The grim steeper

Phoebe Winchester (last seen in Spell Bound, 2024), owner of the tea- and bookshop the Earl's Study, invites famous birder and author Sebastian Marlow to do a signing at her shop. The morning after the signing, Phoebe learns he has been stabbed at the B & B where he was staying. Feeling responsible, since she invited him to Raven Creek, Phoebe investigates, along with the help of former police detective Rich Lofting. When a second murder occurs, and one of their good friends becomes the chief suspect, the two double down on the investigation. Complicating matters, Phoebe, who recently learned she is a witch, can't control her magic when she is stressed, leading to objects spontaneously levitating around her, stressing her even more. Working with experienced witches, she must learn to harness her magic and solve the murders while heating up her simmering romance with Rich. Magic, books, tea, bird-watching, and rescue cats frame a satisfying mystery that will appeal to fans of Amanda Flower's Magical Bookshop, Esme Addison's Enchanted Bay, and Laura Childs' Theodosia Browning cozies.

Amateur witch Phoebe Winchester inherited the Earl's Study (a combination tea parlor and book shop in Raven Creek) from her aunt, and she and her staff are excited to host their first major event, at which renowned birder Sebastian Marlow will sign his new book, then lead a hiking excursion the next day. When Sebastian shows up with an obnoxious, demanding entourage, Phoebe is worried. But the book signing goes well, and Sebastian announces that he hopes to put Raven Creek on the map. He thinks that the nearby woods are home to a bird thought to be extinct. But before the birding excursion, someone stabs Sebastian in the back. Phoebe teams up with a childhood friend, now a private eye, to investigate suspects, which include Sebastian's entourage--particularly when a sleazy lawyer is killed at the same spot. Although the Raven Creek grocer had an argument with the lawyer, Phoebe's convinced someone else killed both men. VERDICT While the solution is convoluted in the sequel to Death by a Thousand Sips, it's the appealing cast of characters and Phoebe's attempts to control her magic that will attract readers.--Lesa Holstine

A witch's magic powers help solve a murder in Raven Creek, Washington. Phoebe Winchester inherited The Earl's Study, a book- and tea shop, from her Aunt Eudora. She also inherited a mansion, half of Main Street, an orange cat named Bob, and her witchy powers. Despite all these resources, she's nervous about her first tie-in with an author, birder Sebastian Marlow, who arrives with an entourage but not his business manager, Deacon Hume, whom he fired after Phoebe had made all the arrangements with him. The tension Phoebe's noticed among the members of Sebastian's group goes from bad to worse when Deacon shows up. Even so, the book signing is successful, and a hike is planned for the next day, when Sebastian hopes to spot a bird thought to be extinct. When Phoebe arrives at the B & B where she's arranged for the group to stay, she learns that Sebastian's been murdered. Knowing of Phoebe's sleuthing experience, Det. Patsy Martin asks her to keep an eye out for clues without doing any serious investigating. Despite this warning, Phoebe joins private investigator Rich Lofting, her childhood friend and current love interest, in snooping around. Since Sebastian wasn't in the room assigned to him, could his death have been the result of mistaken identity? In addition to dealing with the murder and with magical powers not entirely under her control, Phoebe investigates a sleazy lawyer trying to buy up the town with help from a local real estate agent. A lot more problems come along before Phoebe, with help from her friends, can solve the crimes. Mystery and magic combine in this charming tale of murder and mayhem. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Phoebe Winchester (last seen in Spell Bound, 2024), owner of the tea- and bookshop the Earl's Study, invites famous birder and author Sebastian Marlow to do a signing at her shop. The morning after the signing, Phoebe learns he has been stabbed at the B&B where he was staying. Feeling responsible, since she invited him to Raven Creek, Phoebe investigates, along with the help of former police detective Rich Lofting. When a second murder occurs, and one of their good friends becomes the chief suspect, the two double down on the investigation. Complicating matters, Phoebe, who recently learned she is a witch, can't control her magic when she is stressed, leading to objects spontaneously levitating around her, stressing her even more. Working with experienced witches, she must learn to harness her magic and solve the murders while heating up her simmering romance with Rich. Magic, books, tea, bird-watching, and rescue cats frame a satisfying mystery that will appeal to fans of Amanda Flower's Magical Bookshop, Esme Addison's Enchanted Bay, and Laura Childs' Theodosia Browning cozies. Copyright 2024 Booklist Reviews.

Amateur witch Phoebe Winchester inherited the Earl's Study (a combination tea parlor and book shop in Raven Creek) from her aunt, and she and her staff are excited to host their first major event, at which renowned birder Sebastian Marlow will sign his new book, then lead a hiking excursion the next day. When Sebastian shows up with an obnoxious, demanding entourage, Phoebe is worried. But the book signing goes well, and Sebastian announces that he hopes to put Raven Creek on the map. He thinks that the nearby woods are home to a bird thought to be extinct. But before the birding excursion, someone stabs Sebastian in the back. Phoebe teams up with a childhood friend, now a private eye, to investigate suspects, which include Sebastian's entourage—particularly when a sleazy lawyer is killed at the same spot. Although the Raven Creek grocer had an argument with the lawyer, Phoebe's convinced someone else killed both men. VERDICT While the solution is convoluted in the sequel to Death by a Thousand Sips, it's the appealing cast of characters and Phoebe's attempts to control her magic that will attract readers.—Lesa Holstine