Bar None

Murder on the Rocks #1

by Cathi Stoler

Bar None, set in the heart of New York City, is an edge-of-your-seat mystery that features Jude Dillane, owner of The Corner Lounge on 10th Street and Avenue B. When Jude finds her friend and landlord Thomas Sully Sullivan's work pal, Ed Molina, dead in a pool of blood in Sully's apartment, she's sure it wasn't suicide as the police suspect. Jude investigates and adds murder to her plate as she delves into a case of major fraud at the Big City Food Bank.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

249 pages, ebook

First published July 28, 2020

About the author

Cathi Stoler's publishing credentials include her new mystery/suspense series, NICK OF TIME, and OUT OF TIME, in The Nick Donahue Adventures as well as BAR NONE, LAST CALL, STRAIGHT UP, and WITH A TWIST, in the Murder On The Rocks Mystery Series featuring The Corner Lounge Owner, Jude Dillane. She has also written the three-part mystery series TELLING LIES, KEEPING SECRETS, and THE HARD WAY, which features P.I. Helen McCorkendale and magazine editor, Laurel Imperiole,

Awards include the 2015 Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Derringer Award for Best Short Story for the “Kaluki Kings of Queens”. Her Murder On The Rocks novels have earned Finalist spots in The Silver Falchion Awards and the Chanticleer Clue Book Awards. As an active member of the mystery community, she’s a board member of the New York/Tri-State chapter of Sisters in Crime, and a member of Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers.

Cathi lives in New York City with her husband Paul. You can visit her at www.cathistoler.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Reviews

[Jane Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this first installment of Cathi Stoler's Murder on the Rocks series, we meet Jude Dillane, co-owner of The Corner Lounge. Jude and Sully, her friend and landlord, fall into solving mysteries together.

Stoler creates likeable characters who have all-too-human flaws and blind spots. Jude and Sully, entrepreneur and landlord, respectively, Peter, co-owner of the lounge, and Dean, a premier bartender who works at the lounge. All these folks are memorable in their own right and fit together like a family.

The pacing of Bar None is even paced and steady. It builds to a great climax that Stoler hints at with a few well-placed clues along the way.

Great reading.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though at times the writing was a touch overwrought, I thoroughly enjoyed this romp into MC Jude's brief life change from bar owner to amateur detective masquerading as a Food Co-op "intern" in the Bronx in order to help out actual Co-op employee Sully, her friend and landlord. This mystery will likely appeal to cozy fans and while I'm not, I felt a thrill as Jude perhaps stupidly put her neck on the line for Sully, a commandeering former Marine, while she continues to run her own business day to day and ward off the stalking efforts of her ex-boyfriend.

[Michelle | musingsbymichelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this and I'm officially calling it "cozy-ish mystery" because it isn't quite cozy and not quite full-on thriller/suspense. It has many elements of a cozy mystery. For example, Jude, the protagonist is not a professional detective, but rather a bartender and restaurant owner. Also, there isn't really any gore. However, it's less cozy in that it takes place in New York (although, I would argue that you do get the family/small-town vibe with Jude's work friends) and the multiple deaths put me a little more on edge than other cozies I've read.

I love bartenders and mixology and you get a little bit of this in the book. I think part of me missed sitting at the bar talking to the bartender, trying new liquors, and watching the bartenders create cool stuff.

Overall, this is a fairly quick read, a fun mystery, with a likable-because-of-how-honest-and-real-she-is protagonist. For figuring out the mystery, it's not hard to figure out whodunnit, but I didn't figure out the specific why until it was revealed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Vix · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read, fairly easy going and light, but I wouldn’t say I’d read the next books in the series. It just didn’t quite ramp up much as other cozy mysteries I’ve read have.

Jude and Sully were likeable characters though they did make some silly decisions which were obviously going to backfire. I also enjoyed how the relationship developed with her boyfriend Roger alongside her search for the murderer.

I think what really spoilt it for me was when a detail was mentioned early on I just knew it would be important, and low and behold it was. So I knew who the murderer was quite early on and was annoyed that Jude couldn’t figure it out. However, if you don’t pick up on it then the hunt for the killer could be quite entertaining.

*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Brenda Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathi Stoler's ability to draw you in is incredible. I loved Jude and Sully and wanted to belly up to the bar and start delving into this mystery directly with them. They felt so real to me. The chapters are quick but filled with detail and I found myself staying up late because I wanted more. I've never spent time in New York and yet by the time I finished this book I not only felt I knew the area, but now I want to go there. All the characters came alive and the twist at the end had me floored! And a wonderful bonus is the recipes. I found myself wanting to try and find the different dishes and drinks that were described and then to my delight, there they were listed at the end for me to try. Such a great book. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Bar None" feels a little bit like the literary illustration of the phrase "too many cooks in the kitchen..." Here, there are a few too many plot points that could've been interesting and worth following on their own, but thrown together proved overwhelming and detracted focus from the central mystery, weakening the book overall. I could see some of the threads—Sully's military background, Jude's family tragedy, the founding of the bar, Jude's toxic relationships, (to not even name them all!)—resurfacing and getting more attention in later tales, but including all that stuff in one novel was too much for a reader with too little foundation to be truly invested. I got the sense that the author is planting a lot of introductory character nuggets here for further exploration through a series, but some restraint on all these ideas in the first installment would've been helpful for the sake of the plot.

So let's talk about the plot! The trope—death ruled suicide that is definitely murder, ready for the solving—is a favorite of mine, as it allows for a lot more sleuthing, secret maneuvering, and general ~mystique~ because it necessarily excludes detectives and the straightforward, above-board methods at their disposal. Now this limitation did induce a few eye-rolls: Jude's insertion in the food bank, for instance, was kind of unbelievable but a necessary way to launch the story. I'm willing to let it go, but I think it would be worth exploring a more natural way to insert our protagonist in the action. We're also given a list of "suspects" to start out with, which is great in a very Agatha Christie way and gives us a good foundation for suspicions. I just wish we'd spent a bit more time actually exploring their backgrounds and potential motivations, that way we readers could've had an opportunity to formulate our own theories rather than being blindsided by the information and explanation that did come. Here, again, I think the story could've benefited from fewer distractions. Gasp-worthy surprises are fun; being blasted by a light beam revelation when you're in total darkness is not quite the same.

I am a HUGE fan of Jude's bar ownership as a plot device; this provides a dynamic setting for any crucial or tense moment/conversation, and the side plots centered here were fun and also felt relevant to the main story because they were so connected with Jude's priorities. Many of the book's best moments happened here, and if anything I think the bar itself could've been used more!

The bottom line: "Bar None" is a flawed but still captivating mystery that moves quickly enough to keep your interest, as long as you're willing to sacrifice some deeper character exploration when racing to the finish.

[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]

[Eunice · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a lover of a good Nancy Drew-like mystery, I was hopeful about this book. I had a really hard time getting into it, and it almost ended up in my rare, DNF pile. The story took quite a while to draw me in, especially because there were a few things going on early in the book and it was hard for me to keep track of who was important and who were merely supporting characters. Then, there was the classic coincidental connection that completely drew me in. I was disappointed when that thread never ended up tied back to anything, but once I hit that point, I could not put the book down.

Would have liked more of the main character’s back story, especially earlier in the book, because it was clearly such a big part of who she is that it kept her from acting in a way that would have helped crack the case, and also, it seemed devastatingly tragic.

While the book was fairly predictable, it was still a good story and a nice light read and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading the others in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Grace Koshida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jude Dillane is the owner of The Corner Lounge, a restaurant/bar in New York City. Her landlord and former Marine Thomas “Sully” Sullivan asks Jude to let Ed Molina into his apartment. Ed was anxious to meet Sully about wrongdoings at the Big City Food Bank where they both worked. Jude finds Ed shot dead before he can meet Sully. Sully convinces Jude to go undercover at Big City as an accounting intern to try and follow-up on Ed's notes. But their attempts to find evidence of the corruption leads to several incidents that endanger their lives. Meanwhile, Jude also has to deal with banker boyfriend Roger who has started to harass and stalk her when she breaks off their relationship. This was a quick fun read and a good start to the new Murder on the Rocks mystery series.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Clay Stafford Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Uncle owned a neighborhood bar when I was growing up. It was a gathering place where shift workers could stop on their way home. It was a lot of work for my Aunt and Uncle and Grandfather but was a homey place to visit. The title of this book “BAR None” caught my eye because of this and I was looking for something novel from a new author.
The flow of the story in this neighborhood rang true. Introductions of characters allowed me to put faces on them from my past rather than try to decipher what the author wanted me to see. I like that.
By chapter three, the story gets more complex and I had to pace my reading time.
I grew up on Long Island and my Dad worked in the Bronx, so I recognized street names and descriptions of neighborhoods. The author does a good job of describing neighborhoods to help the reader who has not been to that locale.
I was not disappointed with my choice and will be watching for more books from Cathi Stoler

[Amber]

This one was a slow start for me but I’m really glad I stuck with it and finished. I love that this book features a strong female lead who owns her own business and runs her own life.

Jude is 34 years old, and so am I, and I found that refreshing. I feel like sometimes you get stuck in a cycle of super young FMCs and it makes you feel like you’re too old for your story to be interesting.

The relationships in this book seemed real and fulfilling and I was right there with Jude while she navigated her life and this mystery. The stronger emotions (grief, fear, suspense) that were written in this book were done really well and I felt like I was right there with the characters.

The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read for me is because it took me a while to get invested in the story, which easily could have been a me problem.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Rachel Nipper]

When reading this book I will say that I enjoyed it a bit more than I had anticipated. There were a few bits here and there that caused me to pause and therefore get out of "the zone". To be frank though I feel it has less to do with the writing and more to do with me being unfamiliar with an item or term. The setup of the chapters were also nice in how the lengths varied. I have a hectic SAHM schedule so this setup allowed me to sneek in some personal time and enjoy a little escape. It was casual in a way that even though I did not want to I could be this read down and return to it. Usually I have had to back track with other books and it was something I did not like. This book was great and something I wish I could find more of.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this for free.

As someone who loves crime fiction and who used to work in the bar and restaurant business for years (my husband still does), I was immediately interested in this.
I love the protagonist, a kind of alternative woman who owns her own bar + restaurant. She's a great character, not too super amazing like in a lot of books.
While everything that happens isn't super realistic, I still enjoyed it a lot. There are a lot of mini plot lines, which I think fleshed out the story and made it more realistic. I definitely want to read the next book and get to know Jude more, hopefully learn more about her past!

Oh, and almost forgot! There are RECIPES at the back of the book! So cool, you can pretend you're actually at The Corner Lounge.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars

Stories with relatable characters rank much higher in my opinion. I really want to hang out with Jude at The Corner Lounge! I especially like the relationship between Sully and Jude, the surrogate father/daughter vibe is something I haven't read in quite a while.

The ending was a little anti-climactic or maybe a bit abrupt. Or perhaps the resolution was too short or tied up too quickly. I can't quite put my finger on it.

Definitely excited that this is a series, can't imagine not experiencing these characters again. So glad I came late to the party, because I don't have to wait for the next installment! Off to start book #2.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corruption in the charity world is an interesting subject. Ms. Stoler tackles a very difficult subject with some unusual characters.

Jude who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation whilst running her own bar/restaurant with her landlord an ex-marine is a likeable main character. The story is quite dark as the murders are linked to the skimming of money and goods from a major food and distribution centre.

The sleuthing was well depicted. The lives of the 2 main leads as well as the bar and food distribution centre staff are well written and I as the reader was hooked and read the book in one reading session.

I would recommend this story if you like murder mysteries.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book in a three-part series. I would call this a light mystery. It’s perfect to sit down with on a rainy day. The main character, Jude, is a partner in a bar/restaurant in New York. I enjoyed getting to meet the characters, and look forward to reading more about them in the future books. The book moves at a nice pace. The clues as to who the killer is are there to find, but the story flows along nicely. As a bonus, there are a few recipes at the end. I recommend this series to anyone looking for an easy read, likable main characters, and a mystery to figure out.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bar None is a first person narrative set in New York City, with just enough geographical notes for a person familiar with NYC to enjoy. The reader learns what's happening/happened along with the protagonist, which adds to the mystery. There are a few violent scenes and some detailed descriptions of designer clothes, so Bar None can't be easily characterized as chicklit or noir murder. It feels like a standalone novel, but has sequels. While the plot of Bar None was mundane, the main characters were developed enough for a reader to want to know more about them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bar None is Book 1 in A Murder on the Rocks Mystery by Cathi Stoler. This NY bar is owned by Jude who lives in an apartment over the business. Her landlord, Sully, also has an apartment upstairs. When co-worker, Ed, is found dead in Sally's apartment, is it murder or suicide? This begins a fast paced murder mystery that finds Jude and Sully searching for the truth. I enjoyed this mystery and the characters are well written and believable. The ending was solid and I found Bar None to be a very good mystery. I can't wait to begin Book 2. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of the series. I would recommend it for anyone enjoying cosy mysteries. The main characters Jude and Sully are quite well developed with enough background to explain the way they are. It isn't a high suspense story keeping you on the edge of your seat but you do get drawn into investigating and trying to find the murderer. It reminded me of those sunday afternoon detective series my grand-parents used to watch on a Sunday afternoon. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and see what else they get up to.

I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathi Stoler has written a great crime novel, Bar None. Her main character is believable, smart, and just a bit crazy to be willing to help investigate a murder! Stoler’s writing style carried me away from the first sentence. Every conversation was pitch perfect. Every character rang true. Every event made me want to read a few more pages. I highly recommend this book.

I am grateful for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. My review is freely given and represents my own thoughts.

[Catherine Siemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathi Stoler's Bar None is set in Manhattan's East Villege, and its amateur sleuth, Jude Dillane, is a bar owner/bartender. As a resident of the neighborhood, whose partner used to be a bartender & front of house manager, I was delighted at how much I could relate to the world Stoler has depicted. The book is in a middle place between a noir (big city, sleuth's past trauma) and a cozy (the small town feeling specific communities in a big city can create, the start of a winning cast of characters, even recipes at the back!). Highly recommended as a quick, engaging read.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating Mystery with lots of Sub-Plots
This book is the first in a new series. It takes place in NYC and has many characters, all with backgrounds and baggage. The plot is excellent and moves along quickly. As soon as the reader has decided on a villain, something else happens to cause the reader to suspect someone else. I would not change a thing about this book and am ready to begin book 2 in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bette Reith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bar None is the first book in the Murder on the Rocks series. I love the characters – Jude, Sully, Pete are all involved in running a bar/restaurant called The Corner Lounge. Jude, is our protagonist, always more curious than she needs, or should be. This, of course, gets her into all kinds of trouble. I love how the characters build off each other. They are just like a family. Yes, they fight and argue, but at the end of the day, they have each other’s back. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to BookSiren for the ARC of this book.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this third mystery in this cozy mystery series. I hadn't read the two earlier ones, and probably will after the public libraries are open again. I won this book, but not from Goodreads. There were quite a few spelling errors in this ARC. The storyline was good and the characters likeable. Since the heroine in the novel owns a bar/lounge, there are some drink and food recipes at the end. Recommended.

[M Clausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ecopy of Bar None in exchange for an honest review. This was a light, fun whodunnit which I recommend. Jude owns a bar and lives upstairs across from her landlord Sully, an ex-Marine. She is also being stalked by a controlling ex-boyfriend. Jude and Sully investigate some improprieties at a food bank and the action begins. This was a fast-paced book. It would isn’t rocket science but It would s light and entertaining.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jude owns a bar. She is smart and witty, but when she finds her friend's work pal dead in his apartment she doesn't agree with the police that it was suicide. She believes it is murder, and the more she looks into it, she finds other things going on that other people want to keep quiet. Can she prove her case and survive? This has a great character with excellent dialogue. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from BookSirens.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so much fun, a sharp, fast-paced New York crime novel featuring the likable and complex Jude Dillane. Jude owns a restaurant on the Lower East Side and when she finds her friend and landlord murdered, the clues lead her to a city food bank. Lots of lovely city details, plus ruminations on the perfect cocktails and vintage clothing ensemble. Totally enjoyable.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, light read. A fun read!
The story flowed nicely with likeable, complex, smart, and witty, well defined characters.
This who-done-it was very entertaining.
The dialogue was excellent. Smooth!
The story was well written, easy to follow, and kept you wanting more.
Read and enjoy!
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written first book in a series about a NY bar owner who becomes an amateur sleuth to help her landlord solve the murder of one of his co-workers. Set in Manhattan and the Bronx, this is a fast paced mystery with a big city vibe. Look forward to the next book!

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting read! I really enjoyed it.

Love how the story flows flawlessly. Eventhough it is quite predictable, i still like it.

The premise is nice. Beautiful characters. Can’t wait to read the sequel.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[One · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jude is a no non-sense bar owner, Sully is a marine veteran and George is a dead body in Sully’s apartment. After finding his body Jude and Sully are embolden to get to the truth and expose all the secrets George knew. This would actually make a cute Hallmark series. Its not very violent or bloody considering the subject matter its very tame. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.