I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
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. (Goodreads synopsis)
Gretchen Rue is a new author and she does it with a resounding success!
I loved this novel. I love Phoebe, Eudora, Imogen, Amy, the town of Raven Creek, and Bob. It is quite clear how much Phoebe loved her Aunt Eudora and the bookstore, so there isn’t any surprise to the inheritance or hesitation in staying. However, as she discovers her Aunt’s other secrets she does show the appropriate amount of skepticism, but doesn’t go through a ridiculous amount of denial, like many books do. Phoebe instead sees an exciting adventure, and I just genuinely loved how optimistic Phoebe was throughout the entire novel.
Walking through the mystery with Phoebe was the best, because the reader learns along with Phoebe. About the mystery, but also the town and the unique individuals. I hope that the author, Gretchen Rue, sees the hilarious potential in the owners of The Green Thumb.
The recipes at the end are great (definitely making Amy’s Chocolate Hazelnut latte soon), but there were a few teas that I would love to try.
Overall I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars, and can not wait for the next installment.
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