Blog Tour & Review: DYING ON THE VINE by Maria Cooper

Dying on the Vine

by Marla Cooper

Dying on the Vine: A Mystery (Kelsey McKenna Destination Wedding Mysteries)
Series: Kelsey McKenna Destination Wedding Mysteries (Book 2)
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Minotaur Books (April 4, 2017)
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250072559
E-Book ASIN: B01L7BD9VM

Synopsis

When wedding planner Kelsey McKenna goes to the Wine Country Wedding Faire, the last thing she expects to do is take on new clients. After all, she’s just there to help out her friend Brody and maybe score some free cupcakes. But when a young couple in a pinch asks for her help, she just can’t say no.

There’s only one problem: they’d been working with Babs Norton, the self-proclaimed Queen of Wine Country Weddings—and things did not end well. Kelsey wants to make sure there are no hard feelings, but unfortunately she never gets the chance. When she goes to Babs’ office, she finds the wedding planner dead on the floor.

Babs’ high-strung assistant Stefan knows exactly who killed Babs: Kelsey. At least, that’s what he very publicly accuses her of at Babs’ funeral. When Kelsey decides to do a little sleuthing to clear her name, she uncovers a myriad of secrets and lies. And when a second wedding planner is attacked, Kelsey begins to wonder if she might be next.

Set against the stunning backdrop of California wine country, Marla Cooper’s Dying on the Vine is a mystery brimming with gossip, wine, and, of course…murder.

Review

The wine country is a great setting for a cozy mystery, and DYING ON THE VINE doesn't disappoint. Kelsey is a wedding planner but doesn't have access to the vineyard venue - that venue is tied up by Babs and her maybe partner Stefan Pierce. She has the opportunity though when one of Babs' clients decides to switch wedding planners just 4 weeks before the wedding. Stress on to get everything arranged, Kelsey ends up the one to find Babs' body. Brody and her other friends join in the sleuthing to clear Kelsey and make the wedding happen, not to mention the possibility of more vineyard weddings. Kelsey has a lot of suspects to choose from, including the temperamental vintner. 

This was a fun read over spring break - enough action, quick pace, yet light and easy to follow.  Some of the characters, like the vintner, are quirky, and the commentary on wedding planning and bridezillas add a touch of humor. This is the second in the series, but can easily be read as stand alone.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

About The Author

As a freelance writer, MARLA COOPER has written all sorts of things, from advertising copy to travel guidebooks to the occasional haiku. But it was while ghostwriting a nonfiction guide to destination weddings that she found inspiration for her current series starring destination wedding planner Kelsey McKenna. Originally hailing from Texas, Marla lives in Oakland, California, with her husband and her polydactyl tuxedo cat.

Author Links

Webpage – www.marla-cooper.com

Blog: www.chicksonthecase.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marla.Cooper.Author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kindacozy

Purchase Links

Amazon B&N

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