Murder Makes Scents

Murder Makes Scents by Christin Brecher has Stella Wright with her mother, Millie in Paris for The World Perfumery Conference. Before Millie gives her talk, they stop so she can check her materials one more time. A commotion breaks out and Stella sees a man with a knife in his back. Stella later learns that the killer was after sensitive information, but he eluded the gendarme. Millie and Stella return to Nantucket Island where Stella notices a woman on a yacht watching them through binoculars as they depart the ferry. Unable to sleep that night (Millie snores and hogs the bed), Stella heads to her shop to catch a cat nap with Tinker. Before she drifts off, she can hear the bell on the door. Someone had been in her shop, but Stella has no clue what they were after. While trying to escape the affectionate Tinker, Millie gets injured which requires an overnight stay at the local hospital. The next morning, Stella finds a threatening note on her door. The person wants a formula hidden in Millie’s special bag or they will harm Stella’s mother. Stella intends to unravel this malodourous puzzle and catch the guilty party. Murder Makes Scents is the second book in A Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone if you have not picked up Murder’s No Votive Confidence. I like the characters and the setting of Nantucket Island. The story moved along steadily, and I liked the action that kept things lively. The mystery was unique for a cozy mystery which I just loved. There was intrigue, mysterious individuals, a special formula, international espionage and action. Your ability to solve this whodunit depends upon your sleuthing level. I like the humor sprinkled throughout (I love a book that makes me laugh). Tinker was a hoot. The author captured how a cat behaves perfectly especially when they know someone does not wish to be their friend. There is a side story involving Stella’s thirtieth birthday and the possibility that her beau might ask a certain question. There is an excerpt from 15 Minutes of Flame, the 3rd A Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery, at the end along with a recipe and discussion on making your own candle molds. Murder Makes Scents is an engaging cozy mystery with a funny formula, mold making masterclass, curious clues, a perplexing prowler, and a comical cat.