Snuffed Out by Valona Jones Book Review

About the Book:

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 for the truth. 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.

My Review:

While I like cozy mysteries, this one was not my favorite. It had too much of the aura and energy focus. I would have liked it better if it had been subtle but it seemed to be a constant feature. While I appreciate the twin energy connection, I did find the characters really hard to like, especially Sage. I didn't like their romance habits at all. The murder plot was suitable. It was just the emphasis on the energetics and the characters themselves that I did not like. This particular novel was not for me.

My rating: 3/5 stars.

About the Author:

Valona Jones writes paranormal cozy mysteries set in Southern locales. Her work blends mystery and the unexplained, along with a sprinkle of romance. A former scientist, she’s drawn to the study of personal energy. She sharpened her people-watching skills as a lifelong introvert and thankfully had a bank vault full of personal observations when she began to write fiction. Her forthcoming release, Snuffed Out, A Magic Candle Shop Mystery, is slated for a January 10, 2023 release. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in coastal Georgia, where  time and tide wait for no one. You can find out more at https://www.valonajones.com/. 

Crooked Lane Books, 304 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)