by Kathleen Costa
In honor of the re-release of Essentials of Murder by Kim Davis we are reposting our review of the book by Kathleen Costa. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book, and a link to purchase it.
Carissa Carmichael is not a stranger to the misfortunes of youth, however her response was to escape from her small hometown of Oak Creek Valley and head to the big city of San Francisco. For ten years, she honed her skills, knowledge, and expertise with aromatherapy and reflexology mentored by friend Mari Kemp. But, nine months ago, her big city boyfriend got her accused and arrested for fraud not only jeopardizing her future, but her father’s reputation as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police as well. The “escapade,” as her father describes it, resolved itself, and returning home, she made the decision to use some of her inheritance from her grandma to open Aromatherapy Apothecary set to have its grand opening in just two days. But, it doesn’t go well. Victoria Lewellyn, owner of Mystic Valley Candle shop next door, has been quarreling with her son Russ who’s adamant that Carissa’s aromatherapy shop will impact the candle business and cost his mother sales and him a lucrative meal ticket. Victoria warns Carissa of her son’s recent volatile manner which is substantiated by Russ’s mimed threats. Her father commits to giving Russ an official talking to, but his dead body in Carissa’s shop makes that moot. Worse yet is when Victoria turns on Carissa with a very public outburst, “You killed my son!”
Kim Davis has penned a fragrant cozy gem, first in her Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery series, where the residents of Oak Creek Valley debate Carissa’s guilty or skip that and cast aspersions or threats. Carissa learns, often through rumors and gossip, that smoke leads to fire with a ruined businessmen, blackmail victims, and high-pressure developers possible suspects. Readers may easily identify with Carissa’s backstory of family tragedies, misfortunes of youth, and high-school frenemies resulting in a lack of confidence, but admire her efforts to find a more positive path. Her supporting dynamic with her Chief of Police dad, high-school BFF, and the young son whose mother is dating her dad is extremely valuable, and the delightful hint of romance with local baker Jasper Whitby, whose pastries are one of her guilty pleasures contributing to the extra curves in her body, is fun to follow. The mystery is clever and quite intriguing, but made contentious when, due to conflict of interest, Carissa’s dad is taken off the case and replaced by a detective whose ulterior motive and dogged approach could put Carissa in jail and her father dismissed from the force. The victim’s background, manner, and treatment of others make the pool of suspects deep and murky.
Davis’s writing style is a favorite with vivid descriptions, engaging banter, informative details on aromatherapy and reflexology, diverse personalities, a strong, yet flawed, lead female, and a clever mystery that ends in some personal peril. This is a well-written, don’t-miss cozy with lots of entertaining extras: family issues with dating parents, a friend in financial difficulty, adopting a rescue puppy, and the ins and outs of business and marketing.
Essentials of Murder Earns 5/5 Pixie Tangerines…Sweet and Tangy Page-Turner!
You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.
To enter to win a copy of Essentials of Murder(print or ebook winner’s choice), simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “essentials” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 16, 2024. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win AND BE SURE TO STATE IF YOU WANT PRINT OR EBOOK. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.
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Sounds interesting! Count me in!
Thanks for stopping by Glen! And good luck in the contest!
This looks so good
I’m a big fan of essential oils. Looking forward to reading the book. I prefer a print copy.
I’m so glad you’ve found essential oils to be beneficial, Dianne! Thanks for visiting and good luck in the contest!
Thanks so much for hosting me on Kings River Life Magazine! I’m so happy that Kathleen enjoyed my book and I’m so pleased that a new publisher picked up the series!
Lots of intrigue going on. Sounds like
a good start for a new series. Print
copy, please. thanks.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks, Marylou! I appreciate you stopping by and good luck in the contest!
I have enjoyed Kim Davis’s books, and I bet ESSENTIALS OF MURDER is going to be my favorite because I love aromatherapy! I always make my home cozy with scent candles or essential oil diffuser, changing the scents according to the seasons. I have definitely added this page-turner to my forever growing TBR!
cwkuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks so much! I truly appreciate hearing you’ve enjoyed my other books and hope you enjoy this new one as well. Good luck in the contest!
I use essential oils in my everyday life and would like a print copy and thank you for the chance to win….
I’m so glad you’ve found essential oils to be so beneficial, Diana! Good luck in the contest!
The cover is beautiful! It sounds amazing & so intriguing! Thank you for the chance!
Thank you, Joannie! I was super excited that the cover designer was able to bring my words to life with their art. Good luck in the contest!
Essential oils work great in the vacuum too. They make the house smell good
Essential oils work great in the vacuum too. Makes the house smell good! I’d like a print copy please. Thanks for the chance!
Thanks for the suggestion, Judy! I’ve never thought to try essential oils in the vacuum… I’m going to try it. Good luck in the contest!
I enjoy her reads! tWarner419@aol.com
Thank you so much, Teresa! I truly appreciate hearing that. Good luck in the contest!
What a glowing review! This sounds like a cozy mystery stuffed chock full of many different plot lines. I like complicated mysteries. The book will not only be entertaining but I look forward to learning a bit about aromatherapy since I only know the basics. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy!
Thanks for stopping by Sue! I appreciate you taking the time to read Kathleen’s terrific review and enter the contest. Good luck!
Looking forward to reading this. It sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to ein.
Thanks again for the chance!