I have enjoyed the Mack's Bar Mystery series. Learning about Synesthesia, which is a neurological glitch that mixes up the senses such as smelling or tasting something when you hear a sound or voice. This neurological glitch is a real thing and in Mack's case, allows her to figure out clues to crimes that others will miss. The ongoing story in this series is that someone has challenged Mack. She receives letters and clues that she has to figure out within a certain time or someone is murdered. In the previous books, she has kept this a secret from her friends and fellow bar detectives, but is not thinking that the person responsible for the murder of some of her friends and acquaintances is someone close to her and/or her bar. Her plan is to have a private New Year's Eve party and determine not only who the killer is, but their accomplice and get them to confess.

A Toast to Murder contains good writing and has a nice flow making it easy to read and enjoy. I will say that it is important to read these books in order or you will not be able to follow the story that continues with each book. I like Mack Dalton and her uncommon ability, although I really wanted her to make up her mind as far as which detective she really wanted to have a relationship with. I am happy to say she makes her choice in this book. This book did not showcase the Capone Club as much as in previous books. This story was pretty much Mack and the two detectives, solving this one. There was still a lot of computer work and sneaking around listening to conversations, but I missed some of the main characters from the other stories. The mystery is complex and it has developed over the five books in the series. There were plenty of suspects, and most readers, myself included, will be surprised when the guilty party is revealed. The clues pointing to the person’s identity are subtle, but in hindsight, you can see them. I was glad to see this storyline come to a satisfactory ending and look forward to what is next for Mack and The Capone Club. ( )

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. ( )