I really liked this first book in the Sloan Krause Series. Sloan lives in Leavenworth, Oregon and has a talent for brewing beer. When she finds a body in the brewery and her ex husband, Mac, is the prime suspect she sets out to solve the crime. I really liked the town and the supporting characters. The German inspired town and beer background was a lot of fun. The mystery was good with lots of suspects. I look for word to reading more in this series. Enjoy

I'm a sucker for food and drink cozy mysteries. I even more of sucker for women brewers.. As there aren't enough in the brewing world. But the one's that are make awesome beer. So I was excited to give Death on Tap a try the first book in the Sloan Krause series. And Sloan is an almost character not only does she have a nose for beer she also has a nose for solving crimes. I love this series. And I think anyone who is a fan of cozies and craft beer will love this series.

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.

Sloan Krause is probably the best beer brewer in Leavenworth WA and has a pretty good life working at her husbands' family brewery and restaurant, Der Keller. Until the day she finds her husband getting it on with a bar maid (known thereafter as beer wench)...then her life takes a little change. No longer wanting to work in the same place as Mac, Sloane gets hired at a new smaller brewery called Nitro, owned by a Garrett, a handsome and nice guy from Seattle. She's just minding her own business helping her new boss get the place into shape (he had inherited it from his Aunt Tess who was a resident of Leavenworth) when she discovers the body of another local brewer floating in the Nitro fermentation tank. She also notices her husband Mac's lighter lying nearby which along with his fingerprints on the tank causes him to get hauled in for the crime.

For her 15 year old son Alex's sake, Sloan knows she needs to clear Mac's name. Mac does get out on bail but he continues to try and repent to her saying it'll never happen again blah blah blah. At one point, Sloan is afraid her new boss Garrett may be one of the suspects as well so she proceeds to do some questioning on her own.

There were quite a few good suspects and twists in this book. I kind of suspected who ended up being the killer but I really didn't know why at that point so I just let it play out and enjoyed the reading. The take down was exciting even though it wasn't dangerous--I like that as a change up sometimes, the sleuth not being in tons of danger. I also enjoyed the fact that even though the police officer in charge was very by the book, she did ask for and appreciate the help that Sloan and Garrett were able to provide her.

I absolutely loved Otto and Ursula, Sloan's in-laws who were more like actual parents to her. They were just so sweet and appreciative of her work. No matter what happens between Sloan and Mac, I know they will always stand by her side. Sloan was a foster child, bounced from one foster to the next so she very much felt like her in-laws were more than just in-laws. The story of her background comes into play towards the end and I don't want to spoil it but I will say I'm looking forward to what she does in future books with what she found out.

I didn't think I'd be interested in a book that had to do with beer brewing but it was actually very interesting. Well developed characters and the plot kept moving. I was never once bored and always felt like I wanted to keep on reading.

Place:  Leavenworth, Washington

People:  Sloane Krause is a skilled craft brewer. She is married to Mac and the couple share a son, Alex. Mac's brother, Hans, and his parents, Otto and Ursula, are also key players, as is Garrett, the new-in-town brewer. 

Plot:  After growing up in foster care, Sloane cherishes her family above all else. Which is why it is so devastating to find her husband, Mac, cheating on her. The betrayal sends Sloan reeling, and she leaves the safety and comfort of Der Keller, the Krause family brewing establishment in Leavenworth where she has worked for years. Sloan gets a fresh start by helping a new brewer in town - Garrett. Garrett's insistence that everything stay secret and locked up is a foreign concept to Sloan, who is so used to the trusting small town life of Leavenworth. And then odd things start happening - Garrett's office is broken into and Sloane finds a body floating in one of the vats. When all evidence seems to indicate Sloane's estranged husband Mac is the culprit, she gets involved in the investigation - he may be a liar and a cheat, but Sloane knows her husband is not a killer.

Pacing:  Steady

Predictability:  Low

Perspective:  Ellie Alexander is one of those authors whose work I will always jump at the chance to devour. She writes with a keen attention to detail, character, and a respect for her craft, all of which means a delight for readers. Being a fan of her Bakeshop Mystery series, I knew that I would find nothing but a wonderful story in Death on Tap. For beer lovers, this book is extra enjoyable! I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for Sloane and her Beervaria community.

In an Oyster Shell – An exciting debut to a new series that was well crafted and will keep you on your toes.

The Pearls – I loved Sloane as a character she was exotic with a rough backstory that helped you empathize with her. I liked that Sloane was a mother. It was hard not to compare the story to Ellie’s other series but in the end, Sloane stood all on her own. It was refreshing.

The mystery kept you on your toes. I was kept in suspense for most of the story. Half the town could have been viable suspects at one part or another. It was fun to be constantly guessing who done it. The end was surprising. Once again Ellie Alexander shows her amazing talent in what seems to be a promise for another great series.

I loved that the author chose another quaint town like Leavenworth Washington. There were some crazy characters. I liked how when it counted all the town showed up to support Sloane and the new brewery.

I've read some of Alexander's Bakeshop Mystery books and enjoyed them so when I saw this one I decided to read it. I love getting in at the start of a new series. Both series are in small towns (different ones) in the Pacific Northwest and I enjoy both settings. In "Death on Tap" the setting is a town that has an interesting niche - they appeal to lovers of German culture, specifically Bavarian culture. Shops and businesses are designed with tourists in mind and follow the German/Bavarian theme. When the town celebrates Oktoberfest, it begins in September and goes until November. The town is particularly known for its breweries and pubs. The town is overflowing with microbreweries and nanobreweries.

Sloan, our heroine, married young and was happy to be a wife and mother, and to help with the family brewery and pub. She grew up in foster care and has glommed onto her husband's family as her own. She loves them deeply. When her husband moves out after she catches him screwing around, she worries extensively that she'll lose her in-laws and blames her husband for it, even though it hasn't happened and may not happen at all. She's needy when it comes to family, and it got annoying listening to her constantly blame Mac for costing her her relationship with his family when, in fact, no such thing has happened. I wanted to smack her on multiple occasions. I had to remind myself that she was hurting from discovering her husband's infidelity and not thinking rationally.

Sloan, with the blessing of her in-laws, who are also her bosses, leaves to work at another brewery and pub that has just opened up. The owner has no clue what he's when it comes to running a pub and only some idea at managing a brewery. He and Sloan hit it off and work well together but at the pub's opening there's a scene followed hours later by a murder. Worried about her new job, Sloan asks around, trying to figure who might have wanted to kill the victim. Then her husband is arrested and for their son's sake, and because she doesn't truly believe Mac did it, she tries to clear his name (even though a part of her would have been happy to let him sit in jail).

I guessed who the killer was though not why. When it was revealed why, I was kicking myself because the clues were there. Alexander did have a surprise in store however concerning the investigation that I did not see coming. But again, when I looked back, there were subtle hints. Kudos to the author! Additionally, the author either has experience brewing beer or did extensive research. The book is steeped in the brewing world, a little too much so. It seemed at times as if she was so excited to share her knowledge that she forgot about the story and yet the details of brewing were essential to the mystery. Perhaps it will balance out more in the next series now that she's done the info dump in this book.

There was also a surprise concerning the Krause family brewery that sets up all sorts of potential conflict in future stories. I felt the incident near the end with Mac's mother was unnecessary and sad to say, I did spot that a mile off. While it contributes to the future conflicts, it was unnecessary and cliched.

I enjoyed "Death on Tap". The brewing and pub industries and the tourist culture were fascinating and I loved the townspeople and their eagerness to help one another. Sloan could be annoying, mac was immature and selfish, and Garrett was a but of a mystery man. Mac's family was sweet as could be and I liked them tremendously. "Death on Tap" has a fantastic cast of characters and an intriguing setting. I'm looking forward to more stories.

There was plenty to love about this book. I really enjoyed the strength of Sloan, she kicked butt (almost literally). She is fierce in the brewery realm and is starting to now make a name for herself in sleuthing. This book was a mystery, it was funny and it was an overall excellent book. I highly recommend it to cozy readers that enjoy a brash female character that isn't afraid of starting anew.

I was so excited to see this new series by author Ellie Alexander. I LOVE her bake shop mysteries so much. I think DEATH ON TAP was a good mystery, with liked about characters. I know knowing at all about beer, so I found that portion of the book to be interesting and informative.

There were a few things that made this book seem not quite right to be considered a "cozy" mystery. One of which was in the first chapter, and what the protagonist found her boyfriend doing. I'm use to those topics in cozies having happened in the past, and not something the reader is there to witness.

Any negatives on my part aside, Ms. Alexander is a wonderful writer, and I think this series will be a hit for her.

The newest series by Ellie Alexander is as fun and entertaining as the quaint town and pubs it is set in.

Sloan Krause has everything she has ever wanted with the family she married into. Growing up an orphan didn’t leave her many people to count on and she has grown to love and depend on her husband and his family. Everything changes the day she walks in on her husband having an affair. She leaves him and inevitably leaves the family brewing business. It doesn’t take long for her to get connected to the newest brewery owner in town, Garrett Strong. As Garrett and Sloane get in a rhythm of working together, things get interesting when a body is found in one of the fermenting tubs. Her husband is the lead suspect and when she finds herself being followed, she wonders if there was more going on under the surface than she ever knew.

As the first book in the newest series by Ellie Alexander, readers can expect to find all the fun, humor and mystery they have come to love from Alexander and her series. I love the way Alexander weaves the mystery together with humor making the story light and fun. There is nothing particularly difficult to figure out with the mystery of who the killer was or any of the secondary mysteries throughout the story. With that said, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the story. These are not supposed to be, at least in my opinion, edge of your seat, who done it mysteries that leave you guessing till the very end. Garrett and Sloane develop a good relationship but Garrett himself needed a little further development. Even though a lot of details are repeated and can be glanced over, the story itself is fun and an enjoyable read. I recommend this to readers that are a little older and might enjoy the brewing scene along with the fun humor of a cozy mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Sloan Krouse is having a bad day. After walking in on her husband Mac in the office with one of the young servers from the brewery/restaurant where they work, she knows that in one stupid move on his part, she has lost not just her marriage but her career. Das Keller ("The Cellar"), where she had worked with Mac through 15 years of marriage is the vision of her father-in-law Otto. Although their town of Leavenworth, Washington is filled with all things beer ("Beervaria," Sloan calls it), it's Otto and Ursula's brewing that originally put the town on the map. Now they have a world-class offering of beers, and while Sloan has become a remarkable brewmaster during her years working at Das Keller, she knows that now she has to move on. 

With the strong recommendation of her brother-in-law Hans, Sloan takes a job with the hottest new brewery in town, Nitro. Owner Garrett Strong is a newby in town, but his aunt had run a successful restaurant for decades. After her death, Garrett remodeled the space and set up his new brewery with the updated idea of beer brewing being a science. He keeps his exacting recipes locked in his office, which resembles a science lab as much as it does an office. 

Sloan shows up just in time to help Garrett with his soft launch, and it's good that she's there to help since most of the town shows up to try his new brews. Gossip abounds and tempers flare, especially once the alcohol starts flowing, and Sloan has to intervene to make sure that no one gets hurt. 

A break-in to the office and a theft of Garrett's recipes shows that not everyone is okay with a little competition. But it's not until another local brewmaster is found floating in one of the beer tanks tat Sloan realizes what's going on may be more than a bruised heart or a broken ego. 

For many years now, there have been cozy mysteries on bakeries, wineries, and coffee shops. There are mystery series about apple orchards, pickles, doughnuts, cheese and just about every aspect of artisan foods you can think of. But beer has been late to the party. I have been sitting back, waiting for someone to finally write me a solid mystery about a brewmaster, and Ellie Alexander has come to my rescue! Death on Tap is the mystery novel I have been waiting for, and I can't be happier that it's here! 

Death on Tap combines a charming town, likable characters, and a fascinating topic with a solidly plotted murder mystery. And be prepared--there is a lot of beer talk on these pages! Brewing styles, ingredients, history--it's all here, and I think it's all fascinating. I love this book, and I recommend it to all of my beer-drinking, mystery-reading friends! 



Galleys for Death on Tap were provided by Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Press) through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.

This book was a great start to what looks to be a very popular new cozy series! The cast of characters introduced were entertaining and enjoyable. I very much enjoyed Sloan and her strength and the new partnership between Sloan and Garrrett leave enough romantic tension for books to come. I am excited to see where that story line takes us. I loved reading about breweries and the process of making beer. I found that it complemented the story nicely without taking over. The mystery was a good one, that kept me guessing right till the end, which almost never happens! All-in-all this book was a great success and I can't wait for the next one to be released so I can hunker down with my own pint and venture back to Leavenworth, Washington and the gang at Nitro!


NOTE: I was provided with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

A new series from the author of the wonderful Bakeshop series.
This book is a promising start and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Being from the Pacific Northwest, I know all about the magical town of Leavenworth Washington. Everything Bavarian. It’s like the Northwest version of Germany year round. The beer and the Christmas festival are famous throughout the Pac NW, even here in Oregon.

This book is set in this little hidden mini Germany in the mountains of Washington, and it’s the first in a new series so I could hardly say no to something so unique and new.

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 (summary from Goodreads).

This book sounded unique if nothing else. It’s not every day that I read a murder mystery set in a quirky town that not many people have heard of and with a brewery. It sounded promising. Even though it was a cozy, it had a little more on an edge with some of the themes which I liked a lot. It wasn’t your traditional cozy but it wasn’t so ‘racy’ to be deemed something other than a cozy. It was charming and yet enticing all the same.

The mystery was a fast read and I found myself intrigued by not only the characters but the setting. Everything about this book worked together to create a unique hybrid of genres.

I loved Sloan. There was an edge to her that made he not quite fit in with the other characters or townspeople, but yet she wasn’t a completely odd duck. There were many comical moments in this book and a few times I actually laughed out loud. I love when a murder mystery gives me a little dosing of humor with it.

The only complaint that I had about this one was there was a TON of information on beer. I felt like I was getting a crash course in beer and brewing. Which on one hand was informative and interesting but on the other hand, I felt like this isn’t a story about beer, it’s a murder mystery. I think the basics would have been plenty for the average reader. At times I felt like the knowledge and background eclipsed some of the plot points. For a mystery that was so fast and enjoyable, it was frustrating when the beer facts started to take over.

I have no idea how the author decided to have a mystery set in Leavenworth, but I thought it worked well in this story. It was different and gave an element of charm to the novel. I personally have never been to Leavenworth but I’ve heard enough about it from family members and friends who have visited at Christmas (multiple times) to understand the culture of the town and this book just highlighted the town in a new way for me. I want to visit it now more than ever.

This novel is a great opener to what looks to be a promising new series. I don’t know that I loved every single aspect of the story, such as all the beer references, but I liked it enough to keep reading and am looking forward to see the direction the characters take in the next book!

Book: Death on Tap (A Sloan Krause Mystery #1) by Ellie Alexander

Hardcover, 320 pages
Published October 3rd 2017 by Minotaur Books
ISBN 1250108632 (ISBN13: 9781250108630)
Review copy provided by: Publisher/Author in exchange for an honest review
This book counts toward: NA

Hosted by: NA
Books for Challenge Completed: NA
Recommendation: 3.5 out of 5

Genre: cozy mystery, mystery

Memorable lines/quotes:

I really enjoyed this book a lot; if I had not been so tired last night, I would have finished it then. It is easy to read, has fantastic characters and MANY red herrings to keep you guessing. I will be looking forward to more from this author this is the start to a great series!!

Sloane Krause loves her Bavarian themed hometown - Leavenworth, WA. The town goes all out for authentic atmosphere from German foods to locally brewed beers. There are several breweries in the small town. Sloane has worked for her in-laws' family brewery for years and loves it.....until she catches her husband Mac with his pants down. Literally. Reeling from getting an eyeful of her husband and a young bar maid, she gets a job at a new, rival brewery in town. Her new boss, Garrett Strong, says that he always wanted to open his own nano-brewery, and his recipe for a new citrus beer is amazing. Sloane helps him prepare for the grand opening of the Nitro Brewery. Everything is perfect. Their event is a total success. The next morning, however, things take a dangerous turn. Sloane comes in to work and finds a rival brewer dead in Nitro's fermenting vat. It only gets worse when Mac is arrested for the murder. Sloane is really really mad at her husband.....but she knows he isn't a murderer. For the sake of their teenage son and her inlaws, and because she knows Mac isn't guilty, Sloane jumps in to investigate.

This book is a great start to a new series, Sloane Krause Mysteries. I liked the brewery theme. The book contains many details about brewing, different types of beer, and the ingredients required for a quality beer. Although there are lots of details about brewing, the background theme didn't overpower the mystery....it added to it. This start to a new series is a cozy with a bit more bite to it....this isn't themed around a cute dog or cat, or knitting, but brewing beer and philandering husbands. Sloane is a tough, intelligent woman.....and cutesie just wouldn't be her style. The book is still a cozy though.....there is no spurting blood and no cursing. Just the implication of a 2/3 naked husband and lots of great beer. :) I liked the fact that the author didn't just include information on making the beer, but also details about regulations and restrictions on breweries and establishments that serve alcohol. I didn't realize some of the restrictions that pubs or breweries have to follow. Very interesting!

The mystery moves along at a nice pace. There are some great clues and twists along the way. The ending still caught me by surprise though -- I love it when that happens! I didn't see it coming! :)
Sloane is a capable MC, and all the side characters helped support the plot. I liked all the characters....even the cheating husband Mac (although I did want to seriously punch him a couple of times). All in all, a well-written mystery that is enjoyable to read! I learned a lot about beer and gave me a new respect for micro-breweries.

Ellie Alexander also writes the Bakeshop Mysteries. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.elliealexander.co/ I am definitely going to check out her Bakeshop series while I wait for the next Sloane Krause book. Death on Tap is the best cozy I've read in a long time. Excellent writing and research!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy from St Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Death on Tap by Ellie Alexander is the first book in A Sloan Krause Mystery series. Sloan Krause is working on a new brew and quickly runs to her office at Das Keller to get her notes. She opens the door to discover her husband, Mac playing hide the sausage with Hayley, the new barmaid. Three weeks later, Sloan is ready to start her new job at Nitro, a new nanobrewery in Leavenworth, Washington (a Bavarian themed town). Garrett Strong inherited the building from his great aunt Tess and has completely renovated the inside (looks like a sterile science lab). The morning after the soft opening, Sloan goes to toss some hops into the fermenting tank and discovers Eddie Deluga face up in the Pucker Up IPA brew. Mac ends up at the top of Chief Meyers suspect list. Mac may be a cheater, but he is no killer. To clear Mac of suspicion, Sloan sets out to discover who could have wanted to harm Eddie.

Death on Tap is unique in that it dives into the world of beer brewing. I have not experienced another cozy mystery with this theme (unique). It is obvious that the author did her research into the topic. We get to learn a great deal about what goes into creating, distributing and selling beer. The mystery did not take place until I was 24% of the way into the story. By the time Sloan found the body, I already knew who committed the crime (secondary mystery is equally easy to unravel). The mystery takes up a small portion of the story. More of the book is devoted to beer brewing, regulations, etc. I admit that it is interesting (even though I do not drink the stuff), but I would have liked a better mystery. I like the sound of the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (loved the descriptions of the town and buildings). It reminds me of German Village (in Columbus, Ohio) where I grew up. It had me longing for a real German bratwurst (not the type you find in your local grocery). My rating for Death on Tap is 3 out of 5 stars. I found it odd that Garrett Strong is having the soft launch of Nitro without any staff (except Sloan), no planned menu, no remodeled kitchen, no furniture or décor (Sloan mentions having to find tables and chairs), and a limited beer menu. For a man with a business/corporate background, it shows a distinct lack of planning. I was not a fan of Mac Krause and his constant use of the word “baby” when talking to Sloane (big pet peeve of mine). The pacing was slow in places causing me to lose interest (more about beer). I know that the author needs to set the stage for readers, but I do not believe we needed quite so much detail (it seemed like Ms. Alexander wanted to put in everything she learned while researching the topic). Many details are repeated frequently throughout the story (hops, Sloan’s lack of family growing up, description of Sloan’s farmhouse, etc.). It will be interesting to see what direction the author takes with the next book in the series (I hope a divorce is in the works for Sloan).

Sloan feels shattered after catching her husband with another woman. Working hard to pick up the pieces, she finds work at the new brewery in town, only to find a dead body in the fermenting tub. When her husband is accused, and her new work place threatened, Sloan is determined to solve the mystery.

Sloan is a great character-she's strong, smart, and really good at brewing. I really liked her relationships with her son, her in-laws, and her new boss.

The mystery was an intriguing one as well. There were a lot of interesting suspects, and a lot of twists and turns. The way the brewing process was integrated and explained really added to the story.

The ending seemed a little rushed. The solution to the mystery made sense, and was intriguing, but I wanted a little more time spent on it.

I'm excited for this new series-Sloan is a character I look forward to following in more mysteries to come.

Ellie Alexander's Death on Tap is the first book in the Sloan Krause Mystery series. This cozy mystery series deals in depth with brewing beer. While I do not like beer personally, I found the information on craft beer brewing to be very compelling. Sloan works as a brewer for her husband's family. Her world is turned upside down when she finds her husband in a compromising position with another woman. Sloan takes a job with a new to town brewer and owner of Nitro. Things are off to a great start until she finds a body in the fermenting tub. While the mystery in this book is not the strongest, the characters and town make up for it. The town features a range of characters from those I loved to those I did not like at all. Of course it takes all of them to make the story work. I look forward to seeing how the characters as well as some of the side stories develop as the series progresses!

Summary from Goodreads:

"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."

My Thoughts:

It's official: I love everything that Ellie Alexander writes and this beginning to a new series was no exception! She just has this knack of creating small towns that I want to spend time in and books that I can't get enough of. I am by no means a beer expert (or huge beer drinker for that matter) so this is totally not something that I would have thought that I was interested in. And yet I was totally caught up with all of it. The descriptions of crafting different types of beer, the foods that Sloan created to pair with it....I just couldn't get enough! It is funny but with so many of my favorite cozy series I care less about the mysteries and more about the characters in the books. Even though this is just the beginning to this new series, I already felt the same way. I can tell already that this is a cozy series that I will be following very closely and am already left wishing that I had my hands on the next book!

In this book, Sloan finds herself dealing with more than she could have possibly expected. She finds out that her husband has been unfaithful to her very early on in the book. Add to that the discovery of a body at her new workplace and you've got quite the combination. I found myself flying through the pages of this book (well through the pages on my e-reader). I loved every minute of it! This author just writes in such a way that I find myself completely wrapped up in the stories that she creates. I can't stop reading and wouldn't want to even if I could! I didn't care for Sloan's husband at all so I'm curious to see how their relationship or lack thereof will play out in future books. I loved the way that this book ended and also set up the beginning for book two. It has me pretty pumped up about this series. Ellie Alexander is hands down one of my favorite mystery authors and this new book has cemented that fact.

I'm pretty sure that it is obvious by now how much I enjoyed this book. Cozy readers that haven't tried Alexander's books yet are definitely missing out! I'm super excited about this series already and we are only on book one. If you are worried that you will miss out on the delicious food descriptions that she shares in the Bakeshop series, no worries. I felt just as hungry while reading this book as I usually do with all of her other books. The only difference is now I have the strong urge to try out a beer cupcake! I would highly recommend this book to cozy mystery fans! It was a delight to read and I cannot wait for more!

Bottom Line: A new favorite cozy series for me to follow! I loved every minute while reading it!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.