Dear Reader,
Are you ever sitting at home, the curtains are drawn–all of the lights are out–and the only sound that echoes from wall to wall is the sinister narration of Forensic Files or the latest Netflix true crime documentary? There are times. . . we’ll admit . . . this guilty pleasure has us double-checking our locked doors, searching on Amazon for pepper spray, and even throwing open the shower curtain to avoid a Hitchcock-ian villain.
In Love in the time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson, our heroine, Phoebe Walsh, is at one of her lowest points. Her Dad died six months ago, and she is temporarily moving into his house before her brother, Conner, can fix it up and sell it.
Phoebe is a grad student working on a dissertation focussing on true crime–and she refuses to let the Ted Bundy’s of the world charm her. As she attempts to move her antique desk (understandably a very important piece to get her through her time in Florida) late one night, it’s too heavy to carry up alone, and she contemplates what to do with the desk until her brother can help. On the sidewalk, a shoeless man appears and offers to help her. Spooked, for good reason, she tells him essentially to fuck off and goes inside, leaving the desk strapped to her car.
Phoebe Walsh - This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race by Sixteen92
notes: pop punk music, paper, cloves, and wearing all black
try it before you buy it: sample
An atmospheric and nostalgic gourmand, this scent is perfect for elder emos, reminiscent of being waiting in line early in order to be pressed up against the barricades at pop punk shows. It smells like combat boots, polished wood, and lining your eyes in black–like listening to serial killer podcasts while drinking a coffee milkshake way too late at night and being absolutely convinced that your sexy nextdoor neighbor might be a serial killer.
Soon, Phoebe finds out that The Midnight Mover (a name she bestows on middle of the night desk guy) is her neighbor Sam Dennings. And she’s pretty sure he’s a serial killer.
Phoebe keeps her eye on him as she notices weird sounds in the middle of the night, him doing random things at odd hourslike walking out of his garage dripping in liquid that could be… blood? All her true crime binging prepared her for this moment. She calls her brother and his girlfriend Shani, and they just tell her to chill out and go to bed.
All the speculation leads her to find out Sam is something much worse than a serial killer… he’s a genuinely kind person who threatens her cold exterior that she’s worked hard to build up. He’s charming, teaches music, and works with children (because of course he does).
Sam Dennings - 11 11 by Lake & Skye
notes: clean white t-shirts, playing piano, and spiced amber
try it before you buy it: sample
Clean, light, and crisp like putting on a freshly laundered white t-shirt, this fragrance will have the girl next door changing her mind about you being a serial killer. This ozonic scent is perfect for wearing daily, whether you’re teaching guitar to children, choreographing a flash mob, or watching your partner get her Ph.D. There’s a hint of amber wood and plenty of fresh musks that gives 11 11 an ethereal vibe that’s both warm and like your skin but better.
Sam’s actually almost too good to be true, but Phoebe starts to open up to him, all the while reconnecting with her brother, his girlfriend, and her childhood best friend along the way. It starts to scare her how comfortable she has gotten in this temporary life.
One night after long hours of painting, Phoebe and Sam find themselves in his pool, and Phoebe finds herself under this charmer’s spell. Hedonistic, decadent, and chlorine-soaked, she leaves wrapped in a towel and willing to explore things further with him.
Summers in Florida - Magnolia Bliss by Juliette Has a Gun
notes: making out in the pool, spring flowers, and new beginnings.
try it before you buy it: sample
Like a basket of freshly plucked summer fruits, this scent smells like a summer full of new beginnings. This fragrance has base notes of musk, ambroxan, tonka bean, and vanilla. Those notes are blended with bergamot and lemon, paired with petitgrain and ginger with hints of nectarine. Additionally, this scent’s focal point is a floral bouquet, including notes of magnolia, freesia, and peony.
Things are just going too well, that of course we find the push and pull of any great romance novel. And Phoebe just needs to focus on the biggest presentation of her life. Getting her Ph.D. and defending her dissertation on true crime.
Defending Your Dissertation - Lenore by Immortal Perfumes
notes: antique writing desks, stray cats, and true crime novels
try it before you buy it: sample
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, this scent is dark academia bottled up. With notes of slowly dying embers of Dragon’s Blood incense, clove, and a bouquet of dried roses, this scent is filled with ghostly whispers and the bittersweet sense of loss. It’s reminiscent of hours spent writing while the sky is dark and the world is quiet.
Love in the Time of Serial Killers was the perfect book to read in one sitting. It’s smart, charming, and Phoebe is just so relatable on so many levels. Full of wit, this slow-burn romance needs to make its way off your TBR pile and into your hands. For fans of modern rom coms and true crime documentaries, author Alicia Thompson has done a fantastic job of marrying the two. It may not have any ~actual~ murder in it, but this book contains the perfect vibes to kick off what is soon to be spooky season.
Until next time, find us on Instagram & TikTok.
Scent-cerely,
Cassie & Taylor