Whitney Whitaker is a 21st century woman holding down a full time job managing rental properties, preparing to take her real estate exam and doing part time carpentry work here and there. She recently evicted some renters from a property they trashed and now she has been offered an opportunity by the owner to purchase the property for less than market value. Ever up for a new challenge she and her cousin Buck decide to share in the purchase of the property, with plans rehab it themselves and flip it for a profit.

Bad luck on the project comes in many forms ranging from threats by one of the evicted renters to major damage to the house to a body in the flower beds. With cousin Buck and her trusty feline companion Sawdust (who relates portions of the story from the “kitty’s eye view”) Whitney perseveres through every disaster while trying to steer clear of the law.

This book could provide a perfect read for those who enjoy the Kate Carlisle fixer upper series - - - or those who love cats and miss the lighthearted antics provided by Lillian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who books.

Dead As A Door Knocker
By
Diane Kelly


What it's all about...

Whitney and Sawdust...her cat...live happily in a converted pool house in her parents’ back yard. Whitney wants to be a realtor but right now she is a property manager. When the opportunity presents itself to but and flip a house with her cousin Buck...they jump at it! But problem after problem ensues until the biggest problem...a dead man in the flower beds. Whitney is the suspect!

Why I wanted to read it...

I wanted a light hearted snappy well written fast book and this one hit every note!

What made me truly enjoy this book...

Sawdust had his own chapters and they were delightful. There was just enough meanness with quite a few of the characters to make this book fun as well as interesting.

Why you should read it, too...

Readers who love a lighthearted fast paced cozy mystery should love this book as well as this series! I did!

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.

Dead As A Door Knocker by Diane Kelly was an entertaining beginning to this new series.

I enjoyed meeting Whitney and her family. She is a strong and likable character who never gave up throughout the story. Her cousin, Buck, is adorable with his sense of humor and concern for Whitney. Whitney's friend, Collette, also added some interesting details and warmth to this cozy mystery.

I found the story to be slow to start but it finally picked up about 1/3 of the way into the book and swiftly moved to the reveal with plenty of suspects and twists to keep me guessing. Ms. Kelly has developed the characters well in this book; and I am sure that they will grow more as the series continues. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Pretty conventional cozy mystery. If you read Kelly's Paw Enforcement series, you recognize a similar use where she gives the animal some page time. In the Paw Enforcement books Brigit (the dog) sometimes adds pertinent details whereas Sawdust (the cat) doesn't. So, I could do with out those asides.

The setting, characters, action and story were pleasant, went by fast, but pretty standard for a cozy. So, I wasn't wowed, but I'd consider reading the next entry in the series. I'm thinking Whitney's new roommates could add something to the next story.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 3.5/5

Diane Kelly continues with cozy mysteries only this time the sidekick is a cat instead of a dog (Paw Enforcement). Just as enjoyable, seeing the book through the eyes of a cat is as different as it is interesting. I'm hoping this is just the first in a long series. Even if you aren't a cat lover you should give this mystery a try, very good solid mystery with, hopefully, a romantic interest in the next book. I received an e-book Uncorrected Digital Copy) NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

I love that cover. I was pleasantly surprised by this first book in a new series. I liked the main character, Whitney. She had her share of problems but always persevered. She was a hard worker, loved her family, friends and her little Sawdust and appreciated all they did for her. I love home renovations, flipping, interior decorating and everything else that goes along with making a house beautiful and homey and this book didn't disappoint. At first I groaned at Sawdust having his own chapters, but that was before I read a word of them - they're short and sweet, are totally adorable and added a huge dose of cuteness. I liked the mystery. I was convinced I had it figured out from the very beginning and I'm so happy I was wrong. A page-turner for sure. I can't wait for more!

This is such a great start for a new series. Whitney is offered a home to sell and flip at a great discount that she can not pass. So she and her cousin Buck go in on the house. The man who sells her the house is found dead and the flower bed and Whitney is accused of killing him. Whitney, Buck and her friend Collette decide to find out who did it. It was fun to get the point of view of Whitney's cat Sawdust through out the story. I will be looking forward to more installments of this series.

Dead as a Door Knocker is the debut of the House-Flipper Mystery series set in Nashville and featuring Whitney Whitaker, property manager, realtor trainee and house flipper. The worst part of Whitney's job as a property manager is evictions and she's got her hands full with the three rowdy college students months behind in their rent.

Property owner Rick Dunaway is well known as a cheapskate when it comes to repairs and this time after surveying the damage left behind by the boys he offers to sell the house to Whitney just to get it out of his extensive property portfolio. Whitney who works part time doing carpentry work with her cousins Buck and Owen, desperately wants the house thinking it would be a great flip, so she reaches out to Buck for help securing a mortgage.

With the sale finalized and the renovations underway, Whitney and Buck are soon faced with random acts of vandalism from egging to arson. Convinced that the damage is the work of one disgruntled student, Whitney is shocked when her cat, Sawdust digs up the dead body in the front garden.

Detective Collin Flynn is convinced that Whitney is the killer and she sets out with the help of her cousins and best friend, Colette to unearth the real murderer. Plenty of suspects include the college students, the neighbors on both sides, and the victim's employees and business partner.

A quick, fast paced plot with a spunky heroine and supporting characters. The author pens enough twists and turns that the final reveal feels like a hammer blow to the head. The main story line is broken up with chapters narrated by Sawdust. A refreshing family dynamic and a hint of romance will leave readers looking for the next in the series.

I received an advanced copy of Dead as a Door Knocker from NetGalley via St. Martin's Press. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

A standard cozy mystery. It was okay but it did not really grab me.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

This book blew me away. The way the author moved between the main character and her pet was perfection and added so much to the overall story. The author did a great job really building the family dynamics in this book as well, it was so real. The mystery was well written and just when you think you know whodunit, the author throws you a curve ball. Definitely a book to read again and again.

A good start to a new series with a likable heroine, set in Nashville and she’s a House flipper. You can already discern some of the plot lines that will happen in the second book.

This is an entertaining cozy mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. Whitney is a wonderful character that drew me right in. I loved that she's in a non-traditional female job and how she approaches life on her terms, no matter what obstacles she faces. I'm also looking forward to seeing more of Colin, the police detective.

If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series and seeing how the relationships develop over time. Put this one on your TBR list.