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BOOK INFO
Title: A Wrench in the Works
Author: Kate Carlisle
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: November 16, 2018
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Fixer-Upper Mystery #6
My Rating: 4/5
BOOK BLURB
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?
MY REVIEW
In A Wrench in the Works, Shannon Hammer’s sister Chloe is back in town, and they’re getting to work together. The sisters both work in home improvement. Shannon’s specialty is Victorian houses and Chloe works on a home makeover show. Chloe’s show is scheduled to renovate a house in her hometown of Lighthouse Cove, and Shannon is excited to help her sister work on a local Victorian house. Shannon is proud of her sister for doing so well with her show, but soon realizes not all is great in the entertainment business. For one thing, the executive producer is a bit of a nightmare to work with. When the executive producer of the show is found dead, the crew, including Chloe, are all under suspicion. While in town, Chloe also reveals part of the reason she left town right after high school, and why she rarely visits
A wonderful light read. The characters are entertaining, though sometimes a little immature. Shannon and Chloe are both likable. It is refreshing to read a story where the sisters get along and there is not a lot of family drama. The mystery is well plotted. Good for fans of cozies. I have some of Kate Carlisle’s books on my TBR, and I plan to read some of the earlier books in this series.
A Wrench in the Works is the sixth book in the Fixer-Upper mystery series by Kate Carlisle. I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but this one was easily read as a standalone. I don’t think Chloe was in the previous books, so she was introduced in this one.
A fun cozy mystery that combines home improvement and a television show. Delightful and charming.
I received a digital copy of this book from Penguin’s First to Read in exchange for an honest review.
Books in the Fixer-Upper Mystery Series:
- A High-End Finish
- This Old Homicide
- Crowned and Moldering
- Deck the Hallways
- Eaves of Destruction
- A Wrench in the Works
- Shot Through the Hearth
- Premeditated Mortar
- Absence of Mallets
- Dressed to Drill
I used to watch HGTv all the time. Now I watch no TV. Well, I can see this as being a thoughtful read. Thanks for the review.
I read that this book series is also a TV show on the Hallmark channel. I’ve never seen it, but I don’t watch much TV either. This book was a good cozy read though.