Snuffed Out (Magic Candle Shop Mystery, #1)

by Valona Jones

Magic, murder, and madcap characters “bring a sharp new twist to the paranormal cozy mystery genre” in this series debut for fans of Amanda Flower and Bailey Cates (Diane A.S. Stuckart, New York Times-bestselling author).

Twin sisters Tabby and Sage co-own a candle shop—but will it all go up in flames when one of their customers drops dead?

30-year-old fraternal twins Tabby and Sage Winslow own The Book and Candle Shop in Savannah. Sage is hot-headed and impulsive while Tabby is calm and collected, making them the perfect partnership. When one of their customers is found murdered, from a blow to the head, that partnership is put to the test.

Blithe McAdam had been seen in a heated argument with shop clerk Gerard, which immediately makes him suspect number one. The twins are convinced of Gerard’s innocence and start digging into Blithe’s past. But no one is cooperating. The neighbor who found the body isn’t talking, medical examiner Quig won’t give any details about the autopsy, and nasty rumors begin surfacing about the drowning of Blithe’s father years earlier—evidence that could seal Gerard’s fate.

Tabby and Sage dig desperately to solve the murder mystery. But it’s not only their friend who’s in peril. With the clock ticking, the twins find themselves in the grip of an unseen and deadly energy that has seeped into their midst—and in the sights of a ruthless killer.

• ISBN10: 1639102051
• ISBN13: 9781639102051
• Publish Date: 10 January 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Crooked Lane Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 304
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781639102051

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Snuffed Out is the first book in a new shopfront paranormal cozy series by Valona Jones. Due out 10th Jan 2023 from Crooked Lane, it's 304 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out third quarter 2023 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

Twin sisters (one of whom has a *past* and refuses to use her psychic powers) co-own a small candle/crystal/new age shop. A thoroughly unlikable customer is found dead. Amateur sleuths Tabby and Sage to the rescue. The small-town cozy vibe and eccentric secondary characters are in full parade. There were some problematic inclusions: an insensitive ethnic slur on page 3 made me sit up straight and think "yowza"... there's also an LGBTQIA+ character so gracelessly rendered as a prop, it made my eyes roll up in my head. 

Three stars. The dialogue is rough and choppy in places and there are a number of over the top plot developments, but it's a cozy and readable story, and a promising start to the series. This would be a good for readers who enjoy paranormal storefront cozies. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.