I wanted to like this book. I thought the aromatherapy shop was an intriguing premise and something different in the cozy genre. I also very much like Ms. Davis' cupcake catering mysteries. This book, however, missed the mark for me. The protagonist is 27 going on 6 with her constant "Daaaaaaaad" like she is some kind of overdramatic teenager instead of a grown woman with a business. She goes about her investigation in the most obnoxious way and there is very little to endear her to the reader. Her dad being the chief of police and letting her get away with things just makes it extra silly.

I thought the Cupcake Catering mysteries were quite good but I feel like all of Davis' prior knowledge of police procedure went out the window. I realize that authors tend to take liberties but often times they try to stick to real life and there were so many basic errors one could even get from watching an episode or two of Law and Order or CSI, it was so off-putting as a reader.

Why did I give the book three stars? Because I cared enough to finish it and see exactly whodunit and why. There is no sympathy for the victim either, he sounds like a real trash can of a human being. I didn't really like any of the characters except for Ashley. At this time the thought of reading another book in the series is doubtful but perhaps with the right plot line in the next book, it might be better. I have seen sophomore offerings that leave the first in the series in the dust, maybe that will happen.

The plot is basic in that the main character is opening her aromatherapy shop next to a candle store in a small town and the candle store owner, who appears friendly at first, her son doesn't want the aromatherapy shop to open and is nasty to the proprietor. He winds up dead in her shop and she is the main suspect because her fingerprints are on the murder weapon (yeah, it belongs to her?!). The main detective on the case is brought in for conflict of interest due to her being the chief's daughter and he seems to be a real jerk too.

My thanks to Netgalley and Harbor Lane Books for this ARC in exchange only for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this first book in a new series! The characters are engaging and likeable. The story moves along smoothly. Loads of great red herrings. Looking forward to the next book! Thanks #Netgalley and #HarborLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

Carissa finds a dead man in her soon-to-open-aromatherapy-shop. And who's the main suspect? Yest, right. This is the first book in this series and the first book I've read by the author and I don't regret it at all. The story moves along smoothly and ... wraps up everything neatly by the end of the book. It's entertaining, easy to read and suspenseful. a new author I have to keep an eye on for future books.
I received an advance review copy via Netgalley/Harper Lane Books and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

Essentials of Murder is a debut cozy mystery by Kim Davis and it is great beginning. The characters are likable and the mystery kept me guessing. Carissa had big problems with an ex-boyfriend and moved back to the town she grew up in. She is opening up an essential oils and reflexology shop. Her dad is the Chief of Police and Detective Miller is new. Carissa has a crush on Jasper who owns the bakery nearby. The store next door is a candle shop, owned by Victoria and she and Carissa are supporting each other with complimentary product lines. Victoria's son Russ is a big problem and no one is surprised when he ends up dead. Unfortunately Detective Miller is focusing his investigation on Carissa so she needs to clear her name. The book moves at a good pace and there are quite a few things going on to keep the story interesting. Carissa's dad, her new employees, Jasper, and her frenemy Lacie all add warmth, compassion, humor, and empathy to the story. The ending was good but not overly drawn out. This was a very enjoyable new book and I am looking forward to more. #EssentialsOfMurder #HarborLaneBooks #NetGalley

As a first book in a new series I thought this was well done. I enjoyed the aromatherapy aspect of this as I have a friend that is a certified aromatherapist and has her own line of bath products. The book had a good pace and enjoyable characters. I liked the tips about aromatherapy that were included throughout the story. This has good potential for a series that I will come back to read with each new book.

I enjoyed this book, the story is solid, the pacing is smooth & fast. I enjoyed learning more about the oils. I think the characters are well done. #EssentialsofMurder #NetGalley

Moving back home after a scandal should have been Carissa Carmichael's chance for a fresh start, but her new life in Oak Creek Valley takes a dark turn when she discovers a dead body in her aromatherapy shop. As the prime suspect with her fingerprints on the murder weapon, Carissa has no choice but to clear her name. The small town may seem like the perfect getaway, but its residents have long memories and quick judgments, especially when it comes to a former city girl with a scandalous past. With an intriguing blend of small-town charm, essential oils, and reflexology, this cozy mystery keeps you guessing as Carissa navigates a web of secrets and suspects. The tension between her and the local detective adds another layer to this engaging whodunit, making for an entertaining and aromatic read.

"There's a new way to a man's heart. Margaritas and murder."

This book is ESSENTIAL for cozy mystery fans!!

Were there some issues I had with it? Of course. How did you NOT know your grade-school best friend had a kid...do they not have social media? And some of the chapter cut-offs were pretty weird.

But that doesn't take away from the strengths of this cozy mystery I loved how it wasn't your typical restaurant/coffee shop small town mystery; all of the descriptions of aromas heightened the prose. Carissa was a unique character, with a little self-loathing and a lot of gumption. She felt like a real person, and I would want to be her friend. I also really appreciated the knowledge of essential oils and reflexology throughout; it is clear the author did research, and I want to give some of the oils and scent combinations a try. If anyone does give them a try, let me know :)

Thank you to NetGalley, Harbor Lane Books, and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Essentials of Murder: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings: death of a family member, scandal, history of arrest

After a scandalous arrest, Carissa returns home to start up her own Aromatherapy Shop with reflexology services. However, things are not off to a good start as Carissa finds her neighbor’s son, someone who has threatened her business, murdered in her shop prior to her store opening. When Carissa becomes the target and main suspect she starts investigating the murder on her own, determined to clear her name. The more she digs, the more details come to light, and the more suspects who wanted him dead.

This was a cute cozy mystery with an aromatherapy/essential oil twist that I enjoyed. The author writes like she really is passionate about essentials oils and I liked the tips and tricks and uses that were shared. The story had a surprising twist and I enjoyed how systematically Carissa went about solving the murder, no doubt because of the influence of her chief of police dad. As this is the first book in the series, it was very much a character and relationship building book, as we are introduced to many different characters and all the ways they interact with the main character, Carissa.

As a clinical aromatherapist, I grabbed this book the second I saw it. Aromatherapy AND a cozy? Be still my aromatic loving heart! The author did not disappoint! I can’t wait for the next entry in this series.

This is an outstanding first book in a new series.
Carissa returns to her hometown after a scandal. She is on the cusp of opening her aromatherapy and reflexology shop. Not everyone is thrilled with it, and once a body turns up
in the shop, she has a new challenge of proving her innocence.
This book has all the qualities of a top notch cozy mystery.
The characters were entertaining, I especially enjoyed the interactions between Carissa and her father, who happens to be the Chief of Police. The whodunit was well written and certainly kept me guessing.
I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

After a scandalous arrest in San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael has moved back to her small Southern California hometown to start over as she opens her Aromatherapy Apothecary shop and reflexology services. A tourist destination, Oak Creek Valley, seems the perfect place to put the past behind her, but it seems no one will let her forget. When she finds the man who threatened to drive her out of business murdered in her shop! This cozy mystery was a pleasant surprise! I definitely enjoyed reading this one!! This book had intrigue, mystery, murder, a great who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The story was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I definitely recommend reading this one! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

#EssentialsofMurder #NetGalley is a cute cozy mystery that I enjoyed reading. Carissa has returned to her home town to restart her life after an embarrassing incident.
She's opening an aromatherapy shop and before she has a chance to have her grand opening, she's shut down to do a murder that took place in her shop.
Proving she's innocent should be an easy task, however, someone is determined to make her pay.
I think this book was well written and I enjoyed meeting new characters. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.