Review - Death on Tap

This is a new to me series that I decided to start at the beginning.  The concept captured my interest, see what I think.

Author: Ellie Alexander

Copyright: August 2018 (Random House-Bantam) 315 pgs

Series: 1st in Sloan Krause Mystery series

Sensuality: Adult topics

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy mystery, amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Sloan Krause-foster child-turned chef, brewer, and mother

Setting: Contemporary, mountain village of Leavenworth, Washington

Obtained Through: Purchase

Blurb:  "When Sloan Krause walks in on her husband, Mac, screwing the barmaid, she gives him the boot. Sloan has spent her life in Leavenworth, Washington becoming an expert in brewing craft beer, and she doesn’t have time to be held back by her soon-to-be ex-husband. She decides to strike out on her own, breaking away from the Krause family brewery, and goes to work for Nitro, the hip new nano-brewery in the Bavarian-themed town. Nitro’s owner, brewmaster Garrett Strong, has the brew-world abuzz with his newest recipe, “Pucker-Up IPA.” This place is the new cool place in town, and Mac can’t help but be green with envy at their success.

But just as Sloan is settling in to her new gig, she finds one of Nitro’s competitors dead in the fermenting tub, clutching the secret recipe for the IPA. When Mac, is arrested, Sloan knows that her ex might be a cheater, but a murderer? No way. Danger is brewing in Beervaria and suddenly Sloan is on the case."

Sloan Krause Sloan grew up a foster child-turned chef, brewer, and mother so she is struggling with the infidelity and particularly what this means with her in-laws who are the closest to parents she has ever had.  Cheating husband Mac is really a loser and doesn't deserve Sloan at all.  Garrett Strong, owner of new Nitro really likes Sloan and is a possible romantic interest in future novels in the series.  Otto and Ursula (Mac's parents) and Hans (Mac's younger brother) are jewels and I love them. Alex, Sloan's son, is refreshing in that he is responsible and caring of his mother. 

Leavenworth Washington is a unique setting.  It is an entire town dedicated to beer... and is essentially an American version of a German alpine village nicknamed Beer-varia.  Everything is associated with beer in some way or another. Garrett's new pub, Nitro doesn't follow the Bavarian  theme of the rest of town which gets hims some pressure from locals.  This all makes for an interesting setting.

The plot develops over the course of the story.  What was the victim involved in that got him killed, why was he killed in Nitro, and why was Mac's lighter found next to the body? Throw in some good misdirection and it keeps you guessing.  I found it had enough complications and surprises to keep me reading, although at times the mystery takes a back seat to all the personal issues in Sloan's life.

 The killer reveal was realistic with only some tension. I know I love a harrowing killer reveal/confrontation is my favorite. But this worked with the storyline well.  The wrapup gives us an interesting tidbit for Sloan's personal life that will play out in the following novels in the series.

The setting is done very well with lots of character.  Sloan is a good character with a lot going on emotionally and she is handling well. I liked the explantions of beer making and its craft side.  The mystery was good. I had suspected the killer early on, but hadn't determined the motive. This is a fun cozy with developed characters.

Rating:  Good - checks all the cozy boxes for a light read. 

Here is a short video tour of Leavenworth, Washington 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGharF_sRVw