Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Death by a Thousand Sips (A Witches' Brew Mystery) on + 704 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Phoebe Winchester is settling into her new life in Raven Creek, Washington where she is living in a Victorian manor and running The Earl's Study, a tea shop and bookstore she inherited from her Aunt Eudora. She is also gaining knowledge about her new magical powers.
When Phoebe learns of an estate sale selling a wide variety of books she is curious and hopeful that there will be books she can add to the bookstore's inventory. After winning the lot that she wanted the day takes a tragic turn when she and the frisky feline, Bob find a dead body in a small alcove. Detective Patsy Martin arrives on the scene, sees Phoebe, gets her statement, and tells her not to leave town. She knows she needs help to prove she is innocent again so she asks/convinces her childhood friend, now a private investigator Rich, to give her a big assist even though she sometimes forgets her own name when she is around the hunky investigator.
Can they work together to clear her name and solve this case? Will it take a little magic? or just some great amateur sleuthing? Or will her confidence in her abilities put her right in the path of the killer?
____
In this second Witches' Brew Mystery, the characters are emerging in wonderful ways. Phoebe is finding her place in Raven Creek and her magical gift is more known. It comes out at very opportune times, she still needs to learn how to control it. Thankfully she has her delightful friend Honey, also a witch, to guide her. Her friendships with Leo and Rich are so much fun. The childhood friendships have grown and while the guys had made a promise to Endora to watch over Phoebe and they take that responsibility seriously, their friendships are organic and Phoebe and Rich's relationship is becoming something more. I love the banter, sass, and good humor between them. Amy owns the bakery next door to The Earl's Study, and she and Phoebe have become great friends. Imogen and Daphne both worked with Endora and have stayed to work with Phoebe and help her learn all there is to know about the place but they can't make the special teas that Endora did. Another thing she needs to learn.
The Earl's Study has a very special customer who is truly a friend. Mr. Loughery. He is an elderly man who comes in every morning for tea and to read his latest used book purchase. Across from him in the other big leather chair by the fireplace is his buddy, Bob, the cat, Endora's cat, now Phoebe's. He stays for the day, sometimes napping just like Bob, and always ready to give feedback about new recipes being tried out in the kitchen. If he is late Phoebe, Daphne, and Imogen worry. They care about him and he cares about them. Phoebe has a loving idea in this story. It made me like her even more.
I love the way Ms. Rue sets a scene. Her words aptly describe each setting so you can envision each place easily. In this book, we go to the old Weatherly mansion and one room would have definitely be my happy place.
"Belle from Beauty and the Beast would want to marry this room."
Yes, the room was filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves "positively groaning under the weight of hundreds and hundreds of books."
Ms. Rue has written a very twisty mystery full of red herrings. Phoebe goes through a lot trying to piece all the clues together and she goes a little rogue when she thinks she has everything figured out. She had a huge surprise. I was thrilled because my theory was right even though I doubted myself once or twice. The reveal wrapped up the mystery nicely but was mild as far as showdowns are concerned.
Death by a Thousand Sips was a fun entertaining light paranormal mystery with appealing characters including the charming Bob, a small town setting, with bits of magic, humor, and romantic tension. I look forward to reading The Grim Steeper when it is released in September.
Phoebe Winchester is settling into her new life in Raven Creek, Washington where she is living in a Victorian manor and running The Earl's Study, a tea shop and bookstore she inherited from her Aunt Eudora. She is also gaining knowledge about her new magical powers.
When Phoebe learns of an estate sale selling a wide variety of books she is curious and hopeful that there will be books she can add to the bookstore's inventory. After winning the lot that she wanted the day takes a tragic turn when she and the frisky feline, Bob find a dead body in a small alcove. Detective Patsy Martin arrives on the scene, sees Phoebe, gets her statement, and tells her not to leave town. She knows she needs help to prove she is innocent again so she asks/convinces her childhood friend, now a private investigator Rich, to give her a big assist even though she sometimes forgets her own name when she is around the hunky investigator.
Can they work together to clear her name and solve this case? Will it take a little magic? or just some great amateur sleuthing? Or will her confidence in her abilities put her right in the path of the killer?
____
In this second Witches' Brew Mystery, the characters are emerging in wonderful ways. Phoebe is finding her place in Raven Creek and her magical gift is more known. It comes out at very opportune times, she still needs to learn how to control it. Thankfully she has her delightful friend Honey, also a witch, to guide her. Her friendships with Leo and Rich are so much fun. The childhood friendships have grown and while the guys had made a promise to Endora to watch over Phoebe and they take that responsibility seriously, their friendships are organic and Phoebe and Rich's relationship is becoming something more. I love the banter, sass, and good humor between them. Amy owns the bakery next door to The Earl's Study, and she and Phoebe have become great friends. Imogen and Daphne both worked with Endora and have stayed to work with Phoebe and help her learn all there is to know about the place but they can't make the special teas that Endora did. Another thing she needs to learn.
The Earl's Study has a very special customer who is truly a friend. Mr. Loughery. He is an elderly man who comes in every morning for tea and to read his latest used book purchase. Across from him in the other big leather chair by the fireplace is his buddy, Bob, the cat, Endora's cat, now Phoebe's. He stays for the day, sometimes napping just like Bob, and always ready to give feedback about new recipes being tried out in the kitchen. If he is late Phoebe, Daphne, and Imogen worry. They care about him and he cares about them. Phoebe has a loving idea in this story. It made me like her even more.
I love the way Ms. Rue sets a scene. Her words aptly describe each setting so you can envision each place easily. In this book, we go to the old Weatherly mansion and one room would have definitely be my happy place.
"Belle from Beauty and the Beast would want to marry this room."
Yes, the room was filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves "positively groaning under the weight of hundreds and hundreds of books."
Ms. Rue has written a very twisty mystery full of red herrings. Phoebe goes through a lot trying to piece all the clues together and she goes a little rogue when she thinks she has everything figured out. She had a huge surprise. I was thrilled because my theory was right even though I doubted myself once or twice. The reveal wrapped up the mystery nicely but was mild as far as showdowns are concerned.
Death by a Thousand Sips was a fun entertaining light paranormal mystery with appealing characters including the charming Bob, a small town setting, with bits of magic, humor, and romantic tension. I look forward to reading The Grim Steeper when it is released in September.
