🍷Review: The Wine Jelly Murder by Meg Benjamin (Luscious Delights Mystery Series)

Item: The Wine Jelly Murder
Rating: 4
Author: Gina

“From wedding bells to murder clues—Roxy Constantine never expected family celebrations to turn deadly.”

I’m thrilled to be part of the Goddess Fish Promotions Review Tour for The Wine Jelly Murder by award-winning author Meg Benjamin. This cozy mystery blends small-town charm, wedding chaos, and murder into a story full of intrigue and clever twists.

Post Highlights

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📝 Book Details

The Wine Jelly Murder
By Meg Benjamin
Series: A Luscious Delights Mystery, Book #5
Published by Wild Rose Press on September 1, 2025
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 249

Roxy Constantine and Nate Robicheaux are into weddings, both for work and family. But when the obnoxious father of the bride is murdered at the engagement party, they find out more about his business than they bargained for.

Now someone wants to stop Roxy from investigating even as she pulls out all the stops on a super New Year’s Eve wedding celebration for her uncle.

She’ll need more than wine jelly favors and wedding cake to stop the killer.

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions

📜 Excerpt from The Wine Jelly Murder

Before the celebration can even begin, danger is already waiting in the shadows. Here’s a chilling moment that changes everything:

As I stepped onto the landing, I heard something that sounded like a sob. “Did you hear that?”

“What?”

“That sound. It was over…” As I started across the landing toward the stairs, I heard another sob, much louder this time, coming from the stairs leading down to the lower floor. “Is anybody there?” I called.

“Roxy?” It sounded like Thalia, but a very different Thalia from the normal, terrifyingly efficient woman we’d been working with. I stepped quickly to the landing and peered toward the lower floor.

And saw Thalia Rosenberg leaning over Emerson Pollack, who lay spread-eagled on the concrete floor.

From where I stood, he looked very dead.

I ran down the steps. The stairwell was very dark although the light from above streamed down on Pollack’s body where it lay. Nate was at my heels.

Thalia knelt beside Pollack, her face the color of the snow still falling outside. “We need to call an ambulance,” she said. “He’s…hurt.”

Judging by the way Pollack was splayed on the floor, I didn’t think an ambulance would do much good. I put my hand on her shoulder. “Come on, Thalia. Step away from him now.”

Nate had climbed up the stairs and was now speaking urgently into his phone. I heard the words “accident” and “serious injuries,” which might well be true, as far as the “serious injuries” went. I was less certain about the “accident” part.

Thalia looked like she might faint or have hysterics, neither of which I wanted to deal with right then.

She leaned toward me, her brown eyes huge in her pale face. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “My God. He’s dead, isn’t he?”

📚 Where to Find The Wine Jelly Murder

Available on Amazon

🛒 KINDLE | PAPERBACK

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Do you prefer to shop locally?
🛍️ You can also purchase The Wine Jelly Murder from your favorite indie bookstore online.

Bookshop.org is an excellent option that supports indie authors—and book bloggers like me—while avoiding the big-box route.

Also available at:
📘 Barnes & Noble | 🌹Wild Rose Press

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✨ My Thoughts on The Wine Jelly Murder✨

The Wine Jelly Murder hits all the cozy notes—food, friendship, and a dash of romance—while still keeping the mystery taut and engaging. Roxy Constantine is a fun and relatable amateur sleuth, and I enjoyed watching how her personal life and professional commitments intertwined with the investigation. She isn’t a perfect detective, but that’s what makes her charming—you root for her as she juggles wedding planning, family obligations, and danger closing in. The small-town Colorado setting shines here, becoming almost a character of its own with its quirky residents, snowy streets, and tight-knit community where everyone seems to know just a little too much.

Meg Benjamin also does an excellent job of weaving in culinary details without ever slowing down the story. The wine jelly itself isn’t just a gimmick—it becomes a clever plot device that ties the mystery together in ways both inventive and, frankly, deliciously unique. The blend of foodie flair with high stakes makes this series stand out in a crowded genre.

Fans of foodie cozies like Joanne Fluke or Ellie Alexander will find plenty to savor here—whether it’s the mouthwatering descriptions of jam and jelly-making, the slow burn of Roxy’s relationship with Nate, or the satisfying unraveling of the whodunit. It’s a perfect winter read, especially if you like your mysteries sprinkled with just the right mix of humor, heart, and culinary creativity.

🌟Final Thoughts

The Wine Jelly Murder is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery shelf—witty, flavorful, and just twisty enough to keep you guessing. Between Roxy’s relatable sleuthing, the culinary touches, and the small-town charm, Meg Benjamin serves up a mystery that feels both comforting and compelling. If you enjoy cozies that mix food, fun, and a touch of danger, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

I received a copy of the book as part of this tour. This review reflects my honest, unbiased opinion.

📚More Books in the Luscious Delights Mystery Series

You can find all the books on the Luscious Delights Amazon page.

The Pepper Peach Murder (Book 1)

The Pumpkin Butter Murder (Book 2)

Tangerine Marmalade Murder (Book 3)

The Honey Jam Murder (Book 4)

The Wine Jelly Murder (Book 5)

The Tomato Jam Murder (Book 6) - Release date January 5, 2026

✍️ About the Author: Meg Benjamin

Meg Benjamin is an award-winning author of romance and cozy mysteries whose books are as flavorful as the jams and jellies her sleuth creates. Her Luscious Delights Mysteries from The Wild Rose Press feature a jam-making heroine in the fictional small town of Shavano, Colorado.

She’s also the author of the Konigsburg series, set in the Texas Hill Country, as well as the Salt Box and Brewing Love trilogies, set in the Colorado Rockies, the Ramos Family paranormal trilogy, and the Folk trilogy. Over the years, Meg’s writing has earned numerous honors, including the EPIC Award, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion, the Beanpot Award, the Carly Crown Jewel of Books, and the Award of Excellence.

When she’s not writing, Meg enjoys exploring culinary creativity, weaving romance and mystery into stories that leave readers coming back for more.

🌐 Connect with Meg Benjamin

🙏Closing Notes

A big thank you to Meg Benjamin, The Wild Rose Press, and Goddess Fish Promotions for including me on this tour. It’s always a treat to share a new cozy mystery with you!

📚 Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a $15 Amazon/BN gift card. Every stop on the tour is another chance to win, so be sure to follow along and support the other bloggers hosting The Wine Jelly Murder.

💛 Thanks for visiting today — and happy reading!