In this intoxicating mystery by USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox, a winter carnival becomes a recipe for disaster when a Shady Creek celebrity gets iced. The Winter Carnival always brings holiday cheer, Christmas joy—and tourists with cash—to picturesque Shady Creek, Vermont. At the center of the glittering decorations and twinkling lights is booklover and pub owner … pub owner Sadie Coleman, creating original cocktails, hosting a literary trivia evening, and cheering on her loyal employee Melanie “Mel” Costas as she competes in the ice carving competition.
But holiday cheer can’t compete with former resident and renowned chef Freddy Mancini, who arrives with his nose in the air, showing off his ice-sculpting skills like a modern-day Michelangelo. During the artists’ break in the night-long contest, Mel’s tools disappear . . . and Freddy is found dead with her missing pick in his chest.
Although the police turn their attention to Mel, it seems everyone in town had a grudge against Freddy, including his assistant, his mentor, his former flame, and even his half-brother.
Faster than she can fling a Huckleberry Gin, Sadie finds herself racing to make sure the police don’t arrest the wrong suspect—all while sharing a flirtation with local brewery owner Grayson Blake. Their chemistry leads to a heated rivalry at the hockey rink—and to the hot pursuit of a killer.
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I loved this cozy mystery so much! I frequently read cozies, and this one just really hooked me. I thought Sadie was a great a lead character. She was your typical nosy citizen detective, but she also was so easy to like. This is the first book I read in the series, so I did not know her full back story. It didn’t matter one bit on my feelings about this book. You can easily read this book as a standalone. It is perfect for the upcoming cozy season because it is occurring during the holidays. Grab a warm beverage and settle in because you’re not going to want to put this one down!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We arrive in Shady Creek, Vermont just in time for the Winter Festival. An overnight ice carving competition is the big event but there are hockey games, sleigh rides, a chili supper, and the Inkwell, Sadie Coleman’s literary-themed pub, is holding a trivia contest. Tourists are pouring in along with the Shady Creek residents to enjoy the fun. A former resident has even come home to participate in the ice carving contest.
Freddy Mancini is now a chef who has a pretty high opinion of himself. He assumes he will grab the big $5000 prize while rubbing his fame in everyone’s faces. Sadie is cheering on her friend and employee Melanie “Mel” Costas who has won the last few years. Mel isn’t intimidated by Frankie, but while on her lunch break someone steals all ger tools. She vows to soldier on as a friend returns to the park with her backup tools. That is until she hears Sadie screaming and finds her outside of the community hall, not far from the dead body of Chef Frankie Mancini, with Mel’s missing ice pick protruding from his chest.
Turns out the chef had plenty of enemies but the evidence points clearly at Mel. Sadie is determined not to let her friend get iced for the crime, even if it means some pain before the final gain.
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I have been excited about this book since I finished the first one! I love the setting so much. A pub full of books, a menu full of literary-themed foods and drink, all reached by going over a little footbridge above Shady Creek. The town park is nearby as are all the businesses and the community hall. The snow would be a little iffy for me but everyone there loves it and takes it in stride. If I could go back in time I would have said yes when asked to take over my parent’s tavern and turned it into a pub like the Inkwell. Now, I am delighted to escape to Sadie’s pub within the pages of her books.
Okay, the setting is ideal but so are the characters. I really like Sadie and she is surrounded by family and friends that support and love her. She dealt with some really heavy stuff in the last book but she is moving forward the best she can. She and the other characters continue to evolve in exciting ways. Mel is in the hot seat this time. The people who know her, know she had nothing to do with the murder, but there are some shaky times for her.
Meanwhile, Sadie thinks the pub needs to have a team in the upcoming hockey tournament and she puts a motley crew together. Grayson is still hanging around and definitely has something on his mind besides an upcoming hockey game. Aunt Gilda and her friends are wrapped up in the chili supper but she is always there for Sadie. All the characters are genuine and people I would love to hang out with.
The mystery is very well done too. Chef Freddy is a real jerk and as such there are plenty of suspects. Sadie is one of those sleuths that has good instincts but she doesn’t always think things through before she opens her mouth or jumps into a situation. Of course, that adds to the drama and the fun. The author has plotted out a story with a plethora of twists that kept me guessing right up to the very end.
An Ale of Two Cities is a very entertaining read. Set in the holiday season it is a perfect book to curl up with in front of a fire on a wintery afternoon or evening. Skip to the end of the book for a cocktail recipe and fix yourself a Count Dracula or Evil Stepmother cocktail to enjoy while you’re reading.
This was a mystery well worth the wait. All of the Winter in Vermont without having to bundle up in boots and parka to enjoy the festivities. Sadie is ready to bundle up and stand in the snow to watch one of her employees compete in an ice carving contest. Mel has won before and odds are she will win again. That is until a former resident returns to town, ticks off just about everyone and declares that he will be the winner with his ice sculpture. He even goes head to head with his brother in a very public scene. Still, Sadie is certain Mel will take home the prize. Not long into the contest Mel discovers her ice carving tools, including a set of small tools, have been stolen. Soon the large tools are recovered but the small tools are nowhere to be found – yet. Soon after leaving the chili dinner, Sadie finds Freddy’s very dead body in the adjacent alley and Mel’s missing ice pick is stuck in his chest. That puts her at the top of the list of suspects but Sadie isn’t buying it. Mel isn’t a killer…so who is? Given the long list of people who disliked Freddy, which one hated him enough to kill him?
Sadie has a lot to juggle this holiday season – the start of a series of trivia contests at her literary themed pub, the Inkwell, training for a snow shoe event and helping to put together a hockey team -and, of course, hunting for a killer so Mel doesn’t end up in prison.
This series has it all with a small town setting, a great cast of characters, a pub I know I would spend lots of time in, talking books and eating good food with friends and a very well plotted mystery. It also has a bit of romantic tension between Sadie and Grayson, owner of a local craft beer brewery. Now I’m ready for the next mystery for Sadie to solve.
Series: A Literary Pub Mystery – Book 2
Author: Sarah Fox
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary/Holiday
Publisher: Kensington Books
Page Count: 288
From Kensington Books comes the new addition to the “A Literary Pub Mystery” cozy series, by Sarah Fox, An Ale of Two Cities.
Book two in this new cozy series shows the growth of the characters and the more likable aspects of who they are becoming. Ms. Fox writes with the ease of experience and tells original stories readers will love. The characters have pleasant personalities, with faults, a sense of humor, fears, and concerns that make this series worth exploring.
The victim is genuinely unlikeable, even when he is alive, which isn’t always the case in a cozy series. He is reprehensible in every way, and most of the characters and suspects throughout the book are happy to be rid of him. Unfortunately, the killer is not what they seem and in the end, makes the mistake of thinking Sadie will be a pushover. After some tense moments, Sadie wins out and catches the killer, clearing her friend’s name and making certain no one else dies.
I enjoyed this book immensely and think that Sarah Fox writes some of the most compelling and believable characters, as well as plots in a cozy series today. Readers will fall for these people and will love the town. I hope this series will continue for many years to come and urge readers to check out An Ale of Two Cities along with the first book in the series, “Wine and Punishment.”
Sadie’s settling into her new home in snowy Shady Creek, Vermont and enjoying running her literary-themed pub, the Inkwell. The town’s annual Winter Carnival brings back a past resident (now a famous chef) to compete in the snow carving competition. It’s quickly clear the chef, Freddy, has only become more obnoxious in the years he’s been away. After causing impressive scenes with multiple people, it’s not a surprise when Freddy is found murdered.
This was a fun cozy with strong character relationships and a small town during the holidays setting that was very nicely described. I love the literary pub and the Winter Carnival. Sometimes the mystery plotline in a cozy falls by the wayside to focus more on the town and the main characters personal relationships, but I thought both aspects were solid. I look forward to reading the next book in the series whenever it comes out.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #AnAleOfTwoCities #mystery #cozymystery
Great book!! It’s time for the Winter Carnival and Sadie’s employee, Mel, is carving an ice sculpture in the competition. A former resident of Shady Creek comes to town intending to win the competition. The man is arrogant and several of the townspeople that knew him argue with him. When the man is found dead stabbed with Mel’s ice pick, she becomes a suspect as well as several others in town. Another murder later occurs. Sadie is on the hunt for a killer to clear Mel’s name as well as taking care of her Pub and enjoying the carnival. Grayson also helps. I really enjoy this series and the characters. It’s very entertaining and I really like the whole literary pub idea with the Literary names for food and drink. I was completely surprised by who the killer turned out to be. Excited to read more of this series and hopefully see Sadie and Grayson develop a romantic relationship!
What a fun book! The characters were entertaining and engaging, the story line fast-paced and interesting, and it kept my attention from the first page until the last.
I’m looking forward to reading more books from this author.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
Another great story in this newer series! Taking us to the winter carnival ice carving event, Mel finds her carving tools stolen amid a tight competition with some local characters. Unfortunately one of the most colorful competitors finds himself dead, and one of Mel’s tools is mysteriously found as someone’s weapon of choice. Our main character, Sadie tries to keep her nose out of the local business but she can’t do so for very long once Mel becomes one of the top suspects. I love this town and the friendliness of the characters. Sadie’s pub is a great place to hang out with friends, in a cozy warm atmosphere. One of my favorite parts of this story was the friendly local hockey competition amongst friends and town members. It’s not every day that hockey is highlighted in fun stories. Looking forward to more from this wonderful author.
Cozy Murder Mystery at the Christmas Festival
This wonderful cozy has all of the Christmas feel goods along with murder. The setting is a small town with lots of snow and a winter festival that includes ice sculpting, a gingerbread house contest, a parade of lights and all of the neat stuff we love about Christmas. The plot is great with an abundance of motives but only a few suspects. This book is second in a series. I have read both books, but I believe a new reader would enjoy this book without reading the first book. This author always brings a lot to the table by filling her books with just the right amount of detail mixed with lots of action. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
u2069Sarah Fox’s An Ale of Two Cities makes me want to open up a literary pub of my own – sans the murder, of course! Books, booze, and mystery are the perfect combination and I loved it! Shady Creek, Vermont’s Winter Carnival is in full swing when former town resident and current celebrity chef Federico is found murdered – and the weapon belongs to one of Sadie’s employees! This second in the series picks up a few months after the first, but works well as a standalone cozy as well. A+
Once again, Sarah Fox delivers a highly entertaining read with An Ale of Two Cities, the second book in her Literary Pub Mystery series.
It is Christmas time in Shady Creek and Sadie and friends are preparing for the Winter Carnival, it is all Christmas cheer, and twinkling lights until a hot shot chef blows into town and someone decides to cut his festivities short.
I really enjoyed reading this book it had a quick pace, but was easy to follow along, there was the perfect amount of twist and turns to keep me on my toes and multiple suspects to keep me guessing as to the criminal/s .
As stated previously this is book two in the series, and while I always recommend reading a series in order, this book could be read and enjoyed as standalone.
I would recommend this book for any cozy lover, particularly those that are interested in literary references or pubs.
I voluntarily reviewed an copy of this book
“Ale of Two Cities ” the 2nd installment in the “A Literary Pub Mystery ” series by Sarah Fox. I had not read the first book but had no trouble following along so yes it can be read as a standalone. I do recommend reading them in order, this way you really get to know the setting and characters.
I really enjoyed this book and the setting of Shady Creek, Vermont. I always like a small town setting where almost everyone knows one another. Makes for a fun range of side characters.
The Protagonist Sadie is a likeable, independent woman who when her bartender Mel becomes the chief suspect in the murder is determined to find out who did it. I also enjoyed best friend Shontelle, Sadie’s Aunt Gilda and the owner of the neighboring Spirit Hill Brewery, Grayson. Is there going to be a budding romance there…
The story was well paced, I found I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know who the killer was. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises.
Highly recommended. A wonderful second installment from an author I will definitely be following.
Want a fun and entertaining cozy read? Here you go!—An Ale of Two Cities. It’s a winter wonderland in Vermont this December where Sadie Coleman owns her cheery literary-themed pub, the Inkwell. The annual Winter Carnival is holding an ice sculpting competition and one of Sadie’s employees, Melanie ‘Mel’ Costas has entered. One of the contestants is a homeboy made successful chef who has returned believing he’s now better than everyone else. Someone shows him he’s no chip off the old block any longer—now he’s stiff and dead. Carnival attendees share theories about whodunnit, and Mel is Suspect #1.
I found this cozy novel a lot of fun to read! The main cast of secondary characters are great help to Sadie. Her handsome long-haired cat, Wimsey is a comfort. Clues are expertly woven into the smartly plotted manuscript. I always felt cozy reading the pub scenes, and enjoyed the colorful names for the literary titled cocktails and menu items. I was completely thrown off track as to the psycho killer reveal. A very memorable Christmas tale! The author adds cocktail recipes for readers to try.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
An Ale of Two Cities is the second book in Sarah Fox’s Literary Pub mysteries. It is time for the winter festival in Shady Creek, Vermont, and new resident and owner of the Inkwell Pub Sadie Coleman is very excited to experience her first winter festival in her new home. Sadie is especially anticipating the ice carving competition and the work of her employee Mel Costas.
On the first day of the ice carving competition Sadie is there to cheer Mel on. When former Shady Creek resident and Boston chef Federico ‘Freddy’ Mancini makes his presence known the residents are briefly awed, that is until Freddy shows his true colors. When he is found dead later that day, it is not much of a surprise but still a crime must be solved.
In order to clear Mel’s name, Sadie goes to work to try to find more information so that the investigation doesn’t cease with the easy answer. In doing so, neighbor and owner of Spirit Hill Brewery Grayson Blake comes forward to help Sadie. What they uncover is much more than a murder.
This is a wonderful second book in a well written series. The setting is delightful and the characters are richly drawn. I am a fan! I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!
AN ALE OF TWO CITIES, the solid second entry in the Literary Pub Mystery Series, is a quintessential winter/holiday themed cozy mystery. With well defined characters, a finely executed mystery, and a snowy wonderland Vermont setting, it hits all of the requirements of a quality cozy mystery.
Pub owner Sadie is busy with Shady Creeks’ Winter Carnival festivities, but she takes time out to support her employee and friend Mel who is competing in the ice carving contest. She cannot help but notice another contestant, obnoxious and full of himself hometown boy turned famous chef Freddy. He is a real jerk to everyone who helped him become the success he is today. When Sadie finds him stabbed to death with Mel’s missing ice pick and Mel becomes the prime suspect, she dives right in to find the real killer and clear Mel’s name.
Author Sarah Fox does a fantastic job describing the idyllic Vermont setting, making it feel like a vital character and placing readers right in the midst of the beauty and action. The pub is a wonderful spin on the traditional culinary cozy, and I wish I could patronize the Inkwell. I think the cozy, literary atmosphere and tasty food and drinks make it an ideal place to hang out…and solve mysteries.
Sadie is a competent, intelligent amateur sleuth. Yes, she is nosy, but her inquisitiveness comes from a good heart, sense of loyalty, and a need for justice. She does face danger but never intentionally puts herself in “too stupid to live” situations. The supporting cast of characters is interesting and varied, and everyone serves a purpose in the story. Sadie’s bumbling almost romance with brewery owner Grayson is endearing, annoying, and entertaining all at the same time. I hope their relationship defines itself better in the coming books.
The mystery is well constructed. The victim is sufficiently unlikable, and there are several suspects with viable, relatable motives. Clues sprinkled throughout the tale kept me vacillating about the killer’s identity, and I was surprised by the final revelation of whodunit. It provided a satisfying end to a challenging puzzle.
AN ALE OF TWO CITIES is fun reading for any cozy mystery fan. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the author and Kensington Publishers and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
This was a perfect weekend read – I snuggled up in front of the fire with a cup of tea and this book. It was magical. I could picture the town in all it’s winter wonderland glory. I love the idea of a literary pub. All the food and drink names are so clever. I’m officially a fan of this series and can’t wait to read more.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3059633134
AN ALE OF TWO CITIES by Sarah Fox
The Second Literary Pub Mystery
Getting her literary themed pub into the holiday spirit, Sadie Coleman is arranging for a trivia night and sponsoring the pub’s hockey team while enjoying Shady Creek’s Winter Carnival. The mood is decidedly less merry when former resident, now a hot shot Boston chef, Freddy Mancini arrives to compete in the ice sculpting contest. The arrogant chef wastes no time putting down the town and its residents, including his former girlfriend, mentor, and brother. Before the contest even finishes, Freddy is dead. While there are plenty of suspects, Mel makes the top of the list. Believing her employee to be innocent, and giving in to her natural curiosity, Sadie decides to search for the killer herself. Will she be able to figure out which of the many suspects actually did it, or will the killer find her first?
As December creeps forward I enjoy reading a wintry story and AN ALE OF TWO CITIES fits the bill perfectly. Not overtly Christmassy, this second Literary Pub Mystery has a nice snowy flair, from the landscape to the Winter Carnival. I appreciate how Sadie is taking everything in for her first Christmas in Shady Creek, even though I got somewhat annoyed at her complaints about the cold and feeling sorry for herself having to spend Christmas alone. Apart from that I like Sadie and love how she’s creating a home away from home for locals and tourists alike with her pub. I adore the names of the food and drinks and wish I could nosh and imbibe myself; an order of Lord of the Fries and an Evil Stepmother Cocktail, please!
I relish when the horrible person in the story gets his just desserts and winds up the murder victim and Freddy, or Federico as he now prefers to be called, plays the part perfectly. He’s not alive for long, but what a horrible impression he makes. The bonus here is that his nastiness creates a lot of good plausible suspects. I love when a mystery keeps me guessing and this second Literary Pub Mystery did just that. There are plenty of red herrings and I thought for sure I knew who the murderer was, until I was proven wrong.
AN ALE OF TWO CITIES is a well crafted winter tale. A picturesque setting, interesting characters, and evolving relationships infuse this mystery with warmth while proving that going outside your comfort zone and creating a new life and family for yourself can make your Christmas bright.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
Ale of Two Cities, a solid second in the Literary Pub Mystery series by Sarah Fox, is as fun as it is challenging! I love the setting in December in Vermont and the well-rounded small-town characters. It was a delight to get to know Sadie and her friends better as well as see the growth of customers at the Inkwell, her literary pub that includes two book clubs so far among the activities they sponsor.
Sadie has lived in Shady Creek about six months. With her ideas as well as those of her new chefs, the business keeps growing. Mel is her right-hand bartender and waitstaff, as well as a talented artist. The winter carnival is in full swing, and one of the big attractions is an ice sculpture contest that she is participating in. Several contestants are from out of the area, including a popular Boston chef who grew up in Shady Creek. One can tell by the way he carries himself and speaks to others that he is arrogant and has forgotten those who helped him learn and grow into the chef he is today.
Freddy is not well-liked among the people who attend the chili dinner that night at town hall. He and his step-brother Leo have words after Freddy blows off a man who had treated Freddy like a son. Eli had taught him how to cook in his own restaurant. He even ignores a young woman who he dated for several years, Penny, who is hurt by his behavior. He even fired his personal assistant, Jade, in front of everyone when he learned she bet on another contestant. When Sadie left the chili dinner at town hall, she heard a clatter in the alley between the town hall and another building. When she saw what looked like someone lying in the alley, she found Freddy, stabbed with an icepick. And not just any icepick. It is one of the hand tools that someone had stolen from Mel while she was at dinner, with her initials on it.
Mel quickly becomes a prime suspect because Freddy is a top competitor in the contest. She also has a history with Jade, and Jade told a slight lie to the police thinking she was protecting Mel by giving her an alibi. Sadie is determined to find who really did the deed, as she believes Mel when she says she didn’t do it. As the days go by, one person is arrested for the murder, then another victim, killed before the person was arrested, is found.
I enjoyed seeing Sadie’s Aunt Gilda again, as well as Sadie’s best friend Shontelle and owner of the neighboring Spirit Hill Brewery, Grayson. Sadie and Grayson did not get off on the right foot when they first met, especially since he was one of Sadie’s suspects when her ex-boyfriend was found murdered in the fall. They now have a tenuous friendship; Shontelle thinks they make a wonderful couple, but he still sometimes calls her a “nosey Parker” and she continues to embarrass herself in front of him. I admit to being completely stumped regarding whodunit! I had what I thought were two possible suspects, but neither had visible motives for both victims. The end was satisfying and surprising in several ways! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and highly recommend it to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries, classic mysteries, Christmas in New England settings, with a touch of romance.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a positive review was not required.
AN ALE OF TWO CITIES by Sarah Fox is the second book in the Literary Pub Mystery series. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me. This is a cozy mystery series that centers on a literary-themed pub, the Inkwell, and its owner Sadie Coleman. The pub serves food and drink that have book pun names and the shelves in the pub are full of Sadie’s book collection.
The story begins as Sadie and the town of Shady Creek, Vermont gear up for the annual Winter Carnival. Sadie has only been in town for six months and is looking forward to all of the events. Her pub is hosting a literary quiz, but there are many events planned. When a famous chef that grew up in the town comes back to compete in the ice sculpture competition and is later found dead by Sadie,
tensions and accusations arise. Many people had reasons to despise the chef and the pursuit of the killer’s identity unfolds with lots of twists and turns.
Sadie is a strong and intelligent protagonist. She wants to help support the town and her friends and employees. She is definitely someone you can cheer on as her investigations unfold to ensure that the real killer is found. At the same time, her pub puts together an impromptu team for the hockey competition, she is training for the snowshoe race, hosting book club meetings and participating in other carnival events.
This was a fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot twists were believable and the characters were well defined. The author did a great job of bringing the winter setting and the town to life. There is even a bit of a romance forming to add to the enjoyment without detracting from the mystery.
If you like cozy mystery books, then you will likely enjoy this story as much as I did. For those that like cocktails, there are even a few recipes for literary-themed drinks at the end of the book. I look forward to reading the next novel in this series.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Sarah Fox for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
friendship, small-business, small-town, situational-humor, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths
With books, puns, fun ice hockey, a winter festival, and a murder or two to solve, how can you go wrong? !
The book themed pub has food and drinks with book punny names, local businesses have ice hockey teams, and while the villain gets bumped off fairly early, it’s that the suspicion falls on friends that mobilizes the sleuthing. Good characterizations combined with a plot that moves along well and funny incidents makes for a really good read. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!