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.

Gretchen Rue's profile page

Gretchen Rue lives in the Canadian prairies, which affords her ample time to read during six months of winter. She plays cat mom to four mostly indifferent fur children, and plant mom to roughly 100 very demanding flora. When she isn't sipping tea and working on her next novel, she enjoys swimming, hiking, and watching baseball.

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