A Wrench in the Works

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, show more 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. show less

There's a lot to like in this new book in a long running, well written series. Excitement is running high in Lighthouse Cove. The other Hammer daughter, Chloe, is returning to town to shoot her home repair show on the site of a winning Victorian home. Shannon understands part of the reasons why her sister hasn’t been back for so long, but many other truths come out as the pair bond over the body of an unlikable character. Lighthouse Cove is so real to me in my mind’s eye, I really enjoyed this story and the interplay between the sisters, even though it has been so long since they have hung out together. Having the two work together, both on the show (with interesting bits about both home repair and reality tv) and the mystery made show more for a very pleasurable read. I hope Chloe remains as a recurring or even permanent character in this series that is populated with a lot of fine secondary people. show less

As one of Kate’s Raters, I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a family reunion in this sixth installment of Carlisle’s Fixer-Upper cozy mystery series. Chloe Hammer, Shannon’s younger sister is back in Lighthouse Cove after leaving ten years ago under a shroud of secrecy. Now the star of a hit TV show, Makeover Madness, and a bestselling author, she is visiting with the cast and crew to film some episodes for her show.

Executive producer Bree is a thorn in everyone’s side. Beautiful, aggressive, difficult, and temperamental, she makes her presence known. She is well aware that on-air drama ratchets up ratings. A common tactic of hers is to mislead guests and broadcast their show more emotional reactions live. No surprise then that she pays a heavy price for rubbing people the wrong way...with her life.

Shannon is beyond thrilled to have her baby sister back. She is so proud and in awe of her. Although at times, over-protective, she knows that Chloe is more than capable of taking care of herself and knows her way around a toolbox. Both sisters grew up joining their father on construction sites. She can’t wait to give Chloe a glimpse into her life and introduce her around. Chloe, in turn, immerses Shannon into her world.

As always, this was an enjoyable fast read with its engrossing plot, humor, romance, and fun characters. Given that the theme of this series is fixer-upper, there are vivid descriptions, jargon, and techniques to that effect. Even though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Carlisle does a good job of seamlessly providing brief intros to the characters, their histories, and references to past events. I look forward to re-visiting Shannon again. show less

In this sixth installment in Carlisle's Fixer-Upper cozy series, readers get to learn more about Shannon Hammer's younger sister, Chloe, and the reason why Chloe left Lighthouse Cove right after high school helps to fuel the mystery.

As always, I enjoyed the scenes which show Shannon working on an old house and explaining what she's doing, and Carlisle uses her newfound knowledge of how television programs are filmed to make readers feel as though they have a backstage pass allowing them to see and hear everything on set. Although I found the identity of the killer to be rather easily deduced, I enjoyed A Wrench in the Works and look forward to my next visit to Lighthouse Cove.

Shannon's sister Chloe is returning to Lighthouse Cove with her TV crew to help renovate a few old Victorian homes. Bree Bennet, the Executive producer, is no nonsense but her husband is extremely easy going. No one seems to understand the attraction between the two but when Bree is found murdered at the construction site, it isn't the husband who is the prime suspect, Chloe has that role.

There were several other possibilities for the murderer and Shannon has to not only step in for her sister on set, but also work to find the killer.

Love this series and hope that Chloe makes appearances frequently!

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.com.

Sisters Shannon and Chloe Hammer are glad to be back together after Chloe left their hometown of Lighthouse Cove for Hollywood. Both of their lives are quite on track. They are both involved in home improvement and Chloe has a job on a home makeover show. Shannon is delighted that Chloe’s show is going to be doing a renovation of a house in Lighthouse Cove. The sisters are very much looking forward to working together.

Plans go horribly awry for more than one reason. Before things even get off the ground, Chloe has something very important that she is reluctant to share with Shannon. Shannon and Chloe are excited to begin the project. The crew visits the house where show more the renovation is to take place. To their surprise and horror, Chloe discovers a dead body. The entire crew is under suspicion, including Chloe.

Shannon makes it her aim to clear her sister’s name. After all, it has been a very busy year for Shannon as this is not the first dead body she’s come across. While identifying the murder is of top priority, Shannon realizes that Chloe is more than just a suspect, she may actually be in danger.

This was a quick read and it was rather fun watching Shannon work hard at being an amateur detective. Although a horrible argument between Chloe and the murdered person was heard by herself and several others, Shannon is positive about her sister’s innocence.

A Wrench in the Works is a delightful cozy mystery and the characters are fairly well rounded. Of course, Shannon is primary, as this story was delivered from her first-person perspective. There are a few twists and turns along the way. There were a couple of scenarios that didn’t appeal to me, but I still found this to be a quick and enjoyable read.

When I requested this book, I was not aware that it is the sixth book in the Fixer Upper Mystery series. Despite not having read the previous stories, A Wrench in the Works did quite well as a standalone. I would love to not only read the previous titles in the series, but to check out Kate Carlisle’s backlist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think that she is an excellent author.

Many thanks to Berkley Books and First to Read for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion show less

A Wrench In The Works is the sixth book in the A Fixer-Upper Mystery series.

Shannon Hammer is very excited as her sister, Chole, co-star of the reality TV show, Makeover Madness is coming home and will be filming the restoration one of the many Victorian homes in Lighthouse Cove. Shannon was asked to find two homes from which the producer of the show, Bree. On the first day of filming Shannon and Chole arrive early to do a walk-thru, but what they don’t expect to find is the dead body of Bree lying by a fireplace hearth. The police arrive and begin their investigation when they go to look for Bree’s husband Blake, co-star of the show, to let him know of his wife passing and find him apparently having been drugged. As police chief, show more Eric Jensen, is returning to the house he has to break up a fight between Rolly Watkins, owner of the house that isn’t being made over and Richie Rich, who sold the Watkins’ the home and allegedly promised the house would be selected for restoration. The next day when Shannon arrives for work she finds the body of Richie Rich, dead on the front porch.

Shannon had learned when Chole when she first arrived in town that Bree was not particularly well-liked. Bree’s method of management is my way or the highway. In fact, she had fired Chole as they were about to leave for Lighthouse Cove. In fact, she had also fired Blake a number of times. What with Chole having had a loud argument with Bree that was heard by several people, she becomes a person of interest.

But then an extension ladder Chole is climbing on mysteriously collapses and she gets ill after having her make-up applied by her make-up person, Shannon knows she has to really apply herself to find the killer, to not only keep Chole from being charged but to also save her life. So with help of her boyfriend, Max Sullivan commit themselves to find the killer

It’s always nice to stop in Lighthouse Cover for a visit with Shannon, Robbie the Westie, and its nice residents. I have learned to count on a well-written and plotted story with an enjoyable and interesting cast of characters from Kate Carlisle and A Wrench In The Works is no exception.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this exciting series. show less