A Study in Black Brew
by Marie Howalt
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Pub Date 22 May 2025 | Archive Date 17 Apr 2025
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Description
“They say life is a string of chances held together with grit and guided by passion, and who am I to disagree?”
Kellieth ReinAraneinth was headed for a career as a field chemist on a newly settled planet when their dreams and ambitions were crushed by coincidences and chronic illness.
They return broke to the wendek homeworld, Ganmak, where everyone’s basic needs are covered, but import luxuries like Kellieth’s favorite human-made beverage, black brew, is costly.
While piecing together a new life and recovering from their ordeals, Kellieth ends up sharing lodgings with the attractive, enigmatic, and infuriating Raithan WeinZalneinth.
When a human is found dead next to an alarming message on the wall in an empty house, Kellieth gets caught up in a gruesome mystery involving Raithan and the local peace corps.
Who is the human? How did he die? What is Raithan hiding? And when will Kellieth have the time to catch their breath?
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
Who doesn’t love a good Sherlock Holmes retelling? Now make it diverse, with wonderful loveable characters, an alien world, a dash of humour, and a lot of cosy vibes. And did I mention the space elves? Definitely not just for fans of the infamous detective duo, but everyone who enjoys cosy sci- fi and mysteries.
- Iris Retzlaff, author of Moon’s Lament
A Study in Black Brew is a story that lingers. It's full of Marie’s signature wit and banter, presenting a layered plot that's pushed forward by a charming cast of characters.
- Nathaniel Luscombe, author of Moon Soul
A Study in Black Brew is a Sherlockian mystery with a fresh scifi slant that enlivens a classic while paying homage to spirit of the original. A must read for fans of Conan Doyle who yearn for a modern twist.
- Kara Jorgenson, author of The Reanimator’s Heart
An alien Sherlock Holmes lets Howalt explore new aspects of the well-known characters. The relationship between the retired chemist Kellieth, who has a respiratory dysfunction, and the brilliant but also somewhat annoying and insensitive detective Raithan unfolds convincingly. Through Kellieth’s narration we experience the struggle of living with a disability that is physically straining as well as a social problem because the wendek communicate their emotions through scent. Like Howalt’s Colibri Investigations books it’s a soft SF cozy murder mystery with a lot of seriousness to it. A nice cup of black brew, well rounded but still sharp.
- Jane Mondrup, author of Zeitgeist and Zoi
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9279356651939 |
| PRICE | |
| PAGES | 140 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Shipshape S, Reviewer
Did I enjoy this book? I loved it!
Do I recommend it?
Yes. A thousand times yes.
A Study in Black Brew is a reimaging of Sherlock Holmes but with aliens. The relationship between the two protagonists is just perfect. Watching it unfold was so compelling I nearly read the book in one sitting. The whole story is excellent, with a compelling mystery, intriguing world building and interesting side characters.
I must talk about the chronic illness representation. As a chronic illness warrior myself I don’t think I have ever read a book that made me feel so seen. Kellieth’s struggles with their own body and the situation they find themselves in were so relatable. Everyone should read this book for this representation alone.
Any criticisms?
Nope.
Will I read it again? Will I read the sequel?
Yes, I can see this becoming one of my comfort reads.
Will I read the sequel?
I have already demanded book two from the author.
For fans of:
The Colibri Investigations Series
Sherlock Holmes
Heartstopper
A Psalm for the Wild Built
All Systems Red
Cora Y, Reviewer
This read was definitely outside my comfort zone, but man am I incredibly pleased! I loved the world building in this novel and all the well rounded characters. I'm not too familiar with any of the tales of Sherlock Holmes, but still found this story too be very intriguing and fun. Also hilarious! I also love how diverse the species and profiles were. I would love another story in this universe.
Julie K, Reviewer
„A Study in Black Brew“ is a masterpiece.
I honestly don‘t know how I could sum up my love for this book in just a short review.
This reminded me of why I loved Sherlock Holmes stories in the first place. But while the Sherlock and Watson dynamic as well as the intriguing cases are already a great base for an interesting story, the way Marie Howalt put a creative spin on it by setting the story on a foreign planet and adding lots of sci-fi elements makes this even better than a classic retelling.
I would have loved to make a creative comparison to this story being like drinking coffee and getting a caffeine rush, with the plot getting faster and more addictive here, but that would simply not do this book enough justice.
Right from the beginning, you are immediately drawn in by an intriguing main character, who‘s balancing the line between being a John Watson reimagining and still being a unique character, to perfection. And then you just never get pulled out of the thrilling adventure that this story is.
There is only one thing about "A Study in Black Brew“ that I was disappointed about. It‘s a standalone. Because how should I cope with the fact that this is all I get of Kellieth and Raithan‘s story?
I fell in love with the characters (a nonbinary, chronically ill chemist and a charismatic, incredibly intelligent agent-what's not to love?) and the planet as well as the writing style head over heels, I was hoping the book would never end. Well, I guess this means I will have to fight my sadness by reading every other book by Marie Howalt.
This story is a true gift to every Sherlock Holmes enjoyer as well as everyone who enjoys science fiction, crime solving, and an outsider perspective on our absurd human behaviors.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spaceboy Books for providing me with this ARC in return for an honest review.
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