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Sloan Krause #3
Beyond a Reasonable Stout
Amateur sleuth Sloan Krause delves into the murderous political world in another delightful mystery from popular cozy writer Ellie Alexander.
It’s the dead season in Leavenworth, Washington. The throngs of Oktoberfest crowds have headed home, and the charming Bavarian streets are quiet and calm—momentarily. Villagers use the reprieve to drink in the crisp fall mountain air and prepare for the upcoming winter light festival. Soon the German-inspired shops and restaurants will be aglow with thousands of twinkling lights. Visitors will return to the northern Cascades to drink warm mulled cider and peruse the holiday markets. Brewer, Sloan Krause and her partner in crime Garrett Strong are using the slowdown to stock up on a new line of their signature craft beers at Nitro. They’re experimenting with a hoppy holiday pine and a chocolate hazelnut stout. The small brewery is alive with delicious scents and bubbling batches of brew.
Sloan is in her element. She loves the creativity and lowkey atmosphere at Nitro. Only that is soon threatened by the incumbent city councilmember Kristopher Cooper. Kristopher is running for re-election on a platform of making Leavenworth dry. Everyone in beertopia is fuming. Leavenworth’s economy relies on keeping the kegs flowing. Kristopher wants to banish beer, a policy that might just bankrupt the entire village. However, Kristopher turns up dead days before election night. Sloan quickly realizes that his murder isn’t the work of a stranger. Friends, family, and every other business owner had a motive to kill him, including none other than April Ablin, Leavenworth’s self-described ambassador of all things German. Sloan finds herself defending April and trying to sleuth out a killer amongst a group of familiar faces.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2019
325 people are currently reading
2687 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Alexander
85 books3,072 followersEllie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over forty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.
She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.
Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.
Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
November 14, 2021
I liked this installment and mainly read it so that I could get to the next one which has all the Christmas and snowy goodness. The standout is once again the setting of Leavenworth in all its Bavarian glory.
It's November and election day is fast approaching. It's a particularly contentious race as the incumbent candidate is seeking to turn Beervaria into a dry town. This causes all kinds of consternation with the small businesses in town. And to add an extra dash, the guy is combative and given to provoking people aggressively. Before too long he winds upmurdered on the floor of April Ablin's real estate office and she's the prime suspect. She informs Sloan that as her best friend, Sloan has to exonerate her. Oddly, April, as off-putting as she is, has grown on me and is one of my favourites in town. There are a host of people with motive and opportunity so that leant itself to a decent puzzle to work out.
To the not so great side there's Sloan's personal angst. Between cheating soon to be ex-husband Mac deciding he's going to try and win her back and Sloan's parentage mystery, I confess, I don't really care. We're three books in now and even though it has only been months in story-verse, I feel like this is taking longer than it needs to. Get to the point and tie it off already! It doesn't much help that Sloan's relationship with the partner at Nitro is in a holding pattern as a consequence of the soon to be ex-husband situation. And he's still just a boyfriend blank (nice but not a fully realized character). All this dragged the story down, in part because there's so much of it.
But there were three more things that were good: the food (pine shortbread, people! I'd eat that!), the beer descriptions (and I'm not a beer drinker or interested in brewing at all but they sure sound interesting) and there's an early snowstorm (at this time of year, I'm always here for snow!). It wasn't enough to get me to a four star but it was enough to ensure I'll read the next.
It's November and election day is fast approaching. It's a particularly contentious race as the incumbent candidate is seeking to turn Beervaria into a dry town. This causes all kinds of consternation with the small businesses in town. And to add an extra dash, the guy is combative and given to provoking people aggressively. Before too long he winds upmurdered on the floor of April Ablin's real estate office and she's the prime suspect. She informs Sloan that as her best friend, Sloan has to exonerate her. Oddly, April, as off-putting as she is, has grown on me and is one of my favourites in town. There are a host of people with motive and opportunity so that leant itself to a decent puzzle to work out.
To the not so great side there's Sloan's personal angst. Between cheating soon to be ex-husband Mac deciding he's going to try and win her back and Sloan's parentage mystery, I confess, I don't really care. We're three books in now and even though it has only been months in story-verse, I feel like this is taking longer than it needs to. Get to the point and tie it off already! It doesn't much help that Sloan's relationship with the partner at Nitro is in a holding pattern as a consequence of the soon to be ex-husband situation. And he's still just a boyfriend blank (nice but not a fully realized character). All this dragged the story down, in part because there's so much of it.
But there were three more things that were good: the food (pine shortbread, people! I'd eat that!), the beer descriptions (and I'm not a beer drinker or interested in brewing at all but they sure sound interesting) and there's an early snowstorm (at this time of year, I'm always here for snow!). It wasn't enough to get me to a four star but it was enough to ensure I'll read the next.
September 19, 2019
The residents of the quaint little village of Leavenworth, Washington are enjoying some much-needed peace and quiet after a busy tourist season. Sloan Krause is still adjusting to life as a single mom and is looking forward to some quiet time to work on Nitro's holiday beers. Unfortunately, the town is in an uproar over city council member, Kristopher Cooper's decision to ban alcohol from the village if he wins the upcoming election. When he is found dead after a heated argument with villagers, Sloan finds herself being persuaded by the police's main suspect, April Ablin to investigate the murder and clear her name. This is a very enjoyable cozy mystery. From the charming Bavarian-themed village setting to the wonderful cast of characters, and the mouthwatering food and beer descriptions, I was immediately engrossed in the story and had a hard time putting it down. I really liked Sloan, she's a hard worker, loyal, and very dedicated to her friends and family. There is a potentially dangerous mystery surrounding her past, and I really looking forward to learning more about it in the upcoming books. The plot was a page-turner and it kept me guessing until the end! Ellie Alexander is one of my absolute favorite cozy mystery authors and I highly recommend any of her books. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2021
*3.5 stars rounded up.
The third book in the cozy mystery series featuring brewmaster Sloan Krause of Leavenworth, Washington, takes place in the lull between local festivals--Oktoberfest has ended and the holiday season is just around the corner. The village is about to have an election and the man running for city councillor is proposing a prohibition on liquor. Crazy talk! Beer has made Leavenworth a destination spot! It is no surprise then that just days before the election, the candidate is found murdered. Sloan and her boss at the craft brewery Nitro decide to do some investigating on their own.
These are really likable characters in a delightful small village setting with a Bavarian style. There is enough everyday detail to nicely flesh out the mystery and a bit of personal drama--what will Sloan learn about her past? Can't wait to find out in book 4: Without a Brew.
The third book in the cozy mystery series featuring brewmaster Sloan Krause of Leavenworth, Washington, takes place in the lull between local festivals--Oktoberfest has ended and the holiday season is just around the corner. The village is about to have an election and the man running for city councillor is proposing a prohibition on liquor. Crazy talk! Beer has made Leavenworth a destination spot! It is no surprise then that just days before the election, the candidate is found murdered. Sloan and her boss at the craft brewery Nitro decide to do some investigating on their own.
These are really likable characters in a delightful small village setting with a Bavarian style. There is enough everyday detail to nicely flesh out the mystery and a bit of personal drama--what will Sloan learn about her past? Can't wait to find out in book 4: Without a Brew.
October 3, 2019
It's been over a year since I read the second book in this series, so I was really ready to go back to Leavenworth, WA and see what Sloan and her friends were up to. An incumbent city council member was going around saying that when he got re-elected, the town was going to become dry. Everyone was up in arms at that, because beer was their livelihood, so they were happy that a woman named Valerie was running against him and from the looks of popular opinion, would win. When the town's most pesky woman, real estate agent April, was arrested for the murder, Sloan couldn't believe that April could murder anyone. Pester them to death maybe, but not literally kill someone. Before she knew it, she was involved with another case, but like before, Chief Meyers asked for her input. I like the chief and that she has been recognizing that Sloan's people skills can be useful.
I had a sneaky feeling early on that I knew who the culprit was going to be, but I didn't know why of course, so I had fun reading along and letting myself be pulled in by the red herrings. The showdown and take down were quick, but it was definitely satisfying to see the killer in custody. Sloan's own little mystery about her birth parents intensified some more, and there is a bit of a cliff hanger on that subject, so I'm very anxious for the next book. Each of these books has had a little something similar at the end, and it reminds me a lot of the ongoing side mystery that was in the Pacific Northwest series that this author wrote under another name.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I had a sneaky feeling early on that I knew who the culprit was going to be, but I didn't know why of course, so I had fun reading along and letting myself be pulled in by the red herrings. The showdown and take down were quick, but it was definitely satisfying to see the killer in custody. Sloan's own little mystery about her birth parents intensified some more, and there is a bit of a cliff hanger on that subject, so I'm very anxious for the next book. Each of these books has had a little something similar at the end, and it reminds me a lot of the ongoing side mystery that was in the Pacific Northwest series that this author wrote under another name.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
May 26, 2022
So much better, this was best book of the series so far. The Krause family is so sweet and warm, even Max, he’s a funny character. Unlike the other books, I was totally invested in the mystery. And Sloan’s back story is super intriguing. Can’t wait to get to the next one with the way this one ended.
September 7, 2022
In this installment, we have a mustache-twirling bad guy who ends up dead. A "demon rum" Prohibitionist trying to jack Leavenworth's whole economy. The vic's motivations and conduct, as well as the townsfolk made for an interesting mystery.
I liked this outing, although, again, there were little details that bugged me. I listened to the audiobook on this one. As to the audiobook cover, did no one producing the cover realize that stouts are dark beers? So why does the beer on the audiobook cover look like a pale ale??? Grrrrr...
Plus, when narrating the part about Ursula's sauerbraten stew, there's a reference to
And it still kind of drives me nuts that
All that being said, it was a nice mystery and I like the beer setting, being an avid brewer and beer drinker in the Pacific Northwest. And more is revealed of the mystery of Sloan's birth parents and her history that adds new layers to the backstory.
The narration was pleasant and fit the tone of the story and series.
I liked this outing, although, again, there were little details that bugged me. I listened to the audiobook on this one. As to the audiobook cover, did no one producing the cover realize that stouts are dark beers? So why does the beer on the audiobook cover look like a pale ale??? Grrrrr...
Plus, when narrating the part about Ursula's sauerbraten stew, there's a reference to
And it still kind of drives me nuts that
All that being said, it was a nice mystery and I like the beer setting, being an avid brewer and beer drinker in the Pacific Northwest. And more is revealed of the mystery of Sloan's birth parents and her history that adds new layers to the backstory.
The narration was pleasant and fit the tone of the story and series.
September 15, 2019
Beyond a Reasonable Stout is the perfect book to get a reader in the mood for all things Oktoberfest! The series centers around the quaint tourist village of Leavenworth, Washington that is devoted to all things German.
Sloan Krause continues to rebuild her life after her separation and impending divorce. Working at Nitro, a small craft beer pub and being a part owner of Der Keller, her soon to be ex-husband's family's large beer maker keeps Sloan busy. Add being the devoted mother to 15 year old Alex and she's always on the go. However, when a candidate for city council, who wants to change the village's main revenue source - Oktoberfest and other holiday celebrations - is murdered, Sloan finds herself with one more job, to find a murderer.
I liked the Sloan character and admired her devotion to her son and family/friends, career and her determination to succeed on her terms. The idea of a village that looked like a small German town, in Washington, made for a unique and fun backdrop for a mystery. The supporting cast was quirky and fun. The mystery of Sloan's parents grows and becomes an issue between her and her beloved in-laws.
A perfect book for Oktoberfest!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of this book.
Sloan Krause continues to rebuild her life after her separation and impending divorce. Working at Nitro, a small craft beer pub and being a part owner of Der Keller, her soon to be ex-husband's family's large beer maker keeps Sloan busy. Add being the devoted mother to 15 year old Alex and she's always on the go. However, when a candidate for city council, who wants to change the village's main revenue source - Oktoberfest and other holiday celebrations - is murdered, Sloan finds herself with one more job, to find a murderer.
I liked the Sloan character and admired her devotion to her son and family/friends, career and her determination to succeed on her terms. The idea of a village that looked like a small German town, in Washington, made for a unique and fun backdrop for a mystery. The supporting cast was quirky and fun. The mystery of Sloan's parents grows and becomes an issue between her and her beloved in-laws.
A perfect book for Oktoberfest!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of this book.
October 31, 2024
I vacationed last month in Leavenworth, Washington, a Bavarian-style village in the Cascade Mountains that is aimed at tourists. It has Alpine-styled buildings that include all kinds of shops and restaurants serving German food and beer. It’s unique architecture and a festive atmosphere thrives throughout the summer, Octoberfest, and Christmas seasons. It doesn’t hurt that it also serves as a gateway to nearby ski areas and wineries.
While visiting “A Book for All Seasons” bookstore that I love to hangout in, I saw a bunch of books for a mystery series based on Leavenworth by Ellie Alexander. After looking through them I made an impulsive decision to get the first one - “A Death on Tap” – to try out a new mystery series based on a location that I have been visiting for decades. The decision turned out to be a good one as I thoroughly enjoyed the lite mystery and endearing small-town characters.
I easily devoured second book – “The Pint of No Return” – and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Last night I stayed up late to finish the third book – “Beyond a Reasonable Stout” – and things just keep getting better with this cozy mystery series.
Sloan Krause, a wife, mother, and entrepreneur deeply imbedded in Leavenworth’s community is thrown into another mysterious death, and this time it’s political.
Oktoberfest has ended and the next few weeks will be slow in Leavenworth, as the town prepares itself for the winter light festival that will draw in thousands of tourists during the winter holiday season. Sloan and her boss, Garret, owner of Nitro, a craft beer style bar, are using the slow time to get stocked up on their new line of tasty holiday ales and stouts.
Everything is going well until Kristopher Cooper, a longtime city councilman running for re-election decides that his platform will be promoting a liquor free Leavenworth. Most of the town’s business owners are in an uproar because their economy relies on a culture and activities involving beer, and lots of beer. Kristopher passionately wanting to banish beer and redo tourism in Leavenworth is a policy that scares the entire town. In their minds it is a path that leads straight to bankruptcy.
However, after an informal meeting of business owners is crashed by Kristopher and his support team, tempers flare and verbal arguments ensue. The next morning, Kristopher is found dead in April Ablin’s real estate office, and the list of murder suspects include most of the town’s business owners. At the top of that list is April herself, the self-described ambassador of beertopia, who was seen arguing and publicly threatening him the night before. It doesn’t take long for Chief Meyer’s to arrest April, who calls upon Sloan to help prove her innocence.
It doesn’t take Sloan long to see that the Krisopher’s murder is most likely a member of the Leavenworth community. Someone she knows and interacts with on a regular basis. The last thing she wants to be doing is trying to defend April and helping Chief Meyers catch a killer that is one of their own…
There were several elements that drew me in to this cozy mystery series. Each of the books are better than the previous one. The author has a strong masterful grasp on her characters, storylines, and brewing beer in the charming Leavenworth setting. To put is simply, Alexander provides a fun and entertaining, Hallmark mystery reading experience.
I adore and connect with her characters. Sloan is endearing and easy to empathize with on a personal level. She has come a long way from being in foster care to becoming working mother who loves to brew beer, cook, and investigate things that puzzle her. She has to put up with a philandering husband, who is annoying on most levels, but supportive when it matters most. She also receives great support from her in-laws, brother-in-law, and new boss. And let’s not kid ourselves. It’s impossible to not notice that her boss, Garrett, is her primary developing love interest. I also think that her brother-in-law, Hans, is hiding his own feelings for her too.
The ongoing storyline that I am enjoying the most is the mystery involving Sloane’s search for her birth parents. The author is peeling that onion carefully over multiple books in a multi-layered storyline that continues building a serious level of tension and interest on my part. After the information that Sloane discovers in this book, I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
I also enjoy the supporting characters. Along with Sloan, the author creates authentic characters that really drive this story more than the mystery in a lot of ways. Sloan’s husband, Mac, is just the right level of cad. Her brother-in-law, Hans, plays the supporting friend who is secretly in love with her superbly. Even Sloan’s new boss, Garrett, has hints of a secret past that drove him to move to Leavenworth and start a new life. I think there’s more to peel with that onion. Then there’s my favorite characters - Ursula and Otto – Sloan’s in-laws and substitute parents. They are the sweetest, coolest, most understanding, and full-of-wisdom friends that anyone could have. And last-but-not-least, I cannot leave out April Ablin. Every small-town setting needs that nosy, gossiping, blabbermouth that drives everyone crazy. Yes, it’s a caricature, but it works well in this one. She is so amazingly annoying in a winning way, and I must admit, she is growing on me in a weirdly twisted manner.
In addition, I find the mysteries to be entertaining enough on that cozy mystery / Hallmark level. Even though the characters and relationships really drive this series, the mystery and investigation elements are getting better in each book as the series progresses. Even though this is not on the scale of John Grisham, David Baldacci, or Michael Connelly thriller, it serves its purpose well in the cozy mystery genre. The investigation flows along at a good pace, with several twists and turns throughout, and a surprising climax in which Sloane’s life is in danger.
Having vacationed in Leavenworth for many years, I am honestly biased by the small Bavarian town setting, culture, and environment. I enjoy seeing the different stores and restaurant names that I have been in referred to in the book. I hope the author will continue sprinkling in more of the village’s history as appropriate to enhance her storytelling.
Overall, this was the kind of lite, cozy mystery that delivered a pleasurable reading experience that I really needed to escape my busy life. The author's writing style was smooth, fluid, and had a natural flow to it. She made it easy to enjoy spending time with Sloan Krause, the other characters, and the Leavenworth setting. I find myself looking forward to solving more mysteries with her, as well as experiencing more of the family dynamics, development of character arcs, and the relationships she’s developing with both Garrett and Hans.
Needless to say, the good news is that I can’t wait to start reading the next book – “Without a Brew” – as I can’t wait to see what happens next in the various storylines of the characters that have become my friends. This is guilty pleasure at its best.
While visiting “A Book for All Seasons” bookstore that I love to hangout in, I saw a bunch of books for a mystery series based on Leavenworth by Ellie Alexander. After looking through them I made an impulsive decision to get the first one - “A Death on Tap” – to try out a new mystery series based on a location that I have been visiting for decades. The decision turned out to be a good one as I thoroughly enjoyed the lite mystery and endearing small-town characters.
I easily devoured second book – “The Pint of No Return” – and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Last night I stayed up late to finish the third book – “Beyond a Reasonable Stout” – and things just keep getting better with this cozy mystery series.
Sloan Krause, a wife, mother, and entrepreneur deeply imbedded in Leavenworth’s community is thrown into another mysterious death, and this time it’s political.
Oktoberfest has ended and the next few weeks will be slow in Leavenworth, as the town prepares itself for the winter light festival that will draw in thousands of tourists during the winter holiday season. Sloan and her boss, Garret, owner of Nitro, a craft beer style bar, are using the slow time to get stocked up on their new line of tasty holiday ales and stouts.
Everything is going well until Kristopher Cooper, a longtime city councilman running for re-election decides that his platform will be promoting a liquor free Leavenworth. Most of the town’s business owners are in an uproar because their economy relies on a culture and activities involving beer, and lots of beer. Kristopher passionately wanting to banish beer and redo tourism in Leavenworth is a policy that scares the entire town. In their minds it is a path that leads straight to bankruptcy.
However, after an informal meeting of business owners is crashed by Kristopher and his support team, tempers flare and verbal arguments ensue. The next morning, Kristopher is found dead in April Ablin’s real estate office, and the list of murder suspects include most of the town’s business owners. At the top of that list is April herself, the self-described ambassador of beertopia, who was seen arguing and publicly threatening him the night before. It doesn’t take long for Chief Meyer’s to arrest April, who calls upon Sloan to help prove her innocence.
It doesn’t take Sloan long to see that the Krisopher’s murder is most likely a member of the Leavenworth community. Someone she knows and interacts with on a regular basis. The last thing she wants to be doing is trying to defend April and helping Chief Meyers catch a killer that is one of their own…
There were several elements that drew me in to this cozy mystery series. Each of the books are better than the previous one. The author has a strong masterful grasp on her characters, storylines, and brewing beer in the charming Leavenworth setting. To put is simply, Alexander provides a fun and entertaining, Hallmark mystery reading experience.
I adore and connect with her characters. Sloan is endearing and easy to empathize with on a personal level. She has come a long way from being in foster care to becoming working mother who loves to brew beer, cook, and investigate things that puzzle her. She has to put up with a philandering husband, who is annoying on most levels, but supportive when it matters most. She also receives great support from her in-laws, brother-in-law, and new boss. And let’s not kid ourselves. It’s impossible to not notice that her boss, Garrett, is her primary developing love interest. I also think that her brother-in-law, Hans, is hiding his own feelings for her too.
The ongoing storyline that I am enjoying the most is the mystery involving Sloane’s search for her birth parents. The author is peeling that onion carefully over multiple books in a multi-layered storyline that continues building a serious level of tension and interest on my part. After the information that Sloane discovers in this book, I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
I also enjoy the supporting characters. Along with Sloan, the author creates authentic characters that really drive this story more than the mystery in a lot of ways. Sloan’s husband, Mac, is just the right level of cad. Her brother-in-law, Hans, plays the supporting friend who is secretly in love with her superbly. Even Sloan’s new boss, Garrett, has hints of a secret past that drove him to move to Leavenworth and start a new life. I think there’s more to peel with that onion. Then there’s my favorite characters - Ursula and Otto – Sloan’s in-laws and substitute parents. They are the sweetest, coolest, most understanding, and full-of-wisdom friends that anyone could have. And last-but-not-least, I cannot leave out April Ablin. Every small-town setting needs that nosy, gossiping, blabbermouth that drives everyone crazy. Yes, it’s a caricature, but it works well in this one. She is so amazingly annoying in a winning way, and I must admit, she is growing on me in a weirdly twisted manner.
In addition, I find the mysteries to be entertaining enough on that cozy mystery / Hallmark level. Even though the characters and relationships really drive this series, the mystery and investigation elements are getting better in each book as the series progresses. Even though this is not on the scale of John Grisham, David Baldacci, or Michael Connelly thriller, it serves its purpose well in the cozy mystery genre. The investigation flows along at a good pace, with several twists and turns throughout, and a surprising climax in which Sloane’s life is in danger.
Having vacationed in Leavenworth for many years, I am honestly biased by the small Bavarian town setting, culture, and environment. I enjoy seeing the different stores and restaurant names that I have been in referred to in the book. I hope the author will continue sprinkling in more of the village’s history as appropriate to enhance her storytelling.
Overall, this was the kind of lite, cozy mystery that delivered a pleasurable reading experience that I really needed to escape my busy life. The author's writing style was smooth, fluid, and had a natural flow to it. She made it easy to enjoy spending time with Sloan Krause, the other characters, and the Leavenworth setting. I find myself looking forward to solving more mysteries with her, as well as experiencing more of the family dynamics, development of character arcs, and the relationships she’s developing with both Garrett and Hans.
Needless to say, the good news is that I can’t wait to start reading the next book – “Without a Brew” – as I can’t wait to see what happens next in the various storylines of the characters that have become my friends. This is guilty pleasure at its best.
April 29, 2022
Beyond a Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander is the third book in the Sloan Krause Mystery series. The characters are well crafted and defined. Sloan’s relationship with her son is great. The murder part of the mystery was good with a lot of good suspects. The mystery into Sloan’s past is getting more exciting, too. I’m hoping for some romance between Sloan and Garrett and I’m trying to be patient 😆
I would definitely recommend this series!
I would definitely recommend this series!
December 12, 2019
Sloan and Garrett are using the time between festivals to dream up new beer tastes. They are threatened when Kris who is running for councilman tells of his plan to make the town dry. This would ruin so any business and destroy the town. Kris is found dead and Sloan realizes it has to be someone in town. the self-described ambassador of the town and someone Sloan doesn’t like is arrested. Sloan finds hershelf trying to prove her innocence and find the real killer. Interesting information about beer brewing.
October 3, 2019
I really like this series - it is just so interesting to learn about beer and the process it takes to make it. I had no idea and with each book, I am learning more and more [I unfortunately do not like beer and cannot drink it due to having Celiac Disease, but the process is still fascinating to learn about] and when you add that with some great characters and a very quirky town, it makes for an excellent read.
This one took longer than normal to read and I am unsure why. I was invested from the beginning, but for some reason, I just couldn't get through it as fast as I normally do a cozy mystery - perhaps it is Sloan's side story of finding her family and the drama of her impending divorce; that does make for slower reading to be sure. And even though I had the murderer pegged pretty early, the red herrings did keep me guessing. The only negative thing I have to say about this one is the ending. I despise cliffhangers [almost as much as I do love triangles, which this thankfully does not have] and to be left with one now is very annoying and smacks of lazy writing in my opinion. These are really good books and we don't need a gimmick to keep us reading. I hope this is not a trend.
Still a great read and a really fun series.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin Press/Minotaur Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This one took longer than normal to read and I am unsure why. I was invested from the beginning, but for some reason, I just couldn't get through it as fast as I normally do a cozy mystery - perhaps it is Sloan's side story of finding her family and the drama of her impending divorce; that does make for slower reading to be sure. And even though I had the murderer pegged pretty early, the red herrings did keep me guessing. The only negative thing I have to say about this one is the ending. I despise cliffhangers [almost as much as I do love triangles, which this thankfully does not have] and to be left with one now is very annoying and smacks of lazy writing in my opinion. These are really good books and we don't need a gimmick to keep us reading. I hope this is not a trend.
Still a great read and a really fun series.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin Press/Minotaur Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2019
This is the third book in the Sloan Krause cozy series. Over the past couple of weeks, I've enjoyed the first two books in the series which, like many cozies, provides the reader with the requisite quaint setting, small town feel and a light mystery. The books also give readers interesting tidbits on the world of craft brewing.
This was an entertaining, lighter mystery. There are a few red herrings but the hints to the identity of the culprit were fairly obvious making the ending less surprisingly than expected. Still enjoyable, just not shocking. The beer info and, particularly, the mystery of Sloan's murky past are what have kept me coming back to this series but the plot about Sloan's unknown past is beginning to feel dragged out. My interest is still piqued but I'm hoping to quench my thirst for closure to that part of the story.
Overall, this is an entertaining addition to this light mystery series that is a perfect pick as we begin to get in the spirit of Oktoberfest (at least in my neck of the woods).
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
This was an entertaining, lighter mystery. There are a few red herrings but the hints to the identity of the culprit were fairly obvious making the ending less surprisingly than expected. Still enjoyable, just not shocking. The beer info and, particularly, the mystery of Sloan's murky past are what have kept me coming back to this series but the plot about Sloan's unknown past is beginning to feel dragged out. My interest is still piqued but I'm hoping to quench my thirst for closure to that part of the story.
Overall, this is an entertaining addition to this light mystery series that is a perfect pick as we begin to get in the spirit of Oktoberfest (at least in my neck of the woods).
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
October 3, 2019
Beyond A Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander is the 3rd book in A Sloan Krause Mystery series, and it was great. I love all of Ms. Alexander books and series, and this one is no exception. The craziness of Oktoberfest is finally over in Leavenworth, Washington, and Sloan and Garrett are ready for some down time to brew new flavors. Unfortunately and mayor is running a reelection and wants alcohol outlawed in the town. The town that is full of brewers, and tourist events. When the mayor is found murdered, the mystery begins. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I strongly recommend this book/series. Please keep them coming Ms. Alexander.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. Thank you.
September 22, 2019
I am a fan of this series and enjoyed the third installment as much as the first two. Ellie Alexander has a wonderful ability to develop characters that just engage a reader and keep them coming back. I like how Sloane is progressing and growing both personally and professionally. She is coming into her own as a brewer with Nitro and making a new life for her and her son Alex. The secondary characters are also well written and add to the story in their own right. Mac and his family are at the heart of these secondary characters and their relationship with Sloan may be changing. The main mystery was decent, although what this author is pretty well known for is her character-driven stories. There were a few plausible suspects and the author provided them with sufficient motives to keep the reader guessing as to the culprit. It wasn't a hard mytery to figure out. The one that is posing more of a challenge is the secondary mystery that runs in the background of each book - who is Sloan and who are her parents. That mystery ramps up a bit more in this book and will leave the reader wanting to know more. This book was an easy read that kept me entertained. I enjoy the series and will be back for more.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Minotaur Books, through Netgalley.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Minotaur Books, through Netgalley.
January 30, 2021
I'm new-ish to the cozy mystery genre (I used to always call it the "small town sleuth" style), and this was more enjoyable than expected. It's campy but cute, and the descriptions of the town are definitely cozy.
September 16, 2019
Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, a small German village, Leavenworth, has made it through Oktoberfest, and everyone is enjoying less tourists and having time to catch up on chores before the next onslaught of the holiday season. Sloane Krause is managing life as a separated woman with her teenage son and working at a nanobrewery, Nitro. The major fly in the ointment is a mayoral candidate is threatening to turn their beertopia to a dry village. Not surprisingly, the position had hazardous implications on his life. Somehow, Sloane gets railroaded into investigating his murder.
Settle in for an intriguing visit to this not so bucolic town with wonderfully drawn characters and a solid mystery. Adams adds depth to the characters, so much so, that I wish I could be a BFF for Sloane IRL. Highly recommended! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Settle in for an intriguing visit to this not so bucolic town with wonderfully drawn characters and a solid mystery. Adams adds depth to the characters, so much so, that I wish I could be a BFF for Sloane IRL. Highly recommended! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2019
I loved this book and I can't wait for the next one. Reading radio book made me want to curl up with homemade stew and a pint of my favorite beer. I am looking forward to learning more about Sloan's past. This is everything you want when reading a cozy. Small town life, neighborhood drama, and if course murder. Great addition to the series and I loved that there was a character named Heidi!
January 30, 2021
I need more context for this series; the author/narrator kept turning into a beer encyclopedia and taking me out of the story, but it got better as it went on.
April 30, 2023
Ellie Alexander is one of my favorite cozy authors, and I really enjoy her Bakeshop series, so I was excited to learn about this series a year or so ago. I’m not especially fond of beer, but I like learning about how it’s brewed, how even something as basic as hops can vary from brew to brew, and a whole slew of other facts that lets me listen to my son, a home brewer, and have at least a bit of an idea as to what he’s talking about :)
I’ve never visited the northwestern US, but these books make me feel as if I’m there, walking down the streets, browsing the shops and meeting the town residents. I like Sloan, the MC, her friends, and the way her former in-laws still support her, despite her split with their son. Her teenaged son, Alex, is a good addition to the cast of characters, something that’s missing from many other cozies I’ve read. There’s a potential love interest developing, but I like that it’s not portrayed as insta-love, and that there doesn’t seem to be a triangle developing.
Most of the business owners in town had reason to dislike the murder victim, so there were a lot of suspects to consider. Some were relatively easy to eliminate from the list, but the others kept rearranging themselves on my mental list. One character stuck out in my mind, so I wasn’t surprised to learn that this person was the killer.
I look forward my next visit to Leavenworth, to see what happens next with Sloan, Garrett, Alex and the rest.
I’ve never visited the northwestern US, but these books make me feel as if I’m there, walking down the streets, browsing the shops and meeting the town residents. I like Sloan, the MC, her friends, and the way her former in-laws still support her, despite her split with their son. Her teenaged son, Alex, is a good addition to the cast of characters, something that’s missing from many other cozies I’ve read. There’s a potential love interest developing, but I like that it’s not portrayed as insta-love, and that there doesn’t seem to be a triangle developing.
Most of the business owners in town had reason to dislike the murder victim, so there were a lot of suspects to consider. Some were relatively easy to eliminate from the list, but the others kept rearranging themselves on my mental list. One character stuck out in my mind, so I wasn’t surprised to learn that this person was the killer.
I look forward my next visit to Leavenworth, to see what happens next with Sloan, Garrett, Alex and the rest.
October 30, 2020
This is the second book in this series that I have read, and I just loved it! So many different situations going on and all of them very interesting! I love the team of Sloan, Garrett and Kat. And one of the things that I really appreciate in this series is the interaction between Sloan and Chief Meyers. They actually seem to have a mutual respect for one another. This is different than most cozy series where the Chief/Detective and the amateur sleuth are usually at each other's throats. I liked the Alex was more involved in this story too. And WOW! Talk about a cliff-hanger!!! I can't wait till the next book comes out(Nov.10, 2020)!!
September 10, 2021
Bella storia con personaggi interessanti. Alla fin fine il colpevole non è risultato essere una gran sorpresa mentre è molto più enigmatico il passato della protagonista, o meglio, il mistero sulle sue origini. Spero che prima o poi verremo a sapere tutto sui suoi genitori, ma per ora le rivelazioni sono fatte col contagocce.
December 10, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up to 4....As always a fun mystery with an even funner brewery setting! Yes, I said funner! I am also really liking the character back story that is building with the lead character from book to book so I recommend reading these in order!
November 19, 2023
They are getting better. But, for a town that is constantly referred to as small, quaint, and safe, there really are an above average number of murders.
November 25, 2019
4.5 stars
Ellie Alexander always blows my mind, she writes such great series and they always seem to come out around the same time! Last week I just finished A Cup of Holiday Fear which is part of her Bakeshop Mystery Series which released 9/24/19 and like the next week this book was out!
So to say that Alexander is a prolific writer is an understatement. I mean she has like four different mystery series which is pretty impressive! I stumbled on this current series a couple of years ago and have found it so charming.
Returning to the fun characters and setting of Leavenworth, WA is always a treat and I am happy to crack open a new case and maybe crack open a beer of two in the process!
I think the was my favorite in the series so far. While I have enjoyed each book on their own, I find that now that I am more familiar with the characters and setting, I am able to really settle in and savor the story a little more. I know in the first book of the series, there is a lot of detail on the brewing industry and sometimes it felt a little excessive but that has tapered off to a more manageable amount. I appreciate that Alexander gives readers enough background and info not just on the characters and plots, but on the brewing industry so that new readers can easily pick up this series and enjoy it without having to go back and read every book to gain a more complete understanding of it all.
I also say this about every single one of Alexander’s books, but I can’t stress enough how fun it is to see her love for the Pacific Northwest. I live in Salem, Oregon which is a bit of a drive from Leavenworth, Washington but I know the town and Oktoberfest is a huge event here in Mt Angel, Oregon which is much closer to where I live. So reading about these fun festivals in a region where I live is always extra special and I can tell that Alexander truly loves the PacNW which shows on each page of her books!
As with many of her mysteries, I love finding out the why. While there are plenty of suspects each with motive, there is always something about finding out the why of the murder. Her novels are mostly character driven and I have enjoyed watching Sloan come into her own in each book, but in this one I felt like there was a little more growth for her and I enjoyed more of the ‘why’ of the mystery.
This is a mystery author who has been tried and true in each of her series. Her mysteries are solid and entertaining. I love them and am always looking forward to what the next books contain. If I’m looking for a reliable author, there is none better than Elie Alexander!
See my full review here
Ellie Alexander always blows my mind, she writes such great series and they always seem to come out around the same time! Last week I just finished A Cup of Holiday Fear which is part of her Bakeshop Mystery Series which released 9/24/19 and like the next week this book was out!
So to say that Alexander is a prolific writer is an understatement. I mean she has like four different mystery series which is pretty impressive! I stumbled on this current series a couple of years ago and have found it so charming.
Returning to the fun characters and setting of Leavenworth, WA is always a treat and I am happy to crack open a new case and maybe crack open a beer of two in the process!
I think the was my favorite in the series so far. While I have enjoyed each book on their own, I find that now that I am more familiar with the characters and setting, I am able to really settle in and savor the story a little more. I know in the first book of the series, there is a lot of detail on the brewing industry and sometimes it felt a little excessive but that has tapered off to a more manageable amount. I appreciate that Alexander gives readers enough background and info not just on the characters and plots, but on the brewing industry so that new readers can easily pick up this series and enjoy it without having to go back and read every book to gain a more complete understanding of it all.
I also say this about every single one of Alexander’s books, but I can’t stress enough how fun it is to see her love for the Pacific Northwest. I live in Salem, Oregon which is a bit of a drive from Leavenworth, Washington but I know the town and Oktoberfest is a huge event here in Mt Angel, Oregon which is much closer to where I live. So reading about these fun festivals in a region where I live is always extra special and I can tell that Alexander truly loves the PacNW which shows on each page of her books!
As with many of her mysteries, I love finding out the why. While there are plenty of suspects each with motive, there is always something about finding out the why of the murder. Her novels are mostly character driven and I have enjoyed watching Sloan come into her own in each book, but in this one I felt like there was a little more growth for her and I enjoyed more of the ‘why’ of the mystery.
This is a mystery author who has been tried and true in each of her series. Her mysteries are solid and entertaining. I love them and am always looking forward to what the next books contain. If I’m looking for a reliable author, there is none better than Elie Alexander!
See my full review here
October 8, 2019
Beyond a Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander welcomes us to Leavenworth, Washington. Sloan Krause is enjoying the quiet of the town now that Oktoberfest has ended, but it is to be short lived. City Councilman, Kristopher Cooper is running for re-election with a platform of turning Leavenworth into a dry town which would lead to a town without tourists. The next day, Sloan enters April Ablin’s office to find Kristopher dead on the floor and April being arrested by Chief Meyers. While Sloan is a not a fan of the town’s self-appointed ambassador, she knows that April needs her help. Beyond a Reasonable Stout can be read alone for those new to A Sloan Krause Mystery series. The story has Ellie Alexander’s casual writing style which makes the story easy to read. Sloan is preparing for the next stage of her life now that she is divorcing Mac. She has her job at Nitro with Garrett Strong where she gets a voice in creating new brews and now, she needs to decide where to live. Sloan and Garrett are experimenting with new holiday brews and training Kat on their stock so she can handle barkeep duties. The town is in an uproar over Kristopher Cooper and his plan to turn Leavenworth into a dry town. Without the beer, the town will lose its tourists which doesn’t seem to faze Kristopher. It is no surprise when Kristopher ends up murdered. However, Sloan is shocked when April Ablin is arrested for the crime. She knows that April did commit the crime and, reluctantly, Sloan sets out to prove it. Readers will have no problem solving this whodunit long before the reveal. I kept hoping for a twist because I thought the solution too simple. There are multiple suspects since Kristopher managed to antagonize the majority of the town’s residents. The mystery is nicely wrapped up at the end of the book. The secondary mystery of Sloan’s birth parents began in Death on Tap and is still playing out. Sloan is determined to find answers and she may have gotten her best clue yet. I enjoy the descriptions of Leavenworth with its Bavarian style architecture, shops and food. It reminds me of where I grew up (German Village in Columbus, Ohio). A Sloan Krause Mystery series is a character focused series. The characters and their lives are the main focus of the story. They chat, eat and drink plenty of beer. If you enjoy Ellie Alexander’s A Bakeshop Mystery series, you will like reading A Sloane Krause Mystery series (switch out pastry for beer). Beyond a Reasonable Stout is a lighthearted cozy mystery with petty politics, brewing beer, wrestling with wallpaper, barkeep basics, nutty nutcrackers, and an aggrieved April.
October 4, 2019
4.75 Stars
This is the third book in the Sloane Krause series by Ellie Alexander.
I read the first book in this series, DEATH ON TAP, back in March. I bought the paperback from my local grocery store. I don’t drink so I wasn’t sure what to expect. My cousin had been dabbling in micro-brewing soI thought I’d give it a try. And I am so glad I did.
This series just sucks you in. Sloane is still having Mac problems (Mac is her ex-hubby) in book three and I can’t quite figure where she stands romantically with any man, but that’s okay. All the sleuthing takes your mind off of it. The dead body of a man running for office ends up the centerpiece in a city council race. And apparently everybody and their brother has a motive to do him in. The man is buying stakes in many local businesses and plans to make this beer haven a dry gulch. Even the ever German clad Heidi is accused of the crime. When I started reading this series she was not my favorite character. So, the fact that I felt a little bad for her when she lost her mind and her German accent during this book is telling. She is growing on me….like a fungus, but it is indeed a nice fungus. I would have liked to see more of her in this book even though I think she is a little (okay a lot) crazy. Sometimes crazy keep them coming back to read a series.
I wish there had been more with Garrett and the possible connection between him and Sloan. Not to mention more Nitro. I feel like she needs a haven in the storm that is her life and right now I don’t see her security being too strong. Oh, she plays a good game of making it seem like all is okay, that is for sure.
As the mystery developed I was wracking my brain as to who could possibly have done it. I skipped book two so I wasn’t certain who the mainstay characters were in order to take them out of my equation. Once the culprit was named I was like… who is that? That name didn’t stick with me for some reason. And that whole bombshell with Mac’s parents at the end? Wow. What was that? Definitely cliffhanger there. I can’t wait the next installment of Sloane on Tap and see how all the details that were left hanging washes out.
This is definitely a cozy mystery author to watch and put on your must read list. She never disappoints.
Highly recommended.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the third book in the Sloane Krause series by Ellie Alexander.
I read the first book in this series, DEATH ON TAP, back in March. I bought the paperback from my local grocery store. I don’t drink so I wasn’t sure what to expect. My cousin had been dabbling in micro-brewing soI thought I’d give it a try. And I am so glad I did.
This series just sucks you in. Sloane is still having Mac problems (Mac is her ex-hubby) in book three and I can’t quite figure where she stands romantically with any man, but that’s okay. All the sleuthing takes your mind off of it. The dead body of a man running for office ends up the centerpiece in a city council race. And apparently everybody and their brother has a motive to do him in. The man is buying stakes in many local businesses and plans to make this beer haven a dry gulch. Even the ever German clad Heidi is accused of the crime. When I started reading this series she was not my favorite character. So, the fact that I felt a little bad for her when she lost her mind and her German accent during this book is telling. She is growing on me….like a fungus, but it is indeed a nice fungus. I would have liked to see more of her in this book even though I think she is a little (okay a lot) crazy. Sometimes crazy keep them coming back to read a series.
I wish there had been more with Garrett and the possible connection between him and Sloan. Not to mention more Nitro. I feel like she needs a haven in the storm that is her life and right now I don’t see her security being too strong. Oh, she plays a good game of making it seem like all is okay, that is for sure.
As the mystery developed I was wracking my brain as to who could possibly have done it. I skipped book two so I wasn’t certain who the mainstay characters were in order to take them out of my equation. Once the culprit was named I was like… who is that? That name didn’t stick with me for some reason. And that whole bombshell with Mac’s parents at the end? Wow. What was that? Definitely cliffhanger there. I can’t wait the next installment of Sloane on Tap and see how all the details that were left hanging washes out.
This is definitely a cozy mystery author to watch and put on your must read list. She never disappoints.
Highly recommended.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
August 16, 2020
I like beer and I like mysteries so that's why this series has caught my eye.
Sloan recently discovered her husband, Mac, cheating. She was working for his family's brewery and got another job working with Garrett in his microbrewery/pub, Nitro. She's still close to her in-laws ... in fact, her mother-in-law and father-in-law have given her a third ownership of their brewery (along with Mac and his brother, Hans). Sloan is enjoying working with Garrett in his smaller business as it gives her a more hands-on opportunity to create interesting craft beers.
It's the lull between the recent Oktoberfest and the winter festival in the small mountain city of Leavenworth, WA. Leavenworth's claim to fame is that it is very similar to a Bavarian town in Germany. Kristopher Cooper is the incumbent city councillor and the election is next week. He now wants to make Leavenworth dry which, considering Leavenworth is a tourist destination for beer lovers, is not popular among the business owners. When Cooper is found murdered, April, the annoying self-appointed tourist ambassador, is arrested because he was killed in her real estate office. But there are many business owners who didn't want the city to be dry so anyone could have killed him.
In the meantime, Sloan is trying to figure out how to move forward with her life. Though Mac is trying to woo her back, she knows they are done. But she wants to make sure that their teenage son isn't caught in the middle. And a child, she grew up in foster care after being abandoned by her parents and she is starting to delve more and more into what happened.
This is the third in the Sloan Krause Series by this author and I liked it. It worked as a stand alone ... I haven't read the first one but recently read the second one and there was enough information so I knew what was going on. It's written in first person perspective in Sloane's voice. There is a lot of talk about beer (which I found interesting) and there are also explanations about what was being talked about (for example, what is a wheat beer). It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. I look forward to reading others in this series.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2020/08...
Sloan recently discovered her husband, Mac, cheating. She was working for his family's brewery and got another job working with Garrett in his microbrewery/pub, Nitro. She's still close to her in-laws ... in fact, her mother-in-law and father-in-law have given her a third ownership of their brewery (along with Mac and his brother, Hans). Sloan is enjoying working with Garrett in his smaller business as it gives her a more hands-on opportunity to create interesting craft beers.
It's the lull between the recent Oktoberfest and the winter festival in the small mountain city of Leavenworth, WA. Leavenworth's claim to fame is that it is very similar to a Bavarian town in Germany. Kristopher Cooper is the incumbent city councillor and the election is next week. He now wants to make Leavenworth dry which, considering Leavenworth is a tourist destination for beer lovers, is not popular among the business owners. When Cooper is found murdered, April, the annoying self-appointed tourist ambassador, is arrested because he was killed in her real estate office. But there are many business owners who didn't want the city to be dry so anyone could have killed him.
In the meantime, Sloan is trying to figure out how to move forward with her life. Though Mac is trying to woo her back, she knows they are done. But she wants to make sure that their teenage son isn't caught in the middle. And a child, she grew up in foster care after being abandoned by her parents and she is starting to delve more and more into what happened.
This is the third in the Sloan Krause Series by this author and I liked it. It worked as a stand alone ... I haven't read the first one but recently read the second one and there was enough information so I knew what was going on. It's written in first person perspective in Sloane's voice. There is a lot of talk about beer (which I found interesting) and there are also explanations about what was being talked about (for example, what is a wheat beer). It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. I look forward to reading others in this series.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2020/08...
September 22, 2019
Protagonist Sloan Krause has the nose and discerning taste buds for the brewery business and thought she'd found a family when she married Mac and became part of his family's Der Keller Brewery in the quaint mountainous Bavarian styled village of Leavenworth. They had a son, Alex, but Mac soon acquired a wandering eye.
Sloan left Der Keller for a start-up brewery run by Garrett at nearby Nitro. He is an ex-Seattle chemist, easy and laid back, detailed oriented and intelligent.
Book 3 has the village facing a city council election whose incumbent has decided Leavenworth should be alcohol-free--which, of course, would kill most of the town's livelihoods. Following a nasty confrontation following a rally for his opponent, he is found murdered and it's the town's self-proclaimed "ambassador" April who is #1 person of interest.
Running parallel in an undercurrent left from book two, Sloan again confronts her past and seeks answers regarding her parents and resulting abandonment.
The compelling and well-developed support characters from the previous novel are back and are readily familiar, although you could easily read this as a standalone. There is industry standard vocabulary and details of brewing are shared in an off-hand way that doesn't interrupt the story.
There is some relationship growth between she and Garrett, although Mac is trying to come back and she's experiencing just a slight bit of emotional confusion. The antagonist was no real surprise, although there were a few twists and red herrings to throw you off. But! The conclusion includes a cliffhanger! Gees, I hate cliffhangers. I have to wait another year?
I received this uncorrected digital galley from the publisher and NetGalley and loved the opportunity to read and review. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series. Recommended for any who enjoy a fun, fast-paced cozy mystery or any well-crafted character-driven novel in a unique setting.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2019/...
Sloan left Der Keller for a start-up brewery run by Garrett at nearby Nitro. He is an ex-Seattle chemist, easy and laid back, detailed oriented and intelligent.
Book 3 has the village facing a city council election whose incumbent has decided Leavenworth should be alcohol-free--which, of course, would kill most of the town's livelihoods. Following a nasty confrontation following a rally for his opponent, he is found murdered and it's the town's self-proclaimed "ambassador" April who is #1 person of interest.
Running parallel in an undercurrent left from book two, Sloan again confronts her past and seeks answers regarding her parents and resulting abandonment.
The compelling and well-developed support characters from the previous novel are back and are readily familiar, although you could easily read this as a standalone. There is industry standard vocabulary and details of brewing are shared in an off-hand way that doesn't interrupt the story.
There is some relationship growth between she and Garrett, although Mac is trying to come back and she's experiencing just a slight bit of emotional confusion. The antagonist was no real surprise, although there were a few twists and red herrings to throw you off. But! The conclusion includes a cliffhanger! Gees, I hate cliffhangers. I have to wait another year?
I received this uncorrected digital galley from the publisher and NetGalley and loved the opportunity to read and review. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series. Recommended for any who enjoy a fun, fast-paced cozy mystery or any well-crafted character-driven novel in a unique setting.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2019/...
October 1, 2019
Sloan Krause is taking advantage of the slow season in Leavenworth, Washington to prepare for the upcoming Winter Light Festival. Election day is coming up and city councilman Kristopher Cooper is running for reelection and even though the town's economy relies of the sales of beer, Kristopher wants to make it a dry town. When the politician is murdered before the citizens can go to the polls, Sloan is convinced by the prime suspect to dig into the investigation and find the true killer.
This is the third book in this series and although I've read other books by this author, this is the first book featuring Sloan Krause I have read. It didn't take me long to catch up on who the main characters are and I enjoyed getting to know Sloan. The characters are likable and I loved the setting. The Bavarian-themed village made me miss the small towns with German heritage that I have visited. There weren't any big surprises when the identity of the murderer was revealed, but I still enjoyed the story.
From the description of the book, I didn't realize there was an over-arching mystery surrounding Sloane that carries over from book to book. That was intriguing and made me wonder what will be revealed in future installments. The book has a lot to offer in terms of characters and setting and the information about beer is an added bonus. Readers following this series will enjoy the book, as will fans of Melinda Mullet's Whisky Business Mysteries.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Minotaur Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third book in this series and although I've read other books by this author, this is the first book featuring Sloan Krause I have read. It didn't take me long to catch up on who the main characters are and I enjoyed getting to know Sloan. The characters are likable and I loved the setting. The Bavarian-themed village made me miss the small towns with German heritage that I have visited. There weren't any big surprises when the identity of the murderer was revealed, but I still enjoyed the story.
From the description of the book, I didn't realize there was an over-arching mystery surrounding Sloane that carries over from book to book. That was intriguing and made me wonder what will be revealed in future installments. The book has a lot to offer in terms of characters and setting and the information about beer is an added bonus. Readers following this series will enjoy the book, as will fans of Melinda Mullet's Whisky Business Mysteries.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Minotaur Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2019
It’s the quiet before the storm for the town of Leavenworth as they clean up after Oktoberfest and prepare for the upcoming holiday season. Sloan and Garrett have a lot going on at Nitro as they work to redo four of the bedrooms above the pub into guest rooms to be rented out to tourists. But all of that could be for naught if the upcoming city council election is won by the incumbent who plans to make Leavenworth a dry town.
When the business owners meet with the opposing candidate, things go south when the Kristofer Cooper and his team are outside on the patio and begin taunting the other side. The next morning Kris is found dead in April’s office and all signs point to April being guilty. Against her better judgement, but because she’s a good person, Sloan begins looking into who could have killed the councilman, because she doesn’t believe April is capable of murder. During a crazy blizzard, Sloan finds herself in the presence of the murderer and it’s up to her to catch him when he injures her two friends and tries to make a break for it.
Ellie Alexander is one of my FAVORITE authors. If you haven’t read her works yet, don’t wait. Her cozies are fantastic and her sense of humor comes through in her characters. Looking forward to seeing Sloan moving forward in her personal life and finding out more about the family who abandoned her. I literally groaned when I realized that would be coming in the next book. I. Cannot. Wait!
When the business owners meet with the opposing candidate, things go south when the Kristofer Cooper and his team are outside on the patio and begin taunting the other side. The next morning Kris is found dead in April’s office and all signs point to April being guilty. Against her better judgement, but because she’s a good person, Sloan begins looking into who could have killed the councilman, because she doesn’t believe April is capable of murder. During a crazy blizzard, Sloan finds herself in the presence of the murderer and it’s up to her to catch him when he injures her two friends and tries to make a break for it.
Ellie Alexander is one of my FAVORITE authors. If you haven’t read her works yet, don’t wait. Her cozies are fantastic and her sense of humor comes through in her characters. Looking forward to seeing Sloan moving forward in her personal life and finding out more about the family who abandoned her. I literally groaned when I realized that would be coming in the next book. I. Cannot. Wait!
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