I am well and truly invested in this series! Looking forward to more character development between Chloe and Rip.

Rum and Choke

by Sherry Harris

Surprise, Chloe! Your boss/business partner Vivi Slidell aided by Joaquín Diaz, the Sea Glass Saloon’s bartender, has entered you in the annual Florida Barback Games! Soon Chloe learns that “Barback” is the term for the person who does the prep work for the bartender and assists him in whatever will make the job easier. Of course, the “games” are more complicated than that, making for great entertainment.

In scoping out the local competition who are all professional athletes brought in as ringers, Chloe finds herself past inebriated. Could someone have spiked her drink with a drug? Things turn even more serious when Ann, the mysterious local fixer, confides a secret to Chloe, requests her assistance, and discovers a body. Both women come under suspicion of murder.

An additional backdrop to the story is Chloe’s relationship to Rip, a former lawyer and currently a volunteer firefighter. He worries about her, but is always supportive.

If you are interested in underwater treasure hunts and nice people who find themselves deep in troubles that were previously not even on their radar, I think you will enjoy Rum and Choke. Previous readers of the series have been introduced to the “fixer” Ann. To Ann’s amusement, Chloe originally thought Ann was a handywoman. Whoops! Ann fixes sticky situations, and there are lots of gray areas to her business. Chloe and the reader learn a lot more about Ann in this book. I have enjoyed the whole series as well as other cozy mysteries by Sherry Harris.

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: #4 in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery Series. Although I recommend reading the series from the beginning to understand why a child librarian is part owner in a bar, this can be read as a standalone as far as the mystery goes.

Publication: December 27, 2022—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

This place could be a hotbed of gossip at times. Mostly on days that have a d in them.

I worked my way through the crowd to the bar and ordered a drink. I didn’t believe in going into a place and not ordering anything. It was almost as bad as leaving a library without a book.

The paved road became a dirt road, which wound around until I wasn’t sure which direction we were headed. Talk about a metaphor for my life.

This is the fourth book in the sea glass saloon series. I love this series and I highly recommend reading them in order.

I absolutely love the characters and the storyline. Co-owner of the Sea glass saloon, Chloe, is helping the mysterious Ann who found some maps that she hopes will lead her to find a ship her pirate ancestor wrecked. But, instead of a treasure or a wreck they find a dead body. And unfortunately they both have pretty good motives are definitely persons of interest on this one.

The dead body of a contestant in the upcoming Panhandle Barback Games. The bar back games are huge and include competing in various obstacle-course events that conclude with rolling an empty keg up a hill. The rivalries are so fierce that some of the participating bars even stoop to bringing in ringers. Sadly, it’s one of the ringers found dead.

Love this series and highly recommend it!!

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

This is a fun series that has maintained its strength until this fourth book as well! The time that has lapsed between all the books is quite short, and this helps keep the pace of the narrative growing. We see every small change in relationships and the overall acceptance of our leading lady into the local community.
I would not recommend getting into this series with this book. The background of the people and the things they have experienced together are quite important in ensuring continuity and excitement in the series.
Chloe has finally reached a friendly relationship with her co-owner and has been talked into participating in the local obstacle course event. She is also in a blossoming new relationship, making her a very busy person indeed. She is informed that ringers usually participate for other establishments in the area and is sent to scope them out. This one outing then puts her in suspect criteria when one of them turns up dead. There is also the question of helping the mysterious Ann, who has asked her for a few favours and does not want her to share that information with anyone.
It was a fast-paced story, with something happening at every turn. The mystery of the killer was not completely satisfactory since there are some things that, as readers, we could not have been aware of. It played out more like a thriller than a mystery by the time Ann and Chloe felt they had completed their 'mission' unscathed.
I would recommend this series to readers of Cozy mysteries. It ticks all the boxes that are required by this sub-genre, including the quirky occupation and the romantic interest.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Rum and Choke, the fourth book in Sherry Harris’s Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon mysteries, is another top-notch entry in this delightful series. Once again, Ms. Harris has treated us with characters worth caring about and a mystery that will keep us guessing until the end.

Despite her inexperience in the arena, Chloe Jackson, part owner of the Sea Glass Saloon, finds herself nominated to participate in the Barback Games on behalf of the bar. At the same time, she finds herself enmeshed in a suspenseful treasure hunt with local fixer Ann. But when Ann and Chloe encounter the body of one of Chloe’s main competitors, suspicion turns to them, and they find they must catch a killer to clear their names.

This is a great example of why this is fast becoming one of my favorite series. Not only do we have a complex, multi-layered mystery with a plethora of clues and red herrings, but the book is replete with interesting situations and compelling characters. Chloe is resourceful, logical, and loyal. And it is nice getting to know Ann better. In prior books she was sort of an enigma, but here, her determination and personality make her a force to be reckoned with. And Chloe’s relationship with Rip took a much-anticipated step forward. The subplot involving the Barback Games is thoroughly engaging, and I found myself rooting for Chloe to succeed. And the story’s climax brought the mystery to a bittersweet conclusion when the perpetrator was revealed.

Do I recommend this series? Oh, yes! But as terrific as Rum and Choke is, I do recommend starting with the first book - From Beer to Eternity – to get the full story. For my part, I will be looking forward to reading the fifth book in the series.

Note: I received an ARC of Rum and Choke from NetGalley and Kensington Books. The above is my honest review.

Chloe is going to be representing the Sea Glass Saloon in the barback games. From mixing drinks to participating in an obstacle course, Chloe has her work cut out for her. To add to her stress she gets talked into helping Ann search for pirate treasure. Rather than treasure they uncover a body - another of the the barback games competitors. I love the setting for this book and always enjoy the characters. Ann is getting a bit "out there" so I hope things settle down a bit before the next installment.

Rum and Choke is a good read that follows the script for Florida cozy mysteries. Chloe, a former children's librarian, now part owner of a Florida Panhandle beach bar, is volunteered to compete in the local barback competition. The plot involves the death of one of the out-of-town competitors and a search for missing treasure. And, of course, there is a little bit of romance. Author Sherry Harris writes enjoyable FL escape reading with likeable characters and original plot twists.

Princess Fuzzypants here: When Chloe gets talked into competing in the bar back contest, she has no idea to what she has signed on. She is told to check out the competition and ends up getting roofied and one of the competitors ends up dead. Worse still, Chloe and Ann, fixer extraordinaire, discover the body when Ann goes diving to see if she can find a sunken ship. Both of them are considered persons of interest but they know neither of them killed the guy, even though Ann has some dark history with deceased.

Along the way to solving the mystery, there are treasure maps and pirates and family betrayals and many other fun things. I have always enjoyed this series. Chloe, Vivi, Joaquin, Rip and all the other characters are people about whom the reader can become invested. There is always an exciting story with twists and turns. This one did not disappoint.

Five purrs and two paws up.

I love the Sea Glass Saloon series and this one didn't disappoint. When I read these books, I feel like I'm back on the Panhandle beach. I like all of the characters and wish that I really could head to Sea Glass for a drink or two. This one is well-written and would be a great beach read. I had a hard time putting this one down. I hope we don't have wait too long for the next one.

Chloe Jackson works at the Sea Glass bar where she is part owner. Mostly she serves drinks but is learning to make them, too. Jacquin, the bartender and Vivi, her co-owner, have drafted Chloe to represent the bar in the Panhandle Barback Games, something she’s never even heard of before.

There are challenges, of course. Remember running with an egg in a spoon? Try running and hopping through tires while carrying three mugs of beer in each hand. Chloe has to make an original drink with surprise ingredients and roll a beer keg uphill in sand. Some of the bars want to win so badly, they’re bringing in ringers, people who are on the payroll for the required thirty days but don’t really work. One is a former Olympian, one a surfer, and another was the stunt woman for the Wonder Woman movie.

They visit the other bars to check out the competition, of course. Enrique is hot and knows it. Customers are falling all over him. Ditto with the Olympian and, of course, Wonder Woman’s double. Chloe’s glad she has a steady boyfriend because otherwise, she’d feel invisible.

When Ann, known as the local fixer, asks Chloe to come along to follow an old map and dive for potential treasure, Chloe says yes. After all, all Chloe has to do is sit in the boat and wait for Ann to surface. Ann’s done favors for Chloe. It’ll be fun. Except for being watched by someone with binoculars and Ann bringing up the dead body of one of the competitors instead of gold doubloons. With Ann under suspicion, mysterious break-ins, training for the Games, and tending bar, Chloe has her hands full. Will Chloe be able to help save her friend before it’s time to roll that keg uphill? It’s beginning to sound easier than finding the killer.

This is book three of the series. Chloe is someone you’d like as a friend. Hanging out at the bar with a view of the beach and Jacquin the bartender is added scenery to enjoy. The mysteries are good, lots of clues and red herrings, alternating with fun and laughter, and a bit of romance. The Sea Glass is just flat out a good time.

Harris has also written nine Garage Sale Mysteries. I loved every one of them, too.

Great story! There is a reason Sherry Harris is continually one of my favorite authors. She constructs a fabulous mystery. This was exciting and had tons of twists. I loved it!

I have to say that Rum and Choke my just be my favorite in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon mysteries series. Chloe finally feels like not only one of the team. But also a local. And I mean what's not to love about a chance to find pirate treasure. After the ending we got for this one, I can't wait to see where the next on takes us.

This is such a fun series, I adore the main character and have loved watching her grow and develop through the last couple books. The mystery in this one was really well done and I always love the setting. I love this series and look forward to the next book.

Chloe Jackson, part owner of the Sea Glass Saloon, has been 'drafted' into participating in the Florida Panhandle Barback Games. After agreeing to represent her bar, she is told that that three of her competitors are ringers (people hired in the last few months solely for the purpose of winning the competition).

First Chloe needs to check out the competition, then practice the skills needed to win.

As if she wasn't busy enough, her friend Ann asks for help in another matter. Ann has found a treasure map in her family's belongings and wants Chloe to watch out on the boat while she dives for treasure. She finds the body of one of the ringers while diving so the police get involved. They, of course, consider Ann and Chloe suspects.

Now Chloe is practicing, treasure hunting and investigating a murder. Makes for a fun read.

I became a fan of Sherry Harris's works after reading the previous entry before this one. I find this story fun, full of charming characters, and great setting. The author does a great job of storytelling and making the readers wanting to solve the mystery alongside the characters.

My thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGallery for a digital copy of this book for my review! Here's to more works by Sherry Harris!

This is the fourth book in the Sea Glass Saloon Mystery, and we’re back in Emerald Cove which is on the Pandhandle of Florida. Sherry does such a great job with the setting, this is a perfect series to read in the middle of winter when we’re longing for summer. Chloe is voluntold to represent her Bar in the Barback Games, which is an obstacle course event. Chloe and her friend Ann are out on the water and come across a body, so she obviously has to investigate! I absolutely love this cozy series! The characters are likeable and mysteries are very good! You could read this as a standalone but I think it’s best to read cozies in order.
I prefer to listen to cozies on audiobook, I listen while I’m at work. So I am hoping they come out with an audiobook for the previous book as well as this one. The narrator, Nancy Wu, for the first two books is fantastic!! Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dollycas's Thoughts

We are back in Emerald Cove, Florida just in time to witness Chloe Jackson train for the upcoming Barback Games. The obstacle course can be tough and the trophy is such a coveted prize some of the bars have brought in ringers. Vivi Slidell the saloon's co-owner and head bartender Joaquin Diaz both encourage Chloe to take the day off and check out the competition.

Chloe has also been asked by Vivi's friend Ann to help her with a project regarding some hidden treasure linked to her family history. Instead of finding treasure, they find the dead body of one of the ringers brought in to participate in the Barback Games.

So while searching for sunken treasure with Ann they are also searching for a killer. Suddenly pushing a keg up a hill doesn't seem so hard.

________

What a fantastic story!

I loved that Ann Williams who claims to be a descendant of the famous pirate Jean Lafitte was given a starring role in this installment. She is known as a "fixer" in the area and until now has been pretty mysterious. The fact that she asked Chloe to help her was very interesting. Chloe becomes a loyal friend really fast especially when they find themselves in dire straights.

Chloe has really grown over the course of this series. She and Vivi co-owing the Sea Glass Saloon has opened up a ton of possibilities. They have learned how to work together very well. Throw Joaquin into the works and they all make a great team. I am so happy that they have realized they need to hire more help. Chloe's interview techniques had me laughing out loud. The other thing that makes me happy is Chloe's relationship with Rip. It is evolving at a perfect pace.

Miss Harris really pulled out the stops when she penned the mysteries in this book. The mystery of a sunken pirate ship grabbed my attention right away. The subplot has several nice twists and a moment that stopped my heart. The murder mystery was compelling as well. Chloe did her best to link all the clues together and my oh my that final twist was a doozy.

Everything I have read by Ms. Harris has been fun and entertaining. Rum and Choke is just the latest in a group of wonderful reads. Her characters are well-developed, the mysteries are complex and even when it's raining the setting is superb, especially when the snow is flying here in Wisconsin.

I am really excited for the next book in this series because the author has dropped a few breadcrumbs of probable coming events and the last line of the book had me grinning ear to ear.

I like the relationships between different characters. Relationships move forward int he books. The mystery kept me guessing.

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

Rum and Choke is the fourth book in the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series written by Sherry Harris. The reader soon meets the star of the show, children's librarian Chloe Jackson who has waved goodbye to Chicago winters and is living in warmer climes. She promised her late friend Boone that she would help out in Boone's grandma's bar, the Sea Glass Saloon, in Emerald Cove, Florida. Co-owner, Chloe is settled into her new life working with her business partner and boss, Vivi Slidell and Joaquín Diaz, head bartender, and is representing the Sea Glass Saloon in the Florida Panhandle Barback Games. Meanwhile, on a boat ride with her friend, Ann Williams, a pirate's descendant, a body is discovered; it's a professional athlete from the games.

I thought this was an excellent, really solid continuation to the series. I enjoyed reading the author's wonderful descriptions of the gorgeous beach setting and the humorous narrative. Emerald Cove sounds fabulous with its strong, vibrant touristy vibe. Sherry Harris has created a delightful set of characters, apart from Chloe herself who I find to be intelligent, funny, caring and smart. The playfulness of the games and, to a significant degree, treasure hunting, are masterfully mixed. The writing is fast-paced, and the mystery itself is very well executed, with abundant red herrings and twists to sustain my interest. All in all, a brilliant, witty instalment and I will certainly be returning to Emerald Cove to see what Chloe is getting herself into next as well as seeing how Rip and Chloe’s relationship progresses. I highly recommend Rum and Choke to those who appreciate well-written cozy mysteries.

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