Through the Liquor Glass

October 10, 2022
In Fox’s unconvincing fifth Literary Pub mystery (after 2021’s Claret and Present Danger), Inkwell pub owner Sadie Coleman observes an ugly confrontation between ruthless food critic Dominique Girard and former restaurateur George Keeler in a coffee shop in Shady Creek, Vt. When Dominique turns up dead, Sadie discovers that several residents besides George and some town visitors had an unpleasant history with Dominique, including Sadie’s boyfriend, Grayson Blake, a brewery proprietor and former PI who suspected the food critic of involvement in a case of suspicious death. As the police seem ready to cast Grayson as top suspect, he goes into hiding, leaving Sadie to delve into likely perpetrators and any potential links between Dominique’s murder and his connection to that suspicious death. Far-fetched scenarios and a culprit without a plausible motive make for a less than ideal reading experience. Hopefully, Sadie’s next outing will be more rewarding. Agent: Jessica Faust, BookEnds Literary.

November 1, 2022
When a food critic is killed, a Vermont pub owner is determined to keep her boyfriend from becoming a suspect. Sadie Coleman is just about to lose it when she sees food writer Dominique Girard in her pub. Could this be her time to get the Inkwell to stand out? Or will it mean some sort of doom? Dominique wrote a damning review of former local restaurateur George Keeler's place that the owner blames for it going bottoms-up not long after. And George wasn't too shy to let Dominique know that it's all her fault. Sadie doesn't want to worry about Dominique too much because she's already anxiously anticipating her mother's upcoming visit and what judgments she might bring. Not only will her mother be visiting the new home Sadie's chosen, but she'll be meeting Sadie's boyfriend, Grayson Blake, for the very first time. If her mother doesn't like Grayson, Sadie knows she'll just crumble, because he's such an incredible new part of her life, as she helpfully reminds readers at every turn. Sadie's trying to keep calm as she worries what's next when the unthinkable happens: Dominique is dispatched--murdered! What's even worse is that the police suspect her Grayson, who Sadie absolutely knows wouldn't harm a fly. Now Grayson's on the run, evading the cops and hiding out, which Sadie thinks completely unfair because it means they aren't having any quality time together. Maybe if she can figure out who really offed Dominique Sadie can get her relationship with Grayson back on track. After all, that's what matters most. Solid writing, content not so much.

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November 1, 2022
Sadie Coleman, proprietor of the Inkwell, a literary-themed pub in Shady Creek, Vermont, is looking forward to the fall food and drink festival. In addition, her mother is coming for her birthday, and she is nervous about introducing her boyfriend, Grayson Blake, owner of the Spirit Hill Brewery. The festive atmosphere is quickly shattered. Dominique Girard, a food critic in town for the event, has a nasty run-in with a former restaurant owner whose establishment she had reviewed negatively, followed by a brusque exchange with another critic. Then, Sadie and Grayson find Dominque's body in the brewery. Grayson is the prime suspect, since in his PI days he had suspected Dominique of killing the daughter of a friend. Before the police can arrest him, Grayson goes into hiding, leaving Sadie to explain to her mother that her boyfriend is a fugitive. In between entertaining her mother and taking shifts at her pub, Sadie shakes loose enough information to force the killer's hand. Fifth in the series, this one will appeal to fans of foodie mysteries.

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