Daisies for innocence

Ellie runs Scents & Nonsense, a custom perfume shop in Poppyville, California. Her blends draw on aromas and botanical essences, some grown in her own garden, and they seem to carry a touch of the supernatural. A perfume from her counter can stir a feeling, nudge a change or just cheer someone up.

The shop is busy. Customers come to buy her scents, and others come only to sit in the garden with tea and homemade cookies. Ellie's life in town is going well.

Then she learns that Josie, her part-time assistant, is dating Ellie's ex. Ellie senses trouble and means to warn the young woman about his charms, but she never gets the chance. She finds Josie dead in the Enchanted Garden.

The police now see Ellie as the prime suspect. To clear herself, she has to look into Josie's past and find out who really wanted her dead.

This is a cozy mystery with a light touch of magic, set in a small California town among flowers, tea and perfume. The tone is gentle and the puzzle is an amateur sleuth's investigation, led by a shop owner defending her name and her business.