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Candles Make Great Alibis: The Butcher and the Witch
356 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2025
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4 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Doon
57 books83 followersCassandra Doon hails from New South Wales, Australia, where she was nurtured between the bustling streets of Sydney and the serene snowy mountains of Tumut. Today, she finds inspiration in the breathtaking Scenic Rim of Queensland's Gold Coast. A versatile author with a lifelong passion for storytelling, Cassandra has penned over 16 novels and 5 children's books, exploring a variety of genres. Known for her daydreaming and a head often lost in the clouds, she admits to being more at home in her fictional worlds than on social media. Outside of her literary pursuits, Cassandra is a devoted mother to two boys, dedicating her days to their endless energy as both a soccer mom and Pokémon master.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 19, 2026
Candles Make Great Alibis is the wickedly brilliant second instalment in The Butcher and the Witch series, and somehow manages to deepen everything I already loved about this world.
This story follows Bernadette, Bernie, as her experiences unfold alongside the events of book one. We revisit familiar moments, but through a new lens, while also learning far more about Bernie herself and her growing connection with Theo. Watching how her story threads into what we already know was incredibly satisfying and added so much emotional weight.
I adored the first book, Poison is Always in the Prettiest Bottle, and genuinely wasn’t sure how a second book could match it, let alone exceed it. But this was writing brilliance at its finest. Bernie is so much more than the clumsy, fact spilling woman we first meet. Seeing who she is beneath that exterior, her intelligence, resilience, and quiet determination, was a joy.
What stood out most for me was how much care this book gives to connection. Bernie may initially seem resigned to her circumstances, but what shines through is her grit, and the unwavering support of Theo and the people around her who refuse to give up on her. The found family elements deepen beautifully, and every character feels more layered, more real, and more fiercely loyal.
The small town atmosphere is back in full force, grounding the story with warmth and familiarity, even as things get delightfully dark. I loved every minute spent in this world, and now I am very much feeling the pain of having to wait for book three.
I received this book as an ARC, but this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings, given voluntarily.
This story follows Bernadette, Bernie, as her experiences unfold alongside the events of book one. We revisit familiar moments, but through a new lens, while also learning far more about Bernie herself and her growing connection with Theo. Watching how her story threads into what we already know was incredibly satisfying and added so much emotional weight.
I adored the first book, Poison is Always in the Prettiest Bottle, and genuinely wasn’t sure how a second book could match it, let alone exceed it. But this was writing brilliance at its finest. Bernie is so much more than the clumsy, fact spilling woman we first meet. Seeing who she is beneath that exterior, her intelligence, resilience, and quiet determination, was a joy.
What stood out most for me was how much care this book gives to connection. Bernie may initially seem resigned to her circumstances, but what shines through is her grit, and the unwavering support of Theo and the people around her who refuse to give up on her. The found family elements deepen beautifully, and every character feels more layered, more real, and more fiercely loyal.
The small town atmosphere is back in full force, grounding the story with warmth and familiarity, even as things get delightfully dark. I loved every minute spent in this world, and now I am very much feeling the pain of having to wait for book three.
I received this book as an ARC, but this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings, given voluntarily.
November 4, 2025
Are you kidding me?!?! That book was amazing!! Literally stayed up past my bed time to finish it! Ugh I love Bernie so much!! But that cliffy at the end!!! Omg!!!!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews