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Sometimes the sweet smell of success can be rancid

USA Today Bestselling author Susan Kiernan-Lewis is back with a panoply of flavors, color and fragrances from the South of France when her well-loved and quirky characters stumble onto a murder that may decide the future of the perfume industry in France. When Maggie and Grace take a much needed weekend trip to the perfume capital of the world, Grasse they find rejuvenation, reconnection…and murder.
When the helpful docent of their perfume tour ends up dead in their rented apartment swimming pool, Maggie and Grace decide that something definitely smells rotten. When the girl’s twin sister begs them to find the killer, they do—but there’s a catch. If they don’t find the killer in time, the tourism that the area depends so heavily on will dry up…like a rose petal in direct sunlight.
With the clock ticking, Maggie and Grace will have to dig deep to find the culprit behind the murder before the killer decides that the two of them are the real barrier to a good life on the Côte d’Azur.

This book is a clean no graphic violence, sex or strong language
Mystery/thriller, women amateur sleuth, cozy animal (dog)

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2023

109 people are currently reading
53 people want to read

About the author

Susan Kiernan-Lewis

145 books516 followers

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5 stars
135 (64%)
4 stars
56 (26%)
3 stars
17 (8%)
2 stars
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Kara.
3 reviews
March 4, 2023
I have been reading this series since the first book (which I recommend you do if you are going to read any of these books) and I am now so familiar with Maggie’s like that it is like picking up with an old friend! The books are a delight to me — great food, great wine, beautiful landscapes + always a good murder mystery!
Profile Image for Carlin.
1,771 reviews19 followers
February 23, 2023
Oh my, #22 in my favorite mystery series! Seems like I've become part of Newberry-Dernier family. The two boys are back from the US for a visit, both with secrets to share, Mila is still in college in Florida, Amalie, Laurent's recently discovered granddaughter, is now a precocious 4 year old. Meanwhile Maggie and Grace are going to Grasse for a girl's weekend. Grasse is the fragrance hub of France and having a festival. When one of their tour guides is murdered, her sister begs Maggie and Grace to help solve the murder because the local police have swept it under the rug, labeling it an accident. Typical shenanigans ensue putting all at risk. While that is going on, life is getting complicated back home. But alls well that ends well with of family angst resolved and murder solved in spite of police incompetence and corruption. I hated for it to end but have now preordered #23 (Murder in Monaco) to be delivered in August, 2023 (6 months of anticipation).
1,106 reviews8 followers
February 11, 2023
22nd book in this fun series finds Maggie and her friend Grace in Grasse, Provence for a get-away weekend in the perfume capital of France. But in the midst of their weekend they stumble in a murder and Maggie involves them I the search for the culprit. When another person is found murdered the plot thickens and all bets are off. They dig deep to find the surprising killer but not before outings g themselves at risk. Love this series!
Profile Image for E.
1,833 reviews7 followers
July 25, 2023
This is #22 in the series, and I've read them all. I really like Maggie and Laurent and their family. The mysteries are usually pretty good and fun with all the trouble Maggie gets into, but the "climax" of this one was pretty far-fetched. But I will continue to read.
5 reviews
September 26, 2025
Just did not grab me but a perfectly good story

I was just not entranced by the characters and the story but the action sequence at the end was compelling. a good book but just not for me.
10 reviews
March 1, 2023
awesome read

Could not put it down
….
Adventure and mystery…cannot wait for the next book. Thank you a must read for Maggie Newberry fans
2 reviews
July 18, 2023
Unputdownable

Loved every part of this book. It was a different focus this time with Maggie and Grace being to the fore.
15 reviews
March 7, 2024
Loved the description of the perfumery in Grassrsmd the incredibly surprising ending! Worth a read great adventure with Maggie and Grace, couldn’t put it down! Now getting another trip to France organized. Grasse on the list!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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