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.

A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle: A Fixer-Upper Mystery

Happy Book Release Day!  A few of the new books out today are A Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry, The Skeleton Makes a Friend by Leigh Perry, Santa Puppy by Lynn Cahoon, A Season of Grace by Lauraine Snelling, The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans, A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle and Girls on the Line by Aimee K. Runyan.

A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle takes us back to Lighthouse Cove.  Shannon Hammer is looking forward to her sister, Chloe coming to town.  Chloe is the co-star of Makeover Madness, a rehab and design show on the Home Builders Network.  Chloe has not been home for five years and the family is looking forward to catching up with her.  Chloe along with the crew from Makeover Madness are coming to town to do a feature on the Victorian homes in Lighthouse Cove.  Shannon has helped locate properties to showcase, and she will be on the show as well helping rehab a Victorian home in need.  Shannon quickly learns that television life is not glamorous and Chloe’s executive producer, Bree Bennett is a terror.  The day before filming begins, Shannon overhears an argument between Bree and Chloe and notices an eavesdropper in the form of the slimy Richard Stoddard.  The next morning, Chloe and Shannon arrive early at the Bloom house for the first day of filming.  They are exploring the first floor to see what work needs to be accomplished when they find Bree leaning against the tiles on the fireplace.  Chief Eric Jensen quickly arrives to take charge of the scene.  With everyone on the crew a suspect, Shannon and Chloe begin chiseling away at the suspects in the hopes of exposing a killer. 

A Wrench in the Works is a lively cozy mystery with engaging characters, beautiful Victorian homes, a charming town, and a murder mystery.   I thought the book was well-written and it gallops along at a snappy pace.  Kate Carlisle has a writing style that allowed me to be drawn into the story.  The dialogue is realistic, and the book has a good flow (I just kept reading until I finished).  Shannon is a strong female character in an unusual occupation for a woman.  I like her relationship with Mac (though he does seem a little too perfect).  Shannon has a loving family and good friends.  It was lovely to find out more about Chloe.  She has a secret that has been bothering her for ten years which has kept her from coming home.  There are sparks between Chloe and a certain police chief.  I am curious to see what happens next with them.  The mystery was intriguing with several suspects and misdirection.  Cozy mystery sleuths, though, will have no problem identifying the killer.  There are descriptions of beautiful Victorian homes in the book with their unique architectural details (I want to live in one).  I can see why Shannon loves her job restoring these beauties.  If you have not read the previous books in A Fixer-Upper Mystery series (or watched the movies), you will not be lost.  I am giving A Wrench in the Works 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  A Wrench in the Works is a peppy and warm cozy mystery.  I look forward to returning to Lighthouse Cove in the next A Fixer-Upper Mystery.

I appreciate you joining me today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on A Vintage Death by Mary Ellen Hughes.  I hope you will stop by to read my review and enter the giveaway.  I hope you have a grand day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader