Review: Wrecked By Rum by Lucy Lakestone

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:

Release Date:
August 18, 2020









Synopsis from Goodreads:

When rum collectors collide ...

When mixologist Pepper Revelle joins the Bohemia Bartenders for what promises to be an entertaining, rum-soaked tiki convention in sultry South Florida, she expects divine ukuleles, sublime swizzles and a chance to know chief bartender Neil a little better. What she gets is chaos — the death of a high-profile rum collector, a cast of sneaky suspects and ten thousand limes to squeeze.

With one of their own under suspicion, Pepper and Neil set out to find the real killer. But behind the aloha shirts and cocktail parasols is a blender full of secrets. The centerpiece of the convention is a high-dollar tasting of rums that survived a shipwreck and other disasters, and when a precious bottle vanishes from the crime scene, everyone with a ticket is a suspect.

As Pepper tries to keep the insatiable crowd inebriated and her gregarious dog Astra sober, she finds peril under every palm tree. It seems like everybody’s guilty of something. But who’s guilty of murder? And can she and Neil find the culprit before they’re smacked like the mint in a Mai Tai?

WRECKED BY RUM is the second book in the Bohemia Bartenders Mysteries, funny whodunits with a dash of romance set in a convivial collective of cocktail lovers, eccentrics and mixologists. These cozy culinary comedies contain a hint of heat, a splash of cursing and shots of laughter, served over hand-carved ice.

My Review

Pepper Revelle is back with the Bohemia Bartenders for a new adventure in the Bohemia Bartenders Mystery series. This time the team heads to South Florida for a tiki convention where they will be making rum cocktails. Pepper is still attracted to her boss, Neil Rockaway, but she’s trying hard to concentrate on business.

When Pepper stumbles upon the dead body of a wealthy rum collector, the tiki convention takes a sinister turn. The police rule it a homicide and focus their investigation on one of the Bohemia Bartenders as their primary suspect. However, Pepper quickly finds out the rum collector had a few enemies. With the help of Neil and their team, she is determined to prove her colleagues’ innocence.

This is a fun series. There’s a nice mix of mystery, romance and humor all tied up in one story. The story moves at a fast pace and it’s filled with quirky characters with witty dialogue. The author keeps you guessing until the end with an exciting finale.  I enjoyed this one even more than the first.

I really like this author’s writing style. Although it’s the second book in the series, I think it can be read as a standalone. She gives you plenty of background information throughout this book, but I do think it’s more fun to read both books. There’s also a third book on the way and that looks to be just as much fun.

 My one complaint about these books is that it always leaves me wanting a pretty cocktail with a little umbrella in it :)  There is a recipe for one included at the end but I haven’t tried it yet.

An added bonus to me is that the author includes quite a bit of info about mixing drinks and rum.  I found it interesting to read about. 

I’m anxiously awaiting book #3.

For reading challenges:
Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge 2020

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.