Lights! Camera! Homicide! Contractor Shannon Hammer has to dig through murder suspects in the latest Fixer-Upper Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Eaves of Destruction and Once Upon a Spine.Don’t miss the Hallmark Movies & Mystery Originals starring Jewel, based on the Fixer-Upper Mystery series!Shannon Hammer’s younger sister, Chloe, left Lighthouse Cove after high school … sister, Chloe, left Lighthouse Cove after high school to make it big in Hollywood. And she did it! Chloe is the cohost of a popular home repair show on the Home Builders Network. Now, after ten years, she has returned to their quaint coastal hometown to film several shows featuring her sister, Shannon, along with some special mini-segments on Victorian style and design.
But Shannon quickly realizes that things are not exactly blissful in TV land. Bree, the executive producer of the show, has a knack for stirring up sticky situations, and when she’s found dead, Chloe and the entire crew are under suspicion. Shannon, her thriller writer boyfriend, Mac, and their crime-solving friends soon unearth the real reason Chloe left home. Is that ten-year-old secret connected to Bree’s death? And can Shannon track down the real killer before her beloved sister becomes the next victim?
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In the sixth ‘Fixer-Upper’ cozy mystery by Kate Carlisle, A Wrench in the Works, readers are introduced to Shannon’s celebrity sister, Chloe. Chloe left their small California seaside town after high school to make it big in Hollywood, but she ended up getting her own home improvement show rather than become an actress. After returning home to right a wrong, her tv crew follows along to film a few new episodes. Unfortunately, one of them ends up dead, and the body count keeps on rising. There are numerous connections to people within Shannon’s and Chloe’s town, so they feel obligated to solve the murder, much to the Chief of Police’s chagrin. Except… do I smell potential romance blooming down the line between him and someone? Let’s not forget Mac and Shannon, as they continue building on their new relationship. In the end, the culprit is discovered, but not before Shannon almost ends up his/her final victim.
I really enjoyed this book, and it was a stand-out in the series. While shorter than the others, it was packed full of strong plot and fun new characters. I liked seeing Shannon’s familial relationships explored further, and the ongoing feud with Whitney creates some fun moments. I’m hopeful that we find out more on her father, as he flits in and out so much, we don’t have a full picture of his life when Shannon was younger. I also want to explore her group of friends to see which one might be hiding a secret (just speculating!) By finishing this one, I am now current on the series (yay!) and anxiously awaiting the seventh one when it releases later this year. Now, I can check out the Hallmark movies to compare and contrast the styles.
I have read quite a few books in this series and this one was OK. I liked the reality show background and meeting Shannon’s sister Chloe. Her sister is a co-host of a reality fixer up show and they have arrived in Lighthouse Cove to fix up a Victorian Mansion. Chloe has not been home for awhile and she has some secrets. During a walk though of the house she stumbles across the body of the show’s producer. Soon there are other accidents/murders on set. The mystery was only OK. It was easy to figure out and there were not many suspects or surprises. I enjoyed the characters more. I liked Shannon and Chloe together. This series does not have to be read in order. Enjoy your visit to Lighthouse Cove.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The television cameras have arrived in Lighthouse Cove along with Shannon’s sister Chloe. She is the co-host of a home renovating show, Makeover Madness, and is thrilled to be taping back in her hometown. Shannon also gets in on the fun by making some guest appearances. The hammer comes down on all the fun though before they even start filming. Executive producer Bree is found dead in the house chosen for the big makeover and the whole crew including Chloe are now suspects. Even Shannon saw with her own eyes the way Bree always through a major wrench in the productions. But then a real estate agent from Lighthouse Cove is found dead, again at the makeover house and the suspect pool widens. What is really scary is that Chloe could be the next victim. Shannon, Mac, and their friends are nailing down every clue to keep her safe and catch the killer.
The author has created characters that are very likable and realistic. Both Shannon and Chloe grew up working construction with their dad and know their way around a job site and every tool in the box. Determined women but Chloe hasn’t been back to Lighthouse Cove since she left for Hollywood. We learn along with Shannon the secret that has kept Chloe away all these years. I really enjoyed this subplot woven throughout the mystery as we see so much evolve for Chloe. Shannon is so proud of her sister and her accomplishments. Their strong bond is heartwarming. The relationship between Mac and Shannon is getting more comfortable too. He really is a great boyfriend. He understands Shannon and her need to jump into these murder mysteries and is happy to help her in any way he can. The supporting cast is captivating too and made me feel like I was visiting old friends.
The backdrop of Lighthouse Cove, oceanside and all the old Victorian homes is a perfect setting for this series. Big enough to handle all the dead bodies, small enough to allow our amateur sleuth to nose her way into the investigation. I truly enjoy all the descriptions of the homes. The makeover house had so much wrong with it, novices would think the only answer would be to tear it down, but in the hands of Shannon, Chloe, and their teams you know they are going to turn it into a real jewel.
The mystery is well plotted and written. All the drama brought by the television people along with the added drama of some current Lighthouse Cove residents flows together to bring a story that sets a very nimble pace. There is always something happening, a twist, a turn, a curve, that diverts attention or sends everything in another direction. It is impossible not to totally be pulled into this story. I did solve the mystery just a little bit before Shannon but the entire story was totally entertaining.
This story does read well on its own. I always recommend reading the series in order for maximum enjoyment. The movies are great too but could never replace these wonderful stories.
Picturesque setting, terrific characters, and a delightful mystery. A Perfect Escape for all cozy lovers.
In this next book of the series we are introduced to Shannon’s sister Chloe, who is coming to town to shoot her very popular DIY show and Shannon can’t wait to catch up. Excited about having the chance to work with her sister in their chosen fields Shannon isn’t sure how she’ll do with actually being a part of the show. Shannon soon learns that things aren’t all they are cracked up to be when it comes to bring in a hit show. There seems to be a lot of behind the scenes fighting and most of it is due to executive producer Erica. Erica enjoys firing people left and right and has no qualms about telling people what she thinks. She’s the boss and wants everyone to know it. So it’s no surprise when Shannon and Chloe go to look over the house they will be working on and discover Erica dead. Who killed her and why? She seemed to have had plenty of enemies but who was angry enough to kill her. Shannon is worried because Erica and her sister didn’t get along, she even fired her before they started taping. Shannon knows that she will have to do everything she can to keep her sister out of range of the police. When it looks like someone has it out for Chloe, Shannon is determined to uncover the truth and keep her sister out of harms way. This is such a terrific series filled with a great cast of characters and the lead one, Shannon, truly shines throughout the read. The premise is great and I love the strong women that the author portrays throughout the book. I can’t wait to see what Shannon gets into next!
A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle takes us back to Lighthouse Cove. Shannon Hammer is looking forward to her sister, Chloe coming to town. Chloe is the co-star of Makeover Madness, a rehab and design show on the Home Builders Network. Chloe has not been home for five years and the family is looking forward to catching up with her. Chloe along with the crew from Makeover Madness are coming to town to do a feature on the Victorian homes in Lighthouse Cove. Shannon has helped locate properties to showcase, and she will be on the show as well helping rehab a Victorian home in need. Shannon quickly learns that television life is not glamorous and Chloe’s executive producer, Bree Bennett is a terror. The day before filming begins, Shannon overhears an argument between Bree and Chloe and notices an eavesdropper in the form of the slimy Richard Stoddard. The next morning, Chloe and Shannon arrive early at the Bloom house for the first day of filming. They are exploring the first floor to see what work needs to be accomplished when they find Bree leaning against the tiles on the fireplace. Chief Eric Jensen quickly arrives to take charge of the scene. With everyone on the crew a suspect, Shannon and Chloe begin chiseling away at the suspects in the hopes of exposing a killer.
A Wrench in the Works is a lively cozy mystery with engaging characters, beautiful Victorian homes, a charming town, and a murder mystery. I thought the book was well-written and it gallops along at a snappy pace. Kate Carlisle has a writing style that allowed me to be drawn into the story. The dialogue is realistic, and the book has a good flow (I just kept reading until I finished). Shannon is a strong female character in an unusual occupation for a woman. I like her relationship with Mac (though he does seem a little too perfect). Shannon has a loving family and good friends. It was lovely to find out more about Chloe. She has a secret that has been bothering her for ten years which has kept her from coming home. There are sparks between Chloe and a certain police chief. I am curious to see what happens next with them. The mystery was intriguing with several suspects and misdirection. Cozy mystery sleuths, though, will have no problem identifying the killer. There are descriptions of beautiful Victorian homes in the book with their unique architectural details (I want to live in one). I can see why Shannon loves her job restoring these beauties. If you have not read the previous books in A Fixer-Upper Mystery series (or watched the movies), you will not be lost. I am giving A Wrench in the Works 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). A Wrench in the Works is a peppy and warm cozy mystery. I look forward to returning to Lighthouse Cove in the next A Fixer-Upper Mystery.
Great characters that feel like family.
A mystery that leaves you guessing.
A storyline you will love to read.
Shannon’s sister is in town and adds to to mix of characters in another mystery in Lighthouse Cove.
I enjoy Kate Carlisle’s Fixer Upper mysteries – the characters are great and I love the relationship between Shannon & Mac.
This is a great read…..wonderful characters…the whole series is great.
Great plot, keeps your interest wondering who did it.
Another great installment in this fun and entertaining series. “A Wrench in the Works” introduces us to protagonist Shannon Hammer’s sister Chloe. I really liked the way they interacted. I hope we see more of her in future books. I recommend this great read to anyone that enjoys fixer upper shows and cozies. This one ticks all the boxes
Thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book. My opinion is unbiased.
“A Wrench in the Works” is the 6th book in the Fixer-Upper Mystery series by Kate Carlisle, but you don’t need to read the earlier books to enjoy this one!
In this book, we finally get to meet Shannon Hammer’s sister, Chloe who moved to Hollywood to find fame. From earlier books, I had gotten the impression that Chloe was a bit of a diva who thought she was better than Shannon. In reading this book, however, I got to see that Chloe is actually not a diva at all and that she and Shannon have a great relationship.
Chloe is the co-host of a home repair show filming some episodes in Lighthouse Cove and Shannon and her crew get to help with some of the repairs. The behind the scenes filming aspect of the book was interesting, but of course, murder stole the show.
If you haven’t read any of Kate Carlisle’s Fixer-Upper Mysteries, you need to get started!
(I received a complimentary copy of this book for review.)
I really enjoy this series!
A Wrench in the Works is book #6 in the Fixer-Upper Mystery series and it is still just as exciting as the first book. We get to meet Shannon’s sister in this book and it seems both sisters share more than one talent!! The book keeps you guessing, you will love the characters and won’t want to put the book down. You might also get the urge to visit some Victorian style houses!!
As one of Kate’s Raters, I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a family reunion in this sixth installment of Carlisle’s Fixer-Upper cozy mystery series. Chloe Hammer, Shannon’s younger sister is back in Lighthouse Cove after leaving ten years ago under a shroud of secrecy. Now the star of a hit TV show, Makeover Madness, and a bestselling author, she is visiting with the cast and crew to film some episodes for her show.
Executive producer Bree is a thorn in everyone’s side. Beautiful, aggressive, difficult, and temperamental, she makes her presence known. She is well aware that on-air drama ratchets up ratings. A common tactic of hers is to mislead guests and broadcast their emotional reactions live. No surprise then that she pays a heavy price for rubbing people the wrong way…with her life.
Shannon is beyond thrilled to have her baby sister back. She is so proud and in awe of her. Although at times, over-protective, she knows that Chloe is more than capable of taking care of herself and knows her way around a toolbox. Both sisters grew up joining their father on construction sites. She can’t wait to give Chloe a glimpse into her life and introduce her around. Chloe, in turn, immerses Shannon into her world.
As always, this was an enjoyable fast read with its engrossing plot, humor, romance, and fun characters. Given that the theme of this series is fixer-upper, there are vivid descriptions, jargon, and techniques to that effect. Even though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Carlisle does a good job of seamlessly providing brief intros to the characters, their histories, and references to past events. I look forward to re-visiting Shannon again.
It seems finding bodies is a family trait that you just grow into. Once again, fixing up beautiful Victorian homes leads to murder and mayhem. I enjoyed this book immensely. I really hate that it’s a whole year until there’s another!
This sixth book in the Fixer-Upper Mysteries is a wonderful installment to the series. Up to author Kate Carlisle’s expected writing standards, A WRENCH IN THE WORKS was a well written story, with an intriguing mystery.
It was good being back in Lighthouse Cove with Shannon Hammer and the rest of the cast of characters. It’s been interesting watching the characters’ growth as Ms. Carlisle has fleshed them out.
A whodunit that kept me on my toes, A WRENCH IN THE WORKS flowed at a steady pace, building to a reveal that I wasn’t expecting. Fans of the series are going to mark this as one of their favorites.
If you haven’t read the series but have been wanting to check it out, the author did a great job of giving this story a stand alone feel.
Great book! I started this series and then missed reading a few of the books. Glad I’m reading them again because they ate fun! If you like fixing up old houses and mysteries, this series is a must-read. In this latest book, Shannon’s superstar sister comes home to Lighthouse Cove to film a segment of her home makeover show. First the producer is murdered and then a local man is murdered. It also seems Chloe is a target. Can Shannon, Mac, and Chloe figure out the killer? Can’t wait to read more and see what’s next for Shannon and Mac and see if Chloe moves back to town and starts dating Eric!!
A WRENCH IN THE WORKS by Kate Carlisle is the sixth book in the A Fixer-Upper Mystery series.
The story takes place in the hometown of sisters Shannon and Chloe Hammer – Lighthouse Cove. Shannon has always lived there, following her father’s footsteps in construction by becoming a building contractor specializing in Victorian home restoration. Chloe, although she left her hometown right after finishing school, is highly regarded in the construction business as well. She is the famous cohost for the television show Makeover Madness on the Home Builders Network.
It’s Makeover Madness that has Chloe returning to Lighthouse Cove to work with her sister to restore one of the local Victoria mansions – the Bloom home. She has missed coming home and is glad to see her family as well as to work with her sister. Plus it gives her a chance to face something from her past.
The show will be a boost to the local economy by working with Jane Hennessey for housing, Emily Rose for catering, Gus Peratti (Emily’s husband) for chauffeuring, meals in restaurants and not to mention the tourism brought about by the shows airing of the restoration. So everyone is glad to see the trailers being set up and the people showing up for the production of the show.
With the arrival of the staff, equipment and trailers, comes the realization that showbiz is not all fun and games. The producer, Bree Bennett, has the personality of a vixen who is always firing people, including her husband, Blake, the co-host in the show. Blake seems to be all words and no action when he appears to be a klutz. Diego Navarro is breathtakingly gorgeous and appears to be the one with the carpenter skills and physical strength for the show. Besides working well together and having a successful show, there is also conflict over power, jealousy, and a secret crush among the staff.
When Bree is found dead on the first day of production, Chloe is the prime suspect. After all, she is the last to be heard having a major argument with Bree and she was the last one “fired” by Bree. Shannon is determined to clear her sister and find out who the real murderer is.
After Chloe reveals to her sister, why she left 10 years ago and why she hasn’t been home much since, Shannon knows that clearing her sister will be even harder. Chloe feels a huge weight lifted, when she comes clean with the Connolly family and gets to confront Richard “Richie Rich” Stoddard knowing he has no hold on her any more. It doesn’t help that that confrontation was very public and very loud when Richie Rich comes up as the second murder victim. Now Shannon as two murders to clear her sister of.
Add to the mix Shannon’s boyfriend Max – ex-Navy SEAL – helping her, Police Chief Eric Jenson on the scene and several attempts on Chloe’s life and a touch of romance makes this a page turner book that keeps you guessing and reassessing your suspects along the way. The characters in this book will have you feeling every emotion from angst, to laughter, to wow.
A WRENCH IN THE WORKS can definitely be read as a standalone book. However, if this is your first book in the series, you will be running to grab the other books in the series.
I highly recommend this book and this author to anyone that loves well written, entertaining, and exciting cozy mysteries!
I really liked this story. The addition of Chloe, Shannon’s sister, brightened and added warmth to the plot. As other reviewers have done an excellent job of giving the story’s details, I would like to focus on my favorite scene. Both sisters along with Mac, Shannon’s love interest, are out to dinner when a man walks into the restaurant causing Chloe to pale and gasp. Shannon soon finds out why Chloe really left town right after her high school graduation. Shannon was so supportive and comforting it brought tears to my eyes. From this point on their relationship warmed and expanded.done
This story moved right along easily from scene to scene and maintained a nice pace. The character development was excellent making want get to know most of them. I hope Chloe is included in future stories.
A Wrench in the Works, Kate Carlisle’s 6th Fixer-Upper Mystery, brings Shannon Hammer’s little sister, Chloe, and her home makeover reality show to Lighthouse Cove. After the show’s producer is found brutally murdered on the first day of filming, Shannon has her hands full trying to protect her sister and also discover the killer. Another murder quickly follows the first, adding to the suspense and widening the suspect pool! As sparks were flying between Chloe and a resident of Lighthouse Cove, hopefully we’ll see more of her in the future as the family dynamic between the sisters is a nice touch. The mystery was very well told, and the denouement perfectly tied everything together. A+++