Hello everyone. I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to say here. Usually my boss and girlfriend, Max takes care of these things. She thought that maybe I’d like to take a turn. Not that I’m complaining. I’m happy to help out.
Max’s full name is Maxine O’Hara (she prefers to be called Max) owns the Allegheny Brew House, a brewpub in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Her brother, Mike is my best friend, so I’ve known her just about all my life. I have to admit when we were kids, it was a little annoying how she followed us around all the time. Don’t tell Max, but when we got older I definitely noticed her—in a good way. She wasn’t nearly as annoying! But we grew up and went our separate ways. When I moved back to Pittsburgh and Mike told me Max was looking for a chef, I jumped at the chance. It was the best decision I ever made.
We’ve been really busy these past few months. Business at the Allegheny Brew House has really taken off since we opened two months ago. Max had a rough start before the opening. Her good friend and chef had been murdered. And there were a couple of close calls before Max figured out who the killer was.
I’m kind of rambling when yinz guys only wanted to know what my typical day was like. Sorry about that. I usually get to the pub around eight or nine. Max is almost always there well before that. She likes the early morning quiet in the brewery—that’s her domain. She’s been teaching me a little about brewing, but most of my time is spent in the kitchen. Anyway, when I get to work, I start prepping for lunch. Before long, the rest of the kitchen staff arrives. We all work pretty well together. Everyone knows what they’re supposed to do and they do it. There’s often a lull in the afternoon and I’ll take a break before we start all over for dinner.
This week has been especially busy because Max and I are getting ready to attend the Three Rivers Brews and Burgers Festival that will take place downtown in the Strip District. There are contests to decide on the best beer and the best burger. I think Max has a good chance to win the Golden Stein for best beer. I’m entering a burger that I’ve been working on. I’ve been driving Max crazy because I’m keeping the burger a secret. It’s been fun watching her try to find out what’s in it. I’ve sworn everyone in the kitchen to secrecy.
The festival should be great fun even though I’m a little nervous about cooking for food critics. It’ll be nice to get to talk to other chefs and brewers and show off our stuff to all the festival goers. Other than the competition, it should be a relaxing time. At least there won’t be any murders.
Tangled Up In Brew is the second book in the Brewing Trouble mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, October 2016.
BEER TODAY, GONE TOMORROW. . .
Brew pub owner Maxine “Max” O’Hara and her chef/boyfriend, Jake Lambert, are excited to be participating in the Three Rivers Brews and Burgers Festival. Max hopes to win the coveted Golden Stein for best craft beer—but even if she doesn’t, the festival will be great publicity for her Allegheny Brew House.
Or will it? When notoriously nasty food and beverage critic Reginald Mobley is drafted as a last-minute replacement judge, Max dreads a punishing review. Her fears are confirmed when Mobley literally spits out her beer, but things get even worse when the cranky critic drops dead right after trying one of Jake’s burgers. Now an ambitious new police detective is determined to pin Mobley’s murder on Max and Jake, who must pore over the clues to protect their freedom and reputations—and to find the self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner.
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About the author
Joyce Tremel was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned the demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep herself out of jail. Her flash fiction has appeared in Mysterical-e, and her non-fiction has been published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police magazine. Her debut novel, To Brew Or Not To Brew was nominated for a 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award for best amateur sleuth by Romantic Times. The second book in the series Tangled Up In Brew, will be released 10.4.2016, and the third book, A Room With A Brew, is tentatively scheduled for release in October 2017. Connect with Joyce at joycetremel.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Tangled Up In Brew. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends October 5, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
Thanks for this chance! I’d love to win! lindaherold999@gmail.com
I really enjoyed To Brew or not to Brew and so happy their is a new book.
I absolutely loved, loved, loved the first book in this series, and can’t wait to read this one! My husband is from Pittsburgh, so it is so awesome reading a story with real places that he knows first hand. Sure would love to win this new book! Thank you so much dear Dru Ann and Joyce for the chance. God bless you girls!
Oh awesome! Love the chance to read this book. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
Thank you for the giveaway, and the great review. I enjoy beer and know someone who brews his own beer. I missed the first book but it will be in my tbr stack soon. I am hooked and would love to win!
If Tangled Up In Brew is as good as the first book in the series, I’m sure I will love reading it. Thanks for including it on your blog and for the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com
I found #1 and #2 in this series at my library!
Thank you for introducing me to another “new-to-me” author and for the chance to win a print copy of Tangled Up In Brew.
Really enjoyed the first book, To Brew or Not to Brew, and can’t wait to get into this next one.
I’m new to this series. Would love to start in the middle by winning this one.
Another new-to-me author to try. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Ewwww, brew! Unless it’s brewed tea or some hot chocolate, lol. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book.
wfnren at aol dot com
Thanks for this great giveaway.
The new series sounds great. Hope I win a book.
Looking forward to reading this as I really liked the first book and could even picture where it is in Pittsburgh.
Go Joyce! I can’t wait for the new book and all my friends and neighbors are excited about it too!
Haven’t tried this series so I’m anxious to. Nothing more fun than a festival!
Food critics get what they deserve when they are nasty and in books.
Can’t wait to read this new to me series, sounds terrific. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I’m originally from Pittsburgh and I just bought the first book, I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win this one.
I’m so excited about this release! My fall book line-up is looking quite fun!!! Now for the rain to hit so I don’t feel guilty sitting around diving into all these amazing escapes!
Being from Pittsburgh I really enjoyed the first book in the series. I am quite anxious to read this new one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Sounds like a fabulous read.
I am putting this book on my fall reading list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
This sounds like a great series! Can’t wait to get started reading.
New series for me – thanks for the giveaway.
I can’t wait to read this one.
Jake did great, I can’t wait to read this! Thanks for the chance to win!
Loved the To Brew or Not to Brew. I would love to win a copy of Tangled Up in Brew. Thanks for the chance.
Another series I am loving! This is going to be a great week with Dru Ann! Would love to win this new book. I really enjoyed To Brew or Not To Brew. Thanks for sharing today Joyce!
Hadn’t heard of this series. I like the cat on the cover.
This is a new author and series to me and I’m looking forward to reading about the brew house. Book sounds really interesting.
Thanks everyone, and thanks to Dru for hosting Jake today!
New author, new series – I’m interested!
Can’t wait to read this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
I do so love those punny titles. Again An intro to what promises to be an exciting read. On my TBR. Have yet to read this series. Really hope this will be a start.
Added to my WishList!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…..
This new to me! It sounds so interesting!