Wick'ed Ways:

by Alicia Dean

In the quaint town of Wisteria, Wisconsin, fresh starts can be deadly…

Paget Ross is ready for a new life. On the heels of a nasty divorce, she leaves Oklahoma and buys a struggling little candle shop in the charming northern town of Wisteria. With bright ideas, a knack for scents, and sheer determination, she transforms Lotus and Lights into a cozy success.

But just as her dreams begin to glow, a corpse is discovered inside her shop—painting Paget as the prime suspect. When more strange incidents flare up—and another murder darkens her doorstep—Paget realizes someone is determined to extinguish more than her business. Someone wants her gone…for good.

Now Paget must unravel a mystery, follow a trail of shadows, and trust her instincts—before the next candle that burns out is her own.

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2026

About the author

At age ten, Alicia Dean wrote her first ever romance (featuring a hero who looked just like Elvis Presley and who shared the name of Elvis’ character in the movie, Tickle Me), and she still has the tattered, pencil-written copy. Alicia is from Moore, Oklahoma, and now lives in Edmond. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family.

Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she almost always works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching (and rewatching) her favorite television shows like Dexter, Justified, Friends, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Breaking Bad. Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.

Reviews

[T.P. Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wick'ed Ways is a delightful cozy mystery that blends small-town charm, suspense, and a likable amateur sleuth into an engaging read. Alicia Dean creates an inviting atmosphere in Wisteria, Wisconsin, where candle shop owner Paget Ross is trying to rebuild her life after divorce—only to find herself tangled in murder investigations almost immediately.

Paget is an appealing protagonist: determined, relatable, and easy to root for as she balances growing her candle business with clearing her name. The candle shop setting adds warmth and personality to the story, while the escalating danger keeps the mystery moving at a satisfying pace. A page-turning 'whodunit' that will keep you guessing to the very end.

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery on Lilac Lane is a 2026 multi-author series set in the fictional quaint town of Wisteria, Wisconsin. The stories are page turning, who dun it mysteries. Many of the authors are new to this series. While I enjoy reading small town cozy mysteries, the novellas are stand alone stories with different characters in each stories and except for the setting there seems to be little connection between them. Plus one small town - has just to many murders. Not realistic. This reader wonders how the series will end.

People don't always understand when mistakes are made. Sometimes consequences are more dire than they should be.

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun addition to the series. This one skips the romance, but honestly, the mystery is strong enough that I didn’t mind. Paget’s fresh-start turning into a murder investigation makes for a great hook, and the candle shop setting gives everything a cozy glow that contrasts nicely with the darker elements. As is typical, some of the townsfolk aren't very nice. Hopefully Paget meets some kinder ones.

I thought I had things figured out… and then the twist proved me wrong. That's always a win.

4.5 stars

[Susan Bagby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, cozy mystery book that will keep you turning the pages throughout it. A woman needs to rebuild her life and starts a candle store in a small town. It has everything for those of you who love small town stories. Filled with twists and turns, it had me guessing all the way to the end. Sweet read, highly recommend.