Grim Steeper
(Witch’s Brew 3)
Gretchen Rue



Phoebe Winchester is the new owner of The Earl’s Study, her aunt Eudora, passed away leaving her a home, business, and magical abilities. With only nine months of ownership under her belt, she is still learning about… Everything!

We return to Raven Creek, Washington to find Phoebe, Imogen and Daphne standing in the rain.
The Earl’s Study will be hosting a talk and signing by Sebastian Marlow, a world renowned birder, during the Independence day street festival taking place that weekend. This is Phoebe’s first author event. Sebastian and his entourage arrive early to look over the setup. Melody, Sebastian’s new assistant, has an issue with Bob. Bob is Phoebe’s cat and the inspiration behind Bob’s Place, the new bookstore area that allows cats and patron’s to interact and adopt.

After leaving the store she and Bob go to Lansing’s grocery store for fresh fruit for the event. They run into Honey, her magical confidant and friend. She asks her about a magical issue and invites her over to the house. On their way to checkout, she gets between Leo and an unknown man when he begins to loose his temper. Turns out Andrew is a lawyer for a developer, in town harassing the locals about selling to his company. Dierdre the town realtor reaches out to Phoebe about the offer after her management company denies the request.

On Saturday Deacon, Sebastian’s former manager shows up at the signing causing a confrontation with Melody. After getting the talk back on track. Sebastian announces that a bird not seen in over 50 years and believed extinct is flourishing in Raven’s Creek. He plans to try to locate the Pacific tanager, on the free group walk the next day. Sadly, before this can occur Sebastian is murdered!

Phoebe arrives at the B&B only to find out about the murder. She subsequently contacts Daphne to alert guests that Sebastian would not be leading the walk. Shockingly, after Sebastian’s murder, still more deaths occur…

Honey’s mother comes to town after hearing about some of Phoebe’s magic issues. During one of the consultations Phoebe speaks with Eudora. She learns more about her aunts life and about herself. I enjoyed all of the twists, turns and drama! Mostly I loved the characters personal growth and their group dynamics. 5***** all the way! I look forward to the next book in this wonderful series.


Thank you to Netgalley, Ms. Rue, and the publisher for the ARC.
#GrimSteeper #GretchenRue #bookstore #teashop #mystery #Paranormal #cozy #netgalley
5*****

Thank you Gretchen Rue ( @sierradeanauthor ), Crooked Lane Books ( @crookedlanebooks ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read The Grim Steeper early (comes out September 10, 2024).

The Grim Steeper is a wonderful addition to the Witches Brew mystery series.

Phoebe Winchester, bookstore/tea shop owner & witch (who only recently came into her powers) hosts an internet famous birding author’s book signing. But nothing is going right for Phoebe—a murder takes place and her new powers are going haywire. In the end, it’s up to her and friend Rich to help find the killer…before someone close to her is arrested for murder!

#TheGrimSteeper #NetGalley #GretchenRue #CrookedLaneBooks

It’s hard to go wrong with a cozy mystery featuring a tea shop/bookstore, a bookstore cat, and a witch. The Grim Steeper is the third in Gretchen Rue’s Witches’ Brew series. I like the setting, a small town in Washington. I also like the characters, Phoebe Winchester, her coworkers and friends, as well as her cat, Bob. I have to be honest. I like cozies best once I get past the first or second book in the series when the amateur sleuth is no longer a suspect.

It hasn’t been a year since Phoebe inherited the house and The Earl’s Study business from her aunt Eudora. Now, Phoebe’s ready to host her first major event at the bookstore. Renowned birder Sebastian Marlow is going to do a signing and lead a birding excursion. Phoebe is more worried after Sebastian’s team shows up the day before the event, and there are loud arguments with the former team manager. And, Sebastian’s team is obnoxious and demanding.

Phoebe didn’t need to worry. The signing goes well, and Sebastian makes an exciting announcement about his plans for the hike and excursion the following day. But, on her way to the hike, Phoebe’s shocked to see police cars and an ambulance outside the B&B where Sebastian’s crew is staying. The hike is off since the man was found stabbed to death in his room.

Police detective Patsy Martin knows Phoebe will talk to fellow residents of Raven Creek, so she asks her to listen and let her know what she hears. Martin certainly didn’t mean that Phoebe should start her own investigation, but she feels guilty because she invited Sebastian to town, and now he’s dead. She teams up with a childhood best friend, Rich Lofting, the local private investigator to dig into those around Sebastian who might have reasons to kill him. After a second murder, though, they’re both shocked when grocer and friend, Leo Lansing, is taken to the police station.

While I summarized the mystery itself, the fun aspects of this series includes Phoebe’s attempt to control the magic she didn’t know she possessed until she was in her late thirties. When she’s stressed, Phoebe’s magic is out of control. She’s trying to hide her gift from others, but it’s obvious she needs help from people who have been witches much longer than she has.

A little murder. A little magic. The Grim Steeper is an enjoyable story with a terrific cast.

Love this cozy mystery series - the books are perfect comfort reads. The main character is in my dream situation - she inherited a gorgeous Victorian house in the PNW along with a combo bookstore/tea shop, plus she has witchy powers and an adorable cat, Bob - chef's kiss perfection!

This gives you a twisty mystery, bookish vibes, light romance, lots of suspects, a small town where everyone knows your business, and witchiness galore.

Gretchen Rue writes a good old cozy mystery. I laughed, I tried to guess the killer, I enjoyed the characters. Cozy mysteries are some of my favorite books to read and the author delivered!! Worth the 5 stars! Can't wait to read the next installment.

Absolutely adored the third book in this series! Gretchen Rue is a fabulous author. Cannot wait for more! Will order for libraries.

Fun to read, interesting characters, well edited. I love that cat rescue was a part of the book. The killer was a bit of a surprise to me. Usually I can figure it out but not this time. Eager to read her next book.

Phoebe Winchester is hosting an author event for renowned birder Sebastian Marlowe.at her book and tea store.
When he is found murdered the next day, Phoebe wonders if a recently fired member of Marlowe's staff is involved. There's also a shady lawyer in town, trying to buy up property. When he is also murdered, a dear friend is
considered a suspect. Are The murders connected? Phoebe is determined to prove his innocence while trying to control her newly discovered powers.
#GrimSteeper #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

Another fun cozy mystery in this series. The characters are all so unique, and fun to get to know with a variety of personalities and traits. This plot was a mixture of fun, mystery, smidge, of danger, and of course the continuation of a budding romance. The book can absolutely be read as a stand alone. Recommend both the book and the series. Looking forward to what comes next for Phoebe.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Phoebe has another murder to solve while trying to figure out why her magic is going wonky. I like how Phoebe turns to her friend Honey to get help to figure out her magic woes and still meddle in another murder investigation and get her cat adoption set up in her shop and we got to see progress in Phoebe and Rich’s flirtation. Another great edition in the series. Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to review this book.

Phoebe owns an independent bookstore and is hosting her first author event. She also has found out recently that she is a witch and is just now coming into her powers. When she gets stressed, things begin to float around her, so she’s desperate to get her magic settled down.
The author (a birder) and his entourage are a little difficult, but Phoebe and her crew have everything handled and the event goes off well…except for one small happening. The next morning, a birding walk is scheduled, but that’s when things go downhill.
Now Phoebe is investigating who would commit murder and why, but everyone isn’t happy with her interference.
I haven’t read the first two in the series (yet), but this works well as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery and the addition of a little magic, cats, and food, made it a good read.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I received a free copy form the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I really like this series and was excited when I spotted this one on Netgalley. Shortly after getting approved for a copy I started reading this one as I just wanted to read it right awat. I really enjoyed The Grim Steeper, it was great to read more about Phoebe, her store, her witchy powers, her friends and the town she lives in. It really nails that cozy vibe and I enjoyed it.

While I really enjoyed this book, I have to admit the mystery didn't hook me as much. Not quite sure why, but I just wasn't as invested in the mystery. There also was this one clue that was interesting to me and I thought it was really important, turned out I was right, but the characters didn't pay that one as much attention. Part of this is because if was kinda vague, but I had still hoped for more. I also would've liked some more clues and twists to come to light before the big reveal. Now everything came to light at once, the murder, the motives and some secrets and it just was more overwhelming this way and made it feel even more like the characters and police hadn't even been close to solving it.

Luckily everything besides the mystery was awesome. I really like reading about Phoebe. There are plenty of fun scenes in and around her store, about her baking bread and brewing tea. Or buying delicious pastries from the store next door. I like seeing Phoebe interact with her friends and other townsfolk. There's also more about Phoebe's witchy powers, she runs into some issues with her powers acting up and I liked seeing how that progressed and how she tried to figure things out. The romance also progresses a bit which was nice to see. I also liked how Phoebe and Rich teamed up a few times to look into some clues. I liked seeing the town celebrate the 4th of July. It was great! This book really has that cozy vibe and I like seeing the town come alive and reading about Phoebe and the other characters.

To summarize: Another great installment in this series. I really like the cozy vibe of this series and had a great time reading about Phoebe, the town and the other characters. The mystery didn't grip me as much, although I did like seeing Phoebe investigate. A lot of the truth only comes to light after the reveal about who the murderer is and I would've liked to see some of those reveals earlier. There also was a clue I thought was important and didn't get much attention. Besides my issues with the mystery I had a great time reading this book. I really enjoyed reading about Phoebe and seeing how she ran her store. I also liked the plot line involving her witchy powers that are acting up, which is something she has to figure out. There is some development in the romance as well, which was nice to see. And just so many cozy scenes involving the characters, the store and town. And Bob the cat is so fun to read about as well. I hope there will be more books in this series!

Do not read this book on an empty stomach. In all honestly it made me hungry even on a full stomach. I wish Earl’s Study was a real place. Plus I’d love to meet Bob. I also appreciate the bird humor in this book. I never really paid attention to birds until I bought my house in 2020 and the dining room has a big window overlooking trees so we see a lot of birds and squirrels. Now I look at outside most mornings. As do my cats. I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. Enjoyed seems a weird word choice since someone died but I don’t know how else to phrase it. Phoebe has guilt over it because if she hadn’t planned the book event he might still be alive. Or was the killer someone that would have killed him regardless of the location? I won’t spoil that for you. I also quite enjoyed Phoebe working with her magic. I do have questions on why she didn’t know she was a witch until almost 30 but I think that’s just a lingering question since this is a book series. There's a member of my book club that likes to make all the recipes that are in most cozy mysteries. I'm going to request she make all of these and share with me.

I am not a cat person but I missed Bob and his antics. I felt at home reading about Phoebe, Rich and their friends. I really wish there was a bookstore/tea room around me in real life like The Earl’s Study.

I’m a romantic so I liked reading about Rich and Phoebe and how their relationship is progressing. They make a great stake out team!

The mystery was very well written and I did not figure out who did it. I would recommend this book to my friends. Well written!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, opinions express in this review are completely my own.

Another home run for Gretchen Rue! I hope she keeps these books coming. I am absolutely enthralled with Phoebe, Rich, Bob, and the gang. I love the mix of magic and mystery. The tea making is really charming and all the ideas for sour dough bread are fantastic too.

This book especially, with the bird watching element, I thought was really interesting. I love that I can learn new things as well as unknot a mystery. These books and these characters never get old. In fact, the more I read, the more sucked in that I get. I cannot wait to see Phoebe up and running with full powers. That right there is going to be amazing.

And as always, I absolutely love Bob. He is the cutest dang critter, and so smart and protective of Phoebe. Have I mentioned that I love that? Because I do! Please keep writing this series. I am a big fan!!

I recommend this book and all the others in the series 100%.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publisher, and Gretchen Rue for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are honest and are completely my own.

#TheGrimSteeper #NetGalley is the newest addition to this clever series by Gretchen Rue.
Phoebe is still learning about her powers and how to use them, and when an invited author winds up dead, her powers tend to spin out of control.
Sebastian Marlow is a renowned birder, destined to put Raven Creek on the map with his discovery of an extinct bird.
Unfortunately for Sebastian, not everyone is impressed by him, and his death puts a friend of Phoebe's on the suspect list.

I really enjoyed this book, Bob the cat is definitely my favorite character but Phoebe is wonderful as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I'm looking forward to sharing it with others.

4.5 stars

Delighted to have another book in the Witches' Brew Mystery series! Phoebe is a likeable main character with an equally likeable support system and the best book cat I've ever come across. Bob for life!

The mystery itself is standalone but I highly recommend reading the first two books as you'll get more of a feel for the characters/town and Phoebe's journey in being a witch. They are super great books!

I really hope there will be many more books in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Crooked Lane Books!