Eaves of Destruction by Kate Carlisle is the fifth book in A Fixer-Upper Mystery series. Shannon Hammer is busy running Hammer Construction in Lighthouse Cove, California. Many homeowners are hiring Hammer Construction to fix up their residences before the Lighthouse Cove Victorian Home and Garden Tour. Everyone wants to win Best in Show which comes with a large cash prize and this year they have a famous mystery author as the judge. Petsy Jorgensen is Shannon’s most difficult client and matters are not helped by the interference of Joe Scully, the building inspector (nepotism got him the job). Joe seems to have it out for Shannon, and he keeps popping up at her various job sites causing problems. Shannon arrives at the Jorgensen residence one morning and hears screaming coming from Joan Derry’s yard (across the street). Shannon takes off running and finds Joe Scully dead in the Derry orangery with a chisel sticking out of his stomach. Who disliked Joe enough to kill him? Shannon, with her natural curiosity, starts digging into Joe’s movements before his death. Soon, though, another death rocks the town. Shannon with help from mystery writer (and boyfriend), Mackintyre Sullivan set out to track down the killer before they strike again.

Eaves of Destruction is well-written, has engaging characters, and a good pace. I am a fan of Shannon Hammer. She is a strong, intelligent female character in a male dominated industry. Shannon has a warm heart, a sense of humor, and loving friends and family. I also like the secondary characters such as Jane Hennessey (Shannon’s best friend) and Mackintyre Sullivan (Shannon’s love interest). The new carpenter, Amanda Walsh was a great addition to the story. I find that each book in A Fixer-Upper Mystery series is better than the prior one. The mystery was complex in design with a couple of promising suspects. I appreciated the author’s use of misdirection and the reason why the murders occurred. I loved the descriptions of the beautiful Victorian homes (I love Queen Anne Victorian homes) in Lighthouse Cove. The dialogue is engaging and realistic. There is just the right amount of humor in the story along with romance (it blends in with the story beautifully). Eaves of Destruction can be read alone, but I do recommend the other books in the series (you can also watch the movies).

Eaves of Destruction: A Fixer-Upper Mystery
By Kate Carlisle
Berkley
November 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

In the six years since Shannon Hammer took over California’s Hammer Construction from her father, she has not regretted it for a second. She and her sister grew up on construction sites, and there’s nothing Shannon loves more than the challenge of restoring homes to their former glory. If not for the friendship between her father and Matthew Jorgensen though, Petsy Jorgensen may have been irritating enough to make Shannon hang up her toolkit. Petsy is determined that her home win the Lighthouse Cove Victorian Home and Garden Tour, and she’s not polite about seeing that it gets done.

Being featured on the cover of Northern Home magazine - not to mention the $10,000 prize - are prizes worth killing over, but it’s the corrupt building inspector Joe Scully whose body Shannon finds in the neighboring orangery. This is the ninth body Shannon has encountered, and it’s not exactly an achievement that makes her proud. When yet another corpse makes its appearance, Shannon’s knowledge of wiring and construction safety alert her to the fact that her experience with murder investigating will continue to expand. It’s fortunate that she has the assistance of her neighbor-turned-boyfriend MacKintyre Sullivan, as the bestselling mystery writer’s inherent nosiness and expertise with detective novel clichés have them adeptly pursuing suspects, discovering unexpected motives, and trusting their guts when needed.

This entertaining series by the prolific author continues to surprise by somehow both following and defying fictional mystery expectations. New characters are introduced and developed so fully that they soon become as familiar as Shannon’s family and her construction crew. While many of the new cast are engaging and delightful, even the villains have their layers. The family dynamics of her clients are fascinatingly drawn, especially as Shannon attempts to understand and unravel their histories. A thrilling conclusion more than delivers its share of surprises and emotional turmoil, tying together threads with a genuinely satisfying resolution. Now part of the Hallmark Movies & Mystery Originals on television, those new fans will be more than pleased with well-written and witty delightful series.

Shannon has been asked to do work on a home that will be entered into the local Victorian Home and Garden Tour, the only problem is the home owner is rude and obnoxious. With all the work that needs to be done on other houses for the tour Shannon hires a young woman who enjoys working with wood and puts her to work immediately. When the local building inspector turns up dead everyone can understand why, not only is he corrupt but he was always showing up at unexpected times and making trouble. Shannon realizes she must find out who the killer is before someone else ends up dead, the only problem is that there are more suspects than answers. Having friends to help figure out just who the murderer is doesn't hurt though. Shannon feels guilty about leaving her new hire to deal with such an obnoxious client but the mystery needs to be solved and quick. Tag along with Shannon and try figure out whodunit, could it have been an ex-girl friend, an angry contractor, or a crime of passion? I find this series is a fun cozy read, filled with wonderful writing, great characters, and a plot that will keep you guessing. I'm excited to see what happens with Shannon next and what lovely old home she will be working on.

The Victorian Home And Garden Show is a month away from and all the owners of the homes want a revocation on their home. Shannon Hammer is busy enough to hire another skilled carpenter to work on a repairing damaged eaves. The owner's wife caused a lot of trouble. Before long the body count started to climb. Shannon begins to explore the deaths and she will encounter jealousy, greed, blackmail, exchange babies, and evil before the answer becomes apparent. Shannon must work fast before her new hire loses her life. I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Berkeley Publishing through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed Eaves of Destruction by Kate Carlisle. It was a fun read and I couldn't wait to see who did it!!! This was the first I have read of this series; however, it was not to follow as it gave enough of an introduction to the minor characters. I definitely recommend reading this and other Kate Carlisle series.

Eaves of Destruction by Kate Carlisle is an excellent book. It's well written and keeps ones attention. Everytime i thought the mystery was about to be exposed it would get more complex and kept me guessing. There were twists I just didn't see coming. I highly suggest this book.

I've been hooked on this series from the first book...each one since has just gotten better and better. I especially enjoy Shannon and her tenacity, in both her work and getting to the bottom of the current mystery she becomes immersed in...she definitely is a mystery magnet.

The author has crafted characters who are so very real, their personalities tailored specifically to the part they play in each story, making them believable and multidimensional. Reoccurring characters are a joy to see as they bring continuity to the series. I'm already looking forward to Shannon's involvement in the next mystery that befalls on her.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Another fun book that follows construction company/Victorian house restorer Shannon. The romance is still moving slowly with author and former SEAL Mac, but that doesn't stop a new mystery from dropping in to their lives. A good mix of suspense, action, and humor.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher of this book for the ARC copy. In exchange, I am giving an honest review of this book.
Kate Carlisle's books are great mysteries for a easy afternoon. Shannon Hammer is back again with another mystery in her lap. Shannon get swept up in a mystery of the local town building inspector's murder. After the deceased is found on one of her job sites, Shannon finds that the inspector was not only corrupt, but had created a great amount of enemies. This series is all about the character's. Kate Carlisle has a way of making you fall in love with her characters. The 7th book in the series and they are still going strong. I through ally recommend this book, but also checking out all the others in this great series.

Shannon and her crew find themselves with more business then even they can handle. The home and garden tour contest is underway and everyone with a historical home wants additions added and renovations done. Shannon and the crew have their plates full and find themselves dealing with the worst building inspector alive that is until he's found dead. Irish with the help of Mac and her friends have too sort out not only this murder but also some series questions about a baby swap from 20 plus years ago. As always, this mystery will grab hold of you and not let you go until last page. The relationships are real and the author has someone that everyone can relate.

I love her stories - the characters are very true to life,.

The FixerUpper series is one of my favorite cozy mysteries. Shannon is a multi faceted, strong female character who owns her construction company, and has a knack for finding dead bodies. In fact, this is her ninth. She and boyfriend, mystery writer, Mac Sullivan delight in solving these murders, along with the wonderful characters who are in every book.

Title: Eaves of Destruction
Series: A Fixer-Upper Mystery - Book 5
Author: Kate Carlisle
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Berkley

The annual Victorian Home and Garden Tour, in Lighthouse Cove, California is right around the corner. Contractor, Shannon Hammer is unusually busy trying to get several homes ready for the show. Unfortunately, murder seems to be the theme this year.

Rival homeowners and neighbors are contending for Shannon’s attention. Some of them will do anything to win Best in Show. One client, in particular, is incredibly demanding, and not a nice person to work for. The workload on Shannon and her crew is almost crushing. Just when she thinks they won’t get through all the projects a new woodworker comes along to save the day. Shannon is positive they can deal with the extra work that the tour presents. That is until murder shows up before they can complete the job.

--

Scully, the small town’s building inspector, is found dead on one of Shannon’s job sites. He wasn’t liked by anyone and was unethical to boot, but she is concerned that blame will be placed on her or one of her crew. Her worries are allayed when a group of other suspects surfaces. But she doesn’t like that one of her clients or employees could have something to do with the man's death. A few days later another body is discovered, and Shannon swings into full investigation mode along with thriller writer Mac.

This is the fifth book in the “A Fixer-Upper Mystery” series. Ms. Carlisle has constructed a carefully thought out story that has as many twists and turns as it does suspects. The characters are very likable and memorable without being cliché. Shannon is hard working and easy to like, her friends are devoted and are people she can count on. Mac has all the magnetism you would expect from a famous author, as well as a mind for murder. He is handsome and intelligent yet not pompous.

The plot in Eaves of Destruction plays on the appreciation of architecture, and old Victorian Houses in particular that many people admire. Plus the lengths some people will go to in order to win a competition, even one that involves friends, neighbors and possibly murder. The exchanges between Shannon’s crew, family, and friends combine to make the story plausible and engaging. The book is fast paced making the reader impatient to turn the page. The ending surprises and thrills as well as gratifies the reader's sense of justice.

This book is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys learning about woodwork, construction, and rivalry between neighbors, and embraces a female lead who is capable and determined. Eaves of Destruction is a pleasurable read that will leave the reader waiting in anticipation for the next book.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley