Cold Brewed is an interested take on the visual novel medium, wherein we have a prohibition era pseudo noir tale revolving around a mystery using coffee as an allegory for drugs...maybe? It's kind of hard to follow, to be perfectly honest, as the writing isn't the best, and the narrative is a bit all over the place.

The real draw here, however, is that rather than using a traditional drawn or painted graphic novel style, it's presented via photos. This is really cool! It's clear the photographer has talent, and even though this particular piece does feel a bit experimental, and the models and costumes a bit low budget, I would be extremely interested in seeing more of this kind of thing, and particularly seeing this creator grow and evolve using this medium.

This really feels like the start of a fascinating career and a potentially amazing genre.

ARC provided by NetGalley & Independent Book Publishers Association

Thank you to Netgalley for the digital ARC. A noirish graphic novel that uses photographs instead of drawings; a unique approach, almost as if I was watching a short film at a film festival. As part of a self-styled Coffee Running Club, the notion of coffee and its variants being the "gear" of these gangsters was intriguing, if ultimately coming off a bit cliched. All-in-all it was an enjoyable and recommended reading experience, and leaving me wanting to check out Lancelot Schaubert's other work.

I have never read a book like this… ever. It was an experience that this author took the reader on and made thoroughly invested. The verbiage and word play was actually pretty funny. He did an incredible job taking you along his journey as if you were right there every step of the way. This isn’t something I’d normally ever read, but I’m glad I did!

The way this was written combined with the photographs gave me an old timey, old school feeling really. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for this advance reader copy.

A mystery that is also a graphic novel? Count me in, my two favorite things. I loved the way this was written and the pictures are amazing. It really gives you an old timey feeling. I would love to buy the physical copy of this book because I think it would be the best way to read it. The story was great and the pictures were great.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC and amazing book! Cold Brewed is a noir masterpiece, blending silent film aesthetics with a prohibition-era world where coffee is currency. The black and white photography used in place of traditional artwork brilliantly captures the dark and moody atmosphere of Jett Cropper’s quest for justice. The unique storytelling and inventive style make this novel an unforgettable experience. I recommend this book to fans of noir and experimental art forms. The narrative is nothing short of beautiful visuals which makes it a must-read for everyone. It gives off a dystopian vibe because currency becomes coffee.

Told through both words and pictures, Cold Brewed takes place in a classic prohibition-era world where coffee is currency. The story uses silent film and film noir techniques, but favors classy black and white photographs over pencil sketches--a grittier grandson of the narrative form developed in Selznick's books "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and "Wonderstruck."

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC! This book has a great story and great photography. What’s done here in this book was very creative but I didn’t care for it very much. However, it was short and it was something different to read.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this graphic novel by @lencelotSchaubert

This was a very interesting read, I highly enjoyed seeing real photos overdrawn or digital was a nice refreshing change which I feel gave the story more of a realistic touch and drew me in more to what was happening. You can see the author of this has put a lot of work into this and I appreciated it for what it was and how the story played out.

I would suggest this for others to read and enjoy the ride it takes u on