Scent To Kill by Chrystle Fiedler is the second book in the “Natural Remedies” mystery series. Publisher: Galley Books, February 2013

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SOLVING CRIME? AT THE NATURE’S WAY MARKET AND CAFÉ, A GENTLE TOUCH, A DOSE OF AROMATIC HERBS, FRESH EVIDENCE, AND INSPIRED INVESTIGATING ARE THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS TO CATCHING A KILLER!

When naturopathic doctor and shop owner Willow McQuade’s ex-boyfriend Simon Lewis invites her to a party for the cast and crew of a new television show at Long Island’s scenic Bixby Estate, she’s most excited to visit the property’s exclusive lavender farm. But a whole field of her favorite stress-reducing herb can’t provide enough soothing support to calm the effects of a murder!

Even the show’s psychic star didn’t predict the demise of Roger Bixby, the estate’s owner and estranged husband of Simon’s new girlfriend. Now Simon, who’s been collared by police, needs Willow’s help to remedy the situation. As Willow snoops about the mansion, offering natural cures to ease the mounting tension, a strange energy—and the discovery of an eerily similar unsolved murder decades earlier—makes her wonder whether the alternative source of the crime might actually be . . . supernatural. Can she find harmony between mind, body, and possibly even spirits before somebody else goes up in smoke?

When her ex asks for her help in clearing his name, Willow and Spade find themselves in a mansion where murder is afoot. When she is warned away from helping, this spurs her on to find the identity of the culprit who would stop at nothing to keep what is theirs.

This is a really good book. I loved the storyline of past and present as I had to know who was behind what and why. I thought I had a handle on the why, but the author’s continual plot twists had me quickly changing my mind and I was a bit surprised when the killer’s identity was revealed because that, I didn’t see coming. I liked that each chapter began with a natural remedy tip and within the pages you also found aromatherapy treatments. This is an enjoyable read that boasts a wonderful supporting cast to Willow and Jackson, good dialogue and a feel-good atmosphere. I look forward to the next book in this pleasantly appealing series.

FTC Full Disclosure – The author sent me this book, in hopes I would review it.

previously posted on the Cozy Chicks blog