I can sum up what I think of this book in one word: MagicalFantasticBrilliantExcitingPerfection! I read far into the night because I couldn’t stop reading until I finished. A Brew For a Chaos starts out as, what I thought originally, a good Cozy Mystery. It evolved into so much more.

I love the characters, especially the tight-knit Sobieski women. They are a strong family unit, even when there are arguments and disagreements. I really enjoyed the character of Maisie, Detective Jack’s mother. And the big villain had me completely fooled!

The essentials of a great mystery are all in this book: tight plotting, inciting incident, murder (off the page), strong pacing, plot twists, red herrings, all in a lovely little coastal town I want to live in.

There were so many twists and turns that at one point I actually whisper-shouted “OMG!” and scared the cat when a shocking clue was revealed…but you have to read the book to find out what it is. Oh, and the very end gave me goosebumps - now I can’t wait for the next book!

I honestly loved everything about this book. It’s definitely going on my keeper shelf. Brava, Esme Addison!

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read the book. I am happy to leave my very honest and enthusiastic review.

thank you to esme addison & netgalley for an arc of this book. all opinions are my own. ♡

₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: i dont think i've delved into any mermaid stories let alone a cozy mystery! excited to jump into the chaos!!

A Brew for Chaos is the third book in the Enchanted Bay series by Esme Addison, and in this book we find out more about detective Jack Frazier’s past.

In this book, things are tense between Minka and her mother Lidia since Minka began working for Montgomery, a man whom Alex and Lidia do not trust. This story revolves around the anniversary of a cold case that Pepper and her boss Jonah are investigating for a story for the paper. A serial killer nicknamed The Fisherman abducted ten local women and was never caught, and the women were never seen again. When Jonah’s body is found on the beach along with that of a woman who cannot remember anything, you have to wonder if Jonah is the serial killer.

A lot is going on in this story with the government investigating the mermaid gene, stories of medical experiments in the past, and even the possibility of current experiments on women. The description of the experiments is pretty horrifying and sad.

I had mixed feelings about this story because of Alex’s attraction to Dylan and her wondering if her feelings are true or if it is because he is part dragon, which can make people attracted to them or willing to do things for them. Also, Alex’s and Jack’s relationship hasn’t advanced much and is pretty boring. I liked the addition of Jack’s mother into this story with her memory loss, which Jack thought was dementia, and the conclusion of how this came to be. The ending was shocking and left us with a cliffhanger and wanting more.

I might have liked this story more if it hadn’t been delivered to me in PDF format because I was unable to change the font size. Reading it was a struggle.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The concept of the book is good. The idea of a mystery with supernatural elements, especially when the protagonist is supernatural herself, caught my attention. Unfortunately, I thought the story was not well written, and the characters were lacking depth; I didn't find myself rooting for the protagonist.
There seemed to be some mix-up with the protagonist's pronouns. Around the middle of the book she's referred to as "he" a few times. I had to read the section a few times to comprehend.

This is the third book I’ve read by Esme and her writing style is so captivating that it leaves you wanting more. Having read the other two books in the series prior to this one, I was curious how it would end and if Dylan and Alex would finally be together.

Just when I thought I had figured out who the Fisherman killer was, another twist was thrown my way, making me question my original hypothesis.

I loved the references to Sumerian mythology as well as other lesser known mermaids like the Mermaid of Warsaw and Mami Watta. If you’re looking for cozy mystery with a splash of magic. This is it! Highly recommend!

I very much enjoyed the first two books in this series so I was excited to see it's return. I loved going back and revisiting Alexis and Dylan and the rest of the family. My only criticism is that I wish it had been released earlier. A decent amount of time has passed and I found that I didn't remember as much as I thought from the first two books. This is a cozy mystery series that brings in an element of fantasy so I find it best to start with the first book in the series an work you way forward.

I did not realise this was part of a series. I think I would of enjoyed it more if I had started this from the beginning. Nice little cosy fantasy which at times had a lot going on. Good book for a warm summers night. This writes will do well.

Thankyou NetGalley for the arc of this book
I love the story of this book and loved the chemistry between Alex and Dylan even more!!
So excited to read more from this author might have to get the rest of the series as I didn’t realise this was book 3 😍
Excited for others to get the chance to read this book too

Witches and Mermaids and Dragons, oh my! Plus a government conspiracy... and in a part of North Carolina that I know and love. There's so much regional know-how that's brought to life, you kind of feel like you're there - in the apothecary or the beer hall or the aquarium. This would be great as a Netflix series.

There is so much going on in the small town of Bellamy Bay - magic, mystery, mermaids, murder, but it is all woven together beautifully as an intriguing cosy mystery.

The Enchanted Bay series is not just a cozy mystery but genre hops to fantasy as it focuses on a family of water witches descended from the mermaid of Warsaw. Recommended for all of you who enjoy a side of magic with your mystery!

I love the idea of this book more than the execution. I wish it would have been clearer in the description that it is number three in a series. The language and word style was not for me, but still a good read.

Thank you to Severn House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Alex Daniels is a mermaid descendent, a genetic mermaid who has lost the ability to shift, Alex works in her family’s apothecary in Bellamy Bay in North Carolina. She loves her new job and is enjoying getting to know her new boyfriend detective Jack Frazier, Alex is still trying to get to grips with her new found powers as a genetic mermaid. The town is eagerly waiting for Oktoberfest and craft beer competition, Alex’s friend journalist Pepper is investigating a cold case involving a local serial killer known as the fisherman who has never been caught. When Pepper’s boss Jonah is discovered dead on the local beach, Alex joins forces with Pepper to find out who killed Jonah and find out the identity of the fisherman.

What a trip this book was, I loved it! I love stories containing mermaids and this book did not disappoint. I loved Alex and the chemistry between her and Dylan was smoking but I guess we will have to wait until the next book to find out if anything does develop there. I haven’t read the other books in this series but after reading this book, I will certainly be reading them. Poor misguided Jack, I did feel a bit sorry for him but he still a rat as he looks down on Alex’s kind. I would describe this book as a murder mystery involving mermaids and I would not hesitate to recommend it. I can’t rate this book highly enough, 5+stars from me.

A Brew of Chaos by Esme Addison whisked me into autumnal small-town magic and cozy mystery in the best way. Alex’s herbal apothecary, her emerging mermaid powers, and funky fall festivals (Oktoberfest AND craft beer?) felt deliciously atmospheric. Then her journalist friend drags her into probing a decades-old serial killer case, only for bodies to turn up—instantly, the story shifts from cozy to compelling .

I loved how the mystery grips tight, but it’s the seaside charm and herbal-magic worldbuilding that kept me smiling through the suspense . Alex’s dynamic with her detective boyfriend Jack adds sweetness, and the magic/monster twists gave it the right amount of edge .

A few moments felt a tad predictable, but the clever reveals and autumn vibes more than made up for it. If you want a cozy with bite, friendly magic, and a mystery that sneaks up on you—this is your kind of brew.

A Brew for Chaos is book 3 in the Enchanted Bay series, and I feel like this is the best one so far! This series is cozy but mysterious, and book 3 really shows the FMC, Alex Daniels, embracing her magic more and honing her detective skills. The mystery was a lot more complex that I was expecting too. I’m excited to see where the series goes!

In this book, we follow Alex, a mermaid descendant, on an adventure in Bellamy Bay. This adventure happens in the fall, close to Oktoberfest, where there will be a craft beer competition, and this is a very intense competition. In the middle of all of this comes the anniversary of The Fisherman, a local woman kidnapper/killer who was never discovered, as well as the abducted women. Alex's friend, Pepper, works at the local newspaper and decides to further investigate this cold case. The plot thickens when Pepper's boss, and beer-crafter, is found dead at the beach with a mystery woman by his side.

This story is interesting; the plot is nicely driven and well-structured, but I was a little disappointed to see so little of the fantasy. This is a cozy mystery fantasy, but I think it should be more of a cozy mystery sci-fi. It is really difficult to give an opinion about a mystery book without being a spoiler, but I have to say that although the plot behind The Fisherman and the death of Pepper's boss (Jonah) is completely unexpected, as well as the reasons for it, I do find the killer to be very predictable! This, however, does not take away the fun of discovering the whole plot.
One detail that I loved was the science meets fantasy, the way Alex explains how she can control water, ... and behind genetically mermaid, which means a little science done there. Another detail that I loved was Alex and Dylan interactions, I hope this two end up together because from what I've read in reviews, this banter is already present in book #2 :)

Overall, very original story, I didn't find any loopholes, the pace is good, but sometimes it drags a little bit. I found myself completely immersed in this small town and all these mysteries. I just wish that this one had much more mermaid-related plot so that it would truly be a fantasy book. Other than that, very nice surprise!

Thanks, NetGalley, for allowing us to read this one :)

This book is the third in the series, and it’s really ramping up. Alex is still finding her place in Bellamy Bay, dealing with her feelings for Jack, and then a friend is murdered. What follows is a complex, well-written mystery, full of twists and turns. I know that some of the details are a little bit of a fantastical stretch (aside from mermaids, I mean! LOL!), but they make for an interesting read. When we come to the end, there is a surprise, and I’m hoping that surprise will be addressed in the next book. If you liked the previous books in the series, you’ll definitely like this one. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Returning to Bellamy Bay in A Brew for Chaos felt like slipping into a cozy sweater on a breezy day, comforting and just a little bit magical! Esme Addison delivers a gentle mystery steeped in family, folklore, and quiet strength, with Alex Daniels once again at the heart of it all.

Alex is the kind of protagonist I really enjoy spending time with calm, thoughtful, and refreshingly grounded. She’s not overly quirky or impulsive, but there’s a steady resilience to her that draws you in. As she juggles a murder investigation and her complicated magical legacy and her challenging relationship the story weaves mystery and personal growth in a way that’s satisfying, if occasionally a little too subtle.

The murder itself was well-structured, with enough red herrings to keep me engaged. That said, some of the side characters felt a bit more like background noise than actual players in the mystery, and I found myself wishing a few had been given more texture or time on the page.

What I really appreciated, though, was the sense of small town. Bellamy Bay was the highlight full of that small- dynamic where everyone knows everyone (and sometimes, that’s the problem). The magical elements are soft and understated, which works for the cozy tone, but I do hope future books delve deeper into the magical lore. There’s clearly more beneath the surface.

And ending left it on an exciting cliffhanger ready to read more of this series.

Strengths:
• Warm, relatable protagonist
• Strong setting with a cozy, slightly magical vibe
• Balanced mystery with some solid twists
• Authentic family relationships
• A good blend of magic and realism

Weaknesses:
• Some underdeveloped side characters
• The magical system still feels vague
• Middle pacing lagged in some places

Overall, A Brew for Chaos is a light, enjoyable read that feels like catching up with old friends, if your friends just happened to be magical and investigating murder.

Many thanks to Severn House NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a quick, easy read. I would describe it as cozy with the element of surprise and mystery. I loved the mermaid lore and the apothecary setting, which gives this book a unique plot, different than other books I’ve read. I would definitely continue reading this series as she expands the series. I thought it was a great time and would recommend to others. This is a perfect book for the fall, giving off those vibes. I loved being an arc reader for this book, thank you NetGalley!

A Brew for Chaos has all the right ingredients for a fun fall read — a cozy atmosphere, a touch of magic, and small-town charm. While I didn’t completely fall in love with the story, I didn’t dislike it either.

There was a lot going on plot-wise, which at times made it feel a little chaotic, but I still enjoyed the seasonal vibe and whimsical touches. It’s definitely a book to curl up with on a crisp autumn weekend, especially if you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with a magical twist.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!