A Deadly Draught

Hera Knightsbridge Microbrewing Mysteries #1

by Lesley A. Diehl

The lack of water and capital could put master beer brewer Hera Knightsbridge out of business ... and then things get worse. Much worse. Money is always a problem for Hera's microbrewery, but now water is scarce, as well. Worse, Hera discovers a rival brewer murdered in her Butternut Valley brew barn, making her the authorities' favorite suspect. To clear her name, Hera joins forces with local lawman Jake Ryan, her former lover from law school days. There's unfinished business between these two, and the sparks fly as they pursue a killer who has targeted Hera as his next victim.

Genres: Mystery

276 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2010

About the author

Cows, Lesley learned as a child growing up on a farm, have a twisted sense of humor. They chased her when she went to the field to herd them in for milking, and one ate the lovely red mitten her grandmother knitted for her. Determining that agriculture wasn’t her career path, she took a job as a stripper, book cover stripper for a publishing company, that is. Now after many years as a college professor and university administrator, she has returned to the world of books and uses her country roots and her training to concoct stories designed to make people laugh in the face of murder. “A good chuckle,” says Lesley,” keeps us emotionally well-oiled long into our old age.” She is the author of several cozy mystery series and numerous short stories. Go to her webpage to find out more: www.lesleyadiehl.com.

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good (especially as a freebie) cozy mystery set in upstate NY in a region with a lot of microbreweries. The romantic subplot between Hera (the main character, a young woman struggling to keep her brewery going) and Jake, the local policeman (who coincidentally is Hera's old flame from when they were both in law school!) was predictable and the weakest part of the book.

[J.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hera Knightsbridge is an independently-minded woman who has her share of troubles, not least of which is being accused of murder.

Hera came home to upstate New York and took over a small brewery in the wake of her father’s apparent suicide. Competition, a draught and a shortage of ready cash are putting the squeeze on her operation.

Efforts to acquire a bank loan have been stymied by Mr. Ramford, a neighbor and her biggest competitor who wants to buy her out. Summoned for a nighttime meeting, Hera finds him murdered and quickly becomes a primary suspect in the eyes of Deputy Sheriff Jake Ryan, her old lover from law school days. Eventually, Jake comes around and discovers a possible link between what happened to Ramford and Hera’s father.

As Hera struggles to exonerate herself and keep her brewery going she crosses swords with Michael, Ramford’s eldest son and long an object of her romantic fantasies; becomes a target of vandalism and finds herself another candidate for violence. She’s capable of getting in and out of trouble on her own, though it doesn’t hurt to have the help of Jake and assorted friends in sorting it all out.

I actually read Poisoned Pairings, the second in this series first. That convinced me I had to know more about Hera and her friends. It was definitely worthwhile. There are some neat twists and turns, a few laughs and a mini-education in the art of brewing along the way

[Mary Beth Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upstate New York offers beautiful terrain and interesting niche businesses. Lesley Diehl takes full advantage of both in her mystery, “A Deadly Draught.” Focusing on the world of microbreweries, Diehl leads us through a world of friendly competitors, secret recipes and murder.

Master Brewer Hera Knightsbridge carries on her late father’s work of creating excellent specialty brews in her small brewery. She battles financial woes, potential water rationing and competition from her neighbors for the weekend tourist market. But those problems pale in comparison to the murder of one of those competitors. Hera’s discovery of the body draws her into the case.

The situation deteriorates even more when the investigating officer turns out to be an old flame. Assistant Deputy Sheriff Jake Ryan looks just as good as he did when the two of them were back in law school. Can Hera trust Jake to keep an open mind, given their past? Can Jake overcome any lingering animosity over the broken relationship and find a way to catch a murderer without losing any more residents to the unknown murderer?

Read more here

[Patricia Gligor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually like to read a mystery series starting with the first book in the series but, this time, I made an exception. I had read "Poisoned Pairings" by Lesley A. Diehl and loved the book so I decided to read the first book in her microbrewing series, "A Deadly Draught." I'm so glad I did.
When I read a novel, it's crucial to me that I be able to relate to the main character; I have to care what happens to them. In "A Deadly Draught," Ms. Diehl has created a main character, Hera Knightsbridge, who is likeable and believable. I immediately related to her and, because of that, I was drawn into her quest to find a murderer.
I highly recommend "A Deadly Draught" and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Adriane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no read a number of Lesley Diehl's books and are happy to say that I enjoy them all as much as each other.

This one started out nice and fast getting right in to the story as soon as I started reading. The Main character Hera is likeable and you are routing for her and her brewing business that isn't doing to good!

The story keeps moving along nicely, and I would class it as a cosy little mystery story that packed enough punch to keep you turning the pages.

I will definitely be continuing on with the series and cant wait to see where the characters will go.

I received this book for free in return for an honest review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun! The mystery was compelling, with lots of interconnected character relationships and backstories, but not too many characters that things would get confusing, and the romance triangle situation was also interesting. My favorite part had to be all of the information that we get about the brewery business; there was so much that I didn't know about how microbreweries operate and learned while reading this. I wasn't totally satisifed with the way the story ended for the culprit, but otherwise I really enjoyed this!

[Debra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in upstate NY, somewhere close to where I live (since Cooperstown is a short drive away) this mystery highlights the small business strength of the mountains, in this case, microbrewing.

Although interesting enough to keep me reading, characters were rather diffuse, not delineated sharp enough to be individuals. The mystery seemed all over the map. Still, I have read worse. It intrigues me enough to try the followup.

[A.G. Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised that I liked this book more than I thought I would.

Sure, it follows the basic "cozy" formula, and, sure, it's the first book in what the author intends to be a series, but I found the setting and the characters interesting and engaging and the writing without glaring errors in editing or formatting (which is getting to be a peeve of mine with Kindle books.)

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone is trying to shut down Hera's brewery. There's healthy competition among the brewers in upstate New York, but someone is not playing fair. Lots of local color and an interesting look on the inside of small breweries, as well as a well-done murder mystery.

[Mary Cronk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I found another title by this author i plan on reading this summer.

Author was my psychology teacher many years ago at state university at oneonta.

Sorry it took me so long to actually write the review.

[C. Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concept, nice mystery. Just wanted more substance to the characters and a few more transitions to aid the flow. Caught myself craving more emotion and visual. Not bad at all. Just not memorable.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many names, too many characters. Story was fine but lacked.

[Marisa]

Amazon - 16/03/2013