Princess Fuzzypants here: Shannon has a major job fixing up a dilapidated Victorian building that was once an insane asylum. When it first opened, the doctor in charge had revolutionary and compassionate ideas but as the facility fell into disrepair before being closed, the lofty ideals of the original doctor had eroded. In fact, the doctor in charge at the end gave Nurse Ratched a run for the money.

She shows up at the ground breaking festivities along with protestors who want to “burn it down”. Someone would like to destroy the plans to revitalize and repurpose the buildings and grounds. This person or persons is willing to create mayhem, cause injury and even kill to control the narrative. Shannon and her delicious writer boyfriend, Mac, want to figure out who is behind it and why. As they look deeper, they discover that some of their original suspects are in fact victims. With Mac’s mystery bent and Shannon’s smarts, they are able to piece together the backstory to find the killer. I love the way they play a game of Scooby-Doo. It is a fun concept.

There were lots of twists so that even the things that seemed clear were not quite as they seemed on the surface. It made for an exciting and enjoyable read.. Five purrs and two paws up.

I binged the previous 3 books in this series just so I would be ready for this book. It was worth it! The previous ones were really good and made the reading of this one that much more enjoyable.

Shannon and her BFF Jane are preparing to break ground on the massive renovation of the Gables. The Gables had previously been an insane asylum, one where Jane's mother had actually been hospitalized on and off. The town had authorized the conversion of the hospital into a complex of shops provided that the historical facades were maintained. Jane wanted to turn a sad place into a place where people would find pleasure so she signed up convert Building 7 into a luxury hotel and spa.

On ground breaking day, a group of protestors disrupt the ceremonies shouting to burn down the facility. The protestors bring to the forefront the history of the Gables and that is major for the plot. The renovations that are described would make me want to stay at the Hennessey Hotel when they are done.

The regular cast of characters continue to expand their personalities and connections to each other as well as bring them very vividly to life.

What a great way to finish my reading for 2020 - s horrible year with a great book.

This book was fantastic! I enjoyed every single second of it. It was fast paced and intriguing. This is the first book by Kate Carlisle that I have read and I thought it was just down right amazing.

What made me pick this book to begin with was the concept of a female construction contractor. I love watching a lot of HGTV and TLC over the years. Especially the flipping house shows and the thought of making something awful into something new and wonderful has always intrigued me. So, I thought why not take a chance on this book and I am glad that I did.

Shannon is a fantastic character. She's smart, witty, loveable, and has a curious streak a mile wide. I was instantly drawn to her and so glad that she wasn't written in as some bubble headed female who doesn't know anything. I truly cannot stand that. Nothing can turn me off on a book faster than that.

Also, her group of friends and family were amazing. I found myself wishing that I was part of their circle. Her friends are amazing. And I loved her sister. Instead of having the A typical sisterly relationship of love-hate this was mixed with real devotion, love, and concern. I felt it all the way down to my toes.

And, even though this was the first book that I have read out of this series, the connection that I felt between Shannon and Mac was so real. You can tell how much he loves her even without knowing their 'true' relationship history.

The back story and the mystery were both fascinating. It kept me guessing through out the whole book. I thought I knew who the killer was, turned out I was only half right, But, when the killer was revealed I was in shock and in awe. I thoroughly loved the way that that person was revealed.

I loved the whole thing. This book has met and surpassed my expectations. Loved it. Truly loved it. I cannot wait to read more. And that is the mark of a good book...making you want more. You cannot ask for better.

I was given this ARC by NetGalley to read and review. All opinions are my own honest thoughts and feelings.

Premeditated Mortar follows contractor Shannon Hammer as she works for her best friend Jane Hennessey to turn an abandoned victorian mental health facility into a 5 star hotel. The hospital once treated Jane's mother and she wants to bring beauty to a place that holds such sad memories. The Gables will be a year long project and from day one there is drama. With protestors, a demanding project manager, a narcissistic former doctor and a series of accidents to contend with. Things get even more sinister when a body is discovered and the facilities dark secrets begin to surface.
The 8th book in this series also focuses heavily on the personal relationships of Shannon and her friends. She is growing closer and closer to Mac and there are some big developments for many of the series' couples in this book.
Although not my favorite from the series, it was still a very enjoyable read and I loved returning to these characters.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Premeditated Mortar, the eighth book in the Fixer-Upper mystery series, is an enjoyable entry in the series with an unsettling back story and wonderful characters.

This time around construction contractor Shannon is tasked with remodeling a building at the local Victorian-era asylum into a luxury hotel for her best friend Jane. Jane wants to open the hotel to honor her mother who was once a patient of the facility. The developer’s dedication ceremony is set to kick off the renovations, but a group of protesters disrupts the occasion. Soon the asylum’s last doctor arrives bringing even more upheaval to the project. When murder comes to call, Shannon and Mac do what they can to help police chief Eric solve the case.

The Fixer-Upper series is a favorite, and I love the characters and their relationships. These relationships take center stage in this book, and I like them more than ever. Shannon is a relatable, down-to-earth amateur sleuth who helps the police rather than going behind their backs. It helps that the small-town community’s residents all know each other well, and, in Shannon’s case, the chief is almost family since he is dating Shannon’s sister. Shannon’s beau Mac is a great match for her and makes a great sounding board and brainstorming partner. Their relationship continues to evolve, and I look forward to spending more time with them. The other recurring characters are all included here and are like visiting old friends.

Author Carlisle does a good job with the characters specific to this mystery, giving them more than ample introduction before the murders occur. That said this ample time is also my quibble with the story. The first murder does not take place until more than two-thirds into the book. I began to wonder if there would be a mystery to solve, and this distracted me more and more as the story went on. Thus the mystery seemed somewhat underdeveloped and rushed.

Premeditated Mortar is a fun read, but read it for the characters not the mystery. Even so, I look forward to Shannon’s next adventure.

Shannon Hammer is back in this 8th book in the Fixer Upper mystery series. Shannon is a contractor who specializes in Victorian homes. Also, she occasionally come across a mystery to solve. In this book, Shannon takes on a renovation project of an old state insane asylum. She is excited to take on the new project, however, protesters and a dead body are hindering her progress.

I have read most of the books in this series, and the books continue to be enjoyable cozy mysteries. As with most series, it helps to better understand backstories if the series is read in order. That said, Premeditated Mortar can be read as a standalone.

An engaging and entertaining cozy mystery. With likable characters and a charming setting, this was a wonderful light mystery. I liked the renovation aspect of the story, especially the renovation of an old asylum. In short, a recommended read for fans of cozies. Delightful and fun.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Carlisle has written a cozy mystery that even without the murder is fun to read! The description of the buildings and all the work that Shannon will need to do to remodel a former asylum into a high end hotel is fascinating! I wish something like that were available in real life. Unfortunately in the story there are a few people who don't want the remodel to take place. Protesting, petty crime and murder all happen on the grounds making it seem impossible for the project to continue. Quick, fun read for the weekend.

Cozy mystery that is fun and engaging.
Fantastic story and atmospheric setting come together to create an enjoyable and creepy tale. Beautifully written with likable characters. I read through this one quickly because it held my interest.

This was another fantastic mystery in the series! The setting for this one was creepy than others in the past and that really added to the overall spooky vibe of the book. I love the history that was included in the book as well. The setting of the town, as well as the asylum are very well done and well described without going overboard. I love the characters in this series already but they just keep getting better! The mystery was well done and I really enjoyed this book! Looking forward to seeing where the characters go from here!

This is a bit tricky to write. Objectively, I can see the flaws in this book. The actual murder doesn't occur until more then halfway through the book. The characters aren't particularly fleshed out and can be a bit one note. Shannon's observations about Mac can get a bit repetitive and are a bit overdone.

That said - I really liked it! This book really clicked with me and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I was fascinated with the history of the Gables and the renovation project that Shannon and her team were working on. I couldn't wait for each tiny little hint of a clue to be revealed and corner of the old asylum to be explored. I love the renovation aspects and that Shannon is actually involved versus her job just being window dressing for the series. I also really enjoyed Jane and Shannon's friendship and the details about Jane's mother.

This was a fun cozy mystery read with a fantastically creepy setting. If the blurb intrigues you as much as it did me don't hesitate to pick this one up!

I really love this series. I'll say that up front. But this book wasn't my favorite. In what seems to be a trend in the new cozies I'm reading lately is that the murder doesn't take place until later and later in the book. In this case, the murder occurs 68% of the way into the book. 68%. Now I'll admit that there's a decent sense of mystery and suspense in the first 2/3 of the book. But it's hard to call a book a mystery when the murder to be solved doesn't even happen until that late in the book!

I had some other issues with the book, like the lack of Shannon or anybody else to not get the story of why the protestors were protesting at the Gables (I've never known protestors to be shy about their message). But those were overlookable. The lack of a body, however, was not.

I gave this one 3 stars because I really enjoy this series and this author. But if this had been the first book I'd read in the series, of if it were a standalone, I probably would have set the book aside at about the 30% mark.

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Premeditated Mortar A Fixer-Upper Mystery by Kate Carlisle
Summary
The Gables is an abandoned Victorian-era mental hospital about to get a new lease on life as a combination retail, hotel, and upscale living complex. Shannon Hammer, a building contractor specializing in restoring Victorian homes in her hometown of Lighthouse Cove, a small town located on Northern California’s coast, is set to renovate one of the wings of the former mental institution for her friend Jane Hennessey.
Not everyone is happy with the planned renovations. On the day of the groundbreaking, protestors show up, demanding that the place be burned to the ground instead of restored. Rachel Powers, developer of the Gables, is drenched in a blood-like substance. By the time the police arrive, most of the protestors have fled, but Shannon and Mac have detained two of them and the police take them into custody. Later, when the body of one the protestors is discovered at the Gables, Shannon’s renovation project turns into a murder investigation. Shannon is determined to find out the killer and the killer is determined to get away with murder. Two murders if that is what it takes to silence Shannon.

Recommendation
Premeditated Mortar is populated with characters that know each other well; a community where members have each other’s backs. It’s a fun read and a good way to spend a couple of hours. The plot twists kept me guessing until the big reveal. Recommended.
Author information
Kate Carlisle’s website
Excerpt
#netgalley #premeditatedmortar
Copy provided by Netgalley

This was an exciting ride for Lighthouse Cove and Shannon Hammer. On her latest construction site, revamping an old asylum into a beautiful 5 star hotel, problems keep arising with Shannon getting hurt repeatedly. The discovery of a body throws a wrench in the works but Shannon doggedly strives to discover the mystery with the help of her boyfriend, Mac. I really like that the author continues the characters lives in this book through engagements and changes in living situations. As an avid cozy reader I am always thrilled when the characters get a happy ever after.

What could possibly go wrong when Shannon Hammer agreed to renovate one wing of a state insane asylum to turn it into a boutique hotel. Shes working with her best friend, Jane, who has her own reasons for wanting to turn it into a place of beauty and light. When protesters and the original head doctor show up at the groundbreaking and clash, that sets the tone. Then a body is discovered. Loved the book and kept trying to sneak time to read and finish it. Great characters and an unusual setting for this fast paced story.

Shannon is going to restore a wing of a large asylum into a hotel. Her friend Jane has an exclusive bed and breakfast already and this will expand her business. Jane’s mother was a patient in this asylum and she looks forward to making this beautiful in her mother’s memory. Of course, there’s a murder and naturally Shannon’s team helps to solve the mystery.

This is the first I’ve read in this series. I really enjoyed the characters and the anticipation of the restoration. I definitely recommend reading this book.

Kate Carlisle writes another Fixer Upper mystery with Shannon Hammer. Shannon has engaged to fix up a former insane asylum into a luxury hotel. Then the bodies start dropping and the past ugly history of the asylum in the mistreatment of inmates starts to surface. Quick read.

Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle is a compelling cozy mystery. Shannon Hammer, Mac Sullivan, Jane Hennessey, and the gang are back. Jane has purchased the seventh building at the Gables which was once the Northern California Asylum for the Insane. The buildings have been abandoned for years but there is no denying the potential. Shannon cannot wait to start the project with her crew. It will take a year to turn the Victorian building into the Hennessey Hotel. Some people, though, are not excited about the project and set out to derail it. I thought Premeditated Mortar was well-written with developed characters and steady pacing. I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and the Gables. The author’s vivid word imagery brought the scenes alive for me. The mystery was multifaceted and creative. There are several viable suspects, misdirection, and subtle clues. I had a good time following this whodunit and figuring out the identity of the guilty party. I like how the romance is progressing between Mac and Shannon. We also get to catch up with Chloe and Eric as well as Jane and Niall. Romance is blooming in Lighthouse Cove and the ending has me eager for the next A Fixer-Upper Mystery. Premeditated Mortar can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or if you have missed a book or two. Premeditated Mortar is a diverting cozy mystery with malicious mischief, creepy corridors, awesome architecture, flourishing romances, and a perplexing puzzle.

Shannon Hammer has a new construction project on the past Northern California Asylum for the Insane which the name was changed to The Gables. The buildings are going to redone and the one Shannon is working on is going to be a hotel. Incidents happen that harm Shannon plus others.
They find a secret section but someone doesn't want them to look into the area or stir the past.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Contractor Shannon Hammer is very excited to take on a year-long project with her BFF Jane Hennessey. Jane is turning one wing of the Gables into a small luxurious hotel. The Gables used to be a state-run insane asylum that had ties to both she and Jane so both were expecting a few ghosts to come out to haunt them, the new dead bodies not so much. Shannon has gotten under someone’s skin with all her questions and puts her life in peril. But she is not backing down until she hammers down the killer.

While the renovation Shannon and her crew are taking on is huge, the secrets and memories the building holds are enormous and some are heartwrenching. Ms. Carlisle takes her time introducing all the new characters and the history of the Gables and I loved that. I became invested in the storyline immediately and well before the first body was discovered. She doesn’t give readers too much background on the characters at first, just enough to grab our attention and make us wonder how they may connect to the asylum. Like a sweet onion as the story continues layer after layer is peeled away to keep those pages quickly turning.

All the characters I have grown to love return and the couples are growing closer even though one person is getting a case of nerves. I love to see Shannon’s construction company continue to grow too. She has a great crew that works well together and support their boss in every way. I get excited every time I start a book in this series to see where the author is going to take these characters and she never disappoints.

Premeditated Mortar is an excellent addition to this series. Ms. Carlisle builds this story brick by brick and surprised me in the end. Engaging characters, an interesting setting, and a marvelous mystery kept me totally entertained. I truly can’t wait for the next book in this series!

Shannon, her former Navy Seal/now best selling author boyfriend, and her friends are back in book 8 of this great series. Shannon and her construction company have been enlisted by her friend Jane to renovate a part of The Gables, formerly known as the Northern California Asylum for the Insane, into a hotel. The setting, as she describes it, is a classic Victorian with a gothic edge. That description alone was enough to get me hooked, I love gothic, atmospheric settings and this one is done well. When other developers get involved protesters appear, wanting the buildings burned down. Are they behind the incidents that leave Shannon injured, and are they connected to the body she finds?
The author does a wonderful job of keeping me guessing, and I enjoyed the characters that have appeared in previous books, The sad history of asylums is a sobering but interesting part of the book.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy. I’m already looking forward to book 9.