Sloan Krause and her partner, Garrett Strong, run a craft brewery in the beautiful Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington. Sloan was raised in the foster care system and has recently learned some disturbing facts about both her family history and the history of her in-laws. The story revolves around the current festival in Leavenworth, Sloan’s brewery, her in-law’s brewery and Sloan’s past. I enjoyed the book. It was an easy, quick, engaging read. Even though I have read the previous books in this series, I felt like I was missing the backstory on Sloan and her in-laws. It was well covered in a previous book but so many books have been read between that one and this one that I had forgotten the details. This certainly is a stand-alone book but I wish there had been more background as the story unfolded.

This was an interesting story with two different mysteries. The characters were likeable and I loved learning about the making of beer. The writing seemed a little long-winded and the ending seemed a bit rushed. I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I like beer and I like mysteries so that's why this series has caught my eye.

When Sloan discovered her husband, Mac, cheating, she kicked him out. She was working for his family's brewery and got another job working with Garrett in his new microbrewery/pub, Nitro. Sloan is enjoying working with Garrett in his smaller business as it gives her a more hands-on opportunity to create interesting craft beers with him. She also realizes that she has feelings for Garrett and is hoping he feels the same. She recently downsized from their family house outside of the village to a smaller one in the village, which she is happy about.

Sloan grew up in foster care and she has been delving more and more into her past. When a woman named Marianne shows up in the village, she claims to be Sloane's aunt and that Sloane's family is in danger from a man Marianne's sister (and Sloane's mother) used to hang out with. When Sloane's mother was killed, it was Marianne who put Sloane in foster care to keep her safe (that storyline was a bit convoluted).

A housekeeper was a found murdered in Marianne's hotel room and she claims it was done by the man who is a danger to Sloane's family. Marianne seems erratic and at times Sloane doubts her sanity so doesn't know what to think. The housekeeper's death could also be part of some funky things that are going on at the hotel because there has been a rash of thefts there recently. Sloane is cautious but carries on with her life.

This is the fifth in the Sloan Krause Series by this author and I liked it. I've read the first four and this works as a stand alone (there is enough background provided). It's written in first person perspective in Sloane's voice. There is a lot of talk about beer (which I found interesting) and there are also explanations about what was being talked about (what hops are and the varieties, for example). It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. I'm assuming this is the end of this series as all the storylines seemed to come to a happy completion.

Other than murders, Leavenworth sounds like a fun place to visit!

This is the 5th book in the Sloan Krause mystery series. Sloane is a beer brewer in the town of Leavenworth, Washington. The town looks like a German Bavarian village with all the associated architecture, food, and drink. It’s a huge tourist destination. Sloan and her ex husband Mac Krause are getting a divorce, which meant she had to leave his family’s brewery, the largest in town. However, his parents are family to Sloan and her son Alex.

Sloan is looking for her parents, she was a foster child, but she has an aunt Marianne who was somehow involved in her childhood. Marianne shows up in Leavenworth saying that someone was trying to kill her and Sloan. When a housekeeper is found murdered, Sloan knows she has to find the killer to protect herself and her son.

I loved this book, all the characters were so well done I felt like I knew them. Leavenworth is a fascinating place, I didn’t know until recently that it actually exists! I want to go there more than ever now just from reading the descriptions in the book. The plot was outstanding, I couldn’t put the book down once I started. I highly recommend this book and this series, 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#elliealexander #thecureforwhatalesyou

Sloan and her son Alex are doing well after her divorce from Mac (she's still friends with Mac's parents- great people) and she's happily working with Garrett to brew craft ale. She grew up in foster care and has been searching for her birth family. Just as she thinks she's got a lead, there's a murder, a warning, and worst of all, a threat to Alex. This is a bit more than the usual cozy (although the murder is classic)- it's about a woman who is searching for her past but always looking to the future. I like this series for the characters as well as the themes Alexander explores. I also always learn seething about brewing! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Sloan works at a craft brewery in the Pacific Northwest. The town has a faux-Bavarian ambiance and attracts a lot of tourists. I enjoy spending time in the town and with Sloan and her friends and family. I love how the town actually likes its tourists and how the townspeople all know and look out for each other. Of course, quirky characters and a good setting can just about carry any cozy mystery – thankfully.

Our victim here is a housekeeper at a local hotel, but that investigation is overshadowed by the return of a woman from Sloan’s past claiming to be her aunt. Honestly, I hope we’re finally done with all the stuff from Sloan’s childhood. It all seems unlikely and over the top and detracts from a good series. If the author could just keep the focus on the murders in the town, and not veer off into organized crime or drugs or whatever, I’d be much happier. Sloan’s present is much more interesting to me than a past she can’t remember.

The mystery itself was fine. We’ve got a few suspects, some clues, and the question of whether or not it’s connected to the woman who has come to warn Sloan. I guess I just wish the story had revolved around this investigation, not having the whole town on lockdown because of a man nobody has seen.

However, I really do like the characters and the setting and the author does put together good mysteries. I even like the bits about beer brewing, even though my husband and friends are the craft beer drinkers, not me.

This is a series with a huge upside: A smart and independent female main character and an interesting and unusual setting in a small Washington town devoted to craft brewing in the German style.

Sloan Krause used to be married to a local brewery's son, and spent many years as part of their family business. But the marriage is over and Sloan has made an independent life, raising her teenage son Alex and working at a new startup brewery. We have watched her get comfortable in her new life over several books.

This time out, a maid at a local inn is murdered during a beer festival. But this murder is not really the focus of the book, in fact it's an afterthought.

SPOILERS: Instead, the plot is over the top preposterous, involving (largely unexplained) gangsters, drug gangs, snipers and organized crime. Sloan's back story has been variously important in previous books, but it completely takes over in this one, to the detriment of the story. Her mother was (evidently) murdered by these thugs and a mysterious woman claiming to be Sloan's aunt shows up in town trying to warn Sloan that she is in danger. There is not coherent explanation, no continuity, and not much of a resolution. It's a head scratcher.

As much as I have enjoyed his series, this entry was tremendously annoying. I hope we are done with the ghosts of Sloan's past because her present is much more interesting than her past.

Thanks to Net Galley and to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the fifth book in the Sloan Krause series. Sloan runs a brewery in the German style town of Leavenworth, Washington. Sloan has been looking for a woman from her past for the the past few months. When the woman gets in contact with Sloan, Sloan learns she and her family are in danger. A lot of the mysteries involving Sloan's past are answered in this book. I love this series and these characters. I love how everyone rallied around Sloan. The characters in this series are just the best. Otto and Ursula are wonderful and I love how they see Sloan as their daughter even though she and Mac aren't together anymore. It's the connection between the characters that make the series for me. It is simply wonderful and I can't wait to return to Leavenworth again. I received this book from netgalley and Minotaur books in exchange for an honest review.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by St. Martin’s Press and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

A lovely cozy mystery for a night in, weekend in, or just settled in with a cuppa.

Another fabulous installment in Ellie Alexander's Sloan Krause series. This one almost feels like an ending, but I hope that's not true, as I've fallen in love with Sloan, Garret, Alex, and the whole case of characters.

I've always said that my favorite aspect of the Sloan Krause series is the series thread of Sloan searching for more information on her birth mother. And in this story we finally get some answers. Of course, there's a murder mystery, and Sloan is in the thick of it as usual, but it's almost a side plot this time and the bigger mystery surrounds the mysterious woman in town claiming to be Sloan's aunt. And maybe these two mysteries are related, maybe not, but the whole book is woven together beautifully and is my new favorite of the series.

I've heard some mixed opinions on the first in this series (though I loved it), and I urge those who didn't love the series opener as much as I did to keep reading, because this series gets better and better with each book. And this is such a challenge for cozies, which typically wane as they go and struggle to stay fresh. Long live the Sloan Krause series!

Thanks to Minotaur for my ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

It's spring in Leavenworth and that means Maifest. Sloan is brooding over the mysteries of her past and not the town festival. She keeps seeing someone who looks like a person from her past, but she keeps disappearing. Finally, she makes contact, but only because she is involved in a murder. She tells Sloan that she and all her family are in danger from the man who killed Sloan's mother. All of this dark history plays out in contrast to the light-hearted festival going on. Sloan and her estranged husband, Mac, team up to protect their son, but he is still kidnapped. Alex is found, but the woman disappears, as well as the man she alleged was the murderer of Sloan's mother. Sloan eventually figures it all out but not without personal danger and many surprising personal revelations.

The Cure for What Ales you is fantastic!!

Craft brewer Sloan Krause and her partner in crime Garrett Strong are happy spring is beginning to bloom. They are hard at work putting the finishing touches on their bright and refreshing Lemon Kiss ale. As they get ready to debut their ale at the Maifest Celebrations things do not go as planned.

There is intrigue, murder, and lots of twists and turns. The story flows and the well-crafted characters are delightful. This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion and I have to say it's a great novel!! Highly recommend.

In short: It’s spring & Leavenworth is getting ready for Maifest. A local housekeeper is murdered and a mysterious woman from Sloan’s past is involved. She also brings a warning that Sloan & her family are in immediate danger.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this book and finally getting answers to Sloan’s mysterious childhood.

The Murder Mystery: The housekeeper who was murdered almost took 2nd place to the main mystery of why Sloan was in danger and finding the man hunting her. It was near the end that the Murder was solved and it was a little anti-clamatic, especially with everything else going on revolving Sloan & her son being kidnapped.

Everyday life: I love how this storyline continues to evolve. Sloan is now living in town and loving it, her son Alex has started working at Der Keller and his grandfather couldn’t be happier as he “has za nose.” Her in-laws also say the family down to tell them the whole truth about their past.

This can be read as a stand alone but reading the series, especially the previous 2 books, is recommended to really understand the backstories and relationships.

A lot was wrapped up with this book but many new opportunities & possibilities are ahead.

oh...my...goodness!!!
You can also read the synopsis of this book for yourself, so I won't even go into that here. What I will go into, though, is how breathtaking this book was! I have loved everything of Ellie Alexander's that I have read so far, which is all of her Bakeshop mysteries as well as all of the Sloan Krause mysteries. That being said, this book is without a doubt the best one yet of both series!
Now fair warning- to fully appreciate this book, you do need to read the first four first. That shouldn't be hard for anyone to do, because like I said earlier, all of her books are fantastic. So many questions are answered in an absolutely amazingly written tale that I hated putting it down for any reason. And when I was about 90% done and had to stop reading to go to work, I almost lost my mind! The conclusion was beautifully done, tying up so many loose ends while keeping the door open for further adventures and leaving the reader still wanting to know more about these intriguing characters. I hate to say it, because I do not want to see this series ever end, but honestly it could stop here and I would reluctantly think, ok, it went out on top perfectly. Again though, I love this series and hope to see many more books forthcoming!

An excellent series that just keeps getting better. Maifest, a German celebration of spring is coming to Leavenworth, Washington, a German-styled tourist mecca. While Sloan Krause has spent the past several months delving into the mysteries of her childhood, she's ready to relax and enjoy the introduction of Nitro's latest craft beer, Lemon Kiss, during the festivities. However a mysterious woman from her past appears warning Sloan that she and her son, Alex, are in immediate danger. Compulsively readable, chock-full of appealing characters, this well-written book will keep you entertained.

A Cure for What Ales You by Ellie Alexander continues a series about Sloan as she delves into her mysterious past.
What Worked in This Book:
*Great discussions of the minutia of craft brewing—all very interesting and made me want to drink beer.

*The local color—Bavaria in the Great NorthWest, German Brewmeisters, a bunch of description about the kind of local festival I would love to go be part of.

*We have a lovely murder and a bunch of suspects. All good.

What Doesn’t Work so Well:
*The murder victim is not someone we meet in the story. We learn about her after the fact, but we don’t get to know who she is and why we should mourn her passing as well as why we should feel compelled to get to the bottom of her death—other than a tenuous tie to the series plot.

*Wordiness—A good purging of about 30% of the words in this book would tighten up the plot.

*Repetition—I know some of it is backstory since a great deal has happened in the series, but the same ground is gone over slowly and in detail well after I’ve already got it.

*Dialogue—A lot of the backstory is in dialogue, and it doesn’t ring true. It’s not snappy and driven by the moment so it sounds forced and contrived rather than natural. Many interactions between characters don’t move the plot or add to character development.

*Slow Plot development—Took a long time for anything interesting to happen. Lots of inuendo about possible romantic attachments, which results in too much reflection and not enough action. The murder is only slightly tied to the series and the resolution leaves many questions unanswered. A bunch of action takes place off stage—we hear about it third hand which kills the excitement and suspense.

If you enjoy either German culture or craft beer brewing, I’d recommend beginning this series from the start to see if it’s for you.

It's hard to know how to rate this book. On one hand, I love Leavenworth and Sloan and all the characters. I'm so glad to see Sloan and Garret's relationship progressing and to see Sloan and Mac reach an understanding. I love learning about Sloan's parentage. This said, I hate having Nazis and/or kidnapping in my cozy mysteries. Kidnapping takes me totally out of the story and having characters be suspected Nazis made this not cozy. I will definitely keep reading and I do still love the characters, but the plotlines of this series have gotten almost too intense for the genre, I would say.

This is the book I've been waiting for from this series! We FINALLY get some resolution about Sloan's backstory (which had started to get a little absurd), which seems to wrap up quite nicely by the end of the book. There are some other longer-term subplots that also conclude, which I think is best for the series. There ended up being more than one mystery in this book, but they intersected in interesting ways before getting solved. Every time I read one of these it makes me want to go to Leavenworth! The descriptions were delightful as always, with enough red herrings to keep me guessing. I'm excited to see where this series goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the gifted advanced copy.

It was a challenge to read the novel on Bluefire instead of NetGalley Shelf.

The new Sloan Krause novel in the series continues Sloan's search for her roots since she grew up in foster care. Meanwhile there is a crime wave in petty thefts and when someone is killed, the suspects include someone from Sloan's past and the petty thieves.

We continue to see many characters whom we love. I enjoyed the creativity of Sloan in putting together food recipes with beer..

Highly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries with Bavarian themed beer.

I was so excited to read the next installment in this series to see how the overarching family mystery introduced in the first book played out. It did not disappoint. Would recommend reading books in order.