3.5 stars. This book is the 3rd in a series. If you have not read the previous 2 books, you should be able to figure out easily enough on what is going on. The author makes sure that she "recaps" the importance pieces, such as the magically abilities that the main character has and who all the characters are. This is a cozy mystery, where there are many different plot lines going on that somehow all make sense in the end and tie together. The author also perfectly set up the ending for the next book. Some critiques, while the author was good with identifying everyone, it was a struggle to keep in mind all of the characters. There was a lot of moving pieces that make it so you have to be paying attention to who is saying/doing what. The book was the perfect length, not too long, not too short.

Esme Addison’s A Brew for Chaos invites readers back to the quaint coastal town of Bellamy Bay, where the charm of Oktoberfest and a local craft beer competition sets the stage for a chilling mystery. The narrative centers around Alex, who, despite her desire to leave sleuthing behind, finds herself entangled in a decades-old cold case when her friend Pepper's boss, Jonah, is found dead on the beach. The town's dark history resurfaces, hinting at the unresolved crimes of a serial killer known as The Fisherman, who abducted ten women in the 1980s.

Addison masterfully blends elements of cozy mystery with contemporary fantasy and a touch of sci-fi, creating an intricately plotted tale that keeps readers engaged. Fans of her previous work, An Intrigue of Witches, as well as readers who enjoy authors like Iris Beaglehole, Amanda Flower, and Ellery Adams, will find this book particularly enchanting.

The novel delves into themes of friendship, the complexities of letting go of the past, and the courage to confront long-buried secrets. Alex's internal conflict and her interactions with the townspeople add depth to the story, making it more than just a typical mystery.

While A Brew for Chaos offers a fresh and engaging plot, some readers might find the blend of genres—cozy mystery, fantasy, and sci-fi—a bit unconventional. However, this unique combination contributes to the book's distinctive charm and sets it apart from standard entries in the genre.

In conclusion, A Brew for Chaos is a compelling addition to Esme Addison’s repertoire, offering a delightful mix of mystery and magic. It's a must-read for those seeking an atmospheric and genre-blending tale that keeps them guessing until the very end.

As a magical/mermaid enthusiast I really enjoyed this book. This definitely felt like a cozy mystery with higher stakes than a usual cozy story. Following a series of strange events that lead to a murder and a string of disappearances, Alex is trying to juggle her friends, relationship, and family all the while fine tuning her mer-powers. I enjoyed the magical elements and community showcased. As for the story, I did not read the first two books but I was still able to follow along well enough to want to go back and read the other two as well as await for the next book's release! I do believe there were a lot of different variables happening at the same time that I wasn't sure if it was put in purposefully to confuse the reader or if it was actual information that needed to be retained. I do love how this ended and am excited to see what happens in the next book!

There is a large cast of characters, so large it is difficult to become fully immersed or invested as we are constantly leaping from person to person and setting to setting—new physical details and connections are being added over a hundred pages in so there’s not a clear picture of the characters. There are a lot of elements to solve, and it’s as if all the people are introduced as a way to guess elements rather than actually making them difficult to figure out. The main character is more of an observer than an active participant in the story, being strung along by characters who don’t have any particularly redeeming qualities. I was enticed by the magical elements, but rather than exploring and expanding on those there was so much corporate conspiracy and military presence that the cozy and magic got lost.

A perfect small town mystery story with the addition of mermaids and magic!
It's beautifully written and kept me interested from the start. It kept you guessing who and why and had a wholesome ending.
Would definitely recommend!

Cosy, autumnal, small town, mystery story which was just a lovely story from start to finish really.

I love a book with a who-done-it plot line... but with mermaids and dolphins? Yep, count me in!

Meeeeeh maybe this book just wasn't for me. The pacing felt a bit off, but I do have to admit the actual plot was actually pretty good and I did like most aspects of the romance between the main character and her boyfriend Jack.

A Brew for Chaos by Esme Addison is one of the best books I've read this month! So so good. I loved every single detail of this story. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.

Perfect small town cosy fantasy

A fabulous continuation from book one and two! The ending was chefs kiss!

This is a cozy autumnal mystery involving dolphins and heridtary mermaids. A delightful mix of magical realism with a mystery to solve and strong female relationships.

The protagonist is a likable, kind-hearted woman who left big city life behind to work in her Aunt's apothecary shop in a southern seaside town. She secretly has magical powers due to being a hereditary mermaid, and they come in handy as mysteries pop up in her life. As hard as she tries to live a quiet normal life, it's just not her fate.

The book is well written, with clues peppered in gently and subtly. It's a lighthearted, cozy mystery with supernatural elements, strong family ties, and meaningful friendships.

I highly recommend this as a great read to pick up in the late summer or early autumn. Oh, and there's dolphins.

i enjoyed this beautiful mystery story, the whodunnit plot line was great to read and easy to follow along with.
I would say the plotting of the story was a bit off - the start was incredible however it gets a bit bogged down in the middle with the heavy lore and then picks up again near the end which is why this is slightly lower in ratings as I think the pace could have been improved in my opinion.

Overall its a great addition to the mystery series

Received an ARC copy of this book and super glad for it!
I wasn’t sure what to expect but wow I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
I wasn’t hooked from the beginning and stayed interested the whole time. I loved the mystery and the ending was perfect!
Definitely give this a read! I’m waiting on my friend to finish so I have someone to talk about this with!!

A Brew for Chaos is a charming and atmospheric continuation of Esme Addison’s Enchanted Bay Mystery series. This installment deepens the magical world and brings a refreshing blend of small-town coziness, family legacy, and a dash of mystery. Addison’s storytelling is like sipping a warm potion—soothing, with unexpected twists and emotional resonance.

The protagonist, Aleks, continues to be relatable and determined, navigating both magical and personal challenges with heart. The setting of Bellamy Bay remains delightfully immersive, with its herbal shop, mystical lineage, and ocean-kissed charm. The magical elements feel grounded yet enchanting—never too over-the-top—and the mystery at the heart of the story is well-paced, keeping me intrigued without feeling convoluted.

Pros:
• Strong, relatable female lead with emotional depth
• Cozy, well-developed setting with a hint of magic
• Engaging mystery that balances stakes with charm
• Focus on family, heritage, and inner growth

Cons:
• Some side characters felt underdeveloped or faded into the background
• Pacing lagged slightly in the middle
• The magical rules could use a little more clarity at times

Overall, A Brew for Chaos is a delightful escape for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a hint of magic and heart. It’s not perfect, but it’s a comforting and thoughtful read—like a favorite cup of tea on a cloudy day.

This is an enjoyable book and really is a great cozy mystery, the concepts are really interesting and I'm interested to see what happens next in the series

A Brew for Chaos is the latest in the Enchanted Bay mystery series by Esme Addison. I was excited to be able to review this book, because I enjoyed the previous books in this series. I not only enjoyed this book, I loved it! It was exciting, very well written and so creative! This book is a cozy mystery, but it would also appeal to paranormal readers and fantasy readers. Ms. Addison has created a very unique world and one that I love to visit! If you have read the previous books in this series, you will love this book! If you haven’t read the previous book, I recommend reading them all. This has very quickly become one of my favorite series’ and Ms. Addison’s books are a must read for me. The mystery was lots of fun to figure out and the conclusion was great. What a cliffhanger! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

A Brew for Chaos is such a charming and magical read! It’s got that perfect cozy mystery vibe with just the right touch of witchy fun. The characters are lovable, the small-town setting is super atmospheric, and the plot keeps you guessing in the best way. If you enjoy a mix of mystery, magic, and heart, this one’s definitely worth curling up with.

Witchy vibes, small-town charm, and a twisty mystery—yes please!

This book was such a fun ride! A Brew for Chaos gave me everything I love in a cozy mystery—magic, mayhem, and just enough romance to make things extra interesting. Esme Addison has such an easy, enchanting writing style that made the pages fly by.

The magical elements are woven in so naturally, and the mystery had me guessing right up to the end. I loved the sense of community, the hint of danger, and of course, all the witchy goodness. And the main character? Smart, sassy, and someone I’d 100% grab a magical brew with.

It’s one of those reads that feels like a perfect mix of cozy and chaotic—in the best way.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This review contains no spoilers.
Thanks Netgalley.
All words are my own.

This book was a cozy read! Don't let the murder investigation fool you, I still found it wholesome! It was easy to follow, well developed characters; which seems to be hard to find these days. I recommend it if your looking for a thrilling mystery, fantasy story. It definitely delivers!

Alex, our FMC, works in her Aunts apothecary as a herbalist in Bellamy Bay, NC. She is happily dating police detective Jack while helping her friend Pepper track down leads on a local murder mystery ‘The Fisherman’. On top of all that, Alex still manages to find time to practice her magical gifts her family has inherited as ancestors of mermaids.

Absolutely love the cozy, fall, coastal, mystery vibes spun together. I enjoyed all the characters and their quirks. The overall vibe of the book reminded of a hallmark mystery movie.

This is a perfect cozy read for fall, spring, or summer. I thoroughly enjoyed and can’t wait to read more!

This book was exactly what I needed after reading a lot of folk horror. A cozy small town mystery. An herbalist and a journalist? Stellar combo. The story of missing women in a fantasy perspective reminds me of The Last Unicorn, something I grew up loving. I’d recommend this to anyone.