Another fun and intriguing mystery in the A Literary Pub Mystery series. The characters are interesting and multidimensional, and the story is nicely paced. There's lots of twists and turns and red herring that kept me guessing whodunit. And I love the idea of visiting (and working) a renaissance faire.
Definitely recommend.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Another good addition to this enjoyable series: there's plenty going on, twists, mystery and a pinch of romance.
I was glad to catch up with the characters, liked how the author developed the characters and the romance not taking the main set.
The mystery is full of suspects, red herring and twists; it kept me guessing and entertained.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Claret and Present Danger by Sarah Fox is about a literary pub owner who tries to find the killer of an illusionist at the renaissance faire. Her employee has been arrested & she knows they’re innocent. It’s book four in the Literary Pub Mysteries. Which always makes me wonder, is there a literary pub tour out there? I’d sign up for that, especially for the drinks with fun names like in this series.
Having the murder be set at the faire gives a mix of suspects readers don’t know and a few that they do. This makes Sadie’s sleuthing more challenging as she navigates the behind the scene activities of the faire employees in order to find out more. I liked the challenges and complexity it gave to the mystery, especially with the illusionist being the victim and thinking on what we see versus what is real.
One of the reasons I like Sarah Fox’s books so much is that she truly writes small towns well and they are not homogenous stereotypes. Characters are well-developed and we learn more about the regulars throughout the series, they’re not static.
On a personal level for Sadie, move along nicely on the romance front. I love seeing Sadie and Greyson’s relationship build and there are some sweet moments in this story. Looking forward to seeing what’s next for them and this series!

CLARET AND PRESENT DANGER, the fourth Literary Pub Mystery by Sarah Fox, is bursting with bookish charm, a Renaissance Faire, and murder. It is both entertaining and a challenging puzzle to solve.

It is the height of summer in Shady, Vermont, and the town is electrified about the Ren Faire coming to town. Pub owner Sadie Coleman is excited to see the faire’s headliner illusionist Ozzie Stone but fails to anticipate his murder right in the middle of his show. When her employee Damian falls under police suspicion, Sadie puts on her investigative hat to get to the bottom of the mystery even as the body count rises.

I adore Sadie’s literary themed pub and can see myself spending plenty of time there. I also like Sadie very much; she admits she is nosy (just do not call her a Nosy Parker) and, though she never seeks out trouble, trouble finds her. She is relatable in her insecurities, but I am pleased to see her romantic relationship with Grayson progress within these pages. Her friends, family, employees, and customers provide lots of variety to make the town come alive. The Faire theme is fun and a nice backdrop to the mystery. There are several suspects and victims with lots of clues for Sadie to work through. I confess that I did not figure out the killer’s motives before the big reveal. I love it when the mystery is a challenge.

CLARET AND PRESENT DANGER is a smart, engaging read sure to please any cozy reader, especially those who like bookish and food themes. I cannot wait to see what Sadie gets up to next. Highly recommended!

I received an ARC of title from the author and Kensington Books and voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.

Claret and Present Danger by Sarah Fox is the 4th book in Literary Pub Mystery, and another great addition. Sadie Coleman loves books, and she's happy in Shady Creek, Vermont, where she owns a pub, called Inkwell. Sadie is busy getting ready for The Trueheart Renaissance Faire and Circus which the town is all excited by. Sadie and her boyfriend local brewery owner Grayson Blake team up to solve the murder, when an illusionist falls dead during his show. Not only is this book an exciting mystery but also very refreshing and a quick read. I can not wait to see what happens next in Sadie's life. If you love fun cozy mysteries, which are my favorite, I highly recommend this book. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4th book in the Literary Pub Mysteries – Renaissance Faire is in town, and with it drama worthy of a Faire play. Murder, deceit, dare I say potions, magic it has it all, and Sadie works hard to clear her employee’s name.
Great cozy to sit down with one Sadie’s signature drinks and read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an early copy in exchange for my opinion.

It was great to visit Shady Creek, VT in the summer during the Renaissance Faire. While working on clearing her employee of the latest murder, Sadie and Grayson got even closer. I loved that he gets her and her need to be nosy, but he's still sweet and protective while giving her space. I love how things had developed between them by the end of the book! And they both had enough employees now that they could take off for little bits of time together without feeling too guilty about it.

I had a feeling I knew whodunit when the book was fairly close to being done, but I didn't really have the why. The showdown was exciting with an even better takedown. I only wish these books came out more than once a year, because now I'm excited to read the next book. I know Sadie's mom is planning a visit. All I can say is she'd better like Grayson as much as everyone else does, lol.

This book releases next Tuesday, November 30. I really think this one was the best so far. All the characters now seem like old friends to me even though I'm sure we'll continue learning new stuff about them throughout the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher Kensington via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Sadie Coleman runs The Inkwell, her literary-themed pub, housed in a renovated grist mill in Shady Creek, Vermont. Sadie is really thrilled that the Trueheart Renaissance Faire and Circus are in town. The resident wizard, Ozzie Stone gives Sadie tickets for his show so Sadie and her beau, craft brewery owner Grayson Blake go along but then Ozzie collapses and dies and Sadie can't resist the urge to get involved...

Sarah Fox's fourth Literary Pub Mystery is fabulously entertaining. I really like Sadie as she has a great vision and determination. There is so much to like in this cozy murder mystery, besides Sadie herself. The plot is sound, the whole cast is well-drawn, the mystery is intriguing and kept me guessing until the very end. Claret and Present Danger was a very enjoyable instalment and I will be catching up with the first books in the series as well looking forward to book #5.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Claret and Present Danger is the fourth book in author Sarah Fox’s Literary Pub Mystery series. It is summertime and a renaissance faire is visiting Inkwell Literary Pub owner’s town of Shady Creek, Vermont. There is excitement about the faire being there and the added tourist trade it is bringing to the small town. And the appearance of the hyped magician Ozzie Stone adds to the draw. However, that draw ceases as faire members are murdered.

Pub owner Sadie Coleman is drawn in to the mystery of what is happening at the faire, almost as if she is targeted to be a player. Her empathy for those involved brings her closer to danger and she becomes targeted by one seeking their own revenge.

Once again author Sarah Fox has woven a full bodied twisting tale that will entice the reader and lead them through a very well done mystery. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Shady Creek, VT is enjoying a Renaissance Faire with all of the usual events plus some extra attractions like a show put on by Illusionist Ozzie Stone. Sadie is thrilled when he comps her a couple of tickets to the sold out event so she and Grayson are in the audience when tragedy strikes. Sadly this is Ozzie's final show - he is poisoned. Sadie soon finds herself, with the help of her boyfriend, Grayson, deep into investigating the murder due to the police focusing on her employee, Damien. Knowing that he couldn't be the killer she sets out to reveal the killer before another murder is committed.
This entry to the series has everything I look for in a well written cozy mystery. Sadie is a realistic character, a young woman who puts her heart and soul into her business - a literary themed pub complete with lots of books, fun drinks, good food and book groups. Count me in. She has a nice group of friends and a growing relationship with Grayson that, to me, rings true. As for the mystery itself there were plenty of misdirections and I guessed wrong several times.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to return to Shady Creek and the Inkwell (one of my favorite fictional places). Add to this charming town, a Renaissance Faire and I was so excited - and this story did not disappoint. We are introduced to a new cast of characters as someone from the Faire is murdered and it turns out he was not the most well liked person (and a super creep). Since one of Sadie's friends is accused of the murder, I am not surprised that she is determined to investiage. I am a bit surprised that so many strangers are willing to talk to her, without knowing her connection or her penchant for solving mysteries. I wish we had more descriptions of the Faire itself, but that locale was mostly used for Sadie to sneak around investigating. I was satisfied with all the literary themed items at the Inkwell and can't wait to see what new items she adds. The trivia night sounded so fun and this is definitely a fictional location I would love to visit. The murder investigation seemed to move a bit slowly, but wow I was surprised by the ending. The romance was also a tad slow, though I completely understand why due to Sadie's past relationship trauma. There were some very sweet moments and I'm looking forward to more in future books.

This is the fourth 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.
A renaissance fair 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.

Book #4 in series. I like that Sadie, the MC, is moving forward in her life. I like the characters and the town. Employee of Sadie is the one accused of the murder so this gives her a reason to snoop into the murder. Who the murderer was kept me guessing (more than 1 murder).

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

Another really good read in this series; it was lovely to be with Sadie and Grayson and the rest of the crew of Shady Creek, Vermont. I had no idea who the killer was and I enjoyed the clues that were laid out [red herrings anyone?] for the mystery to evolve. There was a touch too much romance for me, but compared to others, it wasn't too bad or syrupy, so I didn't take any points off for that. I know that I would love to spend time in Sadie's Literary Pub and I sure am looking forward to the next book in the series. This is a series I can highly recommend to cozy fans and to those who may be new to the cozy mystery scene. Well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Fox, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another winner in the literary pub series! I love these books and am sad when they are over and I have to wait for another one.

This time it is summer in Shady Creek, VT. Sadie and other town proprietors are enjoying the influx of tourists to the Renaissance faire and their bottom lines. Sadie is particularly excited to see a magic show during the faire (yes it is explained this is out place...) but when the magician dies on stage in front of the audience and then Sadie's employee Damien is arrested for the crime, she cannot help but step in to clear Damien's name. Unfortunately, one more body and a near miss take place before the mystery is solved.

Okay so my one big complaint here is that Sadie's pub hosts a Shakespeare trivia night and we only get to hear two of the questions! I was so excited to test my knowledge (knew the answer to the first question but not the last). However, that did not detract from my enjoyment of the story. Sarah Fox is good at creating atmosphere and you feel like you're wandering through town, hanging at the Inkwell and just generally part of the story. I always look forward to reading these and I do hope this series continues on for a good long while.

The Renaissance Faire has come to Shady Creek, bringing fun and.....murder! Sadie's there when Ozzie, the illusionist, dies in the middle of his act, poisoned by who? Not Damien, Sadie's employee at the Inkwell, her pub and bookstore (I love this concept), even though he was seen arguing with Ozzie. Well, of course Sadie, along with her love interest Grayson, and their other friends, investigate but then someone else (no spoilers) is murdered and all bets are off. This is classic cozy territory with a smart heroine who is able to weed through the red herrings to find the real villain. I like the setting and the tidbits Fox drops about books and brews. While it's the last a series, it will be perfectly fine as a standalone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.

I loved this cozy mystery because it contains all of my favorite elements in a cozy mystery: a great amateur sleuth who is smart and resourceful with an interesting profession, a plot that was intriguing and thought provoking, and a setting that made me want to visit sometime. It also was light-hearted and had a happily ever after. I recommend this book as an example of a great cozy mystery. I received this advanced reader's copy from NetGalley. This review expresses my honest opinion.

I am typically a huge Sarah Fox fan especially this series, however this book fell flat for me. I hope the next one is better.

Not my favorite of the series. For depth of characters it relies on reader's knowledge from previous books, making them hard to relate to if you are new to the series. Premise is a good one, with Sadie and her friends enjoying a Renaissance Festival that has come to town. It wasn't hard to determine identity of the murderer, but not because of any strong clues leading to the solution.

While Sadie's interest in finding the murderer made sense, her randomly wandering around town and in the Festival grounds asking questions of those she encountered seemed a little haphazard. There was only passing objection from the police to her involving herself in the investigation, which didn't quite ring true.

Regular readers will probably enjoy the book as they will be interested in the on-going personal stories. New to the series readers would benefit from reading an earlier one or two books before to get a feeling for how characters relate to one another and to be familiar with relationship progressions.

This book is perfect to get you ready for your local fall Ren Faire-it has all the charm, color and whimsy you know and love, but it also has a coz little mystery and charming lead characters! Perfect for fall reading, this book is a quick read, and one that will have you guessing among a couple of suspects, but not sure of motive, till the end- making for a satisfying read! Another fun edition of the Literary Pub series (this is book 4) that makes you want to hunt down the real town it's based on!