Let's Talk with Maggie Toussaint
An Ingredient for Murder
November 7, 2024
As the months slide deeper into fall, the weather chills and the skies are light fewer hours of the day. While doing research for a talk I recently gave, I learned that children of all ages list fear of the dark as a primary fear. No wonder we all use lights and candles to keep the dark away!
Many people are drawn to the scent of a candle. Often the attraction happens because certain aromas trigger memories or make us feel good. Others may select a candle based on a certain color to match their décor or mood. Luckily, candles come in every hue of a rainbow. However, unless you are very into candles, it is unlikely that you think about the waxy part.
Not all candles are made of wax (paraffin). Many candles are made of paraffin, soy, tallow, or beeswax . Often, one or more of these base ingredients are combined.
You may have noticed the word “tallow” is in the title of my latest release, TALLOWED GROUND, which I wrote as Valona Jones. Tallow is a rendered animal fat product that has historically been used as an ingredient in candles, though it is not used as much now for that purpose.
Tallow is used in the production of shortening, and many fast-food places made their mark in the 1960s and 70s by frying French fries in tallow. It is used in Native American pemmican and in aviation fuel. It also has had uses in heavy machinery lubrication, textile production, soap, and beauty products.
With such varied uses, one might think that finding tallow on murder victims would have law enforcement in TALLOWED GROUND baffled. Instead, they turned their sights on the candlemaker and soap-maker they knew in Savannah—Tabby Winslow, a co-owner and operator of The Book and Candle Shop.
Not that her career makes her guilty, but still, she’s a bird in hand. They approach her as an expert in the field.
At first, they grill her for information about tallow, particularly where to buy it. She explains it is sold in meat markets and farmers’ markets in Savannah, along with other stores. Then they ask her if she uses tallow in her candles or soaps.
Tabby tells them she uses soy, paraffin, or beeswax for candles, depending on the season. She admits there is tallow in the premixed soap base she buys. When they ask to see it, she shows them a sample, and they leave with it.
She feels less like a subject expert and more like a suspect. It is very likely they will return with a court ordered search warrant for her shop. Since she isn’t the shop’s first candlemaker, she checks every nook and cranny of her stillroom. No telling what her aunt used when she made candles.
In the bottom of the storage closet, she finds a dusty half-gallon tub of tallow. The sight of the printed word “Tallow” gives her chills. She didn’t kill anyone and rub tallow in their hair, the killer’s signature. But the police might jump to that very conclusion if they found this tallow. She must dispose of it.
The cops are watching her shop, so it isn’t as simple as tossing the container in the dumpster out back. She must make that tallow disappear, to save herself from that small and cold police interview room.
She devises a clever way to get rid of the tallow that can’t be traced back to her or her shop. When the police come, Tabby is bewildered by the search outcome. Even though there is no tallow in her shop, they also search the apartment above the shop and seize her bow, leftover from a college archery class.
Unfortunately for Tabby, a bow and arrow were used in one of the recent serial killer homicides. Tabby lands in that dreaded interview room. Even though she explains the history of the bow and shares how many other candlemakers live in Savannah, they detain her for hours.
Want to find out what happens next? TALLOWED GROUND is available at most book vendors. Multiple links are HERE.
While you’re here, leave a comment on your thoughts about candles you like for a chance to win a copy of Tallowed Ground. The winner will be selected by random.org on Tuesday, Nov. 12. This book is available in ebook and print, but to win the print copy you must have a US mailing address.
If you’d like to know more about author Maggie Toussaint, who also writes as Valona Jones and Rigel Carson, visit her WEBSITE.
Posted in Let's Talk, with Maggie Toussaint • Tags: An Ingredient for Murder, Maggie Toussaint, Magic Candle Shop Mysteries, Tallow, Tallowed Ground, Valona Jones | 51 Comments
Maggie — we raise bees (just a few hives) and my husband enjoys making candles from beeswax. I love candles and candle holders, but I don’t actually light candles much. We have three cats who believe no piece of furniture or shelf is off-limits. Don’t want to burn the place down!
So glad you are raising bees, Diane. We need bees and it takes courageous people to manage hives! I’ve always had more fear of bees and wasps than of spiders. I think that was because someone in my childhood had to go to the hospital after a bee sting. Nothing like fear of hospitals to reinforce a fear of bees!
Before I moved cross-country, I used to be able to get together with a friend on the day before Thanksgiving every year and spend hours and hours making candles. She had previously used paraffin; however, I knew that other waxes were healthier, so we transitioned to beeswax, soy wax and palm wax (sometimes individually, sometimes by combining 2 or all 3 of them)…. By the time we were done, we each had enough candles to give as gifts for the whole next year! I loved those days!!!
That sounds so fun, Maria! What a nice memory to have and thanks for sharing that. Also a belated thank you for the nice note you sent me and the magnetic butterfly.
I live in an apartment and use a heat lamp to melt scented candles. The lamp is safe — no flames — and I used herbal scents to freshen the air.
That’s a great compromise, Cheryl. All the benefits of the scented candles and none of the fiery risk.
I don’t light candles much because most scents do a number on my sinuses, but I do have some handmade ones displayed in my home because they’re so pretty.
Years ago, I made fire starters with pinecones and paraffin and gave baskets of them out as holiday gifts to those friends and relatives who had working fireplaces.
Those fire starters sound awesome. We still have lots of folks around here with fireplaces. That would be an excellent gift for them! I have trouble with many scents too. Over the years I’ve learned I can tolerate citrus scents. All floral and woodsy scents are on my no-fly list.
I really liked this story, especially the exciting climax. I don’t use candles much anymore, especially when I’m home by myself. If any, I like scented ones but I’m not so fond of the smoke these days. In our romantic early lives, we burned candles at dinner. Now it’s so much easier to get candles with fake flames that flicker.
I understand about not liking smoke. I like smoke in a well ventilated area. I wish I could tolerate the fake candles, but the flickering can sometimes trigger vertigo. Pro tip: aging ain’t for sissies!
I have quite a few candles but I realized I don’t use them as much as I should. When I do I use a warmer rather than lighting them, just in case my cat would suddenly get interested. And I’d rather smell the candle than the smoke/burning smell.
Very good point about the warmer instead of lighting those candles. Cats have quite a lot of curiosity.
My preference leans toward citrus scented candles. I find some scents too strong for me .
We must be scent sisters, if there is such a thing! Citrus is my fav now too.
I’d forgotten I had a brief candle making hobby when I was a kid. I’d melt paraffin, add crayons for color, and pour into paper dixie cups with wicks. When cool I’d peel off the dixie cup and, voila! Candles. Mind you, they didn’t look like much but it was fun!
I made candles similarly in high school. Poured paraffin into milk cartons with string wicks. Peeked off carton and added whipped paraffin to all sides but base to look like snow. As an adult made candles in clear glass cups–looked like punch.
How fun! I think people used candles a lot more in the 60s and 70s than they do now. We are so hustle and bustle oriented now, that spending extra time lingering over a candlelight dinner is mostly saved for Thanksgiving and other holidays.
I love candles, but as I get older my sense of smell isn’t as good. So I buy only candles with a strong sent! I also made candles as a kid using dixie cups or small milk cartons. They were all over our house!
Sounds like a creative (and practical childhood), Helen!
I love candles. I burn them all year long and the scents vary by the season. Flowers in the spring and summer. Pumpkin and apple in the fall and Cinnamon and sugar cookies in winter.
Your home must smell amazing! It must be like strolling through nature but indoors without the insects!
I went through a candle-making phase one year when I was in college. Cheap, homemade Christmas gifts.
I was into DIY projects at that time too. For me, it was macrame. I macrame-ed a lot of wine bottles and plant hangers for the same reason. Always good to have you visit!
Lavender is my favorite but Christmas scents are the ones for Dec. Alexis
Umm. Sounds awesome, Alexis. I am wondering which scents mean Christmas for you. Is it an evergreen scent, a peppermint scent, or some of the pie scents?
I love different scented candles, but my favorite is my cinnamon apple candle. I love this series. Thank you for this chance.
Thanks for your kind compliment, Robyn. I am really enjoying these characters and the things they get up to. Cinnamon apple scent makes my mouth water!
I love candles! I prefer candles with citrus, floral or outdoor scents. I’m not a fan of sweet smelling candles.
Hi Dianne! Isn’t it nice to smell candles or scents that make us happy? I love that candles can bring such joy to so many.
Love candles and candle shops. Live in California and have favorite shops in Western Mass!
I think candle shops are great places to spark my imagination and creativity. Fortunately for those of us in the way of hurricanes, candles are a staple in our homes (along with flashlights). Nothing like the power being out for days or weeks to remind us how thin of a veneer our lifestyles actually are.
Congratulations on your latest release TALLOWED GROUND which sounds really intriguing! My curiosity is tremendously piqued by the part, quote : “She devises a clever way to get rid of the tallow that can’t be traced back to her or her shop.” quote.
Although I’m not thrilled about the cold weather in fall, I do enjoy the ambiance and atmosphere of Thanksgiving. I love lighting a cedarwood or lavender-scented candle to make my home cozier with its soothing and calming aroma. In spring or summer, I opt for ocean breeze or floral scents to welcome friends and family.
cwkuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
It’s wonderful the way you use candles to personalize your home. I especially like that you call certain candle scents as cozy and welcoming.
I’m not a big candle person. I have to really like a smell. But I do tend to like apple smells.
Hi Rose! No need to apologize for likeing apple scents. They are quite wonderful in my opinion.
Hi! I have a mixture of candles, Scentsy and battery operated candles. It depends on my mood and what type of atmosphere I want to display.
Tracey, I love how you use certain candles to set the mood you want.
I love candles! My daughter-in-law to be makes them and she is going to show me how! I am excited to try it out! My former pastor was allergic to most candle types except soy. He was miserable all the time because his wife loved candles and always had one lit at home.
Lisa, allergies are a source of distress for many people in life, including me. I have a list of things that I’m inconveniently allergic to (like bandaid adhesive!). Anyway, I sympathize with your pastor. Maybe he should buy her a dozen soy candles for the next gift occasion.
I love candles and like to burn them. Until after Thanknyou will burn fall and spicy scented candles. Then it is time for Christmas scented candles
Linda, I love that you have seasonal favorites of candles.
Beeswax makes the best candles I love vanilla and lavender scents and in the fall apple and spice and pine. Thank you the books sounds good. Deborah
Hi Deborah, one of my kids loves vanilla scented everything! I am enjoying reading how people use scents seasonally and for mood setting.
I used to do Candle Magic. Please don’t burn scented candles in your home. They’re bad for pets. Maggie, I’m really looking forward to reading this series!!
I’m glad you’re looking forward to the series.
Love all types candles and their varied styles of holders – too much per my husband 😊
You made me smile, Amber. We all have our collections, don’t we? Perhaps you can remind him of something he collects (Tools, magazines, electronics, etc). That’s only fair, right?
It’s a shame, but I don’t use candles as I used to. For a long time, I had cats who liked to climb, so candles were unsafe for that reason. Emergency preparedness, which I promoted when I was active as a Community Health Outreach Worker, stresses the use of flashlights, since candles are a fire hazard. So I think I only have maybe a half-dozen candles in the trailer. One is a silver-coated pine tree. I think there is a red pillar. A halfburned green pillar, a couple in capped jars, and a half-burned votive fill the roster, if memory serves.
Hi Barbara, Perhaps using a warmer will do the trick? Or having a lantern-like holder for your candles? Maybe you could save them for outdoor use. I agree that a candle should never be left burning unsupervised, even in a house without pets. People should also remember to have heat-stopping bases to place the candles on as well.
like any scent
My winner of TALLOWED GROUND is Tracey A. I will send you an email, Tracey. congratulations!