The Alewives

The Alewives of Colmar, Book 1

By: Elizabeth R. Andersen

Narrated by: Ella Lynch

Colmar, 1353 CE: 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.

©2023 Elizabeth R. Andersen (P)2023 Elizabeth R. Andersen

Enjoyed it

This was a fun tale. Good characters and historical details. I will definitely check out her other work.

Love This Book

A delightful and charming mystery with engaging characters and well researched historical settings. Andersen’s clever, descriptive writing immerses one in the center of the story.
Ella Lynch’s storytelling brings the book to life with humor and heart.
Listen and enjoy.

Good light short book

I had a little trouble assigning stars here. While the mystery isn’t very complex, this story of found family and women rising above society’s expectations is still a diverting look at an interesting time and place. I’d say the story is a 3.5 and think it would’ve benefited from more character development . I do look forward to reading more by the author, though, especially if she does a deeper dive into medieval Alsace.

Rollicking Fun—Perfect Escape

Cozy murder mystery with mouthy “fine” ale wives? This story collect three different women, and a friar, and then, boom, it’s apparent that all is not well in our fun little medieval world. I was suddenly hooked. And this came just when I needed it, so glad I read/ listened. Great narration, too! Well done.

Move over Miss Marple--The Alewives are Here!

If you enjoy accurate historical mysteries, read or listen to this book

Be patient with this book. The author weaves a setting of medieval Colmar in the years following the Great Plague. The accurate description of the time and place, including the smells, gives rise to the circumstances that drive the women to become alewives. and that drive the killer to murder. The Church and Town Council harassed the women to do women's work, including remarrying ASAP. A battered woman is told her husband was chastising her behavior. Yet, because the women know their fellow villagers, the alewives solve the murders that the male ruling class would gladly. No anachronisms here. .