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vengefuldime's review against another edition
4.0
It does a great job at building the sense of anticipation for everything to go wrong- each step is technically making a problem go away but safety also gets farther and farther away.
transparent_tea's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.75
This book was suggested by Storygraph and I thought, fragrance and murder seem like a good combination, let's try it out.
The introduction was hazy, but the story made more sense after Chapter 9. I did enjoy the descriptive introduction of each chapter, giving me a "whiff" of what to expect from the chapter, as it described the moment Vic Fowler was walking into. In addition, the author supplemented the story by using ornate terms to visualize something, adding to the notes de fond, if you want to put it in the author's terms.
The issue lies within the actual novel. I understood this was a murder/horror novel, but I did not expect this many murders in one book. Similar to what Vic does after "decanting" for his customers, I felt a hot shower and elbow grease isn't going to solve how dirty I felt after finishing the book (even though I predicted the ending).
The introduction was hazy, but the story made more sense after Chapter 9. I did enjoy the descriptive introduction of each chapter, giving me a "whiff" of what to expect from the chapter, as it described the moment Vic Fowler was walking into. In addition, the author supplemented the story by using ornate terms to visualize something, adding to the notes de fond, if you want to put it in the author's terms.
The issue lies within the actual novel. I understood this was a murder/horror novel, but I did not expect this many murders in one book. Similar to what Vic does after "decanting" for his customers, I felt a hot shower and elbow grease isn't going to solve how dirty I felt after finishing the book (even though I predicted the ending).
eherold's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
frankchester's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
daisystitch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
theangrystackrat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lauramusich's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
judelon's review against another edition
4.0
Absolute poetry and deeply disturbing. I haven't encountered an anti-hero like Vic Fowler since Patricia Highsmith's heyday.
Most disturbing of all was seeing the author's picture for the first time (?) at the end of my Kindle edition. Exactly the androgynous face and haircut I was picturing for slippery, young Vic Fowler. I like Chanel #5. Call me stodgy.
Most disturbing of all was seeing the author's picture for the first time (?) at the end of my Kindle edition. Exactly the androgynous face and haircut I was picturing for slippery, young Vic Fowler. I like Chanel #5. Call me stodgy.
hudsononaux's review against another edition
This main character is insufferably pretentious
clareolivia's review against another edition
5.0
Is anyone entirely good or entirely evil? Lara Elena Donnelly makes us question this with their new book, Base Notes. The cost of rent is soaring across the country and is becoming a crushing burden to many, especially in New York City. A perfumer, Vic Fowler, has no choice but to rely on new steams of income to make ends meet. After receiving an offer they couldn’t refuse, Vic must convince (threaten) a few friends to assist in a bloody errand. Willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to further their business, no one is safe from Vic’s dangerous ambitions.
I found the character of Vic to be very enthralling. For years I have wanted a story from the perspective of the villain and I may have found that in base notes. At the start, Vic is a very enjoyable and sympathetic character but as the story progresses we see Vic making more questionable choices until everyone they know and love pay the price. Apart from Vic, all characters are extremely rich and dynamic. As a reader, you wont find a single character in Base Notes, that is entirely good or evil. Even the most likable of characters have their dark sides.
Even with the most obvious antagonists in the story, its hard to pin down the real villain and it’s even more difficult to find the hero of the story. That may be why I found Base Notes to be such a great read. The biggest threats in story aren’t assassins in the middle of the night but crushing medical debt, student loans, and the rising cost of rent.
I found the character of Vic to be very enthralling. For years I have wanted a story from the perspective of the villain and I may have found that in base notes. At the start, Vic is a very enjoyable and sympathetic character but as the story progresses we see Vic making more questionable choices until everyone they know and love pay the price. Apart from Vic, all characters are extremely rich and dynamic. As a reader, you wont find a single character in Base Notes, that is entirely good or evil. Even the most likable of characters have their dark sides.
Even with the most obvious antagonists in the story, its hard to pin down the real villain and it’s even more difficult to find the hero of the story. That may be why I found Base Notes to be such a great read. The biggest threats in story aren’t assassins in the middle of the night but crushing medical debt, student loans, and the rising cost of rent.