Phoebe Winchester's beloved Aunt Eudora has a taste for adventure--and a knack for making magical tea. It's even rumored that she just might be a witch. So when Eudora passes away and leaves everything to her niece--her Victorian mansion, her bookshop/tea store The Earl's Study, and one very chubby orange cat named Bob--Phoebe gets more than she bargained for. And she knows she's in deep when a dead man is found on the shop's back step, apparently killed while trying to break in. Two suspects immediately emerge among the ...
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Phoebe Winchester's beloved Aunt Eudora has a taste for adventure--and a knack for making magical tea. It's even rumored that she just might be a witch. So when Eudora passes away and leaves everything to her niece--her Victorian mansion, her bookshop/tea store The Earl's Study, and one very chubby orange cat named Bob--Phoebe gets more than she bargained for. And she knows she's in deep when a dead man is found on the shop's back step, apparently killed while trying to break in. Two suspects immediately emerge among the townspeople of Raven Creek, Washington. There's village busybody Dierdre Miller, who seems desperate to buy Eudora's house, and handsome PI Rich, one of Phoebe's childhood friends--but how well does she really know him after all these years apart? Phoebe knows she should leave it to the professionals, but as she starts to dig into the underbelly of Raven Creek, she begins to uncover the truth about Eudora. What's more, her aunt might not have been the only witch in the family: Phoebe soon discovers she has unique and unexpected gifts of her own. Now it's just a matter of putting her newfound power to the test and cast a spell that could catch a killer...
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Phoebe Winchester has come to Raven Creek, Washington following the death of her dear Aunt Endora. Endora was a woman who loved life and was always up for adventure. She was also well known for making "magical tea". Endora has left her mansion, tea/book shop, and Bob, her huge orange cat to Phoebe. Her shop, The Earl's Study was her pride and joy. Phoebe just hopes to be able to keep the place going for a long time as her aunt has wished. Finding a dead body in the alley was not part of her business plan.
Phoebe is also dealing with the town's busybody, Dierdre Miller, who is trying to get her to sell both the shop and her home so she can leave Raven Creek and get on with her life. Phoebe has no desire to sell or leave. In fact, she thinks the pressure the woman is putting on her to sell is pretty fishy especially when Phoebe believes she is involved with the man that was murdered.
When Phoebe mixes up, bakes, and serves her first batch of scones using her aunt's precious ingredients she is surprised by what happens after Dierdre takes her first bite. There had been rumors that Endora may have been an actual witch so maybe her ingredients are still filled with magic. Or maybe, she may not have been the only one in the family with a special gift.
The information she gets from Dierdre makes Phoebe start her own investigation to find out who the deceased was?, and why he was at The Earl's Study. Who killed him? And why? She also wants to see if she really does have magical powers and if those powers can help her sweep the killer straight into jail.
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What a fun start for this series. Endora, a perfect name for a witch right, Agnes Morehead popped into my mind immediately. Thankfully the Endora in the story was a kind and giving witch and not conniving and up to mischief witch like the television Endora. Story Endora loved her niece so much and cared so much about all the people in her life. She also was welcoming to people needing a second chance. She did have her secrets though but true to form she made arrangements for those secrets to be revealed to Phoebe at the proper time. The murder hastened her timetable.
Phoebe loved her aunt and spent many summers with her when she was growing up and made some friends in Raven Creek. She was heartbroken that it had been some time since she had seen her aunt or the friends she had made. It was funny that it took a little prodding for her to recognize those friends though and she didn't know if she could still trust them like she had all those years ago. I really enjoyed all the interactions she had with everyone as she tried to find her place in the town while trying to find out if one of them was the killer. She was easy to connect with and someone whose life I was happy to escape into.
The mystery was very well-plotted especially for the first book in the series when the author has to introduce all the characters and she did that well too. Ms. Rue sets a brisk pace with twists, turns, and secrets revealed. The author took time to set each scene making it easy to envision them in my mind's eye. I had a couple of people in my sights as the guilty party but the reveal completely caught me off guard and let me tell you the pages were flying as a true showdown played out.
Steeped to Death is a lighthearted paranormal mystery filled with engaging characters that I can't wait to revisit. I loved the cozy bookstore/tea shop setting as well as the mansion. Phoebe's whole inheritance was quite interesting. Ms. Rue blends in plenty of humor with her mystery and daily life in Raven Creek. I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.
Kristina
Sep 28, 2022
An enchanting whodunit!
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.
