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!