‘A playful romp through a dark time’
The alewives
Gritta, Appel, and Efi managed to survive the Black Death, only to find that they are in desperate need of money. With limited options and lots of obstacles, they band together to become alewives - brewing and selling ale in the free Alsatian town of Colmar. But when an elderly neighbor is discovered dead in her house, the alewives cannot convince the sheriff and the town council that her death wasn’t an accident, it was murder. As the body count piles up, the ale flows and mystery is afoot!
Set in the tumultuous years after the most devastating pandemic the world has ever experienced, The Alewives is a playful romp through a dark time, when society was reeling from loss and a grieving population attempted to return to normal, proving that with the bonds of love, friendship, and humor, the human spirit will always continue to shine.
What reviewers are saying
“A short, sharp, snappy, hugely entertaining, medieval mystery that portrays the realities of life at the time, with just the right amount of humour to make it thoroughly entertaining. A well-deserved 5/5 from me!”
- MJ Porter, author of Cragside and The Erdington Mysteries
‘The Alewives' is laid out with great compassion, insight and humour and the reader comes to care for these people! The strong and growing working relationship and friendship of the three ale wives in question and round which the action evolves is moving and profound. we are left hoping that good times - and further adventures - are just around the corner!’
- The Historical Fiction Company review (honorable mention for HFC prize)
“I loved how Gritta, Appel, and Efi strived to create a place for themselves in such an adverse world. Their sharp business acumen, resourcefulness, and presence of mind helped them enormously. I loved their free spirits and the strong friendship that kept them together. Andersen has woven a thread of subtle humor into the storyline. Appel and Gritta’s playful banter and Efi’s antics kept me entertained. I recommend The Alewives to anyone wishing to read a perfect blend of a historical fiction novel and a cozy mystery.”
- Reader’s Favorite review (bronze medal winner)