Contractor Shannon Hammer gets tangled up in murder at a spooky old asylum in the latest Fixer-Upper Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Kate Carlisle. . . .Shannon Hammer is about to embark on one of the biggest projects of her career. Her best friend Jane Hennessey has purchased one wing of the Gables, formerly the old state insane asylum, located on a bucolic hillside two miles … bucolic hillside two miles northeast of Lighthouse Cove. Jane plans to turn her section into a small luxury hotel complete with twenty ocean-view rooms, a spa, and a restaurant.
Shannon is raring to get started on the enormous project and is shocked when a group of unruly protesters shows up at the groundbreaking ceremony and wreaks havoc. She’s even more freaked-out when someone pushes her into a pit of bricks in a closed-off room of the asylum. Despite her close call, Shannon wants nothing more than to get back to work . . . until she finds a body not far from where she was pushed. Now Shannon is determined to get to the bottom of the goings-on at the Gables even if it kills her. . . .
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I gave this one only four stars because the murder takes way, way too long to occur. Other than that, this, the 8th in the series, was a great read. Shannon and Mac are immersed in another murder when Shannon takes on a huge renovation project for her friend, Jane. The old mental institution, abandoned for almost 20 years, is going to get a new life as a multi-use location with retail, restaurants and a five star hotel. The hotel is Jane’s and Mac is one of the investors. If it all goes to plan, The Gables will become a big draw for the town of Lighthouse Cove. Of course something always goes sideways and as soon as the ground breaking takes place, protesters start their agenda and make things difficult for Shannon and her crew. If only that was all she had to deal with – a body turns up and Shannon sets out to track down the killer in their midst. Along the way the dark history of The Gables is uncovered and, boy, is it creepy. Like read it at Halloween creepy.
We get to hang out with Shannon and Mac – I wish they would tie the knot – and we learn some more about Jane and then there is Chloe, Shannon’s sister. I hope this means that she and her romance with the Chief will figure in future books. The mystery was well crafted and it kept me guessing. All in all it was a very enjoyable reading escape during these trying times.
My thanks to the publisher, Berkley and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I know I am coming into the series at the end however I didn’t feel like I was lost. It can be a stand-alone for sure. The author had a great way of briefly recapping the background for reader on the characters.
I must say I was at the edge of my seat throughout this book. Excited and anxious of what will happen next. Who will be murdered? How are they found? Who was the murderer? What were their motives?
A brilliant murder mystery with such fun characters. All the clues were wrapped up. The smart-Alec attitudes and banters made me laugh out loud at times.
I was glad I had the opportunity to read this, it was very enjoyable and kept my mind thinking without being stressful. Just lots of fun.
*I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinion given is mine alone and not influenced by anyone else. *
I have been a fan of this series for a long time. It was my introduction to Kate Carlisle and I’ve never looked back. I think Premeditated Mortar is one of my favorite books in the series to date. Shannon is undertaking a massive project for her friend Jane. She is turning a building that was part of a Victorian-era asylum (the Gables) into a premier hotel. The setting is pretty creepy and unsettling especially as Shannon and Mac delve into the history of what happened to some of the patients while at the asylum. It wouldn’t be a Shannon Hammer project if somewhere along the way she doesn’t trip over a dead body, leading to another murder investigation. The mystery was really well done. With each new incident that occurs at the Gables, the layers are peeled back and more suspects and motives are revealed. I love how the location and mystery in this story connect to Shannon’s friend Jane allowing the reader to get more of her backstory.
I really love the characters in this story. The relationship between Mac and Shannon is perfect. They are a great couple and their progressing romance does not hinder the story, but for me enhances. Because Mac is a mystery/thriller writer, he is able to help Shannon channel her inner curiosity and between them come up with a lot of great clues and theories to help the chief of police. I also love the sibling relationship between Chloe and Shannon. Given how things are moving along with Chole and the Chief, I am looking forward to seeing more of her in future stories.
This is a series that I look forward to with each new book. Ms. Carslisle hits all the right notes for me as a cozy mystery fan with interesting mysteries, entertaining plots, great characters, and a lovely setting. I am a fan and will continue to return to Lighthouse Cove for as long as Ms. Carlisle continues to write this series.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Berkley, through Netgalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
contractors, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, family, friendship, cozy-mystery, small-town
Take a derelict hospital for the insane abandoned in the 1970s, add in a great project to turn the extravagant building into several venues including a world class hotel and spa, then add in a protest group. And a weird former director. And a body or two.
This is the first book in series that I’ve read but it worked OK as a stand alone.
That whole high school drama thing was nutsy and pretty useless considering the ages of the characters, but it was still a good read.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.