Emma Brennan is preparing to open her new spa in Carmel, California when the owner of a rival spa is found dead. Of course Emma is the main suspect and has to investigate to clear her name.

This is an entertaining start to a new series. And I like how the author ties in characters from her Fairy Garden series.

This series is apparently a spinoff from the Fairy Garden series so there's mentions of fairies, a little character crossover. Fun but didn't really have much to do with the plot here and I wonder if it would seem out of place to those who aren't familiar with the Fairy series.
Good descriptions of Carmel, makes the setting come to life. The characters are intelligent investigators. There's funny moments and I really enjoyed Vivi the cat, who must drink from a glass not a bowl! Hope to get to meet Emma's father someday, and see how her relationship with her mother progresses.
Recipes are included at the end- although not the caramel cupcake Emma raves about. I must check through my other books by this author to see if it's in another one.

Essence of Foul play is a first book in this series and my second book from this author and I really enjoyed this murder mystery. Here we have our main character Emma who is all set to open her Spa and she is fully prepared for the opening but what she was not prepared of what happened on the morning of her spa opening. She finds that her rival spa owner was bludgeoned to death and she is the main suspect. This is not the kind of opening or publicity she was hoping for.
So she decided to investigate and clear her name and she has her cousin and her nana to help her along with her cat.
This is set on a small town and I loved uncovering the mystery will continue this series.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

This was such a fun, unique read. Love the way it was written, I’ll be keeping my eye out for more from this author.

What an interesting start to a new series. This is definitely a different cozy. I really enjoyed the setup in Carmel, California. It is a beautiful place to visit, in real life, and in this book and makes a great backdrop for the spa, Aroma Wellness, that Emma is opening. With her cousin Sierra running the cafe and her friend Yoly running the gift shop there are many, many characters in this book which can be a little confusing, happily the author has a list of all the characters in the book and their roles in the beginning of the book. With many shops and shop owners and many relatives, the cast is large. I really enjoyed learning about different spas and different offerings that were new to me. All that being said, I did find the mystery a little scattered. Maybe it was too many characters and so much backstory, but I felt the mystery was a tad loss, Emma just has so much going on her attention is going everywhere and not really focused on the mystery. I really enjoyed the setup and characters, and I see how many mysteries could take place in this setting. I will definitely look forward to more in this series, I think next time the mystery could be more center stage. Thank you to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for an opportunity to read! #EssenceofFoulPlay #DarylWoodGerber #AnAromaWellnessMystery #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

This was an interesting start to a new series set in Carmel, CA. If you like fantastical cozy mysteries this one is for you. It is a cute book that was easy to read.

Veteran writer Daryl Wood Gerber launches another well-done cozy mystery series featuring comfortable characters, appropriate twists, and elusive fairies.

When Emma Brennan opens her new spa, Aroma Wellness, she becomes a suspect in the murder of her good friend and competitor. She begins investigating with the help of her cousin, her nana, and Vivi, her loyal cat.

Essence of Foul Play is a good start for Ms. Gerber’s Aroma Wellness Mysteries and a very enjoyable read.

This is a great well-plotted story with exciting characters that will keep readers guessing until the very end. I highly recommend.

This is an interesting and enjoyable murder mystery with eclectic characters.. I enjoyed this quite long and detailed story that kept me guessing until the end.
I received an advance review copy via Netgalley/Kensington Publishing and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

This was enjoyable read with a well-designed storyline or two and a comfortable tone that captured my immediate attention from the first page to the end, quickly becoming a page-turner. Emma is on the case as she scrutinizes the potential suspects looking for clues that will aid in revealing and the apprehension of the person responsible for the murder. The author does a great in staging this mystery with an eclectic and quirky cast of characters, engaging dialogue, a small-town atmosphere, and a few red herrings that kept me in the game. The narrative kept the story moving forward and the pacing was on par with how well this whodunit was being told. I enjoyed the tidbits about what the “spa-life” entails with the necessary accessories as well as including yummy recipes. The bonus was seeing a character from Ms. Gerber’s other series playing a role in this book. Overall, this book with its robust foundation was a wonderful read and is a new addition to the cozy genre.

Emma is opening a spa in Carmel. Hers is centered on Aroma therapy and different from other spas already in town. Emma's friend, Willow, berates her for opening a spa to compete with Willow's. When Willow is found dead in her spa, Emma becomes the prime suspect. Hoping to clear her name, Emma begins asking questions.
This is a new series and a great introduction to it. I love the crossover characters from the Fairy Garden mysteries. It feels familiar and fun to learn more about this community. I enjoyed the strong women characters and their working together to solve the mystery. I also liked that fairies continue to be a part of the stories.
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.

Pick your favourite essential oils and get a diffuser ready to relax alongside while you read this calming cozy.

While Emma prepares to open her own wellness spa in her hometown of Carmel, California, she's faced with some backlash from a fellow spa owner and former college friend named Willow. When Willow is found dead and Emma is viewed as a suspect, she teams up with her fairy-attuned grandmother to try to solve the case.

As this first book is what I'm sure will be a successful cozy mystery series, the stage if set with calming descriptions of the various wellness treatments offered (without being preachy about holistic vs traditional medicine). As a mindfulness practitioner myself, some of the treatment scenes had me viscerally relaxing my muscles while I read along.

The cast of characters is dynamic, with the standout supporting characters being that of Nanna Lissa and comedienne-coworker Meryl. The mystery is well-paced, and there was one particular red herring that delightfully misdirected my thought of who the murderer was.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

November 25, 2024
Thank you so much NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance copy of this book.

I have been a fan of Ms Gerber’s for some time now. When I read the first of the Fairy Garden books, I was impressed. The Essence of Foul Play is once again set in the lovely town of Carmel, California and features several of the characters from the other books in this setting. A charming new cast of characters are introduced here and they are embroiled in a murder mystery.

The new characters are mostly spa oriented characters and we learn about sound baths and several meditation styles. A very welcome new community group.

My only complaint (not a big one) is that the title leads us to think of essential oils and the healing powers. There was slight mention of them, but not enough IMHO.

Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be watching for the next.

In the beautiful seaside town of Carmel, California, Emma Brennan is opening her first small business. Aroma Wellness offers all kinds of natural therapies, treatments, and advice as well as having a small café and gift shop, and she knows she's found her happy place. When a fellow spa owner is murdered Emma is placed on the suspect list and knows she has to work hard to clear her name. With the help of her Nana Lissa and the library fairy, she begins her own investigation much to the disapproval of the local police detective.

Book one in Daryl Wood Gerber's second series set in Carmel, California, with the addition of a little fairy dust and a cameo from the main protagonist of her Fairy Garden Mystery Series, Courtney Kelly. Obviously, the writing style is the same, and some of the locations are already familiar, but the focus is far more on the alternative therapies and natural remedies a wellness centre would offer. I hope this series will be as successful as her other series as it was a fun read throughout and includes some great sounding recipes.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing/Kensington Cosies., but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a good series starter and easy to recommend.

This was a fun start to a new cozy mystery series. Emma is opening up her new spa and cafe with her cousin, and all is going to plan until there is some bitter rivalry between other spa owners in the area. Emma is convinced that each spa offers different experiences, and they can all thrive in Carmel catering to the locals and tourists. When one of the rivals is found killed, fingers are pointing in all directions, including Emmas. What is a girl to do but do some sleuthing to clear her name?
Lots of unique characters, a few whimsical fairies thrown in, and of course a fun cat. Looking forward to more in this series.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What a wonderful story! A new business is open in Carmel. The characters are exciting. I love the connection to the fairy garden series. I didn’t figure out who had done it until the very end. Very good read! I can’t wait to read the next one and learn more about her fairy!

Love this book. Hope that it's first in a new series. If you love her Fairy Garden series you will enjoy this book. Emma gets involved in a murder mystery because she is a suspect a d must clear her name.

An entertaining debut cozy with a lovely beach setting. Emma Brennan has opened the Aroma Wellness Spa, Cafe, and Gift Shop with Sierra Reade, her cousin, who is the Chef. Both are close to their Nana, Lissa Reade; the town librarian. Within a couple of pages read, I felt that this story had good vibes and would be enjoyable.

Willow Shafer is Emma's frenemy; owner of another local spa. She’s very unhappy that Emma has opened one, also. Emma has to deal with Willow’s negativity; plus, Emma’s mother, Kate is very critical of her plans. The Aroma Wellness Spa helps Emma focus and be as positive as she can around them. The spa has a wonderful team of employees, and business is booming.

There is constant action in this plot, and many suspects who could be the murderer. I kept guessing and guessing about who it could be! The characters are an eclectic group.

Courtney Kelly, the protagonist from Author Gerber’s ‘Fairy Garden Mysteries’ makes appearances. Nana Lissa keeps telling Emma she will see and meet her fairy soon. Emma has a gorgeous Birman cat, Vivi, who sees fairies and plays with them!

The story is creative and I feel like readers will enjoy it. The author provides delicious recipes for readers.

I honestly read and reviewed a digital ARC provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.

Essence of Foul Play is the first in a delightful new cozy mystery series, and what a fun read it was! In this first installment, protagonist Emma Brennan is opening a new spa, Aroma Wellness, in the picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. When a friend and fellow spa owner is found murdered, Emma finds herself a suspect, and steps in to clear her name and find out who's really guilty of foul play. With a cast of diverse, likable characters, a well-plotted mystery with plenty of red herrings, an adorable Birman cat, and a unique setting, I was thoroughly engaged from start to finish. With fun tidbits about crystals, spa treatments, and delicious recipes sprinkled in, this book is the recipe of a winner! Looking forward to reading the next in this wonderful series.

Many thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber, NetGalley, and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC.

This is the first book in a new cozy series by Darly Wood Gerber It is always interesting to read a new series and get to know new characters. This one was no exception. It is a cute cozy mystery that has some fantasy elements to it.

Emma opens a new spa and also becomes the suspect to murder. So she ends up trying to solve to find who the murderer is so that she can clear her name. They mystery was entertaining and it was interesting to see who the murderer was going to be.

This is a cute cozy mystery for cozy readers.