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A Case for the Candle Maker

(Ainsley McGregor #4)

Candace Havens (Goodreads Author)

4.60 · Rating details · 15 ratings · 12 reviews

Play with candles and you might get burned…

Ainsley McGregor has her hands full preparing for Sweet River’s Valentine’s Day celebration and her bestie’s wedding. So when a mysterious woman pitches selling her candles in Ainsley’s shop, Bless Your Art, Ainsley nearly blows her off. But the candle’s fragrance is evocative, and she can’t resist placing an order.

The candles are ...more

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Published February 9th 2021 by Tule Publishing

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Feb 20, 2021 Jody Holford rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Not gonna lie- Jake and Ainsley made this one for me. It was a fun read but I just love them so much

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Feb 06, 2021 Eileen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, cozy-mystery, tule

I enjoyed reading A Case for the Candle Maker by Candace Havens book four in her Ainsley McGregor mystery series. Ainsley McGregor, a former, and now part-time, English professor, followed her dream and opened an artisan market in Sweet River, Texas. The market, “Bless Your Art”, would be a central location for local artists to sell their merchandise and teach classes, as well as hopefully bring tourists to the town.

Ainsley is more than busy between her shop, Bless Your Art, Sweet River’s Vale ...more

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Jan 31, 2021 Sue rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, last-stand-texas-or-texas, holiday

I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I really am enjoying this mystery series by Candace Havens featuring Ainsley McGregor. This is the fourth in the series. A woman arrives at Bless This Art to see about selling her candles in the shop. At first Ainsley is hesitant to allow it but the scents are so enticing that she agrees. They are so popular that customers are buying them faster than the candle maker can display them. Ainsley and her best friend Shannon i I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I really am enjoying this mystery series by Candace Havens featuring Ainsley McGregor. This is the fourth in the series. A woman arrives at Bless This Art to see about selling her candles in the shop. At first Ainsley is hesitant to allow it but the scents are so enticing that she agrees. They are so popular that customers are buying them faster than the candle maker can display them. Ainsley and her best friend Shannon invite the woman, Jasmine to go to dinner with them and 3 really hit it off. Jasmine returns to the B&B she is staying at an promises to bring more candles the next. Day to the shop.

The next day Jasmine doesn’t return to Bless This Art so Ainsley and her dog George Clooney go to see if all is okay at the B&B. They can’t get in Jasmine’s room. They call Ainsley’s brother Greg, the sheriff while George sniffs out another death. Ainsley’s upset as it appears her new friend is dead. However, it is discovered that the body is actually Jasmine’s sister. The coroner and the sheriff are working on the case with Ainsley trying to learn as much as she can to try to help solve the mystery. As always she is warned by Greg to not interfere. It also looks to be another murder.

Ainsley and Shannon do some research and learn Jasmine is from a wealthy family. Jasmine shared that he had 4 sisters and her father was very protective over their lives. She escaped many years ago and hadn’t seen any of her sisters or father since. She was close to her uncle and cousin only. It also came out that Jasmine talked briefly to her sister before she gave her the key to her room and Jasmine went back to her house to get more candles. The sister told her the father had just died. She also wasn’t speaking clearly and coherently, worrying Jasmine. Jasmine’s other sisters came to see her and had an awkward reunion. Meanwhile Ainsley and Shannon work on solving who murdered the sister and possibly the dad.

The mystery was well written and fun to try to solve along with Ainsley. I really liked the plot and was happy to see more shared about Ainsley and Jake’s relationship. Both the mystery and the various relationships make this an entertaining and enjoyable book and series to read. Another 5 stars for book 4! ...more

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Feb 06, 2021 Louise Bird rated it it was amazing

Another awesome read in the series.

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Feb 17, 2021 Sapphyria rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021-craving-for-cozies-challenge

A Case for the Candle Maker is book four in the Ainsley McGregor cozy mystery series by Candace Havens. The Valentine's Day celebration is about to take place in Sweet River, plus Ainsley's helping Shannon prepare for her upcoming wedding, so to say Ainsley is a busy woman doesn't really do her justice. During a busy rush in Bless Your Art, Ainsley almost turns away a candle maker until her nose gets the scent of something divine. She, Jasmine, and Shannon become fast friends that day, but thing A Case for the Candle Maker is book four in the Ainsley McGregor cozy mystery series by Candace Havens. The Valentine's Day celebration is about to take place in Sweet River, plus Ainsley's helping Shannon prepare for her upcoming wedding, so to say Ainsley is a busy woman doesn't really do her justice. During a busy rush in Bless Your Art, Ainsley almost turns away a candle maker until her nose gets the scent of something divine. She, Jasmine, and Shannon become fast friends that day, but things crash and burn when, the next day, Jasmine is found dead in her room at the local B&B. Ainsley dons her sleuthing cap for another engaging, fast-paced, original cozy mystery.

The mystery was set up and executed well. The author did a wonderful job tossing in twists and turns, jaw-dropping moments, and I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it an why. I had no idea who the murderer was in A Case for the Candle Maker. The author included so many potential suspects and clear motives and/or opportunities, I had a really hard time trying narrow down my suspect list. Every time I was sure I knew who it was, the author tossed in something to change my mind. The uncertainty amplified the suspense and nail-biting action of certain scenes, decisions, and the ultimate showdown.

Ainsley is a wonderful character with business know-how and impeccable customer service skills. Her brother, Greg, is the local sheriff, and he tries to keep her from interfering with the case. He should know by now that's not happinging. Shannon is her best friend and partner-in-crime. Jake is a firefighter, friend of Greg's, and Ainsley's boyfriend. Together, the four of them along with Ainsley's friends, make up a great cast of characters. I really missed Ainsley's two students who've helped in the past. They weren't forgotten in the book but they didn't participate in this mystery.

This book was so much fun, enjoyable, and a fast read that keep me engaged. I loved the setting: an artisan market near Valentine's Day with wonderful characters, who are written realistically, and are completely relatable. The world building allowed me to visualize the scenes and I felt like I was there with the characters as they lead their normal, everyday lives. I really like the direction the author is taking Ainsley, as a business owner, small-town citizen, and in her love life. I couldn't put the book down. ...more

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Feb 09, 2021 Emma rated it really liked it

A Case for the Candle Maker by Candace Havens
Play with candles and you might get burned…
Ainsley McGregor has her hands full preparing for Sweet River’s Valentine’s Day celebration and her bestie’s wedding. So when a mysterious woman pitches selling her candles in Ainsley’s shop, Bless Your Art, Ainsley nearly blows her off. But the candle’s fragrance is evocative, and she can’t resist placing an order.
The candles are a hit, quickly selling out, but when Ainsley calls the woman to buy more, she’s A Case for the Candle Maker by Candace Havens
Play with candles and you might get burned…
Ainsley McGregor has her hands full preparing for Sweet River’s Valentine’s Day celebration and her bestie’s wedding. So when a mysterious woman pitches selling her candles in Ainsley’s shop, Bless Your Art, Ainsley nearly blows her off. But the candle’s fragrance is evocative, and she can’t resist placing an order.
The candles are a hit, quickly selling out, but when Ainsley calls the woman to buy more, she’s unreachable. Hoping to connect, Ainsley and her Great Dane, George Clooney, stop by the local bed and breakfast. When George whines outside her room, Ainsley is afraid to look. She soon discovers that the candle maker is dead—in a room that was locked from the inside.
Although her brother, the town sheriff, is on the case, Ainsley believes the prime suspect is innocent. Intent to prove it, Ainsley once again drops into sleuth mode, discovering some surprising truths about the mystery woman. But has she just put herself in the killer’s crosshairs?
This is Ainsley McGregor's story.
Bless Your Art buzzed with people buying Valentine’s gifts, which should have made me so happy. Okay, it did. But having three of my crafters, the ones who were supposed to be running the registers, out with the flu was not so fun. George Clooney sighed at my feet. “I promise, dude, as soon as it dies down we’ll go out.” He grunted like he didn’t believe me. “I don’t blame you.” I’d been saying the same thing for an hour but there hadn’t been a lull in the shop since we opened the doors.
A woman who reminded me of Halle Berry— like so beautiful she belonged on a magazine cover— cleared her throat. “Excuse me?” she said softly. Maybe it was low blood sugar but I had the toughest time focusing. She put a couple of candles on the counter but I didn’t recognize them. A soft scent of vanilla and cinnamon wafted through my sinuses. The tension in my shoulders dropped and I sighed happily.
“I’m Jasmine Levy,” she said, and then smiled. “I know you’re busy— if you show me where you want me to set up, I can do it myself. I don’t want to keep your customers waiting.”
I recommend reading.
A Case for the Candle Maker by Candace Havens is a 4 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Candace Havens.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

...more

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Feb 10, 2021 Shelagh rated it really liked it

This has been a nice continuation of the Ainsley McGregor mysteries and a story that kept me wondering who the killer was and what their motive might be. With vast amounts of money and power in the mix there were certainly plenty of potential suspects.
I like the small town setting, which adds a personal spin to the story. There always seem to be plenty of characters willing to step in and help Ainsley work things out. She gets involved not because she’s either a police office or an investigator, ...more

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Feb 06, 2021 Paula rated it really liked it

Just in time for Valentines comes book four of the delightful Ainsley McGregor Series by Candace Havens. A Case for the Candle Maker has Ainsley preparing a Sweet River Celebration and also a friend’s wedding. Wouldn’t you know it a strange death is discovered. Who knew arts and crafts could be so dangerous? In this case it is an entire family involved too.

With George Clooney, her Great Dane by her side, Ainsley slips from her entrepreneur role into amateur sleuth role without missing a beat. E ...more

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Feb 10, 2021 Sandi Ramirez rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021-challenge

A Case for the Candle Maker by Candace Havens book four in her Ainsley McGregor is my favorite so far in her series. Yes, this is a series and no you do not have to read them all to enjoy them. But boy is this series based in Sweet River, Texas around a group of friends who live there and a craft marketplace called "Bless Your Art". Ainsley is the owner of the marketplace but rents out space to others and that is a big part of this book. Jasmine Levy brings in her handmade candles and asks to se ...more

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Feb 09, 2021 Debbie Caswell rated it it was amazing

Once again we are with Ainsley McGregor as she is drawn into murder and mayhem in the small town of Sweet River You would think she would be to busy to get involved in another murder with her side kick George Clooney but that isn't the case She is trying to organise the town Valentine Day celebrations and run her art gallery/store when a woman arrives wanting to sell her candles Ainsley is about to say no until she smells one when it is lit A huge success the candles soon sell out and Ainsley ne ...more

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Jan 29, 2021 Janine rated it really liked it

A small town cozy mystery.

Ainsley McGregor is busy preparing for Sweet River’s Valentine’s Day festival along with her best friend’s wedding, when a new candle maker, Jasmine, shows up at Bless Your Art, wanting to sell her candles. They quickly become friends and the next thing they know, Jasmine’s sister ends up dead. But that’s not all, Jasmine’s father is also dead. Ainsley puts on her sleuthing hat and heads out to solve the mystery.

I have enjoyed all of the Sweet River stories and this on ...more

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Feb 12, 2021 Ann rated it really liked it

This is book 4 in the Ainsley McGregor series and it's a good cozy. You can read this book without reading the previous books but they are all good stories. Ainsley's shop, Bless Your Art is preparing for Valentine's Day and when a stranger stops by with candles for sale, Ainsley can't keep them on the shelf they are so popular. Jasmine becomes friends with Ainsley and needs her help when her sister is found dead. I enjoy this series. The characters are all down to earth and believable and the p ...more

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About Candace Havens

Candace Havens

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Bestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA's, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Readers Choice Awards. She is a Barbara Wilson Award winner. She is the author of the biography “Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy” and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation's leading enterta ...more