THE ESSENCE OF MALICE is the fourth full-length novel in
Ashley Weaver's utterly delicious Amory
Ames mystery series. Milo and Amory are pulled into
another mystery when Milo's former nanny asks for help. For
Amory, and the reader, this is a great opportunity to find
out more about Milo's past. The death of a parfumier has
Amory and Milo entering a world of perfume makers, artists,
and brothels. Once again, the eccentric and shady characters
Ashley Weaver expertly creates make this a book too good to
put down.
This is a multilayered mystery, with many believable
suspects. The circumstances surrounding Helios Belanger's
death do not immediately point to murder, so that is one of
many things that Amory and Milo must figure out. Andre
Duveau is a charming acquaintance who keeps bobbing about on
the periphery of the mystery and his involvement, if any, in
Belanger's death is another piece of a very complicated
puzzle. Belanger's children all make for convincing
suspects, along with his young widow. Thrown into this
eclectic group of people suspected of murder, and possibly
theft, are a German sculptor and an intriguing model and
muse. Late night assignations and mismatched lovers make
this mystery even murkier yet more enjoyable.
In previous Amory
Ames books, it is usually Amory who does most of the
detective work, while her charming yet infuriatingly
enigmatic husband Milo helps out occasionally. Also, in past
books, Amory and Milo have gone through some rocky times in
their marriage. While things have definitely taken a turn
for the better, Amory's trust in her husband is put to the
test in THE ESSENCE OF MALICE. In the past, Amory thought
she had reasonable suspicions when it came to Milo and other
women, but in THE ESSENCE OF MALICE, Amory suspects Milo of
something much worse - sleuthing on his own. Amory is
quick-witted and I like her on her own, but I prefer when
she and Milo work together like in A MOST
NOVEL REVENGE. Happily, for readers, Ashley Weaver draws
the couple together at the end so they can reveal all and
clear up loose ends.
THE ESSENCE OF MALICE is a thrilling mystery with beguiling
characters and to-die-for wardrobe changes. Ashley Weaver
does a fantastic job of conveying the time and place in THE
ESSENCE OF MALICE. The gaudy and dingy dives, as well as the
amazing and out-of-this-world fabulous outfits, play a huge
part in the reader's overall enjoyment of this story.
Whether Amory is trading witty retorts with her husband,
providing a sympathetic ear for a possible murderer, or
dancing the night away while hunting down clues, this is a
book that immediately pulls you in. I look forward to Ashley
Weaver's next Amory
Ames mystery.
“For pity’s sake, darling, let me finish my coffee before you begin concocting schemes.” When Amory Ames’s husband Milo receives a troubling letter from his childhood nanny, Madame Nanette, the couple travel to Paris where they become embroiled in a mystery surrounding the death of a famous parfumier. Helios Belanger died suddenly, shortly before the release of his new, highly anticipated perfume, and Madame Nanette, who works for his family, is convinced that her employer’s death was not due to natural causes. The more Amory and Milo look into the motives of industry rivals and the Belanger heirs who are vying for control of his perfume empire, the more they are convinced that Madame Nanette may be right. When secrets unfold and things take a dangerous turn, Amory and Milo must work quickly to uncover the essence of the matter and catch a killer before the scent goes cold.
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