Claret and Present Danger * Sarah Fox * Literary Pub Mystery #4

A high-profile wine festival. A bitter organic turf war. This vintage is tasting like murder. Sadie Coleman, owner of the Inkwell Literary Pub in Shady Creek, Vermont, is looking forward to showcasing her pub's custom literary-themed food and wine pairings at the town’s annual Autumn Wine Festival. But the celebratory atmosphere turns completely ice-cold when a prominent local organic farmer—a man known for his abrasive personality and cutthroat business tactics—is found brutally murdered on the festival grounds.

Because Sadie’s own bartender was caught having a heated, public argument with the victim just hours before the body was discovered, local authorities instantly place him at the absolute top of their suspect pool. Refusing to let an innocent member of her staff take the fall, the bookish amateur sleuth deploys her sharp observation skills and community connections. Navigating a tight-lipped suspect pool of competitive winemakers, greedy property developers, and jealous business rivals, Sadie launches a dangerous, step-by-step counter-investigation to unmask the true killer before her pub's reputation is permanently ruined. Pages of warm Vermont atmosphere, literary wit, and breathless cozy pacing, this fourth installment in the acclaimed Literary Pub Mystery sequence delivers a pitch-perfect masterclass in traditional culinary suspense.