You’re used to seeing Sandie Herron’s name connected with the audio book reviews here under the topic, “Have You Heard?” Today, she has a review of Kate Carlisle’s lastest book, A Wrench in the Works. (Thanks, Sandie!)
Written by Kate Carlisle
A Fixer-Upper Mystery, Book 6
Berkley Prime Crime, November 6, 2018
·
Mass Market
Paperback
Mass Market
Paperback
Contractor Shannon
Hammer is happy to welcome her contractor sister Chloe back home. It’s been ten years since she last lived in
the family home in Lighthouse Cove. She
left after high school to find her way in Hollywood, and she became one of the
stars of the Home Builder’s Network show “Makeover Madness.” They want to film several episodes in
Lighthouse Cove focusing on the Victorian architecture so prevalent in this
historic town. Chloe co-stars with Blake
Bennett, an older man with whom she has a terrific stage presence. They are complimented by a devoted crew
headed by Sergio, a strong, handsome carpenter full of charm.
Hammer is happy to welcome her contractor sister Chloe back home. It’s been ten years since she last lived in
the family home in Lighthouse Cove. She
left after high school to find her way in Hollywood, and she became one of the
stars of the Home Builder’s Network show “Makeover Madness.” They want to film several episodes in
Lighthouse Cove focusing on the Victorian architecture so prevalent in this
historic town. Chloe co-stars with Blake
Bennett, an older man with whom she has a terrific stage presence. They are complimented by a devoted crew
headed by Sergio, a strong, handsome carpenter full of charm.
It isn’t until the
entire crew arrives in town that Shannon meets the executive producer, Bree
Bennett, wife of star Blake Bennett.
Bree keeps the show running, making most of the important decisions and
carrying them out. However, she has a
nasty temper and is rude to most of her immediate staff as well as the stars
and workers on the show. Bree routinely
fires them, never meaning for the firing to stick, until she fires her husband
Blake. The network has decided to start
a new show without Blake and featuring Chloe and Sergio as soon as these
segments are complete.
entire crew arrives in town that Shannon meets the executive producer, Bree
Bennett, wife of star Blake Bennett.
Bree keeps the show running, making most of the important decisions and
carrying them out. However, she has a
nasty temper and is rude to most of her immediate staff as well as the stars
and workers on the show. Bree routinely
fires them, never meaning for the firing to stick, until she fires her husband
Blake. The network has decided to start
a new show without Blake and featuring Chloe and Sergio as soon as these
segments are complete.
Chloe has recruited
Shannon to be on the show while in town.
They arrive at the Bloom house, a rundown but appealing, well-designed
Victorian home, early on the first day of shooting. As they examine the house, they discover
Bree’s dead body on the fireplace hearth.
Shannon calls the police chief, Eric Jensen, who promptly arrives and
cancels any shooting within the home. As
Jensen processed the scene with his own crew, a search is made to find Blake
Bennett. He is discovered drugged in his
trailer where he slept the night before.
Could he have killed Bree in his present state? How many other disgruntled employees could
have done the deed?
Shannon to be on the show while in town.
They arrive at the Bloom house, a rundown but appealing, well-designed
Victorian home, early on the first day of shooting. As they examine the house, they discover
Bree’s dead body on the fireplace hearth.
Shannon calls the police chief, Eric Jensen, who promptly arrives and
cancels any shooting within the home. As
Jensen processed the scene with his own crew, a search is made to find Blake
Bennett. He is discovered drugged in his
trailer where he slept the night before.
Could he have killed Bree in his present state? How many other disgruntled employees could
have done the deed?
The next day Shannon
discovers another dead body on the porch of the mansion. The town’s rich kid, now an annoying adult,
is actually the reason Chloe has stayed away so many years because of an
incident in high school. Later, while
filming some outdoor shots, Chloe falls from an extension ladder rigged to
fail. Who would want Chloe dead?
discovers another dead body on the porch of the mansion. The town’s rich kid, now an annoying adult,
is actually the reason Chloe has stayed away so many years because of an
incident in high school. Later, while
filming some outdoor shots, Chloe falls from an extension ladder rigged to
fail. Who would want Chloe dead?
This was a charming,
very cozy mystery centering on Shannon and Chloe yet involving many other
characters with distinct roles. The plot
advanced smoothly with several twists to follow. The suspense ratchets up when Chloe becomes a
target. There is speculation on which
the villain is, townspeople or TV crew, as everyone discusses events, yet this
is not excessive. The action keeps going
without stalling on any one event or person.
very cozy mystery centering on Shannon and Chloe yet involving many other
characters with distinct roles. The plot
advanced smoothly with several twists to follow. The suspense ratchets up when Chloe becomes a
target. There is speculation on which
the villain is, townspeople or TV crew, as everyone discusses events, yet this
is not excessive. The action keeps going
without stalling on any one event or person.
A very delightful
journey following our charismatic and compelling heroines in the sixth entry of
the fixer-upper mystery series. I hope
to visit with them again soon.
journey following our charismatic and compelling heroines in the sixth entry of
the fixer-upper mystery series. I hope
to visit with them again soon.
Kate Carlisle’s website is http://katecarlisle.com/
A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle. Berkley Prime Crime, 2018. ISBN 9780399586484 (paperback), 304p.
Thanks so much for running this Lesa!