This is the second book I have read by this author and have enjoyed returning to Sadie's world. The characters are well-developed and the plot line interesting. I am a fan of Mary Stewart. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. As cozy mysteries go, this series is one worth reading. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

I am really enjoying this series. I love the town, the relationships between the characters and the mystery always keeps me guessing. I like the idea of a literary pub, with all kinds of book clubs meeting regularly..

thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. - I hope there are many more in the series.

Sadie Coleman is gearing up for her first Winter Carnival in Shady Creek, Vermont. She’s excited to have things kick off with the ice sculpting contest in which one of her employees, Mel, is participating in. Stopping by to check on Mel’s progress, she finds that Mel’s tools have been stolen. While they find the chain saw, the hand tools have disappeared. Well that is until the ice pick is found in the chest of a very dead celebrity chef who was considered Mel’s biggest competition.

Sadie knows Mel wouldn’t do this, but when Mel is linked to the fired personal assistant of the murdered chef, things don’t look good when the young woman is also found dead. Sadie needs to prove Mel’s innocence by finding the murderer.

Lot of red herrings and suspects that will keep you guessing until the murderer and the motive are finally revealed. This is the first book I have read in the series and it was perfect as a standalone. Looking forward to more in this series from an author I have read under some of her other pseudonyms.

A winter carnival and a literary pub makes me want to move there even with a murder. Such lovely characters and the author's great writing just pulls you into the story.

⁩Sarah Fox's An Ale of Two Cities makes me want to open up a literary pub of my own - sans the murder, of course! Books, booze, and mystery are the perfect combination and I loved it! Shady Creek, Vermont's Winter Carnival is in full swing when former town resident and current celebrity chef Federico is found murdered - and the weapon belongs to one of Sadie's employees! This second in the series picks up a few months after the first, but works well as a standalone cozy as well. A+

Loved this book! Loved the ending most of all, but the whole story was wonderfully written and a really good mystery. I adore this series. An added bonus is the recipes at the end!

Christmas brings, snow, joy and the Winter Carnival to Shady Creek Vermont. Pub owner and bibliophile Sadie Coleman is hosting a literary trivia night to go with her new holiday themed cocktails. Her employee, Mel, is competing in the ice carving contest, but her skills are put to shame by the arrival of Freddy Mancini, a ice sculpture artist. When Freddy is found dead, with Mel’s chisel in his chest, police believe they have their killer. But on closer inspection, it would appear that Freddy had plenty of enemies in town, anyone of them capable of murder. This is a clever cozy that combines low key murder, books and a good drink. Who can say no to that?