THE PINT OF NO RETURN, the second book in the Sloan Krause Mystery series by Ellie Alexander brings the reader to Oktoberfest time in the quaint Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth, Washington. The author paints a vivid picture of the festivities, capturing the sights, sounds, smells and most importantly, the tastes of the celebration. The protagonist, Sloan Krause, is a capable young woman who is exerting her independence and strength to stand on her own after leaving her cheating husband. Sloan had been working for her husband’s family at their very successful brewery but is now working for a small pub, Nitro, helping with the brewing, managing the pub and preparing food to sell.
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I really like that Sloan isn’t afraid to take risks and do what is right for herself and her young teenaged son. It’s enabled her character to grow and be a good role model for other women. I also appreciate that Sloan has remained a beloved daughter-in-law to her husband’s family, despite the breakup of her marriage, since she was raised in foster care and has no other family. The author weaves in the mystery of Sloan trying to discover who her biological mother is and my curiosity is definitely roused. The thread of this mystery has been carried from book one and appears to be continuing on with the series since it wasn’t resolved with book two.
Ms. Alexander has developed some great characters and several have continued from book one such as April Ablin, Sloan’s nemesis. April is annoying, as she’s meant to be, yet provides a bit of comedy with her insistence on everyone in town dressing in Bavarian dirndl and/or lederhosen. The new characters introduced are part of the film crew and actors who descend on Leavenworth to film a documentary. The documentary gives the author plenty of opportunities to providing interesting insights into brewing. I especially enjoyed the bits and pieces of facts pertaining to what it takes to develop new brews and the distinctive ingredients that can be used to create unique flavors. The murder of the star of the documentary, Mitchell, pulls Sloan back into investigating. I like that her boss and the owner of Nitro, Garrett, doesn’t mind her investigating and in fact, wants to help out. They make a good team and it seems, perhaps, that some romance might be brewing between the two. After seeing Mitchell interact with other characters, the reader isn’t surprised he’s the victim. He’s a nasty piece of work and almost anyone who meets him would want to kill him. Still, the author manages to provide enough clues to keep the reader guessing and ties the threads of the mysteries together in an exciting conclusion. I found THE PINT OF NO RETURN to be an even stronger book than the first installment and look forward to what’s next in store for Sloan!
While the book doesn’t contain any recipes, Sloan is an able cook and prepares food to serve at the pub with their craft microbrews. Ellie has graciously developed a recipe for Fall Soup with Charred Vegetables that will complement any Oktoberfest brew and satisfy the heartiest of appetites. Along with a flavorful broth, small chunks of substantial veggies are broiled to provide char that mimics the undertones of the bitterness in beer. I really appreciated the large amount of veggies used (I’m always on the lookout for ways to increase produce in my meals) and the star-shaped pasta added a fun element to the bowl.
Amazon Synopsis
Amateur sleuth Sloan Krause returns in The Pint of No Return, another delightful cozy by Ellie Alexander―this time investigating a movie star who’s murdered not long after arriving in Leavenworth, WA to film his latest project.
No other festival compares to Oktoberfest in Leavenworth, Washington. The whole town is buzzing with excitement over this year’s activities and eagerly awaiting Nitro’s latest offering Cherrywizen, made with locally sourced cherries. But local brewmaster Sloan Krause is tapped out. Between trying to manage the pub, her pending divorce with Mac, and her mounting feelings for Garrett, she’s fermenting in internal turmoil.
To complicate matters, dreamy movie star Mitchell Morgan and his production crew have arrived in the village to film during the authentic Bavarian brewfest. Mitchell has his eye on Sloan and a taste for Nitro’s Cherrywizen. Sloan escapes his advances for good when she finds Mitchell slumped over the bar. Is this a case of one pint too many, or has Mitchell been murdered by microbrew?
A special thanks to Ellie Alexander for providing a winner with a hardcover copy of THE PINT OF NO RETURN. Contest ends Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- Olive oil
- 1 onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 large carrots
- 3 stalks celery
- ½ pound brussels sprouts
- 1 red pepper
- 1 yellow pepper
- Half a head of broccoli
- 6 cups vegetable stock
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh herbs—parsley, sage, thyme, and rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of stelline pasta (star pasta) (or other small-type pasta)
- Tin foil
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Chop garlic, celery, onions, and carrots. Heat a large stock pot with a healthy glug of olive oil and add the veggies. Sweat on low heat.
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While the mixture on the stove begins to sweat cut brussels sprouts in half, slice peppers into thin strips, and trim broccoli florets into smaller pieces. Preheat oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and drizzle with olive oil. Toss the veggies in the oil and place the baking tray in the oven. Broil for five minutes, then remove tray from oven and flip vegetables. Return to oven and broil for five more minutes. Repeat until vegetables develop a lovely char—about twenty minutes.
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Set charred vegetables aside and finely chop herbs—parsley, sage, thyme, and rosemary. Add herbs to stock pot, along with the vegetable stock, pasta, and salt and pepper. Bring to a low boil. Simmer for ten to fifteen minutes. Add charred vegetables just before serving.
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Pairs perfectly with a hunk of rustic bread and a pint of Oktoberfest beer.
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have been to bars that have special Oktoberfest beer, but have not been to a real party or festival. The soup looks delicious!
A great looking soup! I’m thinking it’ll be dinner Friday night. Thank you for the recipe. We have Oktoberfest here at one of the ski resorts every year. I’ve been multiple times and love it. The smells of the great food, fun exotic beer, great people, fun crafts and dancing. Looking forward to next year already. Lol
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I’ve never been to an Oktoberfest but I’m sure it’d be fun, thanks for the giveaway!
No I haven’t been to an Oktoberfest but we do have a Hauf Brau House restaurant in Cleveland and they celebrate n October. My fingers are crossed.
I have Death on Tap coming up shortly on my TBR list, and I can’t wait to start this series! Thanks so much for the giveaway and sharing your yummy recipe. I love roasted veggies, and I bet they make an outstanding soup!
Ooops I made a comment before I saw the question! I’ve never been to an Oktoberfest celebration, but I think it would be a lot of fun!
We had friends in Maine who played at an Octoberfest on Mount Desert Island. The music was great.
We go every year to a local Oktoberfest, lots of fun.
That soup looks really good! Thanks for the opportunity.
I was in high school the only time I attended Oktoberfest. It was fun with plenty of food. I am partial to sausages of all kinds.
We lived in Chicago and would do a weekend in Milwaukee for Oktoberfest!!!
I’ve never attended and Oktoberfest fest but would like to if I get the chance!
We have Oktoberfest in all our surrounding small towns..(I live in a small town as well) most of our Oktoberfest center around craft sales and food..but they are all tons of fun!! Thanks for this chance and Have a great day everyone!
We have an Oktoberfest in our small town. It has devolved through the years into a craft fair, mostly.
I’ve been to a Biergarten in Germany and it felt like Oktoberfest, except it was in June. When the band found out there was a group of American students visiting, they launched into Y.M.C.A. just for us and everyone in the tent went wild — it was so funny! I was awed at how many pints of beer a waitress could carry at one time ~
I have not attended any Oktoberfest celebrations which is a little pitiful considering there is a huge one that takes place less than 30 minutes away. We really should go…
I have never been to an Octoberfest.
We don’t have an Oktoberfest unfortunately but I’m sure there has to be one within an hour of me.
I attended an Octoberfest a long time ago. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
We have lived in many towns and a city that celebrate Octoberfest every fall. The celebrations are very elaborate in some places and there were a few that hosted Baking Contests which were fun events! (Years ago). Many of the breweries and wine farms here in New England do some sort of October fest too.
It’s been years since I’ve been to an Otoberfest, but this year there is one locally so I think I’ll go. I hope they have some hot German potato salad—I love the stuff.
I have never attended an Oktoberfest festival. Thank you for a chance to in a hardcover copy of The Pint Of No Return.
I believe I have been to one when I was much younger but don’t remember much of it. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of The Pint of No Return. I’m looking forward to reading it whether I win or not!
I’ve never attended one although I’ve always wanted to and it’s now on my bucket list. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of The Pint of No Return. I love Ellie Alexander!
I haven’t but it looks like a lot of fun!
No I haven’t, maybe I will this fall.
I have never been to an Octoberfest before.
I’ve never been to an Oktoberfest festival, but I really want!
Thanks for having this great giveaway!
I’ve never attended an Oktoberfest festival. There don’t seem to be any down south here and by the time they are having them north we are through with our travels and staying home once the weather starts to change. I would love too though. They always sound like so much fun and the food has to be amazing.
Unfortunately we haven’t. There doesn’t seem to be any down south here. By the time they are having them north, our traveling for the year is over. Once the weather starts to change, we stay home. Sounds like it would be tons of ton and I’d love to explore all the foods.
If this is a repeat, sorry, but it didn’t show as posting .
Yes, I went to Oktoberfest when we visited Germany in 1987.
There are various Oktoberfest observances in my area, but I’ve not yet experienced any. Maybe I should remedy that!
I have been to an Oktoberfest celebration and it was a lot of fun. Lots of good food and beer.
Yes, I have.
I haven’t had the pleasure of participating in an Oktoberfest event. For many years, I’ve wanted to visit Leavenworth, WA and participate… but have never made the dreams reality.
“Have you ever attended an Oktoberfest festival?” No, but it is one of my greatest dreams to go there and enjoy all that beer has to offer!
Never been to Octoberfest. Thanks for the chance
Definitely trying the soup recipe! Yes, I have been to an Oktoberfest – so much fun!
Yes I have, in Knoxville, TN
I’ve been to many festivals, but never Oktoberfest.
I have never gone to one before.. but did do trunk or treat.. that was the first year we dressed up as a family as the Incredibles when our son Austin was 2yrs old. (His birthday is Halloween so we make them extra special for him.. his first Halloween he was Stitch and our daughter was Lilo and the next year we were the Incredibles.. we love having fun with it.. but now that he will be 8yrs old, he is “over” the going as a family thing ?)
I’ve never been to an Oktoberfest but it definitely sounds like fun. The soup sounds delicious and perfect for cold weather.
I have never attended an Oktoberfest celebration before. It seems like it would be fun though!
No I haven’t but it sounds like fun.
We have been to a couple in the Portland area. Beer and sausage with sauerkraut. Rest of the year I rinse the ‘kraut’ and use in a chocolate cake
Would love to visit one – especially in Germany
I have never been to an Oktoberfest. They sound great!
I have never been to an Oktober fest. They sound like great fun!
Soup looks great. I love Ellie Alexander/Kate Dyer-Seeley’s books. I haven’t been disappointed yet.
I’d love to visit Oktoberfest. I bet the food is great.
No, I haven’t.
I can’t wait to try this recipe…and Ellie’s book! Thanks!
I’ve been to several Oktoberfests. I don’t like beer, but I love German food and the atmosphere!
No I’ve never been to an Oktoberfest. ? I bet they are fun! Thank you for this opportunity!
I have not attended an Oktoberfest but they sound like fun. There are no Oktoberfests in this area. Love the soup recipe. Soup is a great meal to make during the winter months.