This is book #6 in the House Flipper Mystery Series and the first one that I have read. You don't need to read the other books in the series before this one. I'm going to go back to Book #1 and read this series in order, as I enjoyed it so much!

The house flipper crew always seems to come across a dead body somewhere. Such a great cozy mystery - great plot, lots of red herrings to keep you guessing, lots of suspects in the murder, and the group of characters are enjoyable to get to know.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Tennessee, small-town, small-business, relationships, relatives, renovation, rental-units, wedding-madness, cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, local-law-enforcement, murder, investigations, verbal-humor, families, family-drama, family-dynamics, friends, friendship, arson, vandalism, pet-cat*****

Buck and Whitney are cousins and partners in a property flipping business. While they have had success with their partnership, they have been involved in solving several murders, and Whitney is soon to be married to the local Homicide Detective. This project is to turn an old firehouse into a home but they soon add a nearby townhouse to their agenda. They make friends with some and adversaries with others. Then an elderly lady dies, and it proves to be murder. All this while getting a wedding together! Good read with a learning opportunity to boot!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley. Thank you!
#HouseFlipperMysteryBk6 Pub Date 23 Apr 2024

It was so much fun to read this book! I just love this series, and that this book had a double whammy of a flip, the firehouse, and the left side townhouse. Plus there was all sorts of things going on, between the siblings who inherited the house, and the wedding preparations!

One thing that was interesting to note for me, this is the first book in the series that I've read since I adopted my own cat, Holly, and the first book with a cat's perspective in the book. So that was a lot of fun, though she hasn't kneaded me yet-can't tell if I want her to want to do it or not, since it sounds painful!

Really, those seven co-owners of the house, yeah, they were really frustrating, they were adults, some of them even had grandchildren, but pretty much all of them acted like children themselves, and there were quite a few awful actions that they did!

Oh, but the mystery was pretty sad, given that it's a grandmother who just was told that a second grandchild was coming. That the case was complicated by an unknown cause of death, and all the complications, yeah, this book was such a quick and fast paced, easy to consume read!

It was so much fun reading this book, and I can't wait to see what the future holds!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

I recently fell in love with Nashville, TN when I visited it last year so I was excited to read a book set in that city.

This is the first House-Flipper Mystery series and I will be going back to read the other books in this series. I fell in love with the main characters Whitney and Buck. I just wish I had read the others in the series before this one just so that I could have more background. I also felt the mystery kept my interest and I felt it was quick read. think anyone who enjoys cozies will enjoy this series. I will be adding it to my cozy list.

Four-Alarm Homicide is the sixth installment in the House-Flipper Mystery series set in the Germantown section of Nashville and featuring Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck. The duo makes an offer on an historic fire house with the intention to renovate the building into a single family home.

Just one day into the renovation they are approached by Joanna Hartzell and Gideon Koppelman, neighbors on the other side of the block. Joanna lives in a townhouse duplex and the other half of the building has been abandoned after the elderly couple who lived in the building passed away. Unfortunately, the couples seven children couldn't come to an agreement on what to do with the property so they have not done any upkeep in years and Joanna is worried that damage and/or mold is soon to make its way to her home. After discussing the legalities involved, Whitney and Buck end up purchasing the townhouse through quitclaim deeds with the intention of renovating and selling to either Joanna or Gideon.

Things seem to be a little fishy in the neighborhood; Joanna's daughter, husband and their daughter live across the street in Gideon's building and there seems to be a little tension between them and Joanna. There is a another couple who seem determined to own the townhouse and as a result keep turning up and letting themselves into the unit uninvited. There are a group of Senior males who like to show up and offer their unsolicited advice on how to go about making the repairs. Plus, the children of the original owner feel that Whitney and Buck stole the property out from under them and various acts of vandalism occur at both the townhouse and firehouse.

When Joanna stumbles into the firehouse, collapses and dies, Whitney finds herself in the middle of another investigation to catch a killer. It seems almost everyone in the Germantown neighborhood has something to hide.

In the midst of renovating and investigating, Whitney is planning her upcoming wedding to Police Detective Collin Flynn. And of course, Sawdust (Whitney's furry feline) is coming to terms with the new man and pets soon to become part of the family.

A great addition to the series - home renovation ideas, delicious recipes, expecting couples, lovable pets and a wedding. Another fun filled afternoon read, that leaves you looking forward to the next adventure with Whitney and Sawdust.

I received an advanced copy of Four-Alarm Homicide from NetGalley via St. Martin's Paperbacks. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

There was a lot of different things going on in this book as Buck and Whitney are rehabbing two places at once. There are many suspects for the misfortunes that happen and the death of one of the people. It was fun to read and quite a surprise at the end as to who was the culprit.

Renovation and sleuthing
I loved this series since the first book. Ms.Kelly has a gift for bringing her characters to life, incorporating family and romance along with intrigue. The cousins are drawn into a murder by the victim herself during a renovation and Whitney is determined to find out how and why. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a great cozy.
I requested and received a NetGalley arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

FOUR ALARM FIRE is the sixth book in this charming cozy mystery series, set in Nashville, Tennessee. This time around cousins Whitney and Buck win a bid from the historical society to renovate an old fire station, with plans to turn it into a large family home. They have just started demolition when Joanna, a nearby neighbor, stops in and asks if they would be interested in a rundown townhouse next to her. Buying the property is a hassle as its owned by seven greedy siblings who are at first happy to get anything for the rundown townhouse, but later feel cheated and each come back wanting more money. Someone vandalizes the townhome, and deliberately sets a fire in the firehouse and Whitney suspects its one of the siblings. Joanna and a couple of her neighbors are interested in buying the townhome once its renovated but Whitney promises Joanna first dibs. One day Joanna stumbles into the fire station stumbling and incoherent and dies before the ambulance gets to the hospital. This was a pretty good read with a good plot and lots of suspects. I was very surprised by who the murderer turned out to be. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a good addition to an enjoyable series. The house flipper business crew always seems to find a dead body somewhere. This cozy mystery kept me guessing. Lots of potential culprits. Also time for a wedding. Great venue. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of "Four-Alarm Homicide" in exchange for my honest review.

This is the sixth book in the House-Flipper Mystery series and a wonderful addition by Ms. Kelly. She has once again written a gripping story that kept me turning the pages wanting to know what would happen next.

Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck had been the successful bidders on a 1930s era fire station that the historic preservation group sold to them on the promise that they would maintain as much of the exterior as possible when they restored it. Whitney and Buck had decided that they would turn it into a family home. They have a very successful business where they have already turned a motel into a luxury condo, a country church into a live music and theatre venue, a parsonage which is now a restaurant where Buck's wife Colette works.

The duo are approached by Joanna Hartzell and Gideon Koppelman who live around the corner - opposite to each other. The townhouse that Joanna lives in has another townhouse attached to it and it's been sitting derelict for years. Joanna, concerned that there might be mold or water damage that could affect her property as well, ask Whitney and Buck to look over the house and advise. They end up purchasing that house as well to do-over after some not too pleasant negotiations with the grown children of the previous owners.

There is a fire at the fire station that was deliberately set and someone vandalized the townhouse by breaking in. Whitney and Buck are starting to think that these fun flips are turning into frustrations and it only gets worse.

When Joanna wanders into the fire station totally disoriented and is desperate need of medical attention, she collapses and dies on the way to the hospital. Having been complaining about a migraine they think she suffered an aneurysm. But then it begins to look like murder and murder by an obscure method.

Of course, Whitney decides to investigate as there are at least a dozen people who could have benefited from Joanna's death. The actual culprit turns out to be a shock that the reader will not see coming.

Joanna wanted to buy the townhouse next door once it was renovated, but so did Gideon. Joanna's children also wanted her money. Gideon's tenants Samira and D-Jay also have motive because they just assumed that the house would be theirs - even though they can't get a mortgage. They have no boundaries and show up whether they are invited or not. They enter the house without permission assuming they can enter any time they want to. Their behaviour is very suspicious.

When Whitney herself is identified as a suspect, she doubles her efforts to clear her name before her wedding to fiancé police detective Collin Flynn. The story ends on a happy note with friends and family celebrating with the happy couple.

The best part of the story is Sawdust - Whitney's cat. Several of the chapters are written in his view point, giving his thoughts on what he sees Whitney going through. The reader learns about his concerns for Whitney and how he feels about her feelings.

The book also includes 3 recipes that were mentioned in the story. I'm very much looking forward to what Whitney and Buck will flip next. This story once again deserves more than 5 stars!!

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of FOUR-ALARM HOMICIDE (Book 6 of the House Flipper Mystery series) by Diane Kelly in exchange for an honest review. Cousins Whitney and Buck Whitaker have an exciting new project; they’re flipping a historic fire station in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood. During the demolition phase, two locals approach Whitney and Buck about possibly flipping a nearby rundown property. The property has become rundown and is affecting the stability, security, and property values of nearby homes. The cousins are interested enough to sort out the complicated ownership tangle and buy the rights townhouse. Once the cousins own the townhouse, they’re inundated with more drama than they paid for. The previous owners become combative, the neighbors begin to fight over who will buy the property once flipped, and the next-door neighbor dies under mysterious circumstances. Can Whitney find the answers to all of these problems in time?

I like the book and the series. I recommend the book to fans of the series and the series to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring renovation, construction, family businesses, suspicion, and cute kitties with a knack for murder.

Whitney, Buck, and Sawdust are back in this fantastic addition to this series.
Whitney and Buck are excited to start renovations on the historic fire house they purchased, but things never go as planned. Four -Alarm Homicide is a great book that includes a lot of family drama and secrets that Whitney uncovers after a tragic death.
The characters in this book are great, they are incredibly believable and I adore Sawdust, Whitney's cat. I find myself smiling when I get to a chapter that's about him and I can picture him in my mind.
The house flipping is also well done, it's always exciting to see what the dynamic duo will be fixing up next.
The end of the story showcases Whitney and Collins wedding, which sounded amazing, especially when Sawdust meowed his approval.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series and I'm happy to recommend the book to others.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

This was another delightful book in the House-Flipper Mystery series. I'm a huge HGTV fan and enjoy the home improvement side of the story just as much, possibly more, than the mystery side.

Whitney and the other cast of reoccurring characters are wonderful. I especially love the chapters we get from Sawdust's POV. Happy he's getting some new kitty roommates. All the books can be read as a standalone.

Looking forward to the next installment of this series.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley and will also be buying a copy for my shelves. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, St. Martin's Press.

Whitney and Buck have no clue what a headache their latest flip project will be. It starts when they buy the old firehouse to renovate and sale, then take on an around-the-corner townhouse at the urging of its neighbor, Joanne. Little did they know that Joanne would die mysteriously in Whitney's arms not long after. The suspect list is obvious, the deceased's family, or maybe the seemingly greedy neighbor who, on the surface, appeared to be a dear friend, or, sigh, the lovely young couple living nearby that craved a bigger home for their expanding family. Suddenly it seems like they've barely gotten started when there is a crowd forming that insists on buying the place. Toss in some annoyingly wannabe-helpful senior citizens who believe they know more about renovation than Whitney and, well, things are both chaotic and testy.

I've come to love this series. It's one that, quite frankly, I tend to pick up asap to read and seem compelled to finish asap, too. I mean, I can sleep another time, right? After opening with a humorous scene, let's just say involving a fireman's pole, the characters and set-up may seem to lag but important information was being shared about relationships and the sites. To be honest, I had the wrong person in my sights, although it ultimately all made sense. I really enjoy how Whitney seems to find a way to use her and cousin Buck's current projects in a positive way before selling, too. That adds to the overall positive vibes I always get from this series, not to mention the frequent viewpoint of Sawdust, Whitney's cat. The other regulars are nicely characterized and you'll even learn a bit about mortgages and home ownership complications. Heck, not to give away too much, but you'll even get some info on how arson investigators. well, investigate how/where fires were started. And, oh, you'll love the ending.

Bottom line, this was a fun, easy read that kept me invested in what was happening, even if my amateur sleuth skills were lacking this go-round. The sites and potential seen in them is always fascinating and it's nice to see recurring side-characters pop up and play a role. So, house flipping, renovation, entertaining if annoying seniors, a feisty cat, fireman's pole, loud fire alarm, squabbling family, romance, and, oh, yes, a recipe at the end. Fun read that, although I highly recommend you check out the entire series simply because it's a great read, works well as a standalone. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #StMartin'sPaperbacks for letting me have a sneak peek at Whitney and cousin Buck's latest project, not to mention the invite to the big event at the end.

stars Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and St, Martin’s Press.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A hot property cause more trouble than it is worth. The house flipper gets more than just a fix me up to deal with as aa murder takes place. In this sixth installment they will have to smoke out a murderer before they strike again. It is another charming cozy in this fun series. A must read to devour.