Ellie Alexander, author of the Bakeshop mysteries, capitalizes on the popularity of microbreweries with the first in an entertaining new series, Death on Tap. The pairing of beer and food in an atmospheric setting should prove popular with cozy mystery readers.

Sloan Krause grew up in foster homes and never knew her family, so when she married Mac Krause, she found a family with his parents and brother, and a job at the Krause family brewery, Das Keller. But, the day she walked in when Mac was screwing the new barmaid threatened to destroy her connections to his family. She kicked Mac out, and left the business, finding a job at Nitro, a new microbrewery and taproom in town. Leavenworth, Washington, a town with a German atmosphere, always welcomes new breweries. And, Garrett Strong, the owner of Nitro, welcomes Sloan with her expertise in craft beers and food preparation. Despite her worries about her son and her relationship with Mac, Sloan loves the challenge at Nitro. But, the night after their soft launch, she finds the body of another brewer in the tank. With his lighter and fingerprints at the scene, along with the entire town’s awareness of their marriage problems, Mac tops the list of suspects.

Sloan may know Mac is a cheater, but she also knows he’s not a killer. But, when the police chief asks her a few questions about Garrett, she realizes she doesn’t know much about her new boss. Even so, she’s determined to ask a few questions around town. After she’s chased by a motorcyclist, and a black car is parked outside her house, though, Sloan has to question whether she’s putting herself and her teenage son in danger.

I’m going to admit my eyes glazed over when there was too much discussion of beer and brewing since I don’t even like beer. But, I liked Sloan Krause and most of the Krause family. Death on Tap is a fun mystery with a good supporting cast, including an adversary who is a little over-the-top. Just the perfect ingredients for a cozy mystery.

Ellie Alexander’s website is http://www.elliealexander.co

Death on Tap by Ellie Alexander. Minotaur Books, 2017. ISBN 9781250108630 (hardcover), 320p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to review for a journal.