A good cozy with books and tea and a cat. What can I say I’m a sucker for cozies set in bookstores.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Lovvvvedddd this first book by Gretchen Rue. Loveable characters, great chemistry between Amy and Rich, definitely a page turning cozy mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommend to all mystery lovers.

Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue

This is book 1 of the Witches Brew Mystery. This is a cozy mystery about Phoebe Winchester whos aunt Eudora just passed away. Phoebe inherits her aunts Mansion and bookstore/shop. When Phoebe arrives in town she is low on fuel and barely makes it to her aunt's house. Anyways she is not welcomed as easy as she thought she would be in town. Her aunt has some prized property that some people in the community want to get their hands on.

Phoebe does not budge she is going to make a go at it running the bookshop. Phoebe learns quickly that her aunts teas and tinctures are loved in the community but they have some magical properties. Phoebe learns she has the same skills as her now dead aunt. Next thing that happens someone tries to break into the bookshop and they end up dead on the backside of the bookshop. The person was the relative of the previous owner of the land in the community. He was murdered behind the bookshop. It is up to Phoebe to get to the bottom of what happen exactly and why it happened.

I loved this story it pulled me and I like how quick it went. I savored every page of the story. You do get the mystery solved by the end of the book. If you are a fan of witchy cozy mysteries this one would be for you. It is easy to read and the story keeps you turning the pages.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I will definitely be reading it and other books this author publishes. This was a five star read. I like the characters and will wait to see what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a free copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

My tastes in magical realism infused cozy mysteries are experimental at best. I only sometimes choose to read many of them - and like a few of the ones I do. I continue to try because they are usually a quick read, and once in a while, I find one that I enjoy. This was one such occasion. When I started reading it, I had already forgotten what the synopsis was and paid little to no attention to the cover page. Therefore, the concept of magic was sudden for me when it slowly made its way into the page, but it was not incongruous with the rest of the narrative.
It was the writing that made this particular book stand out. It had a serious presentation, even when talking of witches and potions. There was nothing flippant or overly cutesy about the whole thing. I would have actually preferred this story to have had no romantic tangles at all. I might have rated it even higher without that distraction. Phoebe has always been close to her aunt, although from a distance in recent years. She has been left her aunt's property in her will, and Phoebe decides to uproot her life and figure out how to pay proper respects to her aunt's legacy. The latter is an unusual one, with few people realising the power behind the book and tea seller.
As with such stories, shortly after a disquieting arrival in town, with Phoebe feeling like she has a lot of secrets to uncover, a dead body is found. She starts to dig since all clues indicate that her aunt has something people seem to want. What she discovers sets up the rest of the series quite well.
As mentioned earlier, I am usually a sucker for the introduction of a happily ever after for our leading lady, but I think it could have waited for the next book to make its presence felt. This story would have benefitted from focusing on the investigation and the subsequent revelations.
I will try to read the next book given a chance, I would recommend the author's works to anyone interested in this genre (and sub-genre).
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

This book helped me get out of a tiny reading slump and I LOVED it! It was so cute and adorable that I couldn't put it down. I think this will be my go-to cozy mystery series and author. I loved the magic and the characters. Plus I didn't see the killer coming. I need more of Phoebe Winchester and all her friends but I have to say, Bob was my all-time favorite character.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books books for letting me read and review this wonderful book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Love the cover on this one!

This was honestly on of the best cozies I have read in a long time. It is not often I catch these series on the first book, so this was a bit of a rarity for me. 😂 It was a very solid beginning to what I assume will be an ongoing series. The writing was solid. The setting perfect. The author did an amazing job of enchanting (😉) the reader with all the descriptions of the town, the teas, the bake goods. I have never wanted to jump into a book more! The plot was engaging and kept me guessing right until the end. The characters were sold and there wasn't too many that it was difficult to keep track. Bonus points for making Phoebe's love interest not a cop. Okay, he is a ex cop and now a private detective, but still, it was a little step out of the usual cozie formula. Last, we get a nice bonus of a few recipes. A couple of which i will be trying very soon! This book was just fantastic and I can't wait to see what the next book brings!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

This was a fun read! I really enjoyed the premise and thought that the combination of the tea and bookshop sounded really cozy. It was interesting and a perfect read for fall/Halloween season. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a witchy mystery that gives off really warm vibes.

Gretchen Rue has started a charming cozy series Witches' Brew mysteries with Steeped to Death. The witchy signature is on the front cover with the cute cat watching a magic teapot pouring tea by itself. Phoebe Winchester has moved back to her aunt's Victorian mansion and to manage bookstore/tea store. She faces an obnoxious neighbor who wants to buy her home and store and an unexpected corpse on her backs step. Phoebe starts to show signs of magical talents like her aunt Eudora which she is trying to understand.. Please try this new author out. You will enjoy the story.

Super enjoyable story by a new to me author. I love the use of magic and that it's not heavy handed. I just loved the story as a whole. Very good read!

This is a fun series debut about a recently-divorced woman returning to take over her recently-deceased aunt's bookstore/tea room. Set in a cute (aren't they all?) little Pacific Northwest town, it has an interesting cast of characters and some witchy magic. It's very fast paced, even as it introduces the reader to this new world. I loved it and look forward to the next installment!

This is a fun novel for cozy mystery readers who also love all things about tea. I found the tea blends interesting. I was surprised when Phoebe made cookies and scones with tea in them. And the effect of the special blend of tea, as Phoebe said, was an herbal truth serum. And then even stranger things begin to happen.

There is a good mystery and I didn't figure out the villain ahead of time. There were plenty of suspects. I liked friendly community and the supportive business owners. There's even an interesting cat involved.

The magic was a fun element, especially when Phoebe knows she is only to use it for good. This is a good debut effort and I think the series has good potential. I appreciated several yummy recipes included too.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Phoebe’s life is going to change in a big way. Not only has her aunt left her a lovely big home and a flourishing business, she has also left her a cat named Bob. As she tries to settle into her new life, making friends old and new, she is also being pressured by a persistent woman named Deidre who wants nothing better than for Phoebe to sell her both the home and business and then depart. Most of the local shopkeepers are welcoming and warm but she gets off on the wrong “foot” with one of them.

It does not help that a man is murdered at the back door to her store and while she is never a suspect, she has to wonder who he was and why was he killed. The more she is able to learn from the locals about her aunt and as she discovers documents and keepsakes in her new home, the picture begins to form about her aunt and her connection to both the deceased and the town.

But what is the most disconcerting is what Phoebe learns about her aunt and the gift they share. It is a wonderful gift but totally unexpected. Her aunt knew Phoebe would need answers and allies and had set things in motion so that Phoebe could learn and adapt at her own speed. She finds a lot of answers, including the murderer. But what the villain does not understand is that Phoebe is not going to go quietly nor be a victim.

I enjoyed the story and how all the pieces come together both for Phoebe and the reader. Her aunt was a remarkable lady but i have a feeling Phoebe will continue to delight us all in further tales. Five purrs and two paws up.

Steeped To Death follows the typical cozy mystery formula but includes enough twists to feel fresh and offer an enjoyable read.

Phoebe Winchester is moving back to Raven Ridge, Washington to take over the property her aunt Eudora bequeathed to her. She’s got the key to the mansion, a sealed letter from her aunt, and a lot of questions. In the letter, Eudora reassured Phoebe of her love and asked her to be open to exploring the town, the mansion, and the bookshop/tea shop before making any snap decisions about her future.

So here’s a basic cozy mystery trope - a woman out of a significant relationship goes back to a small town where she had been happy as a child. Rue adds a twist to this self-discovery journey that expands the quest Phoebe took to figure out her place in a post-divorce world. Phoebe quickly realizes that most people know more about her and Eudora than they’re willing to share. Everyone has their secrets, and Phoebe pieces everything in stages.

Another common trope is a murder mystery. Phoebe goes to the bookshop/tea shop that had been closed since her aunt’s death. She’s met at the door with the town busybody and an intimidating man who unsuccessfully tries to enter the store with her. Less than 24 hours later, the man’s body was found near the back entrance of the store.

A cozy mystery wouldn’t be complete without the mysterious and handsome stranger. It turns out that Phoebe’s childhood friend has grown up to become Rich, who is keeping secrets of his own.

It makes sense that the residents of a small-town would have heard stories about Eudora’s adored niece. Of course they’re curious about Phoebe’s future plans. But why does everyone appear to know more about Phoebe than she does? Who can she trust? And who - to quote Eudora - deserves a kick in the keister?

Cozy mysteries provide a unique challenge. On the one hand, readers want the usual tropes small town, murder, amateur detective, and a handsome stranger. On the other hand, the book needs to have a unique twist to stand out. Is this book a better choice than just some random cozy grabbed from a bargain bin?

Gretchen Rue succeeds in meeting the challenge in Steeped To Death. The pieces of a cozy mystery are here. The secrets within the mystery - particularly Eudora’s and Phoebe’s - stand out. It’s pretty easy to figure out who are the good guys and who are the evildoers, but the murder isn’t the primary solution of the story. By making Eudora’s secrets the main mystery, Rue deliberately unwraps one secret at a time to provide a delightful gift to the reader.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing a copy of this book.

Who knew a tea shop cozy mystery would be this good?! I was thoroughly impressed with the writing style as well as the character development. 10/10 would recommend to a friend!

I really enjoyed this book, a great mystery with interesting characters. I loved the storyline and was well done. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Gretchen Rue for allowing me to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed this book. The mixture of books, tea, and witches provide for a perfect fall/Halloween read. This was such an easy and fun read. I love being able to figure everything out along with the main character, Phoebe.

This book provides an amazing beginning to a world I cannot wait to dive deeper into. I know this was only the first book in a series, but I completely believe this series has amazing potential and will be fantastic.

You really get to know the main characters in this book and you get to learn a lot about the town. You get to meet amazing people, and a wonderful cat named Bob. Raven Creek is really a town people dream to live in.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 1 in a new series.

A good start to a new series. It was a fast, fun read. I really like Phoebe, and of course, Bob the Cat is adorable. It was a bit formulaic, but I kind of expect that from the first book in a series, introducing us to the characters. MC and her cat, local nemesis, helpful neighbors and of course the love interest. But the touch of magic made it more fun, and though I'm more of a coffee fan than a tea fan, the teas and recipes sounded wonderful.

I'm looking forward to more in the series.

I liked this mystery. I found the characters interesting and look forward to Phoebe figuring out her powers. The mystery kept me guessing and I hope for more in the series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest reveiw.

Excellent start for a new cozy series, I throughly enjoyed the story and the mystery is well plotted.
The characters are fleshed out and likeable, the heroine is clever and I liked how she evolves and the tea shop.
It's well written story and i can't wait to read the next.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a wonderful book and the start of what promises to be an outstanding cozy series! One can't help but become enchanted with Phoebe Winchester, deceased Aunt Eudora, The Earl's Study tea shop and Victorian house left to Phoebe when Eudora passed, Bob the very large ginger cat, the residents and town of Raven Creek itself.

Phoebe returns to the town of Raven Creek after her aunt Eudora's passing and inheriting Eudora's tea shop The Earl's Study, Victorian home and Bob the cat. Phoebe spent summers with her Aunt and enjoys reacquainting herself with the town and getting to know the people who knew and loved Eurdora. But immediately upon returning to the town, Phoebe discovers there is something 'magical' about her aunt's tea blends, is approached rather aggressively by real estate agent Dierdre Miller about selling the house, discovers she has a tenant in the apartment above the tea shop who is her childhood friend, now a PI, and a dead man on the back doorstep of her shop. As Phoebe uncovers more information about the town and the dead man, she discovers more about her aunt and that the rumors about her aunt being a witch may not have been rumors!

This book contains so many mysteries, yet they are all deftly woven together! The mystery of the identity of the dead man, why he was trying to break into Phoebe's shop, why Dierdre desperately wants to purchase Eudora's house, what her childhood friend Rich is really up to, who seems to be following Phoebe, what is so special about Eudora's tea blends..... Perhaps the biggest mystery is Eudora herself as Phoebe discovers there is so much she didn't know about her aunt, and as her aunt's character is revealed, Phoebe learns more about herself.

The murder remains a mystery throughout -- clues are revealed along the way but you are never quite sure if who you suspect is the real culprit. There are many surprises along the way that keep you reading for more - you will read this book in one setting - it grabs you and draws you in from page 1. The characters are real as is Raven Creek. They are well described, relatable and likeable. Raven Creek is so well described you can easily place yourself on the streets with Phoebe. There is nothing to not like about this book!

I highly recommend Steeped to Death and will very much look forward to the next installment in the series. Ms Rue please write quickly!