Diane Kelly brings together great characters, wonderful atmosphere, a former boarding school property being repurposed for an upscale retirement community, a headmaster’s house with violent history, and a mystery. Dead Post Society is the seventh book in the House-Flipper Mystery series featuring carpenter Whitney Whitaker Flynn.

Whitney and her cousins Buck and Owen work for her uncle’s carpentry business, Whitaker Woodworking. However, she and Buck also have their own building-flipping business. When told the headmaster’s Victorian home was going to be demolished Whitney and Buck come up with a plan to buy it and two acres of land and renovate it into a boutique hotel.

The mystery surrounds the deaths of the last headmaster, Irving Finster, and his wife Rosie. The case was never closed by the Robertson County sheriff’s office. As usual, Whitney can’t leave it alone until she determines what happened. But can Whitney solve the cold case or will it remain a mystery?

Whitney is inquisitive, perceptive, believes in progress as well as preservation, and doesn’t like to be the center of attention. She’s skilled, reliable, resourceful, and hardworking. She’s also married to Collin Flynn, a Nashville police homicide detective. He is intelligent, has a strong work ethic, a strict moral code, and runs to relieve stress. Buck has a great sense of humor and handles a lot of the heavier work. As in the author’s Mountain Lodge series, this series has features cats with Whitney’s cat Sawdust’s thoughts being interspersed throughout the book in a few short chapters. Collin’s two cats also make appearances throughout the book. While they aren’t necessary to the story line, they provide some humor and insights that made them enjoyable. The main characters were likeable and relatable. The relationships between the various characters add to the charm of the novel.

The story starts with a family event rather than a mystery, but quickly moves on to the carpentry work at the boarding school and the desire to purchase the headmaster’s house. Readers learn about the mystery surrounding the deaths of the Finsters. The intriguing plot had a few twists and turns and the characters had depth and came to life. While I guessed some of the items related to the mystery, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story as I sped through it effortlessly. Food is mentioned through the novel and a recipe is included at the end of the book. I also enjoyed the poems and literary references at the beginning of each chapter. My only quibbles are that I wanted more details on the renovations, and there was so much going on with the family and the investigation, that the usual banter between Whitney and Buck was in short supply.

Overall, this is an engaging, clever, and entertaining novel that was a fast read. Readers looking for a cozy mystery with a dash of humor and a cold case that needs to be solved will likely enjoy this novel. I am looking forward to reading the next book.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Diane Kelly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for April 01, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly is an entertaining cozy mystery. I always look forward to catching up with Whitney, Buck, and Sawdust in the latest A House Flipper Mystery. While Dead Post Society is the seventh A House Flipper Mystery, it can be read as a standalone (but you will want to read all the books in this cute series). Whitney and Buck have purchased a brick Victorian to flip, but it has a history. Whitney finds a bullet in a decrepit porch post and then bullet holes in the house that line up with the bullet’s final location. Whitney does some digging and learns about the crime that occurred in the Victorian many years ago (this is a very cold case). There are strange shadows and noises in the house. I suspected who the guilty party was early on but enjoyed following Whitney in her quest for the truth. I like Whitney who is smart and caring plus she has a husband who loves and understands her (she also loves cats). Whitney is also an excellent carpenter who rocks a pair of overalls. The ending is sweet, and fans of the series will love it. I hope that this is not the final book in this delightful series. There is a poem at the beginning of each chapter that ties in nicely with the books title. I love the chapters from Sawdust’s point of view. The author really captures cat behavior and, I think, how they think (I laugh at Sawdust’s thoughts). Dead Post Society is a cute cozy with a decrepit Victorian, a bullet in a post, a cold case, a clever cat, and a cheerful couple.

Whitney and Buck are back again! This time, they are renovating a house with a tragic history. When Whitney finds evidence that could point to what happened, she can't help but investigate herself. In the Sheo, to the local police, and while they are willing to see her evidence, they don't quite have enough to reopen the case... yet. Whitney is definitely going to help in that department as she tracks down witnesses and troublemakers during the time of the deaths, and of course, puts herself in some dangerous situations.

I always have a ton of fun reading this series! I love Whitney and Buck, and I love watching them plan out and execute their ideas for the properties. The mysteries always keep me on the edge of my seat, and I love seeing all the clues come together and reveal the killer. I also love the adorable Sawdust, whom we get a few chapters from his POV.

Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly is a HouseFlipper Mystery featuring primarily Buck and Whitney. Because they were between houses, Buck and Whitney were working a remodeling job with Buck’s dad. It was an old school that he was going to turn into a home for the elderly. There was also a Victorian mansion on the property, slated for demolition. Whitney couldn’t resist exploring and moment by moment became more enthralled. When she asked the developer, he disclosed that his wife didn’t want it demolished, either. They worked out a deal and soon Buck and Whitney were the new owners, planning to turn it into a small hotel, mostly for people visiting the elderly residents of the home. As Whitney explored the furniture in the office, she came upon a mystery that engaged her senses. It was a murder, forty years old, that had taken place right here in this house. At the time it had been written off as a murder-suicide between spouses, but Whitney didn’t think so. She started researching and asking questions.

Always curious, this was a perfect mystery for Whitney as it was part of the story of the house. A sad story unfolded as Whitney moved forward. She is a great character, who takes the lead this time as Buck and his wife had a newborn. That, also, was pulling at Whitney. Did she and her husband want a child? Soon? Combined with a historical mystery, this terrific character lives her lie, remodels the Victorian, and shed light on a tragedy that unfolded years earlier. Quite a fun book.

I was invited to read Dead Post Society by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #DianeKelly #DeadPostSociety

Whitney and Buck are helping her uncle turn an old school into a senior housing community. On their first visit to the property, Whitney explores the old headmaster‘s house. The old Victorian has seemed better days, but inside it is structurally sound, and she hopes to save it. When the investor agrees to sell the house to Whitney and Buck, she discovers a bullet in the front porch post and wonders if the bullet might have been part of the old murder suicide that took place there years ago. Will the police reopen the case, or wrote the question of whether it was truly a murder suicide or just murder remain for those who were at the school when it happened?

This is a fun series and the location took me back to my old school days. I could just close my eyes and be in my old school and smell the smells of the school. The mystery my salad with plenty of red herrings and I really enjoy the fact that Whitney and Buck are always saving an old property in each and every entry of this series.

Book 7 in the House Flipper series is just as good as the six that preceded it. While looking over the grounds of a dilapidated boarding school, house flipper and carpenter Whitney convinces her cousin and business partner Buck to purchase and flip the very sad and run-down headmaster's home, a once grand Victorian with good bones. A house with good bones, but bad and tragic history, and Whitney can't help but to get caught up in the cold case involving a murder-suicide when she finds a bullet lodged in a cracked porch post.

The mystery drew me in every bit as much as it drew in Whitney. The story just didn't add up and there were plenty of suspects, including one very psychotic former TV personality who really should not be allowed to work with the public. There were some great clues laid out and some good attempts to misdirect. Whitney does a great job with both internet research and (steel-toed) boots on the ground pounding the pavement clue hunting. Plenty of suspects in plenty of places to keep us guessing. Oh and one more fun aspect of the book is that we get the point of view for Sawdust, Whitney's sweet kitty. Sawdust has been a hero more than once in the past.

Highly enjoyable plot great and diverse characters. I am a big fan of sleuths who work well with local law enforcement and vice versa. Whitney is married to a cop who supports her sleuthing not that he doesn't worry about her safety as they make plans for their future. I am making plans to make the Lemon Pistachio Orzo Salad to share with family thanks to the recipe at the conclusion of the story.

Posted on Goodreads: 4/7/2025

This cozy, murder mystery definitely delivers. New life is breathed into a cold case when Whitney Whitaker finds a bullet in a porch post which may have played a part in the alleged murder-suicide of the headmaster and his wife over forty years before. Whitney's curiosity brings her to start her own investigation as she works on the old headmaster's Victorian house. The book has relatable characters, and an even more lovable cat. What more can you want? I was given a chance to read this book through NetGalley, and I hope it finds other readers who enjoy it as much as I did!

I really enjoy this series for the house flipping elements and the camaraderie between Whitney and her cousin, Buck. Both, unfortunately, were missing from this installment. Yes, there was a project and this one sounded like it would be fantastic but that was put on hold so that Whitney could solve the mystery of the murder-suicide that happened in the house. The whole book was Whitney running around on her own and way too many TSTL moments. I will still continue with the series but this one was not my favorite.

Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly is a spooky, smartly plotted cozy mystery that blends home renovation with ghost stories, cold cases, and just the right dose of humor.

Carpenter Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are back—and this time, they’re tackling their creepiest project yet: restoring the old headmaster’s house on a former boarding school property, where a double murder remains unsolved decades later. Most people wouldn’t touch this haunted Victorian with a ten-foot pole, but Whitney and Buck see potential (and maybe just a little bit of danger).

The mystery is satisfying, with plenty of twists and atmospheric tension as Whitney uncovers clues buried beneath decades of dust and local lore. The ghostly elements add an eerie charm without overpowering the cozy vibe. Diane Kelly does a great job balancing the supernatural with the procedural, keeping things grounded with likable characters and witty banter.

What makes this book stand out is Whitney herself—sharp, resourceful, and unafraid to face down murderers or haunted plumbing. And the renovation angle? Super fun for DIY and HGTV fans. If you enjoy mysteries that mix historic homes, lingering spirits, and sleuths who know their way around a toolbox, this one’s for you.

It’s not overly scary—more eerie than terrifying—making it a great pick for readers who like their chills with charm. A solid four-star read that kept me entertained from blueprint to final reveal!

Here is the seventh in this traditional/ cozy mystery. Readers can tell that it is a cozy because of the cat on the cover. Look too, though, for other hints about the book. I see skulls and books. How will these figure in?

We are back with the house flipper, aka Whitney, along with her cousin Buck. What mayhem will they encounter? Well, this time the two find themselves at a site that is to transform into a senior citizens' residence from its old role as a school. But...things are never as simple as they seem.

Will a cold case be solved (readers know the answer)? What other mishaps will occur?

Those who enjoy a low stress mystery title will want to give this one a look. As a plus, I enjoyed the aspects of the book that told me more about the two protagonists lives and the people who matter to them. These include a baby.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

I've come to really enjoy this series. Why? Not just because of good stories, which is certainly true, or the likable, interesting characters who usually display a good sense of humor, but also because of one of the basic themes of the book: Don't destroy something just because it's rundown or old. While house flippers Whitney and cousin Buck accept that this isn't always easy, their efforts to find another way to preserve and restore the heart of what is there are admirable. It's certainly true in this book where Whitney just has an instinct about an old home that, gulp, was the scene of a murder-suicide. Or was it? Toss in Whitney's seeming inability to ignore a mystery, even one decades old, and you've got the basis for an intriguing story.

You'd think that with Whitney's marriage to Collin and with Buck being a brand-new father (welcome to baby Mari) that they wouldn't have time to sort out a long cold case. You'd be wrong. Although Whitney is devoted to her feisty cat Sawdust, she's like a dog with a bone when something spurs her into sleuth mode. Obviously Buck and Collin have her back but, well, speaking of cats, there's this ol' saying about curiosity and cats which comes dangerously close to proving true in Whitney's case. How could simply asking a few questions (okay, lots of questions) about a case that she can blame her curiosity on now owning the house wouldn't make Whitney a target, right? Wrong, but you're going to have to read the book to find out the details, not to mention why the title is so perfect.

Bottom line, a fun, intriguing plot that stands alone nicely even for new readers. The characters quickly become like old friends and neighbors, people you'll feel like you know and can root for. I've got to admit, The setting in each book is in the same area but involves a different property with different neighbors, so there's always something new to discover and new faces to meet. If it wasn't a murder-suicide, which even the old police files seem to have found an uncertain conclusion, what really happened? Who killed the husband and wife? Why? And, what's that presence Whitney senses in the house? Ghost? Or, yikes, is someone keeping an eye on her? Why....oh, never mind. If you like a fun cozy with interesting characters and frequent humor, not to mention occasional input from Whitney's feline Sawdust, you'll enjoy this book/series. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #Minotaur for this early peek at what Whitney and Buck have been up to this time. Loved the reveal at the end. Can't wait for the next book!

Dead Post Society is book #7 in the House-Flipper Mystery series by Diane Kelly.

This is one of my favorite series. I’ve enjoyed following Whitney and Buck as they built their business and their lives have changed. This was a fun one with Whitney investigating a cold case that was labeled as a murder-suicide 40 years ago. Whitney isn’t so sure that was the case. The mystery investigation was interesting but my favorite part is the characters. I like how Whitney‘s cat, Sawdust, has his own chapters telling things from his point of view. I recommend this book and the whole series.

Cat's People by Tanya Guerrero was an entertaining and truly sweet story.
This book was so cute and lighthearted with such amazing diverse characters.
A fascinating read that I truly enjoyed from the very beginning.

Whitney and her cousin, Buck, take on a rehab of an old Victorian where a murder/suicide took place decades before and was then just closed up. Soon her curiosity gets the better of her and she's investigating the cold case. Lots of red herrings keep the plot moving. An engaging series and this one with an old murder was an interesting addition. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

While working at a construction site for her uncle’s construction site renovating an old private school, Whitney and her cousin purchase the former headmaster’s house. The headmaster and his wife had been found murdered/suicide but yet Whitney found a clue that might indicate otherwise. Delightful read as Whitney does research on the incident at the same time giving some tips of remodeling or some DIY projects. The cover is a great clue and poetry introduces each chapter.; one might find a favorite poem, While this is a series, it definitely can be read as a stand-alone book. Thanks to #NetGalley and #St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book; this review is my honest opinion.

In Dead Post Society, house flippers and cousins, Whitney and Buck, decide to renovate an old Victorian mansion with a dark history. Forty years ago, the headmaster of a local boarding school killed his wife and then himself in the study of the home. When Whitney finds a new clue to the incident, she decides to investigate the cold case. Was the murder-suicide really a double homicide? Can Whitney uncover the truth that the police could not all these years later?

Buck and his wife have just had their first child. Whitney is approaching her first anniversary with her detective husband and is contemplating trying for a child of their own. I’ve read several other books in this series and this one minimizes the Whitney and Buck banter. It also focuses on Whitney following clues that take her away from the renovations. While I miss the house flipping tips, I really enjoyed Dead Post Society. It was nice to delve into a cold case rather than a fresh murder. The clues are all there in plain sight, along with a few red herrings, for any amateur detective readers too.

Overall, Dead Post Society is a great cozy mystery that tweaks the usual formula to keep it interesting. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced review copy.

I don't know how Diane Kelly does it. I've read several books in the House Flipper Mystery Series and while the core characters remain the same and the house-flipping theme provides a through-line, each mystery and project is unique.

In Dead Post Society, Whitney stumbles across a cold case -- a long-neglected Victorian gem that was the scene of a decades-old unsolved death. It was considered a probable suicide, but there were enough inconsistencies to leave the case open. As a result, she must tread carefully to avoid stepping on any toes.

On the personal front, Whitney's cousin and business partner, Buck and his wife welcome their first baby. Who knows? Whitney and Collin may not be far behind.

Of course, her loyal kitty, Sawdust, chimed in with a few thoughts. The book also included a recipe and every chapter started with a poem -- so there was something for everyone. Too much? Maybe. But still a good read with a quick pace and lots of possible suspects.

Fun for fans of cozies. I'm already looking forward to the next one!

I received this Advanced Reader Copy of Dead Post Society from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dear Fellow Reader,

April Fools Day. Remember how much fun it was when you were young? I wonder if it means much these days. It is probably not a “holiday” that needs to continue. I will bet that teachers would agree. Although I am sure that some find it to be fun. This year in several places, it is an election day, which could bring a new meaning to April Fools Day.


Dead Post Society is the seventh in a series by Diane Kelly. I had not read any of the other books in the series, and I didn’t have a problem understanding what was happening.

As the book opens, we meet Whitney Whitaker Flynn, a property rehabber. She works with her cousin, Buck. While they work as rehabbers, they also work for Buck’s father, Roger, and his other son, Owen, as carpenters. Whitney is at a job site to meet Buck, Roger, Owen and Troy Loflin. Troy is the developer of an abandoned school. When the school was open, it was a remote location but as towns have grown, it is not as far off the beaten path as it was. Troy and his wife had gone to the school (Ridgetop Prep in Ridgetop, TN), and he decided to develop the property as an upscale residence for senior citizens.

While Whitney waits for the others to come to the property, she sees an abandoned Victorian house on the property. She decides to look at it. At first, she isn’t sure it is abandoned as it is full of furniture, but it is so neglected that she is sure it must be abandoned. She goes inside (just a pesky lock on the front door). She looks around and likes the look of the house as a rehab. She does notice some strange things like all the furniture is in front of the windows and there is a blood stain on the floor of the office. (complete with a typewriter and a handwritten manuscript) Buck arrives and while he chastises her for going into the property for safety reasons and perhaps some lock picking, he joins her in looking around the house. Right before they leave the house, Whitney finds a bullet in a front porch post.

They have their meeting with Troy and Whitney finds that he is planning to demolish the house. She asks if she can bid on buying it. Troy agrees. She tells him she will put together a plan and get back to him. He does tell her that the final headmaster and his wife (Irving and Rosie Finster) both died in the house. It is assumed that it was a murder/suicide, but the case was left open.

Whitney and Owen submit a proposal to buy the house and property, which is accepted with some minor changes. Their first priority is to work for their Roger but in doing so, Whitney finds out more about the house and the deaths. She takes the bullet to the police and while it isn’t totally enough to re-open the case, the detective is interested. Whitney pieces parts of the puzzle together and starts interviewing the people who were at the school at the time.

Was it a murder/suicide or a double murder?

I enjoyed the book. Each chapter starts with some poetry, which I wasn’t sure added to the book, but it didn’t subtract from it. Also, there were a few chapters written from the viewpoint of Whitney’s cat that I wasn’t sure were necessary. But overall, it was a fine cozy mystery. Thumbs up!

Thanks for reading.

In case you missed it, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services). This will affect your local library. As of right now, the entire staff at IMLF has been put on leave. If you have a few minutes, please read the information from the American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/show-up-for-our-libraries If you love your small local library, this could affect the hours and collections. Libraries are a great resource, and this will affect them.

I love this series. Buck and Whitney are cousins who work together to fix houses. They have come across a lot of bodies in their time, but this time they think they'll avoid it by fixing somewhere that already had a body. Unfortunately they are wrong!

I love the characters and how they continue throughout the series. I have become invested in their lives and can't wait to see where they go next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Diane Kelly for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Dead Post Society coming out April 1, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author! I’m obsessed with cozy mysteries! I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I thought this was a really fun book. I loved the featured Victorian mansion. I thought the town and people felt really quaint and cozy. I think Whitney was a really intelligent and talented character. She has a fun job. I would definitely check out more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!