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A Bath and Body Mystery #1
Scent to Her Grave
The fairest of them all...
Lydia Wang is the newly crowned winner of a local beauty pageant--and the queen of mean. Used to getting what she wants, she ends up in an fight with Persia over the store's newest acquisition: the Mirror of Aphrodite. Reflecting only the most beautiful aspects of the person looking into it, the mirror is a huge draw and definitely not for sale--no matter how much Lydia is willing to pay. Persia arrives at the shop the next morning to find Lydia dead, the mirror missing, and one of the shop's treasured employees the prime suspect. Trevor's arrest is a blemish on the reflection of the shop, so Persia decides to take matters by the nose. To clear his name, she must sniff out the signature scent of a killer.
Lydia Wang is the newly crowned winner of a local beauty pageant--and the queen of mean. Used to getting what she wants, she ends up in an fight with Persia over the store's newest acquisition: the Mirror of Aphrodite. Reflecting only the most beautiful aspects of the person looking into it, the mirror is a huge draw and definitely not for sale--no matter how much Lydia is willing to pay. Persia arrives at the shop the next morning to find Lydia dead, the mirror missing, and one of the shop's treasured employees the prime suspect. Trevor's arrest is a blemish on the reflection of the shop, so Persia decides to take matters by the nose. To clear his name, she must sniff out the signature scent of a killer.
260 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 4, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 24, 2019
A different sort of cozy other than the typical cooking and crafting - this one relies on blended aromatherapy projects. While I like aromatherapy, the blends were interesting enough but not a reason alone to read the book. The main character is tough but compassionate - she makes a point of exercising and being able to take care of herself, which is a nice change...but she does make a point to eat a lot during the book and talk about being able to do so due to fast metabolism and so much exercising. I wouldn't mention that aspect twice, but it's done so often in the book it becomes a part of the story.
The romantic interest is still in question. She's into one guy but he isn't around much yet. There's a possible guy she's not interested in but that I'm curious on for future books. She lives with a fun elderly aunt who is supportive. While her childhood had some sad twists, she no longer feels sad and doesn't display angst, it's just stated as as fact - which is something else I enjoyed.
The mystery itself doesn't have many suspects so it's not overly surprising, but it is interesting enough in its way.
The romantic interest is still in question. She's into one guy but he isn't around much yet. There's a possible guy she's not interested in but that I'm curious on for future books. She lives with a fun elderly aunt who is supportive. While her childhood had some sad twists, she no longer feels sad and doesn't display angst, it's just stated as as fact - which is something else I enjoyed.
The mystery itself doesn't have many suspects so it's not overly surprising, but it is interesting enough in its way.
March 18, 2009
This was a delicious book. I loved all the recipes for bath salts and perfumes. Yummy! The mystery was good, although I guessed who the murderer was in the beginning. There was a little romantic tension going on with a couple of guys and it made me want to read the next book to see where all that will go. The characters were delightful, I loved Persia and her Auntie and friend Barb. All in all a very good read.
May 26, 2013
Nice little cozy and start to the series. I will continue on to the next one.
I didn't know this author is also Yasmine Galenorn.
I didn't know this author is also Yasmine Galenorn.
October 24, 2011
I found this a great book! It was one of the books my mother recommended to me. It's a great murder mystery with a little touch of romance. I enjoyed the wiccany sort of feeling this book had, especially the healthy tips and beauty oils that were amongst the pages. Persia Vanderbuilt definitely sounds like my kind of gal pal!
July 16, 2025
3.5 A really stinkin’ cute (pun intended) cozy mystery about what your fate will be if you act like a bitch.😀 Aside from Persia being a little one-dimensional at times and the singular typo I found on page 4, I really enjoyed this little book! Shoutout to Drew for gifting me a book that is “related to my work field”😭
December 6, 2019
2.5**
Beginning of a new series starring Persia Vanderbilt, who, together with her Aunt, runs the local bath and body store -Venus Envy in Gull Harbor, WA.
I liked the basic premise and Persia's skill with scents and botanicals to create specialized compounds for her clients. I also liked the slow-burn potential romance. Her friend Barbara is a great sidekick.
That being said, the mystery was a little weak IMHO and the ending seemed rushed. Overall, it’s a decent cozy, but I’m in no hurry to read another in the series.
Beginning of a new series starring Persia Vanderbilt, who, together with her Aunt, runs the local bath and body store -Venus Envy in Gull Harbor, WA.
I liked the basic premise and Persia's skill with scents and botanicals to create specialized compounds for her clients. I also liked the slow-burn potential romance. Her friend Barbara is a great sidekick.
That being said, the mystery was a little weak IMHO and the ending seemed rushed. Overall, it’s a decent cozy, but I’m in no hurry to read another in the series.
August 26, 2015
This was probably 3.5 stars but I rounded down to three. This book was OK and I can't point to anything that I really didn't like about it, I just didn't get into it as much as some other books. I'm still not sure about the main character. She is definitely different. It was a good mystery with some red herrings and I liked the setting in Washington state.
February 10, 2019
Cozy mystery; entertaining bit of fluff; the best part was reading about the essential oils; i liked the main character and will read the next in the series.
May 12, 2021
As this book was written a long time ago, I can say that it was pretty good, just not my favorite from this author. Ms. Galenorn's started off as a pretty great writer and has only gotten better.
November 23, 2020
Island Misadventures
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded or faint of heart!•••
Persia has just move home to the island and is settling in quite nicely. Seattle is her last and the world is her oyster. Not being tied down she can travel if and when she wants to. Until then she has Rose Cottage, her beloved Aunt, the menagerie and Venus Envy. Working at Venus Envy puts her superb sense of smell to use and let's her inspire and empower others. What more could she want? Finding a dead beauty queen in the shop was not what anyone wanted... How did she get there? Who would really want to kill Lydia? Are Persia or her Aunt targets? What
***This series is suitable for young adult through adult readers due to its cozy nature that has a few hints of the supernatural :)
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded or faint of heart!•••
Persia has just move home to the island and is settling in quite nicely. Seattle is her last and the world is her oyster. Not being tied down she can travel if and when she wants to. Until then she has Rose Cottage, her beloved Aunt, the menagerie and Venus Envy. Working at Venus Envy puts her superb sense of smell to use and let's her inspire and empower others. What more could she want? Finding a dead beauty queen in the shop was not what anyone wanted... How did she get there? Who would really want to kill Lydia? Are Persia or her Aunt targets? What
***This series is suitable for young adult through adult readers due to its cozy nature that has a few hints of the supernatural :)
May 25, 2018
Persia creates scents and oils in her aunts beauty and bath shop, and finds herself trying to solve a murder when a woman is killed in her aunt's shop. New Age and alternate belief systems. Some classic conflicts with open mindedness vs. just the facts mentality. While Persia has three men interacting with her, there is only one who is definitely not for Persia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2023
Persia returns to Gull Bay and is quickly involved in solving a murder. Lydia Wang a local beauty queen is murdered and their friend Trevor is the main suspect. Persia is the one responsible for crafting the events and beauty products for Aunt Florence's store. A second murder ramps up Persia's investigation and danger level. Lots of red herrings make this an interesting read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2022
Excellent as always
I am so happy that she released these books under her name. I have read all but 4 of her books in total and I have never been disappointed. The stories are just enough sass, fun, paranormal, and mystery that I look for in a book. She keeps me reading!
I am so happy that she released these books under her name. I have read all but 4 of her books in total and I have never been disappointed. The stories are just enough sass, fun, paranormal, and mystery that I look for in a book. She keeps me reading!
January 9, 2023
Wonderful
Yasmine Galenorn is an extraordinary story crafter. I love every series of her’s I have read. They are engaging, complex and really fun to read. I highly recommend this book.
Yasmine Galenorn is an extraordinary story crafter. I love every series of her’s I have read. They are engaging, complex and really fun to read. I highly recommend this book.
August 7, 2023
She might have a nose for scents, but she clearly has a nose for trouble- even murder
returning to the island she called home might not be easy, yet even with lots of drama, there really is no place like home
sniffing sleuthing with scent-ability
returning to the island she called home might not be easy, yet even with lots of drama, there really is no place like home
sniffing sleuthing with scent-ability
August 23, 2017
Enjoyable read.
February 20, 2018
I really enjoyed this mystery and will read more by this author.
October 19, 2018
better than average cozy. Good setting, interesting characters, tidy plot.
June 8, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
March 15, 2023
Fun reading & storyline
Loved the character Persia and the other inhabitants on the island town. Very fun quick & kept your attention !
Loved the character Persia and the other inhabitants on the island town. Very fun quick & kept your attention !
April 10, 2023
A rigged beauty contest
Winning a beauty contest leads to death and blaming the boyfriend. As a friend of the boyfriend, Imp tries to find the real killer.
Winning a beauty contest leads to death and blaming the boyfriend. As a friend of the boyfriend, Imp tries to find the real killer.
September 27, 2023
3.5 stars
September 29, 2023
I got half way through the book and finally gave up. Way too much crude language and sexual references for me.
February 7, 2024
Can't wait to read the rest!
November 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this story.
June 10, 2013
I was excited to start a new series with a new theme. I had not read anything with this type of theme before and was really excited. The setting was quaint and identifiable. Persia and her aunt are a great combination for owning the bath and body store. Their relationship is very unique in that they only have each other. Persia is just back to the small town from having lived away for some time, and has to work through issues of the past. Her aunt is a great reminder of the fact that things are different now.
Persia is also faced with a murder in her Aunt’s story and does not want it to affect the business. Obviously this is both her and her aunt’s means of financial support. Taking on trying to solve the crime herself, as she doesn’t really trust the Police Chief, she also faces problems from her ex.
There are lots of recipes for bath salts and oils and suggested uses. It would be a lot of fun to whip some of these up and use during reading time. Persia is a very modern sleuth and diverse character. I liked the freshness of this aspect, as well as the theme. The story was a little slow in parts, but overall a good crime to be solved.
Recommend to those cozy reader mysteries who are looking for a new theme.
Persia is also faced with a murder in her Aunt’s story and does not want it to affect the business. Obviously this is both her and her aunt’s means of financial support. Taking on trying to solve the crime herself, as she doesn’t really trust the Police Chief, she also faces problems from her ex.
There are lots of recipes for bath salts and oils and suggested uses. It would be a lot of fun to whip some of these up and use during reading time. Persia is a very modern sleuth and diverse character. I liked the freshness of this aspect, as well as the theme. The story was a little slow in parts, but overall a good crime to be solved.
Recommend to those cozy reader mysteries who are looking for a new theme.
December 13, 2010
Persia has returned to her island hometown off the coast of Washington followin a string of lack-lustre jobs and a desasterous relationship. She is working at her aunt's spa and bath products store and using her extremely delicate sense of smell to create scents for the spa and one-of-a-kind scents for individual customers. When one of the more prominent and annoying customers ends up dead in the store, and one of her aunt's employees is arrested for the crime, Persia can't help but stick her nose in.
Hmmm, I was a bit disappointed by this book. The killer so so obvious and the motive was so lame. But mostly, I found Persia pretty annoying. I don't really know why but I just thought she was too pushy. Also, there was so much going on that seemed to have nothing to do with the story. I know she is setting up a series but it was just so disorganized. Frankly I think I would have liked it better if her aunt and her best friend were the detectives. They were much more fun and likeable. I probably will not be trying the second in the series.
Hmmm, I was a bit disappointed by this book. The killer so so obvious and the motive was so lame. But mostly, I found Persia pretty annoying. I don't really know why but I just thought she was too pushy. Also, there was so much going on that seemed to have nothing to do with the story. I know she is setting up a series but it was just so disorganized. Frankly I think I would have liked it better if her aunt and her best friend were the detectives. They were much more fun and likeable. I probably will not be trying the second in the series.
February 17, 2014
If you like to read something different for a change in cozies, pamper yourself with India Ink's Scent to Her Grave in the Bath and Body Mystery series. Persia Vanderbilt owns and works at Venus Envy,a bath and body shop dealing with fragrances and facials in Gull Harbor, an island across from Seattle, Washington. She didn't expect to get embroiled into a mystery or into a perplexed love triangle, too. When Lydia Wang gets killed in her shop, it could mean more than bad business for her shop. We follow Persia in her journey to prove her friend's innocence and step into the heart of danger looming over her. While Lydia's enemies had more than an ax to grind, Persia had to watch over her back and fend over danger her own way. While dealing with her crazy ex-boyfriend, she has a childhood friend and a new love interest vie over her. This is an unique cozy series that might pique your interest.
October 17, 2013
This was a very fun cozy. I particularly liked the main character, Persia (isn't that a great name?). She is an active, attractive, fit woman who takes care of herself, but not to the point of being obsessive. She's a self-defense instructor who also has a sensitive nose and can create lovely custom fragrances. I like her irreverence, and her getting involved in the mystery was mostly natural except for a rather unbelievable visit to a dangerous nightclub that didn't turn out at all the way I expected. Auntie and friend Barb are enjoyable secondary characters. I kind of guessed the murderer fairly early, but it didn't really take away from the story at all. I look forward to continuing with this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews