Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this book in exchange for my review.

This is part of a longer series, which I have not read before, and I'm unfamiliar with the author. I was excited to be granted an ARC of this title, based on the summary given for the book. Sadly, I did not enjoy this one. I'm not sure if it was due to not reading others in the series, or it if was the book itself, but I'm not interested in reading the previous book, and I cannot think of anyone I would recommend this title to.

2 stars for 'it was ok'.

I recieved an advanced copy of the audiobook version of ‘Death from Beyond’. Not having read any of the previous three books in this series, I felt I was missing some context.

This was not a book that grabbed my attention once I started listening. I got to the point where the story was dragging and I was wishing it was the end. There were several very sensitive topics of conversation with this novel, which I didnt mind as they are important topics to discuss. However, I was deeply disappointed that this story fell flat for me after I saw raves for this series.

That opinion might change if I go back and read the previous novels, but I think I’m going to give this series a break before trying novel 1.

Special thank to Netgalley & Arundel Publishing for providing me with an advance audio copy of this novel.

For being sent in an "infamously haunted lodge" there are hardly any ghosts. It's not a key piece of the story in any way, shape, or form. Strike #1.

The book does so much telling and no showing, there is no opportunity for the reader to think on their own, which is common in the lower ranks of YA novels. Everything is told with such a heavy hand. It feels like a book for ‘progressive’ Christian youth aged 13-18, but then the intermittent mixed drink recipes throughout feel so out of place. Strike #2.

The narration is distracting. It sounds like it’s had several lines added and removed, and the tone is different. It’s like having someone talk to you, and walk up and say something in one ear, then move to the other ear for the next sentence. The cadence is also really strange. Strike #3.

The regular interruption with recipes doesn’t help the audiobook flow any better. Strike #4.

Upon finishing the book, it’s announced that this is the 4th in the series, which may or may not explain why I felt zero connection to any of the characters, and didn’t care at all what happened.

All in, this was really, really not great. It may be the worst book I've read so far this year. Yikes.

This was my first introduction to A Bartender's Guide to Murder and Avalon Nash. It stands alone on it's own very well. I was pleasantly surprised to find that at the end of each chapter there is a themed drink. The story was touching and came together in the end. I am looking forward to reading the previous books in this series even though it isn't necessary. The narrator did an excellent job bringing this to life.

This is the 4th book in a series. While the story is it’s own I do believe having read the previous stories would be preferable to get a better understanding of the characters and the town. The story touches on tough topics namely bigotry. The chapters each separate with a recipe from the bartender. I enjoyed the story and the recipes. I wanted a bit more at the end but the story was great.

This was my first book in the Avalon Nash mystery and also my first book by Sharon Linnéa so I wasn't really sure what to expect going in. I thought the characters were well developed, the setting was great. The story line was intriguing & definitely keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. I do wonder if maybe I missed some of the backstory having not read the first 3 of The Bartenders Guide to Murder, but overall I felt that the story flowed pretty well. This book also touched on issues in the LGBTQ+ community, racism, religion and death, at times hard to read. Those topics are never easy but are very necessary to keep talking about. The book ended in a way that makes you want to keep reading the series! I would have preferred the drink recipes be at the end of the book, rather than dispersed through the chapters, but overall I would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author for this advance audiobook in return for an honest review.

I received an audio copy of this book, via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Shared on good reads https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/186910195

So let me start by saying, I didn't have access to read the first three books in the series. That being said this book was a good standalone and while the first three might have added some depth they aren't necessary. I enjoyed the murder who done it aspect. Although there really was never any doubt, which honestly, I am neutral about. The drink recipes mixed it was pretty cool. Although there was one that I think there was an issue with. It started saying to use earl gray tea but then switched to chamomile tea.

I don't know what the first three books were like so maybe this was a one off for this author, but buckle up for the hate, on hate, on hate. I am very butch and live in a small rural town in Texas, and I have never seen the amount of bigoted hate that pours off every page. I understand everyone shares my experience and I don't want to take away from those who have experienced hate, in any of its forms. For me the negativity of everyone hates everyone was a lot. After listening I was discussing it with a friend and was trying to decide who the "good people (groups)" in the book were. It seemed like entire groups were judged without regard to individualism. I.e. if you went to one church you were a bigot. Period. End of discussion. If each group, who had a history of being mistreated of judged had been represented in a different book perhaps it wouldn't have felt so much like humanity is a lost cause. I guess I am grateful the story wasn't set in the south and well there was a least one good cop. The caveat that all white cops are horrible humans was natural a forgone conclusion, of course. The book was a very us vs them theme. If that's for you, then this will be right up your alley. Just wasn't really my thing.

There were some interesting parts in the murder mystery and near-death experiences that made the book enjoyable. The narration was really well done.

This is another book from Netgalley and this is my honest review of the book —

The first chapter grabs you and makes you interested in what’s gonna happen next — chapter 2 introduces the situation and characters which means that this can be read as a sandalone book even though there are 3 books written before this one with some of the same characters - I do like when series are written to be stand-alone as well. I do get annoyed by recipes being interspersed throughout the story — it detracts from the story for me ( I prefer that recipes are at the end of the novel- and If I’m interested I’ll check them out ). This book seems to be trying to bring light to the prejudice to the LGBTQ community—and racism —so there is language and attitudes used by some of the towns peoples in the book that some readers may find offensive or difficult to read as there is a clear history in this town of a lack of acceptance of transgendered people or people of colour. I enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook — she did a good job . There was good representation in the book and overall I think this book would fall under a nice cozy mystery with a little side romance, a light read overall . Suddenly at the end of the book it mentioned Canadian cities — I always love hearing Canada mentioned in books — reading the authors note is important it gives the historical background to know this made it even more interesting.

Loved the recipes at the end of each chapter. I was very lost however, completely finished the enitre story to find out that it was apart of a series. I will be listening/reading the series and re-listening to this soon! Overall, not bad!

I really enjoyed the book. That being said, I did not know it was part of a series when I read it, but still was good to read. I will be reading more from this Author and I'll be starting this series from the beginning and re reading this book as well when I get to it.

If I'm being honest....I don't even really know what happened in this book. The audiobook was very hard to follow. The narrator was dry and dull. This is all a bummer because as the story started, I truly felt like I was going to enjoy it but once it lost me, I just couldn't get roped back in.

It is with great regret that I write this review, but this book did not awaken anything in me in the first 2 chapters, and that made me lose interest in continuing to listen. I couldn't connect with the characters. The author's writing didn't win me over. And the way he addresses that Avalon helped the police in past investigations falls into history, needs more contextualization. Positive point the narrator of the audiobook has a very beautiful voice,

I began this book not realizing it was part of an existing series. However, it immediately made me want to look back at Sharon Linnéa’s other works as I found the murder mystery to be enjoyable.

I am unsure if there are minor details that are interwoven through the past books within the series or not. The major story within this fourth book was appealing nonetheless.

Avalon Nash seems to be an awesome FMC and I’m ready for more!

Thank you NetGalley, Sharon Linnéa, and Arundel Publishing for this advanced listening copy.

Can’t wait to try some to the cocktail recipes from the book too!

It took me a little while to get into this book and understand where the story line was going. Once I got there I did enjoy the mystery.

An Avalon Nash Mystery When bartender Avalon Nash dares enter the remains of Tranquility's infamous haunted lodge, she unleashes deadly secrets waiting to come back to life. It's Halloween and Avalon is on the outs with her boyfriend, her cop friend and her best friend. When she ventures into the ruins of an old lodge above the town, she uncovers evidence of murders that have haunted the locals for decades. Then a new friend, in town for a high school reunion, vanishes and she must battle the murderous danger that continues to stalk Tranquility to this day.

It surprisingly covers topics like trans and racism. Not what I was expecting and thought the story was supposed to be more “spooky.” The mystery of the murdered trans woman is told about midway through the book so the last part is a little lack luster but still interesting since a lot did happen. I really didn’t like how each chapter ended with a drink recipe. I feel like that should have been kept at the end as a separate piece. I think th description needs to be redone because I find it a bit misleading.

This is the fourth in the series but the first one I've listened to or read.
The series has a good premise. Avalon is a young bartender with paranormal abilities. She can see spirits.
The story starts off well with a mysterious visitor coming to town for a school reunion, a murder, and the haunting of the old lodge which has a dark past.
Having not read the previous books I was expecting Avalon to interact with ghosts and generally be more involved in spooky goings-on but her investigations involved the living more than anything else. The history and narrow-mindedness of the town's people concerning minorities was a central theme in this book.
I liked Avalon's friend, the cop but, I didn't like her boyfriend who seemed very self-centred and selfish.
The story held my attention for most of it but it waned near the end. The softly spoken narration made it an easy listen and I will probably look out for the next book in the series when it releases.

An interesting story and one I wanted to continue listening to. A good mystery, but maybe too happy of an ending for me.

Thank you for allowing me to review this prior to publish! I loved the narrator in this audiobook- she had a very chill/thriller tone where it was needed and it evoked drama. I enjoy those elements in a thriller novel! There were a lot of characters in this book and many moving pieces. Might be better to read this physically vs an audiobook- it might be easier to follow. You can tell that the author put a lot into building this story and all of the pieces that fit together over the course of the novel. It was interesting to let it unfold. I could have done without the recipes, but if it were in the physical book, that might be a different story since I could skip or even actually try one of them out.

Listened on audiobook.
Avalon is a bar manager. Sandy visits the bar, she’s come home for a reunion, she leaves her suitcase in the bar saying she’ll come back for it later, get her dad to pop down to pick it up.
Marta works for Avalon and they visit an allegedly haunted house on Halloween with some of Marta’s friends. Marta can see things, people/ghosts of long ago. While looking around an accident happens, they run away, but not before Marta has seen something.
Twists and turns, surprises and truths.
Cocktail recipes at the end of every chapter was a bit much - that said, if I’d had the print version, I would definitely have tried a couple.
Easy listening and I enjoyed it.

Bartender Avalon Nash is working one evening when a woman named Sandy Wilcox leaves her suitcase behind at the bar. Trying to be helpful Avalon attempts to return the suitcase to Avalon’s family who deny having a daughter. Sandy’s body is soon found by the police and it is suspected that she died by suicide. Only Avalon, Detective Mike Spaulding and Sandy’s husband suspect foul play. The investigation revolves around the local high school reunion and local haunted house the Tranquility Lodge.

This is the fourth book in the Bartender’s Guide to Murder series. It was my first book from the series but easily picked up on the character relationships. I thought the drink recipes scattered throughout the book was such a nice touch. I didn’t particularly enjoy the resolution to the mystery. But I did like the writing style and characters and am looking forward to checking out some of the other books in the series.

The audio narration by Abbie Pfaff was excellent!

Content warning for transphobia and racism.