Essence of Foul Play (Aroma Wellness Mystery 1), by Daryl Wood Gerber

🍄🍄🍄🍄

I am a huge fan of Daryl Wood Gerber's Fairy Garden Mysteries, so when I found out she was writing another series that takes place in the same cozy setting of Carmel-by-the-Sea, complete with fairies, I did not turn down the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Essence of Foul Play.  Emma Brennan is preparing to open her new spa business, Aroma Wellness. Everything is going smoothly until a rival business owner is found murdered. To make matters worse, Emma is the prime suspect. In order to clear her name, Emma sets out to figure out what really happened and who the culprit is.

What I loved most about this book, and what will keep me coming back for more, was the setting. This is the first time I've read a cozy mystery centered around a spa business. I found this so refreshing. In the midst of a murder investigation, Emma and her staff continue to provide services for their clients. I found myself fully immersed in these services. For example, as she instructs her clients to breathe mindfully in a specific way, I found myself following along with my own mindful breathing. The entire atmosphere felt light and airy, much like the Fairy Garden Mysteries.

Speaking of the Fairy Garden Mysteries, I was pleasantly surprised to see appearances of characters, including the fairies, from that series in this book. There is a good mix of new characters, including a cozy cat companion, and familiar ones from the Fairy Garden Mysteries. It made sense to include some of the same characters since it is set in the same area. I've never read a crossover book like this and I am here for it. I'm not sure if there will be more Fairy Garden Mysteries published (I hope there are!), but if there aren't, we can at least visit with those characters in this book. How clever and comforting! And as usual in Daryl Wood Gerber's cozies, we are provided with a list of characters in the front of the book. I always find this helpful. I was mostly able to keep all the characters straight in my mind, but I did refer back to the list a few times.

If you have not read the Fairy Garden Mysteries, fear not. You will not feel lost reading this book. While several characters from the previous series are in this one, it is still very much its own story and, in many ways, the characters felt new. I also want to make it very clear that this book is not about fairies. They make appearances, but they do not play a huge role in the overall story.

With this being a first in series, there is the challenge of introducing us to the setting and characters, while keeping the mystery moving. While I enjoyed the story, I did feel at times the description of the setting disrupted the flow of the mystery. I will say, I did not figure out the whodunnit. I was shocked when all was revealed. I love when I didn't figure it out, but it comes together in a logical way. I'm hopeful that now that we're familiar with the setting and main characters, the next book in this series will have a mystery that takes center stage.

Another hope I have for future installments has to do with the setting. While I really enjoyed the spa setting, it saddens me that it is likely not one where I could receive services. Throughout the book, but especially in the beginning, there is a lot of talk about stairs. Even the delivery person had to use the stairs, and had an unfortunate mishap as a result. I wish there was a wheelchair accessible entrance that the reader was aware of. Based on my interpretation, it doesn't seem that one exists. I'm pleased to say that there is a lot of diversity with the characters in several different ways, but not when it comes to people with disabilities. There doesn't necessarily need to be a character with a physical disability. I just want to know that this is a place where disabled individuals, like myself, could receive services. In fact, it would benefit all of their clients and employees to make it accessible. It is my wish that a ramp or elevator can be installed that is front and center like the stairs.

But make no mistake. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will definitely read the next one whenever it is released. (I hope there will be another one!) The characters have depth. Not all relationships are perfect, just like in real life, but it will have you rooting for them. If you want a relaxing cozy mystery with a side of murder, I highly recommend Essence of Foul Play (Aroma Wellness Mystery 1), by Daryl Wood Gerber. And while this isn't a culinary cozy, there are several delicious-sounding recipes at the end of the book that you may want to try.

This book releases on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Many thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.