What incredible debut Cozy Mystery and way to start of a series!!!
A Small town, a spooky mansion, a cat, a bookshop, tea, a touch of magic, and a murder mystery. I mean, what more can you ask for?? An absolute great cast of characters and an engaging plot, that’s what.

Magic elements can be hit or miss for me in my cozies but this one hit all the right spots. While it is in the forefront of the story, the book is not about magic.

I really enjoy the protagonist and the friends she is making in her new life. I look forward to learning more about the secondary characters and seeing friendships grow. I love Bob the cat! He’s the true star lol.

I loved this book from the first chapter and I’m already craving more!!!

“Steeped to Death” by Gretchen Rue the 1st instalment in the "A Witches Brew Mystery" series. I loved this book and totally added it to my favourite witchy series list! I started reading and did not want to put it down! I have been in a reading slump for over a month but this book totally took me out of it. Our story is set in the Pacific Northwest in the town of Raven Creek.

Everyone knows I’m a sucker for furbabies and tea so when you add in a chubby orange tabby named Bob and a tea shop well I was hooked. Imogen turns out to be a great employee/friend to Phoebe along with Amy from the bakery next door.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Phoebe did.

Plus all the descriptions of the teas had me wanting a hot cup of tea and one of Phoebe’s Earl Grey Lavender shortbread (luckily the recipe is at the back of the book)

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!

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

Steeped to Death Earns 5/5 Magical Tea Blends…Entertaining Cozy!

Phoebe Winchester (née Black) inherited her Auntie Eudora’s centuries old Victorian, a used bookshop & tearoom, and “Bob,” a well-fed ginger cat. In her aunt’s last goodbye, Phoebe learns Eudora was relieved Phoebe’s husband is now an ex, hopes she’ll keep the bookshop/tearoom opened, hints that the old house and shop have much to tell her, and warns her to avoid Dierdre Miller. Phoebe is reticent about opening this new chapter in her life, especially when finds her aunt may not be the person she knew.

The Earl’s Study is set to open “under new management,” but for a second time, she’s accosted for a second time by Dierdre Miller. Her aggressive manner about purchasing Aunt Eudora’s mansion and refusing to take “it’s not for sale” as an answer is upsetting, and this time she’s with someone, a bruiser of a man. The situation gets complicated when Phoebe is needed at her shop immediately…the man she saw with Dierdre has been murdered. Is Dierdre more dangerous than she thought? And with overheard conversations, threats, and someone in the shadows puts Phoebe on high alert!

Gretchen Rue’s premier book in A Witches’ Brew Mystery starts out as a traditional cozy: small town with diverse neighbors, a woman inherits an estate with a unique business, a quirky animal is a roommate, childhood friends reunite, and realistic amateur methods help solve an intriguing suspicious death. However, it gets more riveting with the discovery that many of Auntie Eudora’s tea blends have magical properties, and she just might be a witch. These revelations create a mysterious blend of personal enlightenment, magical accidents, hint of romance, and a few perilous predicaments. With greed, jealousy, and personal gain, a victim with a past, several suspicions, and scary encounters, it’s definitely my kind of cozy!

I love getting on the ground floor of a new series, and this one has great potential with just the right amount of magic to add to witch mythology, lots of foodie talk, and fascinating insights into tea. Rue’s descriptive language paints the perfect visual, and the banter effectively illustrates the various personalities and emotions. Phoebe is very relatable with a mid-thirties mindset, bruises from a failed marriage, and inquisitive nature, and…she snorts when she laughs. Reigniting long ago feelings with Rich is a nice touch and his being a former cop turned PI is a possible support for Phoebe’s amateur needs. Creative. Intriguing. I am looking forward to more!

Enjoy these easy-to-follow recipes for marvelous treats in Steeped to Death: Amy’s Chocolate Hazelnut Latte, Auntie Eudora’s Famous Earl Grey Tea Shortbread, Parmesan and Black Pepper Sourdough Biscuits, and The Earl’s Study Avocado Toast. I would have loved some detailed directions for how to make some of the tea blends; I can add the magic, though!

I read this book in one afternoon, a cold rainy afternoon, and it was a delightful read. I can't wait to read other books in this series.

This was a strong, fun start to a new cozy mystery series! I absolutely adored the town of Raven Creek and the quirky characters. Phoebe is a very endearing, relatable protagonist, and I loved her cat Bob, the adorable orange tabby. It was fun to not only follow Phoebe's journey to solving the mystery but also learning about her Aunt Eudora and her family history. There is a touch of paranormal in this one, which was fun. I absolutely adored this one and cannot wait for book 2!

Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue is the debut of A Witches’ Brew Mystery. I like the author’s writing style. It is casual and friendly which makes the story a breeze to read. The author took the time to introduce us to Phoebe Winchester who just inherited her Aunt Eudora’s estate. Phoebe inherited a beautiful Victorian house, a bookshop slash teashop called The Earl’s Study, and a cat named Bob. She may learn that she has inherited something else from aunt. The story is set in Raven Creek, Washington which has quaint shops that have a European look. A dead man is found in the alley outside The Earl’s Study. Phoebe had seen the victim the previous day with Deirdre Miller who has been a pain in Phoebe’s backside since she arrived. Phoebe wonders if the man was trying to break into the shop. If so, what was he after? Phoebe also wonders why Deirdre is so bent on buying the house. Phoebe cannot help but be curious about the crime. She asks some questions, overhears a few things, and tries to discover what the man wanted. I found it an easy crime to solve, but I did not mind. The mystery is wrapped up at the end. Phoebe uncovers some interesting information during the investigation. It appears that Aunt Eudora has a secret or two. Phoebe has a lot to process. The magical element is nicely done. It will be interesting to see what else Phoebe will be able to do with her newfound powers. I am eager for the next book in A Witches’ Brew Mysteries. There are recipes at the end for the tasty treats mentioned in the story. Steeped to Death is an enchanting tale with a timely bequest, a tom named Bob, a determined Deirdre, bewildering whodunit, enigmatic events, and bewitching treats.

I absolutely loved the first in this new series! It had just the right balance of magical things going on and cozy elements for the cozy mystery part. Phoebe's newfound ability was a pretty cool one that she couldn't just call on, but it sure knew when she needed it! Aunt Eudora definitely left her everything she needed, even a sweet cat named Bob who didn't appear to be magical, at the moment anyway.

I know who I wanted to be guilty, but there were a few other suspects out there too. I liked how the detective didn't automatically think Phoebe was guilty because the body was found behind her store. The stakeout she mentioned would've been awfully cool, but other things happened instead that you'll just have to find out when you read it.

The showdown was exciting and could've gone a lot worse had Phoebe not been who she was. I liked the revelation at the end and how someone she'd suspected actually turned out to be an awesome protector and true friend.

It'll be interesting to see who exactly Phoebe ends up being sleuthing besties with and if she and Rich ever officially date. Honey seemed like a like-minded fellow business owner that might make a good sleuth, so I'm eager to see what all Phoebe and her new town of friends gets into next time. I hope there's another book planned for sooner than a year away!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

This was a great start to what hopefully will be a new series. I was hooked immediately and had trouble putting the book down. The writing is clever, witty and at times made me laugh out loud. The suspense is top notch. All the wonderful bits one hopes for in a cozy.

Phoebe Winchester has inherited her Aunt Eudora's large home and bookstore/tearoom in the town of Raven Creek, Washington. Phoebe struggles to cope with the loss of her larger-than-life aunt and change in scenery. As Phoebe eases into life in the small town, she realizes there were parts of her aunt's life she was not privy to, starting with the fact that the woman was indeed a witch. However, there is more to the mystery because certain townspeople are determined to get their hands on Eudora's home and business and Phoebe needs to find out why in a hurry.

I have been saying a good way to measure a series is if I want to be friends with the protagonist and you're darn right I want to be BFFs with Phoebe. She is funny and sarcastic and owns a bookstore, a gal after my own heart. I wait with bated breath for the next book in this series!

Steeped to Death is book #1 in A Witches' Brew Mystery series by Gretchen Rue.

Phoebe Winchester inherits her aunt Eudora’s mansion and business. She learns she may not have known her aunt as well as she thought.

This is a great start for a new series. I really like Phoebe and her friends. I was drawn in as Phoebe learned more about her aunt and herself. It was an interesting mystery and I really liked the ending. This is a series I will keep up with!

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

What a fun book! I don't think I've read a cozy since Annette Blair's Vintage Magic series and Karen Olsen's Tattoo Shop series, but this was a great reintroduction to the genre. This one caught my eye with its combination of bookstore, tea shop, and magic. It is set in a small town in Washington with quirky residents and interesting shops. As the first book in the series, the introduction of the characters, setting, and situations was done smoothly without feeling like the first few chapters were an infodump.

Newly divorced Phoebe has just inherited most of her Aunt Eudora's estate, from her home (and cat!) to her thriving business. Phoebe has fond memories of summers spent with her aunt, hanging out in the bookstore, and learning to mix tea varieties. She's not sure how she'll do now that it's hers, but she's looking forward to the new start. I loved Phoebe's memories of her aunt and the adventurous life she led. I enjoyed seeing Phoebe explore her new surroundings and her puzzlement at some of the things she learned. Not the least was the realization that her aunt's reputation as a witch may have been more literal than the New Age hippy variety that Phoebe initially believed.

Her first encounters with some of her neighbors set the tone for the book. First up is Dierdre, who claims to be a good friend of Eudora's but was warned against by Eudora herself in a letter to Phoebe. After first trying to suck up to Phoebe and offering to buy the properties, she quickly turns angry and insulting when Phoebe firmly refuses those offers. Dierdre doesn't give up and shows up later, accompanied by a big brute of a man, still trying to bully Phoebe into selling. Phoebe later meets the man renting the apartment above the store in a scene that made me laugh out loud. You can see an immediate connection between them, one that is explained when it turns out he is her old childhood friend, Ricky (now Rich). Some flickers of attraction also bode well as a romantic touch. She also meets Amy, who owns the bakery next door, and becomes an instant friend.

Matters become complicated when Phoebe receives a call from the police about a dead body outside the back door of her store. She's disturbed to identify the body as the man who had been with Dierdre and wonders why he'd been behind her store. Does it have something to do with Dierdre's desire to buy the properties? She's determined to do what she can to find out.

This is where some of the magic comes in. Phoebe uses some of her aunt's Truth Be Told tea in a batch of scones, hoping that someone will let something slip after eating one. The first taker is Dierdre, of all people, and the next scene is hilarious. Phoebe decides that maybe she'd best hold off on trying anything else until she's more comfortable with what she can do. Other happenings soon convince Phoebe that Eudora wasn't the only witch in the family. The realization is startling, to say the least, and sends Phoebe looking for answers. Her conversation with Honey at the New Age store was eye-opening and stirred up more questions.

As Phoebe delves more into Eudora's life, she becomes more convinced that she is exactly where she's meant to be. But the questions surrounding the murder stir doubts about whether she can trust her judgment. When she discovers Eudora's long-held secret, she has to decide who she can trust. The final confrontation comes quickly after this discovery. I was on the edge of my seat as Phoebe faced the killer. The resolution was intense, with a unique method of foiling the killer's intentions. The book concludes with a sweet scene between Phoebe and Rick and a hopeful feeling for the future.

Aunt Eudora is a witch but she dies and leaves all her worldly goods and chattels to her niece, Phoebe Winchester. Her niece is now the owner of The Earl’s Study, a bookshop and tearoom, as well as a Victorian mansion with stained glass windows in Raven Creek, Washington. Deidre Miller wants Phoebe to sell the mansion, known as Lane End House to her, but she refuses and then a man is found dead in the back alley of the tearoom...

This tale hooked me in straight away, and Phoebe makes for an intriguing character as well as being level-headed. Bob, the large, inherited orange cat was something of a show stealer. Imogen worked in the shop, originally employed by Aunt Eudora and she remains a shop assistant. Phoebe becomes friendly with Amy who owns the bakery next door. The author sets the scene impressively and I intend to read book two.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Release Date: September 6, 2022

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Phoebe has inherited her Aunt Eudoras (I read this as Endora the entire time) house, shop and cat. Upon moving to Raven Creek Washington to run said shop, phoebe has a dead man on the shops back stoop. When she starts asking questions in town, she finds out there is a lot more to Raven Creek and her beloved aunt that meets the eye.

I am dying to make earl gray shortbread! Ok now that’s out of the way, I really enjoyed this magical new series. The heroine is level headed and intelligent. I assume Deidre is to be the antagonist of the series, as the towns busybody that it’s mean spirited. The other characters were delightful but Bob really stole the show (after all what is a witch without a familiar). I would recommend this book and look forward to the next!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

#steepedtodeath #gretchenrue #bookstagram #cozymysteryseries #netgalleyreads #bookstagram #instareads #crookedlanebooks

Fans of cozy mysteries with a bit of the paranormal, rejoice! Steeped To Death is a wonderful start to a new series set in the Pacific Northwest. Phoebe, newly divorced, has inherited her beloved Aunt Eudora’s Victorian mansion and business in a small town in Washington - the business being a combined bookstore and tea room. Was Eudora a witch of some sort or was it just local kids making up stories about her and her house? Is there something unusual about the custom tea blends that Eudora made (and, thankfully, left instructions for Phoebe to recreate)? Phoebe is introduced to her fellow townspeople, including some friendly and not-so-friendly shopkeepers.

I enjoyed the murder mystery and as things were gradually revealed, we learned more about the history of the town and about Aunt Eudora as well.

Being a tea lover, the special blends had me salivating, along with the descriptions of Phoebe making her daily batch of Earl Grey Tea Shortbread. Luckily the author has included a couple of recipes at the end, including that shortbread recipe. This is one book-recipe I may actually make!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

4.25 Stars

This was an enchanting start to a new mystery series! Main character Phoebe Winchester has just inherited a spooky gothic mansion and cozy tea/bookshop from her Aunt Eudora in Raven Creek, Washington. Yep, I spent a good portion of the book trying to figure out a way to jump inside. My dream! The descriptions of the brews and baked goods were to die for.

The mystery comes into play when a deceased man is found outside Phoebe's store, possibly murdered as he was trying to break in. What was he after, and who wanted him dead? Phoebe also discovers that Eudora was a witch (that tidbit wasn't just a town rumor), and she may have inherited more than just an estate from her dear aunt.

This was an enjoyable read with a little magic, romance, and a solid mystery element. Plus a delightful cat named Bob! I can't wait for the next book. If you love witchy/paranormal cozies be sure to pick this one up.

Some honesty here - I have had a REALLY bad run of new cozy reads. REALLY. BAD. I cannot tell you how many I forced myself to read, or just quit because they were so awful. I have even had a couple of tried and true series that I adore have an epic fail [I know stuff happens and I totally respect the writers; I could never be a writer ever, so that is why I give second and third and and and chances with different series, but I also have to admit is such a letdown when someone that you love writes a substandard book] and I was starting to think that I needed to step away from this genre that I adore and have been reading for years now.

THANKFULLY, this book has restored my faith in a good cozy and I haven't enjoyed a new author/series in a very long time as much as I enjoyed and liked this one. I was explaining to my mom what the book was about and some of the dialogue and she said a couple of time "OH, that sounds like a fun book to read" and since she doesn't really read anymore [she has dementia], this was a big deal [most days she doesn't want to hear about books because it makes her mad that she cannot read anymore].

Phoebe is a great MC and the supporting cast are a wonderful mishmash of characters that make me wish the small town I live in was like Raven Creek - well, minus the murder pleaseandthankyou! ;-)

It is best to go into the book blind [so to speak]. I didn't really know what it was about and that made it all the better [and makes some of the lines both very quotable and HILARIOUS] - sometimes NOT knowing makes for a really great read.

I do have two quibbles and they are tiny: 1. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not have a love triangle. It is bad enough that we have to have a "gorgeous man" who she swoons over, but to add another one to the mix is too much. It is lazy writing IMO and this book is far from that. I certainly hope the author does not go down that road. Please. 2. The rushed reveal. I am not sure why this trope is all of the sudden so popular, but it is so frustrating. I had 20 min left in the book and the reveal was just happening [whoooo, I guess who the killer was too! I was shocked because I guessed for fun!] and it felt rushed and it doesn't make for a good end experience.

And that is it. Two minor things and a MILLION wonderful great things. I am so glad I took a chance on this!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Gretchen Rue, and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Steep to Death is the first book in a brand new witchy, cozy mystery series and I think I am going to enjoy this series a lot!

I loved everything about this book- the mystery, the setting of Raven Creek, the characters, the tea blends 🍵, the bakery goodies 😋and Phoebe Winchester's magical powers. She is supposed to be a probability witch (a rare kind) and from the sneak peak we get in this book, we can look forward to bigger and better scenarios where Phoebe will get to unleash her powers. Since the TV show Supernatural aired, I have a soft spot for the surname Winchester and it is good to see the name again on a new character. If only the demon hunting men and this witch were related....

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author Gretchen Rue for the e-Arc of the book.

The book publishes today!

Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue is the first book in the Witches' Brew Mystery series. What a thoroughly enchanting read! Phoebe Winchester misses her deceased Aunt Eudora who has left her her house, Lane End House, her bookshop/tea store and her cat, Bob. What Phoebe doesn't realize is that she is also her aunt's witch successor. I enjoyed reading about how Phoebe learns she is an actual witch and what her witch abilities are. I also enjoyed reading along as Phoebe investigates a murder and how it relates to her. There's plenty of suspense in the book and the story has a great pace since it is a page-turner. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Phoebe Winchester had arrived in Raven Creek to the home where her Aunt Eudora had lived before her death, and where Phoebe remembered a childhood of happiness. Now she'd inherited the house as well as The Earl's Study, a bookstore/tea shop which Eudora had owned. She also inherited Bob, the orange cat, who would keep her company in the big old house. Phoebe knew her aunt was famous for her teas, the different blends and flavours she would mix and she hoped to continue the tradition.

When the bookshop had only been open a couple of days, a dead body was found in the back alley. It seemed he'd been about to break into Phoebe's shop. The police were in the search for his killer, questioning everyone, when Phoebe discovered not only that Eudora was a witch, she herself had witchy gifts as well. Could Phoebe flesh out the killer? She was discovering astonishing things about her aunt - what else would she find out?

Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue is the 1st in the Witches' Brew Mystery series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A bit of magic, a devilish plot, bad guys, delicious tea and other concoctions - plus recipes at the back! What more could you want? I'm really looking forward to the next in the series and recommend this one highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This was a delightful first to this series. Phoebe has found herself in her old hometown, running her late aunt's tea and book shop. She has also inherited (or at least come in to) her magical side. I love books about witches and about witches who are just starting to learn about their magic. Phoebe has a lot on her plate with running the store, learning her abilities, flirting with the handsome PI upstairs, and fending off the nosy and annoying Dierdre Miller, who seems hell bent on taking her shop. The dead body of a guy she saw trying to break in to her store with Dierdre is found outside her shop. Phoebe starts investigating and learns that there's quite a bit her aunt didn't clue her in on. I enjoyed the characters the coziness of the store. I am looking forward to more in this series.

I have just added this new series to my TBR shelf with enough space to hold many, many entries - fingers crossed that it has a long run. When I read the info on it - small town, tea shop, books, magic and a cat named Bob...I didn't hesitate to read it and I'm glad I did.
For a debut mystery there is, of course, lots to set up for future books but it didn't put a drag on the story. Phoebe has moved to Raven Creek, Washington not far from Seattle, after her Aunt Eudora passes away, leaving Phoebe with her mansion, Lane End House, (a very old beauty) tea room and bookstore named the Earl's Study and Bob, the cat. That is enough of a life change for almost anyone but this one comes with extras, big ones. Aunt Eudora may have been the town witch and her special blends of teas more than the usual beverage to go with your favorite book. That's not all. A local woman (I'm being kind here) is bound and determined to get her hands on Aunt Eudora's house and isn't nice about it. Then the real shocker comes when a dead body is found at the shop's back door. Sounds like the standard cozy, right? Well get your hands on a copy, brew a nice cup of your tea of choice and settle down with Phoebe, Bob and her employees, Daphne and Imogen, to find out what's up in Raven Creek and what the future holds for them. It just my cup of tea. More, please.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.