Scent to Her Grave

India Ink has written a witty, often amusing and definitely complex amateur sleuth mystery. The central character is a martial arts expert who is a very feminine, spirited and independent woman. Trying to elude a bad relationship in Seattle, Persia Vanderbilt returns home to Gull Harbor and sets to work at her aunt's business, Venus Envy, a business that creates custom blended oils and spa services. At the beginning, Persia is blending an individual scent for Lydia Wang when Lydia (the Radiance Cosmetics Beauty Contest winner) gets into several altercations - one with her former boyfriend, Trevor, a employee of Venus Envy, another with the contest runner-up, Colleen. When Persia finds Lydia dead in the spa the next morning, and the show more murder weapon is one of Trevor's tools, Trevor becomes the chief suspect. Not believing in his guilt, Persia sets out to clear her employee and in the process nearly loses her own life. Since Lydia was such an abrasive personality and she had made so many enemies, it is difficult to choose just one person as the murderer and as the clues are revealed, the reader is able to solve the murder right along with Persia. I had to run out and get the next one, I enjoyed this one so much. show less

A different sort of cozy other than the typical cooking and crafting - this one relies on blended aromatherapy projects. While I like aromatherapy, the blends were interesting enough but not a reason alone to read the book. The main character is tough but compassionate - she makes a point of exercising and being able to take care of herself, which is a nice change...but she does make a point to eat a lot during the book and talk about being able to do so due to fast metabolism and so much exercising. I wouldn't mention that aspect twice, but it's done so often in the book it becomes a part of the story.

The romantic interest is still in question. She's into one guy but he isn't around much yet. There's a possible guy she's not show more interested in but that I'm curious on for future books. She lives with a fun elderly aunt who is supportive. While her childhood had some sad twists, she no longer feels sad and doesn't display angst, it's just stated as as fact - which is something else I enjoyed.

The mystery itself doesn't have many suspects so it's not overly surprising, but it is interesting enough in its way. show less

Persia Vanderbilt has returned to her aunt's home and shop in Gull Harbor, Washington. A body is found in the shop, and when a valued employee is accused of the murder, she must work to clear his name. For me, the book started out fairly well with the cat causing Persia to fall down the stairs, but then it headed downhill from there for much of the book. Finally the action picked up in the last few chapters, redeeming it somewhat. As a Christian, I was bothered by the psychic consultations and some of the new age content, particularly in the pages from Persia's journal that aren't really central to the plot but are included with the book in much the same manner recipes are included in some books. The writer's technique has definitely show more not been perfected. I am unlikely to continue with this series. show less

I liked this book more than I thought I would. The main character is interesting, I can't quite decide if I really like her or not. I found the mystery easily guessed, but was refreshed that the main character didn't fill the pages doing stupid things. The recipes throughout the book for different types of oils didn't interest me much, but the integration of them was creative. The author hints at psychic ability in the main character, but never actually calls is that, or really addresses it.

Overall, the book was very much good enough to read the next in the series.

2.5**

Beginning of a new series starring Persia Vanderbilt, who, together with her Aunt, runs the local bath and body store -Venus Envy in Gull Harbor, WA.

I liked the basic premise and Persia's skill with scents and botanicals to create specialized compounds for her clients. I also liked the slow-burn potential romance. Her friend Barbara is a great sidekick.

That being said, the mystery was a little weak IMHO and the ending seemed rushed. Overall, it’s a decent cozy, but I’m in no hurry to read another in the series.

India Ink is a pen name of Yasmine Galenorn who has written both non-fiction on witchcraft and urban fantasy fiction. This is the first in a series of books she has written in a mystery series that includes beauty and spa tips which I do aim to try out!

Persia Vanderbilt has moved back to live with her Aunt in Gull Harbor, Washington, after her boyfriend was imprisoned for fraud and embezzelment. At her new home she works for her Aunt in Venus Envy where she uses her exceptional nose to brew new perfumes, bath oils and all manner of lovely pampering spa treatments. On the side she also teaches self defence and has been doing martial arts training for many years.

What was once a sleepy town is rocked when Queen Bitch and beauty contest show more winner Lydia Wang is murdered in the shop and a gift to Persia, Aphrodite's Mirror, is stolen. Trevor (Lydia's ex boyfriend and Peria's friend) is arrested for the murder and things do not look good for him. Persia and her Aunt believe he is innocent and set out to prove it, following clues and poking their noses in around the town and in Seattle.

I enjoyed this book, it was a fun and short read. I don't usually read mystery novels and I loved that it combined real beauty tips to try out at home. Persia makes a good heroine and role model, appreciating beauty in everyone and not conforming to the sterotypes out there in the media. I will continue with the series as well as find time for her urban fantasy series in the near future hopefully. show less

Persia has returned to her island hometown off the coast of Washington followin a string of lack-lustre jobs and a desasterous relationship. She is working at her aunt's spa and bath products store and using her extremely delicate sense of smell to create scents for the spa and one-of-a-kind scents for individual customers. When one of the more prominent and annoying customers ends up dead in the store, and one of her aunt's employees is arrested for the crime, Persia can't help but stick her nose in.

Hmmm, I was a bit disappointed by this book. The killer so so obvious and the motive was so lame. But mostly, I found Persia pretty annoying. I don't really know why but I just thought she was too pushy. Also, there was so much going on show more that seemed to have nothing to do with the story. I know she is setting up a series but it was just so disorganized. Frankly I think I would have liked it better if her aunt and her best friend were the detectives. They were much more fun and likeable. I probably will not be trying the second in the series. show less