Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Essentials of Death: An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery by Kim Davis. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!

Essentials of Death: An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery

by Kim Davis

Essentials of Death: An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harbor Lane Books, LLC.
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 23, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 299 pages

After a scandalous arrest in San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael has moved back to her small Southern California hometown to start over as she opens her Aromatherapy Apothecary shop and reflexology services. A tourist destination, Oak Creek Valley, seems the perfect place to put the past behind her, but it seems no one will let her forget, especially her high school nemesis, Lacie. When Carissa finds her frenemy murdered after having a public altercation at the town’s playwright conference and festival, she becomes the primary suspect. It doesn’t help that the tarot cards she drew earlier in the day foretold the nature of the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, the detective assigned to the case assumes she’s guilty.

When tarot death cards begin turning up to taunt her, Carissa not only has to prove her innocence to keep her freedom, she has to make sure death doesn’t come calling for her or those she loves. With the suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.

Includes essential oil and reflexology tips.

Guest Post: The Setting as a Character

Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Christy! I appreciate the opportunity to introduce Essentials of Death to your readers!

The setting as a character ~

When I started writing the Aromatherapy Apothecary Mysteries, I knew I needed a small town or a small community feel with a cozy vibe. It was fairly easy to create and develop the characters, but I needed an original setting for them to share their stories and solve the murders. And somewhere that wouldn’t fall into the Cabot Cove trap… we don’t want to kill off the entire population of a town! I needed a place that would attract a lot of fresh bodies, err, tourists. I also wanted it based in Southern California (my first series is in Newport Beach, CA, close to where I live and used to work) and at least based on somewhere I knew well or could easily visit to get the “flavor”. I wanted a place unique enough that it could almost be its own character.

And then inspiration struck: I could base my setting on the small tourist town (population less than 8,000) I grew up in until the age of 14, when my parents moved us to an even smaller town with less than 1,500 residents (which would not make for a good setting for a murder mystery series). Ojai (pronounced OH-HIGH) is about 80 miles from Los Angeles and attracts movie and television studios for on-location filming. 

The Spanish-style architecture and the mountains surrounding the town make for a gorgeous backdrop, whether for filming, weddings, or vacationing. There are wineries, spas, artists’ retreats, and outdoor attractions like golf, tennis, and horse and biking trails. In addition, the city hosts a variety of annual festivals that attract people from all over. It would give me an excellent source of victims, bah-hah-ha. 

I’d like to say I’m a pay attention to details kind of person, but I’m not. One of the first things I did was turn Ojai into the fictional town of Oak Creek Valley. I didn’t want sharp readers to find errors in my directions or street names, and unless the sun is rising or setting, I’m not sure I know if I’m headed east or west. Forget about north or south directions…which is why I can’t drive anywhere new without my navigation system blaring directions at me.

As I began developing my character, Carissa Carmichael, I added some small things that I’d experienced during my time in Ojai. I have her living in an avocado orchard, just like a couple of my friends did. Carissa and her dad spent long hours in the saddle, trail riding in the surrounding Topa Topa Mountains. I too spent a lot of afternoons horseback riding with friends. 

I also liked that Carissa could use the bounty from the orchards and farms in the area, from avocados to olives to citrus to lavender, in her essential oils. When I revisit the area, I adore driving with the windows down to breathe in the fragrant blossoms.

As I celebrate the release of Essentials of Death, the second book in the Aromatherapy Apothecary mysteries, it’s like taking a step back in time for me and reliving some of my childhood memories…which thankfully did NOT include murder.

Many thanks to my cousin and fellow former Ojai resident, Mary Karnes, for allowing me to use her photos today! 

About Kim Davis

Kim Davis writes the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series and the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and rambunctious mini Goldendoodle, Missy, who has become an inspiration for several plotlines. When she’s not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing Missy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder as well as Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen, or baking up yummy treats to share.

Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Author Links

Website:  http://kimdavisauthor.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Davis-Author-1532277473479031/
Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/kimdavisauthor.bsky.social
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20202599.Kim_Davis
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kim-davis-899e51b0-5661-401c-98b1-ec4c2973d58a
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/kimdavishb/
Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen: https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/

Purchase Links: Amazon

Other online book retailers: https://books2read.com/u/38wjka

Enter the Giveaway

Essentials of Death TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

September 22 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

September 24 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 24 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – RECIPE

September 25 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

September 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

September 26 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 27 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

September 27 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

September 28 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 28 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 29 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

September 29 – My Books and Crafts – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT  

October 1 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

October 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

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