SHOT THROUGH THE HEARTH

5 stars out of 5

...You give love a bad name (said with a nod to one of my favorite Bon Jovi songs from years past) and another to the author, whose easy-to-read mysteries - and the characters in them - have become favorites as well. This one is the seventh in the "Fixer-Upper" series, which features the very capable, intelligent and never wimpy building contractor Shannon Hammer. Those qualities, nearly always lacking in the heroines of most cozy mysteries I've read, made me love her in last year's A Wrench in the Works, so I was super-delighted that my request for an advance review copy of this one from the publisher (through NetGalley) was granted.

Although Victorian restoration is her company's specialty (plus a new line of tiny houses that are becoming quite popular in the real world), it is a barn-raising that brings her to the home of filthy rich Rafe Nash, now retired and starting a foundation to help fund humanitarian efforts worldwide. She's also charged with renovating his mansion and erecting what will be called an Ecosphere, a plant-friendly tower - and most of these projects must be completed in time for Nash's upcoming inaugural Future Global Survival Con that will bring thousands to the property.

She's joined by her capable company team, her tight-knit group of female friends (which includes Marigold, Nash's soon-to-be bride), her hunky ex-Navy Seal and now best-selling writer boyfriend Mac and a few other notables such as her dad and his brother Pete. Add a cadre of "smart mice" - yes, real critters - to the mix (Shannon doesn't fear much, but if she's got a list, these rodents are at the top), and you've got the blueprint for an interesting, hard-to-put-down book.

As the conference gets under way, the barn-raising project comes to an abrupt halt when Rafe's partner in the company he just left - a total jerk - turns up dead as one of the door nails. That incident forms the foundation for the rest of the story, during which yet another body turns up, Rafe's life is threatened and Shannon tries to juggle the barn-raising and worry about her dad's newfound love life with figuring out the murderer's identity and keeping her distance from those dreaded mice. Fast-forward a few ills, spills and chills, and it shapes up to be another one well done. Kudos once again!

Shot Through the Hearth by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, October 2019); 304 pp.