A Flicker of Doubt

Candlemaking Mystery #4

by Tim Myers

New York Times Bestselling Author and Agatha Award Nominee!

First Published by Penguin/Berkley/Prime Crime!

Candlemaking Mystery #3

Candlemaker Harrison Black is out on the Gunpowder River when his kayak bumps into something he thinks is a log. When Harrison discovers the grim truth that it's a body, he is shocked even more when he realizes that it is someone he knows all too well.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Suspense, Detective, Cozy Mystery, Crafts

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 6, 2006

About the author

Also writes under the pseudonyms Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, Chris Cavender, and Jessica Beck.

Tim Myers is the author of dozens of short stories published in mystery magazines and anthologies. He lives with his family near the Blue Ridge Mountains he loves and writes about. He is the award-winning author of the Agatha nominated Lighthouse Inn mystery series as well as over seventy short stories. Tim has been a stay-at-home dad for the last twelve years, finding time for murder and mayhem whenever he can.

Series:
* A Lighthouse Inn Mystery
* A Candlemaking Mystery
* A Soapmaking Mystery

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good series. There are a lot of characters to keep track of but even that wasn’t too hard. The mystery was good and I enjoyed the other storyline as well. I also enjoyed learning about all the different candle making techniques. #readforkimberly

[Karen Hufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought it was cute - though have to wonder what he looks like since he has all these women all over him! He inherited a candle making shop from his great aunt and loves his new life. Things left a little up in the air with some of the characters but overall liked it!

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do wonder if Tim Myers will ever revisit this series - I like the characters and the setting, and it seems there are more stories to tell.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Harrison Black goes kayaking and finds a dead body his love of the water disappears. When he finds the body to be his ex girlfriend Becca he is determined to find out who killed her even though the police say it was suicide.

This was a wonderful plot and story line with some side stories like two of the shops at River's End in a feud and the best barbeque place that you can only go once a week. I love Harrison Black as a main character. He is a true gentleman kind, caring and sweet. I love the idea of the little town and could see myself getting a muffin at Millies and check out the crafting stores and so on.
My only sadness is this is the last book in the series except a short story and I wish I could share more adventures with Harrison.

[Allison Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sorry this is the last book of the series, I enjoyed my time at River's Edge. I liked Harrison's commitment to his friends and his community. He's a good guy who isn't brilliant or filthy rich or unbelievably handsome, just dogged. The mysteries weren't particularly interesting or clever, but I read on for the background. Which is the opposite or most cozies, so a fun change. I have a couple more series by the author, so I think I will move those a little higher up the TBR chain.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the books by Tim Myers are enjoyable to read and relaxing. When Harrison Black discovers the body of an ex-girlfriend in the water while kayaking. When her death is ruled a suicide, he knew he had to find out the truth. And in doing so he managed to stir up a bunch of trouble.

[Jane Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison finds a dead body in Gunpowder Lake it turns out to be the body of his ex girlfriend can Harrison find out what really happened

[Galion Public Library Teens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review by J.C. : "It gave candlemaking tips. Um, adults would like this. I don't know who."

[Paschalis]

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[Monica Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to have a male's voice to follow for a change. Being that I have made candles before, I found it interesting. The mystery was good.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this cozy series since I first saw it at the library. LOVE IT! sure, it is a typical theme cozy (in this case, candlemaking, complete with tips.) But there is something about Micah Ridge, the small town our hero Harrison Black lives in now that his great aunt has died and left him not only a candleshop, but an entire artisan mall full of wonderful characters with cool shops. Harrison sticks his nose in where it is not wanted, which gets him into trouble, of course, but just being able to hang out with him by the Gunpowder River at the River's Edge Mall is so fun, one can forgive Harrison's lack of self-control when it comes to dead bodies he runs into.

I also like that Myers incorporates the candle making into the story. I've read some of these themed books that just stuff in a tidbit because they remember they have. Sure, Harrison should pay Eve a LOT MORE for the number of times he leaves her in the store alone, but hey, his story, his book...

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning sentence drew me right in: "As my kayak brushed against the woman's body, I thought I'd hit another half-submerged log." Thus begins a very bad day for poor Harrison Black, owner of a quaint little candle shop, who soon discovers that the body belongs to his ex-girlfriend.

I picked up this book because (1) it's a cozy mystery, which I like, and (2) I have a book coming out in June 2009 that is centered around a candle factory, and I wanted to see how much candle lore the author relates to his readers. The story gave me an enjoyable few hours of escapist reading, and just the right amount of candlemaking fact to give the story some flavor. No big surprises in the mystery plot, but I enjoyed watching the viewpoint character unravel the clues.

[Michelle Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book in the Candlemaking series starts with Harrison enjoying a relaxing trip in his kayak on the Gunpowder River, only what he things is a tree stump he bumps in the water turns out to be his former girlfriend.

While the police are sure it was a suicide, Harrison is sure it wasn't, and with the help of his good friend Markum, he sets out to figure out what happened.

This is another good read in this series, introducing us to some new people, letting us learn more about some of the people we already know, and weaving a tale that bounds the shops in River's Edge closer together yet again.

There is still some good candlemaking advice in this book, but fewer long sessions on a particular type, just more general advice.

Still, it is worth the read.

[Sandra Dagg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this one almost at midnight, couldn't leave it, had to stay up. I think Mr. Myers saved the most exciting one to the last, it was a great read! I didn't figure this one out...there were new characters involved, but really, for me it's not important to guess who did it, I just enjoy a good book, and this definitely was that! I liked the character of Harrison Black from the get-go, the first book, and have to say that I am sorry to see the end of this series...Mr. Myers if you feel like writing more in this series of books, I would definitely read them, so of course I am recommending to anyone who likes this type of mystery!

[Writerlibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last novel in the series so far. Might not be another one since this one was published in 2006. Harrison finds Becka's dead in the water while kayaking on the river. Markum helps his friend try to find the murdered since the police says suicide. Both friends investigate and end up mixed up in local politics and mayhem. Oh and there's some trouble with the tenant's leases. It's surprisingly good. The best parts are the Markum Harrison sleuthing together to find the bad guys.

[Mark Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick kayak trip down the river behind his shop leads to Harrison finding the body of his ex-girlfriend. With the sheriff determined it was suicide, Harrison sets out to prove it was murder. As much as I love Harrison, the sub-plots took over the story and slowed the book down overall.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Kcastro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm looking for more by this author. No smut!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the final entry in the candleshop series by Tim Myers. I'm disappointed he ended the series after only four novels (and that he ended the soap series after only three novels).

[Eunira · Rating 2 out of 5]

BM

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've stumbled on yet another cozy mystery series. This is book four in the series and the first I've read. It's a fun series set in a rehabilitated factory type building that has several enjoyable characters as tenants. The owner, who has inherited the building from a relative, is also the proprietor of a candle making supply shop. One day while kayaking near his establishment he (literally) bumps into the body of his former girlfriend in the water. Cue the bad guy developers and the mystery solving ensues.