ARC Review: In the Wick of Time by Valona Jones

In the Wick of Time
Author: Valona Jones
Series: Magic Candle Shop Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (October 17, 2023)

Description: Tabby Winslow will help her twin sister Sage with anything and everything—and that includes putting out the flames of suspicion when Sage’s boss is found murdered in this magical mystery, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Sofie Kelly.

December in Savannah, Georgia, is a sight to behold. With all the festivities—including the traditional riverfront luminary display during the boat parade—twin sisters Tabby and Sage Winslow are busier than ever setting up for the big celebration. But that isn’t the only thing on the sisters’ minds. Both Sage and her fellow employee Mary Nicole are vying for the sought-after assistant manager job at the plant nursery. But when Loren Lee, their boss, is found dead, and Sage becomes the police’s favorite suspect, both Winslow girls know that they’ll need more than a flicker of magic and their sisterhood to solve the murder and clear Sage’s name.

Soon, Tabby realizes that this is just one of the many problems they have. If being a suspect for murder wasn’t enough, there are more magical problems that they have to fix: Sage’s boyfriend is having a paranormal experience of his own he can’t control, there’s an energy vampire searching for his supposedly lost cousin, her cat suddenly dislikes her, and oh—every time Tabby hiccups, she turns completely invisible. The suspect list grows with each day and it seems everyone has a reason or a connection to Loren Lee.

Tabby and Sage are burning the candle at both ends—but will it be enough to keep their friends safe and find this killer? Or will they be burned by their efforts?

My Thoughts: It's nearing Christmas in Savannah, Georgia, and Tabby and Sage Winslow's candle shop is doing great business. Sage is also busy at her part-time job at a local plant nursery. When the manager of the shop dies unexpectedly, the ME determines that it was murder and Sage becomes a prime suspect.

Tabby will do anything for her sister. She begins to investigate who really killed Loren Lee since she knows that it wasn't her sister. But there are other problems too. Sage's boyfriend had some sort of spell put on him that causes him to betray Sage and wind up in the psych ward. And whenever Tabby hiccups she goes invisible. And she is getting the hiccups frequently. 

Then there is the psychic vampire who has come hunting for Auntie O's boyfriend who has managed to escape his troubled past. And the vampire sets his eye on Sage as his next victim.

As Tabby looks at Sage's fellow employees, she finds a number of suspicious characters. But can she find the murderer before it is too late, and her magic is exposed to the people around her?

Generally speaking, I felt like this story could do with some more editing. Some of the dialog was particularly stilted. And the motivations and personalities of the characters seemed to shift throughout the story. I would have liked to know more about the magic the main characters had and why they seemed not to know how to use it. I didn't feel like I got to know enough about Tabby or Sage or their romances. 

Favorite Quote:

"Herbs and spices."

"Nothing that's a poison?"

"Everything is a poison, Detective. It depends on the concentration and the dose."

He leaned over the counter. "So you also have the knowledge to make poisons."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.