To Brew or Not to Brew (Brewing Trouble #1)
By Joyce Tremel
ISBN13: 9780425277690
Author webpage: http://www.joycetremel.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
An all-new mystery series set in a Pittsburgh craft brew pub, featuring a brewmaster with a head for sleuthing.
The Allegheny Brew House is a dream come true for Maxine “Max” O’Hara, who went all the way to Germany for her brewmaster certification, and is now preparing to open her own craft brew pub in a newly revitalized section of Pittsburgh. But before she can start pouring stouts and lagers to thirsty throngs, there’s trouble on tap. Suspicious acts of sabotage culminate in Max finding her assistant brewmaster and chef Kurt Schmidt strangled in one of the vats.
Between rescuing a stray gray tabby she names Hops and considering a handsome ex-hockey player as her new chef, Max doesn’t have a lot of time to solve a murder. But with a homicide detective for a dad, she comes to criminal investigation naturally. And if someone is desperate enough to kill to stop her from opening, Max needs to act fast—before her brand-new brew biz totally tanks…
INCLUDES RECIPES
Review:
To Brew or Not to Brew is the first in a new cozy series by author Joyce Tremel. The series is called Brewing Trouble and no this is not about a witch brewing up toil and trouble. This is a series with a wonderful protagonist in Maxine “Max” O’Hara. Not only is Max a fun main character, but she is also a bit different than the normal heroine of most cozies. (Which I love by the way). She is a brewmaster! She traveled all the way to Germany to learn from the best beer makers in the world (Okay I am German) and get her brewmaster certification. All to the horror of her Irish father by the way. Max is getting her prewpub ready to open in an up and coming section of Pittsburgh. Before she can even open her Allegheny Brew House, things keep getting sabotaged and then tragedy strikes.
I have to say I was a bit saddened and surprised when Max’s German chef Kurt Schmidt is murdered. And just as he called her to tell her he knew who was behind all the trouble. Kurt was a very likable character and it was a twist for me at least that he was killed off so quickly. That did open up a position to bring in a great love interest for Max, her brother’s friend and her crush from childhood. Jake Lambert is a former hockey player that also happens to be one heck of a chef, oh and he is pretty dang handsome too. Max is busy beyond belief, however she doesn’t believe Kurt’s death is accident as her father, a police detective, believes. So she may just have to find answers herself.
I love all the characters, her family is wonderful, her crew is great and of course finding sweet kitty Hops is a bonus for us animal lovers. Author Joyce Tremel did a fabulous job of introducing the reader to this new series’ cast of characters. Her writing style is fun and crisp and easy to enjoy like a well brewed ale. Full of flavor and bursting with complexity found in a good Weissbier. The setting is also interesting, a big city, however in a small section of town that is in the midst of revitalization. The other store owners are fascinating. The action is well written and the twists are unexpected. The mystery is enthralling and kept me guessing. I really loved the relationship Max has with her family.
I enjoyed this first in a new series. I think it will be a winner for sure. And I cannot wait for the next installment. I am excited to see how the characters and their relationships develop. I loved the details in both the brewing and police information. I am sure the fact that author Joyce Tremel was a police secretary for years helped with that side. I would recommend To Brew or Not to Brew to any cozy reader. It ticks all the buttons for what makes a good cozy read. I really like the author’s unique setting and career for Max. I think this is going to be a 5-star series. The writing, setting, characters, storyline, mystery, all of it makes this a super debut. If the cover does not pull you in on its own, know that this is well worth the time and fun to boot.
