New Cozy Mystery Scent to Kill Blends Herbal Healing with Murder

A health food store owner solves murders using herbal wisdom. Could your next read come with a free copy—and a side of sleuthing?

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2026 May 8 . 11:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white drawing of a book with a floral design on it, which is believed... — The image shows a black and white drawing of a book with a floral design on it, which is believed to be a representation of the book of hours. The intricate design is composed of a variety of shapes and colors, including circles, squares, and triangles, and is surrounded by a decorative border. The book itself is open, revealing a page with text written in a script font.

New Cozy Mystery Scent to Kill Blends Herbal Healing with Murder

A new mystery novel, Scent to Kill: A Natural Remedies Mystery, is now available—and its author is offering two free copies to readers. The book features Willow McQuade, a holistic doctor who runs a health food store while solving crimes. Her latest adventure ties closely to her expertise in medicinal plants and natural healing. Willow McQuade, the series’ protagonist, owns Nature’s Way Market and Café, a shop specialising in organic foods and remedies. The same building houses a yoga studio, her own living quarters, and offices for her friends—a masseuse and an acupuncturist. The author has even hinted at adding an on-site office where Willow could consult with patients, further blending her profession with the story’s setting.

Many mystery writers weave their characters’ careers into the plot. Some protagonists run tea shops, catering businesses, or other ventures that shape their investigations. In *The Garden of Death*, the third book in the series, Willow’s deep knowledge of medicinal plants becomes central to unravelling a murder. The author previously wrote about using personal passions to inspire fiction, citing natural remedies as a prime example. To help other writers develop their own characters, they’ve shared a set of guiding questions. These focus on how a fictional profession can drive a story’s conflicts and solutions.

The latest instalment, Scent to Kill, continues the trend of blending Willow’s work with her sleuthing. Readers can now enter to win one of two copies of the book. Meanwhile, the series’ mix of health, business, and mystery keeps expanding, with more real-world details shaping each new case.