A Southern Homebrew Mystery: Book # 1
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
In this intoxicating new cozy mystery series, the future for modern-day moonshiner Hattie Hayes looks bright—until death darkens the doorstep of her Moonshine Shack.
The Hayes family has made moonshine in Chattanooga since the days of Prohibition, and Hattie is happy to continue the tradition, serving up fun, fruity flavors in mason jars for locals and tourists alike. All signs indicate her new ‘shine shop will be a smashing success. What’s more, mounted police officer Marlon Landers has taken a shine to Hattie. For the first time ever, the stars seemed to have aligned in both her work and romantic life. But when a body ends up on her store’s doorstep alongside a broken jar of her Firefly Moonshine, it just might be lights out for her fledgling business.
The homicide detective can’t seem to identify the person who killed the owner of a nearby bar. The only witness is Hattie’s longhaired gray cat, and Smoky isn’t talking. When the detective learns that the victim and Hattie had a heated exchange shortly before his murder, she becomes her prime suspect.
Lest Hattie end up behind bars like her bootlegging great-grandfather a century before, she must distill the evidence herself and serve the killer a swift shot of justice.
I just love picking up new series and trying out new-to-me authors. The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly fits the bill, and I was excited to jump into this story.
The Moonshine Shack Murder is set in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and follows Hattie as she starts her new moonshine business. She stumbles upon a murder, and since she’s the prime suspect, she decides to “help” the police by figuring out whodunit with the help of friends and family. As it’s the first book in the new A Southern Homebrew Mystery series, there are many character introductions and world-building. But it was done quite well and didn’t overwhelm the actual mystery, which I greatly appreciated.
Hattie is a spunky character. She left her steady job to take a chance on starting her own business. Hattie’s jumping into the family business of making and selling moonshine and is surrounded by a varied cast of characters, from her two best friends to her crazy grandfather and the local beat cop that looks to be the love interest in the series. Several other business owners are introduced, and I hope they’ll be regular characters as they rounded out this small community.
The mystery itself was pretty solid. Ms. Kelly threw in some red herrings but managed to create a believable mystery that Hattie actually solves and not stumble and bumbles into the answer. I was drawn into the story and couldn’t put the book down until I finished.
The Moonshine Shack Murder was my first book by Diane Kelly, but it will not be my last. I’m looking forward to future books in this series. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a bit of a unique twist with the moonshine aspect, I’d totally recommend The Moonshine Shack Murder.
Diane Kelly writes stories that feature feisty female lead characters and their furry, four-footed friends. Diane is the author of over 30 novels and novellas, including the Death & Taxes, Paw Enforcement, and House Flipper mystery series. In 2021, she’ll launch two new series, the Southern Homebrew Moonshine series and the Mountain Lodge Mysteries. Find Diane online at DianeKelly.com, on Twitter and Instagram @DianeKellyBooks, and on Facebook at her Author Diane Kelly page.
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Thanks so much, Jen! I appreciate the review!
You’re welcome! I can’t wait to read more in the series. 🙂