“Cox cleverly entwines two seemingly unrelated story lines, upping the tale’s stakes and body count. Endearingly eccentric characters and a vividly sketched setting . . . Fans of Donna Andrews will appreciate Cox’s zany style.” Publishers Weekly

“Theophania Bogart, a fugitive from British high society, finds that her second case takes her outside her circle of friends but not out of her embattled San Francisco neighborhood. Colorful, bustling, and stuffed to the brim with endless complications…” Kirkus Reviews

“A quirky, aromatic concoction of mystery, suspense and humor.” New York Times bestselling author, Juliet Blackwell

“The follow-up to Cox’s award-winning The Man on the Washing Machine includes a delightful amateur sleuth and eccentric characters with appeal for fans of traditional mysteries. The intricate plotting will keep readers guessing.” Library Journal

“Theophania Bogart, a fugitive from British high society, finds that her second case takes her outside her circle of friends but not out of her embattled San Francisco neighborhood. Colorful, bustling, and stuffed to the brim with endless complications . . .”

“A quirky, aromatic concoction of mystery, suspense and humor.”

“Susan Cox writes with deft assurance. An appealing cast of characters and an absorbing plot kept me turning the pages.”

Margaret Maron, MWA Grand Master,
Creator of the Deborah Knott and Sigrid Harald mysteries

Read the Publishers Weekly Review

“English transplant Theophania “Theo” Bogart, the narrator of Cox’s delightful debut, runs a small business called Aromas in San Francisco with her new friend, Nicole. Theo has created a family of sorts with nearby residents and business owners, who share a community garden. Among them are a women-chasing doctor, Theo’s stiff-upper-lip grandfather, an abused teen, a garden designer, a blundering bookkeeper, an elderly man on a snail-killing rampage, and a mysterious, good-looking man who runs a women’s shelter—all well-developed characters, many with secrets and intriguing backstories. It’s clear from the get-go that Nicole is up to no good. When painter and petty thief Tim Callahan falls off a roof to his death, it appears to be a case of foul play. Another death follows and is likely related to Tim’s. A hearty dash of humor enlivens this complex, multilayered tale, which won Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award.”

“Mystery fans have another author to add to their favorite queues with the arrival of this beguiling debut novel. The book’s heart lies with the eclectic mix of characters and their tight-knit San Francisco neighborhood, which provide an engaging blend of cultures and tensions. The plot will keep more than just the characters guessing until the very end.”
–Romantic Times Book Reviews

“An exciting new author. A fast-paced page turner. Susan Cox’s debut novel will delight mystery aficionados.”

Carolyn Hart, MWA Grand Master, creator of Death on Demand, Bailey Ruth Raeburn and Henrie O. mysteries