A whip smart librarian’s fresh start comes with a tart twist in this perfect cocktail of murder and mystery—with a romance chaser. MURDER ON TAP With Chicago winters in the rearview mirror, Chloe Jackson is making good on a promise: help her late friend’s grandmother run the Sea Glass Saloon in the Florida Panhandle. To Chloe’s surprise, feisty Vivi Slidell isn’t the frail retiree Chloe … feisty Vivi Slidell isn’t the frail retiree Chloe expects. Nor is Emerald Cove. It’s less a sleepy fishing village than a panhandle hotspot overrun with land developers and tourists. But it’s a Sea Glass regular who’s mysteriously crossed the cranky Vivi. When their bitter argument comes to a head and he’s found dead behind the bar, guess who’s the number one suspect?
In trying to clear Vivi’s name, Chloe discovers the old woman isn’t the only one in Emerald Cove with secrets. Under the laidback attitude, sparkling white beaches, and small town ways something terrible is brewing. And the sure way a killer can keep those secrets bottled up is to finish off one murder with a double shot: aimed at Chloe and Vivi.
“A slam dunk . . . surprising twists and turns.”
—Kirkus Reviews on A Good Day to Buy
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From Beer to Eternity by Sherry Harris has Chloe Jackson, a children’s librarian, visiting Emerald Cove, Florida for the funeral of her friend, Boone Slidell. Chloe promised Boone that if something happened to him, she would help his grandmother. The caveat is that she cannot tell Vivi, Boone’s grandmother, of his request. Vivi is not what Chloe expected. She is a stubborn, feisty, well-dressed woman in her seventies who has taken a dislike to Chloe. In order to stay, Chloe told Vivi that her car broke down and she needs to earn money for the repairs. Vivi reluctantly gave Chloe a job at her beach bar, the Sea Glass Saloon. One morning, Chloe discovers Elwell Pugh, a bar regular, dead behind the bar’s dumpster. Evidence points to Vivi as the killer. Chloe begins asking questions to learn who else could have wanted Elwell dead. The killer is not happy with Chloe’s nosy nature and sets out to eliminate her. From Beer to Eternity is the debut of A Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. I found From Beer to Eternity easy to read with steady pacing. Chloe Jackson lives in Chicago, Illinois where she is a children’s librarian. She has taken a leave of absence so she can keep her promise to Boone. I like that the author took the time to establish Chloe’s character as well as Vivi, Joaquin Diaz, and Rhett Barnett. I can tell Sherry Harris is familiar with the Florida panhandle from her descriptions of the town, bars, restaurants, and tourist attractions. I liked the number and variety of attractions that Chloe visited. I enjoyed the book references especially the Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind. The mystery was thought out with multiple suspects. Chloe begins asking questions around town and eavesdropping so she can clear Vivi off the suspect list. Of course, the killer is not happy with Chloe’s sleuthing. I liked the unique murder weapon and the various nefarious activities. I was disappointed that the resolution was not concrete. I like the resolution to be based on fast instead of supposition. I would have preferred fewer references to Rhett’s looks and Chloe’s hormonal reactions. I enjoyed the humor scattered throughout the story. This cozy mystery will have you longing for the beach where you can relax with a good book and a cool drink. From Beer to Eternity is an engaging cozy mystery that will delight fans of Sherry Harris’ A Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series. From Beer to Eternity is a fun cozy mystery with stentorian snoring, the redneck riviera, flaming fires, deficient drinks, a horrid hat, and a bookish barmaid.
When Chloe Jackson promised her friend Boone she would help his grandmother, Vivi, if something happened to him, she never expected she’s have to follow through. But after his untimely death, she heads to Emerald Cove, Florida, to help her with her beach side bar. Things get complicated when Chloe finds one of the regulars dead behind the bar one morning. With the police looking at Vivi as a suspect, Chloe has to figure out what really happened. Can she do it?
Picking up this book, I was immediately transported to the beach, a place I love. The setting was fantastic, and I would love to visit in person. The mystery was a little slow to get going as we were introduced to the characters and setting, but once it did, I was fully engaged. There were plenty of twists along the way. The climax was a bit rushed, but it still answered all of my questions. There are several times where Chloe seemed to have more time in her day than normal, and one chapter with a wonky timeline, but none of this impacted the plot in a meaningful way. Chloe had been working as a children’s librarian before this story started, so I loved the occasional references to children’s books. She leads a group of fantastic characters, some of whom already feel like friends. I will definitely be back for the next round.
The first book in Sherry Harris’s new series, Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mysteries, isn’t even out and I am anxious to read the next one! From Beer to Eternity isn’t quite what I expected from the title, but it gave me everything I want and expect from a book by Ms. Harris. I loved it!
The well-plotted murder is as complex as any in that field that falls between cozy and traditional amateur detective mysteries. Chloe handles most of her investigation intelligently although there was one time I wanted to grab her and tell her, NO, but her judgement worked out so I forgive her this time. Hitting that balance with an amateur investigating murder has to be difficult but Ms. Harris has done an outstanding job of allowing her protagonists to use their brains as they walk a dangerous line.
Since Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series is new, early in the book, I missed the sense of comradery and community that I experience with her Garage Sale Mysteries, but Chloe’s connection with the people around her develops through the novel and I foresee strong ties in the future. A future I will be following avidly. I first discovered Sherry Harris through her Garage Sale Mysteries and from that first book, everything she writes has become a must-buy.
Chloe made a promise that she never expected to have to keep, but it led her to take a leave from her job as a children’s librarian in Chicago and spend time in the Florida panhandle. Her decision not to share her reason for staying has left her in a bit of an awkward position, but she dug in and got a job at a bar owned by a late friend’s grandmother. This lady Is NOT her idea of a grandmother who needs help, but it turns out that there is a lot for Chloe to do when the woman comes under suspicion for murder.
There are many characters that I liked but the two that I loved are Joaquin and Michael. They seem to be Chloe’s version of the D’Angelos. For those of you who are new to Sherry Harris, the D’Angelo family is a reference to special people in her other outstanding series.
As a serious Sherry Harris fan, I naturally requested an ARC of From Beer to Eternity and just as naturally, I had already preordered a personal copy. My friends and followers will be hearing how much I enjoyed this just-right mystery as they have heard all about her other books.
#NetGalley #FromBeertoEternity
At the heart of every great cozy mystery is a wonderful protagonist like Chloe Jackson. She makes her debut in From Beer to Eternity and I can’t wait to enjoy more of her adventures.
This is the first in a new series by popular cozy author, Sherry Harris. It was almost impossible for me to put it down. Witty quips, lots of twists and turns and clever descriptions. And who doesn’t enjoy a book set in Florida? I can’t wait to hang out with Chloe Jackson when the next Sea Glass Saloon Mystery is released.
From Beer to Eternity by Sherry Harris the first instalment in the “Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery” series. Once again I think Sherry Harris has a hit series in the making! I really enjoyed this book and being set at the beach was added bonus as those can be my favourite.
I found myself engrossed in the story and I loved the setting of Emerald Cove, Florida. The way the author described it I could picture myself on the beach in Florida with a drink in hand.
The protagonist Chloe is a very likeable, smart woman with a great sense of humor. The characters are well-developed. The mystery had just enough suspects, red herrings, and twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end. I found it to be a fun fast read. I am looking forward to seeing what is next for her, especially in her relationships with Vivi and Rhett.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends. I have since purchased the book in paperback.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN
An excellent start to a new cozy mystery series. I fell in love immediately with the setting. I spent many a vacation in the Emerald Coast of Florida. Since traveling is limited currently this was the perfect staycation book. Beautiful scenery amidst the murder.
Many interesting characters that will build the series with their stories. I’m interested to learn more ViVi, Rhett and Joaquin. Plus many others.
I’m not much of a drinker but I think it would have been interesting to have some of the drink recipes included.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
In this first installment in Sherry Harris’s Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series, Chicago children’s librarian Chloe Jackson has temporarily moved to Emerald Cove, Florida, to help her best friend Boone’s grandmother, Vivi, run her business after his death in Afghanistan. Vivi is not the frail old lady Chloe had been picturing in her mind. She’s attractive, feisty, and independent and wants nothing to do with Chloe. When a bar patron is found dead behind the bar, all signs point to Vivi being the killer. Chloe doesn’t think that she is guilty and decides to do her own investigation, but soon becomes the killer’s next target.
I thought this was a charming and entertaining read. I enjoyed the writing style, the characters, the plot, and the setting. The author’s rich descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning and made me feel like I was right there on the beach, and I could practically feel the sun on my skin and hear the gentle roar of the ocean waves and smell the salty air. Chloe was a very enjoyable character. She was smart, caring, down to earth, and strong. I felt an instant connection to her and was rooting for her. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her and how her relationship with the other characters develop in the upcoming books, particularly with Vivi, Joaquin, Ann, and Rhett. The mystery was well-crafted, with plenty of twists and red herrings to keep you engaged and guessing until the exciting reveal.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and eagerly await the second book. This is a delightful cozy mystery, with a touch of humor, an intriguing and enjoyable cast of characters, and a gorgeous setting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great start to a new series. I loved the way the author described the small town. It really brought it to life. I, also loved all the characters. I look forward getting to know each one better. The mystery had me guessing to the end. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received a digital arc from Netgalley and Kensington Books for my honest opinion. Thank you.
I could practically taste the tang of salt air and feel a cool ocean breeze off the coast of Florida as I sipped a frozen daiquiri served to me by waitress Chloe Jackson at the Sea Glass beach bar. Quirky bar patrons, each absorbed with their own problems—some leaders, some followers—have recently become a part of Chloe’s daily routine. Happening across the corpse of a regular customer is a shock! Vivi Jo Slidell, owner of the Sea Glass Saloon and part of the local Heritage business group, is hard to get to know and doesn’t know the real reason Courtney is there and why she sought work at her bar. So….the Mystery-solving begins.
This new cozy series is my favorite of 2020! The tiki bar workers are great! The detailed scenes are refreshing, and the plot is original. Beach settings are always a favorite of mine. As truths are revealed, emotions thaw, and the author sets up a grand ending. A fabulous new series to add to my auto-buy list!
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington. Thank you.
As a fan of Ms. Harris’ Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries, I was excited to see that she has started a new series based in Florida. From Beer to Eternity is the first book in the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series, and Ms. Harris has hit the ground running. This book is everything fans have come to expect from this author. Chloe is a wonderful main character. She is inquisitive and caring. Having lost her best friend Boone, she makes her way to Florida to take care of his grandmother Vivi; only Vivi doesn’t really want her there. I loved watching these two dance around each other as independent women, connected by their love for Boone. Chloe and Vivi are accompanied by a great cast of secondary characters that are diverse, quirky and fun – especially Joaquin and Rhett.
The mystery is well done, as readers have come to expect from Ms. Harris. It is complex and engaging. Because of where the victim is found and his history with Vivi, she become the chief suspect. Of course Chloe jumps into sleuthing mode and starts to ask questions to see who else could have committed this murder. The author provides us, as readers, with many viable suspects and moments where we hold our breath as Chloe finds herself in jeopardy resulting from some of the questions she asks. I was completely surprised by the identity of the killer (although that is not unusual). This person was not on my radar at all, and is revealed in a climatic fashion.
Ms. Harris has created a new series that her fans are going to love. Her writing is smooth, the plot is engaging, the mystery is well crafted and the characters are entertaining and enjoyable. I am certainly looking forward to more to come in this series and will definitely be back for more.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy, provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own we were not influenced by the receipt of an ARC.
Not sure what happened – this book had such a good premise but I couldn’t really get into it.
You can check out my booktube video review at https://youtu.be/rz-txQnN3_M
or read my review on my blog at https://lisasiefert.com/book-review-from-beer-to-eternity-by-sherry-harris-a-chloe-jackson-sea-glass-saloon-mystery-1/
I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. This is the first book in a new series. Chloe has arrived in the Florida Panhandle to keep a promise to her best friend, look after his grandmother and the Sea Glass Saloon. She gets a job as a waitress and learns about the people living in Emerald Cove and beach drinks. When a body is discovered behind the bar and Vivi is the suspect she stays to solve the mystery. I really enjoyed the characters and the small town setting. The mystery was good with enough suspects to make it interesting and the solution made sense. It was a quick enjoyable read. I look for word to reading the next book in the series. Enjoy the beach visit
An enjoyable launch into a new cozy mystery series set on the beach in the Florida panhandle.
This is a great start to a new series by Sherry Harris. The writing was so descriptive that I felt like I was there in Emerald Cove with Chloe and could picture the Sea Glass Saloon and the other local businesses as well as the marina and the beach. I liked the characters, especially Joaquin and how he tried to help Chloe get to know the people and also help with the murder investigation. The references to the Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz were a fun addition. There were many suspects and there were a few times that I was actually scared for Chloe, she felt so real to me. Reading this book was like a mini vacation, but with a murder to solve. I can’t wait for the next book!
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Love Sherry Harris and the fact that this series is based in the Florida Panhandle! This Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery was hard to put down…
I’ve found a new series to read….just as soon as book 2 comes out:) I really enjoyed following a librarian who leaves Chicago to work at a bar in Florida. All because she promised Boone, her closest guy friend, that if anything happened to him, she’d help his grandmother run her Sea Glass Saloon in the Florida Panhandle. Only problem? Vivi doesn’t want her there. But there are people who do. Joaquin, the bartender, gets along great with her. So does Rhett, who owns a boat nearby. He’s so scrumptious, I hope he and Chloe don’t take forever to get together. The mystery is solid, the characters likeable, and the writing fast-paced. Glad I gave this book a try!
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Harris has another hit on her hands! We meet Chloe, a children’s librarian from Chicago on leave. Her BFF passed away and she had promised to help his grandma if that ever happened. So to keep that promise she heads to Florida to start working on grandmas bar. This would be easier if Vivi wanted help and she had somewhere to stay. Instead she is sleeping in her car determined to win the old lady over. This gets hard when a regular customer is found murdered and Vivi is the main suspect. Chloe wants to clear her name so she starts asking questions which leads to all sorts of interactions leading to a surprising ending. A well written introduction to life in a seaside town full of eclectic characters. The mystery keeps you guessing while being entertained at the same time. Cozy readers are sure to enjoy this new adventure. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
This new series is a vacation in a book! I loved traveling to Florida for drinks and a page-turning mystery. The setting is so well described, and the sleuth, Chloe Jackson, is smart and fun. I can’t wait to see what the next installment brings.
A new series from Sherry Harris has readers jumping for joy. From Beer to Eternity, the first book in the “A Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery” saloon series, is a true wonder. Chloe would not be anyone’s idea of a hero, but she steps in when her best friend, Boone, dies while in the military to help and protect his grandmother, Vivi. However, Vivi is unlike any grandmother Chole has ever known or expected. She is feisty, smart, and puts up with no-nonsense from anyone.
The characters in this new series are already well-rounded, with distinct personalities and weaknesses. They ooze charisma and diversity. From Chloe herself to Joaquin, the bartender, to what is hoped to be Chloe’s love interest Rhett, these characters will keep readers enthralled. The setting of a saloon, which isn’t a saloon as she imagined it would be but a beach side bar, has a charm all its own. Readers will yearn to sit on a beach and sip a cocktail while people watching.
The murder victim is found behind Vivi’s saloon, and none other than Chloe and Rhett find the body. It doesn’t take long for Chloe to suspect Vivi may have had a hand in the man’s death, or fo the police to think the same. She feels it is up to her to clear Vivi of the suspicion as quickly as she can while keeping her promise to Boone before returning to her home of Chicago. Not that she has a home to return too. The suspects all have sensational motives, but only one of them is a killer. After a hair-raising chase and heroic action by Chloe, the killer is exposed.
From Beer to Eternity is a spectacular beginning for what will be a remarkable series. Readers expect nothing less from Ms. Harris, and she delivers. I can’t wait to read more of Chloe’s adventures and learn more about Vivi and her saloon, not to mention Rhett and Joaquin’s stories. I am overjoyed to recommend this book to readers who want a great read with memorable characters and a setting that will leave them breathless.