Deadly Dram

Who knew distilling whisky would be deadly. Abi, Grant and Patrick attend an awards weekend for whisky distillers from around the world. In Deadly Dram by Melinda Mullet, a streak of nativism hits the “Barley Boys” as Abi calls them and suddenly two judges are dead. Is someone trying to kill the judges to keep the non-Scots out of the running? (Deadly Dram will be released on September 4.)

Spending three days at a five-star resort was supposed to be a dream come true for photojournalist, now whisky distiller Abi Logan. Also attending is her partner and handsome, but aloof distiller Grant MacEwen. Complicating matters is the stunningly gorgeous "old friend" of Grant's Brenna Quinn. Abi keeps reminder herself she doesn't want to get involved with Grant, but that doesn't seem to be working for her. 

Also along is her friend Patrick who is editor of The Whisky Journal and a sponsor of the event. There are whisky distillers from as far away as Japan and India.

When the first judge Sir Richard Simpson dies from drinking from a bottle of whisky left in the room by Hinatu Harukawa, the Japanese distiller, all the bottles are confiscated, although none but Sir Richard's contained anything but whisky. His contained liquid nicotine.

Because of a vocal fight with his younger brother, Trevor becomes the number one suspect. No one but the maid and Sir Richard had entered his room the night of the murder. When the second judge Archie MacInnes is poisoned with truffles donated by Patrick's company, Abi begins to worry that someone is trying to influence the judging by killing the most liberal judges. 

Abi struggles to find the killer endangering Grant’s life as she tries to make the connection between the two dead judges.

Another excellent adventure in whisky distilling.

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Single Malt Murder

After her uncle dies unexpectedly, Abigail Logan inherits his whiskey distillery in Scotland. In Single Malt Murder by Melinda Mullet, the people of Balfour take distilling seriously and don’t think it is a place for a woman. 

Several threats and sabotage make this clear, but Abi is not deterred. She wants to learn about the business before she decides whether to sell or not. The sharks are circling though and several distilleries are anxious for her to sell. Could one of them be behind the sabotage and the threats?

The Haven, as the home is called, is perfect and could have been decorated right out of Country Living, and Abbey Glen, the distillery, is quaint yet modern. Abi has been on the road so long, she has forgotten what living in a comfortable house means.

Her uncle's head distiller Grant MacEwan doesn't make her feel

any more welcome, but Abi is the owner so she prods him for answers on how the operation is run. When she asks to see the Abbey the distillery is named after, she is shocked to learn her unlce Ben named it for her. With a lump in her throat, Abi decides to learn as much as she can about the distilling process before she makes her decision to stay or go.

A murder brings the issue to a head. It frightens Abi to think someone in the village if behind the sabotage and now the murder, but as a journalist, she knows she can dig deeper and try to solve the puzzle. 

An excellent book with great details about whiskey distilling. Who knew there were other subtle flavors in single malt whiskey. Anxious to try some now! The second in the series is Death Distilled: A Whisky Business Mystery is out now.