Books On Board

Sloan Krause Books in Order

  • 10 Books
  • 2018 – 2023 Published

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Reading order
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Recommended Sloan Krause Reading Order

To fully appreciate the evolution of Ellie Alexander's cozy mysteries, readers should follow the Sloan Krause series in publication order. Because the books feature ongoing character development, relationship growth, and a persistent mystery surrounding Sloan's family background, reading the books in order ensures that you don't spoil key plot twists.

The Sloan Krause Books in Order

  • Trouble Is Brewing (2017) – A prequel crossover novella. Jules Capshaw from the Bakeshop Mystery series meets Sloan Krause.
  • Death on Tap (2018) – Book 1. Sloan leaves her husband and the family brewery to join a trendy rival nano-brewery, Nitro.
  • The Pint of No Return (2018) – Book 2. Set during Oktoberfest, featuring a documentary crew and a murdered former child star.
  • Beyond a Reasonable Stout (2019) – Book 3. Political tensions bubble up over a dry-town proposal, ending in the murder of a city councilmember.
  • Without a Brew (2020) – Book 4. Set during winter's IceFest, where a snowed-in guest disappears and leaves behind a trashed room.
  • The Cure for What Ales You (2021) – Book 5. Set during the spring Maifest. Sloan's search for her foster-care history collides with a housekeeper's murder.
  • Hold on for Beer Life (2022) – Novella (Book 5.5). A short mystery featuring Sloan and the Nitro crew.
  • Beer and Loathing (2023) – Book 6. Set during Ski Week. Sloan investigates a suspicious ski lift accident that claims the life of a young doctor.
  • A Brew to a Kill (2023) – Novella (Book 6.5). Another mini-mystery focusing on Leavenworth's community.
  • Ale I Want for Christmas is a Clue (2023) – Novella (Book 6.6). Set during the festive Christkindlmarkt holiday event.

Where to Start and How to Read

The best place to start is the first full-length novel, Death on Tap. This book introduces Sloan Krause, her cheating ex-husband Mac, and the warm community of Leavenworth, Washington. It establishes the central conflict of Sloan forging a new life at Nitro, a hip nano-brewery owned by Garrett Strong. For readers who enjoy crossovers, the prequel novella Trouble Is Brewing is a delightful bridge that connects Ellie Alexander's two cozy mystery universes, allowing Bakeshop Mystery fans to ease into Sloan's world.

Readers should note that the shorter stories—specifically Hold on for Beer Life, A Brew to a Kill, and Ale I Want for Christmas is a Clue—were originally published as digital-first novellas. In late 2023, they were compiled into a physical print anthology titled The First Pour. If you prefer holding a physical book, look for this compilation to catch up on the series' shorter installments.

Detailed Walkthrough of the Sloan Krause Books

Trouble Is Brewing (2017)

This prequel novella is a special treat for fans of cozy mysteries. It serves as a crossover event where Jules Capshaw, the protagonist from Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mystery series, visits Leavenworth and crosses paths with Sloan Krause. This short story is the perfect appetizer, introducing readers to the alpine charm of "Beervaria" and setting the stage for Sloan's eventual transition into amateur sleuthing.

Death on Tap (2018)

The series officially kicks off as Sloan Krause makes the difficult decision to leave her cheating husband, Mac, and walk away from his family's established brewery, Der Keller. Seeking a fresh start, Sloan joins forces with Garrett Strong at Nitro, a trendy nano-brewery. When a competitor turns up dead inside a fermentation tank, Sloan must use her brewing knowledge and sharp mind to solve the crime and clear her family's name.

The Pint of No Return (2018)

Oktoberfest has arrived, and the streets of Leavenworth are packed with tourists. A documentary film crew led by obnoxious former child star Mitchell Morgan comes to town to shoot a feature on the local craft beer scene. When Morgan is found dead after sipping Nitro's signature Cherry Weizen, Sloan is thrown into an investigation filled with hollywood drama, local grudges, and her own complicated personal feelings for Garrett.

Beyond a Reasonable Stout (2019)

Leavenworth is divided when a local political campaign raises the controversial proposal of turning the town "dry." The debates culminate in a rally that ends in tragedy when a city councilmember is murdered. Sloan must navigate local politics, town secrets, and a list of suspects who all have strong opinions about the town's future to find the killer.

Without a Brew (2020)

Winter sets in, and Leavenworth is ready for the annual IceFest. Sloan and Garrett have expanded Nitro's business by converting part of the space into a cozy inn. Their first weekend hosting guests goes awry when a massive snowstorm hits, trapping everyone inside. The situation turns deadly when a guest disappears, leaving behind a heavily vandalized room, and Sloan must figure out who among the snowed-in visitors is a threat.

The Cure for What Ales You (2021)

Spring brings the colorful Maifest celebration to town, and Nitro is ready to debut its new Lemon Kiss ale. However, Sloan's attention is split as she tries to uncover the truth about her early childhood in the foster system. The investigation takes a dangerous turn when a key source of information is linked to a housekeeper's murder, warning Sloan that digging into the past might put her family in harm's way.

Beer and Loathing (2023)

During Leavenworth's popular Ski Week, a young doctor named Hazel Anders dies in what the police label a tragic ski lift accident. Suspecting foul play, Sloan digs deeper and discovers that Hazel was privy to sensitive medical research. Sloan must untangle a web of professional jealousy and corporate secrets, all while hosting Garrett's family for their first visit to the brewery.

What to Know Before You Start

The Sloan Krause series stands out in the cozy mystery genre because of its deep immersion into craft brewing culture. Every book is packed with realistic brewing details, from selection of hops to the fermentation process, making it a treat for beer lovers. The Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth, Washington, is a real place, and Ellie Alexander captures its alpine architecture, seasonal festivals, and Pacific Northwest landscape beautifully. While each book features a standalone murder mystery, Sloan's personal journey—navigating single motherhood, dealing with her ex-husband's family, and searching for clues about her birth mother—spans across the entire series, making chronological reading highly rewarding.

Frequently Asked

What is the best starting point for the Sloan Krause series?

The best place to start is with the first full-length novel, Death on Tap. If you want a fun introduction to the setting, you can also start with the prequel crossover novella, Trouble Is Brewing.

Can the Sloan Krause books be read as standalones?

While the murder mystery in each book is resolved by the end, Sloan's personal life, her career at Nitro, and her search for her birth mother develop continuously. It is highly recommended to read them in order.

Where does the prequel crossover "Trouble Is Brewing" fit in?

Trouble Is Brewing is a crossover novella set before the events of the first book. It features Jules Capshaw from Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mystery series meeting Sloan Krause in Leavenworth.

What is "The First Pour" in the Sloan Krause series?

The First Pour is a print collection published in November 2023 that compiles three previously digital-only novellas: Hold on for Beer Life, A Brew to a Kill, and Ale I Want for Christmas is a Clue.

Is the setting of Leavenworth, Washington, a real place?

Yes, Leavenworth, Washington is a real tourist town in the Cascade Mountains known for its authentic Bavarian architecture, festivals like Oktoberfest, and local craft breweries.