Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for The Moonshine Shack Murder (A Southern Homebrew Mystery) by Diane Kelly. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!

In this intoxicating new cozy mystery series, the future for modern-day moonshiner Hattie Hayes looks bright–until death darkens the doorstep of her Moonshine Shack.

The Moonshine Shack Murder (A Southern Homebrew Mystery)

by Diane Kelly

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The Moonshine Shack Murder (A Southern Homebrew Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Berkley (July 6, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

The Hayes family has made moonshine in Chattanooga since the days of Prohibition, and Hattie is happy to continue the tradition, serving up fun, fruity flavors in mason jars for locals and tourists alike. All signs indicate her new ‘shine shop will be a smashing success. What’s more, mounted police officer Marlon Landers has taken a shine to Hattie. For the first time ever, the stars seemed to have aligned in both her work and romantic life. But when a body ends up on her store’s doorstep alongside a broken jar of her Firefly Moonshine, it just might be lights out for her fledgling business.

The homicide detective can’t seem to identify the person who killed the owner of a nearby bar. The only witness is Hattie’s longhaired gray cat, and Smoky isn’t talking. When the detective learns that the victim and Hattie had a heated exchange shortly before his murder, she becomes her prime suspect.

Lest Hattie end up behind bars like her bootlegging great-grandfather a century before, she must distill the evidence herself and serve the killer a swift shot of justice.

Character guest post: Charlotte the Police Horse from The Moonshine Shack Murder

Hello there, readers. I’m Charlotte, the chestnut mare from Diane Kelly’s book The Moonshine Shack Murder. It’s the first book in her new Southern Homebrew series. I know a lot of you cozy mystery readers are crazy about cats, and there’s a furry feline named Smoky in the book, too. But I hope there’s room in your hearts for a big girl like me.

I’m much more than just a reddish coat, blond mane, and long legs. I’m a working police horse. I get paid in feed, hay, and the occasional salt lick. Not a bad gig overall. Gets me out of the barn where I can see what’s going on in the world. I work alongside (or should I say under?) Chattanooga Police Officer Marlon Landers. He’s a great guy. Dutiful. Smart. Treats me like a queen. He always makes sure I’m hosed down and brushed after a hard day’s work, keeps me looking pretty. I got the gig because I’m a calm horse who works well under pressure. I don’t startle easy. I’m smart, but I’m not stubborn. I’m happy to go along with whatever Marlon asks of me. I trust him implicitly. He’d never ask me to do anything that would put me at risk. Together, we keep the people of Chattanooga safe.

Lately, I’ve noticed that I’m not the only female Marlon has been paying attention to. Seems he’s taken a shine to modern-day moonshiner Hattie Hayes, who runs The Moonshine Shack. It’s a cute shop down in the riverfront area. I might be jealous if Hattie wasn’t so sweet to me. She’s always got an apple or a carrot to share, and she bought a brand-new bucket just so she can give me a cool drink of water when we stop by her shop. We seem to be doing that a lot lately.

I can tell something’s going on. My big ears have picked up some of the gossip. Seems the guy who ran the Irish pub across the street from Hattie’s store was found dead right in front of her shop. Someone slashed his throat with a broken jar of her moonshine. Some even suspect Hattie had something to do with it, but I know better. Hattie’s the type of young woman who will stand up for herself when necessary, but she wouldn’t hurt a fly. Still, to clear her name, she’s got to help Marlon and Detective Candace “Ace” Pearce figure out who killed the guy and why. He wasn’t the likable kind, so there’s lots of people on the potential suspects list. Former employees from his pub. Other businesspeople in the area that he screwed over in one way or another. Barflies that he’d gotten crosswise with.

I hope you’ll saddle up and come along for the ride with us. The book is a lot of fun, and you just might learn something about moonshine or the pretty city of Chattanooga. It’s a story you won’t want to say “nay” to. Happy reading and happy trails!

About Diane Kelly

Diane Kelly writes stories that feature feisty female lead characters and their furry, four-footed friends. Diane is the author of over 30 novels and novellas, including the Death & Taxes, Paw Enforcement, and House Flipper mystery series. In 2021, she’ll launch two new series, the Southern Homebrew moonshine series and the Mountain Lodge Mysteries. Find Diane online at DianeKelly.com, on Twitter and Instagram @DianeKellyBooks, and on Facebook at her Author Diane Kelly page.

Author Links: 

Website:  https://www.dianekelly.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianeKellyBooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeKellyBooks

Newsletter signup: http://www.dianekelly.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/

Purchase Links 

Amazon Paperback    Kindle    Audible    Nook    B&N Paperback     Books-A-Million     Googleplay   Indiebound    iBooks    Kobo    Powells Books    Target    Walmart

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The Moonshine Shack Murder TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 6

Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 7

Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

July 8

Novels Alive – GUEST POST

MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

July 9

The Avid Reader – REVIEW, RECIPE

Novels Alive – REVIEW

July 10

Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

I Read What You Write – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 11

Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 12

FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

July 13

Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 14

Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

July 15

Ascroft, eh? – GUEST POST

Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

July 16

Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

ebook addicts – SPOTLIGHT

July 17

Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW

Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

July 18

Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

July 19

StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

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