Welcome! Thank you for visiting. Allyson K. Abbott (aka Annelise Ryan and Beth Amos) is the author of A Mack's Bar Mystery series. In addition, she writes A Mattie Winston Mystery series (under Annelise Ryan). You can find out more about the author at www.bethamos.com. The books in A Mack's Bar Mystery series are Murder on the Rocks, Murder with a Twist, In the Drink, Shots in the Dark, and the newest addition is A Toast to Murder.
A Toast to Murder by Allyson K. Abbott is the fifth novel in A Mack’s Bar Mystery series. Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton owns Mack’s Bar in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mack has been able
to use her synesthesia to help solve crimes.
But one person does not believe in her ability. Mack keeps receiving letters that test her
abilities and each missive has a deadline. If Mack does not interpret the clues in time,
a person close to her will die. One
person has already lost their life (Mack was in an accident and broke her leg). Mack, with the help of her friends, sets up a
trap to catch the killer. She has an
idea as to the identity of one of the perpetrator’s, but she believes the
individual is not working alone. A New
Year’s Party at the bar is the perfect venue to expose the evil doers. But things do not work out quite as
planned. Mack will need to use her
special gift to reveal the villain before he (or she) is disappears into the
night. Will Mack’s New Year’s resolution
come true?
A Toast to Murder contains good
writing and has a nice flow making for an easy to read (and enjoy) cozy
mystery. I like Mack Dalton and her uncommon
ability (I consider it a gift not a disorder).
It something I was unfamiliar with prior to this series, and it is
unique in cozy mysteries. A Mack’s Bar Mystery series needs to be read in order.
Otherwise, you will be missing pertinent details regarding the mysterious
letter writer and havoc it has caused to Mack’s life. There is some repetition of details (Mack’s
disorder and the case). I am rating A Toast to Murder 4 out of 5 stars
(I liked it). The mystery is complex and
it has evolved over the five books in the series. I did feel that the suspect list was a little
long (over a dozen). I believe most
readers (except armchair sleuths) will be surprised when the guilty party is
revealed. Avid mystery readers, though,
should be able to pinpoint the wrongdoer.
The clues pointing to the person’s identity are subtle. My major issue with A Toast to Murder is the prominent
romance. There is a love triangle (big
sigh) that has unfolded slowly over the last four books. I am happy that Mack decides between her two beaux
at the end of the book, but I was disappointed Mack’s choice. I did favor one fellow over the other (I
would say which one, but then I would spoil it for you). I look forward to reading the next book in A Mack’s Bar Mystery series.
I hope you found my review helpful. I am currently reading All Signs Point to Murder by Connie di Marco. I will be sharing my thoughts about The Address by Fiona Davis on Thursday. I hope you have a blessed Wednesday. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
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