Reviews

Beyond a Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition

3.0

Beyond a Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander welcomes us to Leavenworth, Washington. Sloan Krause is enjoying the quiet of the town now that Oktoberfest has ended, but it is to be short lived. City Councilman, Kristopher Cooper is running for re-election with a platform of turning Leavenworth into a dry town which would lead to a town without tourists. The next day, Sloan enters April Ablin’s office to find Kristopher dead on the floor and April being arrested by Chief Meyers. While Sloan is a not a fan of the town’s self-appointed ambassador, she knows that April needs her help. Beyond a Reasonable Stout can be read alone for those new to A Sloan Krause Mystery series. The story has Ellie Alexander’s casual writing style which makes the story easy to read. Sloan is preparing for the next stage of her life now that she is divorcing Mac. She has her job at Nitro with Garrett Strong where she gets a voice in creating new brews and now, she needs to decide where to live. Sloan and Garrett are experimenting with new holiday brews and training Kat on their stock so she can handle barkeep duties. The town is in an uproar over Kristopher Cooper and his plan to turn Leavenworth into a dry town. Without the beer, the town will lose its tourists which doesn’t seem to faze Kristopher. It is no surprise when Kristopher ends up murdered. However, Sloan is shocked when April Ablin is arrested for the crime. She knows that April did commit the crime and, reluctantly, Sloan sets out to prove it. Readers will have no problem solving this whodunit long before the reveal. I kept hoping for a twist because I thought the solution too simple. There are multiple suspects since Kristopher managed to antagonize the majority of the town’s residents. The mystery is nicely wrapped up at the end of the book. The secondary mystery of Sloan’s birth parents began in Death on Tap and is still playing out. Sloan is determined to find answers and she may have gotten her best clue yet. I enjoy the descriptions of Leavenworth with its Bavarian style architecture, shops and food. It reminds me of where I grew up (German Village in Columbus, Ohio). A Sloan Krause Mystery series is a character focused series. The characters and their lives are the main focus of the story. They chat, eat and drink plenty of beer. If you enjoy Ellie Alexander’s A Bakeshop Mystery series, you will like reading A Sloane Krause Mystery series (switch out pastry for beer). Beyond a Reasonable Stout is a lighthearted cozy mystery with petty politics, brewing beer, wrestling with wallpaper, barkeep basics, nutty nutcrackers, and an aggrieved April.

lulalaine's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

jillybeanxo's review against another edition

4.0

That ending

shavawnellsbury's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

rmhs14's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

The further I get into this series the more I am loving it. I love how the progression of the series gets you involved in the development of the different characters and the relationships they have. Each book has it's killing that needs to be solved which creates the fast pace read. But it is the main mystery of who Sloan's parents are that is really been the best part of this series. I always think of cozy mysteries a kind of a easy read (fluff), but this series has a depth I am loving. I can't wait to read the next one!!

clak5686's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.25

Sloan and the owner of Nitro, Garrett Strong, are working on a new line of signature beers during the slow time in Leavenworth, Washington.  However, there is a political firestorm brewing when an incumbent candidate for council runs on a platform of making Leavenworth dry (i.e. no alcohol).  This is a direct threat to the livelihoods of the local merchants and tempers are high.  When the candidate is murdered, Sloan helps figure who killed the candidate.  Sloan's personal life is still a mess but she is trying hard to make sure her son is happy.  I enjoyed the mystery in this book.  The author does a good job of giving you options on who might be guilty.  She continues the growth and connection of the main characters.  I would recommend this book but think the series is best read in order. 

caitala's review against another edition

2.0

Spoiler: Solan doesn’t solve the murder… yet again! Somehow (even when she is asked to solve the murder) our main character is always 2 steps behind the police and has the conclusion literally fall in her lap* (* or rather attack her).

The romance is mid and the how the character converse is grating! I find my self skipping over multiple pages to just read the lines that actually matter for the story.

However…. Will I buy the next one? For some reason I find myself saying yes. It’s like a cringe-video compilation- I can’t look away. I also find myself holding out hope that this series will get better (mostly because I love Leavenworth and cozy mysteries so it would be great to have them together).

I also will admit, her bio family mystery has me very intrigued (if I forget how ridiculous it is)….

kathlgpa's review against another edition

3.0

A decent cozy mystery. I didn’t find anything outstanding about the writing or characters but I loved learning about brewing beer and Leavenworth as a setting. It’s always fun to read about a place you’ve been, especially when it’s almost local.

hm_brotherton's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

nucleartumbleweeds's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5