The Knife Before Christmas by Kate Carlisle

 The Knife Before Christmas

Book Summary

Contractor Shannon Hammer hopes for a peaceful Christmas with her fiancé, Mac, until murder throws a wrench in her holiday plans in a brand-new installment of the USA Today bestselling Fixer-Upper Mystery Series.

Christmas has come to Lighthouse Cove, but business hasn’t slowed down for Shannon Hammer. She’s been contracted to renovate a local hotel owned by the Garrisons, a family that’s so devoted to the holidays they serve a seven-course dinner every night from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Last year’s festivities featured a train that transported guests around the breathtaking Cliffside property. This year, Shannon and her crew have been commissioned to build a Victorian-style carnival midway with games and prizes galore.

Everyone in town loves the hotel’s spirit, except the Garrisons’ children and their spouses, who are hum-bugged by the money being wasted on holiday cheer while their inheritance goes up the chimney. Things turn nasty when a mischief-maker close to the family is found dead. It’s up to Shannon and Mac to catch a sinister Scrooge before all of Lighthouse Cove receives coal for Christmas.

My Thoughts

I always enjoy Kate Carlise’s cozy mysteries, and The Knife Before Christmas was no exception.  We get to visit Lighthouse Cove at Christmas where Shannon Hammer and her crew are creating a Victorian carnival midway on the grounds of the Cliffs Hotel. I loved the descriptions of the hotel and the midway (I wish it was in my town). The carousel was a great addition. The story is easy to read with great characters. Shannon and Mac make a great couple. I enjoy the interactions between them.  I like Shannon’s relationship with her crew.  I find it funny that the guys do not like to borrow her pink tools.  

I appreciated that the whodunit did not take place at the beginning of the story.  We get to learn about the carnival and spend time there, enjoy the local Christmas festivities, and catch-up characters.  I had an idea who would die and who would do the deed, but I did not know why.  I enjoyed following Shannon as she asked questions and searched for clues. There is a twist or two along the way as well as with some strategically placed clues for an armchair detective like me.  I like that Shannon and Mac work together to solve mysteries by playing their Scooby Doo game.  I was sorry when my visit to Lighthouse Cove came to an end.  I hope I get to return soon.  The Knife Before Christmas is a festive story with a regal hotel, a clever carnival, a delightful dinner with friends, an adorable carousel, Scooby Doo for two, and a cheery Christmas.  

The Knife Before Christmas is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Fixer-Upper Mysteries here.  Kate Carlisle also writes the delightful A Bibliophile Mysteries. If you follow Kate Carlisle on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow to share my thoughts on A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke. It is the debut of the Supernatural Mysteries.  I wanted to remind you, that you still have a few days to enter the contest for an Amazon gift card (which will allow you to buy a book on your wish list).  Click here to go to the post for more information.  I hope that you have a joyful day!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions book expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

The Twelve Books of Christmas by Kate Carlisle

 The Twelve Books of Christmas

Book Summary

The first ever Christmas mystery in the beloved New York Times bestselling Bibliophile Mystery series!

San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright and her hunky security-expert husband, Derek Stone, face a locked-room murder mystery during the holidays in Scotland.

In the middle of a wonderful Christmas holiday in Dharma, Brooklyn and Derek receive a frantic phone call from their dear friend Claire in Loch Ness, Scotland. The laird of the castle, Cameron MacKinnon, has just proposed to her! They plan to be married on New Year’s Day, and they want Derek and Brooklyn to be their witnesses. And while they’re visiting, Claire hopes that Brooklyn will be able to solve a little mystery that’s occurred in the castle library—twelve very rare, very important books have gone missing.

Once in Scotland, Brooklyn starts working on the mystery of the missing books but is soon distracted by all of the thumping and bumping noises she’s been hearing in the middle of the night. You’d think the Ghost of Christmas Past had taken up residence. But when one of the guests is poisoned and another is killed by an arrow through the heart, Brooklyn and Derek know this is not the work of any ghost. Now they must race to find a killer and a book thief before another murder occurs and their friends’ bright and happy future turns dark and deadly.

My Thoughts

The Twelve Books of Christmas by Kate Carlisle has Brooklyn and Derek traveling to Oddlochen, Scotland for the wedding of two friends.  They also need Brooklyn’s help in locating twelve books that have disappeared from the castle’s library.  I look forward to reading the latest A Bibliophile Mystery each year.  Brooklyn and Derek are great characters.  I like that Derek does not discourage Brooklyn’s sleuthing (he usually is right by her side).  The vivid descriptions brought the castle and its surroundings to life.  I like how there was a Christmas tree in every room including the library.  Like Brooklyn, I could spend weeks holed up in the castle’s library.  The mystery was the weak point of the story (but it did not hinder my reading pleasure).  The clues were a wee bit obvious.  I enjoyed learning about the twelve books and how they related to Christmas.  There was a couple that I had not heard of previously. 

I liked Derek’s unique lockpick set (I want one for myself).  It was interesting learning about Scottish Hogmanay traditions.  I loved the gifts that Brooklyn created for her family and friends for Christmas. They were unique and I like that they were book themed without being books (it is shocking, but there are some people who do not appreciate books as gifts).  The Twelve Books of Christmas is the seventeenth A Bibliophile Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone as the author provides the necessary background information on the main characters.  I liked the ending, but I was sad for the story to end.  The Twelve Books of Christmas is an enchanting tale with an invite to nuptials, a private plane ride, spooky sounds, absent books, a murdered man, mouthwatering meals, and Scottish traditions.   

The Twelve Books of Christmas is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Bibliophile Mysteries here.  Kate Carlisle also writes A Fixer-Upper Mysteries featuring Shannon Hammer.  You can follow Kate Carlisle on Amazon and you will receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour for Killer Christmas Evidence by Sami A. Abrams.  It is the fourth book in the Deputies of Anderson County series.  I am off to the rheumatologist and then I get to do a little fun shopping.  I hope that you have an entertaining day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dressed to Drill by Kate Carlisle

 Dressed to Drill

Book Summary

Contractor Shannon Hammer’s new project, renovating an old church, reveals some old sins when a body is found on the premises in the latest Fixer-Upper Mystery from the New York Times author Kate Carlisle.

While Shannon Hammer is thrilled to attend the premiere of the movie based on her boyfriend Mac’s latest book, she can’t wait to trade her killer heels for work boots and start her next renovation project in Lighthouse Cove: a quaint Victorian church that has seen better days. And will see them again—as a museum—if Shannon, her talented crew, and her sister Chloe have anything to say about it.

But on the first day of demolition, work comes to a screeching halt when they stumble on the body of a beautiful young woman in one of the chapels. Who killed the assistant art director? Suspects crawl out of the woodwork as fast as Shannon can restore it. The church is hiding a century of secrets from the days that smugglers wreaked havoc on the California coast. But it’s a more recent secret that someone killed to protect. Shannon and Mac will use every tool in their toolbox to nail down the truth before any more lives are sacrificed.

My Thoughts

Dressed to Drill by Kate Carlisle takes us back to Lighthouse Cove where Shannon Hammer is remodeling a Gothic Victorian church into an art museum.  It is just the type of project that Shannon enjoys.  The church has beautiful features including a unique cabinet in the sacristy.    I enjoyed the vivid word imagery that allowed me to visualize the church and the town.  Shannon has a good team to help her with the renovations.  She has added a new lighting expert that she met in Hollywood when visiting her sister, Chloe.  It turns out that Buck has family in Lighthouse Cove (what a coincidence).  I know that Shannon has a good team of workers, and she appreciates them.  It is something that is mentioned often throughout the story (a few too many times).  The whodunit was fun.  A dead assistant in the sacristy.  Shannon found clues that she happily pointed out to Eric, the chief of police.  I like that Shannon and Mac bounce ideas off each other and their Scooby Doo game is amusing.  There are clues to help readers solve the crime before the reveal.  I wish the mystery had been more complex.  There was a repetition of details as Shannon shared information with Mac, Eric, and her group of friends (who gathered helpful information).  There were some intriguing points that I enjoyed.  An old church is bound to have secrets.  Shannon is good at finding those enigmas.  

Shannon and Mac are a happy couple.  You can tell that they love each other and know each other very well.  I did not feel, though, that we needed to be told this so frequently.  The ending will please fans of the series.  Dressed to Drill is the tenth A Fixer-Upper Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to A Fixer-Upper Mysteries.  I appreciated the humor dispersed throughout the story.  Dressed to Drill is a fun, lighthearted story with great characters and a beautiful setting (I would love to live in Lighthouse Cove).  Dressed to Drill is an entertaining tale with a movie premiere, a church reconstruction, a slain assistant, an abundance of boxes, a curious cabinet, and a special surprise. 

Dressed to Drill is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Fixer-Upper Mysteries here.  Kate Carlisle has The Twelve Books of Christmas coming out on October 24.  It is the seventeenth A Bibliophile Mystery.  You can find Kate Carlisle's other books here.  The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher came out today along with The Life She Wanted by Anita Abriel, The Ghost Goes to the Dogs by Cleo Coyle, The Secret Book of Flora Lee by Patti Callahan Henry, All the Days of Summer by Nancy Thayer, and The Wedding Planner by Danielle Steel.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am featuring The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It is the second book in the Cape Cod Creamery series.  I hope that you have a sunny day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Paper Caper by Kate Carlisle

 The Paper Caper

Book Summary

San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright is back with an intriguing new mystery in the New York Times bestselling Bibliophile Mystery series.

Joseph Cabot is a very popular wealthy San Franciscan who owns the main newspaper in town, as well as radio stations and TV. Years ago, Brooklyn’s husband Derek and his security team rescued Joseph from an assassination attempt and now the man and his wife are friendly with Derek and Brooklyn. The friendship is helped along by the fact that Joseph is a big book lover and contributes lavishly to the Covington Library. His favorite author is Mark Twain (another newspaperman) and he’s underwritten the first annual Mark Twain Festival at the Covington.

As part of the festival activities, Brooklyn will spend a few hours every day at the Library, giving demonstrations of her work at re-binding an old copy of The Prince and the Pauper. There will be events all week, all around town, celebrating the time Twain spent in the city. But the biggest event is being run by Joseph’s newspaper: a citywide contest based on The Prince and The Pauper—they want to find someone who looks like Joseph! The two men will trade places for a week as part of a huge publicity campaign to raise money for the Covington Library. But the fun turns frantic when a murder occurs right before Brooklyn’s eyes! Now Brooklyn and Derek will have to chase clues all over their beloved city to solve the murder before another death becomes front-page news.

My Thoughts

The Paper Caper by Kate Carlisle has Brooklyn Wainwright and Derek Stone enjoying the first annual Mark Twain Festival sponsored by Joseph Cabot.  The event includes a lookalike contest with the winner looking amazing like Joseph.  Joseph and the winner switch places for the rest of the festival.  When someone close to Joseph ends up dead, Brooklyn and Derek wonder if the murdered killed their intended target.  The Paper Caper is the sixteenth A Bibliophile Mystery.  While it can be read as a standalone, you will be missing out on some background information.  I have read every book in this series for booklovers.  I look forward to a new A Bibliophile Mystery each year. Brooklyn Wainwright is a book restorer and lover of books.  She is one of my favorite fictional characters (if she was real, I could see us being friends).  I did find her to be a little off in this book.  She seemed squeamish which is unexpected for someone who has been involved in over a dozen murders.  She also became scared and paranoid at one of the events.  Brooklyn is normally levelheaded.  Derek Stone is her strong, handsome husband who is protective.  There are times when I feel that Derek treats Brooklyn like a child.  It is infrequent, but I found it irritating.  Brooklyn is a clever, talented woman who has helped Derek solve many cases.  She is observant with good deductive skills.  Brooklyn and Derek are a cute couple (still very much in love).

I enjoyed the first annual Mark Twain Festival which benefited the Covington Library.  There were some fun events.  The Prince and the Pauper is the book featured in The Paper Caper.  Brooklyn restores a copy for the Covington Library.  I love learning about Brooklyn’s trade as a book restorer.  The mystery was straightforward.  It does not begin until almost the halfway point.  By the time the murder occurs, I already knew the solution.  I admit that I enjoyed how the deed was done.  It is certainly unique.   We get to catch up with Brooklyn’s family as well as Ian and his partner.  Detective Lee, of course, is in charge of the case.  There is rumor that she will be getting a new partner.  There is humor sprinkled throughout the story.  There is some mild foul language (just to let you know).  I hope the next A Bibliophile Mystery will have more substance and a trickier whodunit.  I like Kate Carlisle’s casual writing style.  It is like you are visiting old friends when you open A Bibliophile Mystery.  The Paper Caper is a delightful tale with a pulsating prince, a pleasant pauper, an animated marketing maven, a Swedish bombshell, a disagreeable butler, a malicious mother, a debonaire Derek, and a busy Brooklyn. 

The Paper Caper is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other fifteen A Bibliophile Mysteries here.  Kate Carlisle also writes A Fixer-Upper Mysteries. Dressed to Drill is the tenth A Fixer Upper Mystery and it will come out on April 4, 2023.  A few of the other new books out today are:  Death a Sketch by Cheryl Hollon (I will be a stop on the Great Escape Virtual Book Tours on August 6), Murder Spills the Tea by Vicki Delany, Witch and Famous by Angela Sanders, Love Blooms in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard, Mint Chocolate Murder by Meri Allen, Point Last Seen by Christina Dodd, Duty Calls at Goodwill House by Fenella J. Miller, and The Lost and Found Girl by Maisey Yates.   I appreciate you stopping by today to read my review.  Tomorrow I am featuring The Lost and Found Girl by Maisey Yates.  I hope that you have happy day.  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Absence of Mallets by Kate Carlisle

Absence of Mallets

 Book Summary

Shannon could not be happier that her hunky thriller-writing boyfriend, Mac, has moved in, and it is a good thing they are living together because they are both busier than ever. Mac is hosting writing retreats at his now vacant lighthouse mansion, while Shannon and her crew build Homefront, a quaint Victorian village of tiny homes for veterans in need. Mac’s latest guests are proving to be a handful though, and Shannon has heard some grumbling from the luminaries of Lighthouse Cove about her latest passion project. But nothing can throw a wrench in their plans except a malicious murder.

When one of Shannon’s new friends is found brutally bludgeoned with a mallet near the lighthouse on Mac’s property, the couple hammers out a suspect list and searches for a motive. As they drill deeper for clues, more violence strikes and a new victim winds up in a coma. The pressure is on, and Shannon and Mac will have to move fast to find an unhinged killer dead set on demolishing anyone who gets in their way. . . . 

 My Thoughts

Shannon Hammer is back.  Shannon and her crew are busy working on the veteran’s village project.  They are near completion and then they will be moving on to renovate Mac’s lighthouse.  Mac Sullivan has a writing retreat coming into town that day.  The group will be staying for two weeks.  At the end of the first day, it is obvious that this writing group is going to be a handful.  Shannon and Mac are both busy with their various projects.  It is a good thing they live together, or they might never see each other.  Life takes a dark turn when a new acquaintance of Shannon’s is murdered near Mac’s lighthouse.  Shannon and Mac dive into investigative mode to discover who committed this heinous act.  Unfortunately, this is only the beginning.  Shannon and Mac need to work quickly if they are to stop this unhinged killer.  

Absence of Mallets by Kate Carlisle is the 9^th A Fixer-Upper Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series, but I recommend reading all the books in this entertaining cozy mystery series.  I always enjoy visiting Lighthouse Cove to spend time with Shannon Hammer, Mac, and the rest of the great characters in A Fixer-Upper Mystery.  The characters are developed and relatable.  I love Shannon and Mac together.  They are a cute couple.  They really get each other.  Shannon’s sister, Chloe is back in town.  I am glad the sister’s relationship is going well.  The members of the writing retreat are unique.  I can understand why Mac is rethinking having writer’s retreats after this bunch.  The whodunit is well-plotted with several suspects, good clues, and misdirection.  Shannon and Mac actively work the case.  There is plenty of action which had me quickly turning the pages to get to the enjoyable reveal.  I do wish, though, that the mystery had been more complex.  I did not feel it was at the same level as the past A Fixer-Upper Mysteries.  Absence of Mallets is a feel-good story that will leave you smiling.  I liked the epilogue that gives us a hint of what will take place in the next book.  Absence of Mallets takes us back to Lighthouse Cove where there are cute couples, a veteran’s village, a newcomer is nailed, a murderous mallet, a soothing staple gun, a lethal lighthouse, a wonky writer’s retreat, and killer clues.  

Absence of Mallets is available from Amazon*. You can find the other eight A Fixer-Upper Mysteries here. Check out Kate Carlisle's A Bibliophile Mystery series.  The Paper Caper (the sixteenth book in the series) will be released on July 26, 2022.  You can follow Kate Carlisle on Amazon and you will receive emails on her latest novels.  Two of the pictures I included today show homes built for veteran's in two different cities.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am featuring A Promise of Forgiveness by Jo Ann Brown.  I hope that you have a contented day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Little Black Book by Kate Carlisle

Little Black Book

Book Summary

Little Black Book by Kate Carlisle has Brooklyn Wainwright and Derek Stone returning home to San Francisco where they find a package from Scotland addressed to Derek.  The package contains a signed British first edition of Rebecca.  The next day, Claire Quinn arrives asking for Derek to see if he received a package from her missing aunt.  Claire found her aunt’s home ransacked and no sign of her aunt who was expecting her.  Claire did find a copy of the postal receipt for the package.  She was hoping Derek would know where to find her missing relative. Brooklyn notices that Claire is on edge and learns that someone broke into her apartment as well.  They also made a second attempt at entry but were thwarted by a concerned neighbor.  Derek and Brooklyn offer to help Claire with her intriguing mystery.  Before they can begin, the man who broke into Claire’s apartment is found dead in the garage of their building.  When Brooklyn looks through Rebecca, she finds a clue that sends the group to Scotland where danger is afoot.  Derek will have his work cut out for him if he is to keep his new wife safe along with Claire.  Will Brooklyn, Derek, and Claire find the answers they seek in the land of the brave?

My Thoughts

Little Black Book by Kate Carlisle is the 15^th A Bibliophile Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading each book in this delightful series.  I look forward to a new installment each year where I can go on an adventure with Derek and the feisty, intelligent Brooklyn.  Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is the featured book and I like how it ties into the story.  I thought Little Black Book was well-written with developed, engaging characters.  The characters are what keep me coming back.  I love Brooklyn Wainwright and her dashing husband, Derek.  They have good friends and a large, interesting family (especially the Stone brothers).  There is great chemistry between Derek and Brooklyn.  It is obvious how much they love each other.  Even better, though, they respect each other.  The mystery was multi-faceted and intriguing.  I enjoyed following the clues and getting to journey to Scotland.  There is plenty of action as well.  I enjoyed learning about steganography.  I like how Brooklyn’s skills play into the mystery.  If it involves a book, Brooklyn is your gal.  It is great that the author includes information on bookbinding, book restoration, and book art.  Thanks to the vivid word imagery, I could envision the mobile Brooklyn is creating. There is some mild foul language (I would rather Brooklyn use creative phrases related to books) as well as repetition of details related to the mystery.  Little Black Book became more engaging the further I got into it, and I was sad when my visit to this creative world ended.  I look forward to Brooklyn’s next adventure.  Little Black Book is a compelling whodunit with a bewildering black book, cryptic clues, a dangerous dagger, a bulky bad guy, an AWOL aunt, and a hunky hubby. 

Little Black Book publishes Tuesday, June 29 and is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other fourteen A Bibliophile Mysteries here.  Readers can find all of Kate Carlisle's book here.  Kate has Absence of Mallets coming out December 7.  It is the 9th A Fixer-Upper Mystery.  Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for A Glimmer of a Clue by Daryl Wood Gerber.  It is the 2nd A Fairy Garden Mystery.  I hope you have a bonnie day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle

Premeditated Mortar

Book Summary

Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle has Shannon Hammer starting the largest project of her career.  Her best friend, Jane Hennessey has purchased one of buildings at the Gables which she plans to turn into a high-end hotel.  The Gables was an insane asylum until it was abandoned, and it holds a personal connection to Jane.  The seven expansive buildings have beautiful Victorian architecture.  On the day of the groundbreaking ceremony, a group of rowdy protestors show up and wreak havoc.  They end up dousing the project manager, Rachel Powers with a disgusting red substance.  Unfortunately, the troubles are just beginning on this project.  A series of incidents leaves Shannon with minor bumps and bruises but with major suspicions.  There is something fishy going on at the Gables and Shannon intends to get answers.  

My Thoughts

Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle is a compelling cozy mystery.  Shannon Hammer, Mac Sullivan, Jane Hennessey, and the gang are back.  Jane has purchased the seventh building at the Gables which was once the Northern California Asylum for the Insane. The buildings have been abandoned for years but there is no denying the potential.  Shannon cannot wait to start the project with her crew.  It will take a year to turn the Victorian building into the Hennessey Hotel.  Some people, though, are not excited about the project and set out to derail it.  I thought Premeditated Mortar was well-written with developed characters and steady pacing.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and the Gables.  The author’s vivid word imagery brought the scenes alive for me.  The mystery was multifaceted and creative.  There are several viable suspects, misdirection, and subtle clues.  I had a good time following this whodunit and figuring out the identity of the guilty party.  I like how the romance is progressing between Mac and Shannon.  We also get to catch up with Chloe and Eric as well as Jane and Niall.  Romance is blooming in Lighthouse Cove and the ending has me eager for the next A Fixer-Upper Mystery.  Premeditated Mortar can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or if you have missed a book or two.  Premeditated Mortar is a diverting cozy mystery with malicious mischief, creepy corridors, awesome architecture, flourishing romances, and a perplexing puzzle.  

Premeditated Mortar is available from Amazon* along with the other seven novels in A Fixer-Upper Mystery series.  Kate Carlisle also writes A Bibliophile Mystery series.  Little Black Book will be published on June 1, 2021.  I enjoyed picking out the photos for the blog today.  A creepy Victorian insane asylum exterior and interior hallway of an abandoned one.  Thank you so much for reading my review.  On December 6, I will be a stop on the Great Escape Virtual Book Tour for A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert.  It is the 5th book in A Blue Ridge Library Mystery series.  I hope you will join me.  May you have a satisfying day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle

Happy Book Release Day!  There are a variety of new books out today that include:  Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner, Rainy Days for the Harper Girls by Rosie Clarke, Deadly Sweet Tooth by Kaye George, Amish Generations by Kathleen Fuller, The Clutter Corpse by Simon Brett, A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden, The Way of Love by Tracie Peterson, The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle, What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles, and Breaking Bat by Erin Johnson.  There is something for everyone on this list that includes Christian fiction, historical fiction, paranormal mystery, Amish fiction, and cozy mysteries.  Which one do you want to read first?

From Little Women--the musical

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle has Brooklyn Wainwright along with her husband, Derek Stone in Dharma, California for the town’s first annual Book Festival.  Brooklyn’s mother, Becky is co-chair of the festival committee with Lawson Schmidt.  One man, Jacob Banyan is unhappy with Becky not including him in the festival and has taken to threatening her.  Becky is no pushover and can hold her own against the bully.  Late one night, Brooklyn receives a call from her mother.  Becky and Derek’s mother, Meg are at the town hall where they found Lawson murdered.  They soon discover that the festival money has disappeared as well.  Jacob attempts to worm his way into the festival again, but he finds himself thwarted by Becky with help from Brooklyn.  Another late-night call finds Becky in the hospital after someone tried to run her down in town.  The whole family rallies to protect Becky while Brooklyn and Derek work at tracking down the nefarious killer

Little Women (1868)

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle is the 14^th A Bibliophile Mystery.  I have read each book in this entertaining series, but The Grim Reader can be read as a standalone (but, really, why would you want to).  I have enjoyed following Brooklyn from the very beginning.  Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookbinder who specializes in rare books.  She lives in San Francisco with her dashing husband, Derek Stone and their adorable cat, Charlie.  Derek and Brooklyn are in Dharma, Brooklyn’s hometown, for the first annual Dharma Book Festival.  This festival is featuring Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and will include a one-night performance of Little Women—the musical (it was performed on Broadway).  Brooklyn’s mother, Becky Wainwright is co-chair of the festival committee and she has been having a difficult time with Jacob Banyan.  Jacob has been acquiring wineries in the area by dubious means and turning their fine vintage into a box wine which has the other winery owners up in arms.  Jacob threatens Becky more than once in an attempt to get his way.  I like that all the women in the Wainwright family are strong and creative.  Brooklyn is a spitfire just like her mother.   The Grim Reader contains Kate Carlisle’s signature writing style which is engaging.  The story is narrated by Brooklyn.  I was quickly drawn into the book which moved along at a quick page.  The mystery was intriguing with a murder or two, an attempt on Becky’s life, and missing money.  While I narrowed in on my choice of killer early on, my interest did not wane.  I kept turning the pages quickly so I could see how the whodunit would play out.  The reveal scene was a delightful and creative.  It was quite a performance. The dialogue is witty and provided me with many laughs.  Brooklyn does a little book restoration in this story, but not as much as in other books.  I missed Brooklyn doing a creative, unique paper project.  Of course, Brooklyn is busy visiting family, preparing for the festival, keeping her mother safe, playing with Charlie, and repairing a first edition copy of Little Women.  There are some delectable culinary delights in this book that will have your mouth watering.  Thankfully, there are recipes at the end of the book.  There are some great tidbits regarding Little Women in the book.  The Grim Reader is a story that takes me on a journey into Brooklyn’s world that I was sad to see end.  I cannot wait for the next A Bibliophile Mystery to come out next year.  My favorite line comes from Brooklyn when she said, “Couldn’t we stumble across a poisoning once in a while.”  Poor Brooklyn has an aversion to blood.  One of Brooklyn’s other lines that had me laughing is, “So suck it up buttercup.”  The Grim Reader is a compelling cozy mystery with a big bully, committee chaos, beaucoup blood, missing money, a bounty of books, and a fun festival. 

My copy of Little Women

The Grim Reader is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other titles in A Bibliophile Mystery series here.  Kate Carlisle also writes A Fixer-Upper Mystery series starring Shannon Hammer (on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel).  Premeditated Mortar releases on December 1.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will be back tomorrow with The Promise by Patricia Davids.  It is the 3rd novel in The Amish of Cedar Grove series.  I hope that you have a creative day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Shot through the Hearth by Kate Carlisle

Happy Book Release Day!  Can't Judge a Book by Its Murder by Amy Lillard, Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey, Nogged Off by Barbara Ross, Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes, Silent Knit Deadly Knit by Peggy Ehrhart, Three Widows and a Corpse by Debra Sennefelder, Coached to Death by Victoria Laurie, Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece by Rose Pressey, A Very Mummy Holiday by Lynn Cahoon, Shot Through The Hearth by Kate Carlisle, and Christmas Sweets by Joanne Fluke, Leslie Meier, and Laura Levine are some of the new novels out today.  

Shot Through the Hearth by Kate Carlisle has Shannon Hammer and her crew working on renovating Rafe Nash’s new Victorian farmhouse.  Rafe is a tech billionaire who has “retired” and relocated to Lighthouse Cove.  Rafe is unable to remain idle for long and creates the Marigold Foundation to fund eco-friendly projects.  He will be holding the first ever Future Global Survival Con in eight months on his new five hundred acre property.  Rafe has an extensive list of work for Hammer Construction that he needs done before the conference begins.  Eight months later the conference opens with a cocktail party at Rafe’s newly completed home.  Dillon Charles, Rafe’s old business partner, is the complete opposite of the congenial Rafe (in other words, a real slime ball) and he manages to offend several people.  The next morning, the barn raising has just begun when Shannon hears a woman screaming.  She runs over to find Dillon Charles dead.  Rafe rises to the top of the suspect list which has his fiancé, Marigold distraught and, as Shannon’s friend is aware of her sleuthing reputation, Marigold asks Shannon to investigate.  Shannon has her work cut out for her considering the number of people that Dillon had managed to antagonize.  She needs to unearth the killer before the conference ends and all the suspects depart for home.   

Barn Raising

Shot Through the Hearth by Kate Carlisle is the seventh A Fixer-Upper Mystery. It can be read by those familiar with the series as well as newcomers.  I found Shot Through the Hearth to be a delightful cozy mystery.  Shannon Hammer is excited by the challenge of Rafe’s project.  He not only wants his Victorian farmhouse renovated, Rafe wishes a unique tower (the Ecosphere) to be constructed and for them to hold a barn raising.  It will be Shannon and her crews first barn.  Rafe also wants them to use green materials as well as unique eco-friendly gadgets.  The one downside is they only have eight months to complete Rafe’s list since he plans on holding the first Future Global Survival Con.  The conference begins and we are introduced to a quirky cast of characters.  There is Marcus Reedy with his special vine, Stephanie to Midge Andresen with her sandcastle worms.  Sketch Horn, an author, is also in attendance and Mac is not thrilled (wait until you meet him).  When Rafe’s old business partner, Dillon Charles is murdered, there are a host of suspects who could have killed the unpleasant man.  There are good clues and some unexpected revelations.  As the conference continues, there are a series of unfortunate events including another death.  Shannon with help from her boyfriend, Mac work to uncover the culprit.  I love the banter between Mac and Shannon.  They are a couple who are truly meant for each other.  I appreciate that Shannon and Mac share information with Eric Jensen, the chief of police.  The female readers will relish the character Niall Rose with his Scottish brogue and the descriptions of him wearing his kilt.   I laughed often while reading Shot Through the Hearth.  It is a humorous story that I was sorry to see end.  I especially enjoyed Shannon’s reaction to the smart mice (it was hilarious).  Shot Through the Hearth is told in the first person which I normally dislike, but it works for this series.  We get to see things from Shannon’s perspective which can be highly entertaining at times (like with the smart mice).  There is one scene at the end that had me in stitches.  I cannot wait to read the next installment in A Fixer-Upper Mystery series.   Shot Through the Hearth is a captivating cozy mystery with a barn building, flirtatious fauna, puzzling patents, malicious mushrooms, wacky worms and a dazzling detective duo.

Inflatable music venue (used something
similar for conference center in book)

Shot Through the Hearth is available through Amazon* (Amazon UK).  You can find a list of the other novels in A Fixer-Upper Mystery here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I am curious as to how many of you listen to audiobooks?  I listen to audiobooks while I am driving because it helps me to concentrate (otherwise my mind tends to wander which is bad while driving).  I like checking out Audible to find a new book each month.  They even have audible escape (romances only).  How about you?  I am featuring A Very Mummy Holiday by Lynn Cahoon tomorrow.  It is A Tourist Trap Novella.  May you have a blissful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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