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.
Reviewed by annieb123 on
Reading updates
- 7 January, 2023: Started reading
- 7 January, 2023: Finished reading
- 7 January, 2023: Reviewed