The Essence of Malice - (Amory Ames Mystery) by Ashley Weaver (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Edgar Award-shortlisted author Ashley Weaver returns with the fourth installment in the Amory Ames mystery series.

The Essence of Malice is filled with her trademark style, wit and clever plotting, sure to delight and charm traditional mystery fans.

"In this highly enjoyable and engrossing mystery, Ashley Weaver--with her sure touch for evoking elegance and glamour--wafts her appealing and determined heroine Amory into the world of perfumers, family secrets and the heady whiff of murder. I loved the evocation of scents, skilful shifts of suspicion and the satisfying conclusion." --Frances Brody

"The scent of murder and betrayal fills the Paris air . . . The climactic surprise makes this the best of her mysteries to date." --Kirkus Reviews

"For pity's sake, darling, let me finish my coffee before you begin concocting schemes."

When Amory Ames's husband Milo receives a troubling letter from his childhood nanny, Madame Nanette, the couple travel to Paris where they become embroiled in a mystery surrounding the death of a famous parfumier. Helios Belanger died suddenly, shortly before the release of his new, highly anticipated perfume, and Madame Nanette, who works for his family, is convinced that her employer's death was not due to natural causes.

The more Amory and Milo look into the motives of industry rivals and the Belanger heirs who are vying for control of his perfume empire, the more they are convinced that Madame Nanette may be right. When secrets unfold and things take a dangerous turn, Amory and Milo must work quickly to uncover the essence of the matter and catch a killer before the scent goes cold.

Also out now in the Amory Ames mysteries: Murder at the Brightwell, Death Wears a Mask and A Most Novel Revenge

Review Quotes

Praise for The Essence of Malice:

"In this highly enjoyable and engrossing mystery Ashley Weaver - with her sure touch for evoking elegance and glamour - wafts her appealing and determined heroine Amory into the world of perfumers, family secrets, and the heady whiff of murder. I loved the evocation of scents, skillful shifts of suspicion and the satisfying conclusion."--Frances Brody

"The scent of murder and betrayal fills the Paris air . . . Weaver, a librarian, has a deft touch with the 1930s' upper-class repartee. The climactic surprise makes this the best of her mysteries to date."--Kirkus Reviews

"Sparkling...the power skirmishes between these equally clever spouses shine throughout."--Publishers Weekly

"The fourth addition to this lively historical series is one of its best with an evocative 1930s Parisian setting and an unexpected surprise climax." --Library Journal (starred review)

"This novel presents an intricate puzzle to solve. It has roots in the tradition of upper-crust amateur sleuths from the era but remains fresh and unpredictable. The main characters are sophisticated, stylish, and multi-dimensional." --Historical Novel Society

"The Ameses make a beautiful pair, stylish and clever, and Weaver infuses her story with all of the Golden Age splendor a reader could want . . . This is an excellent entrée into a delightful (librarian-penned) series." --Booklist

Praise for the Amory Ames Mysteries:

"Fans with fond memories of Georgette Heyer's mysteries set in the same period will be delighted with the gallery of suspects and the edgy romance." --Kirkus Reviews

"Sure to appeal to Agatha Christie devotees." --Booklist

"It's all very Downton Abbey... [Weaver] channels the ambiance and spirit of British society during the post-World War I years." --Associated Press

"With a profound nod to the Golden Age of the British whodunit, Weaver creates a classic mystery, complete with a fashionable setting, a cast of upper-crust Brits, and witty prose." --Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Captivating.... Fascinating and stylish characters fill out a finely tuned traditional mystery." --Publishers Weekly on A Most Novel Revenge

"This debut novel by a librarian lays the foundation for a stylish series with Milo and Amory channeling Nick and Nora Charles." --Booklist on Murder at the Brightwell

"A spunky heroine, a tense romance and red herrings galore make Weaver's debut a pleasant read for nostalgia buffs who miss Agatha Christie." --Kirkus Reviews on Murder at the Brightwell

"Fans with fond memories of Georgette Heyer's mysteries set in the same period will be delighted with the gallery of suspects and the edgy romance." --Kirkus Reviews on Death Wears a Mask

About the Author

ASHLEY WEAVER is the technical services coordinator at the Allen Parish Libraries in Oberlin, Louisiana. Weaver has worked in libraries since she was fourteen; she was a page and then a clerk before obtaining her MLIS from Louisiana State University. She is the author of three previous Amory Ames mysteries, Murder at the Brightwell, Death Wears a Mask, and A Most Novel Revenge.