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Rum and Choke Author: Sherry HarrisPage Count: UnknownPublication Date: 2022-PRH Sherry Harris’s Rum and Choke is a spirited, sun-soaked mystery that blends small-town charm with high-stakes intrigue, all while serving up a side of pirate lore and barroom brawls. The latest installment in her Florida-set series follows Chloe Jackson, a quick-witted bartender and amateur sleuth, as she navigates a deadly competition, a treasure hunt gone wrong, and a murder that threatens to sink the Panhandle Barback Games before they even begin. At its core, Rum and Choke is a story about rivalry and redemption, wrapped in the salty tang of coastal Florida. The Barback Games—a series of obstacle-course challenges culminating in the absurdly competitive (and hilariously specific) task of rolling an empty keg up a hill—serve as both the backdrop and the catalyst for chaos. Harris excels at painting the quirky, competitive spirit of the event, where local bars field teams of ringers (hired guns, essentially) to secure bragging rights. The stakes are high, the egos are higher, and the potential for disaster is never far from the surface. When one of those ringers turns up dead, Chloe finds herself entangled in a mystery that forces her to question whether the killer is a competitor with a grudge, a bar owner with something to hide, or even someone from her own past. What makes Harris’s storytelling so engaging is her ability to balance humor and heart with genuine suspense. Chloe is a protagonist who feels real—flawed, determined, and deeply loyal to her community. Her voice is sharp and witty, whether she’s mixing drinks, trading barbs with rivals, or diving into the murky waters of a murder investigation. Harris’s prose is clean and accessible, but it’s her knack for character dynamics that truly shines. The supporting cast, from Chloe’s friend Ann—a descendant of the legendary pirate Jean Lafitte—to the eccentric bar owners and competitors, are all vividly drawn, each bringing their own quirks and secrets to the table. The treasure hunt subplot adds a layer of adventure to the mystery, tying into Ann’s family history and the allure of sunken gold. Harris doesn’t overcomplicate the lore; instead, she uses it to ground the story in a sense of place and history, making the Gulf Coast feel like a character in its own right. The contrast between the lighthearted Barback Games and the dark undercurrents of murder is handled deftly, ensuring that the tone never veers too far into farce or melodrama. One of the book’s strengths is its ability to juggle multiple threads without losing momentum. The Barback Games provide a ticking clock, the treasure hunt adds a layer of urgency, and the murder investigation keeps the tension simmering. Harris keeps the pacing tight, ensuring that readers are always invested in Chloe’s next move. The mystery itself is well-constructed, with enough red herrings and plausible suspects to keep readers guessing, though the solution, when it arrives, feels earned rather than contrived. If there’s a minor quibble, it’s that the cast of competitors and bar owners occasionally blurs together, making it a challenge to keep track of everyone’s motives and relationships. However, this is a small price to pay for the sheer fun of the setting and the story’s infectious energy. Ultimately, Rum and Choke is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and coastal adventure, perfect for readers who enjoy their mysteries with a side of humor and a splash of rum. Sherry Harris has crafted a world that feels lived-in and vibrant, where the biggest threats aren’t just murderers but the sheer absurdity of human competition. It’s a book that’s as much about the journey as the destination, and Chloe Jackson is a guide worth following. #RumAndChoke #SherryHarris #CozyMystery #FloridaMysteries #PirateTreasures #BarbackGames