Odessa Jones is an amateur crime investigator from Grovesville, New Jersey whose psychic abilities allow her to read the emotions or "glimmer" of those around her and foretell the future through the scents of spices. This first in a new series introduces "Dessa," a recently widowed caterer and reluctant real estate agent with an extraordinary talent for baking. Other characters include her Aunt Phoenix, who uses her own gifts to predict winning lottery numbers, Lennox Royal, a former police officer who is currently the owner of Royal's Regal Barbecue, and a cozy cast of characters from work and the neighborhood, just two train stops away from Manhattan.
Grovesville is aging and quiet, but still close enough to trouble. In this first book, Dessa's colleagues at Risko Reality are suspects in the shocking murder of their boss, Charlie Risko. A string of other murders follow and Dessa uses her baking skills to spend time with her co-workers sussing out motives. Chocolate chip cookies, 7-Up Pound Cake and delicious, devilish dark chocolate cake provide the excuses for Dessa to investigate and uncover the truth.
Former executive editor of Essence magazine, Valerie Wilson Wesley is an award-winning author of books for adults and children and the popular Tamara Hayle mystery series. This is her first foray into cozy mysteries. That she uses baking to solve the murder is the icing on the cake in my book. If you smell nutmeg, run for your life!