A Wrench in the Works

Fixer-Upper Mystery #6

By Kate Carlisle

ISBN13: 9780399586484

Author website: katecarlisle.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

 

Synopsis:

Contractor Shannon Hammer has to dig through murder suspects in the latest Fixer-Upper Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Eaves of Destruction and Once Upon a Spine.

Don’t miss the Hallmark Movies & Mystery Originals starring Jewel, based on the Fixer-Upper Mystery series!

Shannon Hammer’s younger sister Chloe left Lighthouse Cove after high school to make it big in Hollywood. And she did it! For several years now, Chloe has been the co-host of a popular home repair show on the Do-It-Yourself Network. Now, after ten years, Chloe returns to Lighthouse Cove with her crew and co-host to film several shows featuring her sister Shannon, along with some special mini-segments on Victorian style and design.

But Shannon realizes quickly that things are not exactly blissful in TV land. Her sister’s handsome co-host is being stalked by someone who turns out to be his estranged wife, Erica–who also happens to be the executive producer of the show. Erica’s got a knack for stirring up sticky situations and when she’s found dead, Chloe and the entire crew are under suspicion.

Shannon soon discovers the real reason why Chloe was so eager to move away from Lighthouse Cove all those years ago. Can Shannon figure out if that ten-year-old secret is connected to Erica’s death? And can she track down the real killer before her beloved sister becomes the next victim?

Review:

I really enjoy this series. I am a big fan of home and garden networks and shows and “The Fixer-Upper Mystery” series is just perfect for me and I am sure others that enjoy these shows. Author Kate Carlisle once again brings the mystery and the fun of home repair and refurbishing to life in her latest installment of the series A Wrench in the Works. This one has an added benefit, Shannon Hammer’s famous sister appears. Shannon is just a very cool, composed and intelligent protagonist. Her sister Chloe left Lighthouse Cove as soon as she could and went to Hollywood. While there she has built a huge following for her Do-It-Yourself Network home repair show.  Now she is bringing the show to her hometown. Not only will they be working on local homes, but Shannon and her crew will be participating. Shannon does a great job by the way.

Unfortunately, Chloe does not just bring the excitement and work of her show, but also her obsessed and cruel executive producer Erica and Erica’s husband who happens to be the costar on the series. Erica seems to have a habit of firing her employees. That includes her own husband and Chloe. They seem to act like it is normal, but Shannon just cannot understand how this woman works. Not only is she horrible to work for, but she also puts the recipients up against each other. Shannon is against that as well. Chloe reveals the reason she left town in such a hurry and that puts a damper on things as well. The only good thing to come of the show being filmed in Lighthouse Cove, the sisters get to work together again and are doing a great job.

Of course, when Erica winds up dead, things start to fall apart. When that death is followed up by the murder of the person behind Chloe’s early departure from town, things really do not look good. Shannon will not let her sister become a suspect. Along with her boyfriend, yummy Mac and the local authorities, Shannon and Chloe search for answers. The mystery is well written and full of intrigue. Who could have done this and why?

I really enjoyed A Wrench in the Works. I would love to see more of Chloe and Shannon working together. And since Shannon did such a great job on camera, maybe she will get a show as well. Wouldn’t it be nice if the two of them could work together on camera. Well, just my dreaming. I find the characters of this series very likeable and real. I love visiting Lighthouse Cove and can picture all the homes and work being done thanks to the wonderful writing style of author Kate Carlisle. Another hit for sure. I recommend this one to anyone who is a fan of home repair shows, cozies that fulfill all your cozy needs.  You do not have to read the others in order to enjoy this one, but it does help.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*