Here are my selections for my own work.
Imogene Duckworthy mysteries
CHOKE
Since the guy died with a sausage stuffed down his throat, a
good German brew should go nicely. Berliner Weisse might do nicely. It’s
supposed to be tart and tangy, somewhat as I picture Imogene Duckworthy.
SMOKE
Smoked pork is prominent in this book. This Italian wine
should do nicely—Tenuta Delle Terre Nere, “Etna Rosso” 2014. The reference to
Etna fits nicely with the book’s theme, too.
BROKE
A Halloween story with a ghost, so naturally, you’d have to
sip some form of cider, right? The ABGB in Austin serves Texas Keeper and Argus
hard ciders. It would be best to visit them for this. If you do, say HI to my
son, night manager and barkeep. (Or try any of the beers they make there.)
On to my next series,
Cressa Carraway Musical Mysteries
EINE KLEINE MURDER
How about mixing up some Gluehwein? It’s appropriately from
Austria, Mozart’s country, since my title is taken from a Mozart piece I’ve
played about a thousand times and still love.
Here’s the recipe adapted the site below:
GLUEHWEIN
Ingredients
2 bottles red wine, possibly Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, 750 ml. each
2 cups water
2 lemons sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
2 bottles red wine, possibly Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, 750 ml. each
2 cups water
2 lemons sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
3 cloves
2 oranges peeled and diced (cut peels into thin strips and save)
2 oranges peeled and diced (cut peels into thin strips and save)
Instructions
Combine all but orange pieces in a large pan and bring to a
simmer.
Add the orange pieces and simmer until everything smells
good, 10-15 minutes.
Remove cloves and cinnamon sticks before serving.
Add a thin slice of orange peel to each glass before
serving.
REQUIEM IN RED
This calls for some memorable. Since the Irish know how to
do wakes, I’ll go with an Irish shooter. Recipe included in the link.
Next series! This one is a bit more difficult, the People of the Wind series, featuring
Neanderthals and set 30,000 years ago. I’m not sure that they had fermented
drinks, but let’s pretend they did.
DEATH IN THE TIME OF
ICE
Something to keep you warm while you read this. I nearly
froze to death writing it. An ancient Indian rice drink, sura, may warm the
cockles of your heart. I don’t think you can get this anymore, but you can’t
get Neanderthals any more either. Maybe mead would be a better choice. It was
drunk in ancient Greece.
DEATH ON THE TREK
This calls for a portable drink, since the tribe is trekking
for the whole novel. The article below suggests bringing along two, a mixture
of herbal gin and chartreuse for lighter passages, and whisky with vermouth for
heavier chapters. A good flask is, of course, important.
My cozy Fat Cat series calls for lighter fare. Chase Oliver
likes plain wine, but let’s get more imaginative here.
FAT CAT AT LARGE
A white wine spritzer is my choice for finding the bodies in
this book.
FAT CAT SPREADS OUT
Quincy gets into all kinds of trouble at the fair in this
book. You can’t S’mores beer by Giggles from the Minnesota State Fair.
FAT CAT TAKES THE
CAKE
What should you have with cake? Punch! It should be a red
one to match the cover.
There! I’ve covered all my novels so far.
What will you drink with your reads?
photo from Morguefile.com
