Synopsis from Goodreads:
For fans of Laura Childs and Amanda Flowers, it’s teatime in Raven Creek—but a murder at the The Earl’s Study sets the stage for an intoxicating brew of small-town chicanery with a hint of the supernatural.
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, as 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.
My Review
When Phoebe Winchester’s aunt Eudora passes away, she inherits everything from her mansion to her bookstore/tea shop and even her handsome cat Bob. As Phoebe gets herself settled in and gets to know Bob, she’s thrown for a loop when a dead man is found on the steps of her bookstore. It looks as if he was killed as he was trying to break in.
Phoebe hasn’t been in town very long, but she’s already made an enemy in Dierdre Miller. Diedre is desperate to buy Eudora’s house and isn’t very happy when Phoebe turns her down. Phoebe immediately suspects that Dierdre might have murdered the man, especially since she saw them together.
As Phoebe is determined to keep her new home and business, she investigates the possible murder. The more she learns about her aunt, the more shocked she is. Eudora was known for her magical teas and most in town believe her to be a witch. Phoebe learns she just may have inherited her own magical powers.
This is the first book in a new series. I listened to it on audio. The narrator made it a very nice experience. She fits right into character. I felt as if I was listening to Phoebe tell me a story. The narrator made the characters come alive.
The story is captivating and quite charming. It kept me thinking until the very end. I didn’t expect the ending, but it was quite exciting. It’s a great way to start off a new series. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2023
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2023
Literary Escapes Reading Challenge 2023 (Washington)
Audio Book Reading Challenge 2023
Disclosure: I borrowed this one from the library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I'm so glad to see that you enjoyed this one! I thought it was such an interesting cozy and I'm really looking forward to the 2nd book.
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