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Lara Elena Donnelly
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Base Notes Kindle Edition

by Lara Elena Donnelly (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 1,782 ratings
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A lasting impression is worth killing for.

In New York City everybody needs a side hustle, and perfumer Vic Fowler has developed a delicate art that has proved to be very lucrative: creating bespoke scents that evoke immersive memories—memories that, for Vic’s clients, are worth killing for. But the city is expensive, and these days even artisanal murder doesn’t pay the bills. When Joseph Eisner, a former client with deep pockets, offers Vic an opportunity to expand the enterprise, the money is too good to turn down. But the job is too intricate—and too dangerous—to attempt alone.

Manipulating fellow struggling artists into acting as accomplices is easy. Like Vic, they too are on the verge of burnout and bankruptcy. But as relationships become more complicated, Vic’s careful plans start to unravel. Hounded by guilt and a tenacious private investigator, Vic grows increasingly desperate to complete Eisner’s commission. Is there anyone—friends, lovers, coconspirators—that Vic won’t sacrifice for art?

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  1. Print length
    411 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Thomas & Mercer
  5. Publication date
    February 1, 2022
  6. File size
    5138 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Scent is everything in Donnelly’s unique, voluptuous thriller…Manhattan’s beau monde served up in juicy, evocative prose.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This intoxicating thriller keeps the reader guessing. With luck, Vic will be back for an encore.” —Publishers Weekly

“Base Notes is an ambitious, upsetting novel of queer horror(s). As with the richly evocative scents Vic crafts, the reading experience moves through levels…Donnelly balances a serial killer protagonist, with all the foibles and frights one expects therein, against a treatise on the back-breaking systems of service labor, urban real estate, and artistic craft…the rich depths of Donnelly’s novel are going to be a perfect scent-match.” —Tor.com

“Art. Love. Scent. And murder. Lara Elena Donnelly’s new book has it all.” —Salon

“All great science fiction tales, from Frankenstein forward, are essentially morality tales, and that’s true here as well, even though Base Notes is not strictly sci-fi. But it is a fascinating and wondrously told tale well worth the read.” —Providence Journal

“Beautiful and vivid…As Vic’s life starts spiraling out of control, it’s difficult not to identify with and hurt for each and every one of these characters. Read at your own peril.” —Mike Omer, New York Times bestselling author

From the Publisher

I read a lot of books about killers; you might say that (fictional) murder is my business. Lara Elena Donnelly’s lush thriller about an acerbic and amoral perfume artist with a lethal talent is unlike anything I’ve read before: a tale that evokes comparisons to works as disparate as The Goldfinch, Hannibal, and Inception but is completely fresh, engrossing, and disturbing.

Stylish, ambitious, and dangerously likeable, Vic Fowler has found a unique niche creating scents to evoke specific memories for the wearer. The catch? These one-of-a-kind fragrances require very particular source material. Vic’s not opposed to dirty work, but when a big job requires bringing in a pair of alluring yet inexperienced coconspirators—leading to complex romantic entanglements and a rising body count—things start to really get messy.

In Vic, Donnelly has created an antihero whose singular voice, mysterious pedigree, and appalling yet elegant criminal mind have lingered in my memory like the scent of my mother’s Madame Rochas perfume (although I wouldn’t hire Vic to capture that recollection!). I hope you’ll be similarly captivated.

—Gracie Doyle, Editor

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B091PRWHR6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas & Mercer (February 1, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5138 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 411 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1542030706
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 1,782 ratings

About the author

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Lara Elena Donnelly

Lara Elena Donnelly

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Lara Elena Donnelly is the author of the Nebula, Lambda, and Locus-nominated trilogy The Amberlough Dossier, as well as short fiction and poetry appearing in venues including Strange Horizons, Escape Pod, Nightmare, and Uncanny.

Lara has taught in the MFA program at Sarah Lawrence College, as well as the Catapult Workshop in New York. She is a graduate of the Clarion and Alpha writers’ workshops, and has served as on-site staff at the latter, mentoring amazing teens who will someday take over the world of SFF.

Customer reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
3.6 out of 5
1,782 global ratings
Good dark thriller, with bespoke fragrances and death
4 Stars
Good dark thriller, with bespoke fragrances and death
I have a few favorite perfumes. I’m partial to ones containing jasmine. What about scents that capture fond memories? I’d love that.So, a thriller that had perfume as part of the story seemed different and intriguing. Bespoke scents, memories invoked by the aroma, and murder definitely peaked my interest.I’ll admit, I had my doubts. Maybe some people are super smellers and can differentiate all the various scents on a person or in a drink. I’m cool with that. However, catching and preserving people’s memories in scents, I found hard to believe.Then I discovered the issue. This was my problem. I was expecting things to match reality, but why should it?BASE NOTES is a novel. It’s a work of fiction. I’m not supposed to compare it with reality.After that realization and acceptance, I really enjoyed this dark thriller.Vic Fowler, the protagonist, is a struggling artist who creates bespoke scents. Desperate to get bills paid, Vic hesitatingly takes an offer that can’t be refused from former client, Joseph Eisner. The job, which is huge and dangerous, prompts Vic to ask favors from struggling artist friends: Beau, Jane, and Giovanni.Problems relating to the help Vic is requiring threaten existing relationships.The question is, how far is Vic willing to go to stay on top - to avoid financial ruin and to continue the art?Read BASE NOTES and find out for yourself what’s going on.
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Top reviews from the United States

RLDona
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read! Deep dive for my senses!
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2022
Verified Purchase
I actually liked this book.
Yes, the first few chapters are a bit pretentious and hard to get through,however, once I started to understand the process of creating the "perfumes" and just how scent affects us, I was hooked.
It is a bizarre trip into the mind of the main character, and his/her/their feelings of social inequity.
This was the first book I've read that had a gender fluid character. Or, at least that was my assumption.
It was a little heavy, and gruesome,especially in the end,but, I do not regret pushing past those first few chapters.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Ok
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2022
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It was very confusing and hard to follow. Good storyline, but just a bit to complicated for me. Maybe next one.
One person found this helpful
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Lily
4.0 out of 5 stars Good dark thriller, with bespoke fragrances and death
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have a few favorite perfumes. I’m partial to ones containing jasmine. What about scents that capture fond memories? I’d love that.

So, a thriller that had perfume as part of the story seemed different and intriguing. Bespoke scents, memories invoked by the aroma, and murder definitely peaked my interest.

I’ll admit, I had my doubts. Maybe some people are super smellers and can differentiate all the various scents on a person or in a drink. I’m cool with that. However, catching and preserving people’s memories in scents, I found hard to believe.

Then I discovered the issue. This was my problem. I was expecting things to match reality, but why should it?

BASE NOTES is a novel. It’s a work of fiction. I’m not supposed to compare it with reality.

After that realization and acceptance, I really enjoyed this dark thriller.

Vic Fowler, the protagonist, is a struggling artist who creates bespoke scents. Desperate to get bills paid, Vic hesitatingly takes an offer that can’t be refused from former client, Joseph Eisner. The job, which is huge and dangerous, prompts Vic to ask favors from struggling artist friends: Beau, Jane, and Giovanni.

Problems relating to the help Vic is requiring threaten existing relationships.

The question is, how far is Vic willing to go to stay on top - to avoid financial ruin and to continue the art?

Read BASE NOTES and find out for yourself what’s going on.
Customer image
Lily
4.0 out of 5 stars Good dark thriller, with bespoke fragrances and death
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2022
I have a few favorite perfumes. I’m partial to ones containing jasmine. What about scents that capture fond memories? I’d love that.

So, a thriller that had perfume as part of the story seemed different and intriguing. Bespoke scents, memories invoked by the aroma, and murder definitely peaked my interest.

I’ll admit, I had my doubts. Maybe some people are super smellers and can differentiate all the various scents on a person or in a drink. I’m cool with that. However, catching and preserving people’s memories in scents, I found hard to believe.

Then I discovered the issue. This was my problem. I was expecting things to match reality, but why should it?

BASE NOTES is a novel. It’s a work of fiction. I’m not supposed to compare it with reality.

After that realization and acceptance, I really enjoyed this dark thriller.

Vic Fowler, the protagonist, is a struggling artist who creates bespoke scents. Desperate to get bills paid, Vic hesitatingly takes an offer that can’t be refused from former client, Joseph Eisner. The job, which is huge and dangerous, prompts Vic to ask favors from struggling artist friends: Beau, Jane, and Giovanni.

Problems relating to the help Vic is requiring threaten existing relationships.

The question is, how far is Vic willing to go to stay on top - to avoid financial ruin and to continue the art?

Read BASE NOTES and find out for yourself what’s going on.
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Customer image
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3 people found this helpful
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Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a true thriller!
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
Okay, wow! So what a thriller from beginning to end the thrills never stops. Love, hate, jealousy, life struggles, deception, murder, discust, this book has it all and still leaves you wondering what is next!
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Chris Moyer
1.0 out of 5 stars It STINKS
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
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I have read many books related to the perfume industry. They were as I would expect centered around luxury and sophistication.

The Introduction, I found to be well written, interesting, leading me into a mystery.

Then, the book began. Not what I had expected. The lead character most definitely did not fit the stereo type and for some that may be a plus. For me, I found her offensive and not someone I wanted to spend time with.

Again, this is my review and my opinion others may find it a fresh take on the story.
29 people found this helpful
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Jessica Blanchfield
2.0 out of 5 stars It sounded better than it was
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2022
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I had to struggle through this book. SPOILERS: murdering people, soaking them in alcohol, then distilling and turning them into perfumes that ignite memories of the dead person for the living who wear them. Awful storyline, completely unrelatable characters and just a chore to get through. Not a good book.
One person found this helpful
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Rembo
5.0 out of 5 stars very nice
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2022
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I enjoyed this. Silly? Yes, of course. Errors? Well, yeah. But it's beautifully written.
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MichelleF
3.0 out of 5 stars Uncomfortable
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
You might get turned off in the first few pages. It's a narrative from the point of view of a pretentious, narcissistic psychopath who is obsessed with smells and memories. Vic likes making perfume that most people don't like because serving the masses is uninspired and conventional. Of course, stinky perfume doesn't make much money, so a shady side hustle of murder and "eau de dead people" gives Vic an income and a sense of superiority. They're full of themselves, annoying, self-absorbed, and creepy. It's uncomfortable and weird to read, but that's probably the point.
49 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

andree roy
1.0 out of 5 stars Boring
Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2022
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Didn't like this book...found it boring. I didn't finish it.
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Vertiy
4.0 out of 5 stars intriguing perfumes and murder
Reviewed in Australia on May 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
A fascinating application of perfumery interweaved with murder, envy and passion. It was interesting to see the world from the olfactory perspective. How scent affects us on a subconscious level. How it can be used to bring us back to a particular moment invoking emotions and visceral responses. It highlights the power of aroma/therapy and it’s potential to directly change our lives.

Top notes: orange blossom, rosewood, lemon
Heart notes: rose, jasmine, rock dust
Base notes: vetiver, benzoin, tar
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Christopher Hood
4.0 out of 5 stars Less ingredients may have been a better perfume
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
I got this book as part of Amazon Firsts, where you get a free book a month or so before the main release. From the blurb that accompanied the text, it sounded very good and reminded me of another Amazon Firsts book, “These Toxic Things” by Rachel Howzell, that I had recently read. With my research on memorialisation, these sorts of books will always pique my interest. “These Toxic Things” disappointed me a bit, and to some degree “Base Notes” did too, but it has many strengths.

The book is written from the view point of the protagonist and on the whole is very engaging. There were a few things that took me a while to click with though.

First, the chapters tend to start with a description of a perfume – not knowing anything about perfumes and how they are created and what the various terms mean, this lost me initially. Given that the protagonist makes perfumes, there would have been scope to explain more about what they mean and the role. Perhaps this did come (later on), but it could have been helpful to have it near the start. But, in the end, my lack of understanding didn’t matter as I enjoyed the familiarity it brought and how it got my mind thinking about what would be happening in that chapter.

Second, I was glad that I was reading the Kindle version as there seemed to be a word on almost every page – at least in the first half of the book – where I needed to check what it meant. I’m not sure why this was. Perhaps it was the nature of some of the subject matter. Perhaps it’s a difference between British and American English. Perhaps it’s another case (I blame “Silence of the Lambs” for this trend) where certain types of criminals have to be portrayed, in some way, as being above ordinary intelligence. Whatever the reason, it was a distraction – but only a minor one thanks to the in-built dictionary.

Although many of the chapters are very long, I found the style engaging. There are some breaks in chapters – though it’s not always clear why the break was needed.

But, as engaging as the book was and how I felt I was getting through the story, I was surprised how long it took to finish it in the end. The reason, in my view, is that the book was longer than it needed to be. The last quarter or so, just seemed to go too far. It could have stopped sooner. I would even have been happier with a sequel than the last part of the book. I have written elsewhere about the importance of having “Pillars of Truth” in books/films and how these help in making the unbelievable believable – or at least getting you to a point where you don’t care about the unbelievable elements. This book does have “pillars of truth”, but by the last quarter, the pillars had collapsed for me. Some reviewers have said the last part felt rushed. I see that. But I think it’s more that the book just tried to do too much. Less would have been more.

A couple of lines really hit home in relation to my work on symbolism and also my own novel writing, and, indeed, my research writing, particularly as I do more autoethnographic work,

First,

But, as with all other arts, we are hindered—or developed, elevated, evolved—by the interpretation of our audience. We can provide the content, the experience, the thing. What it means to others, how it lands? All we can do is hope.

Also

isn’t all art created for its artist first?

Personally, I would have had a different ending – but I don’t want to say more as it will spoil your reading if you do read it. Which you probably should as it is – on the most part – a very good book.
5 people found this helpful
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BowenBabe
4.0 out of 5 stars An Unusual Book
Reviewed in Australia on May 24, 2022
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The story is really quite gruesome, on the other hand I have learned a little about the process of making perfume and any book that teaches me something gets points from me. I found it quite readable all the same and the author clearly has an extensive vocabulary which I appreciated. But it is not a relaxing read and this is not a book that I will read again.
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elbe
3.0 out of 5 stars Author in a rush to finish ..
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2022
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This was my January Kindle First. Not a bad book compared to some I've read but I won't be reading this author again. It was an interesting plot, relatively well written too but around the 75% mark the main character just went beserk. Maybe it was the author who went beserk?? wanted to get their book out and published. There was a rush to 'kill off' pretty much every character that had featured in the book and therefore it ended up being total nonsense. Start of a series as another reviewer has mentioned... I doubt it very much
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