I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found the subject matter really interesting. The book was well written and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book.

Claret and Present Danger

by Sarah Fox

Sadie stars in Claret and Present Danger which is a solid cozy mystery. The series combines specialty cocktails created by Sadie with the same bookish theme present throughout Inkwell, her pub, in decor and special events. This novel cleverly brings a Renaissance Faire to the little town of Shady Creek, Vermont, during their summer tourist season. The plot has a combination of the special event, some shocking murders, small town gossip and friendships, and budding romance with brewery owner Grayson. A highlight for me is the Shakespeare Trivia Night at the pub where informal teams compete to answer questions with gift certificates as the prizes.

Sadie feels compelled to investigate the first murder when her bartender Damien is jailed for the crime. Others have just as strong motivations, but Damien has no alibi and was seen in conflict with the victim shortly before the murder. Sadie develops a suspect list which is thrown into chaos when her top suspect is also found murdered. Sadie finds an anonymous note threatening her if she doesn’t abandon her sleuthing, but she determinedly continues her main technique which is interviewing. Her efforts are hampered when the police close down the Renaissance Faire, but she gets help from Grayson who used to be a private detective. He supports her informal detective work as he knows she will continue with or without his help, and he wants to keep her safe.

The threads are complex and the resolution is a surprise. There is a little too much time spent on the details of who eats what, when, and where, but some of that was to put Sadie in locations where she could discuss or overhear conversations that provide essential clues. Overall, I enjoyed this cozy mystery with its strong Renaissance Faire vibe and look forward to reading the next in the series. There are hints that trouble may be on the horizon as Sadie’s mother might come to visit and wants to meet Sadie’s new boyfriend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #4 in the Literary Pub Mystery Series, but could be read as a standalone as the author provides lots of background information succinctly at the beginning of the book.
2. Drink recipes included are: The Secret Life of Daiquiris (with a mocktail version) and A Midsummer Night’s Cream Mocktail which could easily be called a dessert. There is also a recipe for Apple Fritters (complicated, but probably delicious).

Publication: November 30, 2021—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

After getting hurt by my last boyfriend, I wanted to tread carefully when it came to giving away a piece of my heart. The problem was that my heart wasn’t always on the same page as my head.

“Sadie, I don’t want you getting into any kind of trouble for my sake.” “I don’t plan to get into trouble.” I knew full well that most of the trouble I did get into was’t planned, but I wasn’t going to bring that up.

“I wouldn’t be worried about decorum either if I had such a fine man kissing me.”

A Renaissance Faire and Circus is in town, and Sadie plans to take in the show. Things go awry when one of her employees is accused of murdering the magician. If you can overlook the circus aspect of the fair, you will be one step ahead. The characters are likable, and the mystery was good. This book can be read on its own.

Shenanigans Get Serious…
Another visit to Shady Creek, Vermont, in the latest Literary Pub Mystery. A Renaissance Faire is in town and even Sadie gets swept up in their magic but when a poisoning occurs there’s more at stake than their shenanigans. An entertaining and enjoyable instalment with a deftly drawn and eccentric cast and a fun, engaging storyline.

Pub-owner Sadie is excited to be attending the Rennaissance festival in her town. Something seems fishy about the magicians, however. When one of them winds up dead, Sadie is determined to find out what happened.

I really am enjoying this series. I found this one so easy to read! I love Sadie and the rest of the characters. I was kept guessing the whole time! I can't wait to read more!

*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

Claret and Present Danger is the 4th in the Literary Pub series and it does not disappoint. Sadie Coleman, owner of The Inkwell, the town's literary pub, and her friends in Shady Creek are involved in solving yet another murder, and this time the suspect is Sarah's employee Damien. The Renaissance Faire has come to town and everyone wants to see illusionist Ozzie Stone's show. Sadie and her boyfriend Grayson, owner of the local brewery, have a chance to attend the show however Ozzie is murdered in the midst of the show. Apparently Damien was in a fight with Ozzie just prior to his death, making Damien the number one suspect.

Ozzie Stone may have been a good illusionist, but he was not a good person as the number of suspects grows among the townspeople and the faire workers. There are as many clues as there are suspects and the observant reader will be able to solve the murder before the end of the book, but it's not clear why this person would have killed Ozzie.

Reading the books in this series is a pleasure. In each book the relationships among characters continues to develop as Sadie grows into her new life in Shady Creek. Sadie cares about her friends, family and employees, sometimes getting too involved in their lives, but always trying to help them. Sadie's self-admitted nosiness gets her into sticky and sometimes dangerous situations, but she does have a talent for piecing together the clues, a fact of which her friends are aware and have accepted.

This is a great installment in the series, which I highly recommend. I will look forward with anticipation to more visits with Sadie, The Inkwell and Shady Creek.

Princess Fuzzypants here: The Renaissance Faire offers up all sorts of entertainment and lots of tourists flocking to town. The headliner is an illusionist but one illusion he cannot pull off is how to stay alive. When he dies in the middle of a performance, Sadie and Grayson are shocked. But Sadie is more shocked when her employee is arrested. It seems the deceased was a slime ball who preyed on females including the man’s daughter. Sadie does not believe he is guilty but who else might have committed the murder. She has her list of possible suspects which gets turned upside down when her top candidate is murdered as well.

There is a real spider’s web of jealousy, resentment and revenge that seems to get more complicated the more Sadie uncovers. When she finally figures it out, it turns out to be a case of diversion and distraction- just like the illusionist. The story kept me guessing and I do appreciate a heroine who understands the difference between bravery and stupidity. Sadie is a smart lady and I am so enjoying the development of her relationships, especially with Grayson. It was just a thoroughly enjoyable read. Five purrs and two paws up.

This is book 4 in the Literary Pub Mystery series and can be read as a stand alone. Shady Creek Vermont is hosting the Trueheart Renaissance Faire and Circus and the locals are happy to spend sme summer days enjoying the magic and acts. Sadie meets the main attraction, magician Ozzie Stone and is shocked when he drops dead in the middle of his show. When a local is accused of murder Sadie must work to clear him but with a second murder it's not going to be easy. A good mystery with all the favorites characters back in the mix. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is always an entertaining series. I love the combination of literary themed food and drinks and mystery. I love that she hosts other book clubs in her pub besides just mystery clubs. While I'm not one for Ren Faires, this one sounded fun and interesting. The book was a quick, fun read. And the food and drink descriptions were mouth-watering.

Loved the cute play on the title of the book. The plot of the book was very well written. I truly cannot wait to read another wonderful book from this author. This was a truly great book.

Claret and Present Danger by Sarah Fox
Book #4: Literary Pub Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Kensington
Rating: 3/5 stars

The Bottom Line: As always, I adore the setting of this series. A quaint small town, a wonderfully appointed pub, and residents that support and care for one another. Add in the literary bent and the awesome cocktail descriptions, and this series is often a recipe for success for me. Unfortunately, this particular installment fell a bit short me and it has everything to with presence of the Renaissance faire and the characters that come with that experience. This is a bias on my part and is no reflection on the writing skills of the author. I just don’t care for books that prominently feature carnie folk and/or fairs and that is precisely who is featured in this book. I will reiterate, I still love the core cast of characters and the setting of the series, and I will absolutely be back for book five and beyond. For me, this individual book just didn’t live up to the other books in the series.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Readers arrive in Shady Creek, Vermont just in time to visit the Trueheart Renaissance Faire and Circus. Not your typical Faire or Circus but a nice mix-up of the two. Under the big top, you will find aerial acrobats and an illusionist. Around the grounds, you will find a fortune teller and mermaids in a pool as well as several little shops selling food and faire attire. Literary Pub owner, Sadie Coleman, is happy about all the business the event has brought in. She is excited when illusionist Ozzie Stone gives her two tickets to his sold-out performance.

Sadie has visited the park to check out the faire with a friend but it is her beau, Craft brewery owner, Grayson Blake who she takes to see Ozzie Stone. The show starts out with some interesting illusions but after a fantastic trick, Mr. Stone collapses on the stage. Soon thereafter we learn that Ozzie Stone is dead. Some black magic must have taken place because the man was definitely murdered and the method of death is poison.

The park is full of suspects but when one of Sadie’s employees is arrested she knows she has to get involved. When another performer is killed she presses even harder to find the killer. The killer soon has Sadie in their sights too.

I said in a previous review that the Inkwell Pub run by Sadie Coleman would be my “happy place” and with each installment of this series that becomes more cemented in my mind. In fact the whole town of Shady Creek sounds like a wonderful place to live, sans the murders, of course. Ms. Fox has painted vivid pictures in my mind of every place Sadie goes since this series began. They are images that stick with me the whole year through so when I open the new book it feels so comfortable.

Sadie and Grayson finally get to spend more time together so there is a little more romance in this book and I loved it. They do seem to be the perfect couple and I really enjoyed how they worked together when Sadie had an idea she just had to follow.

With Damien in jail and Sadie needing to investigate a new employee is added and she fits right in. Again, Aunt Gilda keeps her ears open at the beauty shop and is around to give Sadie advice especially when she learns of someone coming for a visit.

All the core characters are nicely developed. The supporting cast of friends, employees and customers bring so much to the story and they really fill the pub up for special events.

Ms. Fox also introduces a bunch of new characters with the faire and circus in town but meet some new residents of Shady Creek too. I really enjoyed the mural painting subplot and the mystery it presented.

The author really put forth a complicated mystery. There are a ton of clues to work through and suspects to eliminate because the victim turned out to be quite a rogue. I must say I was totally shocked by the reveal of the killer and the motive because l was totally focused on the wrong things. I do love when I am surprised because that means the author plotted out a great mystery and I fell for every twist she wanted me to and some of them pushed me right to the edge of my seat.

Claret and Present Danger took me back to a place I love with characters I would want to be friends with. It has not one but two mysteries, a blooming romance, and the perfect amount of humor. Every book in this series has been a Perfect Escape and this one is no exception. I was delightfully entertained from page one. One of the subplots started in this book has built up my anticipation for the next book even more the normal so I truly can’t wait for book #5.

I wound up purchasing the audio instead of reading and do not like the new narrator. It took me a bit to get into the new story because of that, but once I did, I enjoyed. it. I especially liked the . growing of the characters and the attractions of the main characters. There is of course another murder to solve and as this one hits closer to home, it of course must be solved.

I think this is one of the better cozy series out there. I think this book is my favorite to date. The characters are so well developed and the storyline is well written. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader entertained. Honestly, who doesn't love the idea of a literary pub?!!

Sarah Fox writes a neat cozy in which all the clues are tied up in the end in Claret and Present Danger. Sadie Coleman owns the literary pub that hosts science fiction and other book discussions. At the renaissance faire the illusionist is the first to die. One of her employees is arrested for murder; she wants to find the real culprit. Another body is discovered: It is a tale of hate and love mixed up in the faire relationships. Interesting setting and characters.

Claret and Present Danger by Sarah Fox is the Fourth Book in the Literary Pub series.

I love this series set in Shady Creek, VT. I really like how the romance between Saide and Grayson is moving along. I also like that he lets her do her thing and the romance doesn't take over of the mystery.

This is a perfectly paced mystery where Sadie is trying to help her friend/employee who is the prime suspect in a murder.

The writing is fantastic with well written characters and a fantastic perfectly paced plot with twists and red herrings. I didn't guess who the killer was until it was revealed.

Highly recommend this book and all books in this fantastic series! (less)

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!

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!

Another excellent installment in what has come to be a favorite cozy series for me. This series never disappoints, the story is always solid and enjoyable. This latest mystery has the fun element of a Renaissance Fair and that makes the story even more fun. The mystery was fantastic and kept me guessing, I wasn't sure of the culprit till just before the big reveal. Very well done! Looking forward to book number 5 and beyond!