The Malt in Our Stars * Sarah Fox * Literary Pub Mystery #3

Sadie Coleman’s Vermont literary pub turns into a high-stakes crime scene when a toxic local brewer drops dead right after a heated public argument, plunging Sadie into a frantic hunt for a clever killer.

The Story: Sadie Coleman is finally settling into a comfortable, low-friction routine running The Inkwell, her unique pub in the historic village of Shady Creek, Vermont. The local sandbox turns fatal during the town's highly anticipated autumn winter festival when an arrogant, unprincipled craft brewer collapses and dies from a poisoned batch of malt beer. Because the victim had just finished a loud, public row with one of Sadie’s close friends, local law enforcement lines quickly lock in on the wrong suspect. Forced to launch a synchronized counter-campaign to clear her circle, Sadie drops her guard and digs through the community’s competitive brewing underground. Tracking a messy trail of stolen recipes, family rivalries, and romantic betrayals, she must isolate the real killer before her own business hits a permanent deadline.

Perfect For: Fans of lighthearted, puzzle-driven cozy mysteries, culinary and craft beer themes, bookish settings, and readers who devour authors like Laura Childs, Jenn McKinlay, or Ellery Adams.