Dollycas’s Thoughts

It’s almost time for the grand opening of Aroma Wellness, a dream Emma Brennan has worked hard to fulfill. Employees have been hired, shelves are stocked, therapy rooms are all equipped, the cafe is ready to serve up healthy meals, and the Courtyard of Peace has a fountain that is sure to lighten any weight you are carrying.

Emma knows there are objections from people she may be competing with, but she hopes that they will all see the differences and that there are plenty of customers for everyone.

Then one of those competitors is killed, beaten with an item from a basket Emma gave her to ease tensions. The woman was fine when Emma left, but she soon found herself at the top of the suspect list. With the murder weapon tied to Emma, a witness making accusations, and others who are not fans of the New Age sensation, Emma is going to have to find the real murderer herself. With a little help from her nana, her cousin, her Birman cat, Vivi, and from a surprising source, she hopes it doesn’t take long to get to the “essence of foul play” and get back to living her dream.

This series is a spinoff of the author’s Fairy Garden Mysteries, a series I have gotten behind on, but that did not hinder my enjoyment of this story one bit. The author starts the book with the cast of characters to help readers get to know the humans, animals, and fairies.

I enjoyed meeting Emma Brennan. She has a positive drive about her life and her business, and a genuine need to help people however she can. Her interactions with everyone she meets felt sincere. There is a large cast of unique, diverse, and memorable characters. I found it very easy to get invested in Emma and all the others. They were well introduced or reintroduced and continued to grow and hold my interest from the beginning of the story until the final page.

Emma took Willow’s death hard and not just because she was the top murder suspect. They were friends, not as close as some people thought, but she still felt the pressure to get justice for the rival spa owner. There were plenty of suspects and several clues to work through. The killer wants Emma to back off and clearly makes their wishes known, but that just strengthens Emma’s resolve. The story had a great twist that came out in a suspenseful reveal that tugged my emotions in different directions.

The author’s descriptive writing style brings Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, to life along with Emma’s spa, home, and even the beach. I could easily envision every place vividly.

Essence of Foul Play is a delightful companion to the Fairy Garden Mysteries. I feel we have barely scratched the surface of Emma Brennan’s life, past and future, so I am intrigued to see what the author has in store for her as the series continues.

Be sure to check out the recipes in the back of the book. Everything from an Avocado Face Mask to Lemon Butter Cookies and more are very tempting.

Emma Brennan knows that it’s a little ironic that she’s a bundle of nerves ahead of the opening of her new spa, Aroma Wellness, in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. She and her business are intent on offering serenity and positivity to their clientele, via both traditional spa offerings and services that are more off the beaten track, like aromatherapy and sound baths.

While her grandmother Nana Lissa and her cousin Sierra – who will be running the cafe portion of her spa – are wholly in her corner, her mother Kate is sure that she’s destined to fail. Kate has never had time for “New Age nonsense” but even her disapproval pales in comparison to the ire directed at Emma by not only random townsfolk but also by her frenemy and business rival Willow Shafer. Despite Emma having diligently gone round to the other spa owners in the area and workshopped how her offerings would differ from theirs, Willow is still paranoid that Emma will steal her clientele.

Having successfully dealt with Willow’s drama for years, Emma prepares to smooth things over by dropping off a basket of wellness goodies as a peace offering the night before Aroma Wellness’ grand opening. The basket thaws Willow’s chilliness, and while chatting over her worries at Mystic Waters, Emma learns not only about Willow’s financial troubles but also about ghostly noises that are plaguing the other spa. Willow asks Emma to help her figure out what that’s all about, and the two part on a positive note.

But the next morning Willow is found bludgeoned to death in Mystic Waters, with one of the items from Emma’s gift basket as the murder weapon. Worse, an eyewitness puts Emma at the crime scene. Emma knows that she didn’t kill Willow, but the police are certainly taking more than a passing interest in her. Will she be able to clear her name and find the real killer before her business, and potentially even she herself, face an untimely end?

This was a very cute series debut that is loosely tied in with my favorite of Daryl Wood Gerber’s cozy mystery series so far, the delightfully paranormal Fairy Garden Mystery books. While Emma can’t yet see fairies in the same way that Courtney Kelly, the heroine of the Fairy Garden Mysteries, can, she certainly wants to! Courtney herself makes several cameos in the book, as a fellow Carmel-by-the-Sea business owner. I, for one, am looking forward to the day that the two team up to solve a mystery together!

There were eight food and drink recipes included here, plus one recipe for a homemade face mask. While I made some amazing cookies last week, I couldn’t pass up trying this cookie recipe this week:

QUOTE
Lemon Butter Cookies

For the cookie:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
½ cup confectioners’ sugar
½ tablespoon lemon zest
¾ tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt

For the glaze:
¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
½ tablespoon lemon juice
½ tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
Finely grated lemon zest for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl of a mixer, whisk the butter with the confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Beat in the lemon zest (finely grated) and the juice, then blend in the flour and salt.

Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the balls on it. Using your fingers, flatten each cookie to about ¼-inch thickness. These will s-p-r-e-a-d.

Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the cookies are lightly browned and firm.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Meanwhile, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk the confectioner’s sugar with the lemon juice and softened butter until smooth.

Ice the cooled cookies with the glaze and dust with lemon zest. Let stand until the glaze is set.
END QUOTE

Ms Gerber has some of the best recipes in the culinary cozy genre, and this was no exception! When eaten cool and fresh, these are some of the best cookies I’ve ever had. They do get stale more quickly than other home-baked cookies, I feel, which is why the fact that this recipe makes only twelve to sixteen cookies (or seventeen, in my case, in a curious reversal of my usual penchant for making too few cookies too large) is perfect. Of course, you can easily double or even triple the batch if you’re making cookies for more than just yourself and a select and lucky few. There are instructions for freezing the dough for later baking, but I highly recommend only baking as many as you want to eat in the next twenty-four hours or so.

Next week, we travel to the midwest to investigate another bludgeoning death while trying a new-to-me method of cake-making. Do join me!

An excellent debut for what promises to be a charming, fun, and magical new cozy mystery series.

ESSENCE OF FOUL PLAY is the first book in veteran author Daryl Wood Gerber’s charming, fun, and magical new "Aroma Wellness Mystery" series and introduces readers to the quirky but often contentious residents of Carmel while solving a puzzling and ugly murder. Emma Brennan opens her new spa with its intriguing lineup of alternative self-care treatments in her hometown. Still, she encounters some surprising resistance to her business model, especially from her own mother and her college friend, Willow Shafer, a fellow spa owner who offers only traditional spa services. When Willow is found murdered the morning of Emma’s grand opening, Emma immediately becomes “a person of interest” in her death because a witness reported she saw Emma entering Willow’s business the night before.

The main character, Emma Brennan, is not only a new spa owner but now an amateur sleuth as well in order to clear her name as a suspect in the death of her old friend. She continually keeps a tight rein on her emotions, uses calming techniques, and always tries to redirect her frustrations with others in a positive direction. In addition to the mystery, I really enjoyed reading about all the different methods she employed to stay grounded and in control, and the descriptions of the variety of services her spa offered were fascinating. I was ready to book an appointment myself.

As the first book in a new series, the author must build an entire community of people who live there but do it in such a manner as not to overload the reader. Ms. Gerber does just this with a subtle and natural hand and even lends further assistance to the reader by providing a cast of characters at the front of the book. Readers familiar with the author’s Fairy Garden Mystery series, also set in Carmel, may recognize some cross-over characters who make an appearance. Emma’s world is full of quirky individuals and like-minded souls, such as her grandmother, town librarian, and fairy-friendly Lissa Reade. Yet, there are also quite a few cranky, rude, and downright mean-spirited folks among her acquaintances. One publicly proclaims to Emma’s face, “We hope your business goes poof.” I was shocked but also compelled to keep reading to see if that one would get her comeuppance!

The plot moves quickly, first with all the preparations for the spa’s Grand Opening, and as the murder is discovered early in the story, the action and suspense never let up. With all the high emotions in Emma’s circle, there were plenty of possible murder suspects along the way to check off the list. But as the story progresses and the red herrings drop off, there is a satisfying final resolution.

I recommend ESSENCE OF FOUL PLAY to cozy mystery readers, especially those who would enjoy a spa setting and cool, alternative self-care services.

This was a fun book with a twist as it took characters who were important to another long running series and spun it into a story that revolved around a new protagonist. Emma is seeing her dream come true. The opening of her spa is going swimmingly until news of a murder puts a damper on the festivities. It does not help that Emma was one of the last people to see the deceased and had brought a gift basket with the murder weapon in it. There is the usual, heroine fears she will be convicted of a crime and decides to investigate because the police won’t do it. Except the police in this instance are going to do a thorough job but it does not stop Emma from asking questions.

When her home is ransacked and her studio trashed, she begins to believe she may also be a target. It doesn’t stop her. There are several people with “bones” to pick with the victim but none of them come to the level of murder. When Emma does finally discover the truth, it is a shocking and sad story. All throughout her investigation Emma is longing to see a fairy. She believes her aunt is telling her the truth and even her kitty is playing with one. But the actual sight of one eludes her. Will Emma finally succeed? Since fairies and other whimsical beings are an integral part of the storylines, I think you can guess the answer. Four purrs and two paws up.

Essence of Foul Play is book #1 in the Aroma Wellness Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber.

This is a an entertaining new series. It is set in Carmel, California, which is also the setting of the author‘s ‘Fairy Garden Mysteries’ series so there are a few references to those characters which is a bonus for those familiar with that series, but you don’t have to read that to enjoy this book. Emma is opening a new spa and fellow and Willow, a fellow spa owner, is not happy even though they their spas offer different services. Emma feels they can coexist, but when Willow is murdered, Emma is a suspect. Can she clear her name? Will she ever see a fairy? You have to read to find out. This is another fun series from Daryl Wood Gerber.

Thank you Daryl Wood Gerber ( @darylwoodgerber ), Kensington Publishing ( @kensingtonbooks ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read Essence of Foul Play (out now).

This is the first of a new series that has both new and familiar characters. Set in Carmel-by -the-Sea, some of the same characters from Gerber’s fan-favorite Fairy Garden Mysteries are featured.

Emma, granddaughter of librarian Mrs. Reade (known from the Fairy Garden series), is opening a holistic health spa. When another spa owner confronts her, and then ends up dead, Detective Summers (also from the Fairy Garden series) sets his sights on Emma being the murderer.

This was a fun read. The Fairy Garden series is one of my favorites and it was interesting to meet more of the characters in this series. But Detective Summers now has his hands full with who sleuths in town.

#EssenceofFoulPlay #NetGalley #DarylWoodGerber #KensingtonBooks

Essence of Foul Play by Daryl Wood Gerber is the start of a new series which takes place in Carmel, right down the street from the Fairy Garden store. Ava Daft is opening a New Age spa complete with a cafe run by her cousin, Sierra, and her own essential oils. The whole thing is supported both emotionally and financially, by her grandmother, Sophie Reade, the local librarian, who everyone hopes will never die. Ava’s mother, Kate Brennan, is just the opposite of her mother and sees failure in every step Ava takes. She wanted her to be an English teacher. The place is ready to open and everyone is anxious, in varying degrees. Then the worst happens: Ava’s friend, Willow, is murdered, and Ava appears to be a suspect. Just as her spa is ready to open. The fact is, the police never told her, or even hinted, that she was a suspect. In fact, they barely questioned her. But, she knew, and she also knew she would have to find the murderer herself.

This new series is going to be as good as the last, loaded with fairies and people who believe in fairies. Ava believed, but had yet to see one. Very entertaining. Her grandmother had bonded with one and told her to wait, she would see them eventually. She really needed one now, to help her solve this murder. She had a list of suspects, pretty much the same one the police had, but they kept coming up with alibis. She roped her cousin into investigating with her: Sherlock and Watson. All she really managed to do was aggravate the detective. This is a book full of fun characters, just as the fairy garden series is. That’s what makes it so special. The mystery turns out to be a good one and Ava is the one to solve it. Gerber writes an easy-to-read, fun novel.

I was invited to read Essence of Foul Play by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #DarylWoodGerber #EssenceOfFoulPlay

A new series that has ties from another from the author. Emma is opening a new business which is always stressful but then one of her close friends, A college roommate is murdered. She is quickly pulled into trying to solve the crime. A well crafted mystery from beginning to end. Filled with well developed characters. A true solid cozy mystery. An enjoyable time! Thanks #Netgalley and #Kensington for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine

Opening a new business is always stressful. Add to that solving the murder of someone you’ve been close with for years, and it’s one heck of a week for Emma! Originally a suspect herself, she quickly find herself trying to figure out what happened to her former college friend. But can she solve a murder before she becomes the next spa owner to be murdered?

Well, this is the first book in a new series by the author, comma it is actually a tie in to another series that she writes. Both are great and both include fairies. Come for the fairies, stay for the mystery. And you’ll be back from Moore.

Essence of Foul Play is the first book in the new Aroma Wellness Mystery Series by Daryl Wood Gerber. The main character is 24-year-old Emma Brennan, who is opening a new spa in Carmel, California. When a rival spa owner is killed with an item from the goodie baskets Emma put together, she becomes a suspect and tries to sleuth her way out of trouble.

Author Daryl Wood Gerber is an experienced cozy mystery writer. She uses her skills to create the ultimate cozy setting in Essence of Foul Play: a tranquil spa in a beautiful seaside town. There are loads of spa products, luxurious spa treatments, a cafe, a dining patio, and a peaceful courtyard. Everything is freshly painted in blue and green. It made me want to go to a spa, or at minimum, have my own home spa day.

There is a small hint of New Age and fantasy in the story, but I wouldn't describe this book as a paranormal cozy. That said, the readers who enjoy this author's Fairy Garden Mystery Series, which is also set in Carmel-By-The-Sea, will love this book.

The mystery is well done with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. The characters are interesting. Emma's grandmother and Emma's cat Vivi were my favorites.

I enjoyed this book and will definitely read more from this author and the series.

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington for the ARC.

I felt right at home reading this series since it has the same setting and some same characters from the author’s Fairy Garden Mysteries. I absolutely loved that series and now this companion series is gonna be so much fun! Emma was a great main character and I loved her grandma, someone readers will recognize as Ms. Reade the librarian except in this series she’s Nana Lissa or just Nana, a really amazing lady. Emma’s spa employes/friends were awesome too and that Meryl was such a hoot!

The showdown was a good one, exciting and tense but Emma had things under control by the time the police arrived. I think the good detective’s finding he’s got another one on his hands a lot like Courtney Kelly as far as wanting to solve investigations. The ending of the book was just too sweet and special! I can’t wait for the next book now!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Essence of Foul Play takes us to Carmel by the Sea in California. Readers of Daryl Wood Gerber will be familiar with the location from her Fairy Garden mystery series. This book begins after that series.
Emma Brennan is opening a spa based on meditation and essential oils. Yoly from the fairy garden series is going to run the gift shop. Emma’s cousin Sierra is running the cafe with amazing sounding healthy foods and smoothies.
I enjoyed visiting Carmel in its new guise. I learned about spas, meditation and wellness from the story.
It’s fun to see Emma team up with her grandmother Lissa, the town librarian. Emma has a cute cat, Vivi. I like all the characters in this first book of the Aroma Wellness series. I’m excited that this series will include fairies. I was sad that the Fairy Garden series ended, but this new book opens up a promising new storyline set in a familiar setting.
The mystery was well done. I do feel a bit sorry for Detective Summers as now he has another amateur sleuth to contend with.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

When I realized this was a NEW series by Ms. Gerber, I was a bit disappointed. I'd loved her Fairy Garden Mystery's set in Carmel-by-the-Sea so much. But...do not be disheartened! This new series, An Aroma Wellness Mystery series, builds on what the auther had already written about this lovely seaside city, .including some of our favorite characters and fairies! Still a cozy mystery, it seems we're just getting more people to love!

Emma has opened a 'Wellness Spa' in Carmel. She has a sometimes friend, Willow, who has a spa as well. There is the usual push/pull as they wonder if the competing spas will both be able to make it. When Willow is found murdered in her place of business, Emma is the prime suspect. Clashing with the police detective (who was also in the Fairy Garden Mystery series) as she tries to flesh out who might have a grudge against Willow, the story holds your interest. The murderer is not who I expected!

With Emma in her spa, Yoly who was also in the Fairly Garden Mysteries and is running the gift shop at the spa. Emma's sister Sierra who is in charge of the café, and her grandmother Lissa the town's librarian. I can't wait to see who we seen next in the charming new series.

DNF - I got about a quarter through & just couldn’t finish. It felt like the author was writing an advertisement for a business. and trying to sell a life style. It’s all about the joys of peace, relaxation, meditation, eating, drinking health, which is not the mystery that the book is supposed to be. I’m not against any of these things but it felt like it was being shoved down my throat.v #EssenceofFoulPlay #NetGalley

Emma is excited about the grand opening of her new spa and has been doing everything she can to prepare. Everything that can be ordered has been and surprisingly no issues have popped up. When a rival spa owner is murdered with an item from a gift basket that Emma sent she is horrified. It doesn't help that there was a witness who says Emma was involved. With things taking such a turn Emma knows she must investigate so she can clear her name and keep her new business headed on the right track. Follow along and see where Emma's investigation takes her. Will she clear her name or will she be found guilty of murder? I wonderful start to a new series, can't wait to see where the author takes the characters next.

I had recently read another cozy with near similar subject matter so I tried to go into this book with an open mind. I wound up enjoying it a lot more than the other story. I have never been to Carmel but I think the author does a great job painting a picture of the quaint town (my stepmom goes yearly). However, I think the wealth of the area is downplayed quite a bit. I was a little put off by the fact that the main character probably would be nowhere near as ambitious if her grandmother wasn't providing housing and funding to her shop. It sounded a little like she was starting with nothing and making this grand spa and while the relationship with her grandmother is rock solid, she does not give enough credit to her bankrolling the operation.

Emma Brennan has studied meditation and wants to bring a wellness spa to the small town of Carmel, CA. She has opening day jitters and has a very public argument with a rival spa-owner, supposedly a friend of hers. This friend ends up dead and Emma is the main suspect. Determined to clear her name (based on EXTREMELY circumstantial evidence), she slyly investigates to find out who the real killer, with the help of her librarian grandmother, who knows everyone.

I liked the book insomuch that I want to visit Emma's spa. Quite badly in fact. Some of the New Age treatments in this book might be a bit out there for some, but if you have ever been to California are not quite so far-fetched. I appreciated Emma's commitment to her craft and bringing peace to the population. I also liked that her sleuthing was very hands off because sometimes I think it odd that protagonists go around interrogating people and it doesn't seem to bother them in the slightest. I appreciated that trope did not make it into this book.

Overall, this promises to be a good start to a series. Emma's cat, Vivi, is a delight and I hope she is included in a substantial amount of the plots in upcoming books.

My thanks to Kensington and Netgalley for this ARC.

Emma has everything on track to open her new spa… until the owner of a rival spa is found dead, and Emma becomes the primary suspect. As if that’s not enough, there’s a contingent in town who wants to shut down all the “woo-woo” New Age businesses. In order to keep her spa open, Emma must deal with the protesters while also clearing her name.

I have read and enjoyed several other series by this author and high hopes for this book. Fortunately, I was not disappointed. I like Emma, the MC, and adore Lissa, her grandmother. There were cameos by several characters from Gerber’s Fairy Garden series, including the detective investigating the murder. It was fun to visit with familiar characters as well as meeting new ones.

We didn’t know much about the murder victim except that she didn’t like the opening of another spa in town, which made it hard to create an initial list of suspects. As the story progressed, though, the list grew – and then shrank again as names were crossed off in the course of the investigation. Although the actual culprit was on my list, they weren’t at the top until just before it was revealed in the book, and the motive made sense for that character.

If, as I suspect, this is the first book of a new series, I look forward to returning to Carmel for another visit with Shelby, Nissa and the rest.

This was a good start to a new series. I like that it tied into the Fairy Garden Mystery series and while this one had a lot of potential I found myself a little disappointed it wasn’t in the Fairy Garden series as I think I like Courtney a little more as an amateur sleuth. In this one Emma is starting a business using alternative therapies and massage. Despite some people being not supportive she is excited and off to a good start until her friend is killed and she is the police’s number one suspect. I liked that her grandmother talked about and saw fairies and we saw some friends from the other series. There were a lot of suspects in this one and it was a little hard to follow at times. Overall I think this set up for a good new series and I am excited to see where it goes. The mystery was good and I liked the resolution overall.

Essence of Foul Play is the first book in the new Aroma Wellness Mystery series. Set in Carmel, California, Emma's dream of opening her own wellness spa is finally a reality. Prior to her opening, however, several townsfolk give Emma anything book good wishes. When her dear friend and bitter rival is found dead, Emma finds herself the only suspect. She knows she didn't do it, so that means a killer is still on the loose, and the only way to exonerate herself, it seems, is to do a little investigating herself.

There are several surprises in store for the reader. I enjoyed the location, setting, and occupation of this book. Essence of Foul Play delivers a complex mystery filled with a large assortment of suspects. Of course, we have a police officer that, while we know he's working on this case, isn't working on it fast enough for Emma. She's pulling out all the stops to figure out the motive and murderer. There is a cross-series meet-up in Essence of Foul Play and I enjoyed it very much. I love when authors bring in characters from other series' for cameos.

This is another unique story with a unique setting by this author. The characters are fun and exciting. I love meeting them. Emma is wonderful protagonist and love that she's got a grandma around that supports her. Her mother is something else. The author delivers several suspects with means and motive, and figuring out who committed the crime was difficult. There are twists and turns and red herrings, and while I may have suspected who committed the crime, I never was really sure until the end.

ESSENCE OF FOUL PLAY by Daryl Wood Gerber
The First Aroma Wellness Mystery

With the help of Nana Lissa and her cousin, Sierra, Emma Brennan is ready for the grand opening of her spa, Aroma Wellness. While there are other spas in Carmel by-the-Sea, Emma's is unique, offering sound baths and aromatherapy in addition to massages, manicures, and pedicures. The spa also has a cafe with healthy options run by Sierra and a gift shop carrying crystals, massage oils, and other goodies. Despite Emma previously sharing this information with her frenemy, Willow, Willow, who happens to run a traditional spa on the other side of town, is livid. And Willow isn't the only person angry. Indy and Palmer hate the idea of anything New Age and would like nothing better than for Emma's new business to fail. When Willow is found dead Emma is the one everyone remembers having an argument with her. Believing that she's the prime suspect Emma is determined to prove her innocence and find the real killer!

In ESSENCE OF FOUL PLAY Daryl Wood Gerber has created a close knit community of holistic healers adding to the charm of Carmel by-the-Sea. While I'm not one for traditional spas, no mani/pedis for me, I would love to spend time at Aroma Wellness Spa! I'd adore a sound bath and would even be willing to try a prickly pear massage. I know I'd also be doing some retail therapy in the gift shop and indulging in something from the cafe-hey, it's healthy! While Emma strives to make her spa a place of peace and serenity reality comes crashing in, literally and figuratively. It's sad that some people are so close minded when it comes to alternative healing and spiritual beliefs.

The mystery itself was intriguing with many suspects and possible motives. I appreciated Emma's method of sleuthing and enjoyed seeing her grandmother take the lead a few times. While several of the characters are downright nasty, there is a core of good-hearted people with whom you enjoy spending time. I also liked seeing several old friends from the Fairy Garden Mystery series.

A complex mystery with several moving parts ESSENCE OF FOUL PLAY is a feel good tale in more ways than one. Take some deep cleansing breaths, choose your affirmation, and make room in your library for this great new series!