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Yorkshire Murder Mysteries #9
The Brewery Murders
An award-winning beer worth killing for. Can DCI Oldroyd find the killer before last orders?
Steeped in a history of award-winning Yorkshire ale, the town of Markham boasts not one but two breweries. Richard Foster runs one; his sister, Emily, along with her partner, Janice, runs the other. And not without some resentment.
The unwelcome return of the town’s former bad boy, Brendan Scholes, threatens to ignite the sibling rivalry further. Scholes claims to have found the long-lost secret recipe to the beer that made Richard and Emily’s father famous, and he wants money.
But it isn’t long before Scholes’ body is found floating in a fermentation tank at one of the breweries, his head caved in by a hammer. DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in to investigate the murder, and there’s no shortage of suspects.
As rumours of the possible existence of a recipe for the famous beer spread against a backdrop of growing homophobia and misogyny, tempers run high. With Markham’s beer industry at stake, a killer on the loose and the town’s residents out for blood, Oldroyd needs to solve the murder before someone else is killed…
Steeped in a history of award-winning Yorkshire ale, the town of Markham boasts not one but two breweries. Richard Foster runs one; his sister, Emily, along with her partner, Janice, runs the other. And not without some resentment.
The unwelcome return of the town’s former bad boy, Brendan Scholes, threatens to ignite the sibling rivalry further. Scholes claims to have found the long-lost secret recipe to the beer that made Richard and Emily’s father famous, and he wants money.
But it isn’t long before Scholes’ body is found floating in a fermentation tank at one of the breweries, his head caved in by a hammer. DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in to investigate the murder, and there’s no shortage of suspects.
As rumours of the possible existence of a recipe for the famous beer spread against a backdrop of growing homophobia and misogyny, tempers run high. With Markham’s beer industry at stake, a killer on the loose and the town’s residents out for blood, Oldroyd needs to solve the murder before someone else is killed…
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2023
1448 people are currently reading
2887 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Ellis
31 books702 followersDuring a long career teaching English, I wrote plays for children and occasional ghost stories. I have always been fascinated by the paranormal and by mysteries, conspiracy theories and unexplained crimes.
My love of my native county is deep and the settings of my Yorkshire Murder Mysteries within Yorkshire's varied landscapes are important. I have made a study of the sub-genre of the Locked Room Mystery during the height of its popularity between 1930 - 1960 in the stories of writers such as John Dickson Carr, Clayton Rawson and Ellery Queen. I was an avid watcher of BBC's "Jonathan Creek" in its heyday. I believe the element of puzzle is essential to crime fiction and my novels contain a double mystery: the standard "who dunnit?" but also "how dunnit?!"
I avoid the dark and gruesome in my writing and I strive to include some humour and elegance in style, a vivid sense of place and a compelling mystery! My characters both innocent and guilty are mostly ordinary people.
I am a member of a writers' group in Otley which has inspired me to write poetry and various forms of short fiction.
My love of my native county is deep and the settings of my Yorkshire Murder Mysteries within Yorkshire's varied landscapes are important. I have made a study of the sub-genre of the Locked Room Mystery during the height of its popularity between 1930 - 1960 in the stories of writers such as John Dickson Carr, Clayton Rawson and Ellery Queen. I was an avid watcher of BBC's "Jonathan Creek" in its heyday. I believe the element of puzzle is essential to crime fiction and my novels contain a double mystery: the standard "who dunnit?" but also "how dunnit?!"
I avoid the dark and gruesome in my writing and I strive to include some humour and elegance in style, a vivid sense of place and a compelling mystery! My characters both innocent and guilty are mostly ordinary people.
I am a member of a writers' group in Otley which has inspired me to write poetry and various forms of short fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
August 19, 2023
The Brewery Murders is the 9th in the Yorkshire Murder series. This is a straightforward police procedural series and the books don’t necessarily need to be read in order.
I appreciate the main character, Jim Oldroyd, a detective in the old school style - a straight shooter, fair man and good teacher to those under him.
I loved the premise of this book. The town’s initial brewery was known for its fabulous beer. But when the owner died, the recipe, supposedly never written down, died with him. Now, his two children are each running their own breweries. As the one child is a gay woman and her brewery employs mostly women, it brings out the misogyny and homophobia in some of the local men. At the town’s festival, a man shows up,claiming to have the missing recipe and offering to sell it to the highest bidder. But later that night, someone bangs him over the head and pushes him into a fermentation tank. And that’s just the first murder to occur.
The book moves at a steady pace. There are multiple suspects and much theorizing over the who and why. The book will appeal to readers who like to try to suss out the whodunit along with the cops. Although this wasn’t one I came anywhere close to figuring out. The book is unusual for concentrating as much on some of the suspects’ personal lives along with the team’s.
My thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of this book.
I appreciate the main character, Jim Oldroyd, a detective in the old school style - a straight shooter, fair man and good teacher to those under him.
I loved the premise of this book. The town’s initial brewery was known for its fabulous beer. But when the owner died, the recipe, supposedly never written down, died with him. Now, his two children are each running their own breweries. As the one child is a gay woman and her brewery employs mostly women, it brings out the misogyny and homophobia in some of the local men. At the town’s festival, a man shows up,claiming to have the missing recipe and offering to sell it to the highest bidder. But later that night, someone bangs him over the head and pushes him into a fermentation tank. And that’s just the first murder to occur.
The book moves at a steady pace. There are multiple suspects and much theorizing over the who and why. The book will appeal to readers who like to try to suss out the whodunit along with the cops. Although this wasn’t one I came anywhere close to figuring out. The book is unusual for concentrating as much on some of the suspects’ personal lives along with the team’s.
My thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of this book.
September 16, 2023
This is the ninth and latest book in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries. In Markham trouble is brewing between the breweries (I meant to say that) and competition is turning into conflict. When a body is found floating in a vat of beer things become really serious.
I always enjoy returning to this series set in beautiful Yorkshire and featuring a really old school detective, DCI Oldroyd. The book is heavy on police procedure and discussion about the suspects, making it fun for readers who enjoy trying to solve the crime themselves.
This is an excellent addition to the series and I look forward to more in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I always enjoy returning to this series set in beautiful Yorkshire and featuring a really old school detective, DCI Oldroyd. The book is heavy on police procedure and discussion about the suspects, making it fun for readers who enjoy trying to solve the crime themselves.
This is an excellent addition to the series and I look forward to more in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 3, 2024
I think I usually award the DCI Oldroyd books higher than 3 stars, but this was not my favorite one of the series despite my interest in what brewerys produce. Yorkshire is represented well, house hunting is part of the scheme on the personal side for Oldroyd, the team does well in their investigation, but then...I think it went a bit overboard in "seeing the best" in people for my tastes. Still, though, case solved despite excessive media attention. Focus is missing recipe for a favorite brew from the past.
Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited
September 28, 2023
As anyone who follows my reviews is aware, I love a good mystery!
In the Yorkshire town of Markham there are not one, but two breweries each managed by rival siblings. Their father, Richard Foster, brewed an award-winning beer during his time at the helm and it's always been thought that it died with him. However, the return of local bad boy Brendan Scholes brings claims that the secret recipe has been found; however, it's not long before Scholes' dead body is found in one brewery and rumours abound. With a killer on the loose and misogyny and homophobia on the increase, DCI Oldroyd is determined to get to the bottom of things before it all gets out of hand.
I have to say I really enjoyed this one. Plenty going on in a busy community, great characterisation and a strong story line througout kept me hooked to the very end. I wish I had come across this series sooner but the good news is that there is no harking back to previous novels so I can catch up at my leisure. Well-written, enigmatic and a pleasure to read. For me 5* and my recommendation.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.
In the Yorkshire town of Markham there are not one, but two breweries each managed by rival siblings. Their father, Richard Foster, brewed an award-winning beer during his time at the helm and it's always been thought that it died with him. However, the return of local bad boy Brendan Scholes brings claims that the secret recipe has been found; however, it's not long before Scholes' dead body is found in one brewery and rumours abound. With a killer on the loose and misogyny and homophobia on the increase, DCI Oldroyd is determined to get to the bottom of things before it all gets out of hand.
I have to say I really enjoyed this one. Plenty going on in a busy community, great characterisation and a strong story line througout kept me hooked to the very end. I wish I had come across this series sooner but the good news is that there is no harking back to previous novels so I can catch up at my leisure. Well-written, enigmatic and a pleasure to read. For me 5* and my recommendation.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.
May 10, 2024
Sometimes as a reader you slip up. I have certainly slipped up with this series.
I came across this book by chance and grabbed it. Something about it - the Breweries? - Yorkshire?, who knows what attracted me. As I prepared to start reading it dawned on me that this was a series of which I had read the first 7 the most recent being about 18 months ago. Why hadn't I added the next to my shelf then?
As I started reading, I started remembering Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd (what a great Yorkshire name) and his family and his team with Andy and Steph now a pair and living together.
The wonderfully descriptive narrative of the series brought back pleasant memories of visiting many of the locations during my time in "Gods own County" and this one was no exception. With its barely concealed likeness to the twin breweries town of Masham, the story is well located there although the author's notes at the end explains the important differences in the breweries' histories.
Sometimes quotes at the beginning of chapters can be annoying. Here,as one who appreciates good beer, I found them informative and appropriate.
The tale had a good storyline with plenty of twists and misdirections and clearly drawn characters who were difficult to mix up. As an armchair detective, however, I would have appreciated a couple more clues as the answer was a little unpredictable. I didn't guess the answer (as usual) but had a strange feeling that I had read a similar story before with a similar hiding place but a different perpetrator. Strange.
The narrative felt a bit 'clunky' at times and perhaps it isn't a literary masterpiece but as they might say in Yorkshire; "It'll do for me, lad, thou knows" (although I can't type in a Yorkshire accent).
Now quickly to grab another of the series before I forget again.
I came across this book by chance and grabbed it. Something about it - the Breweries? - Yorkshire?, who knows what attracted me. As I prepared to start reading it dawned on me that this was a series of which I had read the first 7 the most recent being about 18 months ago. Why hadn't I added the next to my shelf then?
As I started reading, I started remembering Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd (what a great Yorkshire name) and his family and his team with Andy and Steph now a pair and living together.
The wonderfully descriptive narrative of the series brought back pleasant memories of visiting many of the locations during my time in "Gods own County" and this one was no exception. With its barely concealed likeness to the twin breweries town of Masham, the story is well located there although the author's notes at the end explains the important differences in the breweries' histories.
Sometimes quotes at the beginning of chapters can be annoying. Here,as one who appreciates good beer, I found them informative and appropriate.
The tale had a good storyline with plenty of twists and misdirections and clearly drawn characters who were difficult to mix up. As an armchair detective, however, I would have appreciated a couple more clues as the answer was a little unpredictable. I didn't guess the answer (as usual) but had a strange feeling that I had read a similar story before with a similar hiding place but a different perpetrator. Strange.
The narrative felt a bit 'clunky' at times and perhaps it isn't a literary masterpiece but as they might say in Yorkshire; "It'll do for me, lad, thou knows" (although I can't type in a Yorkshire accent).
Now quickly to grab another of the series before I forget again.
June 13, 2023
The suspenseful and deftly plotted crime fiction book "The Brewery Murders" by J.R. Ellis will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Ellis provides readers who enjoy the genre with a gripping and rewarding book thanks to its interesting characters, well-written tension, and a perplexing enigma at its centre.
The plot follows DI Jim Oldroyd as he looks into several killings that occur in the sleepy community of Leesworth. Oldroyd finds himself caught up in a complicated web of reasons, secrets, and undiscovered connections as the bodies start to mount up. As the story takes unexpected turns, the suspense grows, and readers are carried on an exciting quest to learn the truth behind the Brewery Murders.
The author developed complex and engrossing characters with the protagonist, DI Jim Oldroyd is likeable and relatable due to his commitment to cracking the crime. The supporting cast gives the narrative depth with a good "whodunnit" vibe because each member has a secret motive. The writing is simple but compelling, hooking readers on the first page. The suspense is kept up throughout because of the well-timed revelations and tense periods in the pacing.
Additionally, "The Brewery Murders" provides an immersive atmosphere with its atmospheric portrayal of the Leesworth village, enhanced by the attention to detail when describing the brewery and its surrounds. The investigation takes place against an intriguing backdrop created by the merging of the rural life in the area with the criminal underworld.
The plot and character development in "The Brewery Murders" are interesting and enjoyable, yet in some places predictable or commonplace in stories of this genre. Any slight flaws are, however, made up for by the compelling tale, well-constructed mystery.
Readers will be engrossed in "The Brewery Murders" until the very end thanks to its gripping and suspenseful writing. So sit back, relax and get ready to solve murder.
The plot follows DI Jim Oldroyd as he looks into several killings that occur in the sleepy community of Leesworth. Oldroyd finds himself caught up in a complicated web of reasons, secrets, and undiscovered connections as the bodies start to mount up. As the story takes unexpected turns, the suspense grows, and readers are carried on an exciting quest to learn the truth behind the Brewery Murders.
The author developed complex and engrossing characters with the protagonist, DI Jim Oldroyd is likeable and relatable due to his commitment to cracking the crime. The supporting cast gives the narrative depth with a good "whodunnit" vibe because each member has a secret motive. The writing is simple but compelling, hooking readers on the first page. The suspense is kept up throughout because of the well-timed revelations and tense periods in the pacing.
Additionally, "The Brewery Murders" provides an immersive atmosphere with its atmospheric portrayal of the Leesworth village, enhanced by the attention to detail when describing the brewery and its surrounds. The investigation takes place against an intriguing backdrop created by the merging of the rural life in the area with the criminal underworld.
The plot and character development in "The Brewery Murders" are interesting and enjoyable, yet in some places predictable or commonplace in stories of this genre. Any slight flaws are, however, made up for by the compelling tale, well-constructed mystery.
Readers will be engrossed in "The Brewery Murders" until the very end thanks to its gripping and suspenseful writing. So sit back, relax and get ready to solve murder.
September 10, 2023
An award-winning beer worth killing for. Can DCI Oldroyd find the killer before last orders?
Steeped in a history of award-winning Yorkshire ale, the town of Markham boasts not one but two breweries. Richard Foster runs one; his sister, Emily, along with her partner, Janice, runs the other. And not without some resentment.
The unwelcome return of the town’s former bad boy, Brendan Scholes, threatens to ignite the sibling rivalry further. Scholes claims to have found the long-lost secret recipe to the beer that made Richard and Emily’s father famous, and he wants money.
But it isn’t long before Scholes’ body is found floating in a fermentation tank at one of the breweries, his head caved in by a hammer. DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in to investigate the murder, and there’s no shortage of suspects.
As rumors of the possible existence of a recipe for the famous beer spread against a backdrop of growing homophobia and misogyny, tempers run high. With Markham’s beer industry at stake, a killer on the loose and the town’s residents out for blood, Oldroyd needs to solve the murder before someone else is killed…
Loved it. Will recommend to others
Steeped in a history of award-winning Yorkshire ale, the town of Markham boasts not one but two breweries. Richard Foster runs one; his sister, Emily, along with her partner, Janice, runs the other. And not without some resentment.
The unwelcome return of the town’s former bad boy, Brendan Scholes, threatens to ignite the sibling rivalry further. Scholes claims to have found the long-lost secret recipe to the beer that made Richard and Emily’s father famous, and he wants money.
But it isn’t long before Scholes’ body is found floating in a fermentation tank at one of the breweries, his head caved in by a hammer. DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in to investigate the murder, and there’s no shortage of suspects.
As rumors of the possible existence of a recipe for the famous beer spread against a backdrop of growing homophobia and misogyny, tempers run high. With Markham’s beer industry at stake, a killer on the loose and the town’s residents out for blood, Oldroyd needs to solve the murder before someone else is killed…
Loved it. Will recommend to others
January 12, 2024
A murder in a Yorkshire Brewery has DCI Owdroyd and his team baffled. Lot's of suspects with potential motives but nothing stands out.
The 9th book in this series is a bit of a depature from the previous escapades that all involved 'closed room' type mysteries. This one is pretty straight forward, the body is found in a brewery and anybody could have access then scene, there is no mystery of how the murder could have been commited.
A bit of development in the personal lives of the main characters and it will be interseting to see where these go in the next book. As I'm writing this there are several months before the release of book 10 so I will have to wait and see.
The 9th book in this series is a bit of a depature from the previous escapades that all involved 'closed room' type mysteries. This one is pretty straight forward, the body is found in a brewery and anybody could have access then scene, there is no mystery of how the murder could have been commited.
A bit of development in the personal lives of the main characters and it will be interseting to see where these go in the next book. As I'm writing this there are several months before the release of book 10 so I will have to wait and see.
May 17, 2025
The Brewery Murders is another solid instalment in J.R. Ellis's popular series featuring Harrogate-based D.C.I. Jim Oldroyd.
In this outing, D.C.I Oldroyd and D.S. Andy Carter are called to the (fictional) Yorkshire town of Markham, after a man is found battered to death, floating in an fermentation tank during an ale festival. Against a backdrop of sibling and commercial rivalry, a campaign of homophobia and a missing secret recipe, Oldroyd and Carter must sift the clues to identify the killer.
The Brewery Murders features the twisty police procedural plot, well-developed characters and methodical investigation that J.R. Ellis's loyal audience have come to expect. I particularly enjoyed the settings and detail that prove Ellis's wide knowledge and research into the Yorkshire boutique ale industry. This is a high-quality series that is well worth the reading.
My thanks to the author, J.R. Ellis, publisher Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley (UK) for the opportunity to read and review this title.
In this outing, D.C.I Oldroyd and D.S. Andy Carter are called to the (fictional) Yorkshire town of Markham, after a man is found battered to death, floating in an fermentation tank during an ale festival. Against a backdrop of sibling and commercial rivalry, a campaign of homophobia and a missing secret recipe, Oldroyd and Carter must sift the clues to identify the killer.
The Brewery Murders features the twisty police procedural plot, well-developed characters and methodical investigation that J.R. Ellis's loyal audience have come to expect. I particularly enjoyed the settings and detail that prove Ellis's wide knowledge and research into the Yorkshire boutique ale industry. This is a high-quality series that is well worth the reading.
My thanks to the author, J.R. Ellis, publisher Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley (UK) for the opportunity to read and review this title.
June 17, 2023
Leesworth is known for its award-winning beer, the kind that’s worth killing for. The town currently has two breweries, one is run by Richard Foster and the other by his sister Emily Foster and partner Janice.
The towns former bad boy Brendan Scholes makes an unwelcome return and threatens to intensify the rivalry between the siblings further by claiming to have found their grandfathers long lost secret in the recipe that made Richard and Emily’s father so famous and is willing to hand it over to them for the right price…
However the next morning Scholes body is found floating in Richards brewery’s fermentation tank and his head has been caved in by a hammer.. will DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter be able to solve the murder before someone else is killed…
I liked this book, as the story unveils the suspense heightens which had me hooked to discover the truth behind the brewery murders. The author introduces several complex characters which at times can be overwhelming to get to grips with however as the story continues you realise each character has a ‘whodunnit’ motive. The writing style is very simple and allows for readers to be drawn in from the very beginning.
The plot of ‘The Brewery Murders’ is very intriguing having said this certain aspects of the plot came across very predictable but this can be brushed aside due to the excellent suspense the book was able to build up from the very beginning.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a suspenseful thriller which is easy to read or to help get them out of a reading slump!
The towns former bad boy Brendan Scholes makes an unwelcome return and threatens to intensify the rivalry between the siblings further by claiming to have found their grandfathers long lost secret in the recipe that made Richard and Emily’s father so famous and is willing to hand it over to them for the right price…
However the next morning Scholes body is found floating in Richards brewery’s fermentation tank and his head has been caved in by a hammer.. will DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter be able to solve the murder before someone else is killed…
I liked this book, as the story unveils the suspense heightens which had me hooked to discover the truth behind the brewery murders. The author introduces several complex characters which at times can be overwhelming to get to grips with however as the story continues you realise each character has a ‘whodunnit’ motive. The writing style is very simple and allows for readers to be drawn in from the very beginning.
The plot of ‘The Brewery Murders’ is very intriguing having said this certain aspects of the plot came across very predictable but this can be brushed aside due to the excellent suspense the book was able to build up from the very beginning.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a suspenseful thriller which is easy to read or to help get them out of a reading slump!
October 18, 2023
An entertaining, gripping and well plotted mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. A solid mystery that kept me guessing
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 26, 2025
Another fine mystery with twists and turns and the life stories behind the characters. A good read in a great series or novels.
January 15, 2024
What an enjoyable read. I’m excited to have found what looks to be a fun series.
September 4, 2024
Another Yorkshire mystery for DCI Oldroyd and his team to solve. This time based in a town with two breweries owned by rival siblings. The story centres on a lost recipe for an iconic ale and family relationships.
July 9, 2023
The Brewery Murders is the ninth novel in this J. R. Ellis series. Although the topic is murder, this novel is a essentially a cozy mystery. Readers follow along as Inspector Oldroyd and his team work to solve multiple murders. Like any familiar British mystery, the murders either occur off stage or with a minimum of trauma to the reader. As these murders are investigated, readers will follow multiple narrators, whose stories will link together by the end of the novel.
I have read all the books in this series and find them entertaining. One of Ellis' strengths is his ability to bring these characters to life. There are the usual stock group of characters found in all of the Ellis novels--Andy, Stephanie, and Deborah, but in each novel readers soon grow accustomed to a series to new and sometimes familiar characters, whose lives are actually quite real. These are characters, who are just trying to get through their lives and overcome challenges, often of their own making. Since the action takes place in small villages in Yorkshire, it is reasonable that some of the same background characters appear.
Ellis creates a familiar trope with this series. Oldroyd and his team are on the case, and so readers are comforted that all these crimes will soon be solved and life set back in order. For readers who are not fans of thrillers, Ellis' series is the perfect way to spend a quiet weekend.
Thank you to the author, and Amazon Publishers UK for sending the ARC of The Yorkshire Murders. Thanks also to NetGalley for making these novels so accessible.
I have read all the books in this series and find them entertaining. One of Ellis' strengths is his ability to bring these characters to life. There are the usual stock group of characters found in all of the Ellis novels--Andy, Stephanie, and Deborah, but in each novel readers soon grow accustomed to a series to new and sometimes familiar characters, whose lives are actually quite real. These are characters, who are just trying to get through their lives and overcome challenges, often of their own making. Since the action takes place in small villages in Yorkshire, it is reasonable that some of the same background characters appear.
Ellis creates a familiar trope with this series. Oldroyd and his team are on the case, and so readers are comforted that all these crimes will soon be solved and life set back in order. For readers who are not fans of thrillers, Ellis' series is the perfect way to spend a quiet weekend.
Thank you to the author, and Amazon Publishers UK for sending the ARC of The Yorkshire Murders. Thanks also to NetGalley for making these novels so accessible.
October 14, 2023
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads. I’ve read one other book in this series. I enjoy the characters and the location comes through really well in the writing. These mysteries are a bit more cozy than I tend to enjoy. I like a bit of grit and quiet hints at the final outcome so I feel like I’m solving the mystery with them. This book was a bit more obvious with its hints and sometimes it felt as though certain aspects of the characters were being overplayed and over explained. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s just not for me. I got a little frustrated with the repetitiveness of certain character traits that I feel don’t need to be repeated if the scene has been set well. I guess it doesn’t feel like there’s trust in the reader to remember things and that tends to bother me. Overall, the story was good and I enjoyed the fact that there was character development outside of the main mystery. That just makes you want to come back for more. These mysteries are calm and easy reads, which are a great escape from our busy world. I just wish the author trusted the readers more to remember details, thereby allowing them to delve into the story a bit more.
April 26, 2024
There’s a lot going on in the small town of Markham, especially with a rivalry between two breweries run by siblings who have had a bit of a falling out. When a former resident who doesn’t seem to have ranked very high on anyone’s list of friends or respected neighbors ends up dead, lots of secrets start to be revealed.
I found the plot very interesting, especially the ending, despite a few aspects being predictable. However, I found the writing style distracting. Instead of allowing the characters to reveal the details of the environment or their thoughts, the author did so outside the scope of the characters….and in most cases then had the characters address those same details. As a result, I unfortunately did not enjoy this book overall.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this book.
I found the plot very interesting, especially the ending, despite a few aspects being predictable. However, I found the writing style distracting. Instead of allowing the characters to reveal the details of the environment or their thoughts, the author did so outside the scope of the characters….and in most cases then had the characters address those same details. As a result, I unfortunately did not enjoy this book overall.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this book.
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August 5, 2023Thank you NetGalley for the review copy and introducing me to the Yorkshire Murders series.
A plot with a few twists and turns but generally quite simple to follow.
Just my opinion, but I found I got frustrated with Andy, who seemed to constantly repeat and simplify everything that had happened! I felt it unnecessary, as the plot developed well without his summarising.
For me, the connection between Steph’s father and the underlying addiction theme was also quite tenuous. I imagine the whole series needs to be read prior to this to explain the character’s seemingly random involvement in this book?
However, it was a good story, an easy read and will keep you in guessing who dunnit right until the end.
3.5*
A plot with a few twists and turns but generally quite simple to follow.
Just my opinion, but I found I got frustrated with Andy, who seemed to constantly repeat and simplify everything that had happened! I felt it unnecessary, as the plot developed well without his summarising.
For me, the connection between Steph’s father and the underlying addiction theme was also quite tenuous. I imagine the whole series needs to be read prior to this to explain the character’s seemingly random involvement in this book?
However, it was a good story, an easy read and will keep you in guessing who dunnit right until the end.
3.5*
October 22, 2023
"The Brewery Murders" is book #9 in the "Yorkshire Murder Mystery" series by J R Ellis,
"Steeped in a history of award-winning Yorkshire ale, the town of Markham boasts not one but two breweries. Richard Foster runs one; his sister, Emily, along with her partner, Janice, runs the other. And not without some resentment.
The unwelcome return of the town’s former bad boy, Brendan Scholes, threatens to ignite the sibling rivalry further. Scholes claims to have found the long-lost secret recipe to the beer that made Richard and Emily’s father famous, and he wants money.
But it isn’t long before Scholes’ body is found floating in a fermentation tank at one of the breweries, his head caved in by a hammer. DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in to investigate the murder, and there’s no shortage of suspects.
As rumours of the possible existence of a recipe for the famous beer spread against a backdrop of growing homophobia and misogyny, tempers run high. With Markham’s beer industry at stake, a killer on the loose and the town’s residents out for blood, Oldroyd needs to solve the murder before someone else is killed…"
My thoughts:
J R Ellis has crafted yet another complex story. Along with the wonderful core characters, the various people that find themselves drawn into this intriguing story are well thought out and believable.
The murder of Scholes is shocking but finding the killer won't be easy as he was not well liked. Suspects are numerous and it becomes a real challenge to sort out who actually did it. The ongoing tensions between the Foster siblings as well as the homophobic and misogyny of some make the investigation even more complicated.
I do like the way the homophobia and misogyny are addressed and dealt with. Attitudes of the past need to change and these issues were handled well by Mr. Ellis.
Admittedly, I had sorted out part of the mystery. I had figured out part of what had happened to the missing Scholes brother. I also strongly suspected the truth about the missing recipe and if it did exist where it would be found! Alas, I had not figured out "who done it"! Well done!
The ongoing storylines for the personal lives of the core characters were nicely updated. It is refreshing to see characters continue to evolve as series progress.
Telling a compelling story from various points of view is not an easy job but as always, Mr. Ellis keeps the readers engaged, entertained and turning the pages!
"Steeped in a history of award-winning Yorkshire ale, the town of Markham boasts not one but two breweries. Richard Foster runs one; his sister, Emily, along with her partner, Janice, runs the other. And not without some resentment.
The unwelcome return of the town’s former bad boy, Brendan Scholes, threatens to ignite the sibling rivalry further. Scholes claims to have found the long-lost secret recipe to the beer that made Richard and Emily’s father famous, and he wants money.
But it isn’t long before Scholes’ body is found floating in a fermentation tank at one of the breweries, his head caved in by a hammer. DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in to investigate the murder, and there’s no shortage of suspects.
As rumours of the possible existence of a recipe for the famous beer spread against a backdrop of growing homophobia and misogyny, tempers run high. With Markham’s beer industry at stake, a killer on the loose and the town’s residents out for blood, Oldroyd needs to solve the murder before someone else is killed…"
My thoughts:
J R Ellis has crafted yet another complex story. Along with the wonderful core characters, the various people that find themselves drawn into this intriguing story are well thought out and believable.
The murder of Scholes is shocking but finding the killer won't be easy as he was not well liked. Suspects are numerous and it becomes a real challenge to sort out who actually did it. The ongoing tensions between the Foster siblings as well as the homophobic and misogyny of some make the investigation even more complicated.
I do like the way the homophobia and misogyny are addressed and dealt with. Attitudes of the past need to change and these issues were handled well by Mr. Ellis.
Admittedly, I had sorted out part of the mystery. I had figured out part of what had happened to the missing Scholes brother. I also strongly suspected the truth about the missing recipe and if it did exist where it would be found! Alas, I had not figured out "who done it"! Well done!
The ongoing storylines for the personal lives of the core characters were nicely updated. It is refreshing to see characters continue to evolve as series progress.
Telling a compelling story from various points of view is not an easy job but as always, Mr. Ellis keeps the readers engaged, entertained and turning the pages!
February 22, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Brewery Murders is the 9th book in the Yorkshire murder mystery series by J. R. Ellis. Released 28th Sept 2023 on Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint, it's 267 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book and the rest of the series are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
These books are well written engaging procedurals which are tightly plotted, set against the Yorkshire countryside: hills, moors, and fells. Although it's part of a series, it works quite well as a standalone. There are references to occurrences from previous books in the series, but they don't play a central role in the action and readers new to the series won't have any troubles keeping up. Although most of them are straight procedurals out of the local police department, this one sees Oldroyd and his team in nearby Markham trying to sort out murder and mayhem between competing breweries with a long ago lost ale recipe cold case in the mix. There are some themes of homophobia, sexism, and misogyny included, but not to a degree or handled in a way to offend or shock sensitive readers.
I enjoyed the writing and I really liked Oldroyd's relationship with his family and colleagues. He's an honest and compassionate officer and the development of the plot and denouement were satisfying and well written. Looking forward to more in this series which compares quite favourably with P.D. James' wonderful Adam Dalgleish books. This would be a fine selection for public library acquisition, and for fans of English procedurals. With 10 books now extant in the ongoing series, it would also be a great choice for a long binge or buddy reading project.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Brewery Murders is the 9th book in the Yorkshire murder mystery series by J. R. Ellis. Released 28th Sept 2023 on Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint, it's 267 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book and the rest of the series are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
These books are well written engaging procedurals which are tightly plotted, set against the Yorkshire countryside: hills, moors, and fells. Although it's part of a series, it works quite well as a standalone. There are references to occurrences from previous books in the series, but they don't play a central role in the action and readers new to the series won't have any troubles keeping up. Although most of them are straight procedurals out of the local police department, this one sees Oldroyd and his team in nearby Markham trying to sort out murder and mayhem between competing breweries with a long ago lost ale recipe cold case in the mix. There are some themes of homophobia, sexism, and misogyny included, but not to a degree or handled in a way to offend or shock sensitive readers.
I enjoyed the writing and I really liked Oldroyd's relationship with his family and colleagues. He's an honest and compassionate officer and the development of the plot and denouement were satisfying and well written. Looking forward to more in this series which compares quite favourably with P.D. James' wonderful Adam Dalgleish books. This would be a fine selection for public library acquisition, and for fans of English procedurals. With 10 books now extant in the ongoing series, it would also be a great choice for a long binge or buddy reading project.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
July 27, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of The Brewery Murders, the ninth novel to feature Harrogate based DCI Jim Oldroyd.
In Markham a brewing rivalry runs deep with Richard Foster running the family business while his sister Emily and her partner Janice run their startup. Town bad boy, Brendan Scholes returns to Markham, offering the long lost secret recipe to the beer that made the Foster family famous to the highest bidder. Then Brendan Scholes is found dead in a vat of beer with his head caved in.
I enjoyed The Brewery Murders, which is another well constructed plot with some good twists and turns. It is told mostly from the investigative side, mixing the professional and domestic, so it has a well concealed perpetrator and motive as no one believes that the recipe exists.
The plot is fairly standard for the series, not that this is a bad thing, an eminently readable story with several twists and some clunky dialogue. Oldroyd is somewhat at a loss in this novel as there are several suspects and motives and nothing seems to gel, especially with the rivalry between the breweries and an undercurrent of misogyny and homophobia. It’s perplexing until a cunning ruse saves the day and solves the case. I must admit that I did guess one of the big twists early on, so it was fun watching the detectives flounder slightly from a position of knowledge when not screaming at them to get with it. There is an old fashioned feel to the series as a whole as it prizes deduction and brain power over technology.
The characters are moving forward as they always do. Oldroyd is house hunting in the villages around Harrogate while his subordinates, DS Andy Carter and DS Steph Johnson have their own concerns with Andy thinking about promotion away from the team and Steph reconnecting with her abusive, alcoholic father.
The Brewery Murders is a good read that I can recommend.
In Markham a brewing rivalry runs deep with Richard Foster running the family business while his sister Emily and her partner Janice run their startup. Town bad boy, Brendan Scholes returns to Markham, offering the long lost secret recipe to the beer that made the Foster family famous to the highest bidder. Then Brendan Scholes is found dead in a vat of beer with his head caved in.
I enjoyed The Brewery Murders, which is another well constructed plot with some good twists and turns. It is told mostly from the investigative side, mixing the professional and domestic, so it has a well concealed perpetrator and motive as no one believes that the recipe exists.
The plot is fairly standard for the series, not that this is a bad thing, an eminently readable story with several twists and some clunky dialogue. Oldroyd is somewhat at a loss in this novel as there are several suspects and motives and nothing seems to gel, especially with the rivalry between the breweries and an undercurrent of misogyny and homophobia. It’s perplexing until a cunning ruse saves the day and solves the case. I must admit that I did guess one of the big twists early on, so it was fun watching the detectives flounder slightly from a position of knowledge when not screaming at them to get with it. There is an old fashioned feel to the series as a whole as it prizes deduction and brain power over technology.
The characters are moving forward as they always do. Oldroyd is house hunting in the villages around Harrogate while his subordinates, DS Andy Carter and DS Steph Johnson have their own concerns with Andy thinking about promotion away from the team and Steph reconnecting with her abusive, alcoholic father.
The Brewery Murders is a good read that I can recommend.
August 7, 2023
This is the ninth book of this series set in Yorkshire County in the north of England. Yorkshire is a area very much the same as it has been for centuries, lots of small towns where people have lived for generations. Like small towns in the area, the town is proud of it's local brewery. In the time after the war the Brewery was famous for it's local beer which won many awards. With the death of the owner, his two children were left the Brewery but not the beer recipe. The children didn't get along and the younger sister set herself up as a brewer and did reasonably well.
When the two siblings heard that the recipe for their father's beer existed, they both sought it out, but neither was successful. Now is when bodies kept turning up and DCI Oldroyd is plagued by these murders but also a spate of robberies of some of the more secluded farms. This is the story but not what the book pivots around. Ellis has decided that along with the having Oldroyd search for the murderer(s) and looking at buying a house, it's time to help his staff straighten out their personal problems.
But circulated around everything else is an unusual number of characters seem to be suffering the long-term effects of gambling and alcoholism. It's not just one or two but more like six and includes some couples with both problems. If people aren't stealing from their businesses to cover their gambling losses, their relationships are falling apart because the excess use of alcohol. It's a little overwhelming that in almost every chapter someone is brought down by alcoholism or gambling debts.
It's not that this is not a real problem(s), but it comes off like a bad "Hallmark" movie or the problems of a lot of "Soap Opera" characters. It's ok to take on social problems in your writings but this is like beating the proverbial dead 'sheep' (this is Yorkshire).
When the two siblings heard that the recipe for their father's beer existed, they both sought it out, but neither was successful. Now is when bodies kept turning up and DCI Oldroyd is plagued by these murders but also a spate of robberies of some of the more secluded farms. This is the story but not what the book pivots around. Ellis has decided that along with the having Oldroyd search for the murderer(s) and looking at buying a house, it's time to help his staff straighten out their personal problems.
But circulated around everything else is an unusual number of characters seem to be suffering the long-term effects of gambling and alcoholism. It's not just one or two but more like six and includes some couples with both problems. If people aren't stealing from their businesses to cover their gambling losses, their relationships are falling apart because the excess use of alcohol. It's a little overwhelming that in almost every chapter someone is brought down by alcoholism or gambling debts.
It's not that this is not a real problem(s), but it comes off like a bad "Hallmark" movie or the problems of a lot of "Soap Opera" characters. It's ok to take on social problems in your writings but this is like beating the proverbial dead 'sheep' (this is Yorkshire).
September 21, 2023
DS Andy Carter and his boss DCI Olroyd are back in their ninth mystery investigating a murder in a Yorkshire brewery. Owned by Richard Foster, the brewery was once famous for it’s award winning beer made famous by Richard’s father. Unfortunately the recipe was lost when he died and didn’t pass it on to Richard or his sister Emily, also owner of a brewery with her partner Janice, staffed solely by women. When Brenda Scholes, a former worker in the brewery turns up in town claiming to have the recipe and offering to sell it to Richard or Emily, they are both sceptical that it exists. Before they can find out more Brendan’s body is found with hois head bashed in, floating in a tank of beer at Richard’s brewery.
There are a number of suspects to investigate which Olroyd goes about in his usual methodical old style approach. However, before they can solve the case there will be other murders to muddy the waters. It’s an engrossing mystery with some twists and turns to keep it interesting and keep the reader guessing. The brewing siblings with their two competitive breweries along with a homophobic campaign against Emily also adds an another dimension to the personal lives of the main characters. Overall an enjoyable and interesting addition to the series.
With thanks to Amazon Publishing via Netgalley for a copy to read
There are a number of suspects to investigate which Olroyd goes about in his usual methodical old style approach. However, before they can solve the case there will be other murders to muddy the waters. It’s an engrossing mystery with some twists and turns to keep it interesting and keep the reader guessing. The brewing siblings with their two competitive breweries along with a homophobic campaign against Emily also adds an another dimension to the personal lives of the main characters. Overall an enjoyable and interesting addition to the series.
With thanks to Amazon Publishing via Netgalley for a copy to read
November 16, 2023
"Steeped in a history of award-winning Yorkshire ale, the town of Markham boasts not one but two breweries. Richard Foster runs one; his sister, Emily, along with her partner, Janice, runs the other. And not without some resentment. The unwelcome return of the town’s former bad boy, Brendan Scholes, threatens to ignite the sibling rivalry further. Scholes claims to have found the long-lost secret recipe to the beer that made Richard and Emily’s father famous, and he wants money. But it isn’t long before Scholes’ body is found floating in a fermentation tank at one of the breweries, his head caved in by a hammer. DCI Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in to investigate the murder, and there’s no shortage of suspects. As rumours of the possible existence of a recipe for the famous beer spread against a backdrop of growing homophobia and misogyny, tempers run high. With Markham’s beer industry at stake, a killer on the loose and the town’s residents out for blood, Oldroyd needs to solve the murder before someone else is killed."
Crazy to find a body floating in a fermentation tank, question is how did it get there? Will have to read the story to find out. I give this book 4 stars.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, netgalley, and the author for the chance to leave an honest review.
Published Sept 28th, 2023
Crazy to find a body floating in a fermentation tank, question is how did it get there? Will have to read the story to find out. I give this book 4 stars.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, netgalley, and the author for the chance to leave an honest review.
Published Sept 28th, 2023
August 2, 2023
"The Brewery Murders" takes readers on a delightful journey to the town of Markham, where DCI Jim Oldroyd and DS Andy Carter find themselves embroiled in a captivating British cosy mystery. The story unfolds when a body is discovered in the Yoredale Ram Brewery's vat, belonging to Brendan Scholes, who possessed a valuable formula for the long-lost Wensley Glory Bitter beer. As the team investigates, the plot thickens with another murder at the Scholes home, leaving them puzzled about the motive behind the killings.
The novel's charm lies in its well-crafted characters and the camaraderie between DCI Jim Oldroyd and DS Andy Carter, which draws readers in from the start. The quaint setting of Markham adds to the cozy atmosphere, making it an inviting read for fans of the genre. With a touch of nostalgia surrounding the award-winning brew, readers are kept guessing until the final reveal. The seamless blend of mystery, intrigue, and British charm makes "The Brewery Murders" a quick and enjoyable page-turner.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance e-galley of this compelling mystery, which has left me eager for more adventures with this endearing team. #TheBreweryMurders #NetGalley
The novel's charm lies in its well-crafted characters and the camaraderie between DCI Jim Oldroyd and DS Andy Carter, which draws readers in from the start. The quaint setting of Markham adds to the cozy atmosphere, making it an inviting read for fans of the genre. With a touch of nostalgia surrounding the award-winning brew, readers are kept guessing until the final reveal. The seamless blend of mystery, intrigue, and British charm makes "The Brewery Murders" a quick and enjoyable page-turner.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance e-galley of this compelling mystery, which has left me eager for more adventures with this endearing team. #TheBreweryMurders #NetGalley
January 18, 2025
A body is found floating in a brewing tank in a brewery in the small Yorkshire town of Markham. Just my thing. I thought with the title and Ellis’s long run I’d be in for a jolly good read, but only in parts. This is the 9th in the Yorkshire murder series by Ellis but it reads like the first. The plotting is well done but the writing is clunky and the dialogue stilted –when in standard English or in Yorks accent. I’ve read several reviews of Ellis’s novels and many say much the same: stilted and way way too much detail. Many little side plots such as the cricket matches, the Oldroyds buying a new family home, are totally irrelevant to the plot, as is much repetition and over explaining, as if the reader is assumed to be too dumb to get it the first time (perhaps Ellis’s career as a teacher has something to do with that). Again, like many teachers he tries to “cover” too much: mistaken identity, homophobia, family politics, brewing techniques, kiss and make up, addictions of alcohol and gambling, the beautiful Yorkshire countryside of which Ellis clearly loves, all this and more. You come across an example, and: uh oh he’s off again, and skip until we’re back on plot. An editor badly needed, but the basic plot was good.
August 13, 2023
I have been a longtime reader of this series, starting with the first volume. After nine, I’ve realized that my enjoyment of the book depends on the subject of the mystery. Magicians, locked-room murders, Dracula, musicians? Yes! Beer? Not as much. That’s why the degree of interest of this one depended solely on the plot. Based on previous volumes, this murder looked simple, a man found drowned in a vat of ale. Tons of suspects, all hiding a secret. The twist was ingenious but the problem with having set the bar so high (dead body in a locked train compartment, for instance) is that this time I was a little disappointed. It doesn’t mean that it’s not a solid mystery, just that there was no question of how the crime was carried out, and that’s what attracted me to this series in the first place. Another issue I had with this novel was how there were too many details completely unrelated to the murder. This is not something I enjoy. Others readers will love this book, I found it a little disappointing.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer!
September 28, 2023
Steeped in a history of award-winning Yorkshire ale, the town of Markham boasts not one but two breweries. Richard Foster runs one; his sister, Emily, along with her partner, Janice, runs the other. So there’s some rivalry. The unwelcome return of the town’s former bad boy, Brendan Scholes, threatens to ignite the sibling rivalry further. Scholes claims to have found the long-lost secret recipe to the beer that made Richard and Emily’s father famous, and he wants money. Then Scholes’ body is found floating in a fermentation tank at one of the breweries. DCI Jim Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in to investigate the murder.
The ninth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I’m really enjoying the series & love how the author keeps you on the edge of your seat as the suspense is maintained throughout the book. We also get to know a bit about some of the suspects lives which added to my enjoyment. There are, of course, twists, turns & red herrings as the suspects all have secrets. I was left guessing until all was revealed. A thoroughly enjoyable cosy mystery
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The ninth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I’m really enjoying the series & love how the author keeps you on the edge of your seat as the suspense is maintained throughout the book. We also get to know a bit about some of the suspects lives which added to my enjoyment. There are, of course, twists, turns & red herrings as the suspects all have secrets. I was left guessing until all was revealed. A thoroughly enjoyable cosy mystery
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
October 26, 2023
An award winning beer recipe has gone missing, presumed lost forever with the death of the owner of the brewery, until it seems it is not really lost just hidden.
The setting of a small Yorkshire town of Markham, two competing breweries which support almost the entire town and a very traditional history of brewing which goes back decades. The two breweries are owned by siblings - and the one managed by the sister is run almost totally by women. The owner is openly gay, lives and manages the brewery with her partner. In a conservative community, they get more than their fair share of misogyny and hate.
When two people are murdered, and an attempted murder on the owner of one of the breweries takes place, Detective Ockroyd knows that things will have to be sorted as the entire area is full of tension and suspicion. Taking a step at a time the Detectives use the media judiciously to flush out their murderer.
The background and setting to the story was charming, the characters were spot on and fitted in seamlessly. The introductions of snippets of various beers produced in Yorkshire, along with bits of history added enormous interest.
The setting of a small Yorkshire town of Markham, two competing breweries which support almost the entire town and a very traditional history of brewing which goes back decades. The two breweries are owned by siblings - and the one managed by the sister is run almost totally by women. The owner is openly gay, lives and manages the brewery with her partner. In a conservative community, they get more than their fair share of misogyny and hate.
When two people are murdered, and an attempted murder on the owner of one of the breweries takes place, Detective Ockroyd knows that things will have to be sorted as the entire area is full of tension and suspicion. Taking a step at a time the Detectives use the media judiciously to flush out their murderer.
The background and setting to the story was charming, the characters were spot on and fitted in seamlessly. The introductions of snippets of various beers produced in Yorkshire, along with bits of history added enormous interest.
June 25, 2024
Set in a small town in Yorkshire, with two artisanal breweries (run by a brother and sister respectively), a long-lost recipe, a full cast of suspects, two detectives, three murders, and human beings with realistic baggage – addictions, tempers, secrets, old resentments. It’s an enjoyable, quick read (one day for me) with a solid moral compass in DCI Oldroyd. (Between the setting and the gentle humanity, I found myself thinking of the James Herriot books.) Oldroyd's underling Andy Carter explains to him, “I used to believe that criminals were evil people. ‘Catch and lock ‘em up’ was my attitude. But you’ve taught us to think differently: that people who do bad things are mostly damaged themselves and maybe they were trapped in circumstances where another person might have behaved in the same way. Something pushed them over the edge. … You’ve taught us to put ourselves in the shoes of the criminal: they’re human, like the rest of us and mostly think the same way.” I also enjoyed the interesting facts about brewing and its history. This is my first mystery by Ellis, and I'll look for others.
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