A fun first installment of a cozy mystery series. Enjoyed getting to know the characters and learning about what the moonshine making process is like.

An enjoyable new cozy mystery from Diane Kelly, this time featuring (legal) moonshine! I enjoyed the new characters and setting, and the mystery was compelling.

This was such a fun read! The whole concept of a moonshine maker getting caught up in a murder investigation, well, it was so entertaining to read! I personally don't like alcohol, the few times that I've had it, it's made me think of medicine then something enjoyable, but the Hayes family has a tradition of moonshine, so it was great that Hattie was taking up the mantle!

Hattie was a fun character to read about, she was earnest about moonshine and her history with it. She was so sweet, and it was too bad that death had to knock on her doorstep. This is a cozy mystery, so course there had to be a crime, and for this series, it seems like the main crime is murder.

The potential for romance with the cute mounted cop was just so cute! Things are unable to really go ahead because she's a murder suspect, but oh, I enjoyed the relationship between the two of them, and I'm so excited for more!

I loved how the clues kept piling up, and all the different suspects that they raised. There were so many possibilities since the murder victim was not a nice person who clashed with a lot of people. And oh, that confrontation had my heart pounding! I had to know how it'd resolved, and it was so great!

This was a really fun read, and I can't wait to read more in this series!

A fantastic new cozy series.



Mystery and humor combined in one. You can’t ask for a better combination and a cozy mystery. The Moonshie Shack Murder is a great start to what I think is going to be an intriguing and humorous cozy mystery series.

Hattie Hayes is carrying on a long family tradition. She’s just doing it the legal way. Hence, The Moonshine Shack! Hattie is thrilled to be sharing her grandpa tradition shine along with her flavorful line of shine. During her grand opening party Hattie believes she has a local pub convinced to sell her shine but later backs out and just a bit later is found dead. On Hattie’s doorstep not less. And with a jar of her shine smashed on the ground next to him. To clear her name and save her reputation before it could even really start Hattie Puts her nose to the grindstone to distill the true culprit.


What a great start to a new series. Diane Kelly definitely has something special with this one. I love the family legacy being revived in a new way. The characters are amazing. Grandpa was a hoot. He was thoroughly entertaining every moment he was on the page. Whether he was strapping himself to his rocking chair or getting rowdy with the young folk he’s a true gem in the story. Hattie is still coming into her own and beginning to let her dreams flourish but she still has a lot to learn. Her determination and tenacity just makes you love her.
A little mystery, a little shine and a dash of romance, that a winner in my book.

The Moonshine Shack Murder
A Southern Homebrew Mystery, Book #1
Diane Kelly
5 Stars

Synopsis:

In this intoxicating new cozy mystery series, the future for modern-day moonshiner Hattie Hayes looks bright--until death darkens the doorstep of her Moonshine Shack.

The Hayes family has made moonshine in Chattanooga since the days of Prohibition, and Hattie is happy to continue the tradition, serving up fun, fruity flavors in mason jars for locals and tourists alike. All signs indicate her new 'shine shop will be a smashing success. What's more, mounted police officer Marlon Landers has taken a shine to Hattie. For the first time ever, the stars seemed to have aligned in both her work and romantic life. But when a body ends up on her store's doorstep alongside a broken jar of her Firefly Moonshine, it just might be lights out for her fledgling business.

The homicide detective can't seem to identify the person who killed the owner of a nearby bar. The only witness is Hattie's longhaired gray cat, and Smoky isn't talking. When the detective learns that the victim and Hattie had a heated exchange shortly before his murder, she becomes her prime suspect.

Lest Hattie end up behind bars like her bootlegging great-grandfather a century before, she must distill the evidence herself and serve the killer a swift shot of justice. (Amazon)


Reveiw:

This is the first book in a new series and I thought it was quite good.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoyed getting to meet Hattie, her grandfather and her girlfriends. She has been busy getting her moonshine shop ready to open and praying it will be successful. When someone is killed outside Hattie’s shop, things begin to go south. Hattie is considered a person of interest and knows she has to find the killer before she gets thrown in jail. She will need all the help she can get.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and the mystery was not easily solved.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait to see what adventure awaits Hattie next.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkeley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Diane Kelly gives a classic cozy with moonshine served up at The Moonshine Shack murder. Chattanooga is the scene of moonshine continuing family traditions and amateur sleuth tracing whodunit in order to keep the innocent out of jail. A little romance stirred in lightens the story.

The Moonshine Shack Murder: A Southern Homebrew Mystery
By Diane Kelly
Berkley
July 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

This unique mystery introduces Hattie Hayes, proprietor of the about-to-open very legal Moonshine Shack in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While her family has infamously run moonshine since the Prohibition era, in just two days Hattie plans to be selling her own Firefly brand of flavored Mason jar moonshine out of her new specialty shop for tourists and locals. A disagreeable interaction with Limericks Irish bar owner Cormac O’Keefe has her realizing that she should have listened to the warnings about his shadiness, as Cormac immediately breaks their agreement to sell her moonshine in favor of a cheaper vendor. Hattie’s Granddaddy is infuriated with the scalawag, but perhaps not as much as the person who slashes Cormac’s throat open with a broken jar of Hattie’s Firefly cherry-flavored moonshine.

While handsome Officer Marlon Landers doesn’t seem to outright suspect Hattie of committing the crime, the fact that his great-grandfather long ago arrested hers ensures that their relationship will be a little bumpy. Hattie’s Granddaddy neither forgives nor forgets, and as much as she rolls her eyes at his contempt she knows that she must do everything she can to protect him from suspicion and danger. Cormac seemed to have stirred up no small amount of distrust or disgust, and while Hattie doesn’t truly believe in Karma someone certainly has seen to it that he’s gotten his just reward. A quick-handed bartender, shafted workers, and broken business contracts all give more than one person enough motive to have wanted Cormac dead. Helping Hattie to ensure a smooth Moonshine Shack opening are her besties Kate Pardue and Kiki Nakamura, one of whom is in the last stages of pregnancy and the other the talented freelance artist who created the Firefly logo. When her home is broken into while Grandpappy is asleep on the job, Hattie knows she will do everything she can to ensure that her business keeps running, her family is safe, and she gets the tantalizing reward promised to her by the horse-riding police officer.

The gorgeous cover immediately sets readers up for an intoxicating, atmospheric read. This new mystery series by one of my favorite authors explores the overlooked commerce of legalized moonshine, something I wasn’t aware still existed. Hattie’s craft is more akin to craft beer, with her cinnamon-flavored moonshine a little too fancy compared to the blindness-inducing white lightning. While Frat boys may attempt to take advantage of free samples, Hattie intends to build up a strong business plan and marketing designs that may or may not have been influenced by Cracker Barrel. Hattie’s teasing relationship with the swaggering cowboy Marlon is intriguing and promises much for the future, and with business heating up just as fast as their flirtations this should be the start of a rousing and raucous series full of southern cuisine, hilarious characters, and a dismissive massive gray cat.

The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly is a marvelous mystery with southern charm.

Will Hattie figure out who killed Cormac before she is arrested?

Hattie Hayes
Hattie is our sleuth, maker of moonshine, and the owner of the Moonshine Shack. She is also intelligent and business savvy. Her Grandaddy is her biggest fan, especially since he taught her how to make moonshine. Hattie has a way of making people feel at ease, and they talk to her. Kiki and Kate are Hattie's best friends, and they also support her.

I like Hattie. She has spunk. Hattie is a tiny little lady, but she has more courage than some people I know. I truly want to try some of her moonshine flavors, like the cherry.

The Mystery
Cormac is the owner of the Irish Pub across from the Moonshine Shack. He is quite unsavory. Anyway, he met his maker on Hattie's front stoop while she was on the premises late one night. Since she found the body, she is suspect number one. But with the help of her friends, Grandaddy, and the police, she is able to find the true murder. Hattie finds she is attracted to Officer Landers, who is the grandson of the sheriff that arrested Hattie's great grandfather back in the day. I nailed this one but not really before actually culprit confessed.

Hattie's cat Smokey is such a classic feline. I love when he snubs her, and she keeps kissing him. I also liked the way that Marlon teased Hattie.

Five Stars
I truly enjoyed reading about Hattie and her family. The mystery was superb. My rating for The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly is five stars. I highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.

I have always loved Diane Kelly's books and was wondering if this series would rival her other series. The answer? Yes it does! I loved everything about this book - the characters, the moonshine, the animals, the quick wit and snarky dialogue, and even the town.

I never thought about moonshine as a career but was instantly intrigued and loved the descriptions of the different flavors. I want a moonshine shack in my town so I can taste the flavors! I thought it was great to have the recipe to be one that has been handed down the family and that an ancestor was arrested for making shine during prohibition.

I enjoyed meeting all of the characters and not sure if I can pick a favorite yet. Hattie is a strong self-assured business woman taking a chance on the moonshine business. Marlon is the hunky police officer that has a tie to Hattie's family (no spoilers here!). Grandpa is spunky and cracks me up at every turn. Kiki, one of Hattie's best friends, is snarky but loyal and I love that about her. There is also "Ace" the police detective that pulls no punches but I think she admires Hattie despite everything. I even liked Miranda, a waitress that worked for the owner that was murdered. And we can't forget the four legged characters - Charlotte the police horse and Smoky, Hattie's cat.

The dialogue is witty and even snarky at times and I loved it. I especially enjoyed learning about moonshine and want to know more. I especially understood the conversations between Hattie and Miranda regarding setting up a business, accounting, and the like since I work for a CPA that does this sort of thing.

The mystery is enticing and I wondered who might have done in the bar owner. There are many possibilities and I didn't guess the right character as the killer. I thought something was up regarding the situation surrounding the killer and the victim, but I didn't quite put it all togther. Looking back there are a few clues that might point you in the right direction, but nothing too obvious. The action really heats up near the end as the killer is revealed and Hattie finds herself in harms way.

There couldn't be a cozy without a potential love interest for the protagonist. Hattie and Marlon are definitely interested in each other and I can't wait to see where this goes.

We give this book 5 paws up.

Following in her family’s footsteps, Hattie Hayes is about to open a brand new store in Chattanooga to sell moonshine. They come in several different fruity flavors and she has many people ready to help her out; including her grandfather, her best friend Kiki and her gray cat Smoky. You can’t ask for a better support system then that.
Then tragedy strikes…after she had fought with the bar owner across the street, he winds up dead in front of her shop. Killed by a broken jar of her moonshine. The police turn their attention right in Hattie’s direction. It’s up to her to prove her innocence and save her shop.
What a fun cozy mystery! This is the beginning of a new series and it’s off to a great start. Each character is well-developed. They are lively, quirky and witty. There’s even a touch of romance in the air for Hattie. I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out in the future, but the mystery is the main focus of this story. Exactly how I like my cozy mysteries.
The storyline is compelling giving several different potential killers. I chose one suspect early on and I wasn’t letting go of my suspicions, but I was wrong. LOL My second choice was the real killer. I had so much fun trying to figure things out with Hattie. It’s fast-paced, clever, and filled with humor.
I’ll definitely be back for the next book.




FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Hattie is from a long line of moonshiners starting back during prohibition. She decides to open a store to sell her family’s hooch in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Unfortunately, the owner of the bar across the street is found dead on her store’s doorstep. Hattie just had an argument with him so the local detective figures he found his killer. Hattie must find the real killer in The Moonshine Shack Murder.

There are suspects galore and clues aplenty in The Moonshine Shack Murder. Hattie is not giving up until she finds the murderer. I enjoyed learning about moonshine. Hattie’s romance with the local police officer gets off to a great start too. Plus, the Tennessee setting was new to me. If you like a relaxing mystery, a feisty heroine, and a charming romance, be sure you pick up this first book in a new series. 4 stars!

Thanks to Berkley Books, Great Escapes Book Tours, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This is a solid first in Diane Kelly’s exciting new cozy mystery series set in Chattanooga near the Great Smoky Mountains. There is a sweet bit of history in this novel, including a family business and its roots from the early 20th century Prohibition era. I learned interesting things about moonshine; I had no idea it is produced and sold in some states today. The mystery is captivating, the characters are a delight (especially granddaddy!), and the author’s trademark humor brightens up even the most stressful scenes. Just ask Hattie’s cat, Smoky, what was chasing him in the woods!

Hattie is opening the Moonshine Shack, having learned how to make moonshine from her grandfather, Ben. She is selling some of his corn liquor in the Shack, as well as her Firefly brand in several fruit flavors and cinnamon. On the night of her invitation-only celebration, she offers free samples of ‘shine, just as she will when officially open. Cormac, of Limericks, an Irish bar across the street, came in with Miranda, one of his waitstaff. Wanting to strike deals with local bars, she made an offer for him to buy her ‘shine. Before returning to his bar, he gave Hattie an order. She is warned away from doing business with him by two people: Mack, owner of the best barbecue restaurant in town, and Heath, an attorney who sued the surly bar owner for several clients. The sales rep from Backwoods Bootleggers, the biggest moonshine manufacturer in the area, came in uninvited to see what she sells. The next day, Cormac refused her delivery as he has just agreed to an exclusive with Backwoods in exchange for a better price.

Business trickles in over the next few days. Granddaddy helps Hattie on the weekdays, and Smoky claims the front window as his own when he joins them. Friday night, Hattie, Smoky, and grandaddy left late after cleaning up from frat boys who caused chaos. They broke a bottle of ‘shine and slipped out the door with another. During the night, Hattie suddenly awoke and couldn’t remember if she locked the shack door or set the alarm, so she went back. She did forget to set the alarm, but at least the doors were locked. Just before she left, she heard unusual noises out front and went to check. Outside the front door, Cormac lay bleeding. She tried to stop the blood and called 911, but it was too late. Cormac was dead, and her cat, Smoky, from his perch in the front window, was the only witness. The police officer who arrived thought Hattie did it, as he was killed with a piece of a broken moonshine jar. Her moonshine.

I enjoyed meeting Hattie, her family, and friends! The author has done an excellent job showing us who Hattie is and what we need to know about Grandaddy and friends Kiki and Kate. We also meet new friends and/ or business associates Miranda, Marlon, and Mack. Hattie is easy to enjoy, as are her friends. It is hard for her to know which fellow business owners to trust, as several have something against Cormac, with good reason. He had not endeared himself to the community, which makes me curious how his bar had been successful. Granddaddy is a real hoot; I can’t wait to know him better!

This cozy mystery had me hooked from the beginning. Hattie, Kiki, Granddaddy, Marlon, and Ace were engaging; I would love to see something brewing for a couple of the folks in the future. The mystery kept me guessing, as there were several people who could have killed Cormac. I was very surprised at the end with regards to who the killer was and the motive. I hope one of the future episodes will show some of the making of the moonshine, since we’ve seen the first case of ‘shine go into the jars. I highly recommend this first in a new series!

The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly is an entertaining new cozy mystery. Hattie Hayes is opening the Moonshine Shack in Chattanooga, Tennessee where she will be selling her Firefly Moonshine. Her great-grandfather made moonshine during prohibition and Hattie is getting back into the business thanks to the recipes taught to her by her Granddaddy. Late one night after her grand opening, Hattie wakes up wondering if she properly locked up the shop. Hattie is in the storeroom when she hears odd noises outside. She looks outside the window to find the owner of Limericks bleeding out on the ground. Unfortunately, Hattie is at the top of Detective Ace Pearce’s suspect list. If Hattie does not want to end up in jail like her great-grandfather, she will need to find the bar owner’s killer. The Moonshine Shack Murder is fun story. I thought it was well-written and moved along at a quick pace. I like Hattie Hayes and her grandfather, Ben. Hattie is a savvy businesswoman as well as a warm, kind lady. I find Hattie’s granddaddy a hoot. He is feisty and a talented whittler. I like the variety of characters in the story including Hattie’s best friends. The author’s descriptive writing brought Chattanooga to life as well as the Moonshine Shack. Hattie has a love interest in Officer Marlon Landers, a mounted police officer. I did feel that there was too much romance for my liking (I prefer slow moving romances that play out over the course of the series) especially with Hattie a prime suspect in the murder. The whodunit was well thought it. I like how it was set up with the various suspects, misdirection, and the clues. There were more suspects than varieties of moonshine available at the Moonshine Shack. Avid mystery readers, though, will have no problem identifying the guilty party early on in the story. The why takes longer to figure out. I had a good time following Hattie as she questioned people and collected clues. It was interesting learning about moonshine. I had no idea there were so many varieties available. I am looking forward to the next book in A Southern Homebrew Mystery series. The Moonshine Shack Murder is a quaint Southern cozy mystery with modern moonshine, jealous girlfriends, an unscrupulous bar owner, a compassionate mounted officer, a gutsy grandfather, and a merry moonshine maker.

THE MOONSHINE SHACK MURDER by Diane Kelly
The First Southern Homebrew Mystery

The Hayes family has been making moonshine since Prohibition and Hattie Hayes is keeping up the tradition. Hattie sells a variety of her fruit flavored shine as well as her Granddaddy's Ole-Timey Corn Liquor at her newly opened Moonshine Shack. When a dead body winds up in front of her shop, next to a broken bottle of Hattie's Moonshine, Hattie finds herself as both a prime suspect and a possible future victim. Now Hattie will have to prove her innocence or she may wind up in the clink herself, unless the murderer finds her first!

I enjoy wine and spirits off all kind and was thrilled to discover a new mystery series featuring moonshine! I've enjoyed some legally produced shine and I've been lucky enough to have some family brewed stuff decades ago! I know if I was in Chattanooga I'd be heading to Hattie's Moonshine Shack.

The first Southern Homebrew Mystery gives us an unlikable victim, a variety of suspects, and a capable police force, as well as a chill cat and an irascible grandpa! It also gives us Hattie, a feisty protagonist with savvy business and marketing skills. Logically, I must question some of her techniques, she gives away an awful lot of moonshine, but I can overlook the business aspect as I am more interested in the murder. And a good murder it is, with plenty of avenues for investigation, which Hattie pursues in order to "help" the police and clear her name.

Family pride, friendship, romance, and a little hooch make THE MOONSHINE SHACK MURDER a fun start to a new series.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Hattie (love that name, it was my grandma’s) Hayes comes from a long line of moonshiners and now she is keeping the tradition alive with The Moonshine Shack where she will sell her grandfather’s shine along with her own brand with fruity flavors. She hopes her “Shack” and her “Shine” will be a hit with tourists and locals.

Hattie holds a grand opening party where she meets the tavern owner from across the street. She thought she had him convinced to carry her “shine” but when she goes to deliver his first order he backs out of the deal. Then a few nights later he is found dead on the Shack’s porch with a smashed jar of her moonshine nearby. She was upset by his deceit but she would never have killed the man. The only witness appears to be Hattie’s cat but he isn’t talking so she becomes the homicide detective’s #1 suspect. Officer Landers is on her side and tries to help her distill the evidence to clear her name and put the real killer behind bars.

Ms. Kelly has given her new Southern Homebrew Mystery a fantastic start. I liked these characters immediately, okay I loved her grandfather. He leaves the senior home every day to help her out at the store. When the customers are scarce he sits in the rocker on the front porch and whittles the cutest little animals. He also takes a nap here and there and there is a scene that had me giggling and you will too. I love the close relationship he has with his granddaughter. He is so proud of her for carrying on the family tradition. She is smart and savvy and knows how to market her product. Those characteristics come in handy when trying to sleuth out a killer.

Hattie has her two besties helping her out too but one is due to have a baby any day so that means she will have less time to help out. Officer Landers is such a nice man and good at his job. He takes a special interest in keeping Hattie safe and his horse is adorable. I love that this relationship is taking a romantic turn. Marlon and Hattie’s families have a history but I don’t think some old feud will come between them. I also approve highly of Hattie bringing her kitty Smoky to the shop each day. Seeing him lying in the window in the sunshine each day gives the place a real homey feel.

The mystery is very well-plotted and it quickly becomes apparent that the former barkeep has his fair share of enemies which really opened up the suspect pool. Some of his employees/girlfriends rank high on Hattie’s list but a local lawyer and other shopkeepers and a certain restaurant owner all had motives to kill the man. Hattie works hard to pare down the suspects and catch the killer because when the case wraps she has a special event she is looking forward to. I did enjoy the way she did her investigating but I took a shine to one person early on and never eliminated them. Sure I missed something I was surprised by how the ending played out and that I actually picked the right character.

As I said this series is off to a fantastic start. The location is ideal and the characters are interesting. I am excited because the author has just scratched the surface and can take this series in so many directions. I want to get to know all the characters better. I can’t wait to return to Chattanooga and The Moonshine Shack for a sample or two and whatever trouble Hattie gets herself wrapped up in.

The Moonshine Shack Murder was a pure pleasure to read and I enjoyed it very much.

I just love picking up new series and trying out new-to-me authors. The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly fits the bill, and I was excited to jump into this story.

The Moonshine Shack Murder is set in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and follows Hattie as she starts her new moonshine business. She stumbles upon a murder, and since she’s the prime suspect, she decides to “help” the police by figuring out whodunit with the help of friends and family. As it’s the first book in the new A Southern Homebrew Mystery series, there are many character introductions and world-building. But it was done quite well and didn’t overwhelm the actual mystery, which I greatly appreciated.

Hattie is a spunky character. She left her steady job to take a chance on starting her own business. Hattie’s jumping into the family business of making and selling moonshine and is surrounded by a varied cast of characters, from her two best friends to her crazy grandfather and the local beat cop that looks to be the love interest in the series. Several other business owners are introduced, and I hope they’ll be regular characters as they rounded out this small community.

The mystery itself was pretty solid. Ms. Kelly threw in some red herrings but managed to create a believable mystery that Hattie actually solves and not stumble and bumbles into the answer. I was drawn into the story and couldn’t put the book down until I finished.

The Moonshine Shack Murder was my first book by Diane Kelly, but it will not be my last. I’m looking forward to future books in this series. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a bit of a unique twist with the moonshine aspect, I’d totally recommend The Moonshine Shack Murder.

You can't turn around in any tourist-y area in Tennessee without tripping over a moonshine place (all of which give out free samples) so I thought this was a clever hook for a new cozy series. I've only done one taste testing but the samples were tasty and I even happen to have a mason jar of a mulled spice moonshine in my refrigerator right this second. It makes for a fantastic hot apple cider in the winter. I do find the popularity of moonshine fairly entertaining. My black sheep Great Aunt's ne'er do well husband was a moonshiner (his nickname was Shine in fact). My very respectable family was horrified - especially when he was arrested and the story was on the front page on the very same day his daughter's wedding was on the front of the society section. But that has nothing to do with this book.

Kelly writes in a very conversational tone (which apparently brings out my ramblings) which makes for an entertaining read. Hattie, her grandfather, and her friend Kiki are fun characters and I liked the development of her relationship with the main detective Ace and Marlon who patrols on horseback around the Moonshine Shack. A few neighboring business owners were also introduced and I really feel like the series has a lot of positive space for growth.

The mystery wasn't the most mysterious but while I guessed the who pretty quickly I really enjoyed discovering the why and seeing how the investigation unraveled. It's a bit on the cutesy side which I enjoy but might not be for everyone. This is a series that I'm really looking forward to continuing with as I suspect Hattie will have a talent for getting into trouble!

A very fun series starter! This one had lots of fun details and references to moonshine and its history and impact on the local culture of the setting. It introduced us to a good cast of characters and I enjoyed the community and setting. It set up a lot of potential for the characters and series to come.

Diane Kelly’s new Southern Homebrew Mystery Series is about Hattie Hayes who comes from a long line of moonshiners in Tennessee. Her great-grandfather was arrested for selling hooch during prohibition. Now Hattie legally bottles the family recipe, along with her own personal fruity flavors under the Firefly brand name. The description of The Moonshine Shack on the Chattanooga Riverwalk is adorable. Even though I don’t like moonshine, I would love to hang out there with Hattie, her hilarious grandfather, Ben, her two best friends, and her cat, Smoky. Best of all, a handsome mounted police officer named Marlon Landers seems to have taken a “shine” to Hattie.

Unfortunately for Hattie, her store is across the street from an Irish bar owned by the unethical Cormac O’Keefe. Not only does he cancel a contract for an order of Hattie’s moonshine, but he is also dating two of his waitresses at the same time. He enjoys kicking frat boys and others from his bar. O’Keefe stiffed a neighboring restaurant on a catering invoice and has unpaid judgments against him that a local attorney wants to collect. He enters into an exclusive distribution contract with one of Hattie’s competitors and boasts his plans to host events in direct competition with Hattie. To top things off, O’Keefe gets in a fight with Hattie’s elderly grandfather who sits outside the store and whittles.

When O’Keefe ends up dead in front of The Moonshine Shack, there is a long list of suspects, including Hattie herself. In order to keep her name clear, Hattie decides to figure out who the murderer is. She has additional motivation when officer Landers tells her she can take him out for dinner once the investigation is solved. While it wasn’t easy to figure out whodunit, it was easy to guess that the dinner with the police officer would be a success.

5-Stars for this new cozy mystery series. Thanks to Diane Kelly and her editor, Miranda Hill of Berkley, for my advanced reader copy. This book will be published on July 6, 2021.

I have a new favorite series! I've heard good things about Diane Kelly's books and I can't wait to tuck into her other series.

Hattie Hayes has decided to turn her family's tradition of distilling moonshine into a legal business. She opens the Moonshine Shack and fills it with jars of flavored moonshine... with free samples. Where is this place and how late are they open? I'll leave now! In addition to her charming grandfather and two best friends who are quirky and fun, she's also met a very attractive police officer and of course his adorable horse, Charlotte.

I was able to finger the killer pretty quickly but I wasn't quite sure until the very end. There were so many possibilities for people who had good reason to want to see the end of the victim, the motives were stacked higher than the roof of the 'Shine Shack.

There are so many directions the next book in the series could go. I'd love to read more about Miranda, the erstwhile waitress; Heath, the potentially sketchy lawyer; and even Ashlynn, the not-so-sneaky thief. But really, I don't care which direction the author takes the series, I'll be along for the ride.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.