I admit it - I have been on a mystery binge lately. Besides finishing off the last of the Agatha Christie books that I have not yet read, I have also found several other series and authors that I have not tried. The Doused with Death series is one of those; they are contemporary cozy mysteries that feature perfumer Nati Butler. It seems that along with being a perfume "nose," Nati also has a nose for mystery.
This time she has travelled to Paris along with her boyfriend Owen and her bulldog Sal. Readers will feel that they are also in the City of Love with iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, the scent and taste of fresh pain au chocolat, and all the other details that make up the sense of location. Besides attending a perfumery convention and catching up with friends from the Grasse Institute, Nati is also celebrating her fortieth birthday with a dinner cruise along the Seine. It sounds like a wonderful romantic getaway combined with the chance to make more connections in the perfume world.
Mystery intrudes on this working vacation when a guest on the cruise winds up dead in the river. Nati plunges into investigative mode, chatting with her friends and new acquaintances to try and unravel the circumstances of the suspicious death. There are so many different motives possible it seems Nati and the Surete may never be able to narrow down whether Jean Marc was killed because of romantic jealousy, professional competition, or some other motive.
Pages will be turning quickly as readers try to puzzle out whodunit, as well as worrying about Nati's safety during her sleuthing, whether Owen will pop the question while they are in Paris, and whether faithful Sal will find his doggie crush on French bulldog Boo requited. (Awww, puppy dog romance in Paris!) Although this book is part of a series, it can be read alone - although the rest of the series will be probably be added to the TBR pile as soon as this story ends.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
No comments:
Post a Comment