When I cracked open the novel Damage Control, I knew I’d have some good reading ahead. The dedication began, “This one’s for the perfumistas.” Add that the book’s author, Denise Hamilton (shown above right), is the Los Angeles Times’ fragrance columnist as well as a bestselling crime writer, and I was ready to call in sick and spend the day on the couch, book in hand.
Damage Control is about Maggie Silver, a budding perfumista and PR flack. She works for the Blair Company, a public relations firm that handles the big jobs. If a company wants word spread about its new potato chips, it can go elsewhere. The Blair Company steps in, for example, when a married governor knocks up his housekeeper then lives a double life with the resulting love child, or when a similarly married governor professes to have found his soul mate in South America.
In Damage Control, a senator’s aide is found murdered in circumstances that don’t reflect well on the senator. Maggie Silver is assigned to his case. The complication is that Maggie was good friends with the senator’s daughter, Annabelle, until Annabelle was sexually assaulted when they were teens. Maggie’s relationship with Annabelle was borderline obsessive — Annabelle had the cultured, coddled life Maggie desired (not to mention the mother with the bureau stocked with Guerlain Vol de Nuit). Covering this case means Maggie must deal with past as well as current puzzles.
Damage Control features three mysteries — who killed the senator’s aide; what really happened to Annabelle; and whether or not the Blair Company is corrupt — as well as subplots concerning Maggie’s love life and her mother’s health. Hint: the love life subplot involves a significant scene aided and abetted by Guerlain Mitsouko.
While Damage Control is a crime novel with real grit and suspense, there’s no graphic violence, and the one sex scene is PG-13. Hamilton is often described as a noir writer, but I didn’t find Damage Control particularly downbeat. Mixed with the novel’s creepy psychological edge are the almost screwball characters of Maggie's mother and her mother’s shotgun toting friend, Earlene. “To write about really dark subject matter, you have to go there in your head,” Hamilton says. After working as a journalist for the Los Angeles Times for ten years, she said she’s seen enough violence to keep the explicit ugliness to a minimum.
Besides the novel’s main characters, one of Damage Control's major players is its setting, Los Angeles. “Los Angeles is a muse to me, a femme fatale,” Hamilton says. She says she finds the city “vexing and bewitching” as its neighborhoods change over the years, hiding a rich and wide history in tucked-away neighborhoods housing everyone from immigrants to Hollywood celebrities.
But let’s get back to perfume. Besides Vol de Nuit and Mitsouko, Damage Control includes references to Eau de Guerlain, a thrift store score of Donna Karan Chaos, Serge Lutens Chergui, Yves Saint Laurent Kouros, and Christian Dior Jules, among others. How did Hamilton’s editor and readers respond to all that juice?
Hamilton says the perfume was a big hit. “My agent even asked for a perfume recommendation for her daughter who liked Calandre and wanted a substitute.” Fragrance lovers have been turning up at her readings, and finding some garage sale minis in her purse, Hamilton supplemented one reading with sniffs of Fendi Theorama, Vivienne Westwood Boudoir, and Robert Piguet Fracas extrait.
Like many of us, Hamilton has loved perfume for years, but the internet fanned those flames. Hamilton’s mother was a White Russian who fled Russia for Paris before moving to the United States. Hamilton’s first language was French. Her mother wore Rochas Madame Rochas, Rochas Femme, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Worth Je Reviens, Chanel No. 5, and Chanel Cristalle and growing up, Hamilton experimented with them all (drooling yet?). She saw perfume as “part of the ritual of getting dressed” and “something I did for myself.”
About five years ago, Hamilton found a bottle of Chaos in a thrift store for $29.95. It smelled strange and assertive to her, and she didn’t like it right away. Heavy orientals really weren’t her thing. She did some research and found Chaos was selling for a fortune online, so she bought the bottle and set it on her dresser while she figured out how to put it on eBay. In the meantime, every day or so she spritzed some on. Distaste turned to love, and Hamilton was hot on the trail of narcotic, heavier fragrances.
When Perfumes: The Guide came out, Hamilton discovered Makeupalley. Hello rabbit hole. Through sniffing, she tapped into a deep love of vintage fragrances — vintage Caron and Guerlain in particular. She describes opening a bottle of vintage fragrance as unlocking an Egyptian genie from the bottle. “It’s like these apparitions,” she says, “they don’t exist in this time any more.”
She started to stake out estate sales, antique malls, and swap meets for perfume. Some of her favorites today include Caron Parfum Sacré, Fendi Theorama, Caron Alpona extrait, Tauer Perfumes L’air du désert Marocain, Comme des Garçons Avignon, vintage Christian Dior Diorellla, vintage Caron Nuit de Noël extrait, Serge Lutens Fumérie Turque, Serge Lutens Sarrasins, vintage Grès Cabochard, and Aramis.
When her success as a crime novelist took off, Hamilton left the Los Angeles Times to write full time. A year and a half ago she had lunch with one of her old newspaper editors and brought some perfume samples. “You should have a perfume columnist,” she said. “The New York Times does.” The editor said, “You’re really into this perfume thing, aren’t you?” Hamilton's monthly perfume column was born.
A natural step was to write Damage Control, a crime novel with a perfumista heroine. Damage Control is a stand-alone novel, but we can always hope that with Hamilton’s background, fragrance won’t be a stranger in her future work.
Sounds like a book written with us in mind. Thanks for the review and the profile!
I love settling in with a good crime novel, and the perfume references were a terrific bonus. Maybe it will start a trend!
Hey, I sort of know Denise! Wow. She must be *so proud* of her publishing career. And she’s so humble. We’ve swapped on MUA and exchanged emails about our lemmings. She’s a great gal and a great writer. I’m going to look for this; I’m always looking for books with perfume in them.
I recently was killing time and googling what perfume Lady Gaga wears. I stumbled on a podcast that Denise was on, where she talked about that subject and others. She seems so down to earth and approachable, even though she was doing an interview that would later be on itunes. I love people like that.
And she has great taste in perfume.
I had a two-hour conversation with her, and she was wonderful to talk to. As you say, down to earth and very friendly. I kept meaning to talk about the book, but somehow talk kept straying to perfume…
*buying the Kindle version right now*
I hope you enjoy it like I did! Also, NST is doing a give-away of a hardcover sometime soon.
Oh great! Thanks, Dee for checking.
Your rave about your kindle inspired me to order a refurbished iPad! It was shipped today. I can’t wait to read an ebook and see what all that’s about.
I’m so glad! Let us know how you like it. I was sure I’d NEVER want to read in digital form, but surprisingly, I’m hooked!
I know what you mean–I have dog-eared books all over my house. Now that people are actually creating for the ipad, I know there are things I’ll only be able to appreciate if I have one. Plus, I can take it to cafes and do a little writing to load into Scrivener later (I’ve had my ipad case–a 1940s luggage brown purse shaped like a little briefcase–for months now).
I LOVE the sound of that case! My Kindle case is just a funky little neoprene sleeve with a black and white floral design. It works though.
I like the flowers!
Putting it on my list, too. Thanks for the review and interview, Angela!
You’re welcome! Is your book list as long as your perfume list? Mine are neck and neck, I think.
Sounds like a very engaging read. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for it. By the way . . . isn’t Mals on here also writing a book? How wonderful will it be when SHE publishes! Kinda of like great success for “one of our own,” if I may assume that posters/loyal readers of this blog constitute their own community.
I think we constitute a pretty terrific community! I didn’t know Mals was writing a book, and I definitely look forward to it.
… still working on it! Filling in holes and editing; it’s nowhere near finding-an-agent ready.
My husband keeps bothering me with stupid requests like, “Where’s dinner?” “Is this laundry clean?” or the totally inane question, “Didn’t you get anything done today?” (meaning on the house). Grr.
And if I may ask a nosy question of my own – aren’t you working on a novel, too, Angela?
I’ve spent about three years now on one mystery, which is going the rounds of agents now, and I have a first draft of a second. It’s fun!
PLEASE make sure to announce on here when it gets published!
Gosh, I’ll probably be partying so loudly you’ll be able to hear me wherever you are!
Life definitely has a way of getting in the way of anything that takes time. If only we were independently wealthy and had servants to take care of everything! Then you could go to your desk in the morning and have a cup of coffee and a freshly baked muffin appear as you work.
This sounds like just my kind of read, and I’m looking for a new book right now. Perfect! I “know” Denise thru MUA and have enjoyed her articles very much.
It’s so nice to know a little something about the writer behind a book, I think. At the end of the novel, she thanks everyone at MUA, too!
Can’t wait to pick this up.
I’d love to know what you think of it.
I downloaded it on my Kindle and read it last week. But I sort of have mixed feelings. The story and the characters are interesting, but I actually found some of the perfume segments to be jarring, like the intersection of two worlds that shouldn’t meet. Maybe I’m just not used to perfume references in novels? And I did have a bit of an issue with the juxtaposition of Maggie’s large collection of perfumes, many of which I know are very expensive, with her worries over money and being able to pay for her mothers’ medical treatment. Overall, I did enjoy the book for several reasons, but I’m not sure mysteries and detailed perfume descriptions are a natural fit.
Hey, thanks for stopping by with your review! It’s always nice to hear from someone who has read the book.
I suppose I see perfume more as a quirky aspect of Maggie’s personality than as a distracting prop, but I’m fascinated enough by fragrance to have loved the perfume references (and wouldn’t have minded more, although I’m sure that would have alienated lots of readers). Do you consider yourself a perfumista, or did you stumble over this review as a reader? Not to say that you can’t be both!
As for the money-perfume tension, sadly I understand too well about shelling out for perfume instead of investing in something more productive. (Big sigh here.) One thing I liked about Maggie, though, was that she was a thrift shopper, like I am.
Oh, I’m both a perfumista and a compulsive reader. I own a ridiculous amount of perfumes so I understand very well balancing bills with buying scents
Luckily, Kindle books are cheaper to download than buying the real thing. Hey, maybe they need to figure out how to do virtual perfumes!!
But really, my biggest issue was that the perfume descriptions pulled me out of the story. I just don’t know if it’s because they didn’t fit well together or because it’s unexpected.
I know just what you mean about being pulled out of a story–certain things do that for me, too. One of the things that gets me is “question mark fever.” When all the sudden the heroine is peppering herself with questions, I have skim ahead a bit to get back in the flow.
What a great name for something I hate as well! I think too much internal dialogue gets in the way of a story. Show don’t tell.
I hear you, sister. I do love good descriptive passages, though, which I know a lot of people don’t like. I love knowing what people are wearing, what they had for dinner, etc., especially in old (say 1930s-era) novels.
Oh, I agree about good descriptions, well written ones that draw you firmly into the time and place. But I think there’s a world of difference in good description and the angsty, internal questioning.
Absolutely. I grow so tired of the “What did Jake think? Was he the evil bandit or her long-lost twin brother? Is that a banana in his pocket or is he glad to see me?”
In the wonderful way of synchronicity, today’s Kindle Daily Deal was “The Dead Saint”. I went to Amazon to read the reviews, and Publishers Weekly said this:
“Oden has written an international adventure that will keep readers guessing, though her propensity to halt action with Lynn’s self-talk and introspection (” âÇÿEnough, Lynn! Open the letter or tear it up!’ “) can get annoying.”
BTW, you do know that you can download the Kindle software for free onto any device? And everyday they have the Daily Deal, a book for anywhere from $.99 to $1.99. Can you tell I’m a fan?!?
How funny (and timely)! Yes, I do know about kindle app. I can’t wait to try everything out.
Glrsims, maybe you are taking the perfume references too literally? The novel is supposed to be fiction, and probably most readers not familiar with perfume, would never question the references.
I can’t even imagine what it would be like to read the book without being a perfume fiend. How would someone who didn’t know Chergui from Chamade process the references? Would she or he just skip over them?
I read the book and felt that Maggie probably bought some fragrances at antique stores, as in the case of Chaos, and that she also could have received bottles the “old fashioned way”, through lovers! Or, she might have just gotten some lovely gifts throughout the years…I was not troubled by it at all. I loved this book, am NOT a mystery reader, but now have read another of Denise’s books (The Last Embrace) and have downloaded The Eve Diamond series onto my iPad for a couple of weeks of reading pleasure!
How did you like The Last Embrace? I bought a copy, too. I love old movies and vintage clothing, so the fact that the novel is set in the 1940s appealed to me.
I loved The Last Embrace, it is set in post WWII Hollywood, and I grew up there in the 60’s/70’s and attended UCLA, was a big film buff, so all the locales mentioned in the book, studio trivia and the general tone of that era is super appealing to me. Plus, Denise tossed in some perfume for her perfumistas, so everyone is happy. Oh, did I mention a hot love scene? Denise can write descriptive prose the way the rest of us write our grocery lists, I’m really looking forward to reading all of her books. The book is a wonderful read, I had to limit myself to a few chapters a day to make it last longer!
Well, that book just moved to the top of my list!
I love Denise’s writing for the LA Times. I just ordered this novel from my library. Can’t wait to read it!
Be sure and come back and let us know what you thought once you’ve finished the book!
Thank you so much Angela for bringing this to our attention. I look forward to reading it.
Let me know what you think! (And I’m always open to other book recommendations, too….)
In the mystery genre, I recently read Steven Saylor’s Roman Blood about a “detective” in ancient Rome. Well written and interesting! I haven’t read anything with perfume references though…
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll definitely add it to the tower of books on my “to read” coffee table. Despite the tower, it will probably get read darned quickly.
I don’t mind running out of food (since I don’t eat packaged, canned or processed, my friends are horrified by my bare cabinets
), but I have a panic attack when the To Be Read pile (or now the list on my Kindle) gets low.
I’m pretty much a daily food shopper, too, and I’ve even had a friend suggest I buy a plastic ham (studded with pineapple, of course) and some fake fruit to make my refrigerator look a little more inviting.
lol! My refrigerator is *very* inviting… that’s where I store the perfume!
Someday we’ll have to do a feature on perfume collections, and you can send in a photo of yours!
I just put this on hold at my local library. Thanks for the review, Angela!
You’re welcome. Isn’t the library the best thing in the world?
Wonderful! I read her book Jasmine Trade (not about perfume) after someone mentioned it in one of the polls and enjoyed it, so I’m DEFINITELY going to get this one. Especially since she’s close to being my scent twin!
I hope you enjoy it!
Oh no! Crime fiction is not my thing, but perfumista heroine? I must try
On a rainy day, snuggling up with a crime novel and a cup of tea is a great way to pass an afternoon, I think.
I seldom have time for novels but will make time for this one! It sounds like a delightful read, and I love the idea of having perfume interwoven into a book the way it’s interwoven into my life.
No time for novels! That stabs at my heart. My ideal life would be to loll in bed with a novel and a box of chocolates the size of a ping pong table.
And chocolates the size of ping-pong balls!
I am so hungry now….
One more thing on the mystery vein–I finally rented Bullets Over Broadway on your recommendation. I loved it! It was so funny and raised some interesting questions about art and crime, too.
I think the thrift store find is a direct shout-out to you, Angela! You are the Queen of the Thrift Store Score. I never find anything good, mostly Avon collectibles in poor condition and half-full bottles of Mary-Kate and Ashley.
It turns out Denise Hamilton is a big thrifter, too. It sounds like she goes to a lot of swap meets and digs up some pretty incredible stuff.
Someday you and I will have to hit the thrift stores together and see what we find.
On my wish list! Need to make an Amazon order soon, I think.
My reading list is much longer than my perfume list, actually, oddly. My perfume lemmings are either fed or quashed fairly quickly, and I am also fairly compulsive. My Amazon wish list is way longer than my Luckyscent wish list, which is fairly long, but gets purged regularly.
I’m lucky–or unlucky–enough to work close to a terrific bookstore, Powells, that carries used and new books. It’s way too easy to pick up a few used books and tuck them away for later perusal, so I have towering stacks of paperbacks all over the place. Of course, I also have little tubed-up samples of perfume all over the place, too.
I went to the local bookstore in Pacifica and walked out with 5 books for $6. Dangerous place.
But you sure can’t argue about the prices! Great deal.