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WINE TASTINGS ARE MURDER, the fifth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein, is my new favorite out of them all! That said, I’ll get my one and only criticism out of the way upfront… I hate love triangles and feel like the protagonist, Poppy McAllister, has dragged out her choice 3 books too long. However, the author has used her wicked sense of humor, in the form of supporting characters, to poke fun at and address the love triangle which made it more palatable. And (I’m jumping ahead here) there is a resolution with a jaw-dropping twist. If you’re like me in this regard, hang in there because the ride is well worth it!
Ms. Klein’s knack for hitting the one-liner zingers with impeccable timing had me laughing out loud more times than I could count. While Poppy may be the “serious” character in the bunch, her inner thoughts, along with dialog, is laced with hilarity. And then there are the supporting characters, Poppy’s Aunt Ginny being the chief ringleader. Her zany antics, as she leads her band of biddies in their quest for mischief and mayhem, kept me entertained every step of the way. Thrown in for more laughs are a young Eastern European narcoleptic housemaid, a houseful of wine tasting tourists, and a battle between the resident cat, Figeraro, and the naughty visiting teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.
Of course being a cozy mystery book there is a murder. One of the guests at Poppy’s B & B drops dead during a wine tasting event. The author’s attention to detail in setting up the murder and suspects is top notch and the clues and red herrings she plants are cleverly plotted. With plenty of suspects to keep a motivated reader guessing (I was more than happy to sit back and enjoy the story as it unfolded instead of trying to puzzle it out) the final reveal showcased another wickedly clever twist that takes the award for the most creative I’ve ever read!
Running a B & B along with dividing her time between providing gluten-free bakery items for a coffeehouse and desserts for a restaurant, Poppy spends a lot of time in the kitchen. All the mentions of food will leave the reader craving goodies and the author shares some of those recipes at the back of the book. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bake her recipe for Gluten-Free Lemon Curd Muffins since lemon is my youngest granddaughter’s favorite flavor. I appreciated that the recipe calls for “gluten-free” flour instead of a bunch of different flours, which made the recipe much easier. While not specified, I used a cup-for-cup gluten-free substitute (such as King Arthur Flour or Bob’s Red Mill blend) so there’s no need to mess with xanthan gum. I also appreciated the recipe calls for pre-made, jarred lemon curd. With these conveniences, it didn’t take long to mix up and start baking. Super moist and oh so flavorful thanks to the generous amounts of lemon zest, lemon juice, and lemon curd, these are a delicious treat for breakfast and snack time, or serve with a dollop of ice cream for dessert!
Amazon Synopsis
It’s vintage Poppy McAllister when the gluten-free baker and B&B owner tries to solve a murder at a Cape May winery . . .
When Poppy and Aunt Ginny agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at their Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast on the Jersey Shore, they never anticipated such a sour bunch. Grumpy guest Vince Baker should be in a better mood—he’s filthy rich and on his honeymoon with his much younger wife Sunny, who seems to dote on him almost as much as her high-spirited teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.
But the honeymoon is over when Vince drops dead the next day touring the Laughing Gull Winery. Turns out he’s been poisoned, and it seems like everybody on the tour is hiding something. Now Poppy has to put her gluten-free baking on the back burner and bottle up her feelings for the two men in her life while she charges after a bitter killer with a lethal case of sour grapes . . .
A special thanks to Libby Klein for providing two lucky winners with a print copy of WINE TASTINGS ARE MURDER. Contest limited to U.S. residents and ends Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 2-1/2 cups gluten-free flour (such as gf cup-for-cup / or you may use all-purpose flour)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon pink salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- Zest of 2 large lemons
- 1/4 cup juice from the 2 lemons you zested
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 jar lemon curd
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with cupcake papers.
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Place the gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl and whisk until combined.
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Add sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, sour cream, butter, eggs, and vanilla to a mixing bowl and beat until well combined, 2 - 3 minutes.
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Add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and mix on low just until combined. Be sure to not over-mix your batter, or you'll have rubbery muffins. The batter will be slightly stiff.
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Fill each muffin cup halfway with the batter. Make a little well in the center with the spoon. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon curd into each muffin hole in the well you made. Top with the remaining batter to cover the lemon curd. Smooth out the tops if you want rounded muffins out of the oven. Mine didn't change shape at all as they baked.
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Bake 15 - 20 minutes until lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
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Leave to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. I brushed the top of the warm muffins with a pastry brush dipped in the remaining lemon curd, but that's optional.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Yum, those look delicious! I have not been on a wine tasting trip, but did attend a local event put on by various wineries.
I have never been on a wine tasting tour, but if ever there was a time to do so vicariously, it is now! This series sounds amazing!
I have never been on a wine tasting tour but it is on my bucket list.
I have been to wineries and enjoyed tastings there. However, I have not yet been on a wine tasting tour.
I’ve never gone on a wine tasting trip. Sounds like fun, though! And those lemon muffins look so delicious and refreshing! SOMETIMES I get tired of chocolate everything and just want something lemony 🙂 . The book sounds like one I would love to read. I love cozies that are witty/humorous and have at least one character that adds that spark with her/his sarcastic personality. thanks for the chance to win!
I have done a wine tasting trip, and after the tasting bought way too much champagne (it was good!) ~
I’ve never been on a formal wine tasting trip but a few years ago my daughter and I visited a bunch of wineries in the finger lakes. We had a great time and came home with over a case of wine! And I don’t drink wine LOL
Yes! I love them! So much fun! And so much great wines to discover!
I’m not much of a wine drinker, so I’ve never been on a wine tasting trip.
No I have not.
Never have! I’m in assisted living and what fun it would be to have one here!!
I’ve never been winning tasting. Might be fun but I probably don’t know enough about wine to tell the suble differences you’re supposed to notice.
I have done several wine tasting trips some In California when I was a culinary student and also in nearby NY state.
Not as a trip, but we have stopped at wineries while vacationing for tastings.
Love lemon curd so will for sure be trying this recipe!
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read WINE TASTINGS ARE MURDER.
Yes I have, in NY!
I have not been on a wine tasting outing, although those and bourbon tasting ones have been popular around here. When I think of those trips, I think of the movie Sideways, which was so funny.
Yes I have it was a long time ago in Paw Paw, Michigan and it was a lot of fun and I would love to do it again. Thanks for your great generosity.
The muffins sound delicious…I love anything lemon! I have never been on a wine-tasting tour because I don’t drink. I did tour a champagne “house” on a trip to France several years ago.
I have never been on a wine tasting tour.
No, I have never been on a wine tasting trip.
I’ve been to places where you can simple the wine. Of, I didn’t leave empty handed.?
The recipe sounds and looks good!!!
No, I’ve never been on one but I’d love to.
Yes in California
I have never been on a wine tasting trip. I love this series. Thank you for this chance!
Yes, so much fun!
Lemon curd is great stuff!
My husband and I went to San Francisco and had time for one quick wine trip. We decided to go to the Korbel winery and taste their brandy. Then we had to drive back to San Francisco on the winding highway at night after generous pourings of brandy.
i have never done a wine tasting trip.
I have not. thanks for the chance.
I have never been on a wine tasting trip. I don’t drink so I probably never will. The lemon curd muffins look yummy. Thanks for the chance.
I have been wine tasting in Napa and also in Michigan.
I have not gone on a wine tasting tour. I quit drinking years ago so I doubt that I will at this point in my life.
No, never gone on a wine tasting trip
No I have never gone on a wine tasting trip.
I’ve never gone wine-tasting, but it sounds fun.
Thank you for the giveaway! I have never gone wine tasting before but it sounds like a lot of fun. Great series!
I have never gone on a wine tasting trip.
No but I would love to!
No. There’s only a couple of wine flavors I will drink. I haven’t had any for a very long time. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of Wine Tastings Are Murder.
Lemon curd muffins! I can’t wait to try these.
I have been trying to be Gluten free these look amazing!
Thank you for offering this great giveaway but also for a great looking GF goodie! They are hard to come by and lemon is my all time favorite ?? Thanks again!!
I’ve never been on a wine tasting trip, do not drink wine.
I have but wasn’t very impressed with the selection.
Yes,I have spent a weekend touring wines in my province
I have never been to a wine tasting. Thanks for the yummy recipe!!!
I love anything lemon & your recipe sounds great. I’d love to read this. Thank you for the chance.
Yes, many times. I lived in Sonoma County for years and Napa was my backyard. I have also done them in El Dorado County and Amador County
Yes a one day trip to 5 wineries while in New Zealand.
I’ve never gone on a trip with the express purpose of wine tasting. But, as part of a trip for other reasons, I have done some wine-tasting. Years ago, hubby & I went to Branson and did a wine tasting. Well, I did while he had something non- alcoholic.; he was driving. Then a few years ago while visiting his brother and sister-in-law, they took us to some wine tasting places (hubby wasn’t doing the driving, so he tried the wines as well). We ended up buying several bottles of 2 or 3 wines. Because we live in Oklahoma the wineries couldn’t ship to us (OK laws) so we had to pack them in our suitcases to come home.
Yes I have been on a wine tasting trip! Loved it! Thanks so much for the recipe! They sound yummy!
It was so much fun we went to Finger Lake’s Wine country.
Raised in Napa and go Wine Tasting often.My son belongs to several winery clubs and they treat even better.Mums is.My favorite
Yes, just one. It was in Preston, WA…I had the best time! I still have a bottle from that trip over 20 yrs ago.
No, I have never been on a wine tasting trip.
I don’t drink, but love to visit wineries in order to buy new wines for friends & family. I’ve even been to the Tedeschi winery (now Maui Wine) in Hawaii.
I haven’t been on a wine tasting trip but I was in Italy a few years ago and was offered the chance to try many different wines.