Publishers Weekly
07/11/2022
Newly divorced Phoebe Winchester, the narrator of Rue’s sprightly debut and series launch, moves from Seattle to Raven Creek, Wash., after inheriting a Victorian mansion from her late Auntie Eudora, who was rumored to have been a witch. Eudora also left Phoebe a cat, Bob, and the Earl’s Study, a bookstore/tearoom, which Phoebe endeavors to learn how to run as she tries to fit into small-town life. Her troubles begin when a dead man, later identified as Carl “Ox” Bullock, turns up on the backstep of the Earl’s Study. Was Carl, who had a criminal past, trying to break in? One murder suspect is Deirdre Miller, an alarmingly aggressive local who insists that Phoebe sell her Eudora’s house and business. Another suspect is PI Rich Lofting, a childhood friend Phoebe hasn’t seen in years, but with whom she was once close. Meanwhile, in seeking to learn more about her aunt, Phoebe discovers that Eudora really was a witch and that she herself may have magical powers, which could help her solve a murder and prevent her own. A lovable cat, plenty of tea, enticing recipes, and more are sure to please cozy fans. Rue is off to a good start. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
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.
“Inheriting a mansion and a tea shop sounds like a dream come true...but inheriting the witchy powers that come with them? Count me in! 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 – a tea shop and bookstore in a charming small town, a cat companion, delicious descriptions of tea and baked goods, a hint of romance, and a savvy heroine – into a delightful brew. Also infused with a bit of magic, 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 and the Booklover's B&B Mysteries
Library Journal
★ 07/01/2022
DEBUT Phoebe Winchester's Aunt Eudora leaves her the 200-year-old family mansion in Raven Creek, WA, and her combination bookstore/tea shop. Matters become complicated when Dierdre Miller shows up at the shop with a large man in tow, demanding that Phoebe sell her the house. Phoebe refuses and later that night the police find a body behind the shop—the man who accompanied Dierdre. When a local shop owner gives her the cold shoulder, Phoebe guesses it has something to do with rumors that Eudora was a witch. As a young teen visiting her aunt, Phoebe always laughed at those rumors, but over dinner with a childhood friend, she discovers she has a power of her own. She may need it when she's followed several times and overhears plans to break into her house. She shares her suspicions with the police, but an amateur sleuth with new powers just has bad luck sometimes. VERDICT The first "Witches' Brew" mystery is 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.—Lesa Holstine
Kirkus Reviews
2022-06-08
Taking over her aunt’s tea shop brings a woman head-to-head with an intrusive realtor, making her hope for a bit of left-behind magic that might keep her safe.
Back from Seattle and a mistaken marriage, Phoebe Winchester is surprised at how much she remembers about Raven Creek. Pulling into her Auntie Eudora’s—well, now it’s Phoebe’s—Lane End House, she finds memories of time spent with Eudora cheering her up in the wake of her aunt’s death. As Bob, Eudora’s handsome orange cat, encourages Phoebe to make herself at home, she’s happy to start establishing connections with almost everyone in town. Everyone, that is, except for troublesome Deirdre Miller, who keeps hounding Phoebe to sell Lane End House to her. Though Deirdre may think Phoebe isn’t going to stay, Phoebe’s just settling in, and the most important part of that ritual is reopening The Earl’s Study. She’s always known the tea shop as a special place, but looking at some of Eudora’s recipes, she starts to wonder if it’s a bit more special than she realized. Was Eudora brewing some magic along with the tea leaves? Phoebe hopes that running the store will help reconnect her with Eudora and answer this question, but her attention’s diverted by a dead body and an apparent murder at the back of the store. She’s relieved the deceased isn’t Rich, a childhood friend with whom she’s reconnected. But she wonders who might be interested in the shop, and why, and whether there’s more going on here than just tea.
A series debut that sets up mild notes promising a deeper steep in future installments.
