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jesscerre's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
v1c70r14's review
4.0
I discovered this series pretty late compared to other people, but I love it. Really, I do, and I plan to keep on reading about Amory and Milo’s adventures as long as Ashley Weaver keeps on writing them.
The mysteries are great, and they’re beautifully executed, fun and fast paced, but it’s safe to say I enjoy them despite the characters, instead of because of them. Individually, I love both Milo and Amory, their wit and personalities, but their relationship drives me nuts. For one thing, Milo severely pisses me off: I get it, he wants to protect Amory, but guess what, genius? You don’t protect the people you love by lying to their faces and keeping secrets. Ever sincethe end of Death wears a mask, I was starting to think he was evolving as a character, as a husband, but in this book it felt like his character had regressed a bit, fallen back on the same patterns of the previous books, which was extremely frustrating. And Amory? I wanted to shake her until she came back to her senses: I wanted her to demand the truth from her husband (which she only did towards the end) and give Milo a piece of her mind, without always being the one who relented first. Put your foot down for once, sister!
All things considered, this was an entirely enjoyable and fascinating read – loved the Paris setting and the perfume background – and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
The mysteries are great, and they’re beautifully executed, fun and fast paced, but it’s safe to say I enjoy them despite the characters, instead of because of them. Individually, I love both Milo and Amory, their wit and personalities, but their relationship drives me nuts. For one thing, Milo severely pisses me off: I get it, he wants to protect Amory, but guess what, genius? You don’t protect the people you love by lying to their faces and keeping secrets. Ever since
Spoiler
their reconciliation atAll things considered, this was an entirely enjoyable and fascinating read – loved the Paris setting and the perfume background – and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
alikatson's review against another edition
4.0
The mystery was good, the relationship has taken two steps back.
sarah_moynihan's review
3.0
'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.'
____________________________
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
The Essense of Malice is the fourth book in Ashley Weaver's An Amory Ames Mystery series and is a historical mystery taking place in the 1930s.
The Essence of Malice has not been my favorite from the series, as I felt that it had a slower start than the previous book in the series. And for me since the victim(and those closely connected to them) was someone they did not know, they could only very loosely justify connecting themselves to, and the crime occurred before they were even in the country, I found it less intruiging than the other cases they have been involved in thus far because the level of danger didn't feel the same due to these reasons. But at the same time, this did make the story unique from the others and was perhaps a bit more believable to that there a coincidentally a murder once they arrive in a location. Although this hasn't been my favorite, I still quite enjoyed it. The pacing just wasn't what I'm used to from this series.
This book has served to convince me more than any of the others thus far that Milo must secretly be a spy, which I am hoping we will learn to be the case in some future book. I want it so much to be true because if that is not that case, then he deserves a good kick to the ass and a good kick to the curb for continuing to carry about the way he does without any regard for Amory's feelings. And Amory, despite showing backbone with regards to his behavior earlier in the series, has reverted back to simpy putting up with his behavior and suffering in silence(aside from some occassional sulking to let him know she's cross) instead of just having the difficult conversation. Sometimes she drives me crazy.
The addition of Emile was...surprising, but he is adorable so I'm actually quite happy with the addition. I'm curious to see if he will remain a part of the series or if he will be sent away for future books and just continue to exist in the background.
I was correct in assuming that a certain character was connected to the murder, but not in the way that I was expected. Also the murder itself did not come about in quite the way I expeced and that was a lovely surprise at the end of the book, which was very refreshing. But I'll keep it at that and say no more, no spoilers.
I'm very much enjoying this historical mystery series and recommend it to others. I've already started the next book, An Act of Villainy and am hoping the one after, A Dangerous Engagement is delivered in time for me to start it right after.
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.'
____________________________
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
The Essense of Malice is the fourth book in Ashley Weaver's An Amory Ames Mystery series and is a historical mystery taking place in the 1930s.
The Essence of Malice has not been my favorite from the series, as I felt that it had a slower start than the previous book in the series. And for me since the victim(and those closely connected to them) was someone they did not know, they could only very loosely justify connecting themselves to, and the crime occurred before they were even in the country, I found it less intruiging than the other cases they have been involved in thus far because the level of danger didn't feel the same due to these reasons. But at the same time, this did make the story unique from the others and was perhaps a bit more believable to that there a coincidentally a murder once they arrive in a location. Although this hasn't been my favorite, I still quite enjoyed it. The pacing just wasn't what I'm used to from this series.
This book has served to convince me more than any of the others thus far that Milo must secretly be a spy, which I am hoping we will learn to be the case in some future book. I want it so much to be true because if that is not that case, then he deserves a good kick to the ass and a good kick to the curb for continuing to carry about the way he does without any regard for Amory's feelings. And Amory, despite showing backbone with regards to his behavior earlier in the series, has reverted back to simpy putting up with his behavior and suffering in silence(aside from some occassional sulking to let him know she's cross) instead of just having the difficult conversation. Sometimes she drives me crazy.
The addition of Emile was...surprising, but he is adorable so I'm actually quite happy with the addition. I'm curious to see if he will remain a part of the series or if he will be sent away for future books and just continue to exist in the background.
I was correct in assuming that a certain character was connected to the murder, but not in the way that I was expected. Also the murder itself did not come about in quite the way I expeced and that was a lovely surprise at the end of the book, which was very refreshing. But I'll keep it at that and say no more, no spoilers.
I'm very much enjoying this historical mystery series and recommend it to others. I've already started the next book, An Act of Villainy and am hoping the one after, A Dangerous Engagement is delivered in time for me to start it right after.
rachelschloneger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
5.0
The only negative thing I have to say about the series that I'm quickly nearing the end of the series. I didn't think I was much of a fan of more "historical " Cozy mysteries but I think I need to look more into it. Great characters, drama and plot!
pyiab's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nevclue's review against another edition
4.0
Probably closer to 3.5 stars.
Another fun entry with Amory and Milo. The mystery revolves around a dead parfumier who may have been killed. The resolution Again, Amory and Milo's marriage is strained. While progress has been made, they are both still reserved and refuse to talk. We do learn a bit more about Milo's background.
Another fun entry with Amory and Milo. The mystery revolves around a dead parfumier who may have been killed. The resolution
Spoiler
was a bit odd. I think there could have been a bit more political foreshadowing to suggest that spies were a possibility. There's practically no mention of Germany or rising tensions between France and Germany.swarnak84's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable mystery but I find Milo's constant shadiness annoying. Amory gets angry but does she really win any of her arguments? I do get the point of 'everything is not what it seems' and 'what works for them', but Amory is clearly annoyed by it - ergo it's not working. I'm curious to see what the story behind Milo's antics really is.