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The Maroon Candle
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
About the author
Michael Evanichko
4 books22 followersMichael Evanichko is an author, playwright, screenwriter, and actor whose work mixes psychological tension with quirky, dark‑edged humor. He writes stories set in liminal spaces—castles, supermarkets, landfills, and knapsacks. He loves to highlight the odd and unsettling in ordinary moments.
He created The Trilogy of Life, including Life in a Supermarket Basket—praised by Kirkus Reviews and a 2023 American Fiction Awards finalist—plus Life in a Savage Landfill and Life in a Neon Knapsack. His newest novel is the psychological thriller The Maroon Candle, praised by Kirkus Reviews as, "A fast, fun, and fiery mystery-thriller to be consumed in one sitting."
He created The Trilogy of Life, including Life in a Supermarket Basket—praised by Kirkus Reviews and a 2023 American Fiction Awards finalist—plus Life in a Savage Landfill and Life in a Neon Knapsack. His newest novel is the psychological thriller The Maroon Candle, praised by Kirkus Reviews as, "A fast, fun, and fiery mystery-thriller to be consumed in one sitting."
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 7, 2026
This was such a fun read! I was not used to the writing at first but it didn’t take long to get into it. It’s a psychological thriller with bits of humor sprinkled throughout. Definitely recommend it if you like murder mysteries.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book caught me off guard—in the best way. I had the chance to read an advance copy, and I couldn’t put it down.
The world of Mayguard Manor is fully realized and intentional. The language feels classic—like stepping into a home filled with beautiful antiques, where every detail was carefully considered and well-loved. It evokes a more deliberate, beautifully crafted time, while still grounded in the reality of how much has changed. It pulls you in without ever trying too hard.
What begins as a suspenseful, layered mystery quickly becomes something more—an exploration of identity, truth, and the complicated relationships that shape us. Told through multiple perspectives, each character is so fully realized they feel less like fiction and more like people you know—or recognize in yourself.
What stayed with me most is the honesty. There’s a candor in the writing that feels rare—the characters are allowed to be exactly who they are: complex, flawed, and unapologetically human. Because of that, you connect in a way that lasts.
Suspense and emotional depth don’t always sit well together, but here they do—and I’ve found myself still thinking about it, wishing I could follow each of them just a little further.
The world of Mayguard Manor is fully realized and intentional. The language feels classic—like stepping into a home filled with beautiful antiques, where every detail was carefully considered and well-loved. It evokes a more deliberate, beautifully crafted time, while still grounded in the reality of how much has changed. It pulls you in without ever trying too hard.
What begins as a suspenseful, layered mystery quickly becomes something more—an exploration of identity, truth, and the complicated relationships that shape us. Told through multiple perspectives, each character is so fully realized they feel less like fiction and more like people you know—or recognize in yourself.
What stayed with me most is the honesty. There’s a candor in the writing that feels rare—the characters are allowed to be exactly who they are: complex, flawed, and unapologetically human. Because of that, you connect in a way that lasts.
Suspense and emotional depth don’t always sit well together, but here they do—and I’ve found myself still thinking about it, wishing I could follow each of them just a little further.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Maroon Candle is an atmospheric, suspense-filled thriller that completely pulled me in from the very beginning. The setting of Mayguard Manor—a restored castle on Lake Superior with a dark history—creates the perfect backdrop for a story packed with mystery, tension, and secrets. The gothic atmosphere is so vivid that the manor almost feels like a character itself. The premise centers around a destination wedding disrupted by a string of fire-related murders tied to a mysterious maroon candle signature.
Author, Michael Evanichko, does an excellent job balancing psychological suspense with emotional depth. The multiple layers of family secrets, shifting suspicions, and character relationships kept me guessing throughout, and every reveal felt earned. I especially appreciated how the story blended classic locked-room mystery vibes with modern thriller pacing. The twists kept coming, and I genuinely didn’t want to stop reading.
If you enjoy atmospheric mysteries with gothic elements, strong character work, and a plot that keeps escalating, The Maroon Candle is absolutely worth picking up. It’s haunting, engaging, and the kind of book that stays with you after the final page.
Author, Michael Evanichko, does an excellent job balancing psychological suspense with emotional depth. The multiple layers of family secrets, shifting suspicions, and character relationships kept me guessing throughout, and every reveal felt earned. I especially appreciated how the story blended classic locked-room mystery vibes with modern thriller pacing. The twists kept coming, and I genuinely didn’t want to stop reading.
If you enjoy atmospheric mysteries with gothic elements, strong character work, and a plot that keeps escalating, The Maroon Candle is absolutely worth picking up. It’s haunting, engaging, and the kind of book that stays with you after the final page.
July 29, 2026
The Maroon Candle is another amazing story written by an incredible author.
Michael carefully draws you into the story, devising mystery, suspense, comedy, and tragedy, while crafting characters that make you feel like you are sitting down with old friends. It is impossible not to feel connected to each one, with their struggles, strengths, and flaws creating a sense of reality within this world of fiction.
This connection, paired with the suspenseful plot, kept the pages turning. Once you pick this book up, it is hard to put it down. The setting of Mayguard Manor is a character in and of itself. This once-magnificent castle poised on the edge of Lake Superior is deteriorated, but still fights to hold onto a shred of hope - with each room clinging onto its history and mystery.
The sense of familiarity and comfort of the characters in the book is balanced by the twists and turns of the plot. I cannot recommend this book or this author enough. Well done, Michael, I cannot wait to see what you come up with next!
Michael carefully draws you into the story, devising mystery, suspense, comedy, and tragedy, while crafting characters that make you feel like you are sitting down with old friends. It is impossible not to feel connected to each one, with their struggles, strengths, and flaws creating a sense of reality within this world of fiction.
This connection, paired with the suspenseful plot, kept the pages turning. Once you pick this book up, it is hard to put it down. The setting of Mayguard Manor is a character in and of itself. This once-magnificent castle poised on the edge of Lake Superior is deteriorated, but still fights to hold onto a shred of hope - with each room clinging onto its history and mystery.
The sense of familiarity and comfort of the characters in the book is balanced by the twists and turns of the plot. I cannot recommend this book or this author enough. Well done, Michael, I cannot wait to see what you come up with next!
Read
July 12, 2026If it’s raining, with thunder and lightning, and you’re in the mood for a good mystery, this is the book for you. You won’t have to wait for the action. It opens with action – the disappearance of a ferryman who provides the rides to and from an old castle in the middle of Lake Superior. Then, a tragic and fatal accident with the collapse of a bridge. Or was it an accident? When guests arrive for a wedding weekend and happy reunions, they’re besieged with a multitude of mysteries. Strange passageways, staircases, and secret rooms in this crumbling castle provide the perfect venue for disappearing guests and staff. Plus, a few gory murders.
Is this castle cursed? Is everyone hiding a secret? Why does it feel like someone is watching them? Will the missing persons be found? Alive? Who among the guests, workers, and wedding party will be able to escape the castle when mayhem escalates? And will the wedding take place? It’s worth staying up past your bedtime to find out.
Is this castle cursed? Is everyone hiding a secret? Why does it feel like someone is watching them? Will the missing persons be found? Alive? Who among the guests, workers, and wedding party will be able to escape the castle when mayhem escalates? And will the wedding take place? It’s worth staying up past your bedtime to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Michael Evanichko has done it once again.
The Maroon Candle is a strong and bold departure from his "Life" series. He is a man that constantly raises the bar, and loves to throw his audiences constant curveballs.
Evanichko pulls out all the the stops in this murderous thrill ride; you will be craving more.
This is a masterclass in modern mystery. You feel like you have lept into the pages. The characters are so real, you instantly feel a strong connection to them. You feel like you somehow belong in that mansion, but you can't quite figure out why.
Such a gripping story from beginning to end. Makes you wonder..."what's next?"
Bravo!
The Maroon Candle is a strong and bold departure from his "Life" series. He is a man that constantly raises the bar, and loves to throw his audiences constant curveballs.
Evanichko pulls out all the the stops in this murderous thrill ride; you will be craving more.
This is a masterclass in modern mystery. You feel like you have lept into the pages. The characters are so real, you instantly feel a strong connection to them. You feel like you somehow belong in that mansion, but you can't quite figure out why.
Such a gripping story from beginning to end. Makes you wonder..."what's next?"
Bravo!
August 26, 2026
Another win for Michael Evanichko!
His first novel since the completion of his Life trilogy, this thriller is set at a castle on an island that is playing host to a wedding.
Yet, as any good wedding goes, things quickly spiral.
Evanichko walks us a tense journey, and peels back the layers of both the characters and the very castle itself.
The pages will practically turn themselves as you navigate each twist on a grounded, thought-provoking trip through the halls of Mayguard Manor.
Will you find a Maroon Candle in your room tonight?
His first novel since the completion of his Life trilogy, this thriller is set at a castle on an island that is playing host to a wedding.
Yet, as any good wedding goes, things quickly spiral.
Evanichko walks us a tense journey, and peels back the layers of both the characters and the very castle itself.
The pages will practically turn themselves as you navigate each twist on a grounded, thought-provoking trip through the halls of Mayguard Manor.
Will you find a Maroon Candle in your room tonight?
October 7, 2026
(4.5 rounding to 5) This was a quick, enjoyable murder mystery story. I won't go into great detail to avoid spoilers... But the characters are enjoyable to read, the setting is a classic for this style of story, the antagonist is deranged (in the best way possible), and the finale is satisfying. If you enjoy a good mystery, with some pyromania thrown in I highly recommend this book. I hope the author will write more in the genre.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once again, author Michael Evanichko has made me cling to his story, very eager to get to the end to figure out all the twists and turns! Kept me hanging on to find out in this thriller if anyone survives! Loved it! Very entertaining as always! Great plot! Thanks Mike! Looking forward to more from you!
August 8, 2026
Evanichko has crafted a very effective thriller. The characters are interesting and beautifully drawn and I found myself genuinely caring about what happened to them. There were a few unexpected surprises that kept me engaged throughout. Bravo!
September 14, 2026
An Okay Story...
But written poorly.
I won this book from Goodreads. I wanted to like it, but I couldn't overlook the poor writing. It had a good ending, but it took a long time to make it there. I won't recommend it unless it has a rewrite.
But written poorly.
I won this book from Goodreads. I wanted to like it, but I couldn't overlook the poor writing. It had a good ending, but it took a long time to make it there. I won't recommend it unless it has a rewrite.
June 2, 2026
Evanichko creates a menagerie of characters and a tapestry of their life experiences that make us root for them to discover their better selves or maybe get caught for a lack of integrity or evil decisions. How important is honesty in any kind of relationship? Amidst the backdrop of a gothic castle built with superficial privilege and lives built from struggle and perseverance, every character holds both secrets and opportunities to unlock the mystery of unexplained deaths or find a future with more goodness and peace.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews