When you think of a traditional cozy mystery you might picture sweet little Miss Marple pouring over a list of suspects and sinister clues while knitting with a steaming cup of Earl Gray tea. I love a good cuppa with my evening read, but sometimes I crave something a bit stronger. As a native to the Pacific Northwest craft beer culture permeates everything. You’ll find a brewhouse or tasting room on nearly every street corner where brewers, who moonlight as chefs and scientists, are constantly experimenting with new flavor combinations. Like a citrus pine ale or a dark chocolate stout infused with cherries. It was this love of the process of creating unique layered beers (along with my husband’s homebrewing hobby) that led me to write the Sloan Krause Mysteries, set in the charming Bavarian beer-mecca of Leavenworth, Washington. Sloan prides herself on her discerning palate and her ability to sniff out a killer.
In my opinion there’s nothing cozier than a mystery paired with a drink meant to be savored.
Here’s a list of some of my favorite boozy reads. Ditch the knitting and take a tasting tour of earthy red wines, hoppy ales, and signature cocktails. Not to worry, none of these reads feature hardboiled detectives who can polish off an entire bottle of scotch in one sitting. The sleuths in these series have a focus on the art of their craft. They understand that a crisp buttery chardonnay is the perfect accompaniment for an afternoon porch read on a sweltering summer day, or how slowly sipping a hot toddy in front of a crackling fire can add a touch of coziness on a stormy winter evening. They just might inspire you to pull out a stainless-steel shaker, that wedding stemware that’s been collecting dust, or a pewter pint glass as you try to piece together whodunit.
Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott
Let’s start our cozy tour in the lush vineyards of Napa Valley where aspiring actress Nicki Sands has landed a gig working at the Malveaux Estate since her career in the film industry has hit a dead end. Nicki has a penchant for fine wines and the bad luck of stumbling upon murder. Stroll through the aromatic vines with a glass of Syrah as Nicki crushes the next batch of grapes and tries to track down a killer. This read has an added bouquet of a burgeoning romance between Nicki and vineyard owner Derek Malveaux that might leave you craving a lovely, blushing rosé.
Murder on the Rocks by Allyson Abbott
Sidle up to the bar and order yourself a stiff drink as you tag along with Mackenzie Dalton. Mackenzie aka Mack is a bar owner in Milwaukie, Wisconsin who has a rare neurological condition that gives her incredible Spidey senses. However, her perceptive nose leads her straight to murder. It’s not a surprise given that notorious criminal mastermind Al Capone was rumored to have not only frequented the joint, but perhaps even stashed evidence somewhere inside the bar’s historic walls. You’ll feel like family at Mack’s bar where everyone knows your name. But, if you’re not careful you just might end up on the suspect list.
The Champagne Conspiracy by Ellen Crosby
Next, we’re off to Virginia to pop open a bottle of bubbly with Lucie Montgomery. Winter is settling in on the family estate where Lucie and wine maker extraordinaire Quinn Santori are trying their hand at champagne. Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day, but Lucie finds herself immersed in history as she traces a murder from the past that leads to danger in the present. This sparkling vintage will take you back to the Prohibition Era complete with speakeasies and nefarious bootleggers. Lucie will help prove that murder is best served chilled on ice.
To Brew or not to Brew by Joyce Tremel
Calling all hop lovers. Who’s ready to hit the pub and toast with a frothy pint? We’ll stop at the Allegheny Brew House in Pittsburg to meet up with Max O’Hara a brewmaster (or mistress) who has just returned from Germany with an abundance of beer knowledge to open her first pub. Whether you’re a fan of deep, dark stouts or light and airy pilsners, Max will fill your stein to the brim and give you a crash course on the brewing process. That is until her assistant brewmaster and head chef end up dead, and she is suddenly thrust into a murder investigation. Max isn’t about to let a murder stop the taps from flowing. She’ll figure out a way to solve the case and keep pouring pints of her craft beer. 
Death of a Kitchen Diva by Lee Hollis
Do you like your mystery paired with a classic cocktail? If so, then food and drink writer Hayley Powell is the sleuth for you. She can make a mean cocktail and knows her way around the kitchen. Bar Harbor, Maine has all of the classic touches of Jessica Fletcher’s Cabot Cove, with one extra bonus—cocktails. Hayley is a single mom struggling to make ends meet and raise two teenagers. What better way to pull in some extra cash than writing a food and drink column for her local paper. Of course, things take a terrible turn when Hayley’s rival ends up dead. Not to worry. It’s nothing that Hayley’s signature lemon drop martini can’t fix.
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Cheers to these boozy reads!
