The Heart Note

A novel of scent memory, the secrets mothers hold close to their hearts, and the daughters who uncover them.

“Vanessa McCausland beautifully weaves together three women, three time periods, and three mysteries in an immersive novel that kept me turning pages until the very end.”—Jill Santopolo, New York Times bestselling author of The Light We Lost and The Love We Found

A whispered confession leads one woman to Grasse, France, the perfume capital of the world, where she begins to uncover a mystery that reaches across generations.

2022: Eva is adrift; her sense of smell has vanished after illness, her marriage is fraying, and her mother, Lily, is slipping deeper into dementia. But when Lily, in a moment of fractured clarity, speaks of something she did in Grasse twenty years earlier, her daughter is compelled to follow the trail.

2001: Lily and Eva couldn’t be more different as they venture around France. One is fiercely independent and imagines a big, creative life ahead, one is stuck in the role of “parent” and “wife.” After a tense argument, the two are separated, leading Eva to explore the country on her own, and Lily to meet a handsome widower.

1532: Heli is the daughter of the most renowned glove maker in Grasse. She has an affinity for flowers, but washing leather in the canals leaves her ashamed of her stained hands and the stink of her skin. She longs to learn her mother’s craft, concocting intoxicating vapors and tinctures. When her mother falls ill, she decides to create mixtures of her own, stumbling upon an invention that will change the town, the history of perfume, and have echoes far into the future.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs