Cover Image: One for the Road

One for the Road

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Member Reviews

This is the first in a new cozy mystery series and I think there's a lot of potential for becoming a good series.
I like the idea of a travel blogger and I liked Jill, an interesting and fleshed out characters.
The plot is full of twists and turns and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Good character and plot development, interesting description of the setting, a solid mystery.
I want to read the next book in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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Bourbon Wars....
The first in a new series of cosy mysteries (A Bourbon Tour mystery) featuring travel writer Jill Curtis. Sent to Bourbon country, Jill is tasked with finding out what the draw of the Bourbon tours actually is for the many tourists that attend each year. Expecting the job to be less than an exciting one, Jill is completely unprepared for the events that follow - particularly when she finds herself as suspect number one in a murder enquiry. An entertaining read with a protagonist who may find her feet as the series progresses.

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A fun cozy mystery set in Kentucky bourbon country. The characters are charming and interesting and the plot moves fairly quickly. The main character constantly refers to herself as Nancy Drew, and this book fits within the scope of a Nancy drew plot. The main character is quickly trusted by many, she gets information easily, and every thing wraps up very quickly in the last chapter.

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I had high hopes for this first in a new series. After all, a murder in bourbon distillery and intrepid reporter should make for a good twisty read. To be fair, Jill is a good character, albeit one who would benefit from some polishing. On the other hand, I do not understand why Ellis would choose to show law enforcement this way. It's 2020 and I can't imagine any law enforcement officer would allow a possible suspect who was covered in blood to leave the scene of the crime to leave the scene wearing any of that clothing. Or that they would encourage the involvement of a travel writer they don't know to participate in the investigation. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'd like to be more encouraging but think this one should have had another eye in the editing process.

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When travel writer Jill Curtis is sent to rural Kentucky to write a piece on the rising popularity of bourbon distillers and tours of the distilleries, she finds herself caught up in an old family feud. While touring one of the distilleries, Jills stumbles across the dead body of the owner. Despite looking like a tragic accident, it is soon determined that the man was murdered. Because she is distantly related to the victim’s wife—and because she hopes to expand her career beyond writing fluffy travel pieces—Jill makes it her mission to delve into the family feud and help the police uncover the killer.

I was excited about the premise of ONE FOR THE ROAD, but the book almost immediately let me down. I hate to speak badly of a fellow writer, but the writing was subpar at best. It felt like a first draft that was never revised or edited. There was no depth to the novel. It lacked description and transitions. None of the characters were likable or realistic—the main character acts like a person half her age and probably shouldn’t be allowed out of the house without adult supervision. The police seem to have no idea what they are doing and basically let a travel writer take over their investigation. The author also uses stereotypes of rural Appalachia that I found distasteful. And the murderer was obvious even before the murder took place. Overall, I was not a fan of the book.

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ONE FOR THE ROAD..Mary.Ellis..
Take a free trip to find out why thousands go to Kentucky for there bourbon days, tasting corn pone and deep fried foods. The proprietor brings a sample of the bourbon to the rooms. Sounds good, afterward Chicago sounds better.
What happens when you are visiting and videoing a distillery plant and now Jill is trying to explain to the sheriff why she has blood on her hands and down the front of her. Later she is thinking "Talk about bad dates that go wrong"......A good cozy type mystery and a flowing plot.
Given ARC by Net Galley and Severn for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

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I enjoyed what I hope is many more to come in Mary Ellis' A Bourbon Tour Mystery series. This charming book exposed me an area of the country where I have never been and to the complicated process of distilling of Bourbon. Jill Curtis is a Travel Writer who along with a photographer is sent to Kentucky to do a story on Bourbon Tours. She ends up staying at the Bed and Breakfast of a distant relative and murder ensues. There is family intrigue, romance, a suspenseful mystery and a town full of very kind people. I am looking forward to the next offering in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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The characters are well developed and relatable. Kentucky was a great setting for this mystery. The story flowed well and the mystery was good. Jill is a travel writer and goes to Kentucky to tour the distilleries. She ends up finding more than she bargained for with a dead body. This was a good start to a new series and I enjoyed it.
#OnefortheRoad #NetGalley

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I enjoyed this first book in a new cozy series. Jill, a travel writer and her videographer travel to Kentucky to tour Bourbon Country. The BB they are staying at is owned by Jill's distance estranged relative. While touring the distilleries Jill stumbles across a body. The author did a good job with the rural Kentucky and distillery setting. I liked the small town and the characters. There is a little romance in the story. The mystery was good and I was able to figure it out. There were enough suspects to keep it interesting. The book was a quick fun read. I look for word to reading the next one. Enjoy

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