Review: The Proof is in the Poison by Diane Kelly (Blog Tour)

 

About the Book

Genre: Cozy Mystery, #2 in A Southern Homebrew Mystery Series

Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 7, 2022

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Moonshine shop owner Hattie Hayes is ready to lend a hand when a mystery starts brewing at a train convention in Chattanooga, TN, in this charming cozy mystery series.

Now that her moonshine shop is up and running, Hattie Hayes can focus her efforts on expanding her fledgling business to events in the area, like the Chattanooga Choo Choo Model Train Convention, which is running full steam ahead at the convention center down the block. Hattie is all aboard, seizing this perfect opportunity to promote her Southern homebrew to the folks who have come to the city for the annual event.

But when an attendee dies after drinking some of Hattie's moonshine, she'll need to prove her innocence. Between tight-lipped train hobbyists and competitors for a coveted convention prize, Hattie has a wide array of suspects to choose from, and she'll need to use all the tricks up her sleeve to make sure her moonshine business can survive a murderer and stay on track.

My Review

A model train convention is coming to Chattanooga, TN and Hattie Hayes is ready for it.  She’s trying to make her new moonshine shop a success and plans to do some advertising at the convention.  Along with her grandfather, they spread the news about the shop to all who attend the show.

Things take a nasty turn when one of the model train vendors ends up dead and Hattie’s moonshine is taking the blame for it.  Someone poisoned his moonshine and Hattie is accused of the crime.  It’s up to Hattie to prove her innocence for the sake of her shop and, of course, for her own freedom.

This is the second book in this series and it’s just as fun as the first one.  The mystery storyline is contained in this book so you won’t feel lost if you didn’t read the first book.  The author, also, gives the reader some background information in this one.  However, I suggest you read the first one since this is such a cute series.

Hattie is a unique character and she’s surrounded by a wonderful supporting cast.  Her grandfather is a fun loving guy on a scooter.  Hattie even has a cat named Smokey who loves hanging around the moonshine shop.

This book got off to a slow start for me as there was much information on model trains.  I thought it was a bit too much, but then the story really took off.  Hattie’s a bit too nosy sometimes, but what amateur sleuth isn’t?  Not to mention she has every reason in the world to want to find out who the killer is since it appears they are framing her for murder.

There’s an explosive finale as Hattie takes matters into her own hands.  It’s all fun and exciting.  Hattie even has a little romance going on and it’s very sweet.  This is a charming mystery that kept me guessing until the end.  

For reading challenges:

Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge 2022

Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2022

Literary Escapes Reading Challenge 2022 (Tennessee)

NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2022

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