Sadie is busy preparing for her mother's visit and a local taste festival featuring all the food and drink establishments in town. Two food critic and a travel writer are in town to showcase the festival. When one of the critics is found murdered in Grayson's brewery, he goes underground and Sadie gets involved to prove his innocence. Several suspects and a few red herrings make for a great read! I love this series and am sad this is the last book, but it is a good one!

I typically love this author; I have been reading her since I first found her Pancake House series [that sadly seems to be finished, much to my dismay] and when this series came along, I jumped on board [I also plan on reading the new series by her that releases next year]. I have loved each one [they have been 4 star reads from the very beginning] and I will admit that this is one of the few books I have truly been excited about.

Unfortunately, my excitement was short-lived and I instead spent most of this book shaking my head both in puzzlement and in frustration. Did someone else write this book? Did a cursed spirit enter Sadie's [the MC] body and change her so completely that she is almost unrecognizable in this [she has always been on of my favorite MC's because she works first and then sleuths, she respects the police {as she has learned that they are competent, fair, and while they always follow the evidence and question people accordingly, they do not just put people in jail to end the case} and almost ALWAYS tells them what she finds] and I spent so much time wondering JUST WHAT THE HECK happened with her [she has never been the clingy, whiny, type, but apparently now she is, and DO NOT even get me started on how she treated her mom in this one. Lying Sadie? Not a good look for you sweetie]. Never is it okay to run and go into hiding from the police as it is NEVER okay to keep evidence from them. Period. Especially in the case of these books as they have a good history together and all the actions of both Sadie AND Grayson should have put a serious strain on that previously decent relationship [and there is NO WAY the cops would have just "talked" to Grayson and all was well in the end. NO. WAY. Not even in a cozy, where I know you have to suspend your disbelief most of the time]. It was beyond frustrating.

Now, let us talk about that ending. I was pretty sure I knew the who and the why. I was wrong on both counts [and that is the ONLY reason this got 2 stars instead of 1] and that was the best part of the book. What was a huge letdown was that anticlimactic ending. It was just so...meh. Did you heart race? Did you feel they all were in mortal danger? Was there ANY kind of explanation from the killer? Nope, Nope, and N O P E. Sigh. It was just such a letdown; I was so hoping that the reveal would save the book some. It just added to the whole disappointment.

Now, having said that, I need to say this. I will absolutely still read this author. She has consistently written amazing mysteries and I still love her [even while being puzzled by the weird turn of events in this book] and unless this becomes the norm [PLEASE PLEASE NO], will always read what she writes, but I cannot, in good faith, give props where props are not due. I can only hope for a better turn next time.

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

There's no shortage of pressure for our M/C in this book as her boyfriend is the main suspect in a murder, just as her mother is coming to town to meet him. Not the first impression of anyone's dreams. Sadie has to balance it all as she tries to figure out who is framing Grayson and what happened. Through the Liquor Glass is a solid installment in the series and readers will be happy to return to Shady Creek. Fox continues to write enjoyable mysteries for cozy readers looking for a contemporary feel.

I received this advance reader copy via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. This is the fifth book in this series and easily read as a stand-alone. I always enjoy the Literary Pub mysteries because the setting is so clever, and the characters are so well written. That being said, this is probably my least favorite in the series. Sadie is looking forward to celebrating the late New England fall with Grayson, her significant other, while also dreading her mother’s visit to town. When events are disrupted by a murder at Grayson’s brewery and he becomes chief suspect, Sadie turns sleuth. The rub for me in this story is that Grayson told Sadie he was going off the grid but she spends much of the book trying to find him while stumbling her way through solving the murder. And she ignores her mom’s presence as well. While cozies require a measure of suspending disbelief, this isn’t the best entry to show what a good writer the author is.

Sadie and Grayson are enjoying their relationship and Sadie is waiting for her Mom to visit when the body of a visiting food blogger is found in Grayson's brewery. When the wrench used to bludgeon her with is discovered under the sink in his house he's the prime suspect and must go into hiding while Sadie sets out to find the real murder. The murder is mysteriously tied into the death of a daughter of Grayson's employer and friend some years ago. Will Sadie discover who the real culprit is before Grayson is arrested for the murder he didn't commit?
This was an excellent installment in the series. I loved seeing Sadie and Grayson's relationship develop. A real page turner.

You gotta love a pub where the drinks and food have a literary theme (the names of the drinks alone made me smile). Sadie, who owns the pub, has a lot going on, what with her mom coming to town, a festival, and a good relationship with Grayson, who owns the brewery. Unfortunately, two rival food critics show up for the festival, one of them ends up dead and Grayson is considered a suspect because of his back story with Dominique. He takes off, leaving Sadie and Jason, his buddy, to suss out the truth of what happened. It's a nicely atmospheric (small town Vermont in the autumn) cozy with good characters and some twists. I've been a fan of this series but believe that new readers can enjoy this as a standalone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.

A small town community vibes, books in a pub, what more could a girl ask for? From the moment I opened this book I could not put it town. This was the first time I have read this series and I couldn't want to get to know the characters more. The mystery drew you in from the start and honestly didn't know who did it till the end.
Great read and I can't wait to read the next one.



Thank you @KensingtonBooks, @NetGalley, and @TheWriteFox for this advance read
#ThroughtheLiquorGlass #NetGalley #TheWriteFox

I have enjoyed this series but this latest just didn’t grab me as much.
I found the protagonist irritating as her boyfriend was the main subject and the whodunit just did not hold my attention as much as previous books.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Through the Liquor Glass by Sarah Fox is book #5 in the Literary Pub Mystery series. Such excitement in Shady Creek, Vermont! Tourists are flocking into town for A Taste of Shady Creek, a food and drink festival. Amateur sleuth Sadie Coleman who owns Inkwell, a literary pub, is nervous about her mother's first visit to see her pub and meet her boyfriend Grayson Blake. Before Sadie's mom arrives Sadie, along with Grayson, stumble upon a dead body. The police find evidence leading them to believe Grayson is guilty of the crime. Sadie puts on her detective hat, questions possible suspects and faces danger along the way as she figures out "whodunit." This is a fast-paced, page-turner. I love the characters and how supportive everyone is of Sadie. Of course, Grayson isn't guilty. That's a given. The guilty party and why the murder was committed is fascinating.

The fifth book in the Literary Pub mysteries has Sadie Coleman busy preparing for a food and drink festival and preparing for her mother's first visit to her new home in New England and introducing her to her boyfriend Grayson.

When one of the food critics who is in town for the festival is found dead in Grayson's brewery, Sadie finds herself needing to solve a new mystery. After all, Grayson had a history with the victim and police are looking at him as the number one suspect. When Grayson goes into hiding so that he can continue his investigations into who might have murdered the woman, Sadie is left to conduct her own investigation.

There are lots of possible suspects because the victim made a habit of alienating people. From a fellow food critic to a man who lost his restaurant after her bad review to a young woman who gave up a possible writing career after receiving a critique from the victim, Sadie has lots of possibilities.

I had a couple of problems with the story. Despite having solved four previous cases, Sadie seems particularly clueless. Her desire to find her boyfriend even though it might lead the police to him seems really odd. She didn't need to see but just wanted to. She also takes some chances when she decides to search one of her suspects' rooms and her heavy-handed interview techniques weren't very effective.

Fans of cozies on the more unrealistic end of the spectrum, or those who have read earlier books in this series, would seem the best audience for this title.

‘Through the Liquor Glass’ maintained a steady tension from start to finish. The complete cast of characters are relatable and well drawn. I’ve enjoyed the steady progress in the relationship between Sadie and Grayson, with this latest offering by Sarah Fox kicking it up a notch. I can’t wait for more.

I received this book for review from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Through the Liquor Glass is the fifth book in the Literary Pub Mystery series by Sarah Fox.
I absolutely LOVE this unique cozy mystery series and this latest installment was so well written.

Sadie Coleman owns the Inkwell a unique bar that is literary themed and even sells books. I so want to go to the Inkwel! Sadie's boyfriend Grayson owns Spirit Hill Brewery right next door.

The story is set in the fall in Vermont. I live in Maine and the descriptions of Vermont in the fall is spot on. The town is having its very first annual food and drink festival and there is a rivalry and one of them ends up murdered.

It seems that Grayson is a suspect. The investigation starts and past secrets are revealed.

This is a well written multi-layered mystery. The characters are so fantastic.
I love the romance between Sadie and Grayson.

The secondary characters are anything but secondary. I love the furry characters too.

I was so surprised by the ending and the twists created a mystery that kept me guessing until the end.

I absolutely LOVE this series!

I have to admit I have a soft spot for this series, it was the first cozy mystery series I every discovered. I really love the tie in with the books both with the book club and with the names of the food and drinks at the pub. This is book five in the literary pub mystery and while character development and relationships grow through the series it is a full mystery by itself. Sadie and her boyfriend Grayson discover a dead body in his brewery and unfortunately he has history with the out of town food critic and it isn’t a positive critic. The police follow the evidence and soon have Grayson as their number one suspect. Sadie is sure he is innocent so she takes matters into her own hands and is determined to solve the mystery herself. I thought there were some good twists and turns and the mystery was well paced. A great addition to a fun series!

Protagonist, Sadie Coleman, owns a really cool bar, the Inkwell, at which literary themed food and drinks are served, and books available. Grayson, Sadie’s boyfriend, owns Spirit Hill Brewery, next door. It’s autumn in Vermont, and time for the first annual food and drink festival; A Taste of Shady Creek. At least two rival food critics are in town, and everyone selling food or drinks wants to make a great impression on them. It’s not long before the two female rivals get into a fight, and soon after, Grayson and Sadie discover one of them murdered in the Brewery!

The plot begins to move quickly into the crime investigation. Grayson seems to be the #1 suspect and he disappears into hiding before the lead detective can arrest him leaving his best friend and head of brewery security, Jason, at the helm. Jason and Sadie wonder if a past incident when Grayson was a private investigator could be tied to the present trouble. Several secondary characters made me wonder if, or how, they could be involved in the crime.

Author Sarah Fox mixes great narrative and exciting action scenes along with interesting food and drink descriptions at the Inkwell. That’s one of the main likes I enjoy about the originality of this story! The employees at the bar are always supportive of Sadie and she of them. Sadie also has friends all over town who help her find out pertinent information about her main suspects. Cozy cats and a dog are precious pet companions.

The ending was surprising to me, and I felt satisfied the author did a wonderful job writing an entertaining cozy mystery. I really enjoy the Literary Pub series.

I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.

2 stars
I have previously loved all of the books in this series, but this was a big miss for me. Perhaps this series has gone on too long.

This is one of my favorite Culinary/Literary Cozy series, since it merges both subgenres effortlessly. Not only are the fall vibes on point but Fox’s characters are incredibly likeable, I love catching up with Sadie, Grayson and the folks of the Inkwell and Shady Creek. Additionally, Fox perfectly balances the clues, red herrings and suspects so you’ll be kept guessing right up until the end. Oh and one mustn’t forget about all the fun literary themed drinks and foods mentioned through the story and the yummy recipes included in the book. This is the fifth book in the Literary Pub Mystery series, to get started from the beginning check out Wine and Punishment, book one.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

The Literary Pub series by Sarah Fox is set in Vermont and has impeccable fall vibes. The first book, Wine & Punishment, took place in fall and had so many cozy festivities. The upcoming book, Through the Liquor Glass, takes place in October, and again Fox delivers a delightfully cozy small town autumn experience.

Now, about this book. Get ready for intensity! Sadie’s boyfriend is a suspect in a murder! He goes on the run! There were some parts where Sadie went into abandoned houses by herself and I was totally terrified! We also meet Sadie’s mom, a person I have been very curious about for several books. This book has romance and suspense but still contains the cozy atmosphere that cozy mystery fans demand. I enjoyed reading it, which isn’t surprising because this series is a must-read for me. I just want to visit Shady Creek again and again!

I loved this new entry in the Literary Pub series by Sarah Fox! In Through the Liquor Glass, Sadie gets involved in a mystery surrounding A Taste of Shady Creek festival. Fox did a great job of making the fall setting in Vermont come alive and it was a timely read for me! We finally get to meet Sadie's mom who is visiting Shady Creek to see The Inkwell pub and meet Grayson! Unfortunately, Grayson gets wrapped in a murder case that only Sadie can solve! The author did a great job with setting up and executing the mystery with lots of red herrings. I can't wait to read the next in the Literary Pub series!

This is the fifth instalment of the Literary Pub mysteries. I’ve read them all and I’m absolutely charmed by Shady Creek.

We follow Sadie Coleman as she runs her literary themed pub complete with themed cocktails (recipes included!) and loveable side characters. This is a cozy mystery so my expectations were that I’d get to see some more of my favourite characters and try to solve a good mystery.

I wasn’t disappointed! I liked this one quite a bit more than book 4, which I also reviewed. I received both books via NetGalley and am very grateful.

The book begins with Sadie fretting over a visit from her mother. Her mother has been critical in the past (books) of her choices and she really likes her adopted town; she’s desperate for her mother’s approval. Instead, before her mother arrives, a food critic is found dead in her boyfriend’s brewery and he’s looking guilty to the police. Sadie has complete faith he’s innocent.

Beyond the general setting and characters, which keep drawing me back to this series, I liked the mystery in book five. It wasn’t too easy to figure out and it wasn’t as far fetched as some I’ve read.

This was a solid easy read that I’d definitely recommend. It was lovely to read it at the beginning of autumn, since it meshed well with the time frame of the book.

I continue to love this series and am hopeful for future books!

I thoroughly enjoyed the fifth book in the Literary Pub Mystery series, Through the Liquor Glass by Sarah Fox. We find Sadie's boyfriend Grayson to be the main suspect in the murder of a food writer who came to town for their autumn festival. With Grayson framed for the murder and on the run, Sadie must solve the mystery, hopefully in time for her mother to meet the boyfriend she believes Sadie made up.