If you like A good girl's guide to murder then this is the book for you! Keep in mind, this is book 3. I would advise you at least read book one to understand where the story is coming from but this book does a really good job at recapping/reintroducing the characters and what had happened. It is very YA and I did lose interest in the book about a little over half way point. There were just a lot of things that sounded very off to me. Like how Jack gave Alex an ultimatum but then retracted and was like, 'it's not working so I'll just suck it up.' Or how Alex thinks she might be in love with Jack but then drools over Dylan. 🤔

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this early copy for review.

A Brew for Chaos starts off a bit slowly, but quickly builds into a twisty, engaging mystery filled with a wide cast of villains and suspects. The unique premise involving mermaids adds a fresh and magical layer that sets this cozy apart. With surprises throughout and a strong finish, it kept me hooked until the very end. A fun, imaginative read! (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)

“ A Brew for Chaos” by Esme Addison the 3rd instalment in the "An Enchanted Bay Mystery". What a great follow up to the last book, I just love the whole mermaid, magical theme in this series. Pumpkins, craft beer and mermaid magic! Alex Daniels must solve a puzzling serial killer cold case in the magical third Enchanted Bay Mystery, set in a cozy small coastal town.

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it over 2 days. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. The setting of Bellamy Bay was nice and I am a sucker for a cozy set in North Carolina. This series is a favourite and not just cause it centres around mermaids.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends. I am looking forward to book 4!


I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Severn House and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy*

This was a very middle-road kind of mystery book with way too many characters being juggled and far too many elements going on.
It was confusing and kind of boring, I wasn’t overall excited about the cast or the mystery itself.

A Brew for Chaos by Esme Addison is a wonderful magical cozy mystery I really enjoyed.

The characters are well written and the story is wonderful!

This book was super cozy and whimsical! I didn’t realize when I first picked it up that it was the third in a series, so I was slightly confused in some parts where I imagine background context would be very helpful. Despite this, I was still able to fully enjoy the story!! As a kid who used to play mermaids in the pool, I always enjoy a little mermaid magic in my books. I also really enjoyed that this was a fantasy and mystery book all in one! I am definitely adding the first two books to my TBR, and can’t wait to read more in this world! Thank you to Severn House and Esme Addison for the early review copy!

A Brew for Chaos is book three in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series. I haven’t read the first two books in the series but I felt like I was still able to understand what was happening in the story. The book is about a woman who has the mermaid gene and is able to perform some magic, but isn’t a full mermaid. She is solving a mystery in the town of women being abducted by someone named The Fisherman. While there is a lot going on in the story, sometimes too much, it was still a super cozy read. I plan on going back and readying the first two novels to get a little more backstory and see what I missed. I’d rate it 3.5/5 stars! ⭐️

A Brew for Chaos is the 3rd book in this mermaid mystery series by Esme Addison. So much more than just a formulaic cozy mystery, it has deeper themes of family, magic, government conspiracy, complicated histories and romance. I adore this series and it really sucks you into this magical world. Set in Bellamy Bay on the coast we follow Alex who is coming into her mermaid magic.
This book deals with a cold case involving the abduction of a number of young women in the 80's. There's also a craft beer competition that has people fighting over secret recipes leading up to the town's oktoberfest celebrations. There are also the underlying themes of family that have been going through the entire series. I was especially excited to see Alex face her issues with water and reach out to her mother. I can't wait to see where this goes in the next book!

I couldn't put this one down. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy magical cozies, practical magic fans and if you love mermaids.

A Brew for Chaos by Esme Addison is a cozy mystery that blends magic, suspense, and small-town charm, but it left me feeling underwhelmed. While the premise of a secret mermaid descendant solving a cold case in a coastal town has potential, the pacing and character development felt flat. Alex, the protagonist, seems more focused on her blossoming relationship than unraveling the mystery, and the supernatural elements didn’t quite add the spark I was hoping for.

The small-town fall setting and Oktoberfest vibes were a nice touch, but the overall plot was predictable and lacked the intrigue that would make a cozy mystery truly captivating. For fans of the series, it might hit the right notes, but for me, it was a "meh" read.

"A Brew for Chaos (Enchanted Bay Mystery #3)" by Esme Addison is what government conspiracy theories, cozy mysteries and real world style fantasy stories would be if combined. The story is fairly standalone as well. However, now I want to go back to read the first couple books and can't wait for the fourth book.

Alex Daniels is getting the hang of her supernatural abilities she recently discovered she had. Being a genetic mermaid, she has a degree of what she would have if she could actually be a physical mermaid as well. Unfortunately, her familial line has lost the ability to be their water form and as far as they know there aren't any true mermaids left. There's also dragons, mostly in human form. Maybe more things but these are the two mystical creatures mentioned most in the book. Some Caribbean sea witch too. Unfortunately, there seems to be some government testing and weaponizing of magicals that may or may be behind the disappearance of 10 women in the 80's. The primary reporter on the case has more recently been found dead on the beach next to a mysterious woman with amnesia.

Alex isn't supposed to investigate the death. Her police detective boyfriend has threatened to end things with her if she can't keep out of his cases. So, instead, she investigates the case of the missing women. This is were things get government conspiracy crazy. In the book world the government is actually doing the crazy stuff. Things unravel about how I expected them too.

A mermaid descendent??
This book was so fun! The chemistry between the MC Alex and her LI Dylan was amazing! It’s a cosy mystery with light fantasy vibes as Alex tries to navigate life as a genetic mermaid. This was such great fun! Definitely recommend for a fun cosy mystery read!

4.25⭐
A wonderful cozy fantasy/mystery addiction to a favorite series. Since returning to Bellamy Bay in the series, Alex Daniels learns she has a genetic marker that shows she's descended from mermaids. As she explored those implications and magical talents, she connected with relatives and friends for a real community. Here she becomes involved with helping a journalist friend, Pepper, research a serial killer from decades ago called The Fisherman. There are many threads to the plot and my only caveat to the book is the amount of exposition and characters at the beginning left me slightly confused. But don't worry, it is entirely paid off in this entertaining and exciting story. And the bombshell on the final pages has me salivating for the next book. I can't wait!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

A Brew with Chaos by Esme Addison is a magical, cozy mystery full of charm, heart, and just the right touch of chaos. The characters are engaging, the plot is fast-paced, and the witchy vibes are irresistible. A must-read for fans of paranormal cozies!

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and publisher.

This was my second book from this author and I really enjoy her cheerful yet suspenseful prose. I’ve read a book from her other series previously. I didn’t realise this was the third book in a different series. The author has made every effort to make this readable as a standalone, and it succeeds, but I did feel I would have benefitted from reading the books in order so I could understand the character relationships and history in more depth.

That aside, this does work as an investigative mystery in its own right. I stumbled a little at the start but the second half was completely gripping. We have a case that uncovers recent and historical horrors and brutal treatment of women that rocks this small town. I don’t want to give too much away on the plot to avoid spoilers but I found this mystery had great depth and intrigue.

I really enjoy this author and will be continuing to read more from her.

A Brew for Chaos is a fun, magical romp full of clever witches, snappy dialogue, and just the right amount of chaos. Esme Addison’s writing is witty and lighthearted, making this a perfect cozy fantasy when you want something upbeat but still packed with adventure.
I loved the quirky characters and the fast-paced plot, it kept me entertained from start to finish. If you’re into magical mishaps and lovable, flawed heroes, this one’s a great pick.

Book Review: A Brew for Chaos by Esme Addison. Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that wraps you up like your favorite fall sweater and still manages to stir in magic, romance, and an old-fashioned whodunit, A Brew for Chaos delivers in spades. This book is the third in Esme Addison’s Enchanted Bay Mystery series, but I jumped in here without having read the first two, and I never once felt lost. That’s a testament to Addison’s storytelling—accessible, immersive, and warm with just enough bite. It’s everything I want in a seasonal read: a charming small-town setting, magic that feels rooted in nature and legacy, and a mystery that gradually pulls you under, page by page.

We follow Aleksandra Daniels—Alex to most—a woman still finding her place in Bellamy Bay, a North Carolina coastal town where she’s returned to live with her aunt and cousin and help run their herbal apothecary. Alex isn’t your average amateur sleuth. She’s smart, grounded, and intuitive—and she also happens to be descended from mermaids. The magical abilities passed down through her bloodline are subtle and elemental, not flashy or exaggerated, which makes the story feel more real despite its fantasy framework. Addison leans into this folkloric magic without overexplaining it, which I appreciated. Alex’s powers are tied to water, memory, and intuition—fitting for someone who’s always uncovering secrets.

The story opens during the crisp, golden days of early fall. Bellamy Bay is buzzing with preparations for Oktoberfest and a big local craft beer competition, and Alex is hoping to enjoy the season peacefully—maybe go on a few dates with her boyfriend Jack, drink some cider, and continue practicing her magic without too much disruption. But of course, that’s not how it goes.

Her friend Pepper, an ambitious local journalist, starts looking into the decades-old case of a serial killer known as The Fisherman. Ten women vanished without a trace in the 1980s, and the case has haunted Bellamy Bay ever since. When Pepper’s boss Jonah is found dead on the beach—alongside a mysterious woman who seems to have lost her memory—Alex’s instinct kicks in. She tries to stay on the sidelines, but the pull of the mystery and her magical sensitivity won’t let her sit this one out.

What follows is a layered, surprisingly emotional mystery that brings in themes of memory, trauma, legacy, and trust. Addison weaves all these pieces together with skill, keeping the pace tight while giving us space to breathe in the cozy details of Alex’s world. I especially loved the apothecary scenes, where the textures of herbs and tea blends mirror the magical undercurrent of the town itself. And the way the natural world reacts to magic here—water pulsing, weather shifting—is quietly thrilling.

Now, let’s talk about the love triangle. Or maybe it’s more of a slow unraveling. Alex is dating Jack, the local detective. On paper, he’s steady and dependable. In practice, he’s frustrating. Jack doesn’t fully accept or understand Alex’s magic, and his protectiveness often comes off as control. There’s a sense that he’s not quite willing to see Alex for who she truly is. Then there’s Dylan, a mysterious newcomer with dragon ancestry (yes, really), who respects Alex’s power and doesn’t flinch when things get weird. Their chemistry simmers, and while nothing overtly romantic happens yet, Addison gives us some seriously swoon-worthy moments. One line in particular stuck with me: “With Dylan, she didn’t have to explain herself. Her magic didn’t scare him—it called to him.” That line gave me chills.

This isn’t a book about epic magical battles or elaborate fantasy systems. It’s a book about women navigating identity, family, secrets, and survival. The mystery of The Fisherman is deeply unsettling, especially when whispers of past experiments, genetic mutations, and possible government cover-ups enter the mix. There’s a sci-fi edge beneath the cozy surface, and it works surprisingly well. Addison handles the darker elements with care, never letting the book lose its warm, comforting core.

The ending is both satisfying and open. Questions are answered, but not all. The final chapter delivers an emotional punch and sets the stage for the next book in a way that made me want to message Addison directly and ask when I can get it. There’s also a moment involving Jack’s mother that’s handled beautifully, showing how memory and magic are tied in ways that are both literal and symbolic.

If I had one critique, it’s that some side characters—like Minka and Lidia—could’ve used a little more time on the page. Their presence is felt, but I wanted to know them better. There’s so much richness to explore in this world, and I hope Addison keeps expanding it.

A Brew for Chaos is what I’d call a soft fantasy mystery—it’s gentle in tone, but rich in atmosphere and meaning. It’s cozy, yes, but it’s also smart, emotional, and quietly powerful. Fans of Sarah Addison Allen, Heather Webber, and Ellery Adams will feel right at home here. The story is ultimately about finding your voice, even when others don’t understand it, and trusting your instincts even when the world tells you not to.

I closed the book feeling a little more hopeful, a little more enchanted, and already nostalgic for Bellamy Bay. Addison has built something special here, and I’m so glad I stumbled into it.

A Brew for Chaos is the third book in the Enchanted Bay series by Esme Addison. This is the perfect small town cozy fantasy mystery.

Our main character Alex is a mermaid descendant who works in her family’s apothecary in Bellamy Bay. While she may want to lay low, her journalist friend, Pepper, revisits an old cold case and then a new body ends up turning up, Alex ends up trying to solve the mystery.

I thought this book was super cute and I really enjoyed it. I had not realized this was the third book in the series but I felt like that did not hinder my reading experience at all. While Alex is dating her detective boyfriend Jack, I felt like Jack was holding Alex back from her full potential. He looks down upon Alex’s kind so I did not care much for him. However, I loved the chemistry between Alex and Dylan, a dragon. Excited to see where that leads in the next book. I thought the murder mystery aspect was really well structured and had me on my toes trying to figure out who did it. I liked the ending of this book and it has be anxiously waiting for the next book to come out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with an ARC for my honest review.

3.75
This booked peaked my interest But I couldn’t get past the fact that it is categorized as a cozy mystery and to me it shouldn’t be. Cozies are typically lighthearted. Sure there is a murder or two but they still manage to be light. This was dark. There was tortured and experimentation of women and mermaids. I deducted a half a star for that.
I enjoyed the cozy setting. There is alot of fall descriptions. Like if apple cider items. It’s set at the beach. They have a cute apothecary shop. I enjoyed the chemistry between Dylan and Alex. This book kept my interest but it was predictable at times. It is worth a read. If you enjoy fantasy and mysteries you might enjoy this.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A brew for chaos is a fun fantasy mystery story set in Bellamy Bay. I loved the folklore elements of the story, fantasy books can get very samey so I enjoyed that the fantasy element was different to other popular books. I wish we’d have more of the mermaid folklore expanded but I suspect that’ll come in book 4 after that cliffhanger.

Sadly I didn’t quite gel with the book, I’d hoped for a cosy mystery but it read more like a TV soap opera. Honestly it was like reading an adult version of H2O! I like that in books you can suspend disbelief but the whole government side of this combined with handily having rich people around who just happen to be able to get any information felt too far fetched.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC!

I can sum up what I think of this book in one word: MagicalFantasticBrilliantExcitingPerfection! I read far into the night because I couldn’t stop reading until I finished. A Brew For a Chaos starts out as, what I thought originally, a good Cozy Mystery. It evolved into so much more.

I love the characters, especially the tight-knit Sobieski women. They are a strong family unit, even when there are arguments and disagreements. I really enjoyed the character of Maisie, Detective Jack’s mother. And the big villain had me completely fooled!

The essentials of a great mystery are all in this book: tight plotting, inciting incident, murder (off the page), strong pacing, plot twists, red herrings, all in a lovely little coastal town I want to live in.

There were so many twists and turns that at one point I actually whisper-shouted “OMG!” and scared the cat when a shocking clue was revealed…but you have to read the book to find out what it is. Oh, and the very end gave me goosebumps - now I can’t wait for the next book!

I honestly loved everything about this book. It’s definitely going on my keeper shelf. Brava, Esme Addison!

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read the book. I am happy to leave my very honest and enthusiastic review.