You Can't Candle the Truth

Glenmyre Whim Mysteries #1

by Sarah E. Burr

Candlemaker Hazel Wickbury has a secret. She knows when someone is going to die.

Welcome to Crucible, a small town with a storied history. Founded by five prestigious families, Crucible has been tucked away in upstate New York for centuries under the protection of a shield enchantment cast by Jedidiah Glenmyre, Hazel's revered ancestor. The enchanted barrier is meant to protect Crucible from anything bad ever happening to the town. No crime, no awful weather, no natural disasters…a haven from the greater world.

Until the heir to a billion-dollar company is found dead in his home. With the help of her uncanny power, known as a "whim," Hazel realizes foul play is involved. But more than being concerned about a murderer running loose and Jedidiah Glenmyre's protection shield deteriorating, Hazel and her aunt Poppy are worried the town's kindhearted art teacher will be charged with the sinister crime.

Hazel and Poppy team up with an internationally acclaimed mystery author visiting Crucible to figure out who had it in for the victim. Their fledgling investigation has them questioning if long-time friends have turned into foes and whether blood is really thicker than water.

Determined to prove her friend innocent, Hazel is ready to shine a light on the real killer…if they don't snuff her out first.

Candlemaker Hazel Wickbury is about to shine a light on things in "You Can't Candle the Truth," first in the new Glenmyre Whim Mysteries by Sarah E. Burr.

Genres: Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Paranormal, Ebooks, Contemporary

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2021

About the author

Sarah E. Burr lives near New York City. Hailing from the small town of Appleton, Maine, she has been dreaming of being Nancy Drew since she was a little girl. After not finding any mysteries in corporate America, Sarah began creating some of her own.

She writes the award-winning Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, the Trending Topic Mysteries, the Book Blogger Mysteries, and the Court of Mystery series. "You Can’t Candle the Truth" was a 2022 NGIBA Best Mystery Finalist and a 2022 Silver Falchion Best Supernatural Mystery Finalist. "Too Much to Candle" was a 2023 NGIBA Best Paranormal Finalist, and "#TagMe for Murder" was a 2024 NGIBA Best Chick Lit Finalist.

Sarah is the co-host of "It's Bookish Time," a live-streamed web series featuring author interviews and book discussions. She writes on the Writers Who Kill blogging team and is a member of Sisters in Crime. When she’s not spinning up stories, Sarah sings Broadway show tunes, plays video games with her husband, and enjoys walks with her rescue dogs, Eevee and Itto.

Stay connected with Sarah and receive free stories, be the first to learn about book news, book deals, and more by signing up for her newsletter: https://bit.ly/saraheburrbookssignup.

Reviews

[Bailee Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a close friend is accused of murder, Hazel and Poppy are determined to help clear her name by finding the real killer. But they will need to be careful and not draw attention. Their Glenmyre family talent makes them unusual, and it's definitely best to keep it a secret. After all, they are witches, and the small town of Crucible might not take such news favorably. However, in one respect, their whims can be put to good use in finding who killed the well-to-do and likeable citizen of Crucible. Plenty of suspects are on their list and that will keep them busy. Of course, Hazel juggles sleuthing with running her candle shop while her aunt Poppy tends to her flower business. Finding the killer before he or she catches on to their sleuthing and tries something dangerous to stop them will be a challenge and one that could cost them their lives.

There are twists and turns in this cleverly woven mystery with enough intriguing characters, red herrings, and genuine clues that challenged me to decide who killed the victim. Admittedly, I was surprised but totally satisfied with the ending, and I can't wait to read more in this exciting new series.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Can't Candle the Truth is the first book in author Sarah E. Burr's new Glenmyre Whim Mysteries and the first book I have read by this author. I thought it was a charming and entertaining start to a new paranormal cozy mystery series. Hazel and Poppy are the last of the Glenmyre line (or so they think) and one of the five founding families of the small town of Crucible. The relationship between Poppy and Hazel is more like best friends than aunt/niece due to the fact they are so close in age. This makes for a terrific relationship between the two. The Glenmyre's have what they call whims, or paranormal abilities. Poppy can see aura's and Hazel sees the exact date and time someone is going to die (a heavy burden to be sure). Crucible is a safe town due to a charm placed on the city by the ancestors of the founding families. However, when a murder occurs and Poppy and Hazel's friend Cora is the prime suspect, the two decide to use their whims to help uncover the killer's identity. There are plenty of secondary characters that are charming and add entertainment to the story.

I thought the mystery was well done. It kept me on my toes and guessing throughout the book. Ms. Burr does a wonderful job of providing enough circumstantial evidence against Cora that as a reader I easily missed any clues or red herrings she snuck into the story. When the killer's identity is revealed, I was surprised. However, Ms. Burr does a great job of providing motive so the mystery is all wrapped up nicely.

This was a fun read and I am looking forward to reading more in this series and from this author. The setting was charming, the paranormal aspect was not overwhelming, the mystery was engaging and the characters are likable. I will definitely be returning to Crucible for future books in the series.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the author. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are in no way impacted by the manner in which I received this book.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment of what promises to be a must-read new cozy mystery series. From the setting of a charming lakeside town in upstate New York, to the likeable characters including protagonist Hazel and her sidekick Aunt Poppy, to the on-point mystery storyline, You Can't Candle the Truth is pure delight.

[J.C. Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Can't Candle the Truth, the first book in a new series from the author Sarah Burr, is a delight from start to finish. It's also a departure for Ms. Burr, in that this is her first paranormal cozy mystery. Featuring protagonist Hazel Wickbury, a candle maker by trade, and her aunt Poppy Glenmyre, a florist, this tale is set in the mythical and somewhat magical small town of Crucible, New York.
Hazel and Poppy are descendants of the town's founders. As such, they are endowed, some might say cursed, with unique and specific magical powers. When a friend of theirs, who also happens to be the black sheep of a wealthy and powerful Crucible family, is murdered, Hazel and Poppy combine their efforts, both practical and magical, to track down the murderer.
This story felt like a warm blanket with a cup of hot chocolate on a winter day. The characters are well rounded and entertaining. Hazel is an absolute sweetheart and Poppy is someone you want to spend a night at the pub with. As the main protagonist, Hazel is smart, independent, and won't take no for an answer when looking for the truth. The magical powers, or whims as they are called, in the tale complement the narrative, making it a unique addition to the paranormal cozy genre.
You Can't Candle the Truth is a unique, charming, feel good story that fans across the entire mystery spectrum will enjoy. Treat yourself to a trip to Crucible. Grab a pint at the Cold Cauldron and get to know Hazel and the gang. You'll be glad you did.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently discovered Sarah E Burr with her wonderful Book bloggers series and her Trending Topics series, I had to look for more. Since I was caught up with those series, I decided to look at other books she had written. I was not disappointed. Hazel and Poppy are wonderful characters, with little gifts, or shall we call them whims! Crucible is a small town in upper New York state, which is a wonderful place to settle and have a small business. It also has interesting relatives of the original five families that play different roles in todays Crucible. Although Hazel and Poppy are the last of their families, they are determined to protect and push harmony in their beloved hometown. When one member of a powerful original family dies, Hazel with the help of her whim, knows he was murdered, unfortunately when she makes it known to the police they focus in on his fiancee who the rest of the family never approved of. To help clear their friend Cora, Hazel and Poppy are on the case. Get ready for a wild ride, with all kinds of wonderful and scary surprises. You Can't Candle the Truth was so much fun. Can't wait to read more in this series!

[Nellie Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

When candlemaker Hazel Wickbury spies the “life clock” of a friend, she’s reassured that he’s got time to spare since it indicates he won’t die for another 50 years. And that’s why she’s absolutely shocked when he turns up dead the next day! Hazel’s certain it’s foul play since his natural death wasn’t set to occur for a long while. She teams up with cousin, Poppy, who also possesses some interesting skills to solve a murder in their quiet town.

You Can’t Candle the Truth is an interesting and unique series starter. The characters are likeable and the prose is easy-to-read. The setting is quaint and provides a nice backdrop for the mystery. The book is a light, cozy read with plenty of fun as Hazel and Poppy use their special talents to muddle through a murder investigation.

Overall, I found the book to be an enjoyable read and look forward to more in the series. I would recommend it.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun cozy mystery

I enjoyed reading this first in a series, featuring Hazel and Poppy, and the town of Crucible.
The characters are all very likable and the story was well written.
The mystery surrounding the death of Kevin was interesting, but the whims that Hazel and Poppy have really made this book stand out.

[Grace Topping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intro to a delightful new series

Sarah Burr’s new series is filled with delightful characters and at the same time, lots of characters who are perfect suspects. Hazel Wickbury has just enough of a paranormal gift to add spice to the story. Definitely pick up “You Can’t Candle the Truth.”

[Jennifer Kovaleski · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun fresh start to a series. A magical story but not paranormal. The relationship between Hazel and Poppy is strong, they are aunt/niece, sisters, and each other’s Bff. Their loyalty to their town and family is strong. Lots of twists in this one and a shocker when the murderer is revealed. I look forward to the next book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 2nd time reading this for an upcoming book club. I picked up a few things this time around that I missed or didn't remember. Outstanding for a 1st book in a series.

[bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers, I have a very special new-to-me series today... the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries and I am absolutely smitten!

Hazel Wickbury is a candle maker and part of the much-dwindling Glenmyre family. Each family member has a special "whim", a talent that is very mystical and special in its own way. Hazel's "whim" is she can see the life clock of every person she meets. So imagine her surprise when a local suddenly dies and she was sure they had 50+ years to live. Hazel and her Aunt and best friend, Poppy, are certain it is a case of murder and set about trying to clear their friend, Cora, from suspicion.

I really, really loved Sarah E Burr's book blogger mysteries. I went into this series intrigued, but not to love it more than her book blogger books. Well I was wrong! This series is even better! There is something about magical powers, the sweet scents of candles and a visiting mystery author that all added up to a wonderful mystery!!

I love the Glenmyres and how unique their magic is. In this book we learn about their whims and about their family being one of the founding families of Crucible. However, I certainly get the feeling there is so much more to unfold about the Glenmyres and even everyone that lives in Crucible. I read a lot of paranormal mysteries, and I love that this was such a unique twist [at least to me] and I can't wait to find out what else there is to learn about the Glenmyres.

This mystery stumped me! It's the first one this month that I was completely wrong about! I have a pretty good mystery solving rate, given the fact that I read a lot of mysteries and I was completely stumped. I was heading in one direction and I was completely wrong. If that doesn't impress you enough to pick up You Can't Candle the Truth then do it for the cute bookstore owner, Ezra!

If you love paranormal mysteries, you need to add this series to your summer reading! It was so enjoyable and I will definitely be reading the second book, Too Much to Candle, very soon!

[Pam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Decent story but I am totally over the plot of the main character trying to solve the murder herself, endangering herself and numerous other people. Read about 30% and I skipped to the last chapter. That made me glad I didn't read the whole thing.

Amazon synopsis:
Welcome to Crucible, a small town with a storied history. Founded by five prestigious families, Crucible has been tucked away in upstate New York for centuries under the protection of a shield enchantment cast by Jedidiah Glenmyre, Hazel's revered ancestor. The enchanted barrier is meant to protect Crucible from anything bad ever happening to the town. No crime, no awful weather, no natural disasters…a haven from the greater world.

Until the heir to a billion-dollar company is found dead in his home. With the help of her uncanny power, known as a "whim," Hazel realizes foul play is involved. But more than being concerned about a murderer running loose and Jedidiah Glenmyre's protection shield deteriorating, Hazel and her aunt Poppy are worried the town's kindhearted art teacher will be charged with the sinister crime.

Hazel and Poppy team up with an internationally acclaimed mystery author visiting Crucible to figure out who had it in for the victim. Their fledgling investigation has them questioning if long-time friends have turned into foes and whether blood is really thicker than water.

Determined to prove her friend innocent, Hazel is ready to shine a light on the real killer…if they don't snuff her out first.

[Lori Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Can’t Candle the Truth, like its heroine, Hazel Wickbury, is absolutely enchanting. Author Sarah E. Burr, who also writes the Court of Mystery and Ducal Detective series, doesn’t lean too heavily into the paranormal elements. Instead, the magic is threaded with persuasive charm into the fabric of the story. The very name of the special powers that descendants of the Glenmyre family inherit nods to this light, deft, touch. Hazel insists she is not a witch; she says instead, she possesses a “whim.”

These whims are unique to each person. Hazel’s whim is her ability to see a “life-clock.” It’s more a curse than a blessing, and in order to avoid the pain that this knowledge inevitably brings, Hazel wears magical glasses that block her power.

When Hazel accidentally sees the life-clock of Kevin Finchmore, she is relieved that he has many years to live. But for the first time, Hazel’s whim proves inaccurate. Kevin dies that very night. Which means only one thing: murder.

As Hazel and her equally young aunt investigate Kevin’s death, they uncover a lot more than they bargained for. These include romantic entanglements, the unearthing of long-held family secrets, and a cast of quirky, small-town characters, all of whom have something to hide.

You Can’t Candle the Truth is the first book in the Glenmyre Whim Mystery Series. I look forward to reading the next installment from this talented writer.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give a lot of 5 star reviews, but You Can't Candle the Truth by Sarah E. Burr gets 5 glowing (candle) stars from me! This is the first book in the Glenmyre Whim Mystery Series. Set in the cozy town of Crucible, New York, we meet our main character Hazel Wickbury, owner of A Wick in Time candle shop. Hazel, along with her aunt Poppy are members of one of the founding families of Crucible, and they both have a special ability, or "whim". Poppy is able to read peoples auras and Hazel is able to see peoples "life clock", or how much time they have on Earth. Crucible is a pretty safe place to live in until a community member dies under suspicious circumstances. Hazel and Poppy decide to do some investigating of their own to find out what really happened.

The small town setting is one of my favorites for cozy mysteries. We are introduced to a diverse group of characters and their place in the Crucible community whether they are the owner of Herb Garden, a store and cafe, or the owner of The Poignant Page, the town bookstore. The author really painted the picture of life in Crucible.

The care and concern that Hazel and Poppy have for each other and their community is heartwarming. They truly follow their family mantra of "with our whims, do good".

I look forward to reading more about Hazel and Poppy and see where this fun, new series takes us!

[Elle Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cozy! The candle shop setting was so cool. I loved reading about Hazel making candles. I wish I could go to her shop! Crucible was a fun town too. I loved the brewery, bookshop, and other fun stores. I also loved that Hazel lived on a lake—it reminded me of when I lived on a lake!

Aunt Poppy was amazing too. I love that Poppy is just a bit older than Hazel. They have such a fun relationship. I wish Poppy could be my friend! I also adored the premise of Hazel & Poppy’s “whims.” It was really fun. Right at the beginning, we find out that Hazel can see a clock above everyone’s head showing when they will die, but she wears special glasses that block the clocks because who wants to know when everyone will die? No one! I thought it was all really original.

The mystery was just as good. A rich man who has left his family business to strike out on his own dies with foul play suspected. When one of Hazel’s friends, the victim’s fiancé, is accused, Hazel knows she has to help clear her name. I liked the variety of suspects and all the drama we learn about as the book goes on. I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil anything!

Read this book. You will love it.

[B.J. Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review)

What a great beginning for a new series! Author Sarah E. Burr has crafted an entertaining and unusual mystery in You Can’t Candle the Truth. The world she creates is immersive and engaging, with some interesting, light paranormal touches (think Bewitched meets the Hamptons), and the story has an interesting premise. Protagonist Hazel Wickbury and her Aunt, Poppy Glenmyre, share a close relationship. They are protective of their friend, Cora, and when Cora is accused of murdering her fiancé, they unite to clear her name. Hazel and Poppy, their love for their friend obvious, follow clues logically, bringing the reader along every step of the way, and still provide a surprise ending. You want them in your life as friends and neighbors and feel a sense of loss when the book comes to a close. I can’t wait for their next adventure!

[Marian West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad I finally moved this book to the front of my TBR... I've been wanting to read it for months. I am not disappointed. Such a great book.

Each member of the Glenmyre family has a special gift, what they call a whim, that they've been using for generations to help others in their community. Aunt Poppy can "see" when someone is sad (or happy, or scared, etc) and then cheer them up, but Hazel's whim is a bit morbid: She sees each person's life clock, so she know how many years (or days) until they die.

In this first book, Hazel knows that her friend is supposed to live for years, so when he dies, it can only mean that he was murdered. Hazel and Poppy team together to try to solve the case since the police are looking at what they believe is the wrong person.

Even though the book is about murder, it's so uplifting. I just kept smiling through the whole book.

[Rose Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new paranormal cozy mystery series. And it's an excellent read!
The characters are well developed, the setting (fictional town of Crucible) is picturesque, and the mystery is very good.
I loved the characters, Hazel Wickbury is a candle maker and we learn about the craft of candle making and running a small business. She's such a nice person that you can't help but like her.
Her aunt Poppy is a hoot! Just the kind of person you want to hang out with.

I'm looking forward to reading more about their adventures in Crucible.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and fun mystery to start off a series. It's a paranormal cozy mystery about Hazel Wickbury, a candlemaker the the small town of Crucible, NY. She has a gift,,or curse as she sees, to be able to tell when somebody dies. Her family calls these gifts "whims". they live in an ideal towns projected by magic, until Kevin Finchmore dies. After his wife Cora becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Hazel and her aunt Poppy decide to investigate, taking a crash course in investigating from mystery author Constance Crane.

[Elle Hartford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this start to a new series! The town is idyllic and in one of my favorite settings, upstate New York. The mystery is really twisty and keeps moving along. But my absolute favorite part of the story is the bonds between the characters! I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozies or small-town mysteries, and I'm already looking forward to the next one. :D

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, and I'm very happy I did! :)

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible start to this series. So many twists in this one. I was blown away at who it was. I did not see that coming. I'm curious with the new addition to the family now, if the whims becomes more... Definitely look forward to the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Renee Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!!!!!!
Coming this fall! A quaint town, home of candlemaker/store owner Hazel and her Aunt Poppy. Their "gifts" or whims put them on the hunt for a killer. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this one! Read it twice, back to back! Yes it's that good!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from start to finish, I can’t wait to read the next one :)!

If you love books with twists and turns, friendships & characters with interesting stories and gifts, this is for you :)!

[Jim Twombly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not normally a fan of the paranormal, but Sarah draws me in with likable, relatable characters in a quaint setting - right in my backyard. Sarah's narrative is compelling and keeps the story moving such that you want to know what's coming next all the time.

[Shelley Burbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cute, quirky cozy with paranormal elements. The upstate New York small-town setting with all the little shops and unique characters that you expect were here. Hazel, the amateur sleuth, is someone I enjoyed spending time with as she solved the crime and worked in her candle shop.

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

The Glenmyre's stumble into a murder case to help a friend and end up finding a unknown family member along the way. The book starts off like any small town story,but quickly picks up steam. Very intriguing and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Can't Candle the Truth is a fresh and delightful paranormal cozy mystery.

I loved the characters and setting in this book! If I was a Crucible resident, I'd definitely want to hang out with Hazel and Poppy. The well plotted mystery kept me guessing to the end. I'll be back for more!

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It did what a cozy did whit a twist. The family has weird powers “whims” that tells about a persons moment of death. Each manifestation is different for each member and when a friend is accused of murdering her fiancée Hazel, Poppy and ultimately, Holden, work to clear her of the crime.

[Bethanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun cozy! I instantly fell in love with cousins Poppy and Hazel! This paranormal cozy isn’t TOO paranormal… it has just the right amount to make it magically fun! I can’t wait for my next visit to Crucible!

[Brenda Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun

An idylic setting, interesting characters, a mystery and a touch of magic. What a great beginning to a new paranormal cozy series.