Death by a Thousand Sips

by Gretchen Rue Narrated by Kristin Price

Overview

Ever since she moved to Raven Creek, Washington, Phoebe Winchester knew she would have to grow accustomed to having a lot on her plate. She's beginning to make the Victorian manor she inherited from her dear and adventurous Aunt Eudora feel more like home, successfully running the bookstore and tea shop, The Earl's Study, and learning to harness her recently discovered magical powers. But when she discovers a dead body at an estate sale, even Phoebe wonders if this is simply too much. Rumors of Phoebe's involvement force her to take action; she needs to find the killer and clear her own name, once again. She enlists Rich Lofting, the handsome private detective and her childhood friend, in her investigation, all while she sorts out her unresolved feelings for him. Is there something more sinister lurking in the shadows of this small tight-knit town? And does Phoebe really want to find out? With a dash of magic, a pinch of sleuthing skills, and a spoonful of friendly assistance, Phoebe needs to uncover the killer to keep Raven Creek safe once again. But if she doesn't, will she find herself in even more hot water?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for Death by a Thousand Sips:
“Heavy on recipes, cats, and other such details that will delight.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“[A] charming, magical cozy.”
—Booklist

“Fans of paranormal cozies will enjoy the sequel.”
—Library Journal

“Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from first page to last, Death by a Thousand Sips is a cozy mystery reader's delight from cover to cover.”
—Midwest Book Review

“Fans of small town mysteries, with quirky characters, a little witchcraft, and a fun cat named Bob, will enjoy this one.”
—Red Carpet Crash

“A cozy mystery with a hint of witchery is a great combination and Rue makes it impossible to put down.”
—Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

Praise for Steeped to Death:
“A compelling debut with a mature amateur sleuth, a solid supporting cast, and a cat to rival Miranda James’s Diesel. For readers who enjoy the paranormal elements in Juliet Blackwell’s and Bree Baker’s cozies.”
—Library Journal, starred review

“[A] sprightly debut and series launch . . . A lovable cat, plenty of tea, enticing recipes, and more are sure to please cozy fans. Rue is off to a good start.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Delightful . . . Blends the perfect brew of mystery and magic with hints of romance, charm, and a cat named Bob.”
—Manhattan Book Review, 5-star review

“[A] cleverly written cozy.”
—Gumshoe Review

“Gretchen Rue proves she can concoct a clever tea mystery filled with warmth and whimsy.”
—Laura Childs, New York Times bestselling author
 
“A story that will fit you to a “tea” from page one, Gretchen Rue has crafted a cozy that will warm your heart, keep you reading late into the night, and leave you wishing for a little magic of your own. Don’t miss this one!”
—Paige Shelton, New York Times bestselling author

“A fantastic series debut, this twisty mystery has all the cozy goodness – baked goods, enchanted tea blends, a bookstore, a fat orange cat, a charming small town full of quirky characters, and a witchy heroine who’s funny, smart, and strong. Just my cup of tea!”   
—Bailey Cates, New York Times bestselling author of the Magical Bakery Mysteries.

“From the first page to the last, Steeped to Death puts the cozy in cozy mystery. I can't wait to revisit Raven Creek to see what's in store for our intrepid heroine and her cast of quirky shop owner friends.”
—Tamara Berry, author of the Eleanor Wilde mysteries

“Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue blends all the ingredients of a classic cozy mystery . . . This series debut will appeal to anyone who enjoys sipping a cup of tea beside a cozy fire and solving the mystery along with the intrepid protagonist.” 
—Victoria Gilbert, author of the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries

Library Journal

07/01/2023

Phoebe Winchester loves her new life in Raven Creek, WA. When her Aunt Eudora died, Phoebe inherited her house; the Earl's Study, a bookstore/tea shop; deeds to half the businesses on Main Street; and her aunt's orange tabby, Bob. Phoebe is eager to add stock to the bookstore, so she sets out to an estate sale and auction in a neighboring town, only to discover that she has a stowaway, Bob. She keeps him in the car while she meets the estate sale coordinator, Madeline Morrow, who seems a little hoity-toity. By the time Phoebe wins the lot of books, Madeline has disappeared and Bob wanders into the room. Phoebe tries to keep him hidden but follows his footprints—bloody footprints—to Madeline's body, which Bob has discovered. Under police suspicion for Madeline's murder, Phoebe must investigate to prove that she isn't a killer. Her nosiness will soon put her in the path of a murderer. VERDICT Fans of paranormal cozies will enjoy the sequel to Steeped to Death, where Phoebe continues to develop her newly discovered powers as a witch able to stop time. Readers of bookstore mysteries will appreciate the setting, staff, and customers.—Lesa Holstine

Kirkus Reviews

2023-06-21
Sorting out her witchy powers might help a nosy tea shop owner solve a small-town murder.

Phoebe Winchester has just about adjusted to her new life in Raven Creek, Washington, where she runs the Earl’s Study, the tea-and-book shop she inherited from her dearly departed aunt Eudora. The fact that Eudora also secretly owned the deeds to half the shops on Main Street is helpful, though it was a surprise to Phoebe, who’s more a bargain hunter than a money haver (and she plans to follow Eudora’s lead in devoting the rental income to improving the town). The properties aren’t the only surprise inheritance from Eudora: Phoebe’s just learned that she’s part of a long line of people with mystical powers, or, as some might say, a witch. Since she’s still figuring out the rules governing her powers, she mainly uses them to amp up the potency of her teas. But she’s not above stopping time if, for example, her life is in mortal danger. Threats to her well-being arrive more often than she’d like. Even her trip to check out some mass-market paperbacks at an auction leads to a murder, which, in turn, leads to the killer going after Phoebe when it seems she might know too much. And Phoebe does know too much, thanks in large part to the help she gets from both her PI friend and hopeful boyfriend, Rich Lofting, and her ginger tabby, Bob, who’s almost as determined to investigate as he is to eat treats. Can Phoebe find the killer before she’s caught in the crosshairs, or will Eudora’s legacy end with her?

Heavy on recipes, cats, and other such details that will delight or detract, depending on the reader.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159830548
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	09/05/2023
Series:	Witches' Brew Mystery , #2
Edition description:	Unabridged

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