Ales, Agents, and Alchemy

Former bartender Ryne Clayten can't prove the CEO of America's favorite pub chain murdered his sister. Alchemy that brews beer and distills liquor isn't a cause of death the justice system recognizes.

CEO Lawrence Grant saved alchemy and wove it into alcohol to keep it alive in today's skeptical modern age. He's got every right to ruin Ryne's life for these accusations of murder.

Ryne seeks out Craft alchemy to turn it against Lawrence. He brews his own ales with it. He finds he loves the alchemy that Grant used to end his sister's life. Ryne must work with his sister-in-law, an ATF agent, to out-think the alchemist serial killer hot on his heels. They need records proving Grant's liquor alchemy is poisoning thousands and killing dozens. If he proves Grant's guilt by the judge's deadline, he'd risk the alchemy he loves being outlawed. New Prohibition wouldn't be good for his wallet.

Grant knows his business wouldn't be the only thing ruined if alchemy became illegal. He'll make sure Ryne's death is quieter than his sister's was. One sip of lethal Craft bourbon is all it would take to win yet another deadly mind game.