Edgar Award-shortlisted author Ashley Weaver returns with the fourth installment in the Amory Ames mystery series. The Essence of Malice is filled with her trademark style, wit and clever plotting, sure to delight and charm traditional mystery fans. “In this highly enjoyable and engrossing mystery, Ashley Weaver–with her sure touch for evoking elegance and glamour–wafts her appealing and … evoking elegance and glamour—wafts her appealing and determined heroine Amory into the world of perfumers, family secrets and the heady whiff of murder. I loved the evocation of scents, skilful shifts of suspicion and the satisfying conclusion.” —Frances Brody
“The scent of murder and betrayal fills the Paris air . . . The climactic surprise makes this the best of her mysteries to date.” —Kirkus Reviews
“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.
Also out now in the Amory Ames mysteries: Murder at the Brightwell, Death Wears a Mask and A Most Novel Revenge
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Intrigue abounds when a holiday trip turns into a murder investigation. When Milo’s former nanny writes to ask the couple to investigate the sudden and somewhat suspicious death of her employer they agree and set off for Paris. Secrets upon secrets, twists and turns and Amory can not make hide nor hare of the situation. When Milo seems to lose interest it makes her even more determined to uncover the truth. When she finds it, it is a complete surprise. The couple are involved in so much more than a perfume dispute. And the truth is far deadlier than they could ever anticipate.
‘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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3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
The Essense of Malice is the fourth book in Ashley Weaver’s An Amory Ames Mystery series and is a historical mystery taking place in the 1930s.
The Essence of Malice has not been my favorite from the series, as I felt that it had a slower start than the previous book in the series. And for me since the victim(and those closely connected to them) was someone they did not know, they could only very loosely justify connecting themselves to, and the crime occurred before they were even in the country, I found it less intruiging than the other cases they have been involved in thus far because the level of danger didn’t feel the same due to these reasons. But at the same time, this did make the story unique from the others and was perhaps a bit more believable to that there a coincidentally a murder once they arrive in a location. Although this hasn’t been my favorite, I still quite enjoyed it. The pacing just wasn’t what I’m used to from this series.
This book has served to convince me more than any of the others thus far that Milo must secretly be a spy, which I am hoping we will learn to be the case in some future book. I want it so much to be true because if that is not that case, then he deserves a good kick to the ass and a good kick to the curb for continuing to carry about the way he does without any regard for Amory’s feelings. And Amory, despite showing backbone with regards to his behavior earlier in the series, has reverted back to simpy putting up with his behavior and suffering in silence(aside from some occassional sulking to let him know she’s cross) instead of just having the difficult conversation. Sometimes she drives me crazy.
The addition of Emile was…surprising, but he is adorable so I’m actually quite happy with the addition. I’m curious to see if he will remain a part of the series or if he will be sent away for future books and just continue to exist in the background.
I was correct in assuming that a certain character was connected to the murder, but not in the way that I was expected. Also the murder itself did not come about in quite the way I expeced and that was a lovely surprise at the end of the book, which was very refreshing. But I’ll keep it at that and say no more, no spoilers.
I’m very much enjoying this historical mystery series and recommend it to others. I’ve already started the next book, An Act of Villainy and am hoping the one after, A Dangerous Engagement is delivered in time for me to start it right after.
Amory and Milo explore the fascinating world of perfume making while they try to help an old friend. I wanted to join Amory in getting my own signature fragrance!
Another good effort in this series, however I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first and third books (I haven’t read the second yet). The plot seems to be heading in one direction only to blindside me in the last few pages with an ending that didn’t sit well with me. Also I got a bit perturbed with Milo’s attitude and Amory’s response to it. I know theirs is an up and down, shaky relationship at times, but there was a lot of secrecy (on the part of Milo) and passive whining (on the part of Amory) that I could have done without. Overall I recommend, just not as strongly as others in series. Looking forward to backtracking to read #2! 4/5
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.