A Whiff of Murder - A Review

 Review

 A WHIFF OF MURDER by Angela M. Sanders

The First Sixth Sense Mystery

 

Lise Bloom has the unique ability of smelling emotion and even history. So after a scandal in Seattle, it's no wonder that it's a scent that leads Lise to settle in Astoria, Oregon. In an attempt to learn more about her gift Lise works in a New Age shop, but she's not finding the answers she needs. With encouragement from her housemates at Corrie House Lise e-mails in her resignation. Feeling some trepidation going to work the next morning she's surprised to see her boss's car in the alley with its tires slashed. She's even more surprised to see her boss's dead body. Did the toxic relationship with her ex-husband finally lead to murder? Did the changes she made to her will cause her untimely demise? The shocks keep coming when the detective in charge turns out to be a frenemy, emphasis on enemy, from Seattle. In order to save herself from a murder charge Lise will have to investigate herself and find a killer.

 

A WHIFF OF MURDER is a story about opposites - love and hate, young and old, living and dead. Yet even though some things are smack in your face, others are more nuanced. Important details are slowly revealed and I'm interested to see what will be uncovered in future books; Lise's gift, her origins, and even more compelling, the story of Corrie House itself and that library in particular.

 

The characters were unique. Lise was a bit underwhelming as a protagonist, but primarily because of the more interesting secondary characters. I love Teddy, the older owner of Corrie House who has a vibrant past and even more I adore the residents of Blavatsky Manor. I'm not a fan of Fran, even though I love some of her idiosyncrasies, but I am curious to see if she grows and changes. My favorite character, however, is Corrie House itself, and it is a character.

 

The mystery itself was well plotted with the various subplots enhancing the story. There are many subplots, all of which are captivating and none of which take away from the mystery.  

 

Humor alleviates the somewhat oppressive atmosphere and with a hint of the paranormal and a lot of foreshadowing A WHIFF OF MURDER makes a creative and intriguing start to a new series.