Rum Away: Livvy Mercer Mysteries Book 1

by Brett Monk, McKenna Langford

She can read your face—and your secrets. But can this cute, sassy bartender solve a murder before she becomes the next victim?

Livvy Mercer isn’t just any bartender—she’s a gifted reader of micro-expressions, body language, and hidden emotions. But her unique skills also have a way of getting her into trouble.

When Livvy’s estranged mother pressures her into taking a part-time job at a retirement home, Livvy expects nothing more than awkward family moments and a much-needed paycheck. But when a coworker vanishes, she finds herself drawn into a twisty mystery involving suspicious residents, old grudges, and a charming but possibly dangerous elderly gentleman.

Could her new friend really be a serial killer hiding in plain sight?

With the help of her quirky roommate and a skeptical (but handsome) FBI agent, Livvy follows the clues through small-town secrets and hidden motives. But as threats close in, she’ll have to trust her instincts—and her heart—if she wants to solve the case and keep her loved ones safe.

Rum Away is a cozy, character-driven amateur sleuth mystery filled with wit, warmth, and unexpected twists.

Perfect for fans of Ellery Adams’ Secret, Book & Scone Society , Vivien Chien’s Noodle Shop Mysteries , and Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series.

Pour yourself a drink and curl up with Livvy Mercer—the crime-solving bartender who never forgets a face!

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2025

Reviews

[Heather Mulvihill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livvy or Olivia is a bartender at KF aka as Klever Fox. Her mom calls and asks her to work at her job, an assistive living facility.
Livvy lives her bff Cariy who’s an RN and wants to plan their trip to Europe together. Livvy texts hers mom saying she’ll take the second job which pays $28 per table
The twists and turns in this book were mind blowing. Can't wait for book 2

[Susan Marie Ballain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an ARC and it’s a first in the series!
It was a slow burn for me at first but once it hit to about chapter three it really picked up for me!!
Livvy worked at Verde Summit and KF bar and she really seemed to get herself into some predicaments that was on the dangerous side!
I really enjoyed this book and it kept me wanting more! I had a hard time putting it down and kept me on the edge of my seat!
I highly recommend 5 ⭐️

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rum Away is the first book in the Livvy Mercer mystery series. It follows young bartender Livvy Mercer who works at the Klever Fox. Wanting to earn extra money to travel to Europe with her roommate, she takes on part time job as a waitress in the restaurant at the retirement facility where her mother works.

Livvy befriends one of the residents at the facility but soon begins to notice something is not right. When she hears a rumor that the patient she has taken a special liking to may be a wanted serial killer and her co-worker then goes missing, Livvy, with her affinity to solve mysteries, soon finds herself entangled in a dangerous series of events and face to face with a killer.

This book is a fun read with likeable characters and an easy plot line to follow. With twists and turns throughout, it will keep the reader guessing. I found the book light, refreshing and entertaining. Perfect for a rainy day, snuggled in for an afternoon of reading.

Thank you to the author for the ARC copy of this book. I am so looking forward to seeing where you take us next!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Rum Away from beginning to end. Twenty-four year old Olivia "Livvy" Mercer lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is a bartender at the Klever Foxx where she uses her ability at figuring out micro-expressions and body language to solve mysteries. Her mother convinces her to go to work at Verde Summit Living--"a super bougie, huge, old-people facility". Shortly after she starts waitressing there, her co-worker, Tessa, goes missing. Then something seems off about one of the residents. So Livvy gets involved and starts sleuthing. She loves solving mysteries and doesn't need to be a detective to do it. Even though she may end up annoying FBI agent Garrett Lucas and law enforcement. She has "unorthodox-borderline idiotic and foolish-methods". I liked the fact that this cozy mystery had a smart female sleuth who wasn't a baker or owner of a bookstore. The book was well written and I felt the tension built in the last few chapters. I definitely want to check out other books by this author.

[Leslie Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livvy Mercer is intelligent, inquisitive, multitalented woman but a serious serious underachiever… why? You’ll find out soon enough. What she has though is a knack for reading people and a serious addiction for having to solve mysteries. That lands her in quite a pickle when she begins working with her mom at an assisted living facility. She get’s a notion…sees something not quite right and just can’t drop it. She just can’t help herself and because of that, puts herself in some precarious situations. Add in best friend drama, an annoying yet somehow adorable FBI agent, some good old-fashioned trauma, and a smart mouth… You’ll love everything about this flawed, energetic, hilarious, highly intelligent, yet broken woman. This cozy little mystery is full of twists and turns; you will think you know who did it and you are wrong! Mixed in with a little bit of budding romance… this is an amazing start to what’s going to be a fun and mind twisting series.

[Tom Mabie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Twists and turns at every corner. On the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put it down. This first, in the series of the Livvy Mercer mysteries, is off to a great start! Livvy, a bartender- who never forgets a face (or their drink of choice) has an amazing gift of being able to read micro facial expressions. This leads her into all kinds of trouble and creates problems for her friend FBI agent, Garrett Lucas, who tries to keep up with her and keep her from getting herself from becoming the next victim of her own insatiable curiosity, in which she can’t help but seek to uncover the next mystery. Can't wait for the next in the series!!

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so delighted to recieve an e-book copy of this novel. It's a good cozy type mystery thriller. The main Character Livvy is a Bartender, who has a knack for remembering faces, can guess your drink order, as well as read people's gives. Are you lying, holding something back, etc. She also started working in a high class Seniors facility which her mother talked her into. Her co-worker at facility goes missing. Livvy is determined to sluth her way into finding out what happened to her co-worker. So many things are going on, past haunts her and is mixing emotions with present. Loved the novel. Livvy will be a continued stand alone series, excited.

[Susannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a new mystery series! Livvy is a multi-layered main female character who is smart & relatable. Her “super power” is her ability to read micro-expressions & body language. This was a quick, enjoyable read that I got through fairly quickly all the while wondering what would happen next. The writing flowed very well and it was an easy read. I enjoyed the characters we’ve met so far & will be curious to see where Livvy’s story goes next. I also enjoyed that Livvy’s back story wasn’t revealed all at once but at intervals through the story which definitely held my attention. I will definitely be reading the next book!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rum Away: Livvy Mercer Mysteries Book 1, my tenth read from authors Brett Monk & McKenna Langford and the first book in their Livvy Mercer Mysteries. An entertaining, enjoyable, and suspenseful 253-page read, that reads so much longer as does all of Brett Monk & McKenna Langford's work. Maybe their best character to date and thus their best seres.“I purchased a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll definitely be reading more from these authors and look forward to The Best Man's Toast: Livvy Mercer Mysteries Book 2 when it comes out later this month. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[glee book adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in the "Livvy Mercer Series (yet could also be read as a stand alone). Is a quick, easy, and engaging read! Livvy has the skill of reading the mico expressions. This comes in handy with her bartending/ service jobs. Yet there is more to Livvy. Is the past going to come back? is the FBI really on her side? Can she solve this mystery before anyone gets hurt?? Is Agent Lucas trust worthy? This series had me shocked and kicking my feet in the last few chapters, and held my attention the whole read. You won't be disappointed.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing about a Brett Monk book is being pulled immediately into a story and becoming immersed. I love wandering around in his world! Livvy is a fun bartender with the super-power of remembering drinks and reading intentions through facial expressions. Great characters, several excellent mysteries, and snappy dialogue kept me reading far into the night.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous start to a new series. Love the few characters we have met already amd can't wait to see where they go in this series. Super quick read and a really fun ride. Take a chance I don't think you will regret starting this one.

[Tara gander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book- like-able main character and good plot. Nice writing.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy read - flowed well to the end. Livvy is skilled in reading micro-expressions - so that added interest beyond the usual.

[Melanie Ollila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great quick read! Easy to read language that flows well, keeps you engaged and wanting to know what’s going to happen!

You are going to love Livvy, she is a character to root for! She has an amazing ability to read people, but with every strength comes a downside and for her it can be dangerous, even deadly!

This is a cozy thriller, with a good cast of characters that you hope will continue on in her series, especially Agent Garrett Lucas, they make a dynamic duo!

[Kar Wils · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc:
The writing technique was different than the normal books I read. I liked how the killer wasn't who I expected. The only downside to this story is that it flipped a lot from past to present to job one and job 2. This was a nice change. I am interested in how book 2 is.

[Heidireadsitall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me flipping pages like crazy! I was hooked from the start. I loved everything about it. The characters, the setting, the twisty plot. The “who dun it” energy was strong and I had no idea who to suspect, which made it even more fun. Livvy is such a great main character and I’m already excited to see what kind of trouble she gets into next. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the characters. Livvy is not psychic but she has the ability to observe and read people. Her mother convinces her to take a job at the upscale retirement home where she works. She agrees and encounters some very interesting people who reside there.
This was a great little mystery but not so cozy. Livvy has some very serious past trauma flashbacks.
There is a little cliffhanger at the end. Actually more of a lead in.
The audiobook narrator was very good and only about six hours with great pacing.

Favorite Character: Alice. The resident "informant" aka gossiping busy-body. She tells Livvy all the secrets!