Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
I have a friend who loves this series and has been enthusiastically recommending me to read it for a while. I’m pretty sure she’d recommend to start at the beginning of the series but as I had the opportunity to read this book (3rd in the series I believe), I went with that!
I did enjoy the read and gobbled it up in two sittings, but I do suspect the story would have stayed better with me if I had started at the beginning of the series and had been more involved with back stories and character development.
However, I did enjoy the conversational banter in the book and there’s plenty of literary and food references for those bibliophile foody types.
I enjoyed the mystery and I did not guess the ending. I think I will be carrying on with the series and reading the previous books as well.

The Malt in Our Stars

by Sarah Fox

When Sadie Coleman steps out of her car at the historic Shady Creek Manor in Vermont, several dreams are about to come true. She will get to view first hand the beautiful and expensive renovations to the elegant, three-story home converted into a hotel and its extensive grounds. She will also get to meet one of her favorite authors, Linnea Bliss, who is scheduled for a talk and book signing at Sadie’s literary-themed pub, the Inkwell. Their initial meeting goes well, but life suddenly get complicated as a murder occurs on the hotel’s grounds. There are many characters with possible motives. Sadie, a self-proclaimed nosy parker, has an insatiable need to investigate.

Side issues to the plot include the May Masquerade Ball, a hot-tempered local historian, a production crew filming an episode about a local brewery, and a blossoming romance with the brewery’s owner. Also, Sadie’s Aunt Gilda has received a marriage proposal which, if accepted, would cause her aunt to move.

Although the plot of The Malt in our Stars is quite busy with lots of threads, including the possibility of hidden treasure, I was a little disappointed in some aspects. Sadie’s investigations are rather drawn out as she goes over and over her mental list of suspects nitpicking to get more information on each one, often coming up empty handed. She frequently puts herself in danger and steps over the bounds into what is certainly trespassing. I like food as much as the next person, but too much time is spent on what Sadie eats and her trips to get yet another fancy coffee when coffee is readily available at her bar.

My favorite part of the book is the gentle romance developing between the hesitant Sadie and the handsome, understanding Grayson who enjoys teasing her—always with a flirty twinkle in his eye. The best part of the plot is the exciting discovery and capture of the murderer.

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #3 in The Literary Pub Mystery Series, but works as a standalone.
2. Cocktail recipes included at the end of the book.

Publication: November 24, 2020—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

Eleanor whipped around and her beady eyes landed on me. The glower she sent my way was almost intense enough to make me wilt right there on the sidewalk. She stormed up her front steps and into her house, slamming the door behind her.

Some people might have considered it too early in the day to eat chocolate cake, but I didn’t let that bother me. It was, as the saying went, five o’clock somewhere.

I really couldn’t tell if he was feeding her a load of donkey dust. He sounded so sincere. That ignited a flicker of worry inside of me. If he was lying to Eleanor so convincingly, how would I ever know if he was lying to me?

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. This book is the third book in this series. It is just as great as the first two books. I can't wait to read the last book in this series. It will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what happened from the very first page. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. This book is in stores for $26.00 (USD).

one of my favorite series by her , and the one that I want to read the most, out of a few of the ones that I've read by her, there just something about this one that has me hooked 100% on and I can't wait to read the next book , in fact its one of the series that I always double check to see if the next book is on here .

It's always fun to visit Sadie and the gang in Shady Creek. I love the characters in this series and who doesn't love the idea of a literary pub?! I read this book in one sitting while thoroughly enjoying the well written storyline and the mystery. This is just an outstanding book in a fabulous series.

Sadie Coleman, owner of the Inkwell Literary Pub in Shady Creek, Vermont has arranged for romance author, Linnea Bliss, to come for a signing. Linnea will be staying with her assistant at the Shady Creek Manor, a grand historical hotel. Events are not all planned especially the death of Linnea's assistant who plummets to her death from a third story window. Was it an accident, or was she pushed? Sadie can't help thinking that if she hadn't made the arrangements for the author event the victim would still be alive. Sadie feels she needs to know the truth and is plunged into investigating since the police don't seem to be that interested.

The characters are progressing and the storyline was filled with clues and red herrings galore! Figuring it out was fun!

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

The Malt in Our Stars is the 3rd in the Literary Pub series and this visit with Sadie and her friends in Shadey Creek does not disappoint! There is so much going on in this book that the reader falls in from the start and does not emerge until each "mystery" is solved. Sadie is hosting a famous author, Linnea Bliss, at the pub, and shortly after a meeting with Linnea at the local manor home where Linnea and her assistant are staying, her assistant is murdered. There are numerous potential suspects in the murder and Sadie quickly becomes involved in ferreting out the true culprit, as well as the story behind the manor home's history, which definitely plays a role in the crime.

In the midst of all of this a film crew from the TV show Craft Nation is in town to film a show on Grayson's brewery, and the crew falls victim to numerous acts of vandalism. In addition, several of Sadie's much-loved books given to Sadie by her late father disappear from the pub! What is going on in Shadey Creek?

This is a wonderful book and one does not need to have read books 1 and 2 to follow the action in number 3. The author does a great job filling the reader in on the back story and this book is very easily read as a standalone.

One always enjoys the interactions between Sadie and her aunt Gilda, her employees Damien and Melanie, the various friends she's made since moving to Shadey Creek and of course Grayson Blake, the potential love interest.

This book keeps you engrossed, engaged and guessing until the end. The ending was certainly a surprise and unexpected! The setting is very unique and well-thought out. You root for all of the "good guys" throughout the story and become very much involved in their lives.

This is a fantastic series which I highly recommend. I am very much looking forward to my next visit to The Inkwell and Shadey Creek!

Straight Up and Dangerous

Less than a year ago, Sadie Coleman made a bold choice to relocate to Shady Creek, Vermont, since her job in Boston had been downsized away and her ex seemed to prefer gambling. There she bought an old gristmill pub, redecorated, and opened a book lovers’ hangout cozy enough for tourists and locals alike. Christened The Inkwell, patrons can enjoy literature-inspired libations along with the opportunity to participate in a book club or two. It has not been all ‘Rum and Roses,’ though, Sarah unwittingly became embroiled in the murder of her ex-boyfriend during the town’s annual Autumn Festival—Wine and Punishment, then just when she thought life had calmed down enough for a friendship with Grayson Blake, the owner of the Spirit Hill Brewery, a snooty chef ended up with an ice pick in his chest during an ice-sculpture contest—An Ale of Two Cities. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” but serve it with your favorite cocktail!
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The Malt in Our Stars earns 5/5 Masked Motives...Entertaining Fun!

Sadie arrived at the most luxurious hotel in the area, Shady Creek Manor, the former residence of the town’s most illustrious historic figure Edvin Vallencourt, excited about meeting with Linnea Bliss, her favorite author of romantic suspense. She had been in talks with Bliss’s assistant, Marcie Kent, about adding Shady Creek and The Inkwell to the end of the author’s book tour. A nice presentation, some Q&A, and signing a few books for Sadie, and exploring Vermont to add authenticity to her next novel for Linnea Bliss. Win! Win!

Things, however, are not without conflict in Shady Creek. Sadie witnessed Marcie Kent in a heated discussion with the owner of the hotel when she first arrived. Eleanor Grimes, curator of the local museum, is not a fan of Sadie’s since she lost in her efforts to turn the gristmill into a museum, but she’s been called out by Marcie who was quick to remark that much of the information on Vallencourt in Eleanor’s self-published book was at best incomplete, at worst inaccurate. Karidee, a young fan of Linnea Bliss, has been blocked by Marcie when she tried multiple times to get a private meeting with the author. Of course, there’s eavesdropping and overheard phone calls that have spurred suspicions, too. But, murder? Marcie is found dead, and Sadie with her “irrepressible curiosity,” discovers a hot bed of secrets, a shady past, legends of hidden riches, and so, why not murder!

Brilliant! Sarah Fox has penned a witty story following the traditional cozy formal of which I am a fan. The crime occurs early in the story, so the investigation is at the center with clever revelations and connections between characters and motives involving the obvious and the hidden challenging any inner Sherlock. Her characters are varied like in any community with realistic actions and reactions and collaborations with law enforcement. There’s a “will they/won’t they” debate. And when all becomes clear, a bit a surprise, peril, and another surprise making this a fun read! There are lots of book references through the pub’s menu or the book lovers mentioning a must read which sent me exploring whether I, too, should check it out. Beyond the clever murder mystery, a busy television crew, curious vandalisms, and the police scrutinizing everyone, readers get a marvelous view of Shady Creek. We meet a variety of residents and visitors, shopkeepers and patrons, readers and writers, and some helpful and others annoying. There is a farmers’ markets, book clubs, lunch at the Inkwell or coffee at the Village Bean, and a delightful masquerade ball. This has created a plethora of literary friends, an interest in their lives, and a desire to spend more time in Shady Creek. Loved it!

This is book 3 in the Literary Pub series and Sadie has booked a great author to give a talk at the Inkwell. Set in Shady Creek, Vermont the Inkwell is becoming popular with the tourist and town folk alike. Linnea and her assistant Marcie are enjoying their visit and giving a book talk in a pub is something new for them. When Marcie is killed it's up to Sadie and her friends to find the killer. This book can be read as a stand alone. It's a good cozy with likable characters and a fun setting. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Malt in Our Stars earns 5/5 Masked Motives...Entertaining Fun!

Sadie Coleman was very excited about meeting with Linnea Bliss, her favorite author of romantic suspense. She had been in talks with Bliss’s assistant, Marcie Kent, about adding The Inkwell, her literature-inspired pub, to the end of the author’s book tour. A nice presentation, some Q&A, and a book signing for Sadie, and exploring Vermont to add authenticity to her next novel for Linnea Bliss. Win! Win! However, things get complicated when Marcie ends up dead. Sadie had witnessed Marcie in a heated discussion with the owner of the hotel when she first arrived. Eleanor Grimes, curator of the local museum, was angry at Marcie for calling her out about misinformation in Eleanor’s self-published book about the town’s history and its most illustrious historic figure. Karidee, a young fan of Linnea Bliss, had been blocked by Marcie whenever she tried to get a private meeting with the author. Of course, there’s eavesdropping, overheard phone calls, secrets, a shady past, and legends of hidden riches, so murder just might not be such a surprise.

Sarah Fox’s witty third book in her Literary Pub Mystery series follows the traditional cozy formula of which I am a fan. The crime occurs early in the story, so the investigation is the primary focus; there are plenty of clever revelations and connections between the characters and motives involve both the obvious and the secretive. Fox’s characters are varied like in any real community, realistic in their actions, reactions and collaborations with police, and also a “will they or won’t they” debate. The final reveal is a bit a surprise, peril, and another surprise making this a fun read! There are lots of book references through the pub’s menu or book lovers mentioning a must read which offered me something to check out, too. Beyond the clever murder mystery, a busy television crew, curious vandalisms, and the police scrutinizing everyone, readers get a marvelous view of Shady Creek, meeting a variety of residents and visitors, shopkeepers and patrons, readers and writers, and of course, some helpful and others annoying. There is a farmers’ markets, book clubs, lunch at the Inkwell or coffee at the Village Bean, and a delightful masquerade ball. This has created a plethora of literary friends, an interest in their lives, and a desire to spend more time in Shady Creek. Loved it!

Sarah includes a few of The Inkwell’s recipes for mocktails and cocktails: Milky Way Gargle Blaster with and without vanilla vodka, the Yellow Brick Road sparkling with limoncello, and The Malt in Our Stars with Scotch whisky (without the “e”). She also includes a lovely salad, The Red Cabbage of Courage, to enjoy. I love bonuses!

This is such a fun series, and I had a great time with this cozy mystery. I loved the plot, the twists and turns, and the characters!

I love Sarah Fox's Pancake House Mysteries so I had no doubt that I would enjoy this series, and of course I was correct. How much fun would it be to have a literary pub to hang out in?!?!?!

Sarah has a great way of making you fall in love with the characters (both human and pets), the town, and the story.

In this installment, Sadie is thrilled to have an author coming to The Inkwell for a signing and discussion. The author and her personal assistant Marcie are staying at Shady Creek Manor, a grand historical hotel that was once a private mansion and is rumored to still hold hidden treasure somewhere within its walls. When Marcie falls from a third floor window, Sadie goes straight into sleuthing mode. Does this have anything to so with the hotel's past? In true Sarah Fox form, she has an amazing way of bringing historical information and cold cases to light in combination with current cases.

A very fast paced read. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Sadie, professionally and romantically. I had the audio version as well as a digital copy from NetGalley. The narrator, Eva Kaminsky, was exceptional.

I think Sadie is a delightful character. She isn’t too intense but has a pleasant inquisitive nature about her. She is empathetic and charming, as well as curious and unflappable, most of the time. However, hearing the scream of someone falling to their death would make the most hardened person feel vulnerable and helpless. In The Malt in Our Stars, Sadie is once again at the center of a murder investigation, and her literary pub draws attention from a possible suspect.

Owning a pub that has a literary bent isn’t the easiest thing to pull off, but so far, Sadie has done well. The murder of a famous writer’s assistant after spending time at Sadie’s pub could be a real downer, but thankful the woman didn’t die at the bar. Still, Sadie feels somewhat responsible because the writer and her assistant wouldn’t have been in Shady Creek if she hadn’t invited them. It doesn’t take Sadie long to figure out that the murder had nothing to do with her pub.

The main plot is a bit unusual and beguiling. The book has a great subplot as well that all ties in at the end. The characters are, as usual, fun and engaging. I felt that the pub and the literary cocktails didn’t play a significant enough role in this installment. Motives are plentiful, and all of them persuasive enough that readers may not figure out who the killer is until the very end. The victim is given enough background to have readers sympathetic without being too emotionally distraught. The killer is revealed in a dramatic fashion, and Sadie at the center of danger. Luckily for her, Grayson is there as well as others who are concerned about her well being and know what sort of trouble she can get into.

The Malt in Our Stars is an enormously entertaining story filled with red herrings, lively, warm characters, and a pub, The Inkwell; I wouldn’t mind spending a few hours at enjoying a cocktail and reading a good book.

This is fantastic mystery with great characters, a budding romance and an exciting ending!! Literary Pub has firmly cemented its place among my favorite cozy series and my must read pile. Sadie and crew are likable characters and the mysteries of this series so far have all been excellent. Can't wait for #4! I purchased the audio version of "The Malt In Our Stars' from Audible and the narration was very good. Don't miss this series if you are a cozy mystery fan!!

Princess Fuzzypants here: The town is abuzz with excitement as Sadie brings in a best selling author for an event at the Inkwell. As she gets to know the author and her assistant better, she is even more delighted. Things take a nasty turn when the assistant is thrown out of a third floor window to her death. The room was unoccupied and no one with access to a key was nearby. Who committed the murder and why?

Then a local woman is attacked in the hallway of the Manor turned hotel where all this has happened. The woman had been someone Sadie pegged as a suspect as she had been snooping around the premises and acting suspiciously. Was she looking for the fabled treasure hidden away in the house before its builder died. Some people dismissed the story as fiction but clearly, someone believed it to be true and was quite willing to do whatever it took to secure it.

There are times when Sadie does some pretty dangerous things but unlike some heroines, she does have self-awareness. She ends up with a partner in crime- or investigation- Grayson, the hunky owner of the local brewery with whom her relationship has gone from ice-cold to pleasantly warm. I have a feeling the next few books will raise the heat level again.

It’s a good mystery that keeps the reader guessing, peopled with highly likeable characters. I have enjoyed each of the books I have read in the series. Five purrs and two paws up.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Welcome to the Inkwell, a literary-themed pub owned by Sadie Coleman. Sadie is excited to host her first truly literary event, a book signing by famous romantic suspense novelist Linnea Bliss. The author and her assistant are staying nearby at Shady Creek Manor. The former private mansion has quite a history and some people believe there is a treasure hidden somewhere on the premises.

The book signing went great but the next day the author’s assistant falls to her death from a third-floor window at Shady Creek Manor. Sadie had been having lunch with Linnea Bliss and was leaving when she heard the young woman’s screams. Arriving at the scene just after she hits the pavement. Sadie puts on her sleuthing hat and decides to check out the room on the third floor before the police arrive. She knows immediately that fall was no accident. Linnea’s assistant was murdered. They were just visiting Shady Creek, why would anyone want to murder an author’s personal assistant? Sadie is determined to find out. Maybe it has something to do with the film crew from Craft Nation, a reality TV show, in town filming at Grayson Blake’s brewery. Maybe a fan of the author took things to the extreme. Or could it have been someone looking for the hidden treasure?

I love the setting of this series. A pub full of books, a menu full of literary-themed foods and drink, all reached by going over a little footbridge over Shady Creek. It would definitely be my happy place. Growing up my parents owned a tavern so I know the ins and outs. None of us kids wanted to take it over so it was sold but had I thought I could turn it into a place like the Inkwell, I may have changed my mind. Sadie has really taken her theme and ran with it. The food and drink all have names derived from popular books, like the Malt in My Stars.

Sadie is making herself right at home in Shady Creek and her pub appears to be a hit. She has found herself wrapped up in a few murder investigations. Her curious nature is well suited to her amateur sleuthing. The author has surrounded her protagonist with a strong supporting cast. Her Aunt Gilda owns a beauty shop and she keeps her ears open for any gossip that could help Sadie in her endeavors. Sadie leans heavily on her two employees, Damien and Melanie. They know the business and their presence lets Sadie run off to chase down any clues that pop up. Grayson Blake, owner of the Spirit Hill Brewery has really started to grow on Sadie. She gets all flustered around him because she can feel their relationship moving in what could be a romantic direction.

Ms. Fox has entwined two mysteries in this book. They may or may not be related but Sadie finds herself trying to solve both. They both had some nice twists and I enjoyed how they played out. I especially liked that the murder reveal happened at the annual Masquerade Party at the manor. It was the perfect place to unmask a killer. There were plenty of clues sparsed out throughout the book but I must have missed something because I was totally surprised when the killer was identified. Or more likely, Sarah Fox wrote a heck of a story that I escaped right into and let Sadie do the hard work. The story was very well-written and plotted and so interesting.

The Malt in Our Stars is a wonderful whodunit. Complex characters, an intriguing mystery, and a fun setting had me totally entertained from beginning to end. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.

The Malt in Our Stars is Book 3 in the Literary Pub Mystery Series by Sarah Fox.
I absolutely LOVE this series and this latest installment was SO GOOD!

The main character Sadie is the owner of a pub in Shady Creek, Vermont with a book theme. The pub has book themed cocktails and literary book clubs. Sadie is SO excited that one of her favorite authors, Linnea Bliss will be holding a book talk and signing books.

Sadie and Linnea have lunch after the signing at Shady Creek Manor and that is when the trouble is afoot involving Linnea’s assistant.

As if that is not enough there is a crew in town filming at a brewery and there has been all sorts of vandalism.

It is not easy to pull off a mystery within a mystery , but this author does it seamlessly. There is no shortage of suspects and surely I put my sleuth cap on and thought I knew who did it but when it was revealed I was shocked.

The mystery is well written with great descriptive writing. The concept is so brilliant, a literary themed pub. The characters are complex and well fleshed out.

This can be read as a stand alone mystery, but you will definitely want to read the first two books to get more backstory.

As someone that reads A LOT of cozy mysteries, I can say that this is one that you definitely want to get your hands on.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

4 stars
The Malt In Our Stars by Sarah Fox

This is the 3rd book in this series. Fox just keeps getting better! She kept me guessing throughout the entire book. Fox writes fun and interesting characters and plots. I really enjoy her work.
I love the literary pub idea and the drinks served there.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher.

The Malt in Our Stars is the third book in author Sarah Fox’s Literary Pub mystery series. Owner of the literary pub, the Inkwell, Sadie Coleman, is very excited to be hosting a book talk by romance author Linnea Bliss at the Inkwell. She has worked well with the author’s personal assistant, Marcie Kent. However, Marcie has not been so kind to others trying to access the author. But no issues for Sadie as the event is well attended and goes off without a hitch. In fact, Linnea is so pleased with the event that she invites Sadie to have lunch with her at Shady Creek Manor, an historic mansion turned luxury hotel, the following day.

During Sadie’s time with Linnea, she sees Marcie cross swords with several people trying to access the author. While Marcie begs off from lunch saying she has a migraine coming on, Sadie and Linnea continue having a lovely meal together. As Sadie is leaving the Manor there is a scream and Marcie is found on the manicured grounds sprawled in a pose of death. Sadie hurries to the third floor where a window was open and appears to be where Marcie had fallen, or was she pushed? However, Marcie’s room was on the second floor.

This well plotted mystery intertwines area history with current happenings. As Sadie is drawn further into the solving of the mystery, neighboring brewery owner, Grayson Blake, joins with Sadie as more than a collaborator in solving crimes.

Ms, Fox has again crafted a wonderful mystery with many curve balls as they discover the heart pounding solution. This was a very good mystery and I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!