4 out of 5 stars.
I won this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I love cozy mysteries and always like finding new authors within that genre so it made sense to enter. Bailey Cattrell has succeeded in making her books part of my regular reading rotation from this point forward. I absolutely loved the book and I finished it in one day because I couldn’t put it down.
The main character, Ellie, owns a perfume store, Scents & Nonsense, where she makes her own concoctions based on her vast knowledge of aromatherapy, which she learned from her Gamma. She also has the Enchanted Garden behind her store where people, while her shop is open, can walk around or sit sipping tea and enjoy what sounds like a breathtaking area. There also seems to be something magical about it and it comes alive when Ellie is gardening or making her fragrances. Unfortunately the body of Josie, her part time assistant, is murdered and her body is found in Ellie’s garden. Ellie becomes the prime suspect and because of one detective, who focuses strictly on her, she starts looking into things with the help of some of her friends.
I liked this book because the main character didn’t come off as one of those women who just start haphazardly looking into a murder and then proceeds to run all over town asking everyone questions without any regards to her own safety. Ellie is actually quite hesitant initially, until she realizes that she doesn’t have much choice if she’s going to clear her name. The mystery wasn’t overly complicated but I think there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. It also talks about aromatherapy and within it, gives some properties of different herbs and oils, which was interesting. A few recipes are included in the back.
Overall, I enjoyed getting to know Ellie, her corgi, Dash and her Russian blue shorthair, Nabby, as well as her friends and some of the other Poppyville CA residents. I look forward to learning more about them in future books.
Available on Amazon at the link below:
Daisies For Innocence
