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The Aromatherapy Apothecary #1
Essentials of Murder
Recovering from a scandal that chased her from San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael struggles to find acceptance in her small Southern California hometown as she opens her aromatherapy and reflexology shop.
When she finds a man murdered in her distilling room, Carissa becomes the main suspect, especially when her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, most townspeople assume she’s guilty—including the new leading detective.
Refusing to run again, Carissa knows she must prove her innocence to save her shop and her family’s reputation. With suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.
When she finds a man murdered in her distilling room, Carissa becomes the main suspect, especially when her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, most townspeople assume she’s guilty—including the new leading detective.
Refusing to run again, Carissa knows she must prove her innocence to save her shop and her family’s reputation. With suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2021
28 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Kim Davis
13 books325 followersKim Davis also writes as author K.A. Davis.
Kim Davis lives in Southern California with her husband and mini Goldendoodle, Missy. When she's not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing the puppy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, or working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder, or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats to share.
She also writes the Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series, the Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery series, The Board Game Chronicles middle grade series, and a suspense novel, A Game of Deceit, written under K. A. Davis, along with several children’s nature articles in a variety of magazines.
Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Kim Davis lives in Southern California with her husband and mini Goldendoodle, Missy. When she's not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing the puppy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, or working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder, or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats to share.
She also writes the Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series, the Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery series, The Board Game Chronicles middle grade series, and a suspense novel, A Game of Deceit, written under K. A. Davis, along with several children’s nature articles in a variety of magazines.
Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
October 31, 2021
Essentials of Murder, the first book in the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series written by Kim Davis, is also the first book I've read by the author. For years, I've seen her social media posts and books on key websites, but I had so many series in the queue that I couldn't take on another... except now she's kicked off a brand new one, so I had to give it a chance!
Carissa Carmichael has returned home to a Southern California town after a debacle with a boyfriend and jail. Don't ask! :) After deciding to open an essential oils (and more) shop, she finds someone dead in her store days before opening. Unfortunately, it's the one person she's had a few public disagreements with since her return that year. Not good, especially when her father's the Chief of Police and a neighboring town has a hot rival who wants to take over. Luckily, Carissa has some old friends and new friends who stick by her side... and as she investigates a company buying up all the local land, she realizes there's a much bigger problem going on in their wonderful town.
Davis treats us to a charming setting and invites us to befriend a cast of characters who have strong relationships, complicated histories, and secrets lurking just underneath the surface. Not only do we have a curious mystery but friends who need Carissa's help, family members who've been too distant, and a potential for two boyfriends... not that Carissa needs to have one, but it's always fun to have a little romance on the side in these kinds of books. I found myself easily immersed in the writing and author's style of narration and dialog. She creates great scenes and leaves just enough to the imagination.
I know a bit about essential oils, but having a series focused on them will be a nice addition to my knowledge base, and perhaps it will push me to be more open and test different types. So far, this trip into Davis's literary imagination has been a great experience, and I'm keen to dive further into it. Looking forward to the second book in the series, and when I close on another series in the coming months, I will likely start another one of the author's too. Recommending this one for fans of cozies, essential oils and small town shenanigans.
Carissa Carmichael has returned home to a Southern California town after a debacle with a boyfriend and jail. Don't ask! :) After deciding to open an essential oils (and more) shop, she finds someone dead in her store days before opening. Unfortunately, it's the one person she's had a few public disagreements with since her return that year. Not good, especially when her father's the Chief of Police and a neighboring town has a hot rival who wants to take over. Luckily, Carissa has some old friends and new friends who stick by her side... and as she investigates a company buying up all the local land, she realizes there's a much bigger problem going on in their wonderful town.
Davis treats us to a charming setting and invites us to befriend a cast of characters who have strong relationships, complicated histories, and secrets lurking just underneath the surface. Not only do we have a curious mystery but friends who need Carissa's help, family members who've been too distant, and a potential for two boyfriends... not that Carissa needs to have one, but it's always fun to have a little romance on the side in these kinds of books. I found myself easily immersed in the writing and author's style of narration and dialog. She creates great scenes and leaves just enough to the imagination.
I know a bit about essential oils, but having a series focused on them will be a nice addition to my knowledge base, and perhaps it will push me to be more open and test different types. So far, this trip into Davis's literary imagination has been a great experience, and I'm keen to dive further into it. Looking forward to the second book in the series, and when I close on another series in the coming months, I will likely start another one of the author's too. Recommending this one for fans of cozies, essential oils and small town shenanigans.
August 27, 2021
Carissa Carmichael mixes lots of scents in her new shop, Aromatherapy Apothecary. However, before her grand opening can be held, whiffs of murder fill her distillery when she finds the lifeless corpse of a troubled man whose mother owns the candle shop next door. Cari’s dad, Police Chief Robert Carmichael will do anything to help his daughter; however, a new detective on the force seems intent on badgering, and even threatening, both of them over problems in their pasts, if they don’t stop snooping.
Author Kim Davis creates a riveting and daunting crime scene investigation that kept me guessing as to whodunnit the entire story! Cleverly dropped clues found here and there, allow Carissa, her Dad, and friends to begin to discover motives, means, and opportunities for several suspects leading to the actual villain.
This story is supported by unique and interesting characters—both good and evil—and I look forward to watching these characters grow in future stories. The aromatherapy apothecary, and reflexology background is quite interesting and some great tips are included. There’s almost constant action which moves the story forward at a rapid pace. There is plenty of humor to disperse some of the tension of the crime-solving. I enjoyed it when Carissa could blindside her Dad since he kept a lot of his life secret from her! Additionally, I was surprised by who some of the murder suspects were (there were plenty of guilty-acting people), and what their agenda’s turned out to be. This is definitely a must-read mystery!
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by BookFunnel and Kindred Ink Press. All opinions are my own.
Author Kim Davis creates a riveting and daunting crime scene investigation that kept me guessing as to whodunnit the entire story! Cleverly dropped clues found here and there, allow Carissa, her Dad, and friends to begin to discover motives, means, and opportunities for several suspects leading to the actual villain.
This story is supported by unique and interesting characters—both good and evil—and I look forward to watching these characters grow in future stories. The aromatherapy apothecary, and reflexology background is quite interesting and some great tips are included. There’s almost constant action which moves the story forward at a rapid pace. There is plenty of humor to disperse some of the tension of the crime-solving. I enjoyed it when Carissa could blindside her Dad since he kept a lot of his life secret from her! Additionally, I was surprised by who some of the murder suspects were (there were plenty of guilty-acting people), and what their agenda’s turned out to be. This is definitely a must-read mystery!
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by BookFunnel and Kindred Ink Press. All opinions are my own.
September 8, 2021
After a scandal in San Francisco sent her packing, Carissa Carmichael has returned home to Oak Creek Valley in Southern California and has decided to open Aromatherapy Apothecary, a store specializing in essential oils. She is planning to work with her neighbor, who owns a candle shop, but the neighbor’s son, Russ, is certain that Carissa is going to steal business from his mom’s store. After a particularly nasty scene with Russ, Carissa enters her shop the next day to find his body in the back of her shop. Already convicted of the crime by local gossip and with the detective in charge of the case determined to find evidence to arrest her, Carissa sets out to prove her innocence. Can she do it?
I always love it when a debut cozy has characters who already feel like old friends, and that’s the case here. As we slowly meet Carissa’s family and friends, they form a great group I can’t wait to hang out with again. The suspects? They are great at keeping us confused. The mystery is good. I had some guesses on part of it, but I wasn’t sure until the end. The climax could have been stronger, but it did answer all our questions. As a Southern California resident, I loved recognizing some of the locations mentioned even if Oak Creek Valley is fictional. This is a fun debut you won’t want to miss.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this mystery.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I always love it when a debut cozy has characters who already feel like old friends, and that’s the case here. As we slowly meet Carissa’s family and friends, they form a great group I can’t wait to hang out with again. The suspects? They are great at keeping us confused. The mystery is good. I had some guesses on part of it, but I wasn’t sure until the end. The climax could have been stronger, but it did answer all our questions. As a Southern California resident, I loved recognizing some of the locations mentioned even if Oak Creek Valley is fictional. This is a fun debut you won’t want to miss.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this mystery.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 8, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Carissa Carmichael returns home after leaving San Francisco in hopes of leaving her recent past behind. With the support of family and friends, she strives to open an aromatherapy and reflexology shop but before she can even host her grand opening she finds a dead body right next to her distilling equipment and her fingerprints are the only ones on the murder weapon. Her chief of police father is forced off the case and the new lead detective feels his investigation is easy because he is convinced she is the killer. She now knows it is essential to catch the killer herself or to get rubbed out permanently.
Kim Davis excels in creating multifaceted characters that readers are drawn to almost immediately. Take Carissa, she has a bit of a checkered past that has probably given her father some gray hair, and in the San Francisco case, a situation that could come back to bite him in the future. She did make a great friend and mentor in Mari Kemp while there and Mari has come to town too now to help her open her shop. Cari also reconnects and hires a friend from high school who is a marketing whiz but she needs more help than just the job. Ashley is a character that really grabbed me and I can’t wait to see her life hopefully change in positive ways. We are introduced to a couple of possible romantic interests, a jerk detective, and other interesting residents of the California small town too. All are well-crafted, essential to the plot, and interesting in their own ways.
I really enjoy the way Ms. Davis tells a story. This mystery was filled with twists and turns. The victim really had issues that served up a nice list of possible suspects. The detective had ulterior motives that really tested everyone involved. Some strange land deals play into the mix and Cari tries to so be a good friend to many while trying to follow her dad’s orders to stay safe. The dialogues between the cast are both dynamic and true to life. But it is her delightful descriptive writing style that really makes her story so enjoyable. She can set a scene that paints a vivid picture in your mind while never being overly wordy. She seems to weigh each word and phrase carefully to really make them count. Readers can tell she did her research and knows her theme. The information she imparts about essential oils is so well presented. You can almost smell them too.
You can’t have a Kim Davis cozy mystery without some emphasis on food and let me tell you, all the trips Carissa made to the bakery down the street had me virtually adding pounds to my own body. Then again they could be actual pounds because she includes the recipe for Jasper’s Triple Chocolate Rolls in the back of the book. She also includes an Aromatherapy Basic Care Guide that I found very helpful and renewed my interest in essential oils.
This series is off to a marvelous start with Essentials for Murder. I can’t wait for book #2.
Carissa Carmichael returns home after leaving San Francisco in hopes of leaving her recent past behind. With the support of family and friends, she strives to open an aromatherapy and reflexology shop but before she can even host her grand opening she finds a dead body right next to her distilling equipment and her fingerprints are the only ones on the murder weapon. Her chief of police father is forced off the case and the new lead detective feels his investigation is easy because he is convinced she is the killer. She now knows it is essential to catch the killer herself or to get rubbed out permanently.
Kim Davis excels in creating multifaceted characters that readers are drawn to almost immediately. Take Carissa, she has a bit of a checkered past that has probably given her father some gray hair, and in the San Francisco case, a situation that could come back to bite him in the future. She did make a great friend and mentor in Mari Kemp while there and Mari has come to town too now to help her open her shop. Cari also reconnects and hires a friend from high school who is a marketing whiz but she needs more help than just the job. Ashley is a character that really grabbed me and I can’t wait to see her life hopefully change in positive ways. We are introduced to a couple of possible romantic interests, a jerk detective, and other interesting residents of the California small town too. All are well-crafted, essential to the plot, and interesting in their own ways.
I really enjoy the way Ms. Davis tells a story. This mystery was filled with twists and turns. The victim really had issues that served up a nice list of possible suspects. The detective had ulterior motives that really tested everyone involved. Some strange land deals play into the mix and Cari tries to so be a good friend to many while trying to follow her dad’s orders to stay safe. The dialogues between the cast are both dynamic and true to life. But it is her delightful descriptive writing style that really makes her story so enjoyable. She can set a scene that paints a vivid picture in your mind while never being overly wordy. She seems to weigh each word and phrase carefully to really make them count. Readers can tell she did her research and knows her theme. The information she imparts about essential oils is so well presented. You can almost smell them too.
You can’t have a Kim Davis cozy mystery without some emphasis on food and let me tell you, all the trips Carissa made to the bakery down the street had me virtually adding pounds to my own body. Then again they could be actual pounds because she includes the recipe for Jasper’s Triple Chocolate Rolls in the back of the book. She also includes an Aromatherapy Basic Care Guide that I found very helpful and renewed my interest in essential oils.
This series is off to a marvelous start with Essentials for Murder. I can’t wait for book #2.
October 9, 2021
Essentials of Murder Earns 5/5 Pixie Tangerines…Sweet and Tangy Page-Turner!
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. Big contender for my Top Favorite for 2021!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
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. Big contender for my Top Favorite for 2021!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
September 28, 2021
This is the 1st book in Ms. Davis' Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery series and the first book I have read that was written by this author. I was thoroughly engaged and entertained. The writing is solid, the plot moves along at a good pace, the characters are likable and the mystery kept me on my toes. I am looking forward to future books in the series to see where the author takes the characters. I see a lot of growth potential for Carissa and I am looking forward to reading more about Ashley. She is a great secondary character who I think will have a lot to offer.
December 31, 2024
This was an entertaining cozy mystery from the beginning to the end, and I even learned about essential oils.
Great character, great plot and fun twists!
Great character, great plot and fun twists!
September 13, 2021
I love Kim Davis’s Cupcake Catering Mysteries, but I was a bit learey to read Essentials of Murder, the first in her new Aromatherapy Apothecary Cozy Mysteries since I am a certified aromatherapist working towards becoming a clinical aromatherapist and I was concerned there would be a bunch of misinformation. Happily that was not the case… although since I read an ARC I’m hoping that there will be a bit more information regarding essential oils at the end of the released book. I’ll add my input at the end of the review about the oils, but first I’ll review the book!
Davis proves once again that she knows how to write cozy mysteries. Even though the series is just starting, her characters are well developed and already feel like friends I’ll want to come and hang out with again. Carissa makes some new friends around town and I’m excited to read more about them in future books. And the dynamic between Carissa and her father, the chief of police, was excellent. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a series with so much disdain for a police officer, or in this case, the lead detective on the case, but in the end I was content with the outcome. It just kind of stuck out to me since all the rest of the characters are so nice.
The descriptions of the town and stores were fun and engaging, and would be a place I would love to visit. The mystery itself was interesting, and although I had some of the whodunnit, it wasn’t until all was revealed that I saw I only had part of it. Another great cozy mystery series by Davis, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.
Now for the essential oil parts. Like I mentioned, Davis did a very good job, but I do want to point out a few things in case they are not mentioned after the story.
Do not put essential oils directly onto your skin, always use a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba. If you put essential oils directly onto your skin, over time you may experience allergic contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is the most common allergic reaction to essential oils. It occurs when you become sensitized to an allergen and have a reaction after a subsequent exposure.
Do not ingest essential oils unless you are under the supervision of a certified/clinical aromatherapist. If you want to add flavoring to your cooking, baked goods, or drinks use the actual herb/flower or a food grade extract instead.
Bergamot (and many citrus oils) is a photosensitive oil, which means that it can cause a serious reaction if you apply them topically and then expose your skin to the sun’s UV rays. If you choose to use a photosensitive essential oil, avoid exposing your skin to UV rays for at least 12 hours. Bergamot is wonderful in diffusers and inhalers, but be careful when applying to your skin.
Some essential oils have a very strong aroma, Ylang Ylang being one of them. I find that one drop of Ylang Ylang is more than enough when making bath salts or lotions. The first time I used it in a bath before I had any training, I followed the recipe off of a random website that said to add five drops and I instantly got a headache when I sat in the tub. The best way to make any item with essential oils is to add each one, one drop at a time and smell after each drop.
For even more information and safe essential oil recipes I highly recommend Aromahead Institute.
Davis proves once again that she knows how to write cozy mysteries. Even though the series is just starting, her characters are well developed and already feel like friends I’ll want to come and hang out with again. Carissa makes some new friends around town and I’m excited to read more about them in future books. And the dynamic between Carissa and her father, the chief of police, was excellent. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a series with so much disdain for a police officer, or in this case, the lead detective on the case, but in the end I was content with the outcome. It just kind of stuck out to me since all the rest of the characters are so nice.
The descriptions of the town and stores were fun and engaging, and would be a place I would love to visit. The mystery itself was interesting, and although I had some of the whodunnit, it wasn’t until all was revealed that I saw I only had part of it. Another great cozy mystery series by Davis, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.
Now for the essential oil parts. Like I mentioned, Davis did a very good job, but I do want to point out a few things in case they are not mentioned after the story.
Do not put essential oils directly onto your skin, always use a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba. If you put essential oils directly onto your skin, over time you may experience allergic contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is the most common allergic reaction to essential oils. It occurs when you become sensitized to an allergen and have a reaction after a subsequent exposure.
Do not ingest essential oils unless you are under the supervision of a certified/clinical aromatherapist. If you want to add flavoring to your cooking, baked goods, or drinks use the actual herb/flower or a food grade extract instead.
Bergamot (and many citrus oils) is a photosensitive oil, which means that it can cause a serious reaction if you apply them topically and then expose your skin to the sun’s UV rays. If you choose to use a photosensitive essential oil, avoid exposing your skin to UV rays for at least 12 hours. Bergamot is wonderful in diffusers and inhalers, but be careful when applying to your skin.
Some essential oils have a very strong aroma, Ylang Ylang being one of them. I find that one drop of Ylang Ylang is more than enough when making bath salts or lotions. The first time I used it in a bath before I had any training, I followed the recipe off of a random website that said to add five drops and I instantly got a headache when I sat in the tub. The best way to make any item with essential oils is to add each one, one drop at a time and smell after each drop.
For even more information and safe essential oil recipes I highly recommend Aromahead Institute.
September 19, 2025
I received a free copy from Tantor Audio and voluntarily reviewed it.
Essentials of Murder is the first book in this cozy mystery series featuring main character Carissa as she returns to her home town to start her own aromatherapy and reflexology shop. I hadn't read a book about that type of shop before and thought it sounded like a fun theme for a cozy mystery series. I liked learning more about aromatherapy and reflexology during this book and seeing Carissa prepare her shop for her grand opening.
The mystery in this one didn't fully work for me. The victim is murdered in Carissa's shop and the main detective has it out for her. So it made sense for her to get involved. I also thought it was interesting how her father is the chief of police as that added a different dynamic and connection with the police than in most cozies. Her father isn't the one running the investigation and the detective seems determined to blame Carissa for the murder. I am not a fan of the incompetent cop trope in cozies and I didn't like that trope here, but it's also clear it's not just him being incompetent, but that there is more behind it. Which slowly comes to light over the course of the book.
There are multiple suspects and I liked learning more, but I just wasn't as invested in the mystery. I didn't always like the way Carissa interviewed people and tried to get answers. And so many of the suspects she talks to are rude or just not nice or interesting characters to read about. I wasn't too surprised by who had done it, but there was a twist that was interesting and how it tied in with a plot line.
I liked the daily life scenes and getting to know Carissa and her shop. I also liked reading about the people she hired to help her in the shop as well as her mentor and friends who supports her while she's setting up the shop. It was interesting and fun to read about the shop and I am looking forward to reading more about it once it's actually open in the next book. A lot of the characters have some background that comes to light during the story and it made them feel real with their own lives and things that happened before this book. There's a romance plot line as well, which I liked well enough, except for the conflict later in the book and how Carissa handled that, but I am curious to see where that goes next.
The narrator was a new one to me and I enjoyed listening to it and the way she narrated the book and did the different voices was well done.
To summarize: I enjoyed this first book in this cozy mystery series. The aromatherapy and reflexology shop was interesting to read about as I knew almost nothing about that topic. I liked reading about Carissa and her daily life and shop. As well as the people she has around her and who help her, they all have their own backstory and I liked how this made them feel real. There's also a set up for a romance and I liked it well enough so far, but wasn't a fan of the conflict and how Carissa handled that. The mystery didn't fully work for me and wasn't as interesting. I also didn't always like the way Carissa investigated and talked to suspects. The murderer wasn't a big surprise, but there was an interesting twist. I look forward to continuing the series.
Essentials of Murder is the first book in this cozy mystery series featuring main character Carissa as she returns to her home town to start her own aromatherapy and reflexology shop. I hadn't read a book about that type of shop before and thought it sounded like a fun theme for a cozy mystery series. I liked learning more about aromatherapy and reflexology during this book and seeing Carissa prepare her shop for her grand opening.
The mystery in this one didn't fully work for me. The victim is murdered in Carissa's shop and the main detective has it out for her. So it made sense for her to get involved. I also thought it was interesting how her father is the chief of police as that added a different dynamic and connection with the police than in most cozies. Her father isn't the one running the investigation and the detective seems determined to blame Carissa for the murder. I am not a fan of the incompetent cop trope in cozies and I didn't like that trope here, but it's also clear it's not just him being incompetent, but that there is more behind it. Which slowly comes to light over the course of the book.
There are multiple suspects and I liked learning more, but I just wasn't as invested in the mystery. I didn't always like the way Carissa interviewed people and tried to get answers. And so many of the suspects she talks to are rude or just not nice or interesting characters to read about. I wasn't too surprised by who had done it, but there was a twist that was interesting and how it tied in with a plot line.
I liked the daily life scenes and getting to know Carissa and her shop. I also liked reading about the people she hired to help her in the shop as well as her mentor and friends who supports her while she's setting up the shop. It was interesting and fun to read about the shop and I am looking forward to reading more about it once it's actually open in the next book. A lot of the characters have some background that comes to light during the story and it made them feel real with their own lives and things that happened before this book. There's a romance plot line as well, which I liked well enough, except for the conflict later in the book and how Carissa handled that, but I am curious to see where that goes next.
The narrator was a new one to me and I enjoyed listening to it and the way she narrated the book and did the different voices was well done.
To summarize: I enjoyed this first book in this cozy mystery series. The aromatherapy and reflexology shop was interesting to read about as I knew almost nothing about that topic. I liked reading about Carissa and her daily life and shop. As well as the people she has around her and who help her, they all have their own backstory and I liked how this made them feel real. There's also a set up for a romance and I liked it well enough so far, but wasn't a fan of the conflict and how Carissa handled that. The mystery didn't fully work for me and wasn't as interesting. I also didn't always like the way Carissa investigated and talked to suspects. The murderer wasn't a big surprise, but there was an interesting twist. I look forward to continuing the series.
August 27, 2024
This is an outstanding first book in a new series.
Carissa returns to her hometown after a scandal. She is on the cusp of opening her aromatherapy and reflexology shop. Not everyone is thrilled with it, and once a body turns up
in the shop, she has a new challenge of proving her innocence.
This book has all the qualities of a top notch cozy mystery.
The characters were entertaining, I especially enjoyed the interactions between Carissa and her father, who happens to be the Chief of Police. The whodunit was well written and certainly kept me guessing.
I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Carissa returns to her hometown after a scandal. She is on the cusp of opening her aromatherapy and reflexology shop. Not everyone is thrilled with it, and once a body turns up
in the shop, she has a new challenge of proving her innocence.
This book has all the qualities of a top notch cozy mystery.
The characters were entertaining, I especially enjoyed the interactions between Carissa and her father, who happens to be the Chief of Police. The whodunit was well written and certainly kept me guessing.
I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
November 24, 2024
Put some lavender in the diffuser, make some chamomile tea and curl up with a new fun cozy Kim Davis has created a new cozy mystery series that is to die for- after all it is a murder mystery. Her protagonist Carissa Carmichael is about to open her own shop, Aromatherapy Apothecary. But when she finds a body, the detective in charge seems bound and determined to put her in prison. Of course she needs to solve the mystery herself to clear her name. Davis has set the scene with lots of detail and the reader can easily envision the shop. There is a fantastic group of friends and family introduced in this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own. I enjoyed this first book of the series and can't wait to read more.
May 13, 2025
5⭐️ I loved this cozy mystery! Perfect balance of cozy details, mystery and characters. I grew attached to the main character and her dad and also enjoyed the side characters. I loved the time spent at the aromatherapy shop and the talk of essential oils. The mystery had me hooked and the writing style kept me glued to every page. I really hope there will be more books in this series!
October 27, 2024
What a fun start to a new cozy mystery series, focusing on the fine art of aromatherapy and reflexology.
Young and rather naïve Carissa Carmichael, has returned to her small hometown, a place she never thought she'd move back to after making her home in San Francisco. It turns out that San Fran wasn't as warm and friendly as she had hoped. And oh, that arrest in the big city, (about which the hometown folks continue to gossip), was a real career ender. So home it was into the loving arms of her widower dad, who just happens to be the town's sheriff. Carissa is eagerly starting over and hoping that her new Aromatherapy Apothecary shop is the ticket to a new lease on life. All is well until the antagonistic son of the adjacent shop's owner, is found dead on the floor of Carissa's shop and she is in the everyone's crosshairs and suspected of being the perpetrator of the crime. For propriety's sake, an investigator is brought in to lead the investigation with Sherriff Carmichael as his second. Unfortunately, the two lawmen have less than amicable history. If Carissa is ever going to hold her grand opening and turn this nightmare back into her dream future, she needs to be cleared of all wrong doing. Is that even possible?
Kim Davis has done a terrific job of digging into the details of aromatherapy and reflexology and educating her readers while delivering an engaging and at times, amusing story. Her writing is solid. The characters are well developed and the readers can easily empathize with them in their challenges faced. The scene settings are rich and descriptive. The story itself is a "closed-door" mystery with a number of red-herrings and misdirection. To all of this, Ms. Davis has added a lot of heart. I eagerly await the next book in series.
I am grateful to Harbor Lane Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mind alone.
Publisher: Harbor Lane Books, LLC
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Number of Pages: 300
ISBN-13: 978-1963705898
Young and rather naïve Carissa Carmichael, has returned to her small hometown, a place she never thought she'd move back to after making her home in San Francisco. It turns out that San Fran wasn't as warm and friendly as she had hoped. And oh, that arrest in the big city, (about which the hometown folks continue to gossip), was a real career ender. So home it was into the loving arms of her widower dad, who just happens to be the town's sheriff. Carissa is eagerly starting over and hoping that her new Aromatherapy Apothecary shop is the ticket to a new lease on life. All is well until the antagonistic son of the adjacent shop's owner, is found dead on the floor of Carissa's shop and she is in the everyone's crosshairs and suspected of being the perpetrator of the crime. For propriety's sake, an investigator is brought in to lead the investigation with Sherriff Carmichael as his second. Unfortunately, the two lawmen have less than amicable history. If Carissa is ever going to hold her grand opening and turn this nightmare back into her dream future, she needs to be cleared of all wrong doing. Is that even possible?
Kim Davis has done a terrific job of digging into the details of aromatherapy and reflexology and educating her readers while delivering an engaging and at times, amusing story. Her writing is solid. The characters are well developed and the readers can easily empathize with them in their challenges faced. The scene settings are rich and descriptive. The story itself is a "closed-door" mystery with a number of red-herrings and misdirection. To all of this, Ms. Davis has added a lot of heart. I eagerly await the next book in series.
I am grateful to Harbor Lane Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mind alone.
Publisher: Harbor Lane Books, LLC
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Number of Pages: 300
ISBN-13: 978-1963705898
October 8, 2021
Absolutely loved it! Can't wait to read the next one!
October 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! I will be looking forward to the next one.
November 14, 2021
ESSENTIALS OF MURDER by Kim Davis is the first book in the Aromatherapy Apothecary series. It’s the well-crafted story of Carissa Carmichael as she tries to straighten out her life upon her return to her hometown in southern California. She’s met by the gossip mill of small town life, with opposition to her soon to open new business – a aromatherapy and reflexology shop, and someone trying to frame her with murder.
Carissa, through her naivety and lack of judgment, had almost found herself in jail while living in San Francisco. With her father’s help, she was able to be exonerated and returned to her home town – Oak Creek Valley. Trying to restart her life has proving to be rather difficult, but she is hoping her new business venture would be a step in the right direction. Thanks to having previously met Mari (who befriended her and who she’s gotten rather close with) she’s learned a lot about both aromatherapy and reflexology, which she plans to put into practice in her shop.
She’s also developed a friendship with Victoria, the adjacent candle shop owner. They have been discussing how each other’s business would complement the other helping them both financially. However, Victoria’s son, Russ, is livid over the idea thinking that Carissa’s shop would hinder his mother’s income which in turn would hurt him as well. There have been several angry confrontations between Carissa and Russ.
When Russ is found dead inside Carissa’s shop and because of their altercations, she seems to be the prime suspect in his death. Police Chief Carmichael is taken off the case due to a conflict of interest. Detective Harvey Miller, who has a rather hostile relationship with the chief, is assigned to the case and places the chief of menial tasks. He seems to think Carissa is the only suspect and he’s determined to prove she did it.
Jasper Whitby, owner of Jean-Luc Patisserie, also had altercations with Russ. Besides loving his triple chocolate rolls and having a slight crush on him, Carissa just can’t see that he would be capable of murder. When some of his actions make her give pause, can she still be sure he’s innocent? Is there a chance of a future between them? Or is this just the first of many wedges to be placed between them?
During the murder investigation, Carissa is determined to get her shop ready to open. That means hiring help which leads her to hiring not one but two employees – one an old high school friend who is in desperate needs of a job and a young man with so much enthusiasm that she just couldn’t turn him away. Was it a smart move to have people on her payroll that depended on that income when she’s not even sure she’s going to have an income?
Determined not to run or be the meek mouse she once was, Carissa is determined to stand her ground and prove her innocence – even if it means her sniffing out clues and following leads to find out who the guilty party is. She plans on following her father’s often advice of being aware of her surroundings and not to take dangerous chances. Will she find answers or find herself in even bigger trouble? Will following leads put her life on the line? Why are landowners in dire straits being bought out at ridiculously low prices? Are there blackmailers in Oak Creek Valley? Will finding the truth uncover more than solving a murder case?
Seems that when Carissa’s father helped her out of her jam in San Francisco that there might have been more than him spending his savings involved. Will Carissa be able to get herself out of another pickle and managed to save her father’s job and reputation in the process?
After delays and incidents, will Aromatherapy Apothecary open? Can she put the past in the past? Can she even dream about a bright future?
ESSENTIALS OF MURDER is a perfectly-executed cozy mystery that will have you turning pages as your work alongside Carissa, the main character, trying to figure out whodunit. The clues and the paths they lead you on are many as you try to unravel truth from rumor. Kim Davis starts off this new series introducing us to a cast of characters that you can’t help but find interesting as she makes you feel as if you’re a resident of Oak Creek Valley. We get to experience the good (family and community) and bad (there’s no such thing as a secret and the rumor mills) sides of living in a small town. It’s an exciting read and although you might thing you have it figured out, the twists in it will still leave you surprised in the end. I found the information about both essential oil uses and reflexology in the story interesting. I was excited to see that many uses of the essential oils and the Triple Chocolate Rolls recipe was in the back of the book. Absolutely loved ESSENTIALS OF MURDER and it definitely deserves a FIVE STARS rating! I will anxiously be awaiting the second book in this series to see how the characters develop and how Carissa’s life and business expands (maybe even some romance is ahead).
Carissa, through her naivety and lack of judgment, had almost found herself in jail while living in San Francisco. With her father’s help, she was able to be exonerated and returned to her home town – Oak Creek Valley. Trying to restart her life has proving to be rather difficult, but she is hoping her new business venture would be a step in the right direction. Thanks to having previously met Mari (who befriended her and who she’s gotten rather close with) she’s learned a lot about both aromatherapy and reflexology, which she plans to put into practice in her shop.
She’s also developed a friendship with Victoria, the adjacent candle shop owner. They have been discussing how each other’s business would complement the other helping them both financially. However, Victoria’s son, Russ, is livid over the idea thinking that Carissa’s shop would hinder his mother’s income which in turn would hurt him as well. There have been several angry confrontations between Carissa and Russ.
When Russ is found dead inside Carissa’s shop and because of their altercations, she seems to be the prime suspect in his death. Police Chief Carmichael is taken off the case due to a conflict of interest. Detective Harvey Miller, who has a rather hostile relationship with the chief, is assigned to the case and places the chief of menial tasks. He seems to think Carissa is the only suspect and he’s determined to prove she did it.
Jasper Whitby, owner of Jean-Luc Patisserie, also had altercations with Russ. Besides loving his triple chocolate rolls and having a slight crush on him, Carissa just can’t see that he would be capable of murder. When some of his actions make her give pause, can she still be sure he’s innocent? Is there a chance of a future between them? Or is this just the first of many wedges to be placed between them?
During the murder investigation, Carissa is determined to get her shop ready to open. That means hiring help which leads her to hiring not one but two employees – one an old high school friend who is in desperate needs of a job and a young man with so much enthusiasm that she just couldn’t turn him away. Was it a smart move to have people on her payroll that depended on that income when she’s not even sure she’s going to have an income?
Determined not to run or be the meek mouse she once was, Carissa is determined to stand her ground and prove her innocence – even if it means her sniffing out clues and following leads to find out who the guilty party is. She plans on following her father’s often advice of being aware of her surroundings and not to take dangerous chances. Will she find answers or find herself in even bigger trouble? Will following leads put her life on the line? Why are landowners in dire straits being bought out at ridiculously low prices? Are there blackmailers in Oak Creek Valley? Will finding the truth uncover more than solving a murder case?
Seems that when Carissa’s father helped her out of her jam in San Francisco that there might have been more than him spending his savings involved. Will Carissa be able to get herself out of another pickle and managed to save her father’s job and reputation in the process?
After delays and incidents, will Aromatherapy Apothecary open? Can she put the past in the past? Can she even dream about a bright future?
ESSENTIALS OF MURDER is a perfectly-executed cozy mystery that will have you turning pages as your work alongside Carissa, the main character, trying to figure out whodunit. The clues and the paths they lead you on are many as you try to unravel truth from rumor. Kim Davis starts off this new series introducing us to a cast of characters that you can’t help but find interesting as she makes you feel as if you’re a resident of Oak Creek Valley. We get to experience the good (family and community) and bad (there’s no such thing as a secret and the rumor mills) sides of living in a small town. It’s an exciting read and although you might thing you have it figured out, the twists in it will still leave you surprised in the end. I found the information about both essential oil uses and reflexology in the story interesting. I was excited to see that many uses of the essential oils and the Triple Chocolate Rolls recipe was in the back of the book. Absolutely loved ESSENTIALS OF MURDER and it definitely deserves a FIVE STARS rating! I will anxiously be awaiting the second book in this series to see how the characters develop and how Carissa’s life and business expands (maybe even some romance is ahead).
September 10, 2021
Essentials Of Murder
Aromatherapy Apothecary. Book #
Kim Davis
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Recovering from a scandal that chased her from San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael struggles to find acceptance in her small Southern California hometown as she opens her aromatherapy and reflexology shop.
When she finds a man murdered in her distilling room, Carissa becomes the main suspect, especially when her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, most townspeople assume she’s guilty—including the new leading detective.
Refusing to run again, Carissa knows she must prove her innocence to save her shop and her family’s reputation. With suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Carissa is a hard working woman who wants to make a go of her aromatherapy
shop. She has returned to her Southern California hometown after a scandal and just wants her aromatherapy business to be successful. Her and her dad get along well and he tries to help her anyway he can. When a man is killed in her shop, she is the prime
suspect and will need to figure out the culprit. If she cannot figure it out, she can say goodbye to her shop and her freedom.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The mystery is well plotted and not easily solved. I was surprised at who the killer was.
I really enjoyed this book and I enjoyed the relationship between Carissa and her dad, it showed how much they cared about each other. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher,Kindred Ink Press, which I greatly appreciate.
Aromatherapy Apothecary. Book #
Kim Davis
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Recovering from a scandal that chased her from San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael struggles to find acceptance in her small Southern California hometown as she opens her aromatherapy and reflexology shop.
When she finds a man murdered in her distilling room, Carissa becomes the main suspect, especially when her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, most townspeople assume she’s guilty—including the new leading detective.
Refusing to run again, Carissa knows she must prove her innocence to save her shop and her family’s reputation. With suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Carissa is a hard working woman who wants to make a go of her aromatherapy
shop. She has returned to her Southern California hometown after a scandal and just wants her aromatherapy business to be successful. Her and her dad get along well and he tries to help her anyway he can. When a man is killed in her shop, she is the prime
suspect and will need to figure out the culprit. If she cannot figure it out, she can say goodbye to her shop and her freedom.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The mystery is well plotted and not easily solved. I was surprised at who the killer was.
I really enjoyed this book and I enjoyed the relationship between Carissa and her dad, it showed how much they cared about each other. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher,Kindred Ink Press, which I greatly appreciate.
October 28, 2024
This is the first in a new series by this author and it's off to a great start. Cari is about to open her new aromatherapy shop after her return to her home town after an unpleasant event with an ex boyfriend. The son of the owner of a neighbouring shop seems to have it in for Cari and when he is found murdered in her shop, the lead detective seems to be totally focussed on Cari as the main suspect.
I love the small town vibe throughout here and the way rumours and gossip seem to get around so quickly. The whole aromatherapy aspect was new to me and I found it totally fascinating. Don't get me started on the patisserie side of things! My mouth was watering throughout. It is clear that there are many people with motives to kill Russ but was isn't so clear is why the detective is hell bent on Cari as the killer. Throw in some possible corruption and shady land deals and a hint of a possible romance and this book seems to have it all. I look forward to reading lots more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love the small town vibe throughout here and the way rumours and gossip seem to get around so quickly. The whole aromatherapy aspect was new to me and I found it totally fascinating. Don't get me started on the patisserie side of things! My mouth was watering throughout. It is clear that there are many people with motives to kill Russ but was isn't so clear is why the detective is hell bent on Cari as the killer. Throw in some possible corruption and shady land deals and a hint of a possible romance and this book seems to have it all. I look forward to reading lots more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
October 7, 2024ESSENTIALS OF MURDER by Kim Davis is the first book in the Aromatherapy Apothecary series. It’s the well-crafted story of Carissa Carmichael as she tries to straighten out her life upon her return to her hometown in southern California. She’s met by the gossip mill of small town life, with opposition to her soon to open new business – a aromatherapy and reflexology shop, and someone trying to frame her with murder.
Carissa, through her naivety and lack of judgment, had almost found herself in jail while living in San Francisco. With her father’s help, she was able to be exonerated and returned to her home town – Oak Creek Valley. Trying to restart her life has proving to be rather difficult, but she is hoping her new business venture would be a step in the right direction. Thanks to having previously met Mari (who befriended her and who she’s gotten rather close with) she’s learned a lot about both aromatherapy and reflexology, which she plans to put into practice in her shop.
She’s also developed a friendship with Victoria, the adjacent candle shop owner. They have been discussing how each other’s business would complement the other helping them both financially. However, Victoria’s son, Russ, is livid over the idea thinking that Carissa’s shop would hinder his mother’s income which in turn would hurt him as well. There have been several angry confrontations between Carissa and Russ.
When Russ is found dead inside Carissa’s shop and because of their altercations, she seems to be the prime suspect in his death. Police Chief Carmichael is taken off the case due to a conflict of interest. Detective Harvey Miller, who has a rather hostile relationship with the chief, is assigned to the case and places the chief of menial tasks. He seems to think Carissa is the only suspect and he’s determined to prove she did it.
Jasper Whitby, owner of Jean-Luc Patisserie, also had altercations with Russ. Besides loving his triple chocolate rolls and having a slight crush on him, Carissa just can’t see that he would be capable of murder. When some of his actions make her give pause, can she still be sure he’s innocent? Is there a chance of a future between them? Or is this just the first of many wedges to be placed between them?
During the murder investigation, Carissa is determined to get her shop ready to open. That means hiring help which leads her to hiring not one but two employees – one an old high school friend who is in desperate needs of a job and a young man with so much enthusiasm that she just couldn’t turn him away. Was it a smart move to have people on her payroll that depended on that income when she’s not even sure she’s going to have an income?
Determined not to run or be the meek mouse she once was, Carissa is determined to stand her ground and prove her innocence – even if it means her sniffing out clues and following leads to find out who the guilty party is. She plans on following her father’s often advice of being aware of her surroundings and not to take dangerous chances. Will she find answers or find herself in even bigger trouble? Will following leads put her life on the line? Why are landowners in dire straits being bought out at ridiculously low prices? Are there blackmailers in Oak Creek Valley? Will finding the truth uncover more than solving a murder case?
Seems that when Carissa’s father helped her out of her jam in San Francisco that there might have been more than him spending his savings involved. Will Carissa be able to get herself out of another pickle and managed to save her father’s job and reputation in the process?
After delays and incidents, will Aromatherapy Apothecary open? Can she put the past in the past? Can she even dream about a bright future?
ESSENTIALS OF MURDER is a perfectly-executed cozy mystery that will have you turning pages as your work alongside Carissa, the main character, trying to figure out whodunit. The clues and the paths they lead you on are many as you try to unravel truth from rumor. Kim Davis starts off this new series introducing us to a cast of characters that you can’t help but find interesting as she makes you feel as if you’re a resident of Oak Creek Valley. We get to experience the good (family and community) and bad (there’s no such thing as a secret and the rumor mills) sides of living in a small town. It’s an exciting read and although you might thing you have it figured out, the twists in it will still leave you surprised in the end. I found the information about both essential oil uses and reflexology in the story interesting. I was excited to see that many uses of the essential oils and the Triple Chocolate Rolls recipe was in the back of the book. Absolutely loved ESSENTIALS OF MURDER and it definitely deserves a FIVE STARS rating! I will anxiously be awaiting the second book in this series to see how the characters develop and how Carissa’s life and business expands (maybe even some romance is ahead).
#EssentialsofMurder #KimDavis
Carissa, through her naivety and lack of judgment, had almost found herself in jail while living in San Francisco. With her father’s help, she was able to be exonerated and returned to her home town – Oak Creek Valley. Trying to restart her life has proving to be rather difficult, but she is hoping her new business venture would be a step in the right direction. Thanks to having previously met Mari (who befriended her and who she’s gotten rather close with) she’s learned a lot about both aromatherapy and reflexology, which she plans to put into practice in her shop.
She’s also developed a friendship with Victoria, the adjacent candle shop owner. They have been discussing how each other’s business would complement the other helping them both financially. However, Victoria’s son, Russ, is livid over the idea thinking that Carissa’s shop would hinder his mother’s income which in turn would hurt him as well. There have been several angry confrontations between Carissa and Russ.
When Russ is found dead inside Carissa’s shop and because of their altercations, she seems to be the prime suspect in his death. Police Chief Carmichael is taken off the case due to a conflict of interest. Detective Harvey Miller, who has a rather hostile relationship with the chief, is assigned to the case and places the chief of menial tasks. He seems to think Carissa is the only suspect and he’s determined to prove she did it.
Jasper Whitby, owner of Jean-Luc Patisserie, also had altercations with Russ. Besides loving his triple chocolate rolls and having a slight crush on him, Carissa just can’t see that he would be capable of murder. When some of his actions make her give pause, can she still be sure he’s innocent? Is there a chance of a future between them? Or is this just the first of many wedges to be placed between them?
During the murder investigation, Carissa is determined to get her shop ready to open. That means hiring help which leads her to hiring not one but two employees – one an old high school friend who is in desperate needs of a job and a young man with so much enthusiasm that she just couldn’t turn him away. Was it a smart move to have people on her payroll that depended on that income when she’s not even sure she’s going to have an income?
Determined not to run or be the meek mouse she once was, Carissa is determined to stand her ground and prove her innocence – even if it means her sniffing out clues and following leads to find out who the guilty party is. She plans on following her father’s often advice of being aware of her surroundings and not to take dangerous chances. Will she find answers or find herself in even bigger trouble? Will following leads put her life on the line? Why are landowners in dire straits being bought out at ridiculously low prices? Are there blackmailers in Oak Creek Valley? Will finding the truth uncover more than solving a murder case?
Seems that when Carissa’s father helped her out of her jam in San Francisco that there might have been more than him spending his savings involved. Will Carissa be able to get herself out of another pickle and managed to save her father’s job and reputation in the process?
After delays and incidents, will Aromatherapy Apothecary open? Can she put the past in the past? Can she even dream about a bright future?
ESSENTIALS OF MURDER is a perfectly-executed cozy mystery that will have you turning pages as your work alongside Carissa, the main character, trying to figure out whodunit. The clues and the paths they lead you on are many as you try to unravel truth from rumor. Kim Davis starts off this new series introducing us to a cast of characters that you can’t help but find interesting as she makes you feel as if you’re a resident of Oak Creek Valley. We get to experience the good (family and community) and bad (there’s no such thing as a secret and the rumor mills) sides of living in a small town. It’s an exciting read and although you might thing you have it figured out, the twists in it will still leave you surprised in the end. I found the information about both essential oil uses and reflexology in the story interesting. I was excited to see that many uses of the essential oils and the Triple Chocolate Rolls recipe was in the back of the book. Absolutely loved ESSENTIALS OF MURDER and it definitely deserves a FIVE STARS rating! I will anxiously be awaiting the second book in this series to see how the characters develop and how Carissa’s life and business expands (maybe even some romance is ahead).
#EssentialsofMurder #KimDavis
November 27, 2024
A Great Cozy Mystery!
I just finished reading essentials of murder and it was amazing! The story is about a girl named Carissa who opens a shop for aromatherapy and reflexology. But then, she finds a dead body in her shop!
At first, the story was a bit slow, but it got really interesting and exciting. I wanted to keep reading to find out who the killer was.
Carissa is a brave character who wants to clear her name and find the real killer. The author did a great job of keeping me guessing until the end.
If you like cozy mysteries, you should definitely read this book! It's a fun and exciting story , I'm sure you'll love it.
Happy Reading 🤗
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I just finished reading essentials of murder and it was amazing! The story is about a girl named Carissa who opens a shop for aromatherapy and reflexology. But then, she finds a dead body in her shop!
At first, the story was a bit slow, but it got really interesting and exciting. I wanted to keep reading to find out who the killer was.
Carissa is a brave character who wants to clear her name and find the real killer. The author did a great job of keeping me guessing until the end.
If you like cozy mysteries, you should definitely read this book! It's a fun and exciting story , I'm sure you'll love it.
Happy Reading 🤗
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 20, 2024
Starting a new business is never easy, but starting over in the small town where there are people who don’t want you there is even more stressful. Add a murder, a detective who assumes you, Carissa, daughter of Chief Carmichael, is guilty leaves no alternative but to prove your innocence.
Get ready for small town busy bodies, politics and secrets! Who disliked the victim enough to murder him? Who dislikes Carissa enough to frame her for murder? And why is this happening?
This is an enjoyable new book by Kim Davis. Essentials of Murder is the first book in The Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery.
Get ready for small town busy bodies, politics and secrets! Who disliked the victim enough to murder him? Who dislikes Carissa enough to frame her for murder? And why is this happening?
This is an enjoyable new book by Kim Davis. Essentials of Murder is the first book in The Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery.
September 8, 2024
Essentials of Murder: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings: death of a family member, scandal, history of arrest
After a scandalous arrest, Carissa returns home to start up her own Aromatherapy Shop with reflexology services. However, things are not off to a good start as Carissa finds her neighbor’s son, someone who has threatened her business, murdered in her shop prior to her store opening. When Carissa becomes the target and main suspect she starts investigating the murder on her own, determined to clear her name. The more she digs, the more details come to light, and the more suspects who wanted him dead.
This was a cute cozy mystery with an aromatherapy/essential oil twist that I enjoyed. The author writes like she really is passionate about essentials oils and I liked the tips and tricks and uses that were shared. The story had a surprising twist and I enjoyed how systematically Carissa went about solving the murder, no doubt because of the influence of her chief of police dad. As this is the first book in the series, it was very much a character and relationship building book, as we are introduced to many different characters and all the ways they interact with the main character, Carissa.
Content Warnings: death of a family member, scandal, history of arrest
After a scandalous arrest, Carissa returns home to start up her own Aromatherapy Shop with reflexology services. However, things are not off to a good start as Carissa finds her neighbor’s son, someone who has threatened her business, murdered in her shop prior to her store opening. When Carissa becomes the target and main suspect she starts investigating the murder on her own, determined to clear her name. The more she digs, the more details come to light, and the more suspects who wanted him dead.
This was a cute cozy mystery with an aromatherapy/essential oil twist that I enjoyed. The author writes like she really is passionate about essentials oils and I liked the tips and tricks and uses that were shared. The story had a surprising twist and I enjoyed how systematically Carissa went about solving the murder, no doubt because of the influence of her chief of police dad. As this is the first book in the series, it was very much a character and relationship building book, as we are introduced to many different characters and all the ways they interact with the main character, Carissa.
September 20, 2024
I loved this story. Cari is the best!! I liked how supportive and protective her dad was of her. Cari didn't give up her sleuthing even
when dangerous threats were received.
She dug in harder and kept investigating to clear her name. She uncovered layers of corruption and solved the murders. She's a true town hero!!! Great read. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
when dangerous threats were received.
She dug in harder and kept investigating to clear her name. She uncovered layers of corruption and solved the murders. She's a true town hero!!! Great read. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
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November 5, 2024Essentials of Murder by Kim Davis is the first book in the Aromatherapy Apothecary series in which we meet Carissa Carmichael where she returns to her hometown in southern Califoria after a scandalous arrest. Upon return Carissa is ready to open her new business but will the rumor mill in her small town stop it especially since someone is trying to frame her murder. I love this new series by Kim Davis and can't wait for the next in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 11, 2021
I’m so glad I discovered this author and this book. A wonderful small-town mystery that kept me guessing the whole way. I loved the details on food and essential oils. And there are so many characters to love. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
November 4, 2024
When I saw Kim Davis have a new book series I was super stoked. Her books are amazing and I couldn't wait to read this new one. Carissa moved back home to California to open a new shop Aromatherapy Apothecary. Will things stay the same or will something happen after she opens. She finds a dead body in her shop and this book will be guessing who done it from the start. Can she figure it out before its too late? A perfect book to read as the seasons are changing. Well done Kim Davis!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 5, 2024
So good!! I love oils so much. I wish I could them. But lavender makes me ill. I hate that. This book was so good. I want to shake Jasper a bit because he's a little….slow about some things, but I hope he gets a clue soon. Mari seems like the best person to be around. I loved the characters of this story. Felt like home reading about them. And the mystery was great.
December 11, 2024
A wonderful cozy mystery. I enjoyed this book. I look forward to more in this series. I may have just found another favorite author. Good characters and a good storyline. A few budding relationships to even draw in some romance readers. Altogether I feel there’s something for everyone.
November 12, 2024
Kim Davis has done it yet again! Her cozy mysteries are enriched with twists and turns that leave the reader wondering who to trust.
The writing is solid, the story well paced and a small town setting named Oak Creek Valley that definitely made me wish it was a real place I could visit.
The characters in the book are likable, fun, and realistic. Adding the perfect element to the already entertaining story.
It was fun to read a book about an Aromatherapy business and I even learned some interesting facts about aromatherapy I didn’t know. And of course it wouldn’t be a Kim Davis mystery without the mention of food. Every time our MC Carissa went to the bakery my mouth watered and my stomach growled. Good thing there is a recipe in the back of the book! Don’t forget the little bit of romance thrown in as well.
Hopefully there will be a second book so we can continue the adventures with our characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing is solid, the story well paced and a small town setting named Oak Creek Valley that definitely made me wish it was a real place I could visit.
The characters in the book are likable, fun, and realistic. Adding the perfect element to the already entertaining story.
It was fun to read a book about an Aromatherapy business and I even learned some interesting facts about aromatherapy I didn’t know. And of course it wouldn’t be a Kim Davis mystery without the mention of food. Every time our MC Carissa went to the bakery my mouth watered and my stomach growled. Good thing there is a recipe in the back of the book! Don’t forget the little bit of romance thrown in as well.
Hopefully there will be a second book so we can continue the adventures with our characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 8, 2024
I found this book to be charming and eventful. The mystery was well written and kept my attention through the twists and turns. The characters were well developed, and it easy to determine personalities. I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I hope there are more books with these characters as I found this story and characters one's I will want to read again. Recommend reading.
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