenty of surprises.

[Sally Wilsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked that this was a different story with a different take. It was not your typical mystery. I liked the characters of Lyssa and Kyle and how caring Kyle was of Lyssa. Natalie was a very good addition to the book and added a lot to the story. This book will have you guessing to the end. There are more than one murder in the book. Lyssa is a Professor and a recovering alcholic who is now a AA sponsor. When her sponsoree is found dead it leads to a tale of secrets, blackmail, lies and danger. I really recommend this book to anyone who likes a good whodunit that will keep you guessing. I look foward to more of Lyssa and Kyle and their adventures and hope Lyssa learns how to say no to Justin!
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Sherry Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good cozy read. I enjoyed the Pennington's. They are a clever and fun couple.
Sipped is the 3rd book in the series and was easy to read and catch
on to the story and plot. There was no read to prior books.
I wasn't so much a fan of the academia (gasp) aspect but that is just me. My sister would have loved it.
The story/plot is well written and keeps the reader interested through the twists and turns and locale(s).
The author does an excellent job of taking some hard topics such as alcoholism and a few other adult topics and handles them in a classy way.
For me though I just didn't enjoy the plot.

I received a complimentary copy.

[Linda Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me.