Another charming installment in this delightful series! Rue excels at including cozy tea and bookshop details while keeping the plot moving. I also love how there is a central mystery but there is also the ongoing issue of the main character discovering how her magic works. Add in adorable cat moments and a charming small town and you have everything you could possibly want in a cozy mystery. I especially enjoyed the summer and iced tea vibes in this book, which is set around July 4th. I really wish this series was offered in paperback because paperback cozy mysteries sell much better at our store.

A wonderful third installment to this series! This book was just as enjoyable as the previous two, and I loved being back with familiar characters, especially Bob! It was a joy to see these characters and their relationships with each other grow. I especially loved seeing Honey far more involved with Phoebe and her magic. I will absolutely continue picking up each new book in this series, or truly anything by Gretchen Rue!

Book and tea shop owner Phoebe Winchester is branching out! She has agreed to host her first author event starring internet sensation and enthusiastic birder Sebastian Marlow. Unfortunately, after a body is found, the planned bird hike Marlow says will put Raven Creek on the ornithological map has to be postponed. With her store’s reputation in danger she is more than happy to join forces with private investigator, Rich, to look into things, especially as their relationship seem to be getting much warmer!

With her magic causing havoc at the most inopportune moments, Phoebe knows she has to try and get that under control before her secret becomes common knowledge. When there is a second killing, which might or might not be related to the first, and the police begin looking at a suspect far too close to home she and Rich suddenly finds time is of the essence if they are to prevent more deaths!

Book three in this series continues in the same lighthearted manner as the first two. The main protagonists are familiar now and I love the setting of the tea and book shop, the Earl’s Study. The magical problems made an excellent second thread and Phoebe's mishaps were brilliant. I hope this series has a long way to go as it is always a pleasure to visit Raven Creek.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I loved this and happily recommend it to all cosy fans. 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.

As this is the third book in a series I was a bit worried to jump in without reading the first two, however I never felt overwhelmed or lost!

The setting and side characters were my favorite part. A cute, charming small town where nearly everyone is friendly with each other was exactly what I was looking for, and this delivered! I did find Phoebe to be a little flat, but she wasn’t frustrating or anything. I don’t usually like the boyfriends in cozies, but Rich seems very inoffensive and nice, so that was a pleasant surprise.

There’s lots and lots of sourdough bread baking, and tea brewing, so if that’s your jam you’ll probably have a great time with this. The murder mystery gets kind of convoluted, and the ending resolution is pretty abrupt, but otherwise enjoyable.

(I didn’t know it was set around Fourth of July so the fact that I read it around that time anyway was a fun coincidence. Raven Creek’s celebrations sound much more pleasant than my area!)

This is another charming addition to the Witches’ Brew series. Once again, Phoebe finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, only this time, her magic isn’t making things easier on her. She and Rich’s relationship moves slowly forward, and Bob is as lovable as ever.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Just imagine waking up one day as an adult and discovering you are a witch? While your first reaction may be "How wonderful!", then reality sets in. You may have magical powers but you have no clue how to control them. How to keep them from interfering with your day--to-day life. You have no true control of when they come and go. Nor what havoc they may cause. You are slowly learning a few spells but, well, you're not in control. Even when they work, there may be unexpected twists. That's the situation in which Phoebe Winchester finds herself in this series. Disconcerting as they might be in your own home, now imagine it happening in public. How do you explain this?

Then things get worse. There's a murder. One you feel partly responsible for as it was your idea to bring Sebastian Marlow to your shop for a book event. You can't help thinking he might still be alive if you hadn't booked him for that weekend. Phoebe's stress level escalates which, as she discovers, sends her already out of control magic even further out of control. Fortunately, her ability to conjure up (sorry, couldn't resist the pun) amazing blends of ice tea and sourdough treats remains consistent. Even when she's stressed for time, Amy's Sugarplum Fairy bakery is close and, like Phoebe, Amy is constantly trying new, amazingly yummy recipes. Yes, there are recipes at the end. Grin.

Even in the midst of all this, her spiraling magic and a murder investigation, not only is Phoebe's likability quotient high, but so, too, it is for the other regulars. Romantic interest Rich Lofting, a childhood friend and now private detective, will win you over with his good sense of humor and, according to others, good looks. Unfortunately, it's another childhood friend, Leo, who is the prime suspect for murder, albeit not Sebastian's. Uh, that's a hint that things only get more complicated. He's referred to as a gentle-giant several times and there seem to be sparks between Amy and him, so you know Phoebe was working hard to prove his innocence. But, wait, who killed The Backyard Birdwatcher, as Sebastian is known as? There are several suspects but despite the similarity of murders, there seems to be no link between the victims. Add another chunk to Phoebe's stress level. And, what was that about discovering a new kind of bird?

That's as much as I'm saying about the plot. Ironically, maybe my mindset of the time, but I largely found myself more caught up in the drama over the wayward magic and watching real romance blooming between Phoebe and Rich. We also got to meet Honey's mother, Karma, who tries to help Phoebe with her witch-y problems. Now, true, she doesn't have concrete, specific answers but she gives Phoebe help in an intriguing way and that seems to reassure Phoebe's mind. I hope Karma becomes a regular character. And, oh, we can't forget Bob the cat. He gets a bit of a story line this go-round, too, which, may lead to.... nope, not sharing that little tidbit. You'll just have to read the book. Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me for this early visit to Raven Creek to catch up with Phoebe and the gang.

I recieved a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

I love cozy mysteries, particularly supernatural cozies with cats on the cover, so this was a natural for me. It's not the first book in the series, but there was enough background to quickly get caught up. I enjoyed the tea and sourdough descriptions, enjoyed Bob the cat, and generally found the story (author is murdered when in town for a book signing) engaging. If you enjoy the genre, you'll probably like this one, too. Well done.

This is book three in A Witches' Brew Mystery series. If you have not read the series do yourself a favor and pick it up. The characters are delightful and have depth. Mystery, tea, a wonderful cat and characters you will fall in love with...what's not to love. Thank you Ms Rue for another 5 star installment in this cozy series!

"The Grim Steeper (Witches' Brew Mystery #3)" by Gretchen Rue is a hint of 4th of July and a bit more Witchy happenstances. Phoebe is finally starting to use her abilities other than her time stopping ones but now things are going floating whenever her anxiety spikes. Not so great when you don't want everyone to know about your powers.

On top of all that, her store guest is found in his hotel room. He had switched rooms, so was he the intended target? The police ask Phoebe to let them know if she happens to hear something, not to investigate though. So, of course she jumps right in anyway.

I have to say that I liked that Phoebe is actually using her abilities more in this one. Yes, most of the time it's accidental but at least she's working on it more. She makes a lot of growth in this book. My favorite line though was when she told Bob "Bobert, put those ears away. You have not been cleared for take off." When he did airplane ears over a new car to the cat rescue corner in the bookstore.

I very much enjoyed this addition! It made me giggle, and had the right mix of personal, mystery, and magic. Phoebe is going to be a very powerful witch. I agree with Amy about rich and hope Leo and her get it together as well. I love the idea of her cute little book store/tea shop. It sounds so lovely and cozy. When she kept telling herself no about Coco, I kept thinking you know you mean yes. I like the bits of cat lore in the book as well. Highly recommend! Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

"The Grim Steeper" by Gretchen Rue is a captivating blend of mystery and magic that keeps readers spellbound from start to finish. Phoebe Winchester, a fledgling witch and owner of the Earl’s Study, a charming book and tea store, finds herself thrust into her first author event-turned-murder investigation when author Sebastian is killed. Rue skillfully intertwines Phoebe’s magical mishaps with the twists and turns of a compelling whodunit, creating a story that is both enchanting and suspenseful. (I received an advance reader copy of this book, and all opinions are my own.) With its intriguing plot and endearing protagonist, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries with a touch of the supernatural.

An excellent cozy that has awesome well developed characters, great story plot and a victim who had several run ins with others. Love the setting. The third book in the series. Definitely a read you will enjoy! Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

With her first author event scheduled at her store, Phoebe Winchester is excited. But when the author responded after the event, Phoebe partners with a local PI to determine who killed him and why. However, when another body shows up and the prime suspect is one of her own, Phoebe has to step up her game to clear their name.

I have adored every single entry in the series to date. There’s nothing about Raven Creek and Phoebe not to love. The mysteries are always well written and thought out filled with red herrings that lead you down different paths before finally coming to realize who actually done it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is the third entry in Gretchen Rue’s Witches’ Brew Mystery series, featuring Phoebe Winchester, a witch of the benevolent sort, her bookstore and artisanal tea shop (she grows herbs and mixes her own blends) The Earl’s Study, and her inimitable cat Bob. It is as energetic and engaging as the others, and the author provides enough essential context to make it fine as a stand-alone. I strongly encourage lovers of cozy mystery, bookstore novels, cats and witches to read the preceding volumes, just for fun nonetheless.

In book 3, we find Phoebe, in her usual painstaking manner, attending to the details for an author reading and book-signing at The Earl’s Study. Sebastian Marlowe, a birding authority, has evidently spotted a rare bird, thought to be extinct, in her town of Raven Creek, already a draw among birdwatching tourists. Thanks to his good looks and social media presence, the ‘Backyard Birdman’ is also something of a heartthrob among his women readers. Phoebe doesn’t succumb so easily. Their first meeting, in fact, is off-putting rather than enchanting. He is tense, arrogant and stand-offish, and his new assistant Melody is shrill and patronizing. The personal assistant who had helped Phoebe with the arrangements seems to have been abruptly replaced; there are rumours of a falling-out. These are confirmed when he suddenly shows up just before the event begins, and is asked to leave by Marlowe and the obviously angry Melody.

Although Sebastian’s performance redeems him at the sold-out event, he is a no-show for the planned hike to find the bird the next morning. He is found dead at his B&B. Naturally the circumstances are suspicious. With the assistance of local PI Rich Lofting, as well as a furry co-investigator, Phoebe must uncover the truth. Marlowe was her first celebrity guest, and her fledgling bookstore can’t withstand the negative publicity.

What follows is an investigation both by-the-book and madcap, as the detective duo follow scarce clues toward a culprit who seems to adhere to the adage that ‘curiosity killed the cat,’ along with any people who share that feline trait. Of course the former assistant, Deacon, is a person of interest. ‘Fritzy magic,’ as she calls it, is both help and hindrance to an inexperienced practitioner, and Phoebe occasionally has to undo what she has done. The attraction between her and Rich, still in its early stages, is also distracting. And she has to deal with an aggressive lawyer representing development capitalists who want to take over Main Street, including her shop, for their own purposes.

The writing is lively, and having main characters endowed with talents both real and otherworldly is always fun. And Bob is truly a scene-stealer. I ended the book wishing The Earl’s Study, with its books and hand-crafted teas (and Bob) were in my town.

The Grim Steeper by Greta Rue, the 3rd book in the Witches Brew Mystery series set in Raven Creek, Washington. It follows teashop and bookstore owner Phoebe Winchester as she prepares for her first big author event, continues to learn about her newly discovered magic and sets up her cat adoption program. The Earl's Study is hosting a bird watcher influencer for a talk and hike to promote his new book. Things get stressful when he and his entourage show up and there's drama among them. This stress is compounded when a lawyer starts inquiring about buying property in town to develop and upsets Pheobe and her friends.
This sends Phoebe's magic into a tizzy and things literally start flying through the air. She needs to keep things under control and fast. That is not an easy task when a body is discovered and the mystery begins.
Lots of action, red herrings and magic. I enjoy this series and am looking forward to the next one.

Cute story line and love the characters. The story was well written and kept the reader wanting more. Looking for to see what the author has in store next

I would recommend this book. It was a fun read. I enjoyed this whole series. The guest at her bookstore teash0p was murdered the next after his appearance. Phoebe gets pulled into investigation.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of THE GRIM STEEPER (Book 3 of the Witches’ Brew mystery series) by Gretchen Rue in exchange for an honest review. Phoebe Winchester, owner and manager of the Earl’s Study book and tea store, is excited for her first author event. At the event, the author Sebastian Marlow announces that he has information that a previously believed extinct bird species is actually alive and living in the Raven Creek area. Sebastian graciously volunteers to host a birding hike to give his fans an opportunity to see the rare bird for themselves; however, the hike is cancelled at the last minute due to Sebastian’s unavailability-he was murdered during the night. Phoebe feels responsible for finding the killer since Sebastian was in town for her event. So, she finds herself investigating the author, his coworkers, and their local ties. Can she figure it out before she gets crossed off the murderer’s list?

I like the book and the series. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring witches, brews, birds, authors, bookstores, special events, and workplace drama.

#TheGrimSteeper #NetGalley

This is the third book in the Witches' Brew Mystery set in Raven Creek with Phoebe Winchester, our witchy main character, local book store owner, and amateur sleuth. I really enjoyed the setting with the cozy bookstore and tea vibes, as well as the town of Raven Creek celebrating the 4th of July. Considering how close it currently is to 4th of July when I read it, I enjoyed that aspect a lot. I also really enjoyed Phoebe and Rich's banter, and that they actually worked together to solve this one.

On the other hand, the mystery itself was all over the place, and didn't really seem to follow a cohesive plot. When the mystery is finally solved, we're left with an explanation that doesn't really add up and with the feeling that no one was even close to solving it. The best part of a cozy mystery, besides its setting, is the ability to let the reader play along to solve the mystery. I feel like we didn't really get that chance since even the author had a hard time explaining the crime in the rushed ending. I'll certainly read the next one, but I hope that the next mystery is better thought out!

Thank you to NetGalley for this early copy!

"The Grim Steeper" by Greta Rue, the 3rd installment in the Witches Brew Mystery series, is a delightful read! I was thrilled to return to Raven Creek, Washington, and reunite with Phoebe, Daphne, Bob the cat and the charming cast of characters at the Earl's Study. Amy from the Sugarplum Fairy and Rich Lofting add to the charm. Phoebe's magic goes awry as her stress levels rise, and she seeks help to master her powers. I adore her innovative idea of a cat shelter within the bookstore, dedicated to older cats who've been in shelters too long.

Bookstore owner Phoebe Winchester is putting on her first major author event when a body is discovered and the plot goes off the rails

This engaging mystery is full of twists and turns, keeping me guessing until the very end. The vivid descriptions of teas and treats, like Phoebe's sourdough toast, had me craving a hot cup of tea and a snack (fortunately, recipes are included in the book!).

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy mystery-loving friends and eagerly await book 4!


I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.