Beyond a Reasonable Stout

The bustle of Oktberfest is over and there's a lull before the Christmas festivities begin in Leavenworth, Washington. In Beyond a Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander, Sloan Krause is happy for the reprieve. It gives her time to plan Nitro's holiday beers. But there's trouble in Leavenworth because of a candidate in the city council election. Kristopher Cooper wants to pass an ordinance to make Leavenworth a dry town. (Beyond a Reasonable Stout will be released on October 1 St. Martin's Press.)

Almost everyone in town is opposed to the suggestion especially as most businesses make their money from selling alcohol and Leavenworth bills itself as Beervaria. After an enormous rally for Valerie Hedy, his opponent, Kristopher is seen arguing with several people including Leavenworth “ambassador” April Ablin. When Kristopher’ body is found in April’s real estate office the next morning, Chief Meyers arrests April. She begs Sloan to help prove she didn't kill Kristopher. 

Sloan has her own issues with her soon to be ex-husband Mac. He wants their son to help him find a place to live and Sloan is worried her son will be placed in the middle of their divorce. Mac still holds out hope that he and Sloan will get back together again, but she's adamant that will not happen. 

While Sloan attempts to untangle Kristopher's murder, she discovers many secrets about her neighbors including the other candidate for city council. As for secrets, Sloan is still trying to discover who her parents were and why they gave her up. 

For Nitro beer fans, Beyond a Reasonable Stout doesn't disappoint. Sloan and Garrett blend some tasty beers. I especially love all the new beer flavors and wish we had a brewery like Nitro nearby, but Ellie Alexander ends this book with a cliffhanger. Hope she hurries up and writes the next book soon. 



Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley.