DRESSED TO DRILL

4 stars out of 5

Although I came a little late to the party, I've read and thoroughly enjoyed four books in this cozy series - this is the 10th - featuring building contractor Shannon Hammer (it's hokey, but yes, that really is her last name). This one, honestly, is my least favorite of the bunch - but it's still entertaining, in large part because of Shannon's wonderful live-in love, successful writer Mac Sullivan (put another way, should he ever decide to dump Shannon, I certainly wouldn't turn him away if he knocked at my door).

Anyway, after spending some time with her sister Chloe, a TV home renovation show host and producer, Shannon and Mac return to northern California and their Lighthouse Cove home, where Shannon's team is starting a major project involving a local church that's 160-plus years old. It's been in use until just recently, when the congregation relocated to new quarters; now, it's slated for use as a museum. But no sooner than restoration preparation begins, it stops - with Shannon's discovery of a dead body in one of the small chapels inside the building. The chief of police may be Chloe's boyfriend, but he insists that Shannon - who's got a history of finding dead bodies and getting way more involved in investigations than civilians are supposed to - keep her nose out this time. The dead young woman is a key worker at the church, and both Shannon and the chief have good reason to believe the killer is someone they all know. But who did the dastardly deed? And why? 

As always, the story is fleshed out with details of the investigation and the church renovation project (the latter a little too much so to suit me - I may not be familiar with all the proper terms for major parts of a church, but I really don't need instruction on how to spell them). But overall it's a don't-want-to-put-down adventure, right up to an ending that makes me even more eager than usual to read the next book. And for those who might be concerned, all the books, including this one, stand alone well enough for new readers to jump in at any time. As for me, it's always a pleasure to find a cozy heroine who isn't a ditsy paranoid female who never listens to reason, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy once again.

I will add, however, that I was left with a few questions, most notably what denomination the church was. Here and there the word Catholic appeared and several of the interior features like Stations of the Cross, ornate vestments and chalices and Virgin Mary icons were mentioned. But the many-year church leader is called "Reverend," not "Father" and he's married (as was his predecessor) and I'm pretty sure the Catholic Church still considers spouses a no-no. I'm leaning toward Episcopal, but inquiring minds really want to know.

Dressed to Drill by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, May 2023); 336 pp.

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.