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kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
PAIRING A DECEPTION, the third book in Nadine Nettmann’s Sommelier Mystery series, will make you want to open a nice bottle of wine to enjoy while you savor each word written until the last page is turned. I love how each chapter begins with a wine pairing (so many wines introduced by Ms. Nettmann, who is a certified sommelier) and weaves in wine information throughout this fast-paced mystery. The protagonist, Katie Stillwell, is an admirable character. She is intelligent and driven to pass her advanced sommelier exam in her quest to become a Master Sommelier. She uses her wine analytical skills to help solve the murder of a young woman she befriends while at a wine and food festival in Santa Barbara, which provides an appealing setting. Joining her is her fairly new boyfriend, Detective Dean. They work well together and it’s obvious that Detective Dean not only cares for Katie, he highly respects her opinions and insight into the brutal crime. With plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, the exciting conclusion will have the reader turning pages faster and faster!
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
PAIRING A DECEPTION by Nadine Nettmann
The Third Sommelier Mystery
Katie Stillwell and Detective Dean have finally coordinated their schedules and plan to enjoy their first weekend away as a couple at the Harvest Days Wine and Food Festival in Santa Barbara. A romantic wine filled getaway turns murderous when the pair discover the dead body of a woman lying against the door of Master Sommelier Hudson Wiley; the same woman who was desperate to talk with him. Could he have killed her? Although it's not Dean's jurisdiction he's certain to have an opinion, and Katie is sure to ask some questions. Who killed Jocelyn Rivers? And if the Master Sommelier is guilty, who will proctor Katie's Exam?
I find that I like the characters in the Sommelier Mysteries more and more as the series progresses. Although filled with self doubt, Katie Stillwell is nonetheless a strong woman. Determined to do what she does best, Katie sticks to her guns and doesn't let anybody stop her! Detective Dean is an amazing romantic counterpart. Dean is supportive, encouraging, and thoughtful. He listens and remembers the little things.
One of my favorite bits of the series is the wine pairing given at the start of each chapter. I love and appreciate the wine knowledge shared. The love of wine is not only evident in Katie Stillwell, but it flows from the author, Nadine Nettmann, herself. Her joy and enthusiasm for the fruit of the vine is evident in every page, and it doesn't detract from the mystery, but rather enriches it.
PAIRING A DECEPTION is another gold medal winner from Nadine Nettmann. Great characters in a wonderful setting bring an intriguing and enjoyable mystery to life.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Third Sommelier Mystery
Katie Stillwell and Detective Dean have finally coordinated their schedules and plan to enjoy their first weekend away as a couple at the Harvest Days Wine and Food Festival in Santa Barbara. A romantic wine filled getaway turns murderous when the pair discover the dead body of a woman lying against the door of Master Sommelier Hudson Wiley; the same woman who was desperate to talk with him. Could he have killed her? Although it's not Dean's jurisdiction he's certain to have an opinion, and Katie is sure to ask some questions. Who killed Jocelyn Rivers? And if the Master Sommelier is guilty, who will proctor Katie's Exam?
I find that I like the characters in the Sommelier Mysteries more and more as the series progresses. Although filled with self doubt, Katie Stillwell is nonetheless a strong woman. Determined to do what she does best, Katie sticks to her guns and doesn't let anybody stop her! Detective Dean is an amazing romantic counterpart. Dean is supportive, encouraging, and thoughtful. He listens and remembers the little things.
One of my favorite bits of the series is the wine pairing given at the start of each chapter. I love and appreciate the wine knowledge shared. The love of wine is not only evident in Katie Stillwell, but it flows from the author, Nadine Nettmann, herself. Her joy and enthusiasm for the fruit of the vine is evident in every page, and it doesn't detract from the mystery, but rather enriches it.
PAIRING A DECEPTION is another gold medal winner from Nadine Nettmann. Great characters in a wonderful setting bring an intriguing and enjoyable mystery to life.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
tmleafs42's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic addition to the Sommelier Mysteries. I really enjoyed Katies trip to a Wine and Food Festival with a special friend. While there, they are met with an interesting group of wine enthusiasts, one of which winds up dead. It was a great fast paced read.
ssejig's review
4.0
Though this is the third book in the series, it's the first one I've read. I didn't feel like I needed to have read the first two. There was enough backstory without an info dump to know what was going on with the series. Katie Stillwell is volunteering at a wine and food festival the weekend ahead of her advanced sommelier exam. Her beau John Dean is with her as well, taking well the fact that he was signed up as "Dean Stillwell" and generally proving himself to be a really, really good boyfriend. Too bad the rest of the weekend is moving as smooth. There's a young woman chasing down the emcee. He's avoiding her for most of the day but Katie leaves them at a table together at the end of the evening. Too bad the young woman ends up dead outside his door the next day.
The ending didn't make a lot of sense to me but it was overall a pretty good book.
The ending didn't make a lot of sense to me but it was overall a pretty good book.
duranceau22ced's review
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
piepieb's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! I love food festivals, and this book takes place at a wine/food festival. Katie even steps in as a presenter at one of the sessions, and on another day she helps pour wine. It's meant to be a romantic weekend for her and John Dean, but murder has other plans...
Nadine Nettmann makes the "wine world" interesting, and as you're reading this story you're learning about wine and labels and tastings and vintage. You're learning without even realizing it. Nettmann keeps the topics fresh and not dry. I'm not a drinker, but I'd love to sit down with Katie and have her pour wine for me and have her explain the story within the bottle! I can't wait for the next book!!
Nadine Nettmann makes the "wine world" interesting, and as you're reading this story you're learning about wine and labels and tastings and vintage. You're learning without even realizing it. Nettmann keeps the topics fresh and not dry. I'm not a drinker, but I'd love to sit down with Katie and have her pour wine for me and have her explain the story within the bottle! I can't wait for the next book!!
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