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Colorado Wine Mystery #4
Till Death Do Us Port
When a wedding reception turns into a crime scene, young vintner Parker Valentine investigates the full-bodied problem, in this captivating Colorado-set cozy mystery series.
It's June in Boulder, Colorado, and wedding season is in full swing. Parker Valentine is excited to attend the wedding of her favorite cousin, Emma, where in addition to celebrating the happy couple, she'll also be providing the refreshments for the reception from her winery. But when the fussy wedding planner is found dead midway through the ceremony, Parker knows that to get the weekend back on track, she'll need to unveil a murderer.
Unfortunately, there's no shortage of high tension and hot tempers during a wedding, so Parker has a long list of potential suspects. Even worse, her entire family has fixated on the state of Parker's relationship with her boyfriend, Reid. If Parker can manage to impress her relatives with her wine skills and dodge unwanted pointed personal questions, solving a murder will be the icing on the cake.
It's June in Boulder, Colorado, and wedding season is in full swing. Parker Valentine is excited to attend the wedding of her favorite cousin, Emma, where in addition to celebrating the happy couple, she'll also be providing the refreshments for the reception from her winery. But when the fussy wedding planner is found dead midway through the ceremony, Parker knows that to get the weekend back on track, she'll need to unveil a murderer.
Unfortunately, there's no shortage of high tension and hot tempers during a wedding, so Parker has a long list of potential suspects. Even worse, her entire family has fixated on the state of Parker's relationship with her boyfriend, Reid. If Parker can manage to impress her relatives with her wine skills and dodge unwanted pointed personal questions, solving a murder will be the icing on the cake.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 7, 2023
19 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Kate Lansing
12 books266 followersKate lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, two-year-old daughter, and a chair-napping tabby cat named Maple. Her love for mysteries began when she devoured From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler as a young girl, and has grown from there.
An award-winning short story author, her work has appeared in the Brave New Girls Anthology and the Crossing Colfax Anthology. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, and is represented by Pamela Harty of The Knight Agency.
An award-winning short story author, her work has appeared in the Brave New Girls Anthology and the Crossing Colfax Anthology. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, and is represented by Pamela Harty of The Knight Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
March 3, 2023
Parker Valentine is thrilled for her cousin, Emma, who is about to marry the man of her dreams. And Parker is hoping that providing the wine for the reception will help grow her winery. However, the day is facing more than the usual rockiness. Then things take a turn when the wedding planner turns up dead, and Parker teams up with an unlikely ally to figure out who did it.
I’d forgotten just how wonderful this series is before I picked up this book, but I was reminded very quickly. The characters are strong. I love seeing how Parker and the rest of the regulars have grown, and the new characters were just as good. Between drama and the mystery, there’s plenty to keep us turning pages, and it leads to a great climax. The way the author weaves in tidbits about grapes and wine to shed light on the story helps build on the theme. There are some funny moments as well, which really added to my enjoyment. The book is written in present tense, which is different, but I find it well worth the extra effort it takes my brain to adjust in the first couple of chapters. We get three recipes at the end, combined with suggested wine pairings. Fans will enjoy this book, and if you haven’t started this series yet, fix that today.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I’d forgotten just how wonderful this series is before I picked up this book, but I was reminded very quickly. The characters are strong. I love seeing how Parker and the rest of the regulars have grown, and the new characters were just as good. Between drama and the mystery, there’s plenty to keep us turning pages, and it leads to a great climax. The way the author weaves in tidbits about grapes and wine to shed light on the story helps build on the theme. There are some funny moments as well, which really added to my enjoyment. The book is written in present tense, which is different, but I find it well worth the extra effort it takes my brain to adjust in the first couple of chapters. We get three recipes at the end, combined with suggested wine pairings. Fans will enjoy this book, and if you haven’t started this series yet, fix that today.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 3, 2022
A delightful book. I love the strong cast of recurring characters that Lansing uses. It’s especially fun to have mother and daughter helping each other on this one. I also appreciated the maturity and growth that happens in Parker. What’s great about this book/series is that Parker gets to be philosophical, to sort things out, and to confront her fears. The premise behind this novel—a botched wedding—was done with ease and skill.
A wonderful mystery that again intertwines a vintner’s knowledge and a heart-warming cast.
A wonderful mystery that again intertwines a vintner’s knowledge and a heart-warming cast.
May 2, 2023
What a delightful cozy mystery series. In fact, I binge read all four books in just two days. The previous three titles are
Killer Chardonnay, A Pairing To Die For
and
Mulled to Death.
If there had been a book five available now, I would have continued on.
The series focuses on a young winemaker named Parker Valentine. She has recently opened a winery and has had no shortage of troubles. During her winery’s opening, a wine critic within a harsh reputation has been ordered. This is how Parker becomes quite an adept amateur sleuth. As the end of the first book closed, Parker has found herself comfortable in her new relation with Reid Wallace. When his sous chef was found murdered, Parker stepped up like she did when it came to the first murder. In the third book a wealthy ski resort owner who was also a former Olympian champion was murdered while Parker and Reid were away on a ski trip. Parker to the rescue again in yet another enjoyable read.
As far as this book for review, Till Death Do Us Port, Parker is about to attend her cousin’s wedding, and just as the nuptials are underway, the wedding planner was murdered. The wedding planner had a reputation that was more than the worst of bridezillas. Because of such, there are no shortage of suspects, and Parker can’t help but get involved. Although she has worked with her boyfriend Reid before, now he is away on business, and she takes on this newest case of murder by herself. Well, not really. Her mother decides to get involved.
While this book and the previous books in the series all contain active murder cases, there is also a great mix of pairing delectable foods with a variety of wines. Although I am not a wine drinker, I loved learning so much about wine making and how specific wines work with certain foods. I truly appreciate how much this series has garnered my attention. I truly look forward to the very next book and any other ones after this.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
The series focuses on a young winemaker named Parker Valentine. She has recently opened a winery and has had no shortage of troubles. During her winery’s opening, a wine critic within a harsh reputation has been ordered. This is how Parker becomes quite an adept amateur sleuth. As the end of the first book closed, Parker has found herself comfortable in her new relation with Reid Wallace. When his sous chef was found murdered, Parker stepped up like she did when it came to the first murder. In the third book a wealthy ski resort owner who was also a former Olympian champion was murdered while Parker and Reid were away on a ski trip. Parker to the rescue again in yet another enjoyable read.
As far as this book for review, Till Death Do Us Port, Parker is about to attend her cousin’s wedding, and just as the nuptials are underway, the wedding planner was murdered. The wedding planner had a reputation that was more than the worst of bridezillas. Because of such, there are no shortage of suspects, and Parker can’t help but get involved. Although she has worked with her boyfriend Reid before, now he is away on business, and she takes on this newest case of murder by herself. Well, not really. Her mother decides to get involved.
While this book and the previous books in the series all contain active murder cases, there is also a great mix of pairing delectable foods with a variety of wines. Although I am not a wine drinker, I loved learning so much about wine making and how specific wines work with certain foods. I truly appreciate how much this series has garnered my attention. I truly look forward to the very next book and any other ones after this.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
March 8, 2023
I really enjoy this series. I learn so much about wine pairings with food. Kate Lansing does a great job of keeping Parker continually involved in her business, even during her sleuthing adventures, having her try to sell wine while interrogating suspects. I loved getting to know more of her family. The characters are well developed and likeable, the mystery was well paced and kept me guessing until the very end. The only thing that bothered me (and only a little) were the wine sayings such as Holy Viognier, which were a little over the top. They took me out of the story a little but otherwise this was a great story. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
March 13, 2023
Love this series featuring a vintner in Boulder, Colorado, Parker Valentine. In this fouth book, Parker's cousin is getting married and her family and things go downhill from the outset. Combining the mystery with winemaking and running a tasting room adds up to an entertaining book. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2023
Kate Lansing’s Till Death Do Us Port is the fourth story in the Colorado Wine Mystery series and the first book I’ve read from this author. Truth be told, I haven’t read any cozy mysteries recently. In my teens I devoured the Mrs. Pollifax stories by Dorothy Gilman and I’m an avid fan of the old Columbo TV series but clearly, my experience with these types of mysteries is somewhat dated. However, I see a lot of them in the library and in bookstores with cute punnish names (including this one) and attractive covers (often bearing some kind of food) and decided it was time to dive in.
Parker Valentine is a vintner, with a wine boutique in Boulder Colorado that does quite well. She’s dating Reid, a professional chef who is looking at expanding his restaurants onto the California coast. Her cousin Emma is getting married, and Parker is going to be providing the wine for the reception. On the day of the wedding, Parker witnesses an altercation between the wedding planner Prynne and the caterer, in which the caterer is fired for supplying what Prynne believes is substandard food. Then, in the middle of the ceremony at the ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’ moment, a scream erupts through the hall, followed by a crash, and when Parker and her brother Liam rush out into the hallway, they discover a ghastly sight – Prynne is lying dead on the ground with a bleeding gash on her forehead. And standing over her is the caterer, with a dropped wedding cake at her feet. The wedding is understandably halted, the people in shock and the police and ambulance called. It’s a recipe for murder all right, but who is responsible?
Of course the obvious setup is that it’s the caterer’s fault, but since that’s a little too obvious Parker takes it upon herself to do some of her own investigating. Her mother also is eager to participate, and so between the two of them, they take the clues they find one by one to try to catch a killer.
I really enjoyed this story. As a wine newbie I learned A LOT about wine, from the grape growing to the harvest to what makes a good vintage. The author clearly knows her way around the subject and it flavours every aspect of the story. And speaking of flavour, because Parker’s boyfriend is a chef, there is plenty of delicious food in the story as well, including a few recipes at the end with some suggested wine pairings. There is an ongoing romantic storyline with Parker and Reid and in this particular book of the series, while the couple is together and committed, there is the added stress of figuring out what to do if if Reid opens a business in California and how his being away from Colorado for long periods of time will impact their relationship. I liked that Reid is very supportive of Parker and eager to find a way to work out their long distance relationship issues.
The mystery is quite fun, too. There are plenty of clues, many of them red herrings, that Parker and her mother have to sift through to get to the bottom of who would have a reason to kill the wedding planner and why. I’ll admit to having no clue as to where the story was going and who the killer would turn out to be, a testament to the author’s skill in weaving a good tale. At one point it seemed as thought almost everyone in the wedding party might have a motive to kill the caterer! The eventual reveal (not without some peril for Parker) leads to a satisfying and exciting conclusion with the right person apprehended and the wedding couple able to finally complete their vows, though not in the way originally intended (but in a much better way for them). There is also another interesting character, police detective Eli Fuller who, if it weren’t for the fact that Parker had a boyfriend, I would have considered a possible candidate for romantic partner for Parker. Her banter with Eli is reminiscent of that between Miss Scarlet and the Duke (in the PBS TV series of the same name). Overall, Till Death Us Do Port is a light, well balanced and refreshing cozy mystery and I’m ready to imbibe more.
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Parker Valentine is a vintner, with a wine boutique in Boulder Colorado that does quite well. She’s dating Reid, a professional chef who is looking at expanding his restaurants onto the California coast. Her cousin Emma is getting married, and Parker is going to be providing the wine for the reception. On the day of the wedding, Parker witnesses an altercation between the wedding planner Prynne and the caterer, in which the caterer is fired for supplying what Prynne believes is substandard food. Then, in the middle of the ceremony at the ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’ moment, a scream erupts through the hall, followed by a crash, and when Parker and her brother Liam rush out into the hallway, they discover a ghastly sight – Prynne is lying dead on the ground with a bleeding gash on her forehead. And standing over her is the caterer, with a dropped wedding cake at her feet. The wedding is understandably halted, the people in shock and the police and ambulance called. It’s a recipe for murder all right, but who is responsible?
Of course the obvious setup is that it’s the caterer’s fault, but since that’s a little too obvious Parker takes it upon herself to do some of her own investigating. Her mother also is eager to participate, and so between the two of them, they take the clues they find one by one to try to catch a killer.
I really enjoyed this story. As a wine newbie I learned A LOT about wine, from the grape growing to the harvest to what makes a good vintage. The author clearly knows her way around the subject and it flavours every aspect of the story. And speaking of flavour, because Parker’s boyfriend is a chef, there is plenty of delicious food in the story as well, including a few recipes at the end with some suggested wine pairings. There is an ongoing romantic storyline with Parker and Reid and in this particular book of the series, while the couple is together and committed, there is the added stress of figuring out what to do if if Reid opens a business in California and how his being away from Colorado for long periods of time will impact their relationship. I liked that Reid is very supportive of Parker and eager to find a way to work out their long distance relationship issues.
The mystery is quite fun, too. There are plenty of clues, many of them red herrings, that Parker and her mother have to sift through to get to the bottom of who would have a reason to kill the wedding planner and why. I’ll admit to having no clue as to where the story was going and who the killer would turn out to be, a testament to the author’s skill in weaving a good tale. At one point it seemed as thought almost everyone in the wedding party might have a motive to kill the caterer! The eventual reveal (not without some peril for Parker) leads to a satisfying and exciting conclusion with the right person apprehended and the wedding couple able to finally complete their vows, though not in the way originally intended (but in a much better way for them). There is also another interesting character, police detective Eli Fuller who, if it weren’t for the fact that Parker had a boyfriend, I would have considered a possible candidate for romantic partner for Parker. Her banter with Eli is reminiscent of that between Miss Scarlet and the Duke (in the PBS TV series of the same name). Overall, Till Death Us Do Port is a light, well balanced and refreshing cozy mystery and I’m ready to imbibe more.
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley
December 18, 2022
Till Death Do Us Port entertained me from beginning to end.
Getting to know Parker and her family was so much fun, the mystery was well done, and the delicious descriptions of the wines made my mouth water.
The mystery revolves around a wedding, a wedding planner and murder.
Parker can't fight the urge to investigate and when her mom becomes involved, the investigation takes a serious turn.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#TillDeathDoUsPort #NetGalley
Getting to know Parker and her family was so much fun, the mystery was well done, and the delicious descriptions of the wines made my mouth water.
The mystery revolves around a wedding, a wedding planner and murder.
Parker can't fight the urge to investigate and when her mom becomes involved, the investigation takes a serious turn.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#TillDeathDoUsPort #NetGalley
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May 10, 2025Okay so...
The perfect trio has been discovered by me: Kate Lansing as author, Brooke Hoover as narrator, and Parker Valentine as the most admirable heroine ever to appear in a cozy mystery series.
I just finished this series with tears clinging to my lashes, and that,my friends, is a testimony to the beautifully brilliant blend of author, narrator, and character found here in this series.
I downloaded the first audiobook while lying in an adjustable bed at Paul B Hall ARH Hospital following a mini stroke on March 31st. Something had to get me through that dreaded night!
I had read the physical copy of book one on a vacation last year and needed something to listen to that was tried and true and certain to get me through that first night in the hospital. I was filled with dreaded because everyone says sleep never comes easy in this setting.
Well...even though I had very much enjoyed reading the physical copy, because it is a great story,Brooke's voice and interpretation gave a life to this tale that brought me an amazing sense of joy and coziness I never achieved without her! She and this amazing author and amazing cast of characters, the food and wine and cleverness, all combined gave my hospital stay a little ray of sunshine that night...and that has grown in the past month to a brilliant light of joy!
Finishing the series today, I feel sad because it's over. But mostly I feel grateful. While the past month has been hard, and filled with medical jargon and adaptation to a new way of life in which my health has taken an unwanted front seat and I really haven't felt the best, every day I have had the pure delight of this author and this narrator and these characters making things seem a whole lot sweeter for me.
I would be so happy to hear that this series will continue, but even if that doesn't happen, I have been incredibly blessed by every single aspect of it!
The perfect trio has been discovered by me: Kate Lansing as author, Brooke Hoover as narrator, and Parker Valentine as the most admirable heroine ever to appear in a cozy mystery series.
I just finished this series with tears clinging to my lashes, and that,my friends, is a testimony to the beautifully brilliant blend of author, narrator, and character found here in this series.
I downloaded the first audiobook while lying in an adjustable bed at Paul B Hall ARH Hospital following a mini stroke on March 31st. Something had to get me through that dreaded night!
I had read the physical copy of book one on a vacation last year and needed something to listen to that was tried and true and certain to get me through that first night in the hospital. I was filled with dreaded because everyone says sleep never comes easy in this setting.
Well...even though I had very much enjoyed reading the physical copy, because it is a great story,Brooke's voice and interpretation gave a life to this tale that brought me an amazing sense of joy and coziness I never achieved without her! She and this amazing author and amazing cast of characters, the food and wine and cleverness, all combined gave my hospital stay a little ray of sunshine that night...and that has grown in the past month to a brilliant light of joy!
Finishing the series today, I feel sad because it's over. But mostly I feel grateful. While the past month has been hard, and filled with medical jargon and adaptation to a new way of life in which my health has taken an unwanted front seat and I really haven't felt the best, every day I have had the pure delight of this author and this narrator and these characters making things seem a whole lot sweeter for me.
I would be so happy to hear that this series will continue, but even if that doesn't happen, I have been incredibly blessed by every single aspect of it!
May 15, 2023
I like Parker; she has spunk. For a vintner who obsesses over which wine tastes best with which food dish more than she does with her romantic relationship and gets sidetracked with murder investigations, she isn’t your typical main character. But then again, this isn’t a typical murder mystery.
It’s wedding season, and vintner Parker is providing the wine for her cousin’s reception, but before the bride and groom can say I do, the wedding planner is found dead, and fingers are pointed in every direction except the right one. Parker has to put on her thinking cap and find the killer before the wrong person goes to prison and the killer goes free. This book has more suspects than you can shake a stick at. Evidence leads to so many people it's hard to keep them straight, but Parker does her best to corner every suspect and confront them head-on.
I like the twists and turns that keep readers guessing, but it wasn’t hard to figure out who the killer was. The investigation is more about Parker being nosy, but it’s her mother's help on the case that seals the wedding planner killer’s fate. Parker is no stranger to unusual pairings as a vintner, but pairing up with her mother to solve a murder might be the strangest one yet. Till Death Do Us Port is a complex, entertaining story about relationships and their intricacies more than a mystery. But this is also what makes this book and the series worth reading. A word of advice; if you haven’t read any of this series, don’t start with this book. Go back to the beginning; otherwise, you will be lost.
It’s wedding season, and vintner Parker is providing the wine for her cousin’s reception, but before the bride and groom can say I do, the wedding planner is found dead, and fingers are pointed in every direction except the right one. Parker has to put on her thinking cap and find the killer before the wrong person goes to prison and the killer goes free. This book has more suspects than you can shake a stick at. Evidence leads to so many people it's hard to keep them straight, but Parker does her best to corner every suspect and confront them head-on.
I like the twists and turns that keep readers guessing, but it wasn’t hard to figure out who the killer was. The investigation is more about Parker being nosy, but it’s her mother's help on the case that seals the wedding planner killer’s fate. Parker is no stranger to unusual pairings as a vintner, but pairing up with her mother to solve a murder might be the strangest one yet. Till Death Do Us Port is a complex, entertaining story about relationships and their intricacies more than a mystery. But this is also what makes this book and the series worth reading. A word of advice; if you haven’t read any of this series, don’t start with this book. Go back to the beginning; otherwise, you will be lost.
September 21, 2023
It's wedding time in Boulder, Colorado. Parker is attending her cousin, Emma's wedding, and serving the wine at the reception. When her wedding planner falls dead, there are no shortage of suspects including the bride herself.
I love this series. The characters are great and I always enjoy jumping back into this series. The mystery was good and I always enjoy seeing the characters grow. I am looking forward to seeing where the next book goes.
I love this series. The characters are great and I always enjoy jumping back into this series. The mystery was good and I always enjoy seeing the characters grow. I am looking forward to seeing where the next book goes.
April 8, 2023
I loved coming back to this series in Till Death Do Us Port. It’s like meeting up with friends and picking up where you left off last. It’s summer in Boulder and wedding bells are ringing for Parker’s Cousin Emma. Before the corks can be popped and glasses raised to the happy couple, their wedding planner is found dead! Now everyone at the reception is a suspect. Can Parker uncover who the real killer is before family ties get too strained?
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I loved the family dynamic and drama in this book. I especially enjoyed the mother/daughter sleuthing duo! We get a chance to see Parker and her mom bond more but also unearth some insecurities in Parker that she is having to work thru which I felt gave her personality and the book depth. Parker is a modern woman chasing her dreams and you can’t help but root for her.
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As in the previous books, Kate weaves in tantalizing details about grapes and wine solidifying the theme of the wine-making sleuth! Flavoring her books with a hint of humor and pop culture references. Thanks to the recipes and wine pairings in the back, I can go to the grocery store better armed for what wine to grab to go with dinner. Thanks for that Kate!! I can’t wait to see what’s in store in the future for Parker, Reid, her friends, and her family!
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If you have been meaning to pick up and read this series, I highly recommend you do!
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Thank you @kmlansing and @berkly and @netgalley for my arc to read and review. All thoughts are my own!
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I loved the family dynamic and drama in this book. I especially enjoyed the mother/daughter sleuthing duo! We get a chance to see Parker and her mom bond more but also unearth some insecurities in Parker that she is having to work thru which I felt gave her personality and the book depth. Parker is a modern woman chasing her dreams and you can’t help but root for her.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As in the previous books, Kate weaves in tantalizing details about grapes and wine solidifying the theme of the wine-making sleuth! Flavoring her books with a hint of humor and pop culture references. Thanks to the recipes and wine pairings in the back, I can go to the grocery store better armed for what wine to grab to go with dinner. Thanks for that Kate!! I can’t wait to see what’s in store in the future for Parker, Reid, her friends, and her family!
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If you have been meaning to pick up and read this series, I highly recommend you do!
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Thank you @kmlansing and @berkly and @netgalley for my arc to read and review. All thoughts are my own!
March 7, 2023
I loved this latest installment in the Colorado Wine Mystery series! Parker Valentine is providing the wine for her cousins wedding reception, only the wedding planner is found dead right as the procession begins. The setting of this book provided for a great cast of suspects with all the wedding guests but it also allowed Parker (and the author) to show off summertime in Colorado with visits to Red Rocks and other nearby attractions. I loved that we got to know Parker’s family better, and that her mother helped her investigate. Seeing them work together and understand each other better was great. I also loved to see Parker gain more confidence in herself and hope we get to see more of her soon.
May 25, 2023
Another great book in this series. When I heard the title for this book I definitely thought it would be Reid and Parker’s wedding or hoped it would be at least but I want them to have a happy non dramatic wedding and I hope that comes in a future book if there is more. One of my favorite things is the details and descriptions of Colorado. The part about Red Rocks took me right back there as if I was standing there with them and brings my own good memories back. Once again I didn’t suspect the murderer. At one point did suspect the accomplice and even thought it might be one of the sisters. Lastly I still always love a good book with food recipes in it!
August 19, 2023
Parker is at it again. While she thinks she is going to be attending her cousins wedding and worrying herself about her relationship with Reid, as he heads to San Francisco, to scope out a new location for an additional restaurant with investors, what she really finds herself dealing with is a murder, a murder that puts her family right in the crosshairs of police suspicions. No one was crazy about the wedding planner, Prynne was pushy, pretentious and rude, but who wanted her dead? With way too many "clues" will Parker, with her Mom's help, be able to figure out what really happened before a family member ends up in jail? It is worth your time to hang around for the ride!
March 29, 2023
Till Death Do Us Port by Kate Lansing is a delightfully charming murder mystery. It is the fourth book in the Colorado Wine Mysteries Series. The author did a good job in creating the characters who were quirky, charming, likable and relatable. When the hard to get along with wedding planner is murdered at the wedding of Emma who is the cousin of winemaker and mystery solver extraordinaire, Parker Valentine, goes to work to find the killer. This was entertaining and has all the elements of a good cozy mystery including a well written plot, family drama, suspense and romance. My only negative comment is that I wish the print was larger because the small print is difficult to read. I can see this becoming a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries series and I rated it a five.
September 1, 2022
As a Colorado native, I always love a cozy that takes place in my home state and the references to places I know, like Red Rocks and Union Station. While I think the characters are well developed, the dialogue (particularly Sage’s) can grate on me, not sounding how people really talk with stilted references and awkward jargon. However, it was a compelling mystery, a good cast of characters, and I learned a bit about wine making.
December 5, 2022
This book was pure delight and cozy mystery at its very best! I'm a huge fan of this series and have read all four books to date. With every new mystery I feel like I get to know the core cast of characters even better and I've really enjoyed watching them grow through their loves, challenges, and passions. Lansing has an effortless style and sharp wit that makes the writing a joy to read. I really hope there are more books to come! All the stars from me!
May 22, 2023
I usually love this series but something about this one was just a bit too slow for me. I still gave it a 3.5 (rounded up) though because it was still a good read. The cast of characters are well done, as usual, and I enjoyed the time spent of her moms character in this one. Overall it was a good mystery and a light easy read. This series is a good choice if you are a fan of cozy mysteries!
March 3, 2023
Another great installment in this series! Thank you to Berkley Pub and Edelweiss for allowing me to read an eARC.
Fans of the series will enjoy seeing Parker, her friends, and her family grow in this book. Humor and heart make this an enjoyable read.
Fans of the series will enjoy seeing Parker, her friends, and her family grow in this book. Humor and heart make this an enjoyable read.
December 20, 2023
A cozy wine-based mystery was exactly perfect for this time of year! I really enjoy this series.
May 7, 2025
this feels like an ending. if this gets more books I'd read them but this feels like an ending
March 28, 2023
Till Death Do Us Port is one of the rare mysteries where I remained clueless to the identity of the killer until Parker figured it out. Part of that stems from information being kept from Parker and thus the reader until nearly the end. If the key detail was mentioned earlier, I completely missed it.
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April 5, 2023
Till Death Do Is Port is book 4 of A Colorado Wine Mystery series and was a fun one with a lot of growth for our MC Parker.
Kate Lansing writes such a great mystery and the “whodunit” had me stumped! I also enjoy the story lines with the side characters and to hear what they are all up to.
A few things I love about this series are the wonderful friendships/relationships between characters, wine metaphors, and all of the Colorado references. (I only lived in CO for 3 years, but I these books sure do make me miss it.)
Jumping back into this series felt like visiting old friends and I cannot wait to see what Kate writes next!
Kate Lansing writes such a great mystery and the “whodunit” had me stumped! I also enjoy the story lines with the side characters and to hear what they are all up to.
A few things I love about this series are the wonderful friendships/relationships between characters, wine metaphors, and all of the Colorado references. (I only lived in CO for 3 years, but I these books sure do make me miss it.)
Jumping back into this series felt like visiting old friends and I cannot wait to see what Kate writes next!
March 8, 2023
I’m so excited this book is out! Till Death Do Us Port, the fourth book in the Colorado Wine Mystery Series, takes place in summer in Boulder. Parker is setting out her wine for her cousin’s wedding when the fussy wedding planner is murdered. I love the humor and wine metaphors and the zany wedding party including Clyde the furry cat. Summer is my favorite season in the Rockies and we get to see beautiful scenery as Parker, along with her friends and family, explore the Boulder area (and Red Rocks!) while investigating the murder. This is one of my favorite books of the year.
March 5, 2023
I finished book 4 last night and am already reading book 1; I need more of the winery! I really enjoyed Parker’s sleuthing, and I had no idea who did what until the big reveal. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this wine-based cozy!
I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
March 14, 2023
Parker Valentine wants a wedding for herself. She isn’t ready to get married herself, but she wants to get her wines into weddings. As a young winemaker in Boulder, Colorado, she knows that adding weddings to her business plan will help her build her business. And now, she’s added a port, a special blend of sweet dessert wine, that will go well with the rest of her choices, and she’s ready to show them off to someone who could help her break into the wedding business, her cousin’s wedding planer.
Emma was always a sweet kid, and now she’s grown up and getting married to the love of her life, Nash. Parker is happy for them and thrilled to be bringing her wines to the wedding. But it does mean that the family drama will be on full display for everyone there to see. And that doesn’t include the bridesmaid crying in the hotel lobby or the construction going on at the hotel or the ringbearer, Clyde, who keeps trying to get away. But then, he is a cat, so maybe he just doesn’t understand what a momentous occasion a wedding is.
When Parker is finally able to track down the wedding planner, Prynne Pearsall, she’s hoping to have a chance to talk to her about Prynne using her wines in upcoming weddings. Instead, Parker finds her yelling at the caterer and insulting her food. But between setting up her table of wines and helping wrangle the ringbearer, Parker doesn’t get a chance to talk to Prynne before the wedding starts. So she takes her place with the family and waits to see Emma and Nash get married.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen make it down the aisle, and Clyde makes it part of the way before he gets distracted. But before it’s Emma’s turn, there is a scream. Parker is one of many who go to find out what happened, and she finds herself standing over the wedding planner. But it’s obvious that her planning days are over. Prynne’s been murdered.
Even though Parker gets warned off from investigating on her own by her old friend, climbing buddy, and now detective Eli, Parker can’t just sit by and let Emma’s mother get targeted by the investigation. Grace is an excellent mother and was a good wife, until her husband’s affair was posted on social media, his girlfriend “accidentally” tagging him in a post and letting the world in on her existence. That broke up the marriage, and Michael ended up marrying Chastity, who had broken up his marriage. But Grace had always handled things with, well grace, and Parker knows that she wouldn’t kill anyone, despite how unlikable the wedding planner had been.
As Parker makes her way through the wedding party, finding out why the bridesmaid had been crying, and why groomsman Jack had been unfriendly. She thinks that there may be something going on between Emma’s sister Carolyn and Nash’s best friend Xavier. Then there was the caterer, getting fired right before the ceremony, after having prepared all the food and the cake. And Parker has to do all of this—investigating the murder, building her business, and helping her assistant prepare for her sommelier exam—without her boyfriend Reid, who is out in California looking into opening a second restaurant in the Bay Area
Having met the planner briefly, Parker can understand the urge to hit her over the head with a rock, but who actually did it? And will the answer to that bring her family together, or will the answer tear her family apart?
Till Death Do Us Port is the fourth book in Kate Lansing’s Colorado Wine Mystery series. It’s a tasty blend of investigation, family drama, wine information, and travelogue about Colorado, with a dash or romance and notes of corny humor. In other words, it’s a lot of fun.
This is the first of Lansing’s cozies that I read but it will not be the last. I loved the setting of Boulder, and all the insider information about wine was really interesting. I though that making the wedding the backdrop for the murder was a great use of family issues, and I really liked Parker and her family and friends. But mostly, I just thought that the writing was smooth and enjoyable. It was easy to read and left me wanting more. I will be going back and getting caught up on those books in the series I missed. I mean, when Parker stood over Prynne’s body and felt sad because the cake had also fallen on the ground? These are my people! I felt sad about that cake too!
Egalleys for Till Death Do Us Port were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks.
Emma was always a sweet kid, and now she’s grown up and getting married to the love of her life, Nash. Parker is happy for them and thrilled to be bringing her wines to the wedding. But it does mean that the family drama will be on full display for everyone there to see. And that doesn’t include the bridesmaid crying in the hotel lobby or the construction going on at the hotel or the ringbearer, Clyde, who keeps trying to get away. But then, he is a cat, so maybe he just doesn’t understand what a momentous occasion a wedding is.
When Parker is finally able to track down the wedding planner, Prynne Pearsall, she’s hoping to have a chance to talk to her about Prynne using her wines in upcoming weddings. Instead, Parker finds her yelling at the caterer and insulting her food. But between setting up her table of wines and helping wrangle the ringbearer, Parker doesn’t get a chance to talk to Prynne before the wedding starts. So she takes her place with the family and waits to see Emma and Nash get married.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen make it down the aisle, and Clyde makes it part of the way before he gets distracted. But before it’s Emma’s turn, there is a scream. Parker is one of many who go to find out what happened, and she finds herself standing over the wedding planner. But it’s obvious that her planning days are over. Prynne’s been murdered.
Even though Parker gets warned off from investigating on her own by her old friend, climbing buddy, and now detective Eli, Parker can’t just sit by and let Emma’s mother get targeted by the investigation. Grace is an excellent mother and was a good wife, until her husband’s affair was posted on social media, his girlfriend “accidentally” tagging him in a post and letting the world in on her existence. That broke up the marriage, and Michael ended up marrying Chastity, who had broken up his marriage. But Grace had always handled things with, well grace, and Parker knows that she wouldn’t kill anyone, despite how unlikable the wedding planner had been.
As Parker makes her way through the wedding party, finding out why the bridesmaid had been crying, and why groomsman Jack had been unfriendly. She thinks that there may be something going on between Emma’s sister Carolyn and Nash’s best friend Xavier. Then there was the caterer, getting fired right before the ceremony, after having prepared all the food and the cake. And Parker has to do all of this—investigating the murder, building her business, and helping her assistant prepare for her sommelier exam—without her boyfriend Reid, who is out in California looking into opening a second restaurant in the Bay Area
Having met the planner briefly, Parker can understand the urge to hit her over the head with a rock, but who actually did it? And will the answer to that bring her family together, or will the answer tear her family apart?
Till Death Do Us Port is the fourth book in Kate Lansing’s Colorado Wine Mystery series. It’s a tasty blend of investigation, family drama, wine information, and travelogue about Colorado, with a dash or romance and notes of corny humor. In other words, it’s a lot of fun.
This is the first of Lansing’s cozies that I read but it will not be the last. I loved the setting of Boulder, and all the insider information about wine was really interesting. I though that making the wedding the backdrop for the murder was a great use of family issues, and I really liked Parker and her family and friends. But mostly, I just thought that the writing was smooth and enjoyable. It was easy to read and left me wanting more. I will be going back and getting caught up on those books in the series I missed. I mean, when Parker stood over Prynne’s body and felt sad because the cake had also fallen on the ground? These are my people! I felt sad about that cake too!
Egalleys for Till Death Do Us Port were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks.
March 4, 2024
With yet another fantastic novel in the Colorado Wine Mystery Series, Kate Lansing has excelled once more. I adore wine, so I'm loving all the wine-related references in this series and how the author deftly integrates Parker's knowledge of wine into a convoluted mystery.
It's wedding season and Parker's cousin Emma is getting married so Parker, the proprietor of Valentine Winery, is thrilled to be supplying the wine for the festivities. Parker's boyfriend Reid is out of town on business, thus Parker will be attending the wedding alone. There is some family conflict, as there usually is during weddings. Reid's absence causes Parker's relatives to ask a lot of questions about her relationship or even if her boyfriend exists. There are awkward moments because the Bride's mom is there along with her dad, and his new wife. To make matters worse, the challenging wedding planner, who was recommended by Emma's stepmother, is found dead right as the vows are about to be exchanged.
Since Prynne, the wedding planner, was difficult to work with, the suspect list is long. Once again, Parker finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery and this time she will be assisted by an unexpected ally. Parker is determined to find the killer so her cousin will have her happy ever after. When a suspect is taken in for interrogation, Parker is convinced they have the wrong person, despite the evidence. Parker is racing against the clock to prove who committed this crime.
Along with the new characters, I also adore the recurring cast. Every character has different personalities and is well-developed, three-dimensional, and well thought out. Parker is demonstrating her strength of character by overcoming her fears and stepping outside of her comfort zone. She is having trouble worrying about a potential development in Reid's career and how it may impact their relationship. I am glad to see the bond is growing between Parker and her mother.
Throughout the book, you'll be kept guessing thanks to the author's skill at twisting stories. Just when the reader thinks they have it all figured out, She adds yet another twist to the tale. Similar to her previous books in the series, this one has many twists and turns leading up to the shocking conclusion that you won't see coming.
It's wedding season and Parker's cousin Emma is getting married so Parker, the proprietor of Valentine Winery, is thrilled to be supplying the wine for the festivities. Parker's boyfriend Reid is out of town on business, thus Parker will be attending the wedding alone. There is some family conflict, as there usually is during weddings. Reid's absence causes Parker's relatives to ask a lot of questions about her relationship or even if her boyfriend exists. There are awkward moments because the Bride's mom is there along with her dad, and his new wife. To make matters worse, the challenging wedding planner, who was recommended by Emma's stepmother, is found dead right as the vows are about to be exchanged.
Since Prynne, the wedding planner, was difficult to work with, the suspect list is long. Once again, Parker finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery and this time she will be assisted by an unexpected ally. Parker is determined to find the killer so her cousin will have her happy ever after. When a suspect is taken in for interrogation, Parker is convinced they have the wrong person, despite the evidence. Parker is racing against the clock to prove who committed this crime.
Along with the new characters, I also adore the recurring cast. Every character has different personalities and is well-developed, three-dimensional, and well thought out. Parker is demonstrating her strength of character by overcoming her fears and stepping outside of her comfort zone. She is having trouble worrying about a potential development in Reid's career and how it may impact their relationship. I am glad to see the bond is growing between Parker and her mother.
Throughout the book, you'll be kept guessing thanks to the author's skill at twisting stories. Just when the reader thinks they have it all figured out, She adds yet another twist to the tale. Similar to her previous books in the series, this one has many twists and turns leading up to the shocking conclusion that you won't see coming.
April 15, 2023
I was so happy after finally getting my hands on this beauty! I was crushed when it got delayed, but it was so worth it. Not surprising.
Parker is ready to defy all logic, reason, and personal safety yet again to hunt down a killer. Only this time she has the help of her sleuthing mother... sort of.
After reading the synopsis, I was hoping we would get lots of mother/daughter teamwork. Unfortunately Parker still does 90% of the sleuthing by herself and, once in a while, has a quick conversation with her mother in which they share their findings. A little disappointing, but I loved the small moments we got with Mrs. Valentine.
Speaking of the Valentines, I absolutely loved the conversation Parker had with her father about the difference between "being" helpless and "feeling" helpless. I was crying on the inside. Almost on the outside too.
The only gripe I have with Parker as a character is her treatment of friends. To be fair, this seems like a very popular issue in the cozy mystery genre -- heroines giving so much devotion and attention to their love interest and, at the same time, treating their friends like they're sort of disposable. For example, you can tell in every conversation that they have that Eli is a really considerate friend to Parker, but she's honestly so rude to him and refers to calling him as "leveraging her contacts". I thought Lansing was setting up a really sweet male/female friendship, but Parker only ever calls him when she wants to get information out of him and, if she doesn't get her way, blames it on him. It's literally the exact same issue I have with Conte's Cat Cafe Mystery series (seriously, someone connect Eli and Craig, they need each other).
I'll still be pre-ordering every new book in this series. I still have a soft spot for Parker. Even if she does spend a good chunk the novel talking about how good Reid smells. Sigh.
Parker is ready to defy all logic, reason, and personal safety yet again to hunt down a killer. Only this time she has the help of her sleuthing mother... sort of.
After reading the synopsis, I was hoping we would get lots of mother/daughter teamwork. Unfortunately Parker still does 90% of the sleuthing by herself and, once in a while, has a quick conversation with her mother in which they share their findings. A little disappointing, but I loved the small moments we got with Mrs. Valentine.
Speaking of the Valentines, I absolutely loved the conversation Parker had with her father about the difference between "being" helpless and "feeling" helpless. I was crying on the inside. Almost on the outside too.
The only gripe I have with Parker as a character is her treatment of friends. To be fair, this seems like a very popular issue in the cozy mystery genre -- heroines giving so much devotion and attention to their love interest and, at the same time, treating their friends like they're sort of disposable. For example, you can tell in every conversation that they have that Eli is a really considerate friend to Parker, but she's honestly so rude to him and refers to calling him as "leveraging her contacts". I thought Lansing was setting up a really sweet male/female friendship, but Parker only ever calls him when she wants to get information out of him and, if she doesn't get her way, blames it on him. It's literally the exact same issue I have with Conte's Cat Cafe Mystery series (seriously, someone connect Eli and Craig, they need each other).
I'll still be pre-ordering every new book in this series. I still have a soft spot for Parker. Even if she does spend a good chunk the novel talking about how good Reid smells. Sigh.
March 20, 2023
TILL DEATH DO US PORT is the fourth book in the Colorado Wine Mystery series by Kate Lansing. Whether or not you love wine (which I do), you’ll love the plucky protagonist, Parker Valentine, and her crew, along with the breathtaking setting! Parker, the owner and vintner at Vino Valentine, has found her stride and is ready to grow her business, despite personal changes going on with her boyfriend. Cue in the wedding season and Prynne, the wedding planner for her cousin’s hot ticket wedding, which could be the foot in the door she needs. Except, instead of finding a well-organized wedding, Parker finds chaos and the dead body of Prynne. With so many guests in attendance, the police (headed by one of Parker’s close friends) have a plethora of suspects but, unfortunately, they focus their attention on Parker’s family. With a distraught bride and her family breathing down her neck, Parker is determined to prove her family’s innocence.
Ms. Lansing’s attention to detail and the way she compares wine terminology and descriptions to the investigation, lends its hand to paint a vivid picture as the tale unfolds. Even if you’re not into wine, the comparisons and information aren’t over the top and doesn’t detract from the tightly plotted mystery—instead, it only adds to the enjoyment. There’s a bit of humor to lighten the mood and I adore that Parker and her mother have come to an understanding and they combine their skills to find the culprit. Despite their differences, they complement each other’s efforts. As the reveal unfolds, it becomes apparent that the author has skillfully woven the clues throughout the book and brings them together in a worthy fashion. I, for one, can’t wait to find out what happens next with Parker!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ms. Lansing’s attention to detail and the way she compares wine terminology and descriptions to the investigation, lends its hand to paint a vivid picture as the tale unfolds. Even if you’re not into wine, the comparisons and information aren’t over the top and doesn’t detract from the tightly plotted mystery—instead, it only adds to the enjoyment. There’s a bit of humor to lighten the mood and I adore that Parker and her mother have come to an understanding and they combine their skills to find the culprit. Despite their differences, they complement each other’s efforts. As the reveal unfolds, it becomes apparent that the author has skillfully woven the clues throughout the book and brings them together in a worthy fashion. I, for one, can’t wait to find out what happens next with Parker!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 22, 2023
Parker Valentine is happy to provide wine from her Boulder, Colorado winery for her cousin Emma’s wedding. She would be happier if her boyfriend, Reid, were in town to help her celebrate, but he is in San Francisco, where he is planning on opening a new restaurant. On the day of the ceremony, Parker is surprised at how difficult the wedding planner, Prynne Pearsall, is to work with but has high hopes that Emma’s big day will turn out okay. Unfortunately, in the middle of the ceremony, Prynne’s body is discovered by the caterer, who was just fired. Parker is determined to help solve the murder as soon as possible so Emma and her groom can finally say “I do”.
Parker is no stranger to crime scenes, but I enjoyed how she teams up with her chemist mother in this case. They both notice that something seems off about the crime scene, and it looks like the real killer is trying to frame others for the crime he or she committed. When Parker’s aunt becomes one of the prime suspects, this gives her and her mom even more motivation to question the witnesses and do some research to find out who really murdered Prynne. Parker is good at talking to people to get information, and her mom does a good job getting some facts to back up Parker’s theory. There are also details about different wine pairings included in the story that are informative and make the premise of the book come to life.
This book works well as a standalone, but readers following the series will enjoy the developments in Parker’s personal life. I have read two of three of the prior books and am also pleased by the growth in Parker’s character. I still don’t always connect with her, but find her to be much more likable than when the series first began. I would be interested to see what happens next for Parker’s winery and for her and Reid.
~ Christine
Parker is no stranger to crime scenes, but I enjoyed how she teams up with her chemist mother in this case. They both notice that something seems off about the crime scene, and it looks like the real killer is trying to frame others for the crime he or she committed. When Parker’s aunt becomes one of the prime suspects, this gives her and her mom even more motivation to question the witnesses and do some research to find out who really murdered Prynne. Parker is good at talking to people to get information, and her mom does a good job getting some facts to back up Parker’s theory. There are also details about different wine pairings included in the story that are informative and make the premise of the book come to life.
This book works well as a standalone, but readers following the series will enjoy the developments in Parker’s personal life. I have read two of three of the prior books and am also pleased by the growth in Parker’s character. I still don’t always connect with her, but find her to be much more likable than when the series first began. I would be interested to see what happens next for Parker’s winery and for her and Reid.
~ Christine
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