Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue is a captivating and delightful cozy mystery that brews up intrigue and charm! The story follows Jenna Quinn, the owner of a tea shop in the picturesque town of Willow Creek, as she finds herself entangled in a murder investigation when a high-profile guest is found dead. Rue’s writing is both engaging and atmospheric, with a well-crafted plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. The charming setting, endearing characters, and the detailed tea shop backdrop add a unique flavor to the story. With its perfect blend of mystery, small-town charm, and a touch of romance, Steeped to Death is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and tea lovers alike!

Phoebe, recently divorced and grieving the passing of her aunt, moves into her aunt's home. While trying to settle into her new life, home, and a tea shop owner, she keeps getting hassled by a local real estate agent wanting to buy her aunt's house. As if things couldn't be more overwhelming for her, it seems someone has it in for Phoebe when a dead body is discovered outside her shop.

Phoebe is an interesting new character; she is resilient, strong, and flawed. She is learning she may possess some magical powers. The mystery is entertaining, well-plotted, and full of twists and turns.

All thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.

I thought this book was a cute and fun read. I love cozy mystery books, they help get me out of a reading slumps and perfect for taking breaks from heavier books like lit fic or fantasy. Phoebe was such a fun character and I loved the small town setting. Thank you to Crooked Lane books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Wow! For some reason, I wasn't expecting to give this book 5 stars, but I loved it! The plot and mystery were very well written, and the characters were fun and easy to get invested in. Near the end, I was kept at the edge of my seat, and the reveal of whodunnit was well crafted. I don't know if this author has other books out, yet, but I will definitely read her back list if she does, and any future books. I loved the witchy parts in this book, as well, and the magic was fun to read about.

A charming and clever cozy mystery that is as warm and satisfying as drinking a cup of tea. Perfect for reading on an autumn weekend.

I liked The Earl's Study. I liked the descriptions of the teas. My favorite characters are Bob the cat and Aunt Eudora. I didn't know who the killer was.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

This was an awesome read. Love the characters loved the plot. This is a cozy mystery that everyone should definitely read.

This is the first in the Witches Brew series and my introduction to the author's work; the novel is narrated in first person, past tense, by Phoebe Winchester, neé Black, who is recently divorced and very much ready for a fresh start.

So while she’s very much mourning her late aunt’s death, she’s grateful for the opportunity to return to her childhood haunts to build a new life there.

You know, except for the murder part.

I was happy to discover that Phoebe is thirty five and, for the most part, she acts like it, and comes across as someone who has thought about the practicalities of such a move. She’s been in touch with her aunt’s lawyers, and her full-time employee, who has been taking care of the store (mail and packages, cleaning, and so on) in the weeks since Eudora’s death.

However there were a couple of things that had me scratching my head–such as Phoebe constantly wondering what Deirdre does for a living, yet not asking any of the other characters, even when they’re talking about what an unpleasant person Deirdre is. Part of it can be explained away because the action, from Phoebe’s arrival to the denouement, takes place in about a week, but after the third time it felt contrived.

Regardless, Phoebe is a very engaging narrator, and there were several moments where I literally laughed out loud:

My rules with ghosts were, funnily enough, the same as my rules with spiders: you can share my space with me as long as I never have to see you. (Chapter 5)

“Yes, oh goodness, sorry. Please make yourself less naked” (Chapter 9, Phoebe to Rick Lofting)

The mystery was interesting enough, though some red herrings were a bit heavy handed, with a couple just dropped entirely without explanation along the way; and I found some of the post-climax explanations a bit pat, even with the whole paranormal elements thrown in.

Several of the secondary characters introduced here are clearly intended to be part of a regular cast of characters; there’s Imogen, Phoebe’s full-time employee, and Amy, the baker next door; Rich Lofting and Leo Lansing, old childhood friends of Phoebe’s who had kept in contact with her aunt through the intervening decades, and so on.

(It’s worth noting here that there’s a hint of a future romantic triangle between these three, by the by.)

I appreciate that the author made an effort to have Black people living in the town, including Imogen, Detective Martin, and Honey the witch, and that they’re presented as a regular part of the fabric of the town. At the same time, what with this being set in Washington, just a couple of hours from Seattle, I did raise a somewhat skeptical eyebrow.

The paranormal elements of the story were novel enough, though I wasn’t thrilled about some of the lengthy exposition on how it works in-universe; yes, there’s witchcraft and magic, but it’s more organic and less “secret coven” drama- neither wands nor broomsticks are required.

I read all three hundred pages mostly in one go; even with some repetition and a bit of extraneous detail (look, the mixing of tea blends is the MacGuffin, I could read a lot about that and not mind it, but telling me how to boil water for pasta (don’t forget the salt!) and that adding jarred sauce and fresh basil is “lazy”, did not land well), the writing voice is funny and engaging, the worldbuilding convincing, the characterization rounded; and I’m curious enough about Phoebe’s new life in Raven Creek to plan to read the second one in the series soon.

Steeped to Death gets a 7.25 out o 10.

It’s almost that time of year: Spooky Season! This book is a great read to read during Fall as it has all the right elements: a small town in Washington, a creepy old Victorian mansion, magic and witches! Raven Creek has long been in Phoebe’s life as she spent her childhood summers with her Aunt Eudora in the quaint town. Eudora made her mark on the small town with her tea shop and bookstore, The Earl’s Study, and being involved in the town’s many committees. When Eudora dies, she leaves her old Victorian mansion and her successful store to her niece, Phoebe, who has recently divorced and is wanting a fresh new start. Phoebe arrives in town and soon she is running her new store, but when a man is found dead on her back doorstep, Phoebe finds herself right in the middle of a murder investigation.

Reuniting with some of her childhood friends, Phoebe is determined to clear her name as suspect and find out why the man was killed on her property. Phoebe soon learns that the man was trying to break into her shop. Did Aunt Eudora leave behind any secrets? It seems that someone is determined to find something that Eudora left behind, but Phoebe has no clue what the person is actually looking for. Searching for her aunt’s secrets, Phoebe soon learns more about her aunt and herself that she did not see coming.

This was a thrilling read. I really enjoyed this debut and I cannot wait to read more in this series. I love witches and always have and the combination of a murder mystery and magic was too much for this reader to ignore. I loved the setting of Raven Creek and just wish I could live there. The author did a great job of introducing Phoebe’s character and this series has so much potential. I don’t think that there was anything about this book that I did not like. A great job by Gretchen Rue on what promises to be a fun-filled new cozy mystery series for readers to discover.

Overall Rating: 5 stars
Author: Gretchen Rue

Series: Witches’ Brew Mystery #1

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publication Date: September 6, 2022

Pages: 299

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Get It: Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.

Dollycas's Thoughts

Phoebe Winchester has come to Raven Creek, Washington following the death of her dear Aunt Endora. Endora was a woman who loved life and was always up for adventure. She was also well known for making "magical tea". Endora has left her mansion, tea/book shop, and Bob, her huge orange cat to Phoebe. Her shop, The Earl's Study was her pride and joy. Phoebe just hopes to be able to keep the place going for a long time as her aunt has wished. Finding a dead body in the alley was not part of her business plan.

Phoebe is also dealing with the town's busybody, Dierdre Miller, who is trying to get her to sell both the shop and her home so she can leave Raven Creek and get on with her life. Phoebe has no desire to sell or leave. In fact, she thinks the pressure the woman is putting on her to sell is pretty fishy especially when Phoebe believes she is involved with the man that was murdered.

When Phoebe mixes up, bakes, and serves her first batch of scones using her aunt's precious ingredients she is surprised by what happens after Dierdre takes her first bite. There had been rumors that Endora may have been an actual witch so maybe her ingredients are still filled with magic. Or maybe, she may not have been the only one in the family with a special gift.

The information she gets from Dierdre makes Phoebe start her own investigation to find out who the deceased was?, and why he was at The Earl's Study. Who killed him? And why? She also wants to see if she really does have magical powers and if those powers can help her sweep the killer straight into jail.

____

What a fun start for this series. Endora, a perfect name for a witch right, Agnes Morehead popped into my mind immediately. Thankfully the Endora in the story was a kind and giving witch and not conniving and up to mischief witch like the television Endora. Story Endora loved her niece so much and cared so much about all the people in her life. She also was welcoming to people needing a second chance. She did have her secrets though but true to form she made arrangements for those secrets to be revealed to Phoebe at the proper time. The murder hastened her timetable.

Phoebe loved her aunt and spent many summers with her when she was growing up and made some friends in Raven Creek. She was heartbroken that it had been some time since she had seen her aunt or the friends she had made. It was funny that it took a little prodding for her to recognize those friends though and she didn't know if she could still trust them like she had all those years ago. I really enjoyed all the interactions she had with everyone as she tried to find her place in the town while trying to find out if one of them was the killer. She was easy to connect with and someone whose life I was happy to escape into.

The mystery was very well-plotted especially for the first book in the series when the author has to introduce all the characters and she did that well too. Ms. Rue sets a brisk pace with twists, turns, and secrets revealed. The author took time to set each scene making it easy to envision them in my mind's eye. I had a couple of people in my sights as the guilty party but the reveal completely caught me off guard and let me tell you the pages were flying as a true showdown played out.

Steeped to Death is a lighthearted paranormal mystery filled with engaging characters that I can't wait to revisit. I loved the cozy bookstore/tea shop setting as well as the mansion. Phoebe's whole inheritance was quite interesting. Ms. Rue blends in plenty of humor with her mystery and daily life in Raven Creek. I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.

I really enjoyed Steeped in Death. The characters were all very well-written. So was the murder mystery. Though I did feel like a lot of the story was rushed for time due to having a lot to get through. I hope the next book in the series doesn't feel as rushed.

Book 1 of the Witches’ Brew Mystery just earned an easy 5 star rating from me! This cozy had it all: a charming location, a wonderful cast, paranormal surprises and a captivating case to solve.

I loved Raven Creek, WA. For the most part, the locals are inviting and I would love to stroll around and check out the various shops in this town. Phoebe has come into quite an inheritance. Not only is she the new owner of a Victorian mansion and an opinionated cat, but she now also owns her late aunt’s business. The Earl’s Study sounds like every book lovers dream. A shop that is half bookstore and half teashop, which also serves up treats and light meals. I loved all the book talk, especially seeing them create displays to highlight certain genres. I’m a huge fan of tea and enjoyed hearing about all of Eudora’s unique blends that include a hint of intentional magic.

Paranormal cozies are my absolute fav and this one added a great and unique twist. Without giving too much away, Phoebe soon realizes that like her aunt, she is now the resident witch. She also discovers a very fascinating ability. I can’t wait to watch her learn more about these powers while also perfecting the use of magic in the teashop.

The mystery actually had me stumped until the big reveal. There were plenty of leery suspects and while the reasoning behind the crimes was obvious, I just couldn’t quite pin down the correct culprit.

I’m already anxious for the sequel, which looks to be dropping later this Fall. I’m also very curious to see just how much Phoebe’s childhood friends know about her newly discovered magical powers!

I really loved this first book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

The first thing that caught my attention about this book was its cover, very attractive despite its sober colors. Naturally, I immediately searched for the names of the book and the author, but reading the description made it impossible for me to miss it: the story is set in a town called Raven Creek, which immediately made me think of witches.
The protagonist, Phoebe Winchester, is the heiress to a mansion called Lane End House, a tea shop/bookstore called The Earl's Study, and a cat named Bob. No pun intended.
From the first night of her return to Raven Creek, Phoebe is harassed by a woman named Deirdre, who at all costs wants Phoebe to sell her the mansion and business that her late aunt Eudora inherited to her. From this moment on, the mystery begins to grow with the murder of a stranger in the back of The Earl's Study.
Steeped to Death is a mystery novel with a slight paranormal touch, a bit of romance, a stubborn and curious protagonist, well-designed characters, tea, and a cute cat who just needs to talk.
Very well written, with an interesting plot that engages readers and keeps them entertained until the end, where they are surprised to find a delicious bonus: various drink and pastry recipes that trigger cravings!
An ideal read for a lazy afternoon, accompanied of course by a good cup of tea. Delicious and highly recommended!
I am grateful to Gretchen Rue, Crooked Lane Books, The Quick Brown Fox & Company, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review.

Really well thought-out book with amazing characters and excellent setting. Love the cover

Phoebe’s Aunt Eudora dies and leaves Phoebe her house and her store the Earl’s Study at a time when Phoebe needs a place to land. She doesn’t know much about running the store but she’s prepared to do her late aunt proud. After a man is found murdered behind the shop, Phoebe starts trying to find out why he was murdered while apparently breaking in.
Goodreads

After inheriting her favorite aunt's home and tea shop, Phoebe Winchester moves there to start over after her divorce. After a body is found by the tea shop, apparently trying to break in, Phoebe searches for what is so valuable and why the abrasive realtor keeps harassing her. Debut of new cozy series with a strong engaging heroine. Secondary characters are interesting and the mystery satisfying. Enjoyed this one so much that I am immediately starting the next in the series.

If you love magic, tea, and mystery, then "Steeped to Death" is the perfect book for you. A brilliant start to a new series, this is an enchantingly good time. After the loss of her aunt, Phoebe has been thrown into her aunt's life where she discovers a few surprising secrets. On top of all these changes in her life, she's pushed into a murder investigation when a dead body literally shows up at her door. This serves as a catalyst to draw her deeper into this town and into the secrets her aunt left behind. It also gives her the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend which could potentially spell romance. As a lover of cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this book. It has the same formula of a cozy but with a few touches that blend a light dose of magic and a high love of tea into something entirely unique.

A fun new witch series with a cute cat. that I'll definitely be continuing. Set in the PNW, Phoebe inherits a tea shop from her Aunt Eudora and moves to Raven Creek, Washington to run it. Along with the shop comes a tenant, living upstairs, and a full-time staff member who turns out to be young, motivated and an excellent asset as Phoebe learns her way around the business. She discovers as well that she has witchy powers that had, to this point, lain dormant, and as she snoops around for the killer of the man she found in her parking lot, she discovers a lot more about the little town she now lives in.

Well-written and thoroughly enjoyable characters made this a pleasure to read, and I am already anticipating the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC to read and review. All opinions are strictly my own.

Steeped to Death is the first book in the new Witch's Brew mystery series by Gretchen Rue. Ms. Rue is better known as Sierra Dean, author of the Secret McQueen series!

As a huge fan of her writing, I was ecstatic to receive an ARC! This book is not profane or offensive in any way. It has all of the elements I LoVe in a story...I just have no strong feelings about the book, the characters, or even the series' continuation. This is highly unusual for me! Normally, I can point out situations, characters, or even food that I did or didn't enjoy. Steeped to Death, after extensive steeping, simply has not left a mark on me. I would give the series a second chance in hopes of a lasting stain being left behind.

2.5*