Absence of Mallets

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 9th 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.

This book is #9 in a series of a woman contractor, with a pink tool belt, a cute boyfriend, and a taste for good wine. What's not to love? I dive into each of these books when I am ready for some great story telling. So delicious. Yes, there is always a murder. It's the nature of the genre. The author, Kate Carlisle, always keeps me guessing to the end as to "whodunnit". This particular book features building tiny houses for veterans. The main character, said female contractor, Shannon Hammer, also teaches a construction class to newbies. The information is so clearly explained, I think I could strap on a pink tool belt and build me a tiny house. What a thoroughly delicious read. Enjoy!

Love this book and the whole series. Another great fixer up mystery by Kate Carlisle. Shannon and Mac are up to their elbows with crazy writers and building a whole village of tiny homes for veteransvthen add in a murder and you got a great mystery. As usual, Shannon and Mac with the help of Shannon sister Chloe and police chief Eric work hard to solve the murder and save the village project . Read and enjoy. my Galaxy Tab® E