Murder on the Bitter Side

The Sunny Mysteries: Murder on the Bitter Side

When the past and present collide in a pint glass, someone's about to get served their final drink...

Little Beechfield appears to be the perfect English village-complete with cobblestone streets, ancient oak trees, and The Sunny, a beloved pub that has anchored the community for over a century. But beneath its charming facade, dangerous currents run as deep as the seven sacred springs that have fed the village's legendary brewing tradition for generations.

The Present Crisis: Young documentary filmmaker Cipher arrives at The Sunny expecting to capture nothing more dramatic than craft beer enthusiasm and local color. Instead, his camera rolls as social media influencer Finn Brewster collapses during a livestreamed beer tasting, poisoned by a mysterious brew called "The Bitter Side." As Finn fights for his life, the incident threatens to destroy The Sunny's reputation and future.

The Buried Past: Eighteen years ago, master brewer Ivy Wells vanished from Little Beechfield without a trace. Officially, she left to pursue new opportunities. Unofficially, those who knew her best never believed she would abandon the pub and community she loved. But with no evidence of foul play, Ivy's disappearance became just another village mystery-until now.

Trixie Goode has spent decades as Little Beechfield's quiet observer. A librarian by profession and pub quiz champion by passion, she's made The Sunny's reading corner her personal surveillance post, watching village life unfold with the sharp eye of someone who knows that the most interesting stories happen between the lines. When Trixie realizes that Finn's poisoning mirrors the strange circumstances surrounding Ivy's disappearance, her methodical mind begins connecting dots that others have missed-or chosen to ignore.

Cipher Parker came to document village life but finds himself documenting something far more sinister. His filmmaker's eye for detail and outsider's perspective make him the perfect partner for Trixie's investigation. Together, they begin to uncover a web of corruption, greed, and deadly secrets that reaches from The Sunny's ancient cellars to the highest levels of local government.

As Trixie and Cipher dig deeper, they discover that Ivy's research into the village's historic spring water system had uncovered something worth killing for. With the annual Spring Ale Festival approaching-and The Sunny's future hanging in the balance-they must navigate:

• Brewing rivalries that mask deeper jealousies and betrayals
• Village politics where heritage preservation battles modern development
• Family secrets stretching back generations
• Council corruption that puts profit above people
• Ancient traditions that hide contemporary crimes

In Little Beechfield, everyone has a theory about what happened to Ivy Wells. Some believe she ran away with a lover. Others think she met with an accident near the treacherous eastern spring. A few whisper about curses and supernatural vengeance. But Trixie knows the truth is simpler and more frightening: someone wanted Ivy silenced, and they're not finished covering their tracks.

As the festival approaches and tensions rise, Trixie and Cipher race to expose the killer before they can claim another victim. Because in a village where tradition runs as deep as the ancient springs that feed The Sunny's legendary ales, some people will do anything to protect their secrets-even if it means destroying the very community they claim to serve.

Raise a glass to justice-but check what's in it first.