Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliot is the beginning of a new series by this popular author. Shay Myers has returned home. Her life had fallen apart on her and at the same time she had received an unanticipated inheritance, so she came. Her parents had been dead for years, killed in an accident, and her sister’s family lived in the old family home. Things had changed and yet, remained the same. She is meeting, Julia, the realtor who is handling her inheritance: Crystals and CuriosiTEAS, across the street. It was a jumbled mess, and she couldn’t tell fortunes. Would she be able to turn it into the tea shop she envisioned. And why had Bridget left it to her to start with? She was thrilled to learn she’s also been left Bridget’s cottage on the shore. One of ten, they had the best ocean view in town. Now all she needed was help, which came in the form of a teenager who had waited on her earlier. It turned out she’d quit her job and had been a friend of Bridget’s. She knew quite a bit about the shop and was a wizard at organizing and getting things ready to be donated or sold. Bridget had collected a lot.

The whole thing turned into a mystery as Shay discovered more about Bridget and why she’d left her things to Shay; also why she had disappeared and died, which turned out to be murder. Shay’s life was rebuilding and she didn’t even notice. Her relationship with her sister was becoming more, as well. She was growing to love this little town, Bridget’s dog, and another of the merchants, Liam, who had quite the reputation as a ladies’ man. She could see why. Tassi, her helper, proved to be indispensable as did Bridget’s diaries, which taught her all about teas and reading tea leaves. It was quite the first book, which is always difficult because the entire premise of the series needs to be established. Elliot has done a masterful job. I look forward to the next installment.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Steeped in Secrets by Kensington, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Kensington#LaurenElliott #SteepedInSecrets

Oh, goodie! Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington, i have discovered a new to me author and a brand new series. I'm already excited about Book #2!

Lauren Elliott, author of the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mysteries, launches a new series with Steeped in Secrets. It features a likable heroine, an appealing supportive cast, and paranormal elements, including one of the most interesting dogs I’ve come across recently in a mystery. Spirit, a white German Shepherd, is actually the one who provides the most support for Shay Meyers, the amateur sleuth.

Shay is broke and divorced. Her husband swindled her out of her gemstone and jewelry company, and ruined her reputation in the gem business. Now, she’s back home in Bray Harbor on California’s Monterey Peninsula to learn why she inherited a New Age tea and crystals shop from a woman she didn’t really know. She hasn’t even told her sister, Jen, about her inheritance yet. Bridget Early disappeared, and her body washed up on the beach by the pier a month later. She left her shop to Shay. The lawyer didn’t tell Shay she also left her one of the historic beach cottages.

Before the realtor can even show her around the shop, they find a body on the roof. The local sheriff immediately arrests Liam Madigan, owner of the pub next door. It’s Shay’s brother-in-law, Deputy Dean Philips, who tells her Liam is actually one of the good guys, a deputy for ten years with the San Francisco Police Department who helped to bring down six dirty cops there and send them to prison. But, the local sheriff hates him, and does everything he can to make Liam’s life miserable. Shay has a feeling, though, that Liam isn’t a killer.

Shay hasn’t yet learned to rely on her feelings. But, Bridget, an Irish seer from County Clare, left the shop to Shay for several reasons. It’s just one of the secrets in Bray Harbor. With Liam’s help, the assistance of a teenager who idolized Bridget, and Spirit’s sensory gifts, Shay will have to learn to trust her gifts. And, she’s going to have to learn to trust Bridget’s own instincts if she’s to find answers and a killer.

Steeped in Secrets is a compelling mystery, if you’re a fan of paranormal cozies, as I am. Spirit welcomes Shay to her new career, and the reader into the secrets of Bray Harbor. The book leaves possibilities for future storylines that I won’t go into without spoiling the current mystery. But, anyone who reads the book will see the potential. I’m looking forward to the second in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS series.

What a great start to a new cozy series! I had a charming setting, a great cast, a few different mysteries to solve and even a touch of magic.

I loved the coastal California town of Bray Harbor. From the cute waterfront cottages to the small businesses scattered around town, it just sounded like a wonderful place to visit. I would definitely stop by the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS shop and possibly ask if they were hiring. Loved watching Shay transform it into a teashop. I look forward to watching her learn more about growing, drying and brewing her blends. I also need more scenes in that dreamy rooftop greenhouse!

My favorite character was the flirtatious next door pub owner, Liam. Loved his Irish charm and I'm curious to see if his past weaves its way into future storylines. I really liked Tassi and hope she becomes a regular. I also liked Shay's BIL, Dean. The star of the book is clearly Spirit, a white German Shepherd who is quite the protector and seems to live up to his name.

The numerous mysteries were all captivating. You get to solve two murders, figure out why Shay received such a generous inheritance, and crack the case on a wanted fugitive. I had the main culprit pegged, but was shocked with the twist and reasoning behind the crimes.

The paranormal aspects were lights and unique. I liked that it touched on a bit of Irish folklore. It will be interesting watching Shay discover her new found gifts. I'm interested in seeing her learn more about reading tea leaves in order to help crack future cases.

The book ended introducing two new characters and another family mystery so the next book is already set up nicely. Can't wait to read more!! I received an ARC from @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks - all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC and audiobook.


Description from NetGalley:
Even with her life in ruins in New Mexico, Shay feels uneasy about settling into the small seaside town where she grew up on California's Monterey Peninsula, and taking over an estate bequeathed to her by Bridget Early, a woman she had barely known. Her heightened senses—an empathic gift she's had since childhood—go into overdrive upon touring Crystals & CuriosiTEAS, Bridget's eclectic tea and psychic shop brimming with Irish lore and Celtic symbols. They reach a boiling point when Shay looks up to discover a stranger's body sprawled across the shop's greenhouse roof . . .

With her new business a crime scene and questions brewing over Bridget's so-called accidental death, Shay fears she's also inherited the attention of a killer. The terrifying realization sets her on an impractical investigation for answers aided by her sister, an elusive pure-white German Shepherd, a strikingly handsome pub owner who speaks in a gentle brogue, and a misunderstood young woman with perceptive talents of her own. As Shay struggles to figure out her true purpose in Bray Harbor and the powerful connection she has with the tea shop, she must trust her judgment above all else to identify a ruthless murderer and save herself from becoming victim number three.

I’m a fan of cozies. I love the troupes that are here. I wasn’t drawn into the story like I normally am when I sit down for a cozy read. I’m still curious enough to perhaps pick up the next one.

Overall: 3/5

Book 1 of a new series and I greatly enjoyed it. There were quite a few mysteries in this, some solved and some unsolved, but all of them were well crafted and reels you in. The characters are all unique, but don’t have too much depth to them; perhaps that will change as the series progresses. Overall though, a well written start to the series!

Shayleigh's life was turned upside down by her ex-husband stealing her business and cheating on her. She has an unexpected inheritance in her hometown and returns to find out she's been left with a business and a cottage from a stranger.

But as the secrets come out. Shay finds out more about the woman who left her and herself. I really enjoyed this book. I was able to discern who the killer was in the beginning but the other secrets were so good I had to keep reading. I'm so excited that this is a new series and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley for early access to this title in exchange for an honest review.
Steeped in Secrets is a new cozy mystery from Lauren Elliott featuring Shay Myers as our protagonist. Shay is returning to her childhood home of Bray Harbor after a 16-year absence due to a mysterious inheritance plus a nasty divorce. When Shay finds a body in the shop that has been left to her the questions just keep coming not just about the current situation but also her past.
This novel was a delightful read that kept me questing the whole time. Shay’s quest for answers along with the day-to-day reality of getting re-settled held my attention so that at no point did the pacing lag. I thoroughly enjoyed all the other characters that flushed out the cast, especially Tassi, her shop assistant, and Liam, her Irish ex-cop turned pub owner next door neighbor possible love interest. I will say that the muddy story about whether Liam is taken or not was the one detractor for me if only because it would jolt me out of the story a bit. Overall, a fantastic start to a new cozy mystery series.

Lauren Elliott’s new Steeped in Secrets is as warm and magical as it is mysterious.


I think I’m in love with just one book. Steeped in Secrets, the first book of the Crystals and CuriosiTEAS Mystery series by Lauren Elliott. Starting with the beautiful setting of Bray Harbour, California, a cozy little coastal town in the Monterey Peninsula. Then we have Shay. A woman, returning home after being robbed of everything by her now ex-husband, who not only ruined their marriage, but also her business as well. Her return to Bray Harbor comes with a little mystery herself. She has been bequeathed an estate from a woman that she barely knew. Then the secrets just start pouring out from there. I will admit it sounds like a hot mess but once you start reading it all comes together into a beautiful and magical story.

She quickly sees that the mysteries are piling up. From why she was left the estate, to a dead body found in the greenhouse on her roof to the secrets that keep on failing themselves, just as she thinks she’s got an answer to one of the previous secrets.
With the help and guidance of a beautiful, white German shepherd named, Spirit, a misunderstood teen, who may just understand things more than what most realize, and an Irish gentleman who believes in fairies, Shea begins to navigate her way through one mystery after the other.

Lauren Elliott has truly made a magical story with Steeped in Secrets. I eagerly wait to see what is going to happen with Shay.

Steeped in Secrets (A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery) is the first book in a fascinating new cozy mystery series by Lauren Elliott. I've enjoyed previous books by Elliott, so I was really excited to read this one. I have to say, it did not disappoint in any way.

Shay is back in her hometown after receiving an unexpected inheritance - a mystical teahouse and curiosities shop. As a licensed gemologist, she has no idea how to run a teahouse but things being as they are (namely Shay being broke after a disastrous marriage and divorce), she's considering giving it a go. Until she and her assistant find a body on the roof of her greenhouse. Now she's not so sure. But as the sheriff isn't rushing to solve the case, Shay decides to look into the mystery herself. Can she find out whodunit, stay safe, and solve the additional mystery of her unexpected inheritance? Read and see.

As stated above, I was very excited to read Steeped in Secrets. I enjoyed it very much. The characters are fun and interesting and fairly relatable. I thought the storyline was intriguing, especially with the underlying hint of Irish mysticism. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing/Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Steeped in Secrets is book #1 in the A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery series by Lauren Elliott.

Shay Myers moves back to her hometown, Bray Harbor. She’s not sure about it, but she is the beneficiary of an estate of someone she barely knew. Then when she see’s a body, she gets pulled into the mystery.

I really enjoy Lauren Elliott’s books, so I wasn’t surprised that I liked this one as well. The premise of the inheritance was interesting. Seeing Shay struggle and try to rebuild her life in Bray Harbor kept my attention as did the mystery. I would think I knew who the murderer was but then a twist would happen and I would change my suspect. I was surprised by the ending. I look forward to seeing what is in store for Shay.

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

I decided to request a new cozy mystery for this month because I was too lazy to look for something else. Luckily, Steeped in Secrets, the first Crystals and CuriosiTEAS mystery by Lauren Elliott, was available. It was released from Kensington Books on November 29th. As usual, I must thank them and NetGalley for allowing me access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Let’s get to it!

Steeped in Secrets follows Shay Myers as she returns home broke and baffled. After her husband swindles her out of everything she’s built for herself, Shay discovers she’s inherited an old tea shop and more from a woman she barely knew as a child. With no alternative, Shay goes to see what she’s gotten herself into. But a dead body on the greenhouse roof throws even more turmoil into her life. There’s a dog and a hot ex-cop turned pub owner and friends from childhood being far too shifty and family secrets to spice up the plot even more.

Plot wise, it’s not bad, but it could’ve been better. There’s really only one person the baddie could’ve been, which I was fine with. I don’t mind an obvious villain as long as the story is good. But it was one of those things where he randomly shows up and has little to nothing to do until poof! He’s evil! That was disappointing. Plus, his whole background story is convoluted and comes out of nowhere. It’s like the first three quarters of the book were leading somewhere a little more mundane and believable, but someone said that was boring, so instead of rewriting the whole thing to weave everything together, the author just chopped the ending off and added this one. It just didn’t feel natural.

The characters, on the other hand, were fabulous. I enjoyed Shay as a lead and her reactions to everything were mostly relatable or at least believable. Her whole mottle monster thing when she was embarrassed or whatever was adorable. I still find Liam a little creepy. But that’s mostly because I find all super extroverted people creepy. There’s no way I would let a dude I just met come and go from my house as he pleases. I don’t care how helpful and hot he is. Learn to knock, my dude. And Tassi was a cute character with a lot of potential. Everyone else is still pretty flat, but hopefully they’ll grow in future book. Oh, and I adored the dog as usual.

I thought the writing itself was nice. It flowed well and made for a quick read. I’m hoping to learn more about tea and crystals in future books, but I also don’t want to be inundated with information. It has the potential to be annoying and infodump-y, but this particular book didn’t overdo it.

Ultimately, I thought Steeped in Secrets could use some work. But I liked the characters enough that I’ll probably check out the next one just to see if the plot’s better.

Overall, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. The series has potential if the plots get better, but based strictly on this story, I don’t strongly recommend it. If you’re into cozies and hints of supernatural stuff, go for it. If not, save your money.

Fantastic way to start off a new series. Steeped in Secrets is a Cozy Mystery with depth and a touch of magic with Celtic influence.

This story gripped me from the beginning with a detailed setting, engaging plot and characters that I have felt like I've known for years.

I highly recommend the audiobook as the narrator is a great storyteller with engaging accents.

Well THIS was an extremely pleasant surprise.

I was NOT a fan of the previous Lauren Elliott book I read. Not even remotely. So I was hesitant when I saw this. Then, after listening to the audiobook sample on NG [THAT was the biggest draw initially] and looking at a couple of reviews and really looking at the book description, I decided to give it a try, and I have to say, I was not even remotely disappointed.

This is an excellent paranormal cozy with a great story-line and has some really excellent characters [I really like Shay and Tassie, they work well together and Tassie is the perfect teenage, attitude and all, but with a heart of gold. She just needs some care and tenderness] and I spent most of the book wondering just WHO THE HECK the killer could be [I was surprised, though the why was clear before the killer was] and unlike quite a few of the new books I have read this year, this reveal left me with my hands clenched and heart racing and it was very satisfying [and was NOT even remotely rushed at the last 5 minutes of the book, which was a HUGE plus for me as well], but it also leaves you wondering just how much more of the story needs to unfold [with more books on the horizon I certainly hope] and though it is not a cliffhanger, it does leave you wanting more. Which is not a bad thing. IMO.

I really liked the paranormal aspect of this book as well - I know absolutely nada about palm and tea readings, or psychics so some of the stuff that happens I didn't understand, but it didn't take away from the story at all, it just intrigues me. It is not a major part of the story in this book [though it is woven throughout the story so you are not bashed over the head with it in one go], so it gives you time to adjust if you know little about that world and none of it ever feels forced or fake. Shay is as clueless as I am and it was fun to learn along with her.

I really enjoyed this one and am really, really, looking forward to book 2. Sometimes, taking a chance on something really pays off.

I also had the opportunity to receive an audiobook ARC for this book and I had a chance to listen to a sample of this audiobook before requesting it, so I knew going in that I didn't HATE the narrator [LOL], but I was unprepared for just how much I really ENJOYED this narrator [if you listen in the cozy world, you know that a really great narrator is VERY VERY rare - there are some and let me tell you, I lock in on them and look for other things they narrate because I like them so much and Stephanie Richardson has just been added to that list]. She does an excellent job narrating this story and all its weirdness and made both the story and the mystery very believable. Well done Ms. Richardson, very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Elliott, Stephanie Richardson - Narrator, Kensington Books and RB Media for proving the book and audiobook ARCS in exchange for an honest review.

A view from a Readers' Advisory librarian:

Steeped in Secrets is the first in a new supernatural cozy mystery series about a down-on-her-luck woman who inherits a tea shop, mysteriously surrounded by a spate of murder and ambiguous recent deaths. Fresh off of a recent divorce to a man who ruined her career, latent clairvoyant Shay Myers returns home to the small coastal town of Bray Harbor to figure out what she wants to do with the tea and psychic reading shop she inherited from a surprising benefactor. As much of the book is given over to Shay's romantic attraction to Liam, the Irish immigrant owner of the pub next door (and general source of knowledge about faery magic and Celtic tradition that fuels Shay's mystical connection). She's also guided in her investigation of the criminal activity around her by a pure-white haired German shepherd named Spirit, whose uncanny abilities to sense danger and find clues form a large part of the investigative journey; Steeped in Secrets isn't quite a pet themed cozy, but it does have elements that may appeal to readers in that subgenre.

This is a an evenly paced read that takes its time to get to know the characters. Characters are passion-driven, and certainly not conflict averse; readers looking for calm or collected characters in their cozies may want to look elsewhere, but those interested in some light soap operatic interpersonal drama with flaring passions will find much to love here—as secrets related to hidden parentage, sibling drama, a clandestine lover, international criminals, and of course murder, all feature in the story. This is a cozy, so character arcs and plot threads are set into place that are sure to pay off in future installments. A solid first entry in a new series.

Steeped In Secrets is the first book in the A Crystals And CurioiTEAS Mystery series by Lauren Elliott.

Steeped in Secrets is a great start for this new series.

Shay Myers, swindled out of her gem and jewelry business by her ex, has packed her belongings and is headed for her hometown of Bray Harbor. She had recently learned that she had inherited Bridget Early’s business, Crystals & CuriosiTies, a psychic and tea shop.

Upon arriving at Bray Harbor, Shay meets with Julia, a realtor, to get the keys to her inherited business; she also learns that Bridget’s beach-front cottage will also be hers. Liam, a retired policeman and owner of the pub next door, comes over to introduce himself and invites her to check out his patio on the roof of his building. Later she decides to visit the patio and discovers a man's dead body on the top of the greenhouse of her building. The local sheriff has it in for Liam and closes the pub and tea shop until he finds evidence that Liam is the murderer. Fortunately, Shay’s brother-in-law is a deputy and will prove extremely helpful in helping her find the true killer. Shay has little knowledge of tea or reading tea leaves as Bridget did, but she knows about gems. Shay ignores the repeated offers of Julia’s offer to sell her shop and cottage. Shay soon hires her childhood friend, Joanne’s niece, Tassi, to help organize the shop. Tassi had spent time in the shop with Bridget and feels they could make a go of the business between them. Shay has also inherited Bridget’s white German Shepherd named Spirit, who seems to know what to do to help protect Shay.

I enjoyed this first book in this new series. The story is well-written and plotted. There were red herrings with twists and turns that I was kept guessing until the final reveal. The characters were well-developed and entirely believable.
I’m looking forward to seeing if Shay can learn more about Bridget’s death.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this delightful series.

This is a 3.5 star review. I really enjoy this authors Beyond the Page series but this one missed the mark for me. Shay has returned to her hometown after a bad divorce and learning she has inherited a cottage and tea shop. While touring her new shop a body is discovered on the roof. The pub next door has been shut down due to the investigation and owned by Liam. Her brother in law is a deputy and friend to Liam and the three of them set out to solve the crime. This is the first book in the series and there is a lot going on. Shay is not only trying to solve murder but she is also uncovering family secrets. The actual mystery seems like an after thought. I liked the town, some of the supporting characters and the tea shop background. I really liked Tassi, her young assistant and Spirit the dog. The mystery was easy to solve and their were no real surprises. The paranormal and faerie folklore were not developed enough to be interesting. Overall is was just an OK read

I love the start of cozy mystery series! The first book has the big lift of world building; introducing us to characters, setting and sleuthing skills. In this book Shay has returned to her hometown, broke & divorced, after inheriting Crystals & CuriosiTEAS from a woman she barely even knew.

What I liked:
🫖The magical elements, crystals & tea leaf reading
🫖Spirit, the German Shepard
🫖Small town, coastal California setting
🫖Multiple deaths & mysteries being investigated
🫖Liam, pub owner next door

Final thoughts: This was an excellent first book in the series and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Thank you @netgalley @kensingtonbooks and @tantoraudio for #gifted copies of this book. I alternated between listening and reading this book and enjoyed both formats. The narrator in the audiobook was excellent and really brought the book to life.

After Shay's marriage and career implodes, she finds the perfect opportunity to start over when she inherits a cottage, a shop, and a dog Spirit in her home town from a woman she barely knew. Things get even more complicated when Shay finds a body on her greenhouse roof. Liam, who owns the pub next door, quickly becomes the sheriff's prime suspect, and Shay's brother-in-law, a deputy, is determined to find the real killer. Shay begins to think her benefactor Bridget might have met with foul play and that there is more to their connection than she first thought.

I really enjoyed STEEPED IN SECRETS and think it holds a lot of promise to be a longrunning, entertaining series. It is well written, and the variety of characters is well drawn and interesting. Shay is an appealing protagonist, smart and eager. Liam is my favorite as he brings a lot of Irish color to the tale. Spirit the mysterious German Shepherd is a wonderful addition sure to please all of the animal loving readers out there. The mystery moves along at a consistent pace and the clues unfold to reveal an exciting conclusion.

STEEPED IN SECRETS is a stellar debut, and I cannot wait to read more in this charming series.

I received an ARC of this title from the author and Kensington Books and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

This was an enjoyable read with many of the standard cozy mystery tropes. That said, I am not interested enough to pick it up as another series I start reading.