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Magic Candle Shop Mystery #5
Flamed Out: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery
Supernatural intrigue, a web of lies, and deadly secrets
When a loyal customer begs Tabby Quigsly to look into her uncle’s suspicious death, Tabby can’t say no—even if the police rule it an accident. Dr. Willim Rosemont, a respected psychiatrist, took a fatal tumble down Savannah’s infamous Stone Stairs of Death, but the five people who were with him that night all claim to have seen nothing.
Tabby’s ties to the case run deep—friends, frenemies, and even her husband’s best friend are among the witnesses. Then she uncovers a chilling Rosemont was part of Savannah’s hidden Paranormal Council—the very group Tabby’s been hiding from all her life.
As the August heat rises, so does the pressure. Tabby’s new marriage is reeling from revelations about her husband’s shocking powers, her psychic gifts are spiraling, and the killer is closing in.
Can she unravel the mystery before everything—including her freedom—goes up in flames?
When a loyal customer begs Tabby Quigsly to look into her uncle’s suspicious death, Tabby can’t say no—even if the police rule it an accident. Dr. Willim Rosemont, a respected psychiatrist, took a fatal tumble down Savannah’s infamous Stone Stairs of Death, but the five people who were with him that night all claim to have seen nothing.
Tabby’s ties to the case run deep—friends, frenemies, and even her husband’s best friend are among the witnesses. Then she uncovers a chilling Rosemont was part of Savannah’s hidden Paranormal Council—the very group Tabby’s been hiding from all her life.
As the August heat rises, so does the pressure. Tabby’s new marriage is reeling from revelations about her husband’s shocking powers, her psychic gifts are spiraling, and the killer is closing in.
Can she unravel the mystery before everything—including her freedom—goes up in flames?
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 15, 2025
Candlemaker Tabby Quigsly and her twin sister, Sage, have avoided the secret Paranormal Council until now. But their powers as energetics have been exposed, and so suspicion turns their way when an important council leader turns up dead. He could only have been killed by someone with abilities similar to Tabby, which puts her in the Council’s crosshairs. Can she find the real murderer before they destroy her? A hurtful betrayal, friends who can’t be trusted, and startling revelations lead to a terrifying conclusion. This fast-paced read will have you on the edge of your seat as you race through the pages. Suspenseful and Compelling! (Disclosure: I received an advance reading copy from the author. This is my unbiased opinion.)
October 20, 2025
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Flamed Out by Valona Jones is a flamtastic read.
Will Tabby and Sage figure out what happened to the councilman?
Tabby & Sage
Tabby is enjoying married life until a friend asks for her help investigating her uncle's death. The uncle turns out to be on the local magic council and has a history with the girls' aunt. Tabby also finds out about Quig's magic and family secrets. It really doesn't sit well with her. I like the way that she stood firm in her need for independence and took the time to think through everything before taking Quig at face value. Tabby is a great character, and I enjoy the story being from her perspective.
I like the way Sage handled the situation between Quig and Tabby. I tend to respond the way that she does. Sage and Tabby have a unique connection. The relationship that they have with their aunt is excellent.
I look forward to seeing if Tabby's twins are boys or girls or one of each.
The Mystery
There are lots in the Savannah magic community that Tabby and Sage don't know about. However, the council is constantly testing and going after the twins. This installment brings some bad light on the council and how they train the youngsters. Wow, talk about power-hungry jerks. Although with the deaths and new council members, hopefully that will change. It was neat to see how Tabby reacts to magical pressure. She can definitely stand up for herself.
Five Stars
My rating for Flamed Out by Valona Jones is five stars. I really enjoyed everything. Ms Jones has a fantastic imagination, and I love her writing style. The story has it all, mostly I love the characters and how they handle everything. I do wonder if we will ever find out what happened to their father and uncle.
If you have read a Magical Candle Shop Mystery, I highly recommend them. Flamed Out is a marvelous installment, but I would start at the beginning.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Flamed Out by Valona Jones.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Flamed Out by Valona Jones is a flamtastic read.
Will Tabby and Sage figure out what happened to the councilman?
Tabby & Sage
Tabby is enjoying married life until a friend asks for her help investigating her uncle's death. The uncle turns out to be on the local magic council and has a history with the girls' aunt. Tabby also finds out about Quig's magic and family secrets. It really doesn't sit well with her. I like the way that she stood firm in her need for independence and took the time to think through everything before taking Quig at face value. Tabby is a great character, and I enjoy the story being from her perspective.
I like the way Sage handled the situation between Quig and Tabby. I tend to respond the way that she does. Sage and Tabby have a unique connection. The relationship that they have with their aunt is excellent.
I look forward to seeing if Tabby's twins are boys or girls or one of each.
The Mystery
There are lots in the Savannah magic community that Tabby and Sage don't know about. However, the council is constantly testing and going after the twins. This installment brings some bad light on the council and how they train the youngsters. Wow, talk about power-hungry jerks. Although with the deaths and new council members, hopefully that will change. It was neat to see how Tabby reacts to magical pressure. She can definitely stand up for herself.
Five Stars
My rating for Flamed Out by Valona Jones is five stars. I really enjoyed everything. Ms Jones has a fantastic imagination, and I love her writing style. The story has it all, mostly I love the characters and how they handle everything. I do wonder if we will ever find out what happened to their father and uncle.
If you have read a Magical Candle Shop Mystery, I highly recommend them. Flamed Out is a marvelous installment, but I would start at the beginning.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Flamed Out by Valona Jones.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
November 23, 2025
Dr. Willim Rosemont, a respected psychiatrist, takes a fatal tumble down Savannah’s infamous Stone Stairs of Death, but the five people who were with him that night all claim to have seen nothing. When Rosemont’s niece, begs Tabby Quigsly, candlemaker by day and paranormal investigator by night, to look into her uncle’s suspicious death, Tabby can’t say no. The police have ruled it an accident, but her spidey senses are tingling that this is more than a random slip and fall.
Tabby’s ties to the case run deep — friends, frenemies, and even her husband’s best friend are among the witnesses to the tragedy. Tabby learns Rosemont was part of Savannah’s hidden Paranormal Council, the very group Tabby’s been hiding from all her life. Tabby learns more about her husband’s paranormal powers as her own psychic gifts are skyrocketing.
I am really attached to this series (and this author’s other works), but I struggled with parts of the plot of this last book in the series – not the writing (excellent), or the characters (solidly developed and well-described), or the settings (so well drawn I felt like I was right next to Tabby, sweating in the heat as she dealt with pregnancy and crime solving), or the paranormal elements (intriguing, plausible, and essential to the plot) – but there are hints of reproductive coercion that just disturbed me the whole way. I wanted Tabby to make a different choice than she did (just like every time I watch “Peggy Sue Got Married,” I want her to make better choices too).
Despite my misgivings, I still enjoyed the wrap up to this series. It has a compelling plot that kept me engaged the whole time, and a satisfying ending for all involved. I would read more in this series if there were going to be any more. I highly recommend it, and the author’s other works. Jones is the pen name for Maggie Toussaint, who writes the Dreamwalker Series, the Cleopatra Jones Mysteries, and some romantic suspense, and science fiction works. I haven’t read any of the science fiction stories, but have greatly enjoyed the other works. This series is best read in order.
Tabby’s ties to the case run deep — friends, frenemies, and even her husband’s best friend are among the witnesses to the tragedy. Tabby learns Rosemont was part of Savannah’s hidden Paranormal Council, the very group Tabby’s been hiding from all her life. Tabby learns more about her husband’s paranormal powers as her own psychic gifts are skyrocketing.
I am really attached to this series (and this author’s other works), but I struggled with parts of the plot of this last book in the series – not the writing (excellent), or the characters (solidly developed and well-described), or the settings (so well drawn I felt like I was right next to Tabby, sweating in the heat as she dealt with pregnancy and crime solving), or the paranormal elements (intriguing, plausible, and essential to the plot) – but there are hints of reproductive coercion that just disturbed me the whole way. I wanted Tabby to make a different choice than she did (just like every time I watch “Peggy Sue Got Married,” I want her to make better choices too).
Despite my misgivings, I still enjoyed the wrap up to this series. It has a compelling plot that kept me engaged the whole time, and a satisfying ending for all involved. I would read more in this series if there were going to be any more. I highly recommend it, and the author’s other works. Jones is the pen name for Maggie Toussaint, who writes the Dreamwalker Series, the Cleopatra Jones Mysteries, and some romantic suspense, and science fiction works. I haven’t read any of the science fiction stories, but have greatly enjoyed the other works. This series is best read in order.
September 1, 2025
In book 5, sadly the last book in this series, we find Tabby and Quig happily married and Tabby's twin Sage equally happy in her relationship with Larry. Auntie O and Frankie are home safe and sound with his family issues now behind them. Tabby and Quig encounter a few problems as any young married couple will, but let me say, theirs are a bit more unique and filled with consequence than most!
When Quig is called out in his role as Medical Examiner, he learns that the deceased is Dr. Willim Rosemont, head of the Paranormal Council. Tabby is asked to consult by Detective Nowry and Faith, the niece of the deceased. She is reluctant to take this on initially, but forces outside her control dictate otherwise. The more deeply she and Sage probe, the more dangerous it becomes and for several reasons, Tabby is more protective of herself and her family than ever. She and Sage both learn much about themselves and what they might be capable of in this entry to the series. I hate to say much more about this plot because I do not want to spoil it for anyone, but I will say, if you have read any of these books you will not be disappointed in this one or the way the author tied up all of the on-going strings into a beautiful bow! If you haven't read it, do yourself a favor, start with book one and read them all! They just keep getting better.
I will miss reading about Tabby, Sage and the rest of the Savannah paranormal community. Their adventures have been so very entertaining!
My thanks to the author for sharing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
When Quig is called out in his role as Medical Examiner, he learns that the deceased is Dr. Willim Rosemont, head of the Paranormal Council. Tabby is asked to consult by Detective Nowry and Faith, the niece of the deceased. She is reluctant to take this on initially, but forces outside her control dictate otherwise. The more deeply she and Sage probe, the more dangerous it becomes and for several reasons, Tabby is more protective of herself and her family than ever. She and Sage both learn much about themselves and what they might be capable of in this entry to the series. I hate to say much more about this plot because I do not want to spoil it for anyone, but I will say, if you have read any of these books you will not be disappointed in this one or the way the author tied up all of the on-going strings into a beautiful bow! If you haven't read it, do yourself a favor, start with book one and read them all! They just keep getting better.
I will miss reading about Tabby, Sage and the rest of the Savannah paranormal community. Their adventures have been so very entertaining!
My thanks to the author for sharing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
October 17, 2025
Flamed Out is the fifth and final book in the Magic Candle Shop Mystery series. This is actually the first one I have read, and though I would say it can be read without reading those before it, I think it would probably have enhanced my enjoyment and (prior) understanding of who everyone is to each other, the history they share, and of recent events.
Tabby is someone who has been hiding from the supernatural council until she, and her twin sister, Sage, became involved in local mysteries of their town. She lives with her husband, Quigley, who is a medical examiner, and lives above the candle shop that she owns. Luckily for them both, her sister also lives in the same area. They actually share a psychic link, able to talk to each other telepathically, something no one else knows.
A local higher up in the supernatural council dies in what is called a 'tragic accident' but Tabby is asked to investigate by a family member. Her powers can show her dark energy, as well as making herself invisible by bending light around herself(!), and she determines foul play was included.
Now, the number of characters in this series is possibly a little overwhelming, but if you have been reading this series from the start, I think you'd know everyone very well. It's quite a small town but it feels like there are a number of high profile people in the magical community, or those who see themselves as important. Tabby faces both friend and foe throughout the book, and on occasion is definitely not sure which side of the fence someone falls.
I found myself very intrigued by the mystery of who killed the council member who, of course, had quite the number of secrets. It unfolded/was revealed very well and fit in with other parts of the story and Tabby has a lot going on besides the investigation. Council politics and illegal activity is something that her mother and aunt tried their best to keep her and Sage away from, and for very good reasons, it turns out. Things get a little too close for comfort at one point in the book, getting very tense and suspenseful.
Some of the 'training' that the women are forced to endure, including Tabby's aunt, is repulsive and hard to accept (thankfully not related as a memory, just in vague terms). It is a very 'old school' institution and is very much backwards in some of its thinking. Something else I also struggled with, was Quigley. His possessiveness in the first part of the story seemed a bit extreme, given how clearly in love Tabby is with her husband. Something is then revealed that alters how Tabby views their entire history and, though it helped me a little more in understanding where he was coming from, it's still a hard thing to compartmentalise for Tabby, seeing as it has impacted their whole relationship.
Sage is a huge source of support and comfort for Tabby. I'm so glad they have each other. They may be twins but they are quite different in temperament and personality. It works very well for them as an investigating duo, each bringing their own powers to the partnership. They also have their aunt who has been right there as strong family support since their father left when they were young.
It is a very well written story and moves along at a good pace. It brings up betrayal, deathly ambition and pain that has been hidden for years, but Tabby and her family will find out the truth, become closer, and work out just who they can trust.
I would give this book content warnings for kidnapping, threats of a sexual nature, magic used to control others.
Tabby is someone who has been hiding from the supernatural council until she, and her twin sister, Sage, became involved in local mysteries of their town. She lives with her husband, Quigley, who is a medical examiner, and lives above the candle shop that she owns. Luckily for them both, her sister also lives in the same area. They actually share a psychic link, able to talk to each other telepathically, something no one else knows.
A local higher up in the supernatural council dies in what is called a 'tragic accident' but Tabby is asked to investigate by a family member. Her powers can show her dark energy, as well as making herself invisible by bending light around herself(!), and she determines foul play was included.
Now, the number of characters in this series is possibly a little overwhelming, but if you have been reading this series from the start, I think you'd know everyone very well. It's quite a small town but it feels like there are a number of high profile people in the magical community, or those who see themselves as important. Tabby faces both friend and foe throughout the book, and on occasion is definitely not sure which side of the fence someone falls.
I found myself very intrigued by the mystery of who killed the council member who, of course, had quite the number of secrets. It unfolded/was revealed very well and fit in with other parts of the story and Tabby has a lot going on besides the investigation. Council politics and illegal activity is something that her mother and aunt tried their best to keep her and Sage away from, and for very good reasons, it turns out. Things get a little too close for comfort at one point in the book, getting very tense and suspenseful.
Some of the 'training' that the women are forced to endure, including Tabby's aunt, is repulsive and hard to accept (thankfully not related as a memory, just in vague terms). It is a very 'old school' institution and is very much backwards in some of its thinking. Something else I also struggled with, was Quigley. His possessiveness in the first part of the story seemed a bit extreme, given how clearly in love Tabby is with her husband. Something is then revealed that alters how Tabby views their entire history and, though it helped me a little more in understanding where he was coming from, it's still a hard thing to compartmentalise for Tabby, seeing as it has impacted their whole relationship.
Sage is a huge source of support and comfort for Tabby. I'm so glad they have each other. They may be twins but they are quite different in temperament and personality. It works very well for them as an investigating duo, each bringing their own powers to the partnership. They also have their aunt who has been right there as strong family support since their father left when they were young.
It is a very well written story and moves along at a good pace. It brings up betrayal, deathly ambition and pain that has been hidden for years, but Tabby and her family will find out the truth, become closer, and work out just who they can trust.
I would give this book content warnings for kidnapping, threats of a sexual nature, magic used to control others.
October 24, 2025
Flamed Out is the fifth, and final, wonderful book in the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries.
Tabby is engaged by a customer to look into her uncle's death even though it was not ruled as suspicious. He accidentally fell down some stairs, leading to his death. There were five witnesses who claim to have seen nothing. The witnesses all have ties to Tabby in some way. The victim, Tabby learns, is also tied to a group she's been running from her whole life.
The story was enjoyable, and the cover and the blurb got me onboard. The story, fun characters, and mystery kept me engaged. The murder mystery was twisted, well-thought out, and complex.
I love the characters in this series and am sad to see them go. I have enjoyed Tabby, Sage, and Quiq, along with the rest of the characters. This series is amazing and I'm happy I can revisit these books and characters anytime I want.
Tabby is engaged by a customer to look into her uncle's death even though it was not ruled as suspicious. He accidentally fell down some stairs, leading to his death. There were five witnesses who claim to have seen nothing. The witnesses all have ties to Tabby in some way. The victim, Tabby learns, is also tied to a group she's been running from her whole life.
The story was enjoyable, and the cover and the blurb got me onboard. The story, fun characters, and mystery kept me engaged. The murder mystery was twisted, well-thought out, and complex.
I love the characters in this series and am sad to see them go. I have enjoyed Tabby, Sage, and Quiq, along with the rest of the characters. This series is amazing and I'm happy I can revisit these books and characters anytime I want.
October 15, 2025
It’s always a little sad to read what ends up being the last book in a really good series, but the author did an amazing job of wrapping it all up. I knew from her newsletters that this was gonna be the last book, and some of what she said came back to me as I read and I was thinking “yep she was definitely right about that!” (Meaning a comment she’d made in the newsletter.)
The showdown was a tense one but had a super satisfying outcome. Some good surprises came at the end but no matter what happened, Tabby and Sage knew they always had each other’s backs..
The showdown was a tense one but had a super satisfying outcome. Some good surprises came at the end but no matter what happened, Tabby and Sage knew they always had each other’s backs..
December 4, 2025
When someone asks Tabby to look into what appears to be an accidental death, she is reluctant to get involved, but she gets drawn in. She and her twin sister have long been sheltered from the Paranormal Council. The recent murder puts them squarely in the Council’s crosshairs. As Tabby has to balance being a newlywed with new family ties, she finds herself taking on powerful foes to build a better community for herself, her friends, and her family. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Savannah, the story takes you on a nail biting, magical ride.
September 22, 2025
The death of the head of the Paranormal Council is suspicious and Tabby is asked by more than one person to investigate. She and Quig are happily settling into married life, sharing secrets with each other. Until Quig reluctantly tells Tabby his biggest secret that has her upset and furious. Angry, she needs space to process and moves in with Sage. This series grand finale is definitely worth waiting for!
September 24, 2025
Flamed Out pulls you in from page one! When candlemaker Tabby Quigsly is accused of murdering a Paranormal Council leader, she must uncover the real killer before her own life is destroyed. With betrayal, shocking twists, and nonstop suspense, this fast-paced mystery will keep you glued to the pages.
(Advanced Review Copy provided by the author; this is my honest opinion.)
(Advanced Review Copy provided by the author; this is my honest opinion.)
October 16, 2025
Wow. There is a TON to unpack in this book! I will say that the Paranormal Council was as horrible as Tabby’s mom and aunt thought. Worse, actually. Quig’s secret is revealed. A new generation takes charge. It was a FANTASTIC story! I couldn’t put it down. This series has gotten better with each book! I LOVE IT!
September 18, 2025
This was an amazing thrill ride where we learned so much more about the characters. I love Tabby and Sage's growth throughout the series. There were so many twists, turns and revelations that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't stop reading. I highly recommend this book and this series!
October 16, 2025
Flamed Out offers a spellbinding conclusion to the Magic Candle Mystery series. Valona Jones has penned a paranormal mystery series filled with a whole community of people with a variety of magical powers. Most people know who else has a talent, but what the talent might be is often a secret. Tabby Winslow Quigsley may seem like be a simple candle maker, but she has several hidden paranormal talents. She also has a knack for solving mysteries. When the head of the secret paranormal council dies under suspicious circumstances, she is asked to investigate. Tabby's mother had always kept Tabby and her twin separated from the paranormal community. But as she investigates Tabby and the reader finally learn why. She also finally learns her husband's talent and his revelation has her reeling. This fast paced novel provides an action filled conclusion to this fantastic mystery series. This book is much darker than the others with the secrets revealed that were only hinted at before. However I loved the novel. My only regret is that there won't be any more to look forward to.
November 9, 2025
This is such a good series. I am sad to see it end but I like the way the author finished it.
March 27, 2026
I liked this series a lot. The one thing that drove me crazy is the sisters are supposed to be in their late 20s but it’s so obvious they are written by a 60 year old woman. The back and forth banter between the characters is so stiff and formal. No one talks like that!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews