Honey Whiskey Murders

By: Staci Mercado

Narrated by: Cindy Piller

Elsie Edens, the teen detective who found her sister’s killer in Seeking Signs, is back. In her early twenties now, and solving cases on her own, Elsie has developed into a full-fledged investigator working for a prominent agency in Clinton, Iowa.

It’s Sunday, November 5, 1922. In the local paper, rural Iowa residents are shocked to read the headline: Coldest-blooded double murder in the history of Clinton county.

A well-known, respected husband and wife were brutally slain the previous night in their country store in Low Moor, Iowa. The local authorities, already under scrutiny for a rash of cold cases, call for help from an aging private investigator who sends Elsie, his young and ambitious protégée, to examine the crime scene.

Prohibition complicates her inquiries and leads her to an old friend who helps her uncover a motive for the murders. It seems the Chicago outfit has turned its attention to a small town in Iowa’s Driftless area - a rocky section of limestone bluffs, river bottoms, and immigrant families determined to survive.

During her investigation, Elsie is forced to relive a gruesome incident from her past - one that proves locals like her are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves.

Note: Honey Whiskey Murders is based on actual events.

©2017, 2019 Staci Mercado (P)2020 Staci Mercado

Slow book

Hard to finish but did as was a free read and needed to make sure

Pretty Good Book!

I love how this story revolves around real-life unsolved murders. I had never heard of them before so it was quite enlightening. The narration was superb! Cindy's accents from mobster to regular citizen was pretty amazing. She really helped me fall into this story. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed the book as much without her narration.

*I received a free copy in return for my honest review*

Exciting!

In this well-written novel, Elsie seems to be maturing in her sleuth skills. She is tenacious in solving the mystery.

Cindy Piller does a great job narrating.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Raise a glass to Elsie

Private investigator Elsie Edens get pulled in to investigate the brutal murders of a local shopkeeper and his wife. Not the simple robbery it seems at first glance, she is quickly uncovers ties to underground whiskey running, Al Capone and Chicago mafia, and her own tragic past. The second book of the series, it can easily stand alone, but there are many references to Elsie’s past and her development into a professional detective. Elsie is a fun fresh heroine with plenty of potential and plenty of baggage.


Cindy Piller does a beautiful job bringing Elsie and other characters to life. She transitions smoothly and clearly between Elsie and hardened criminal Tino Cerrone with ease and distinction. I’m looking forward to reading/listening to more of Elsie.

2nd in series...

This is a good historical fiction book that probably would’ve been a lot better had I read the first book in the series. Since I hadn’t, I didn’t know the background of characters and relationships so I didn’t really care about the characters. Other than that, interesting story and great narration. I received a review copy at my request and voluntarily reviewed.