I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Essence of Foul Play
by Daryl Wood Gerber
Series: Aroma Wellness Mystery #1
Series Rating:
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation on March 25, 2025
Setting: Carmel, California
Genres: Cozy Animal Mystery
Pages: 328
Format: Audible Audiobook, Kindle, Paperback
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, BookShop.org
Emma Brennan may have her head in a cloud of eucalyptus, but her feet are firmly planted on the ground in breathtaking Carmel, California, as she prepares to open her new spa business, Aroma Wellness. But all the reiki, shiatsu, and massage in the world can’t help her relax when she’s accused of murder . . .
Everything is going smoothly as Emma prepares for the grand opening of the spa. The therapy rooms are painted. The sales shop and café are stocked with meditative and delicious goodies, from essential oils to avocado masks and prickly pear massages. The fountain in the Courtyard of Peace is burbling with good vibrations. In fact, there isn’t a whiff of trouble until that morning when Emma is shocked to learn that a rival spa owner has been bludgeoned . . . with an item from the goodwill basket Emma gave her. Worse, a witness is pointing the finger at Emma . . .
With the police treating Emma like she’s the only suspect, and the town’s anti New Age anything posse badmouthing her every step of the way, she’s left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Incensed by the accusations but empowered by her cousin, her nana, and her trusted Birman cat, Vivi, Emma reviews the potpourri of possible suspects, determined to uncover the essence of foul play—before she’s cold-pressed for murder . . .
Essence of Foul Play by Daryl Wood Gerber is a new series set in the same world as Courtney and her fairy Fiona.
Will Emma start a new life here in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Emma Brennan
Emma Brennan is the librarian, Lissa Reade’s granddaughter, and is opening a new shop called Aroma Wellness. Her shop is set up for meditation, along with a gift shop and a cafe added to it. Her cousin, Sierra, runs the cafe, and I love the cousins. Emma is a great character who is trying her hardest to not only clear her name but also make sure that the person who killed her friend is found. I like Emma and wouldn’t mind going to her shop to look around and try out her massages. I would probably also try the cafe to see what that is like.
The Mystery
On the opening day of Aroma Wellness, Kate, Emma’s mom, came to tell Emma that Willow was murdered with a candlestick. The night that Willow died, Emma gave her a basket that had a candlestick in it, and that happened to be the murder weapon. Emma felt like the police were only looking at her, and she knew that she would never kill her best friend. She decided to go and find out who killed her friend. I have to say I guessed who did, but never guessed the motive.
Five Stars
My rating for Essence of Foul Play by Daryl Wood Gerber is five stars. I also recommend this book. You don’t even have to have read the Fairy Garden Mysteries series to read it. Ms. Gerber is a great storyteller, and I love this series as much as I do the Fairy Garden one. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Gerber does with this one.
Ms. Gerber has added recipes in the back of the book—some of these sound great. The recipes are Brioche Bread Gluten-Free Version, Honey Banana Muffins with Coconut Flour, Kale-Banana Protein Smoothie, Lemon Butter Cookies, Oatmeal Honey Chocolate Cookies, Oatmeal Honey Chocolate Cookies Gluten-Free Version, Peanut Butter Maple Protein Bars, Raspberry-Turmeric Smoothie, and Avocado Face Mask.
Giveaway
Prize: A choice of MURDER ON THE PAGE or any FAIRY GARDEN MYSTERY, paper or e-book. Plus a $15.00 Bookshop.org Gift Card.
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Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Essence of Foul Play by Daryl Wood Gerber. Check out the other stops and giveaway if you have time.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
About Daryl Wood Gerber
Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber is best known for her nationally bestselling Fairy Garden Mysteries, Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes the Aspen Adams Novels of Suspense as well as stand-alone suspense. Daryl loves to cook, fairy garden, and read. She has a frisky Goldendoodle who keeps her in line. And she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane and hitch-hike around Ireland alone.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2025 Alphabet Soup-Author Edition-RC
- 2025 Cloak and Dagger
- 2025 Craving the Cozies
- 2025 Cruisin' thru the Cozies
- 2025 Goodreads RC
- 2025 Medical Examiner Mystery RC
- 2025 Six Shooter RC
- 2025 Traveling the World
Thank you for your lovely review and for posting a list of the recipes. How sweet was that! I’m glad you enjoyed the story. And yes, you’re right, though it is a cross-over, you do not need to have read the Fairy Garden Mysteries to enjoy this. Each book should stand alone. You’re the best, ~ Daryl
You are so welcome Ms. Gerber. I loved this crossover series and I love how you include the recipes in it so that we can feel like we are enjoying the same things that the characters get to make in the book.