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Claret and Present Danger–bookish pub
Claret and Present Danger
by Sarah Fox
Sadie stars in Claret and Present Danger which is a solid cozy mystery. The series combines specialty cocktails created by Sadie with the same bookish theme present throughout Inkwell, her pub, in decor and special events. This novel cleverly brings a Renaissance Faire to the little town of Shady Creek, Vermont, during their summer tourist season. The plot has a combination of the special event, some shocking murders, small town gossip and friendships, and budding romance with brewery owner Grayson. A highlight for me is the Shakespeare Trivia Night at the pub where informal teams compete to answer questions with gift certificates as the prizes.
Sadie feels compelled to investigate the first murder when her bartender Damien is jailed for the crime. Others have just as strong motivations, but Damien has no alibi and was seen in conflict with the victim shortly before the murder. Sadie develops a suspect list which is thrown into chaos when her top suspect is also found murdered. Sadie finds an anonymous note threatening her if she doesn’t abandon her sleuthing, but she determinedly continues her main technique which is interviewing. Her efforts are hampered when the police close down the Renaissance Faire, but she gets help from Grayson who used to be a private detective. He supports her informal detective work as he knows she will continue with or without his help, and he wants to keep her safe.
The threads are complex and the resolution is a surprise. There is a little too much time spent on the details of who eats what, when, and where, but some of that was to put Sadie in locations where she could discuss or overhear conversations that provide essential clues. Overall, I enjoyed this cozy mystery with its strong Renaissance Faire vibe and look forward to reading the next in the series. There are hints that trouble may be on the horizon as Sadie’s mother might come to visit and wants to meet Sadie’s new boyfriend.
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: 1. #4 in the Literary Pub Mystery Series, but could be read as a standalone as the author provides lots of background information succinctly at the beginning of the book.
2. Drink recipes included are: The Secret Life of Daiquiris (with a mocktail version) and A Midsummer Night’s Cream Mocktail which could easily be called a dessert. There is also a recipe for Apple Fritters (complicated, but probably delicious).
Publication: November 30, 2021—Kensington
Memorable Lines:
After getting hurt by my last boyfriend, I wanted to tread carefully when it came to giving away a piece of my heart. The problem was that my heart wasn’t always on the same page as my head.
“Sadie, I don’t want you getting into any kind of trouble for my sake.” “I don’t plan to get into trouble.” I knew full well that most of the trouble I did get into was’t planned, but I wasn’t going to bring that up.
“I wouldn’t be worried about decorum either if I had such a fine man kissing me.”
Killalot–Oi! Cockney accented belly dancer?
Killalot
by Cindy Brown
One of the things I like best about the Ivy Meadows Mystery Series is the breadth of concept, the latitude, that the author Cindy Brown has given herself and her main character, Olive Ziegwart, known by the stage name of Ivy Meadows. Ivy is an aspiring actress and to put bread on the table while working whatever roles she can nab, Ivy works part time for her Uncle Bob, who owns his own P.I. agency. Uncle Bob has always been nicer to her than her own parents, and he is training her in detective work. Because of her dual employment, Ivy legitimately encounters lots of interesting cases, and the books can have a variety of settings and characters.
In Killalot, the title being a takeoff on Camelot, Ivy is hired to investigate a murder which she and the rest of the audience at a jousting contest actually witness at a Renaissance Faire. You would think it would be easy to solve a crime you observe, but that is not the case.
I learned quite a bit about Renaissance fairs and birds of prey which were popular in medieval times such as falcons. There is quite an intermix of interesting characters between the Faire and Ivy’s work for a playwright who is trying to create an innovative musical production based on both the Kennedy’s and Camelot. Ivy gets to stretch her acting talents as a belly dancer and as “Marilyn Monroe.”
Danger lurks in the darkness and secrets abound in both worlds. Meanwhile, Ivy has to reach deep inside herself to conquer an old phobia and discover what is more important in her personal arena—her career or her relationship with Matt. Both her mentally disabled brother, Cody, and her Uncle Bob have some words of wisdom for her as she struggles in body, mind, and soul for resolution and peace in this cozy mystery. A good series; a good book!
I would like to extend my thanks to Edelweiss and to Henery Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: #6 in the Ivy Meadows Mystery Series, but works well as a standalone.
Publication: November 15, 2018—Henery Press
Memorable Lines:
I knew that living in denial was no good, but I also knew that it was a valuable tool, a way of putting off the tough emotional work until you were strong enough to tackle it.
“After Cody’s accident you went from being a sunny outgoing kid into a little snail curled up in a shell. The only time you poked your head out was when you were onstage. And even then, that was as a character, not as yourself.”
A ball of warmth began to glow inside me, making me warm and light and near to bursting with happiness, like Scrooge when he realizes it’s still Christmas; like George Bailey when he realizes he still has his wonderful life.
education pathways 