A Deadly Brew

Irish Tearoom Mysteries #1

by Virginia Smith

Escape to Blarney Green, Ireland, Penny returns to her home after leaving California in search of a fresh start. She and her grandmother and cousin decide to run The Cozy Teapot tearoom together but trouble brews and many mysteries are happening in Blarney! She works with a handsome detective inspector to uncover clues.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2026

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Virginia Smith has written over fifty books with sales exceeding 1 million copies worldwide. Her book, Guilty Secrets, was recently produced as a movie now streaming on Lifetime. She lives in Kentucky with her husband, 27 chickens, a barn kitty, and a barky Maltese named Max. Learn more about Ginny and her books at www.virginiasmith.org

Reviews

[Kate]

I read Yule Pay Dearly by Elizabeth Penney in this series but it is not in Goodreads. It was a cute Christmas mystery, perfect short read for the season. I enjoyed it!

[Michael Godwin]

A Deadly Brew offers a charming combination of small-town mystery, family relationships, Irish atmosphere, and light romantic tension. Penny's return to Blarney Green after leaving California gives the story an appealing fresh-start premise, especially as she joins her grandmother and cousin in running The Cozy Teapot tearoom. What begins as an attempt to build a new life quickly becomes more complicated when mysteries begin brewing around town.

The tearoom setting provides a warm and inviting backdrop for the investigation, while Penny's partnership with a handsome detective inspector adds an enjoyable layer of intrigue and romantic possibility. The contrast between the cozy atmosphere of Blarney Green and the questions Penny must help uncover gives the story an engaging balance of comfort and suspense.

Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, amateur sleuth stories, small-town settings, Irish atmosphere, family-centered fiction, and gentle romantic subplots should find A Deadly Brew an appealing read. As the first book in the Irish Tearoom Mysteries series, it also has strong potential to attract readers who enjoy discovering recurring characters, familiar communities, and mystery series they can return to.

[Teresa]

An Irish village I would love to visit!

A visit back to Ireland to see her grandmother & other family has Penny visiting, working in the tea shop & figuring out a murder. Can she go back to America after that? Maybe not!

[Pat]

Very lightweight fare but a welcomed distraction for me and I actually would not be averse to reading the whole series. The sense of place is a strong point and the characters are ones you root for.

[Minnie mouse mallory]

very cozy, nice love story, surprise, and cool facts.
I do wish I could find the sequel steeped in lies on this app though

[Gretchen Decuir]

It was a cute little read. A bit old fashioned, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I liked the Irish definitions, sayings, meals, etc.

[Penny]

I enjoyed this fun cozy set in Ireland. The setting is perfect for a cozy mystery. I love the family connections with Gram, Penny and her cousin Nora. Great book for a relaxed read.