this had everything that I was looking for and enjoyed from the description and from Daryl Wood Gerber's writing style. The concept worked well overall and was engaged with the overall feel of this. It had a strong plot for the genre and was on the edge of my seat, I enjoyed how good it worked for the genre and that Daryl Wood Gerber wrote this so story. I hope there is more in this world and from Daryl Wood Gerber.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Essence of Foul Play wooed me with its beautifully described setting (Carmel-by-the-Sea) and zen focus. A cozy mystery, we meet Emma, owner to a newly opened spa / cafe / gift shop whose opening day is significant in that her old college frenemy, Willow, is found murdered at her own spa.

There are elements of the supernatural to the story as Emma strives to see the same fairies her beloved Grandmother and some others in the town see, if for nothing else than their help in solving the murder Emma finds herself a suspect in. I enjoyed meeting the townspeople through Emma and learning a few things about meditation and aromatherapy oils through the book, which is good since the mystery itself was a little lackluster. I would have enjoyed learning more about Emma as there were teases to certain mysteries left unsettled, from some of her past relationships to her father who could possibly be missing (or just out of touch). But I loved learning more about the tight knit community and the ending sequence revealing the murderer had some great suspense.

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries this one gives you a gorgeous setting to explore and a cat with a ton of personality that is a great add to the other characters that are warm and welcoming or suspicious enough to follow along.

very fun little cozy. i really like the new age style and the mystery is super super interesting, though a bit predictable. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Again, I love the stories from Daryl Wood Gerber and this was just as good as the rest. The setting was familiar and so were some of the characters which made the book even cozier.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

first-in-series, amateur-sleuth, local-law-enforcement, rivalry, California, pet-cat, culinary, cultural-diversity, recipes, spa, murder, investigations, families, family-drama, family-dynamics, family-history, small-business, small-town, friends, friction, friendship, artisans, unpleasant-family-members, cozy-mystery*****

Emma Brennan has moved back to Carmel with the help of her Nana to open a shop/cafe and spa amidst other high end new age shops and restaurants. Her mother is an interesting fashionista who Does Not Approve.
But on opening day, the other shop owner is found dead with evidence linking Emma to the deed. Then things REALLY get interesting!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you! Avail Mar 25, 2025
#EssenceofFoulPlay #NetGalley #NewSeries #AromaWellnessMysteries

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, and Kensington Publishing,..

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review

Emma is excited as her new spa is about to be open except another fellow shop owner who ends up dead. Emma will be prime suspect to murder as she must figure out who did the deed before she is thrown in jail. Can she change rue chakra and save herself? This is a new cozy series by the authir that has promise.

#EssenceofFoulPlay #NetGalley is a first in a new series featuring Emma Brennan.
Emma's excited about the grand opening of her new shop, hoping to bring inner peace and balanced chakras to those in need.
Not everyone is as excited as Emma is, including Willow, another shop owner who believes in self care.
Willow's sudden death turns Emma's world upside down, placing her as the number one murder suspect.
She can only depend on herself to prove her innocence, maybe with the help of a fairy friend.

I enjoyed this book very much and I am 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.