From Beer to Eternity

From Beer to Eternity by Sherry Harris has Chloe Jackson, a children’s librarian, visiting Emerald Cove, Florida for the funeral of her friend, Boone Slidell. Chloe promised Boone that if something happened to him, she would help his grandmother. The caveat is that she cannot tell Vivi, Boone’s grandmother, of his request. Vivi is not what Chloe expected. She is a stubborn, feisty, well-dressed woman in her seventies who has taken a dislike to Chloe. In order to stay, Chloe told Vivi that her car broke down and she needs to earn money for the repairs. Vivi reluctantly gave Chloe a job at her beach bar, the Sea Glass Saloon. One morning, Chloe discovers Elwell Pugh, a bar regular, dead behind the bar’s dumpster. Evidence points to Vivi as the killer. Chloe begins asking questions to learn who else could have wanted Elwell dead. The killer is not happy with Chloe’s nosy nature and sets out to eliminate her. From Beer to Eternity is the debut of A Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. I found From Beer to Eternity easy to read with steady pacing. Chloe Jackson lives in Chicago, Illinois where she is a children’s librarian. She has taken a leave of absence so she can keep her promise to Boone. I like that the author took the time to establish Chloe’s character as well as Vivi, Joaquin Diaz, and Rhett Barnett. I can tell Sherry Harris is familiar with the Florida panhandle from her descriptions of the town, bars, restaurants, and tourist attractions. I liked the number and variety of attractions that Chloe visited. I enjoyed the book references especially the Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind. The mystery was thought out with multiple suspects. Chloe begins asking questions around town and eavesdropping so she can clear Vivi off the suspect list. Of course, the killer is not happy with Chloe’s sleuthing. I liked the unique murder weapon and the various nefarious activities. I was disappointed that the resolution was not concrete. I like the resolution to be based on fast instead of supposition. I would have preferred fewer references to Rhett’s looks and Chloe’s hormonal reactions. I enjoyed the humor scattered throughout the story. This cozy mystery will have you longing for the beach where you can relax with a good book and a cool drink. From Beer to Eternity is an engaging cozy mystery that will delight fans of Sherry Harris’ A Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series. From Beer to Eternity is a fun cozy mystery with stentorian snoring, the redneck riviera, flaming fires, deficient drinks, a horrid hat, and a bookish barmaid.

The first book in Sherry Harris’s new series, Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mysteries, isn’t even out and I am anxious to read the next one! From Beer to Eternity isn’t quite what I expected from the title, but it gave me everything I want and expect from a book by Ms. Harris. I loved it! The well-plotted murder is as complex as any in that field that falls between cozy and traditional amateur detective mysteries. Chloe handles most of her investigation intelligently although there was one time I wanted to grab her and tell her, NO, but her judgement worked out so I forgive her this time. Hitting that balance with an amateur investigating murder has to be difficult but Ms. Harris has done an outstanding job of allowing her protagonists to use their brains as they walk a dangerous line. Since Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series is new, early in the book, I missed the sense of comradery and community that I experience with her Garage Sale Mysteries, but Chloe’s connection with the people around her develops through the novel and I foresee strong ties in the future. A future I will be following avidly. I first discovered Sherry Harris through her Garage Sale Mysteries and from that first book, everything she writes has become a must-buy. Chloe made a promise that she never expected to have to keep, but it led her to take a leave from her job as a children’s librarian in Chicago and spend time in the Florida panhandle. Her decision not to share her reason for staying has left her in a bit of an awkward position, but she dug in and got a job at a bar owned by a late friend’s grandmother. This lady Is NOT her idea of a grandmother who needs help, but it turns out that there is a lot for Chloe to do when the woman comes under suspicion for murder. There are many characters that I liked but the two that I loved are Joaquin and Michael. They seem to be Chloe’s version of the D’Angelos. For those of you who are new to Sherry Harris, the D’Angelo family is a reference to special people in her other outstanding series. As a serious Sherry Harris fan, I naturally requested an ARC of From Beer to Eternity and just as naturally, I had already pre-ordered a personal copy. My friends and followers will be hearing how much I enjoyed this just-right mystery as they have heard all about her other books. #NetGalley #FromBeertoEternity