Down the Rabbit Hole Bookbox February 2023

February's book was Perfume by Patrick Suskind. It's one that I've read before and enjoyed. This was my third (maybe fourth) time and I always discover something new. It is historical fiction about a weird guy who is born without a scent. Even though he doesn't smell like anything, his olfactory capabilities are extraordinary. Unfortunately, he's a monster. So instead of using his powers for good he ends up murdering people for reasons of his own. Although I remembered much of the story I'd forgotten many of the details. I enjoyed reacquainting myself with Grenouille.

Since this is the Down the Rabbit Hole bookbox I got a series of gifts that relate to the story and a playlist. As one would expect from a box called The Smell of Death many of them related to scent and smells. But not all!

The first post-it was on page 46. It was in a section where the great parfumier Baldini was enumerating his stock. He had floral oils, tinctures, extracts, secretions, balms, resins, pomades, pastes, powders, soaps, bath oils toilet vinegars, candles, spices, and much, much more. All designed to keep his customers smelling something other than their own unwashed bodies and the miasma of the Paris streets. Remember this is the 18th century and it smelled pretty rank. The first gift was a House of Baldini candle, which is a cyprus sangria with hints of whiskey and coffee. It smells amazing. I need to get one of those candle warmers because I don't like the idea of having open flames in the house. I have too many cats that like to get into places they don't belong.

The second post it was on page 97 where there was  a mention of lavender fields and lavender oil. As I suspected the second gift is lavender scented. It's a set of bath bombs. I haven't taken a bath in years since I'm a dedicated shower girl but I've seen ways that you can use a mesh bag and a bath bomb in the shower. Maybe I'll try that, or regifting is always an option. They smell great.

The third post it was on page 118. "He headed south. Approximately south - for he did not steer by magnetic compass, but only by the compass of his nose" and the gift is a compass. This is interesting but not very useful to me since I don't often find myself navigating by compass. I use my phone's GPS to get where I need to go and am not at all the type to find myself lost out in the middle of nowhere with no signal. It will probably end up on a shelf or in a junk drawer somewhere but not every gift has to be a home run, 

Next up was page 193 where Grenouille is thinking of ways to preserve scents. How some scents will linger seemingly forever and some are gone within moments. The gift was The Elegance of Murder Vanilla and Musk Perfume. A custom scent made especially for the Scent of Murder bookbox. It is described as an elegant, cashmere woodsy, soft musk perfume with notes of warm vanilla. I like the way it smells so this one was a winner.

Finally, on page 251 Grenouille "reached into his pocket and closed his hand around the little glass flacon of his perfume" The gift is a pretty, pink, perfume vial on a necklace. It's really cute and has a rubber O-ring so one can fill the vial and carry their favorite scent with them. 

Overall, this box was just as much fun this time as it was the first time. I enjoy following along as intended and making myself wait to see what is in each of the boxes and how it relates to the story. Sure, not all the gifts are useful to me but it's really no different than other book boxes where they send a bunch of related items. I don't know how many times I've opened up say Creepy Crate and been a little disappointed to receive a keychain or sticker based on a horror novel that I love but which didn't capture the essence of how it made me feel.

I'm excited to receive March's box. It should be shipping soon. March's book is Piercing by Ryu Murakami. I love dark Japanese literature and it's one I haven't read yet so the anticipation is killing me.