I love cozy mysteries and was eager to read this as I haven’t read this author or the other books in this series before.  But I was captured by the cute title and series premise!  I really liked the setting in Shady Creek, Vermont, and the descriptions of the manor house.  I also enjoyed the mystery involving a visit to the town by a well-known author and her assistant (who, of course, promptly gets murdered).  There were several plausible suspects and red herrings along the way as the protagonist, Sadie, uncovers whodunit and why.  However, I felt as though I were plopped down in the middle of the story right from the get-go as there was almost no backstory and a large cast of characters.  I’m not sure I know who Sadie really is, and would have liked to see more development of the main characters and overall arc of the series.  Since this is a literary series I also would have liked to see more emphasis given to the theme.

It was a delight to be back at the Literary Pub. Fun named drinks. Relatable and enjoyable characters, especially the protagonist. Entertaining sleuthing.

I really love this cozy mystery series. This is the third volume in the literary pub series. The amateur sleuth, Sadie, is interesting and overall a good narrator. The book does get caught up in small details and slows down a little in the middle, but the beginning and end were full of so much action that didn’t deter from my enjoyment. I like the developing relationship between Sadie and Grayson feels natural but is continuing to develop. Sadie starts out the book by hosting her pub’s first author talks which goes well, but not long after the author’s assistant dies mysteriously at the manor where they were staying. Of course Sadie can’t resist asking just a few questions and trying to piece the mystery together. On top of that there’s rumors of a hidden treasure in the manor! This was a fun, relaxing, quick read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries!

This is the third book in Sarah Fox’s A Literary Pub Mystery series featuring Sadie Coleman, pub owner in the quaint town of Shady Creek. Vermont. The pub is located in an old gristmill and has a strong literary themed look featuring author named smaller rooms, food and drink names based on books, and regular book club meetings.
In this novel, an author Sadie has invited to hold a book signing at the pub, staying at a local up-scale boutique hotel housed in a former mansion. While Sadie is at the hospital to make final arrangements, the author’s assistant is murdered. Sadie immediately becomes consumed with finding out who killed the assistant and why, and begins her investigation.
The book is well written, and is an easy read, as well as a book that can readily be put down and picked back up throughout the day when the reader wants to have a reading break. It also is a good airplane/beach/train read. Fox doesn’t try to create some false sense of purpose as to why Sadie is trying to solve murders beyond an insatiable curiosity and a bit of a “Nancy Drew” self image.
There is a good mixture of investigation and other activities such as Sadie’s preparation for a masquerade ball, pub activities, and the growing relationship between Sadie and local brewer, Grayson Blake. In addition to the relationship between Sadie and Grayson, there are other friendships and activities that have been developing over the series. Series readers will prefer to begin with the first book in the series, even though the mystery in this book stands alone and it isn’t necessary to have read the earlier books to follow these on-going storylines.
My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of this novel for review. The opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Sadie Fox is thrilled to have famous author Linnea Bliss as a speaker at The Inkwell, her literary-themed pub. She meets Ms. Bliss at a lovely historic mansion where the author is staying for a pleasant lunch the day before the event. Suddenly there is a scream and Sadie finds Ms. Bliss' assistant Marcie dead from a fall on the pavement in front of the hotel. Shocked and upset Sadie can't stop thinking about who could have killed Marcie, especially as local weirdo Eleanor Grimes has accused Marcie of having and unsavory past. Hidden treasures, family rivalries and a Masquerade Ball add to the charm of this book.

I enjoy Sadie and the gang in Shady Creek, Vermont. A small tourist town that always has a mystery going on. This time it involves an author and her assistant. Does the assistant have a past that involves Shady Creek, or is she just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Goodreads

This is the first book I have read in the A Literary Pub Mystery series by Sarah Fox. I found the characters engaging, the setting enjoyable and the mystery intriguing. I had a little more trouble with believing why Sadie felt 'motivated' to investigate a murder. I just just wasn't sold on the real reasoning behind it, hence it was awkward for me. I did, however, enjoy her budding romance and the interaction between Sadie and her aunt. I am going to go back and get the first two in the series and see if it makes more sense.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Sadie is a girl we could all love- she has her own unique book-themed pub, with friends who are better than family, a hunky next-door neighbor, and some great book club activities, that tie into an amazing little village that makes you long for Stars Hallow. Add in some modern-day shenanigans with a film crew and reality tv, and it's no surprise there is a set up for vandalism and a killer on the loose! This is a fun, super quick read, perfect for chilling by the fire with a cozy up of Irish coffee, and a fun intro to the series (this is book 3)

The Malt in Our Stars by Sarah Fox
Book #3: Literary Pub Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Kensington
Rating: 3½/5 stars

Sadie couldn’t be any happier with her life! The Inkwell is doing well, Sadie has settled into life in her adopted town, and she is surrounded by friends and family that she truly adores. As if all that weren’t enough, The Inkwell is set to host its first live author event, and Sadie just can’t wait. The author is none other than Linnea Bliss, famed suspense author and all-around good, kind soul. Unfortunately, the success of the live event is completely tainted by the death of Linnea’s personal assistant, Marcie.

From the moment Marcie is found, Sadie knows there is something amiss. It’s awfully hard to fall out of a window on one’s own and the room Marcie fell from is locked up tight. The local cranky museum operator insists it is Marcie’s checkered past that has caught up with her, but both Linnea and Sadie can find nothing to support such a claim. Adding to the drama of the murder is a string of vandalism that may or may not be an attempt to derail the murder investigation. Finally, Sadie has heard through the grapevine that her beloved aunt may be seriously considering a marriage proposal and a move out of town.

Sadie used to be perfectly happy and content with her life.

As usual, Sadie doesn’t intend to get involved in the investigations, but she can’t seem to help herself. Her community is small and when something like a murder occurs, it impacts the entire town. Poking around into the investigation isn’t exactly safe, but the vandalism and the murder are too close to home to ignore. Though she hasn’t known Linnea long, she likes the author and wants to see her achieve some level of peace where the death of her assistant is concerned. The more Sadie digs, the more she realizes the complexity of her town, its history, and the history of some of its residents. Not all secrets need to be unearthed and if Sadie keeps poking around, she’s going to find herself the target of a proven killer.

The Bottom Line: I think this book may be the speed bump in the series. I had an awfully hard time getting connected to this read and the story. I think the hardest part for me lay in the plot and its rather cliché nature. A suspense author caught up in a murder just feels far too overused and cliché for my liking and that kept me from really buying into this read. With that said, I am still very fond of this series, the characters, and the setting and won’t be giving up on this series any time soon. Sadie and the Inkwell are just too quirky and fun to let go at this stage and because of a minor speed bump.

This was an intriguing cozy mystery full of great characters and a mystery that kept me up late to find out whodunnit. I love the main character and how she communicates with the police upon finding a clue. Even though she figures everything out, the police are not made out to be moronic. The romantic subplot was a wonderful addition to the story. It added depth to the characters and was a nice reprieve from the suspenseful scenes. I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Malt in Our Stars by Sarah Fox (Literary Pub Mystery #3) 4 stars

This is the third book in the Literary Pub Mystery series and the first one that I have read. Sophie, the owner of a pub named Inkwell is confronted with a mystery when visiting one her favorite authors, Linnea Bliss. Ms. Bliss's personal assistant falls out of a third story window at an historic hotel. Was it an accident or was she pushed? Sophie, a person with insatiable curiosity, is looking at all the angles and nooks to find out. Helping her is Grayson Blake, local brewer and ex-private investigator.

Since I came into this series with no background information from the prior two books, I found it easy to figure out most of the cast of characters and their relationship to each other. The dating dance between Sophie and Grayson was poignant and hopeful. Sophie's relationship with her aunt shows a long time bond and affection. The mystery was interesting and I was not surprised at who the villain was. Because I enjoyed reading this book, I think I might go back and read the two prior books in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.

Sarah Fox's Malt in Our Stars is a fantastic read!!! Picking up soon after the previous book (and don't worry you don't need to have read the previous ones to thoroughly enjoy this one), Sadie finds herself tangled in another murder... and being called Nancy Drew (which she loves) by many of the towns folk. Set in a charming village (that I wish I lived in), Sadie, Greyson, Aunt Glinda (who is amazing, as always). Shontelle, and more work together to solve not only the murder, but also if there really is a treasure in Shady Hill Manor. This is a wonderful book - cozy mystery readers will thoroughly devour it... Can't wait to see where Ms. Fox takes Sadie next!

cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, small-town, small-business, murder-investigation, friendship

The murder victim was not the nasty local woman I expected it to be but the assistant to a visiting author. Sadie the pub owner gets involved in sleuthing to the dismay of the local law. She also has other things going on in her life that might distract her, but she just needs to know. The characters are all so clearly presented that I felt that I'd recognize them at the grocery and the story grabbed me and held on until I finished it. Lots of misdirection, red herrings, and plot twists to keep it all going.
I thought it was great, and I think that it works well as a stand alone because the author explains whatever is needed.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

This is the third book in the series, and it is my favourite so far!
The main character Sadie is really settling into her new role as a pub owner, and she is interesting to read about.
Sadie is delighted to have booked famous romantic suspense novelist Linnea Bliss for an event at The Inkwell, and this is a great premise for this latest book.
The mystery was a top notch whodunit and kept me guessing.
I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I enjoy this author. She is always able to keep me guessing on the who-done-it and why-done-it. I love the characters and the town, I look forward to more.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm reviewing this for the November issue of Mystery Scene Magazine please see my full review there thank you

🌟 Book review 🌟⁠

🔏 Sadie, the owner of The Inkwell, a literary-themed pub in Shady Creek, Vermont, is delighted to have booked the famous novelist Linnea Bliss for an event at her pub. Things start to go wrong after Sadie discovers the body of Marcie, Linnea's assistant, dead in front of the hotel they are staying at: the Shady Creek Manor, once a private mansion that still holds hidden treasures.

♥️ I liked:
🍺 The literary pub. I loved it and wished it was real. All the drinks and the dishes sounded amazing and I was so glad about the recipes at the end of the book! I may try one of them very soon!
👩 Sadie. She is a great character, definitely nosy, she knows that she shouldn't be investigating murders, but not even the police can stop her very inquisitive nature. Also, it is lovely to see how she cares about hosting both Book and Writing Clubs at her pub.
🏘️ Shady Creek. A lovely town in Vermont where I wouldn't mind spending my Autumn holidays. It's got everything: a literary pub, a brewery, an old mansion that is likely hiding an incredible treasure, little cosy shops... What's not to like?
🔍 The murder mystery itself. It is very well-plotted, interesting and the culprit is not one you would think about.

🤔 I wasn't so sure about:⁠
The double mystery. I didn't understand why the author introduced the story of the vandalism at the TV crew, I'm not sure it brought anything to the mystery.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 Third book of the series and my first read. I enjoyed it and already got the first two. Thanks to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the ARC.

This was a very enjoyable read. It is the third in the Literary Pub series but the first I've read. I had no issues with not starting with book 1 as the author does a great job filling in the backstory. But I've already checked the first book out from the library because I really liked "The Malt in Our Stars" and its protagonist Sadie Coleman.

Sadie operates a pub in Shady Creek, Vermont which celebrates literature. It features literary themed cocktails and book clubs. She is thrilled to be hosting Linnea Bliss, one of her romantic suspense favorite authors for a book talk and signing of the the author's latest book which takes place in Vermont. After a successful event, Sadie meets Linea for lunch at Shady Creek Manor, a 5 star hotel that was formerly a mansion owned by a man with a dubious past. It is rumored that he stashed some of his ill gotten gains at the mansion. After lunch, Sadie is shocked to hear a woman scream and discover that Marcie, Linnea's assistant had fallen from an upstairs window from a room that was not hers and was not in use. When she and the manor's owner, go to the room to investigate, she can tell there was a struggle and that Marcie's fall was not an accident. And Sadie, can't help but try to investigate.

There is also another mystery going on. A TV crew is in town to film a show about a local brewer but they are experiencing vandalism. Are the two related?

The murder mystery is well done and not easily resolved. While Marcie is not local, Sadie witnesses her arguing with someone and there is also a fan-stalker type and a woman from the local historical museum who had earlier argued with Marcie about the town's history. Besides the mystery, it's good to meet Sadie's aunt, friends and coworkers as well as other townspeople. And a potential romance for Sadie too.

So, settle in with the literary themed cocktail (recipes at the back of the book) or your beverage of choice and enjoy!

I received a ARC from the publisher via Net Galley. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

The Malt in Our Stars by Sarah Fox drew me right in from the first page. I could relate to Sadie's excitement of meeting a favorite novelist as I've felt the same thing at an author signing.

Ms. Fox has been able to develop the characters very well in the last two books and the secondary characters add more and more to each story as readers get to know them better along with Sadie. This story has two mysteries that may or may not be connected. The plot moved smoothly but did slow down around the middle for some time. Then the paced picked up and the clues began to fall into place for Sadie and Grayson. The romance between Sadie and Grayson seems to be evolving naturally. With two mysteries, several suspects, twists and turns, a myth regarding a hidden treasure (or is it?)and a startling reveal at a masked ball kept me turning the pages.

Quite an enjoyable read; enough action to keep me wanting to finish one more chapter with enough focus on both the mystery and the characters. The only problem I had was with the protagonist thinking less of herself and constantly thinking she looked foolish in front of her love interest; I wish there was less of that, since she seemed quite capable.