Rum And Choke by Sherry Harris

The last thing that former Chicago children’s librarian turned Florida panhandle saloon owner Chloe Jackson was expecting this summer was for her co-workers to sign her up for the annual Florida Panhandle Barback Games held in their very own beachside town of Emerald Cove. It doesn’t help that her main competition appears to be an assortment of overqualified ringers imported for the event. When Chloe expresses her disbelief that the other bars in town would go to such lengths in order to win the title, her co-workers encourage her to investigate for herself. Well, not entirely by herself. Given Chloe’s penchant for unwittingly snooping her way into trouble, she’s happy to accept the friendly supervision of local fixer Ann Williams as she goes from bar to bar.

Chloe is genuinely astounded by what she discovers. As her co-workers claimed, three of the area’s most newly hired barbacks have astonishing pedigrees. Enrique Laurier is both a champion surfer and triathlete. Lisa Kelley was a Wonder Woman stunt double. Jean Claude LaPierre is an Olympic gold medalist who had his heart broken as runner-up on The Bachelorette. Worse, they all soon realize that Chloe hadn’t exactly been honest with them when she came to their places of employment to check them out, and so decide to return the favor:

QUOTE
I looked up to see what sounded like the start of a bad joke. What happens when a stuntwoman, a surfer, and an Olympic shot-putter enter a bar? I now know the answer to that joke: everyone stopped mid-motion.

[...]Lisa walked over to me with Jean Claude and Enrique trailing her. They stopped in front of me like they were the Justice League and I was the bad guy. My only weapon was my spray bottle of cleaner, but I wasn’t afraid to use it if need be.
END QUOTE

After the dressing down she receives from her competition, a mortified Chloe is determined to do her best in the games, even if she has little confidence in her odds. Fortunately, Ann has a diverting enterprise for her, whenever she should find some free time. Ann is a descendent of Jean Lafitte, pirate and war hero, and has recently found a map which may indicate where some of his treasure lies on the gulf floor, if her ocean mapping software is to be believed. She wants Chloe to act as her spotter while she dives for treasure.

At first, Chloe is happy to spend some relaxing time on the water, far away from her bar and competitors. But then someone breaks into Ann’s home. Soon after, the women find a dead body while searching their latest set of coordinates. Now Ann is under suspicion of murder, even as the barback games really heat up.

Luckily, Chloe thrives under pressure. Even as she trains, she eagerly takes on another undercover role, slipping back into strict librarian mode to interrogate recalcitrant security system developers, in order to help Ann figure out who broke into her home. She’s quietly pleased at the amount of information they give up to her:

QUOTE
I stood by my car with a half-smile on my face. Being a badass was kind of exhilarating. I hated the stereotypes set up around librarians–that they were geeky nerds who wore cardigans with a tissue tucked up in the sleeve. Librarians were misinformation slayers. Just because we used databases and words instead of swords and guns didn’t mean we never fought a good fight. But, I had to admit to myself, being on Ann’s team was next level in some way.
END QUOTE

When Chloe and Ann’s search for answers leads them deep into the Florida swamps, however, will this adrenaline be enough to keep Chloe going in some of the state’s most hostile territory? And what will she do when she uncovers the heartbreaking truth of who would kill to protect the location of a pirate’s long-lost treasure?

I was not expecting the bittersweet ending of this very strong fourth installment of the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon mystery series. Sherry Harris expertly blends the playfulness of the games and, to a large extent, treasure hunting, with the intensity of passions long buried. This series feels almost like a cozy thriller, if that’s even a thing. It’s also nice to see Chloe really start to thrive in her new life, unencumbered finally by grief or guilt or the other emotions that chased her down from her Chicago hometown. I’m so excited to see where Ms Harris continues to go with this exciting, yet comfortingly cozy series!

No one mentioned the Florida Panhandle Barback Games to Chloe, nor did they mention that she was going to be representing the Sea Glass Saloon, or that it would be against “ringers” who doubled as professional athletes of sorts. Former librarian now bartender in training and half owner of the Sea Glass saloon, Chloe Jackson, is well settled in her new lifestyle serving drinks and running on the sandy beach, she has discovered her groove and a little romance. It will be easy they said, they would prep her they said, plenty of time (10 days) to get ready. She wasn’t planning on having to do a little reconnaissance either, that is a job for Ann Williams the local fixer and descendant of the notorious John Lafitte. Speaking of Ann, she needs Chloe’s help too, to locate a treasure and to find out who killed the one contestant whom Ann knew the world renowned triathlete better than most of the locales, seems that they had some history. There are so many things to keep Chloe busy, so many places to go, people to see, questions to ask, near misses to miss. Surely your interest is peaked? One of the best parts about this series is that Chloe is so fun to follow, completely relatable, and she shares plenty of backstory so you don’t have to know how she ended up in Emerald Cove or who all the players are since there is a list of Heritage Business characters at the start of every story. So do you know how to make a lime rickey? Well you will after reading this cozy, maybe look up the recipe and enjoy it while you’re reading.

Rum and Choke is the newest, installment in SherryHarris’s Chloe Jackson SeaGlass Saloon series. It did not let me down. I found it to be a very good read!
Chloe is being prepped/trained for the upcoming Barback competition. Of course along the way we have a treasure hunt, dead body, and interrogation by the cops! Oh and don’t forget the romance between Chloe and Rip. Altogether this was a very good story.
I received this as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley and Kensington Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


#RumandChoke #NetGalley #Sherry Harris #RumandChoke

Rum and Choke by Sherry Harris the 4th instalment in the "Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery" series. I loved it and couldn’t put it down, this is becoming one of my favourite series.

Local bartender Chloe Jackson’s search for treasure shores up the dead body of a contestant in the upcoming Panhandle Barback Games...

I found myself engrossed in the story and I love the setting of Emerald Cove, Florida panhandle. The way the author described it really makes me want to visit the area. Lots happening in this instalment as Chloe and Anne form a friendship, and Chloe enters the Barback Games!

I could picture myself sitting in Chloe’s screened in porch with a sweet tea and a good book or running along the beach.

The mystery and side story of sunken treasure had just enough suspects, red herrings, and twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end. I found it to be a fun fast read. I am looking forward to seeing what is next for Chloe and Rip…

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN

Let the games begin.

In the newest installment of the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery Series RUM AND CHOKE, our lead lady finds herself in the middle of some bartender games that she has been recruited for and is on the hunt with her friend for some
buried treasure.

Chloe Jackson bartender extraordinaire is about to take part in some pretty intense games. Bartender games that is. The competition is tough, and in some cases even deadly. When Chloe and her friend Ann stumble upon a dead body while looking for some of her families buried treasure.

Sherry Harris always brings an interesting story when Chloe Jackson is involved. I absolutely loved Rum and Choke. You get a beautiful setting, a fun and engaging story, and a mystery that keeps you thinking. Chloe Jackson is a fun protagonist. She brings humor and excitement to the stories and I can’t wait to see what her next adventure is going to be.

Rum and Choke is another hit in the “Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery” series. Chloe has her hands full with the barback games she has been forced to participate in by her business partner; she secretly wants to win but doesn’t want anyone to know. But the death of a ringer from one of the other bars and a sunken treasure are causing her concern.

The body of one of the barback games competitors is discovered when Chloe and Ann set out to find a sunken treasure. Fingers point at them when a treasure hunt turns into a murder investigation. Suspects are everywhere, and Chloe weeds through them until she eliminates the innocents. It takes a lot of time and puts her and Ann in grave danger while tracking down this killer. Evidence is in short supply; even the police seem to have their eyes firmly focused on Chloe and Ann and no one else. But even when her life is in danger, Chloe moves forward with the investigation and finds the killer when she least expects it.

The pace of Rum and Choke is steady, with no unnecessary long-winded exchanges or finite details that are irrelevant. The suspects are all contained and easy to find, with solid motives. The evidence is hidden, like the treasure Chloe and Ann are searching for, but it slowly comes together to paint a picture of the killer. In the end, the culprit is uncovered and will surprise many readers. The barback games are held as scheduled, and Chloe manages to keep up with the other competitors. The ending of this story will have readers smiling with happiness and ready for the next installment!

Rum and Choke, the 4th book in the Sea Glass Saloon, is without a doubt my favorite book in the series. Ann has always fascinated me, so when she involves Chloe in a treasure hunt that leads to a dead body and puts them under suspicion of murder, I was thrilled to join the search. Wonderful and unique characters as well as intense mystery once again highlight a great mystery.
Sherry Harris pulls me in to every book that she writes, so I really felt that I was part of all the trouble that faced and truly cared about what happened. I love the fact that Chloe, our protagonist is portrayed as an intelligent woman with strengths and weaknesses that I might see in my friends. I was please to get to see more of that about Ann than we had seen in any earlier book. The fact that the series reveals more about characters or allows them to make small changes is one of the many strengths that I see in Ms. Harris's writing. I love the characters and have enjoy seeing Chloe become part of the community. Even though Boone, the friend who is responsible for Chloe being in Florida, died while deployed before the series started, he feels so real that I want to get to know him better.
#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #SherryHarris #RumandChoke #SeaGlassSaloonttps://www.bookbub.com/books/rum-and-choke-a-chloe-jackson-sea-glass-saloon-mystery-book-4-by-sherry-harris

Rum and Choke is book four in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. I enjoy this series and love all the time I get to spend with Chloe in Emerald Cove. This book has Chloe signed up to partake in the Barback Games, unbeknown to her until 10 days before the competition. The competition is so fierce, many of the local bars hire ringers to participate. This leaves Chloe to check out the competitors to see who she'll be up against.

Chloe also finds herself helping out her friend Ann, who wants to go diving in the Gulf of Mexico. Ann is a descendant of the pirate Jean Lafitte and Ann discovered some documents that may lead her to a sunken ship and treasure. On the day Chloe and Ann travel out to one of the locations Ann has mapped out, Ann surfaces with a body in tow - that of one of the ringers entered in the Barback Games. Now Chloe and Ann are suspects in the murder and Chloe finds herself immersed in another murder investigation.

Rum and Choke is another fantastic book in this series. The story is fast-paced and engaging. The author is such a wonderful writer and I love her ability to instill true emotional reactions in her readers. This book also has other themes threaded through it, making the story realistic.

I love the continued character development and introduction of an assortment of secondary characters. Chloe considers several of the characters to be suspects, giving the reader several viable murderers. Her process of elimination leads to a twist I didn't see coming. The story is original, and I was able to visualize each scene as they played out. A fantastic story with a capable and competent main character make this 5 stars for me.

This series is the perfect escape from the cold, nasty winter weather. Travel to the Florida Panhandle and have a tropical beverage at the Sea Glass Saloon. Chloe, Vivi, Ann, Rip and the rest of the recurring cast will welcome you. Sun and sand and a slower pace will have you forgetting about frozen noses, toes and water pipes.
In this, the 4th entry, Chloe is talked into entering a multi-bar contest and they send her off to check up on the competition. Can you say ringers? Chloe is reluctant but agrees but probably would have run in the opposite direction if she had any clue of what was in store for her. Ann asks her to join her as she does a dive for local pirate treasure but they find a dead body instead. It is one of the Barback games contestants, one of the ringers. Then things become really complicated and twisty.
With a lovely setting of sun and sand, a great cast of characters, a bit of romance between Chloe and Rip, this is one of my favorite series. I don't even drink and I'm a fan. Taking time to sit there with an iced tea or such within reach, a good book and friends - perfect.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Chloe has been entered into the local barback competition. Apparently this competition is a big deal. Enough of a big deal that some parts import ringers for their entries. But Ann has other plans for Chloe instead of practicing for the competition. Ann has a map and needs help tracking down the location of a 300 year old ship wreck. Well of course there’s a murder, but you’ll have to read the book to find out more. I love the characters and location. Great mystery.

4.5 stars

There is something about this series that has me hooked. I don’t know if it is the location or Chloe but whatever it is I want more.

This installment is a meatier, darker, and more intense. You think it will be light and airy centered around Chloe training for the Barback Games but it’s not. Chloe finds herself entangled in Ann’s search for treasure which leads to a body.

Ann is a character you don’t want to like but can’t help but liking her. You know she is trouble but you also know you want her in your corner. I would enjoy talking books with her. I’ve added several to my TBR mentioned throughout the series.

I look forward to seeing how Rip and Chloe’s relationship progresses. Interesting ending in this installment.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.

Another excellent mystery in the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon series. I adore Chloe and her adventures. The storylines are always interesting and well-paced, and have me eagely swiping pages to read what happens next.

This time Chloe's trying to help Ann (the town Fixer) solve a mystery, scope out the other contestants in a barback competition, and attempt to hire a part-time employee for the saloon (if only she would stop finding them a job somewhere else). Luckily, she's able to balance all the demands for her time. Well, mostly anyway.
I eagerly await Chloe's next adventure.

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

I like this series! I initially started this book without reading the ones before but decided I wanted the backstory. I love the author’s writing style and enjoyed each of the storylines. I would love to read more by this author.

Fantastic cozy mystery! I really loved reading this at the end of November. I love the idea of competitive games and a mystery rolled into one.

Rum and Choke is book #4 in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series by Sherry Harris.

Chloe has her hands full with the Florida Panhandle Barback Games, a treasure hunt with her friend, Ann, and finding a body.

I really enjoy the Florida setting and the Sea Glass Saloon. Chloe is a likable character. I like competition shows so Chloe being entered into the Barback Games was perfect for me. Throw in a treasure hunt and a body and you’ve got a great story. I didn’t guess the guilty party but it made sense.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The song "Shades of Gray" ran through my mind as I finished this book and thought about it a bit. There are so many different elements within to ponder, ranging from venturing out of your comfort zone, taking a chance on love, and that gray area of what is truth. As Chloe discovers, none of these are quite as simple as they seem.

The story begins simply enough, well, aside from the pressure that Vivi and Joaquin's decision to enter her in the highly competitive local bar contest creates. How competitive? Competitive enough that some of the local bars have hired ringers for a month to prepare to represent their businesses. I mean, Wonder Woman's stunt double? Chloe, who is a regular runner, decides to go along with the idea, especially since Joaquin, who won four years ago but won't be eligible to re-enter for another year, says he'll be coaching her.

What no one planned on, however, was Enrique, one of the ringers, being found dead. Chloe and Ann, a descendant of famed pirate Jean Lafitte, both find themselves on the suspect list. There's a search for a sunken pirate ship and treasure, too, in the mix. We also learn quite a bit about life on the Gulf coast, mixing drinks, pirate lore, and how far some might go to protect others.

For me, the strongest point of the book was the characters, however. Chloe is strong and steady, but terrified of thunder/lightning storms. If she makes a promise, she keeps it, even if it's to her detriment. She's also vulnerable in the sense of being wary of mentioning her growing love for fire-figher Rip. In other words, she comes across as a real person with strengths and weaknesses.

Her friends, from take the take-no-prisoners Vivi, who co-owns the Sea Glass Saloon with Chloe and seems to have a hot line to the governor, and Joaquin, steady-as-a-rock bartender and friend, are likable and I hope to get more of their stories in later books. Ann remains a bit of a mystery to me but, well, she's a bit of a mystery to Chloe, so that is probably intentional. I'm sure we'll hear more of her as the series goes along, not to mention her fascinating tidbits on pirate lore.

Bottom line, this book is a winner and works nicely as a stand-alone. It left me pondering the question of what is truth and is omission an untruth, and any book that leaves me thinking is a winner in my book. As I said above, "Shades of Gray". Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for inviting me along to watch Chloe roll a beer keg up that sandy slope.

It was great going back to Emerald Cove to hang out with Chloe and her friends. She and Vivi have come a really long way in their strange friendship since book 1 at least. At least Vivi knows how much Chloe thought of her grandson and that she'd been grieving almost as much as Vivi had. Chloe had her plate full with training for the Barback Games as well as going with the mysterious Ann Williams. We got to see a lot more of Ann in this book than before. She was actually a main person of interest when she found a body, but I think Chloe found out that she could definitely trust this security-minded woman with her life even though she did have pirate ancestors lol.

I hadn't really seen the whodunit coming and I can see why Ann and Chloe could consider this a gray area. The very ending was so darn sweet and just what I'd been waiting for!

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

I am a sucker for competitions in cozy mysteries – cookoffs, card games, games in general – so the barback games was perfect for me; it’s a great way to introduce several big personalities at once. I loved getting to know Ann better and learning more about her family. The mystery was well-paced and I had no idea who the guilty party was until the very end. This series just keeps getting better and better.

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This is the fourth in the series. I really like how Chloe is progressing. She can handle herself and she works well with others in the bar. She has a good sense for business.

She is roped into entering in the local barback competition. While scoping out the other contestants, she suspects she is drugged. Lucky for her Ann’s employee Dex is nearby.

The next day, Ann and Chloe find a contestant dead. Who killed him? Does not look good for Ann.

I liked the plot, twists and turns. We learn more about Ann, Dex, and Chloe. I found it a real page turner to get to the end.

There is a pleasant surprise at the end.

I was given an advanced copy by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

Sherry Harris is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers and every book I read by her solidifies that just a little more. This series is fun, set in Florida at a bar in a small town. Chloe Jackson is a fun protagonist, I like that her relationship is progressing, even if I’m not sure we’ve seen enough of them together to buy how strong/fast that relationship is going. It’s much better than the typical dangling of several options for books on end. Chloe is helping 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 side story in this one was a little silly but a lot of fun. I will definitely keep reading this series!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5167957963