Trouble Brewing

by Anna Markland

A corpse in the ale. A scandal in society. A love neither expected.

Lancashire, 1862. When a body is discovered floating in a vat of ale, Inspector Halliwell wastes no time in probing the town’s most prosperous brewery. Every worker is a suspect—including Jacob Longworth, the enigmatic owner whose livelihood now hangs by a thread. Worse, whispers reveal the dead man was blackmailing Jacob, leaving him squarely in the constable’s sights.

Enter Lady Jane a darling of Victorian society, beloved patroness of the Women’s Temperance League—and the last woman anyone expects to defend a brewer accused of murder. Yet Jane cannot ignore Jacob’s plight, nor the forbidden spark that ignites between them.

As passion simmers and scandal brews, Jane and Jacob are drawn into a dangerous game of secrets and lies. To clear his name, they must unmask a cunning killer before he strikes again—and before the desire that threatens to consume them both becomes a scandal all its own.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2026

About the author

Anna Markland is a Canadian author with a keen interest in genealogy. She writes historical romance about family honor, ancestry and roots. Her novels are intimate love stories filled with passion and adventure. Following a fruitful career in teaching, Anna transformed her love of writing and history into engaging works of fiction. One of the things she enjoys most about writing historical romance is the in-depth research required to provide the reader with an authentic experience.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nit my fav of the series

I’d rank this between 3 and 3.5/5 stars. This is a frustrating read. I don’t say that to be mean but it really is. There’s too much. Too many secrets, too many twists, too many reveals and just too much. It’s frustrating for the police inspector and I feel that. I think I see what the author is trying to go for with red herrings and multiple suspects to make a compelling case I just don’t think it worked well. Again I want to stress I’m not trying to be mean because I actually do like the characters of Lady Jane, her eldest brother George, her maid Flossie, Jacob and Marcus aka Inspector Halliwell. I will say the last third of the story is the best part. This is my two cents your mileage may vary.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A corpse in the ale. A scandal in society. A love neither expected.

The latest installment in the Cotton Cop Mysteries series delivers another thoroughly entertaining and twist-filled ride. This time, Inspector Marcus Halliwell is called to investigate a shocking murder at a local brewery. Jacob Longworth, the brewery’s owner, quickly becomes the prime suspect—after all, the victim was blackmailing him.

But murder isn’t the only spark in the air. Inspector Halliwell unexpectedly finds himself falling in love, and an even more unlikely romance blooms between Jacob and Lady Jane, the darling of Victorian society and beloved patroness of the Women’s Temperance League. The last person anyone would expect to defend a brewer accused of murder, Lady Jane cannot resist getting involved—both in Jacob’s troubles and in the dangerous investigation.

As Halliwell digs into Lady Jane’s family and social circle, a tangle of secrets, lies, and more blackmail emerges. With every interview, another potential motive surfaces, and nearly everyone seems capable of killing the despicable Richard Sharp. The author masterfully keeps readers guessing, layering twist after twist until the shocking conclusion.

What makes this book truly shine are its delightful contrasts: the serious hunt for a murderer balanced by moments of lighthearted humor, the chaos of Lady Jane’s antics, and the tender threads of romance woven through the suspense. Markland once again proves their skill at creating vivid characters and maintaining tension that pulls you along to the very last page.

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming, suspenseful, and romantic mystery, and highly recommend the series. I'm not sure if this is the last book but would happily read more in the Cotton Cops Mysteries if another installment is planned.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marcy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Just Mysteries ! LOVE 💕 Stories To Melt Your Heart 💜 !
Trouble Brewing : Cotton Cops Mysteries Book 3 ; Anna Markland Finishes Of This Series With A Mystery To Be Solved Surrounding A Noble Family ! A Large Prominent Family All Being Suspects Only Adds To The Intensity Of The
Drama ! Each Having There Own Additional Secrets And Surprises ! With So Much Going Own On It Is IMPOSSIBLE To Guess What Is To Come ! Murder ! Mystery ! Family Secrets ! Blackmail ! LOVE 💗 Affairs ! The List Is Endless !
All Keeping You Turning The Pages For Answers !
Lady Jane Yate was The Only Daughter To The Earl Of Leyland . She Was Close To Her Older Brother George The Viscount Of Burnley The Heir . The Rest Of The Family Including Her Parents Were Cold And Aloof ! Her Scottish Maid Florence Was More Mother / Sister To Her .
Jacob Longworth Was The Owner To The Longworth Brewery . Which He Built and Had A Fine Reputation ! He Had Come From A Good Reputable Family Although Considered Commoners !
Jane And Jacob Meet When She Is Protesting Outside His Brewery Either The Temperance League . It Just So Happens That Day There Was Also a Murder Discovered At His Brewery ! A Man Found Dead In A Vat ! Everyone Becomes A Suspect ! Jacob ! The Yate Family ! Headed Up By inspector Marcus
Halliwell ! Everything Starts To Unfold ! From Secret Desire , Family
Structure ! New LOVE 💗 Interests ! Blackmail ! Coverups ! Excitement Every Step Of The Way !
Not Only Are The Mysteries Solved ! Two Beautiful LOVE 💕 Stories Are Including In This Wonderful Tale !.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Two love stories develop in tandem, as a murderer is sought!.

This story looks at romance for a daughter of an Earl and a brewmaster, as well as a lady’s maid for that daughter and a Deputy Inspector working on a murder case. The social distance between the daughter and the brewmaster is the problem that this couple must overcome.
As for the Inspector and the Lady’s maid: The Inspector lost a fiancé 10 years ago and has not since sought love. Rather, he focused on solving crimes and has become quite good at it. The maid has found satisfaction in caring for the Earl’s family. Since her final charge is now of marriageable age, she has nearly given up hope of ever finding love and making her own family. These 2 souls find their mates in each other.
Both love stories do work towards their HEA, but the main focus of the book is on “WHO killed the murdered man”? Too many suspects with possible motives have to be evaluated for this to be an easy process. In the end, many surprises as to the Earl’s family complicate the picture further.
I have loved Ms. Markland’s earlier works, and give them high marks. This one does not quite reach the level I expected. Is it worth the read? Yes! Especially as it fits into her series quite nicely and and fills it out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
We have Lady Jane Yate: a darling of Victorian society, beloved patroness of the Women’s Temperance League and now apparently an investigator! Jacob Longworth brewery owner has been accused of murder! There is a man found in floating in a vat of beer had several enemies!
He was known to Jacob and several members of the Yate family!
Jane thinks she knows her family very well but will soon realize that as the only girl they have kept several secrets from her! Especially her parents who have traded in secrets that have rocked the whole family! The chemistry between Jane and Jacob is combustible!
But Jacob is a commoner and Jane is the only daughter of an Earl! But as secrets come to light as she and Jacob work together to clear his name they might actually work in their favor!
The clues return time and time again to the Yate family but Jane’s parents will do anything to prevent a scandal and preserve their “good” name!
This is a page turner and secrets spill out faster than a strip club raid!
I love the interactions between the people in the previous stories in the series! Jacob and Jane fight hard for their HEA! Well deserved! Bravo

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets, Scandal, and a Love That Defies Convention
Jane went to Jacob’s brewery as part of a Women’s Temperance League protest — hardly expecting the day to end with a dead man found floating in a vat of ale. The victim had been blackmailing Jacob, making him the obvious suspect, but it quickly becomes clear he had leverage over many people. Before long, Jane’s own family is drawn into the spotlight, and it seems everyone has something to hide. Could one of them be the killer?
As Jacob and Jane begin to fall for each other, Jane becomes convinced of his innocence. The inspector isn’t the only one searching for answers, and the investigation twists through layers of secrets, motives, and lies. Who killed Richard? And can Jane and Jacob find happiness despite the barriers of class and scandal?
This was a delightful historical mystery with a touch of romance and plenty of intrigue. If you enjoy secrets, family drama, and a love story that crosses social boundaries, this is well worth picking up.

[Anna Markland]

This is the third book in the Cotton Cops Mysteries series. Our old friend, Inspector Marcus Halliwell, is again in charge of investigating a murder, this time at a local brewery. I have to admit, I too became confused as to the murderer's identity, but I think I have the tangled web of suspects figured out now!

Here's a taste of the opening.
“At least ’e died ’appy,” the brewmaster chortled.
Gathered around the mash tun, curious brewery workers chuckled their general agreement with Jenkinson’s witty comment.
Unreasonably out of breath after climbing the ladder up to the platform in a panic, Jacob didn’t see anything funny in a corpse floating in the mash tun of his brewery. “He doesn’t look very happy to me,” he gasped. “Who is he?”

Here's another snippet from the opening chapter:
“Yes,” Jacob replied. “Jenkinson here found the body. He’s the brewmaster, so I’ll let him explain.”
Halliwell listened closely to Jenkinson’s account, then appeared to speak to the corpse that was by now floating face down again. Walsh made a note of everything Jenkinson said, but pointedly ignored the mumbling inspector.

I'm halfway done!!

[Pat Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspector Halliwell is once again involved in a confusing and frightening murder case. Jacob is just trying to run his brewery…Jane is trying to shut it down with her Temperance movement. A Lady and a Commoner story that puts the ton to shame. The villain could be any one of 10 people, most within the same family! Watching how the story evolved and my prediction of who the real villain was…was dead wrong! The author does a wonderful job of storytelling and hiding secrets, keeping the plot moving and some cute and adorable hyjinx along the way. I appreciated the “hiding” of the one crass word I abhor and the love scenes were tastefully done. A murder mystery that will keep you guessing and involved to the end, with some twists and turns I never saw coming.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a tangled web of deceit going on in this story. When a body is found in a brewery owned by Jacob, the inspector, Marcus, come to find the murderer. Only they find a tangled web of secrets everywhere they turn. Lady Jane is marching for the temperance league when all of this starts. Her curiosity leads to her involvement in the case. She is intrigued by Jacob despite knowing her family will not approve while her maid Florence has caught the Inspectors eye. The two couples work out meetings in between trying to uncover the who and why of the murder. Her family has a host of secrets that eventually lead to the culprit. The mystery is complex and the ending true to the time period. The author adds historical notes at the end of the book that should not be missed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble Brewing by Anna Markland is a gripping historical industrial mystery in the Cotton Cops Mysteries, being book three. This time it is a brewer suspected of murder, or it could be someone who works for him. Not only is his reputation at stake so is his successful brewery. While he tries to solve this murder mystery, catching the killer, he finds an unlikely ally in Lady Jane Yate, who is a strong Women’s Temperance League patroness. She is not one to want to help a brewery owner, but she does not want an innocence man charged with murder either.

These two likable characters become partners in solving the crime, then friends and more. I especially liked the fact that these two should not have had any contact at all, but circumstances deemed otherwise. A read worthy story with mystery and romance.
4.5 Stars

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical romance,/ murder mystery is part of a series. We are in the Victorian era in this series and this is set in Lancashire part of the industrial north.
One of our heroes is a policeman who is going to have is work cut out for him . He has to solve a murder without upsetting the local big wigs.
The other is the owner of a brewery.
I will not spoil the story by telling who is involved in the romance. Or is there more than one????
Our heroine is beloved by all the locals, but does have a few troubles at home.
An unusual and very enjoyable story with a satisfying ending. All the characters are fabulous and complex.
Great fun.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane is headstrong and determined to do what she wants, away from the societal expectations of her family. Jacob has worked hard to achieve the success he has and keep it. The secrets in Jane's family just keep coming. She's getting to know more about her family than she thought she knew. Jacob's support, as well as that of her friend and maid, and that of her oldest brother, keeps her going. The fact Jane and her eldest brother turned out so well is amazing. A good story that has promising threads and interesting characters.

[Dominique Englebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting investigation
When a man is murdered and found in a vat of ale, Inspector Halliwell refuses to jump to the conclusion that Jacob Longworth is the culprit. Indeed, he would not incriminate himself by leaving a body on the site of the brewery he owns. Jacob was blackmailed by the victim, but he certainly was not the only one. The more the Inspector is investigating, the more suspects he uncovers. Time is of the essence, before the local aristocratic family covers all tracks.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story. I found this to be a story that kept me turning pages. I will be watching for more books by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading

I have just read 1to3 of this trilogy and enjoyed them very much a bit different from the normal I like the way the classes mix and no easy way to solve the crimes very good reading .