#Review ~ Beyond a Reasonable Stout (Sloan Krause #3) by Ellie Alexander ~ #CozyMystery ~ @ellielovesbooks @MinotaurBooks

Amateur sleuth Sloan Krause delves into the murderous political world in another delightful mystery from popular cozy writer Ellie Alexander.

About the Book:

It's the dead season in Leavenworth, Washington. The throngs of Oktoberfest crowds have headed home, and the charming Bavarian streets are quiet and calm--momentarily. Villagers use the reprieve to drink in the crisp fall mountain air and prepare for the upcoming winter light festival. Soon the German-inspired shops and restaurants will be aglow with thousands of twinkling lights. Visitors will return to the northern Cascades to drink warm mulled cider and peruse the holiday markets. Brewer, Sloan Krause and her partner in crime Garrett Strong are using the slowdown to stock up on a new line of their signature craft beers at Nitro. They're experimenting with a hoppy holiday pine and a chocolate hazelnut stout. The small brewery is alive with delicious scents and bubbling batches of brew.

Sloan is in her element. She loves the creativity and lowkey atmosphere at Nitro. Only that is soon threatened by the incumbent city councilmember Kristopher Cooper. Kristopher is running for re-election on a platform of making Leavenworth dry. Everyone in beertopia is fuming. Leavenworth's economy relies on keeping the kegs flowing. Kristopher wants to banish beer, a policy that might just bankrupt the entire village. However, Kristopher turns up dead days before election night. Sloan quickly realizes that his murder isn't the work of a stranger. Friends, family, and every other business owner had a motive to kill him, including none other than April Ablin, Leavenworth's self-described ambassador of all things German. Sloan finds herself defending April and trying to sleuth out a killer amongst a group of familiar faces.

My Review:

Beyond a Reasonable Stout is the exciting third book in Ellie Alexander's Sloan Krause series. I really enjoy the small, hometown feel that Ms. Alexander pens in this series. The setting for Beyond a Reasonable Stout is Leavenworth, Washington after Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest. Everyone is gearing up for holiday season and eagerly awaiting new holiday-inspired local brews offered by Nitro. While the town prepares for the holidays and the winter light festival, trouble begins brewing around the upcoming councilmember election. Kristopher Cooper, the incumbent councilmember, is running on a  platform that includes prohibition, making Leavenworth, a town full of breweries, dry. To say business owners and citizens are upset is an understatement. 

To make matters worse, Kristopher is found dead the day after a particularly nasty dust-up between him and various residents. Sloan knows this murder wasn't committed by a stranger. There are several citizens who have means, motive, and opportunity. As Sloan continues to slyly investigate, the number of suspects grows, and she has to figure out who among her friends and acquaintances committed this heinous crime.

I really enjoyed the multiple threads woven into this story. It's not just a murder mystery. We get to see the author develop the main characters and do a lot of world building in order to make all the events tie in together properly. I love Sloan's character. She's strong and doesn't put up with anything. She gets along with almost everyone in the book. I love how the author wrote a genuine emotional connection between Sloan and her in-laws and we continue to see what happens when a divorce is imminent and other issues crop up. I was very engaged in this story. The death/murder mystery kept me guessing. I found the entire book to be well thought out with wonderful pacing.

I was provided a review copy of this book.

My Rating:

 

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B07P7BXXHZ
Publisher: ‎ Minotaur Books
Publication Date: ‎ October 1, 2019
Print Length: ‎ 288 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VAwK2z
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43263495-beyond-a-reasonable-stout

Book #Review ~ The Pint of No Return (A Sloan Krause Mystery #2) by Ellie Alexander ~ #CozyMystery @MinotaurBooks

Book Details:

Print Length: 283 pages

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

Sold by: Macmillan

ASIN: B079DV6VXV

Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Book:

No other festival compares to Oktoberfest in Leavenworth, Washington. The whole town is buzzing with excitement over this year’s activities and eagerly awaiting Nitro’s latest offering Cherrywizen, made with locally sourced cherries. But local brewmaster Sloan Krause is tapped out. Between trying to manage the pub, her pending divorce with Mac, and her mounting feelings for Garrett, she’s fermenting in internal turmoil.

To complicate matters, dreamy movie star Mitchell Morgan and his production crew have arrived in the village to film during the authentic Bavarian brewfest. Mitchell has his eye on Sloan and a taste for Nitro’s Cherrywizen. Sloan escapes his advances for good when she finds Mitchell slumped over the bar. Is this a case of one pint too many, or has Mitchell been murdered by microbrew?

Read My Review Here:

https://reviewsbysaph.blogspot.com/2020/01/book-review-pint-of-no-return-sloan.html

Book Review: A Crime of Passion Fruit (A Bakeshop Mystery #6) by Ellie Alexander #Review #CozyMystery

Book Details:

Print Length: 285 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Publication Date: June 27, 2017
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B01MRU56AS
Amazon

About the Book:

Torte--everybody's favorite small-town family bakeshop--is headed for the high seas, where murder is about to make a splash. . .

Jules Capshaw is trying to keep her cool as Torte gets set to make its transformation from quaint, local confectionary cafe to royal pastry palace. Meanwhile, Jules's estranged husband Carlos is making a desperate plea for her to come aboard his cruise ship and dazzle everyone with her signature sweets. She may be skeptical about returning to her former nautical life with Carlos but Jules can't resist an all-expense-paid trip, either. If only she knew that a dead body would find its way onto the itinerary . .

Now, instead of enjoying tropical drinks on deck between whipping up batches of sea-salted chocolates and flambeing fresh pineapple slices in the kitchen, Jules is plunged into dangerous waters. Her investigation leaves her with more questions than answers: Why can't anyone on board identify the young woman? And how can she help Carlos keep passengers at ease with a killer in their midst? Jules feels like she's ready to jump ship. Can she solve this case without getting in too deep?

My Review:

A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As Jules, her mom, and all the employees of Torte continue the expansion of the bakery, Jules receives a request from her estranged husband Carlos. It seems that the cruise ship is down a pastry chef and he really needs her help. All-expenses-paid cruises are offered to sweeten the deal so how could Jules say no?! Being around Carlos is comfortable yet discomforting but Jules’ feelings for him take a back seat when a stowaway is found floating face down in one of the pools. Helping the Professor now takes up her spare time as they try to find a murderer aboard the ship.

I liked how this story primarily took place on a cruise ship. I’ve been on cruises before and I loved being taken back to those vacations. Of course, none of my vacations included death so that’s where the similarities end. I missed the rest of the cast though, since Jules, her mom, and the Professor were the only ones on the vacation. We get snippets of those taking care of Torte but the dynamics were completely different. Doing an off-property book is wonderful and takes the story in a different direction and the author does a seamless job of bringing everything right back around.

The Bakeshop Mysteries are great and each story is different, containing not just the murder mystery but other threads. The author does a fantastic job weaving multiple stories within each book. Each thread makes sense as you move along in the book, some intersecting with the murder and others just additional everyday life. The books are descriptive and I am able to immerse myself into the town of Ashland, or in this case, the goings-on and inner workings of cruise ship crewmembers.

The world building continues as new events take shape, book settings change, and new characters are introduced. The familiar favorites are always a pleasure to see on the pages. I enjoy the characters including Jules, Jules' mom, Stephanie, Sterling, Lance, Andy, Thomas, and the Professor. I connect with all the favorites on some level and can't imagine these books without them.

The story is fast paced and engaging. I enjoyed trying to unravel the murder mystery. Every time I thought I had things all figured out, the author tossed in a complication that changed my mind. Ellie Alexander does a great job keeping everything under wraps and revealing things methodically and at the right time.

This book was given to me to review.

View all my reviews

Book #Review ~ Death on Tap (A Sloan Krause Mystery #1) by Ellie Alexander #CozyMystery #Brewery #Beer

Death on Tap (A Sloan Krause Mystery #1)

by Ellie Alexander

From Ellie Alexander, beloved author of the Bakeshop Mysteries, comes the first in an intoxicating new series: Death on Tap.

When Sloan Krause walks in on her husband, Mac, screwing the barmaid, she gives him the boot. Sloan has spent her life in Leavenworth, Washington becoming an expert in brewing craft beer, and she doesn’t have time to be held back by her soon-to-be ex-husband. She decides to strike out on her own, breaking away from the Krause family brewery, and goes to work for Nitro, the hip new nano-brewery in the Bavarian-themed town. Nitro’s owner, brewmaster Garrett Strong, has the brew-world abuzz with his newest recipe, “Pucker-Up IPA.” This place is the new cool place in town, and Mac can’t help but be green with envy at their success.

But just as Sloan is settling in to her new gig, she finds one of Nitro’s competitors dead in the fermenting tub, clutching the secret recipe for the IPA. When Mac, is arrested, Sloan knows that her ex might be a cheater, but a murderer? No way. Danger is brewing in Beervaria and suddenly Sloan is on the case.

Print Length: 315 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: October 3, 2017
ASIN: B06XKG2RFR

Amazon

Goodreads

Death on Tap is an exciting book in Ellie Alexander's new Sloan Krause Mystery series. I really enjoyed the setting and small, hometowny feel that Ms. Alexander pens in her new series. Setting up Sloan's ex-husband to take the fall for a competitor's murder, the author takes the reader along for a twisted and dangerous ride. As Sloane encounters many people who could be the murderer, she discovers that the sweet German-eque town in which she lives harbors residents with secrets. 

I really enjoyed the multiple threads woven into this story. It's not just a murder mystery. In fact, the murder happens a little later in the book than what I'm used to reading - and that's okay. We get to see the author develop the main characters and do a lot of world building in order to make the cheating, murder, and other events tie in together properly. I love Sloan's character. She's strong and doesn't put up with Mac's infidelity. She gets along with almost everyone in the book. For the sake of their son, Sloan even works on finding the real killer. She knows Mac, even though he betrayed her, did not kill anyone.

The cheating husband angle demonstrates how cheating on a spouse doesn't just affect the couple but everyone around them - including their children, friends, and other family members alike. There is a genuine emotional connection between Sloan and her in-laws and we get to see what happens when a divorce is imminent. The fact that Sloan and Mac have a 15 year old son also plays into the relationship between Sloan and her in-laws. I just like the way the author takes a bad situation and doesn't necessarily destroy other relationships.

I was very engaged in the story. The murder mystery kept me guessing. Sloan's history with the foster system, another thread woven in, provides a lot of insight on her character. The brewery aspect was interesting to me as a Michigander where breweries and microbreweries are popping up all over (https://www.michigan.org/breweries#?c=44.4299:-85.1166:6&tid=62&page=0&pagesize=20&pagetitle=Breweries). I found the entire book to be well thought out with wonderful pacing. 

 I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I was given a hardcover copy to read.

Rating:

Book Review ~ Fudge and Jury (A Bakeshop Mystery, Book #5) by Ellie Alexander @BakeshopMystery

About the Book:

The pastries are delicious…and, now, suspicious.

It’s almost spring in Ashland, Oregon, and the town is preparing for the Shakespeare and the annual Chocolate Festival. Business is cookin’ at Torte, and the store is expanding as Jules’ team whips up crèpes filled with mascarpone cheese and dark chocolate. Torte stands a chance of being this year’s confectionery belle of the ball! Life couldn’t be sweeter—unless murder taints the batter.

Evan Rowe, of Confections Couture, makes a chocolate fountain that would put Willy Wonka to shame, and his truffles are to die for—literally? Yes, the world-renowned chocolatier has just turned up dead…right after sampling a slice of Jules’ decadent four-layer chocolate cake. Now all eyes are on Jules as she tries to find the mysterious ingredient in her own recipe. Can she sift out the truth before another contestant bites the buttercream?

Book Details:

Print Length: 321 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Publication Date: January 3, 2017

Sold by: Macmillan

ASIN: B01H035XWY

Amazon

Goodreads

Fudge and Jury, Book 5 of the Bakeshop Mystery, has Torte hustling and bustling to prepare the upcoming Chocolate Festival. March is the month for Ashland's festival and Torte is a showcase vendor this year. As recipes are being tried and compiled for the festival, Torte is also undergoing a some remodeling. While balancing both endeavors, a world-renowned confectioner has a deadly allergic reaction to something he ate while visiting each station at the festival. As it happened right after sampling food from Torte, Juliet finds herself having to defend her team against against accusations surrounding the preparation of their food. Knowing that it wasn't anything from Torte, Juliet is on the hunt for a killer.

I enjoyed book 5 in the series just as much as the first 4. I love how Jules has acclimated to Torte and works so well with her mom and all of their employees. Being the showcase vendor for the festival is such a wonderful achievement for Torte. Unfortunately, all of that prestige and praise has the potential to go down the drain when Evan Rowe turns up dead right after visiting Torte's station.

The Bakeshop Mystery series is great and each story is different, containing not just the murder mystery but other threads. The author does a fantastic job weaving multiple stories within each book. Each thread makes sense as you move along in the book, some intersecting with the murder and others just additional everyday life. The books are descriptive and I am able to immerse myself into the town of Ashland and the lives of its residents.

The world building continues as new events or businesses begin to take shape and new characters are introduced. The familiar favorites are always a pleasure to see on the pages; Jules' mom, Stephanie, Sterling, Lance, Andy, Thomas, and The Professor. I connected with all of the favorites on some level and can't imagine these books without them.

The story was fast paced and engaging. I enjoyed trying to unravel the murder mystery. Every time I thought I had things all figured out, the author tossed in a complication that changed my mind. Ellie Alexander did a great job keeping everything under wraps and revealing things methodically and at the right time.

My Rating:

*I purchased this book myself.

Book Review: Caught Bread Handed A Bakeshop Mystery, Book 4 Ellie Alexander

Caught Bread Handed

A Bakeshop Mystery, Book 4

Ellie Alexander

Book Information:

Print Length: 320 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Publication Date: June 28, 2016

Sold by: Macmillan

ASIN: B0191K3GN2

Add to Your Shelf on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26114338-caught-bread-handed

About the Book:

Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bake shop where the oven is heating up as high as the body count…

Jules Capshaw is still chewing over her husband Carlos’s return to Ashland, Oregon. Could there be too many cooks in the kitchen? Whatever is stirring between those two will have to wait. Despite the Oregon Shakespeare Festival being dark for the winter, the bakeshop is bustling, the dough is rolling, and there’s no rest for the weary…especially when murder is thrown into the mix.

When Mindy Nolan, the owner of a new restaurant in town, turns up dead, the batter at hand thickens. Jules knows that there was bad blood between Mindy and others in town, and tracking down the killer could prove to be an unwelcome treat. And to top it all off, there’s Carlos, who is pleading—with those delicious dark eyes and sexy Spanish accent—for Jules to take him back. Is home where the heart is or will she make a fresh start…and risk getting burned?

In Caught Bread Handed it is wintertime and even though the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is on hiatus, Ashland is still buzzing.  A chain restaurant has muscled its way into the downtown business district, ruffling the feathers of the historic district.  When the new owner is found dead, many of the townsfolk have the motive for murder.

 This installment of the Bakeshop Mystery continues with the appearance of Jules' estranged husband Carlos in Ashland.  He wants her to understand he didn't mean to hurt her but Carlos' appearance has Jules flustered.  Not sure how to rectify his appearance, Jules has to put her feelings on the back burner because her focus needs to remain on Torte and, unfortunately the murder.

I enjoyed book 4 in the series. We finally get to see Jules in her home environment with Carlos by her side. I'm still not sure how Jules' love life is going to play out in this series with her in Oregon and her husband on a cruise ship. It will be interesting to follow that thread through the rest of the series. How the author weaves multiple stories within each book fascinates me. Each thread makes sense as you move along in the book, some intersecting with the murder and others just additional everyday life. The book was descriptive and was able to immerse myself into the town of Ashland and the lives of its residents.

The world building continues as new events or businesses begin to take shape and new characters are introduced.  The familiar favorites are always a pleasure to see on the pages; Jules' mom, Stephanie, Sterling, Lance, Andy, Thomas, and The Professor.  I connected with all of  the favorites on some level and can't imagine these books without them. The conflicting emotions that engulf Jules are profound and realistic.  Her uncertainty and love toward Carlos is palpable; easily recognized but tumultuous.

The story was fast paced and engaging.  I enjoyed trying to unravel the murder mystery. Every time I thought I had things all figured out, the author tossed in a complication that changed my mind. Ellie Alexander did a great job keeping everything under wraps and revealing things methodically and at the right time. 

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

My Rating: