Abigail Logan never expected to inherit a whisky distillery in the Scottish Highlands. But in the first novel of an engaging new series blending fine spirits with chilling mystery, Abi finds that there are secrets lurking in the misty glens that some will go to any lengths to protect . . . even murder. When Abi inherits her uncle’s quaint and storied single malt distillery, she finds herself … finds herself immersed in a competitive high-stakes business that elicits deep passions and prejudices. An award-winning photojournalist, Abi has no trouble capturing the perfect shot—but making the perfect shot is another matter. When she starts to receive disturbing, anonymous threats, it’s clear that someone wants her out of the picture. But Abi’s never been one to back down from a fight.
Arriving on the scene with her whisky-loving best friend, Patrick, and an oversized wheaten terrier named Liam, Abi seems to put everyone in the bucolic village on edge—especially her dour but disturbingly attractive head distiller. Acts of sabotage and increasingly personal threats against Abi make it clear that she is not welcome. When one of Abi’s new employees is found floating facedown in a vat of whisky, Abi is determined to use her skills as an investigative journalist to identify the cold-blooded killer and dispense a dram of justice before he strikes again. But distilling truth from lies is tricky, especially when everyone seems to have something to hide.
Melinda Mullet’s delightful Whisky Business mysteries can be read together or separately. Enjoy responsibly:
SINGLE MALT MURDER | DEATH DISTILLED | DEADLY DRAM | DIED IN THE WOOL
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I enjoyed this audiobook, that narrator made me feel like I was in Scotland seeing in my mind how Abby Logan worked with the locals in solving a crime.
4 stars to Melinda Mullet’s Single Malt Murder: A Whisky Business Mystery, the first book in the new “Whisky Business” cozy mystery series. I stumbled across this book on NetGalley as a pre-release opportunity to read and review. I’m so glad I did! It was a fantastic new cozy with all the Scottish charm you’d come to expect… and now I may need to take up whisky drinking (even more than the Jack Daniels I already enjoy too frequently)!
Story
Abi Logan’s a semi-famous photographer in London, whose parents passed away in a car accident when she was 8 years-old. Her father’s brother, Uncle Ben, raised her in his flat until she joined a newspaper and traveled the world for a story. He retired to a small town in Scotland where he purchased a single malt whisky distillery and made a core group of new friends and family. When he passes away from cancer, she inherits the distillery and heads to Scotland to find a buyer and say goodbye to him. But she quickly learns the old-fashioned whisky team don’t take too kindly to a woman trying to run things. She finds a few friendly souls and begins to find someone to help her run the place until she can sell it; however, she receives several threats to get out quickly, later finding the dead body of the son of her late uncle’s girlfriend drowned in a whisky barrel. More threats and a few additional deaths fall across her path… leading her and best friend Patrick to try to solve the investigation before she ends up a victim herself!
Strengths
1. The description and coverage of the whisky-making process is delectable. I’ve never been much of a straight-whisky drinker… the occasional glass over ice on a cold night has been known to occur. I have been a long-time imbiber when it comes to a splash of ginger ale and lime wedge. Delicious! But now I’ve learned so much about the process, I want to try good whisky — and on its own! Go into this read lightly, you might become an addict quickly.
2. Patrick and Abi have a great relationship. She’s smart, no nonsense and independent. He’s witty, business-savvy and a good listener. He’s also gay, so no worry about any relationship-type issues. I hope he finds a couple of good paramours… it’d be fun to see how the writer handles it in the small Scottish town. Abi’s already got one suitor based on her interactions and it’s got the potential to steam up the pages. Just think “what’s under that kilt?” and you can leave the rest to your imagination.
3. The story is clever and has several different paths. Lots of characters and suspects without over-doing it. A good amount of red herrings. A fair hustle of danger. I read it almost entirely in one sitting, as each new chapter covered a different angle.
Suggestions
1. One concern is the breadth of future stories… how much can really occur in a whisky distillery after the debut is all about who will end up owning it? One option which the author seems to be considering is that Abi won’t live in the Scottish town as she ends up back in London at the end of the book, undecided about next steps. Perhaps that’s just to carry us to book 2, but I’d like her to stay and see how the story could combine her world travels as a photographer / reporter and as a distillery-owner.
2. Some of the supporting characters were a little too similar. I will remember 1 or 2, but the rest blended together enough that I may forget when I start the next book. I think some time may need to focus on bringing forth a stable of 4 or 5 core supporting characters, each with clear and distinct personalities. It’s minor and easily addressed.
Final Thoughts
Give this new series a chance. It’s a non-traditional setting (at least for me) in a small Scottish town. It’s got a girl with no family left, so it’ll be interesting to see how she handles life “on her own” and assembles a new family. Patrick will definitely make the series stand out. And the writing is clean and interesting, especially with hints of Scottish brogue thrown about!
I totally enjoyed this book, I listened to it on audio and the reader had an accent that immediately put you in Scotland. When Abigail inherits a distillery, she is at a loss, she is a photojournalist. She goes to check it out with her friend who knows all about whiskey. When Abi starts getting death threats, and finds sabotage, plus a dead body, add people that aren’t happy that she’s there, which includes the head distiller, well, Abi truly has her plate full.
This was a unique story for me and I loved the characters. The plot had plenty of twists that kept me guessing as to who it could be. I will definitely continue on with this series.
I love this book. The world of my favorite drink, Scotch, comes alive in this cozy mystery. I read the entire series and am hoping there is another one on the way. As someone who spends a lot of time in Scotland and is friends with a member of the single malt society this book has it right. More than that, the characters are engaging and authentic. The kind you want to sit down and have a dram with.
An enjoyable read, I’d like to try a good single malt.
If you want to learn about making whiskey. This is the book. Then there is an entertaining murder mystery. Pour a glass of your favorite, sip and read.
Fun book to read.
It’s a great read with wonderful characters and interesting twists and turns in the plot.
Interesting story centered around Scotland Distilery
This was a good read. It had deets on the whisky making process I found fascinating, with explanations that were well done. It took me awhile to warm up to Abi. She’s smart and had a take charge attitude, but she could be abrasive and temperamental. However with the help of her friend, Patrick, and her terrier Liam, her sharp edges softened up enough to let me see a different side of her. I think the mystery was well done and the clues were well placed for the best surprise value. I ended up learning more than I thought I would, but am happily satisfied with the end results.
I enjoyed the whisky making genre.
NIcely done first book in a new mystery series
I read this shortly before a trip to Scotland. The scotch info was fascinating and the mystery was first rate.
Pretty good read!
I knew nothing about the whiskey industry before reading this story. Mystery part was just O.K. Romance was predictable.
Written with style and realism. Made me want to buy a bottle of single malt whiskey from Scotland!
Shows a world not many know of the art & craft of whisky brewing. Combine this with murder, unusual lifestyles and a bit of romance and you have a winner.
Well written and well researched. I don’t drink, but now I know a lot about whisky 🙂
I loved the book. I learned a lot about distilling and it kept me guessing till the end.
I read this book because I am a lover of single malts. This was fun and informative. Also, I have traveled to that area in Scotland and visited some of the places mentioned.