It’s hard to go wrong with a cozy mystery featuring a tea shop/bookstore, a bookstore cat, and a witch. The Grim Steeper is the third in Gretchen Rue’s Witches’ Brew series. I like the setting, a small town in Washington. I also like the characters, Phoebe Winchester, her coworkers and friends, as well as her cat, Bob. I have to be honest. I like cozies best once I get past the first or second book in the series when the amateur sleuth is no longer a suspect.

It hasn’t been a year since Phoebe inherited the house and The Earl’s Study business from her aunt Eudora. Now, Phoebe’s ready to host her first major event at the bookstore. Renowned birder Sebastian Marlow is going to do a signing and lead a birding excursion. Phoebe is more worried after Sebastian’s team shows up the day before the event, and there are loud arguments with the former team manager. And, Sebastian’s team is obnoxious and demanding.

Phoebe didn’t need to worry. The signing goes well, and Sebastian makes an exciting announcement about his plans for the hike and excursion the following day. But, on her way to the hike, Phoebe’s shocked to see police cars and an ambulance outside the B&B where Sebastian’s crew is staying. The hike is off since the man was found stabbed to death in his room.

Police detective Patsy Martin knows Phoebe will talk to fellow residents of Raven Creek, so she asks her to listen and let her know what she hears. Martin certainly didn’t mean that Phoebe should start her own investigation, but she feels guilty because she invited Sebastian to town, and now he’s dead. She teams up with a childhood best friend, Rich Lofting, the local private investigator to dig into those around Sebastian who might have reasons to kill him. After a second murder, though, they’re both shocked when grocer and friend, Leo Lansing, is taken to the police station.

While I summarized the mystery itself, the fun aspects of this series includes Phoebe’s attempt to control the magic she didn’t know she possessed until she was in her late thirties. When she’s stressed, Phoebe’s magic is out of control. She’s trying to hide her gift from others, but it’s obvious she needs help from people who have been witches much longer than she has.

A little murder. A little magic. The Grim Steeper is an enjoyable story with a terrific cast.

Gretchen Rue’s website is https://www.sierradean.com/gretchenrue.

The Grim Steeper by Gretchen Rue. Crooked Lane Books, 2024. ISBN 9781639108657 (hardcover), 304p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley through NetGalley to review for a journal.