100 Proof Murder by Mary Ellis

100 Proof Murder 

Book Summary 

Travel writer Jill Curtis is in Louisville, Kentucky, on the next stop of her bourbon tour assignment, and is keen to explore the local distilleries with her videographer, Michael Erickson - especially since her new beau, Lieutenant Nick Harris, lives in the city.

But the night before Jill's first tour at Parker's Distillery, she is shocked to learn that the master distiller, William Scott, has died suddenly of a heart attack - and even more shocked when she discovers William's daughter, Alexis, suspects foul play. Is there more to William's death than meets the eye? Jill is soon drawn into a deadly blend of rivalry, jealously, and cold-blooded murder as she attempts to uncover the truth behind William's unexpected demise

My Thoughts 

100 Proof Murder by Mary Ellis has Jill Curtis, a syndicated travel writer, arriving in Louisville, Kentucky to tour local bourbon distilleries.  Jill and her videographer, Michael are enjoying a drink in the bar when they learn that the master distiller of Parker Estate Distillery, William Scott Parker, passed away that afternoon.  Jill has an appointment to meet with the decedent’s daughter and the distilleries operation manager, Alexis Scott Parker the next day as well as tour their facility.  Jill arrives at her appointment to find a distraught Alexis.  She believes her father is the victim of foul play, but Alexis has no idea how to prove it.  Jill, thanks to her recent experience, can aid Alexis in this matter.  Jill soon finds herself entangled in the Scott Parker family drama as she attempts to learn the truth about the master distiller’s sudden demise.  

100 Proof Murder by Mary Ellis is the 2^nd book in A Bourbon Tour Mystery series.  100 Proof Murder can be read as a stand alone for those who have not read One for the Road.  I thought Jill Curtis being a travel writer was a unique premise for a cozy mystery.  With Jill traveling, there is always a new place for a murder or crime to occur (instead of a large spike in crime in a small town).  I enjoyed the descriptions of Louisville, Whiskey Row, and the area distilleries.  The whodunit is not the focus of this cozy mystery.  The distiller’s death is not even declared suspicious until I was a third of a way through the book.  There are a variety of suspects and a red herring.  I had no problem identifying the guilty party before the reveal (a big clue gives it away).  The majority of the book deals with Jill’s job, Lt. Nick Harris having problem with his mother, Jill’s relatives causing havoc (their antics were hilarious), and Jill and Nick’s relationship.  We follow Jill as she goes about her daily life in Louisville.  There are some glaring mistakes in this book.  Michael’s last name changes late in the book from Erickson to Emerson, Michael’s gumbo because jambalaya, and Kentucky is referred to as the Keystone state (that is Pennsylvania).  The pacing is languid in 100 Proof Murder.  A book with a little over two hundred pages seemed three times as long.  I wanted less romance and more mystery.  This could be an entertaining series with some changes.  100 Proof Murder takes readers to the Bluegrass State where there are tasty tipples, a disconcerting death, raucous relatives, a masculine lieutenant, an absentminded mother, and a vexing videographer. 

100 Proof Murder is available from Amazon*.  The first novel in A Bourbon Tour Mystery series is One for the Road.  You can find Mary Ellis' other novels here.  Thank you so much for reading my review today.  I will be back tomorrow with To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano.  It is the latest novel in The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series.  I wanted to let you know that I could not put together one of the planters.  I opened up the box and read through the parts list.  The planters legs were not included.  How could they forget four legs?  I have emailed the manufacturer (I am not hopeful) asking for assistance.  If I do not get a response, I will send it all back.  I hope that you have a cheerful day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Amish Sweet Shop by Mary Ellis, Laura Bradford and Emma Miller

Welcome!  Death Roll by Diane Welker releases on January 15.  A Desperate Hope by Elizabeth Camden will be out on February 5 along with A Faithful Gathering by Leslie Gould. 

The Amish Sweet Shop by Laura Bradford, Mary Ellis and Emma Miller contains three sweet stories set in Blue Bird, Pennsylvania.  We start with The Sweetest Courtship by Emma Miller.  Jacob Beechy creates the sweet treats sold at Beechy’s Sweets run by his mother, Clara and himself.  Clara is ready for her son to settle down and provide her with grandchildren to spoil.  She will be leaving town to assist her expectant niece and convinces Jacob they need help in the store.  Jacob is unaware that Clara is interviewing the applicants in the hopes of finding him a bride.  When Rose Bontrager arrives, Clara believes she has found the right woman for her son.  Clara takes her leave and hopes sparks will fly between the pair.

The Sweetest Truth by Laura Bradford features Sadie Fisher who works at Bluebird Quilts.  Sadie is happy for her best friend, Miriam who is getting married.  But it makes her sad that she does not have any prospects and Sadie believes she will be a spinster because of the scars on the right side of her face.  Sadie received the scars when she rescued animals from her families burning barn.  Miss Jenny says the right man will come along who can see Sadie for what is inside her heart.  It does not help that an English teenager torments Sadie each day on her way home.  Unexpectedly, someone starts leaving little gifts for Sadie on the back porch of Bluebird Quilts.  Does someone see Sadie for the kind, caring woman she truly is?

Hannah Kline is a recent widow in Nothing Tastes So Sweet by Mary Ellis.  Hannah and her husband lived above the hardware store where she works.  Hannah discovers she is pregnant shortly after her husband dies in a work accident.  When Hannah learns that Mr. & Mrs. Howard are selling the hardware store, she wants to buy it.  Unfortunately, Hannah does not have enough money for the down payment on her own.  The Howard’s suggest that Hannah partner with Seth Miller who also wishes to purchase the hardware store.  To obtain the Bishop’s approval, Hannah must clear Seth’s name of an incident that caused him to leave the Amish.  Their talents and work experiences complement each other making a good working relationship.  Can their work association lead to something more?

The Amish Sweet Shop contains three pleasant Amish romances.  I found the stories to be nicely written and they work well together.  They contain likeable as well as relatable characters.   Beechy’s Sweets is the link that ties the three novellas together plus they are all set in the small town of Bluebird, Pennsylvania.  There are sweet treats mentioned in the books that will have you craving chocolate.  All three stories are clean, Amish romances with Christian messages (such as looking beyond the surface to the person within).  While they do have expected endings, the novellas are diverting.  The Sweetest Courtship is my favorite story.  I enjoyed the banter between Jacob and Rose as well as the humor sprinkled throughout it.  Clara was not subtle with her matchmaking.  The Amish Sweet Shop is the perfect book to read on a cold winter day in a comfy chair with a hot drink and a box of chocolates.  My rating for The Amish Sweet Shop is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). 

Thank you for joining me today.  I am heading off to the grocery store.  The cats and dogs are out of their favorite treats (and I am too!).  Tomorrow I will return with my thoughts on How to Knit a Murder by Sally Goldenbaum.  I hope you have a fulfilling and joyous day.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader