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Bourbon Bash
Welcome to Four Silos, a small-batch distillery nestled in the picturesque heart of Kentucky. Employees feel like family, bound by a love for bourbon and a fierce determination to keep their small distillery alive amidst cutthroat competition. But the smooth taste of bourbon clashes with dark secrets hidden deep within the walls.
Master Distiller, Craig Enfield, clings to tradition, and his remaining sanity, while clashing with the enthusiastic college interns hell bent on modernizing his world. Love, lust, and violence lurk in the shadowy shelves full of bourbon barrels. A tragic Valentine's Day party plunges the Four Silos family into a web of lies and betrayal that threatens to tear them apart and doom the distillery. Enter Detective Anna Turner, a determined investigator who uncovers a web of deceit and intrigue, making everyone a suspect in the series of crimes that rock Four Silos.
Fans of Lilian Jackson Braun and Agatha Christie will relish the twists and turns of Four Silos' engaging mysteries, while those who loved the Bourbon Kings trilogy and the Thursday Murder Club will find a new favorite in this thrilling adventure through the world of bourbon and murder.
Master Distiller, Craig Enfield, clings to tradition, and his remaining sanity, while clashing with the enthusiastic college interns hell bent on modernizing his world. Love, lust, and violence lurk in the shadowy shelves full of bourbon barrels. A tragic Valentine's Day party plunges the Four Silos family into a web of lies and betrayal that threatens to tear them apart and doom the distillery. Enter Detective Anna Turner, a determined investigator who uncovers a web of deceit and intrigue, making everyone a suspect in the series of crimes that rock Four Silos.
Fans of Lilian Jackson Braun and Agatha Christie will relish the twists and turns of Four Silos' engaging mysteries, while those who loved the Bourbon Kings trilogy and the Thursday Murder Club will find a new favorite in this thrilling adventure through the world of bourbon and murder.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2025
2 people are currently reading
1554 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 22, 2025
I won this Title in a Goodreads Giveaway for my honest opinion.
I loved this book. It's a murder mystery with a little bit of everything. It us well written and addictive, you just want to keep reading to see what happens next. Very well written with a great suprise ending. First off I learned that bung sniffing has more than one meaning! Ha
I also liked the references to the background songs within the story, all music my parents listened to when I was growing up. I had the melodies and the words floating through my mind at each mention. The story takes place at Four Silos Distillery in Kentucky. The owner and the Master Distiller have a long sordid past together. The owners husband is a complete douche bag that no one likes at all. Ella who helps run Four Silos is attacked one night. All the interns that work at Four Silos are determined at any cost to find out who attacked Ella!!! The police are involved investigating the attack as well. Then one of the interns goes missing after trying to draw out the attacker. The police have their hands full and are at the distillery almost every single day now. Then a murder takes place during the police investigation of the distillery. Now there are 3 crimes to solve. I'm telling you not a boring moment at all in this book. I love this author and I think you will too. You have to read this one, I highly recommend it.
I loved this book. It's a murder mystery with a little bit of everything. It us well written and addictive, you just want to keep reading to see what happens next. Very well written with a great suprise ending. First off I learned that bung sniffing has more than one meaning! Ha
I also liked the references to the background songs within the story, all music my parents listened to when I was growing up. I had the melodies and the words floating through my mind at each mention. The story takes place at Four Silos Distillery in Kentucky. The owner and the Master Distiller have a long sordid past together. The owners husband is a complete douche bag that no one likes at all. Ella who helps run Four Silos is attacked one night. All the interns that work at Four Silos are determined at any cost to find out who attacked Ella!!! The police are involved investigating the attack as well. Then one of the interns goes missing after trying to draw out the attacker. The police have their hands full and are at the distillery almost every single day now. Then a murder takes place during the police investigation of the distillery. Now there are 3 crimes to solve. I'm telling you not a boring moment at all in this book. I love this author and I think you will too. You have to read this one, I highly recommend it.
August 24, 2025
DNF! I got through half of the book and was so confused on who the chapters were about. Too many characters and switching views, I just lost interest.
This is just my opinion, please don't let this detour you from making your own.
This is just my opinion, please don't let this detour you from making your own.
July 30, 2025
Book Review: Bourbon Bash by Abby Reilly
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)
Abby Reilly’s Bourbon Bash is a spirited mystery that blends the rich atmosphere of Kentucky bourbon culture with a classic whodunit structure. Set in the charming yet secretive Four Silos Distillery, the novel delivers an intoxicating mix of workplace drama, generational conflict, and criminal intrigue. While it occasionally stumbles in pacing, the book ultimately satisfies with its layered characters and clever plotting.
Emotional Resonance & Thematic Depth
What makes Bourbon Bash stand out is its vivid sense of place. Reilly’s descriptions of the distillery—from the earthy aroma of aging barrels to the claustrophobic tension between employees—immersed me completely. As someone who grew up around small family businesses, I recognized the painful authenticity of Craig Enfield’s struggle to preserve tradition while facing inevitable change. His clashes with the ambitious interns felt particularly poignant, highlighting how workplace dynamics can mirror familial bonds and rivalries.
The Valentine’s Day party tragedy hooked me immediately, but it was Detective Anna Turner’s investigation that kept me turning pages. Her no-nonsense approach balanced the more emotional distillery staff perfectly. A standout moment involves her interview with one of the interns—the subtle power dynamics and unspoken tension in that scene demonstrated Reilly’s knack for psychological nuance.
Constructive Criticism
The novel’s middle section suffers from uneven pacing. Some interviews and flashbacks slow momentum when the mystery should be gaining steam. Additionally, while the large cast creates realistic workplace chaos, a few characters blend together. Tightening focus on key relationships would have amplified both emotional impact and suspense.
The bourbon industry details, while fascinating, sometimes overwhelm the narrative. Readers less familiar with distilling might find certain passages overly technical. A smoother integration of these elements would have maintained the story’s flow.
Summary Takeaways:
- A intoxicating mix of Southern charm and cold-blooded mystery—Agatha Christie meets Kentucky bourbon.
-Proof that workplaces can be just as treacherous as crime scenes—with better cocktails.
- Fans of The Thursday Murder Club will toast to this spirited whodunit.
-Where every character has something to hide—and the barrels aren’t the only things aging dangerously.
Final Assessment
Bourbon Bash earns its 4-star rating through strong atmosphere and clever misdirection. While the pacing wobbles, Reilly’s combination of industry insight and psychological tension makes this a standout for mystery lovers. The ending’s bittersweet resolution—which I won’t spoil—left me both satisfied and curious about future distillery dramas.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for the review copy. Although I'm not a bourbon drinker, I appreciated the authentic details, and as a mystery fan, I relished the well-crafted puzzles.
Recommended For:
- Mystery readers who enjoy workplace settings
- Fans of The Bourbon Kings or Thursday Murder Club
- Anyone who likes stories where setting becomes a character
- Book clubs interested in discussions about tradition vs. innovation
This is the kind of book best enjoyed with a glass of something smooth—though you might find yourself eyeing your coworkers suspiciously afterward.
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)
Abby Reilly’s Bourbon Bash is a spirited mystery that blends the rich atmosphere of Kentucky bourbon culture with a classic whodunit structure. Set in the charming yet secretive Four Silos Distillery, the novel delivers an intoxicating mix of workplace drama, generational conflict, and criminal intrigue. While it occasionally stumbles in pacing, the book ultimately satisfies with its layered characters and clever plotting.
Emotional Resonance & Thematic Depth
What makes Bourbon Bash stand out is its vivid sense of place. Reilly’s descriptions of the distillery—from the earthy aroma of aging barrels to the claustrophobic tension between employees—immersed me completely. As someone who grew up around small family businesses, I recognized the painful authenticity of Craig Enfield’s struggle to preserve tradition while facing inevitable change. His clashes with the ambitious interns felt particularly poignant, highlighting how workplace dynamics can mirror familial bonds and rivalries.
The Valentine’s Day party tragedy hooked me immediately, but it was Detective Anna Turner’s investigation that kept me turning pages. Her no-nonsense approach balanced the more emotional distillery staff perfectly. A standout moment involves her interview with one of the interns—the subtle power dynamics and unspoken tension in that scene demonstrated Reilly’s knack for psychological nuance.
Constructive Criticism
The novel’s middle section suffers from uneven pacing. Some interviews and flashbacks slow momentum when the mystery should be gaining steam. Additionally, while the large cast creates realistic workplace chaos, a few characters blend together. Tightening focus on key relationships would have amplified both emotional impact and suspense.
The bourbon industry details, while fascinating, sometimes overwhelm the narrative. Readers less familiar with distilling might find certain passages overly technical. A smoother integration of these elements would have maintained the story’s flow.
Summary Takeaways:
- A intoxicating mix of Southern charm and cold-blooded mystery—Agatha Christie meets Kentucky bourbon.
-Proof that workplaces can be just as treacherous as crime scenes—with better cocktails.
- Fans of The Thursday Murder Club will toast to this spirited whodunit.
-Where every character has something to hide—and the barrels aren’t the only things aging dangerously.
Final Assessment
Bourbon Bash earns its 4-star rating through strong atmosphere and clever misdirection. While the pacing wobbles, Reilly’s combination of industry insight and psychological tension makes this a standout for mystery lovers. The ending’s bittersweet resolution—which I won’t spoil—left me both satisfied and curious about future distillery dramas.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for the review copy. Although I'm not a bourbon drinker, I appreciated the authentic details, and as a mystery fan, I relished the well-crafted puzzles.
Recommended For:
- Mystery readers who enjoy workplace settings
- Fans of The Bourbon Kings or Thursday Murder Club
- Anyone who likes stories where setting becomes a character
- Book clubs interested in discussions about tradition vs. innovation
This is the kind of book best enjoyed with a glass of something smooth—though you might find yourself eyeing your coworkers suspiciously afterward.
August 3, 2025
Alright so I just finished readin Bourbon Bash by Abby Reilly and lemme tell ya I thought this was gon be one them books bout how to make Bourbon or at least somethin with some instructions but turns out it's more about folks actin wild with a splash of murder and a whole jug of drama
So there's this place called Four Silos it's in Kentucky which makes sense cause they love Bourbon more than sweet tea down there and everybody workin there acts like they kin but not the good kind more like the kind that borrow money and don’t give it back lots of fussin fightin cryin and a whole heap of secrets so many secrets I had to read some parts twice cause I got lost
Craig he the big boss man I think they call him a Master Distiller which sounds fancy but he mostly just walks around yellin at college kids who tryin to change things with their intern ideas like makin TikToks or sellin Bourbon in cans or somethin dumb and he bout to lose what little brain he got left
Then they throw this Valentine party and that’s when the wheels fall off the wagon somebody ends up deader than disco and everybody starts lyin faster than a Preacher in a poker game and then here comes Detective Anna Turner and lemme tell ya this woman don’t play she walks in all business like wearin that face that says she seen some stuff and she gon find out who did what and with who and why and probably when and what they was wearin
This book got more twists than my water hose and just when I thought I had it all figured out BAM it hit me with another surprise like hey dummy you ain’t even close I liked that cause it kept me turnin pages and wonderin who was sleepin with who and who was hidin bodies behind barrels
But I still wish there was more about how Bourbon gets made like give me a mash bill or at least a diagram or somethin not just folks makin out and gettin killed in the middle of a distillery I mean dang at least describe the smell of the yeast or whatever
Still tho it was real fun to read and made me feel smart even tho I ain’t finished high school and now I wanna visit Kentucky but not get murdered
I give it 4 outta 5 Catfish
So there's this place called Four Silos it's in Kentucky which makes sense cause they love Bourbon more than sweet tea down there and everybody workin there acts like they kin but not the good kind more like the kind that borrow money and don’t give it back lots of fussin fightin cryin and a whole heap of secrets so many secrets I had to read some parts twice cause I got lost
Craig he the big boss man I think they call him a Master Distiller which sounds fancy but he mostly just walks around yellin at college kids who tryin to change things with their intern ideas like makin TikToks or sellin Bourbon in cans or somethin dumb and he bout to lose what little brain he got left
Then they throw this Valentine party and that’s when the wheels fall off the wagon somebody ends up deader than disco and everybody starts lyin faster than a Preacher in a poker game and then here comes Detective Anna Turner and lemme tell ya this woman don’t play she walks in all business like wearin that face that says she seen some stuff and she gon find out who did what and with who and why and probably when and what they was wearin
This book got more twists than my water hose and just when I thought I had it all figured out BAM it hit me with another surprise like hey dummy you ain’t even close I liked that cause it kept me turnin pages and wonderin who was sleepin with who and who was hidin bodies behind barrels
But I still wish there was more about how Bourbon gets made like give me a mash bill or at least a diagram or somethin not just folks makin out and gettin killed in the middle of a distillery I mean dang at least describe the smell of the yeast or whatever
Still tho it was real fun to read and made me feel smart even tho I ain’t finished high school and now I wanna visit Kentucky but not get murdered
I give it 4 outta 5 Catfish
August 5, 2025
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Goodreads for gifting me this book What a fabulous story! I absolutely loved learning all the intricacies of the bourbon industry. This book is filled with suspense, and will have you guessing until the very end. Bravo to the author!
August 24, 2025
I stopped reading and about 35% done. I struggled with the multiple characters, especially the group of interns and their constant dialogue. The setting was very interesting but it wasn’t for me. Please form your own opinion if this story sounds interesting to you!
July 27, 2025
Such an amazing read!
August 12, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and was excited for it; The plot was okay, but there were too many characters that the book switched between constantly and led to a lack of character development. We never really got to know them because so much of the book was dialogue between them all. The POV switching between chapters was okay once you figured out who it was, but you had to read most of it to eliminate which character you switched from. Overall not a bad read, just too many surface-level characters for me.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews