Kate CarlisleA High-End Finish (A Fixer-Upper Mystery)

I'm happy that I've found a new series. I love Shannon, the red head contractor. She's loveable and funny and determined. Two murders happen and she finds herself in the midst of it all. Written well. Kudos to author, Kate Carlisle.

Shannon Hammer is a contractor and her specialty is home-renovation, especially Victorian style homes. She took over the business after her father retired, but she and her sister grew up on his jobsites after her mother died, learning about everything along the way.Her married friend Lizzie has set her up on a blind date because she wants everyone to be as happy as she is. The man she's chosen is Jerry Sexton, and when Shannon meets him, he is indeed nice and attractive. At least until they go walking on the beach and she has to fight him off -- in front of a group of people who can see them from higher ground. Then Shannon gets called to one of the homes she's fixing, and stumbles across Jerry's body in the basement. When the police discover that the murder weapon belonged to her -- courtesy of the pink color of her tools -- she instantly becomes a suspect.But Shannon knows she didn't kill anyone. And no matter how attractive the new chief of police is, she's not going to let him stop her from inquiring about who wanted Jerry dead. Except it seems that every woman in town had a motive, which makes it harder. Then a bike accident (unfortunately) introduces her to an author who's just moved there - 'Mac' Sullivan - and he sees that it really wasn't an accident and now she's wondering who's out to get her. But when it's apparent that someone really is out to get her, by framing her for Jerry's death and a second one, then the police are taking a hard look at others in town, and so is Shannon. If she doesn't figure out who's trying to kill her, and soon, then they just might succeed...This is the first book in the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, and it's a very good beginning indeed. Shannon isn't your usual sleuth; she's a contractor who builds and refurbishes homes, and she's very good at it. She has close friends and a decent social life with them, even though there hasn't been a steady man in her life for a long time. But she's intelligent, courageous, independent, and determined. Unfortunately, there's also the "evil nemesis" in this book in the form of Jennifer and Whitney - who stole and married her high school boyfriend, Tommy. While she can let it go, Whitney can't. While I also really despise the 'evil nemesis,' I have to say that it wasn't too overt in this book so it really didn't bother me, because Whitney wasn't going through the book making Shannon's life miserable every chance she got. It was merely things said on and off, and didn't take up every paragraph in the book.As the first book, it drew me in and kept me reading, which is a good thing. The plot was well written and done nicely, and there were clues strewn throughout, which were easy to miss if you weren't looking for them. The dialogue was witty and at times humorous, and I liked the interaction between Shannon and her friends. It's a strong connection, and it shows. While I can almost see which of the two men Shannon is going to choose, we'll have to see which way it's going to go in the next book.When the murderer is finally revealed, there's a pretty interesting climax that gives us all the information we've been waiting for, and shows us more of Shannon's tenacity when the situation calls for it. In the end, Ms. Carlisle is obviously a talented writer who can create characters that become real on the page. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next in the series. Highly recommended.

Well writtenGood PaceEngaging CharactersNo Explicit ViolenceNo Sex

This first book in the Fixer-Upper Mystery introduces Shannon Hammer and her family construction owned business. Two bully's from her past bring her problems and as she struggles with them her tools are used to murder two men. Add romance with two handsome men and the reader gets a book full of action and adventure. they will long remember .

I love a good cozy mystery so I was thrilled when I saw this one on sale for $1.99. So thrilled in fact that I gobbled it up as fast as I could! A High-End Finish is the first book in the series. There are a few more that have been released after this one, so if your looking for a new cozy series to get into this would be a good one as there aren't too many books to catch up with. Also, Kate Carlisle does a fantastic job at mixing a little bit of romance with a great mystery. So, you can't go wrong with this one if you are a fan of one or both of these genres!In this installment, readers will meet Shannon Hammer- a female contractor who lives in the small town of Lighthouse Cove. Does this name sound familiar to you? If so, think Hallmark Movies and mysteries. Because this book is now a movie! Wohoo! Anyway, Shannon leads a pretty docile life in Lighthouse Cove- she has friends, family, and a great job, but she tends to keep to herself instead of dating because all the dates she goes on ends in disaster. The most recent one leads to an assault and murder which spirals her life right out of control. Luckily for Shannon, she has her good friends on her side, plus the sexy detective and the bestselling and handsome author on her side.Overall, I truly enjoyed this one and will be picking up the other books in the series. I can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans and mysteries that surround Shannon next. On top of this, I look forward to reading about her love interests and see where those go!

This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to more in the series. I enjoyed getting to know Shannon and am delighted that she is a contractor. It's about time books catch up with the 21st century and realize that there are women in many professions that were once occupied only by men. I also enjoyed meeting the others in this small town and like the fact that Shannon has strong bonds of friendship with both genders. The mystery part of the story was fine and expect this aspect will grow stronger in future books where it isn't as necessary to introduce us to the cast of base characters.My one complaint about this book is one that I am having with most of my beloved "cozy" mysteries anymore. When in the world did it become a requirement for all of the main female characters of cozies that there be two men who are hopelessly in love with them and with whom they will then dangle on the string for book after book? Somewhere along the line cozies have begun to resemble romance novels more than mystery books. There are some notable exceptions and how grateful I am for those writers that have avoided this trend. I don't mind some romance included in the book but I mind very much when these middle school type "romances" become the central focus of the stories instead of the mystery being the focus. And, quite honestly, after the heroine keeps these guys dangling so long I end up disliking her and despising the guys for being such saps. These are grown people for heaven sakes. Let them behave as adults and have adult romances where they treat one another with respect for their feelings. And please, please let the mystery be the star of the mystery books....not the romance.

A great first cozy crime novel about contractor Shannon Hammer, who has taken over her father's construction company in the seaside town of lighthouse cove in northern California, set up on a blind date by her friend, Shannon has an awful experience after her date tries to attack her. Later she discovers his dead body in a house she's renovating, killed with one of her own pink tools! The chief of police Eric Jensen new to town from the big city sees Shannon as the main suspect until he gets to know her. Throw in bitchy girls from high school a handsome crime novelist and an ex now a police officer and married to your high school bully, this book has everything, it's a great read you will not be disappointed! Highly recommend. I'm going to buy this entire series, I found a new favourite after the aurora teagarden mysteries!! 5*s

First in the Fixer-upper mystery series.Read the paperback when it first came out. Now I have gone back and listened to the audiobook. Which is well narrated by Angela Starling.Home-renovation and repair business is booming, in the seaside town of Lighthouse Cove in northern California. And aptly named Shannon Hammer is the best in the business.When the body of a previous blind date, ends up dead on one of her work sites. Murdered with one of Shannon's signature pink work tools. Shannon becomes prime suspect. When a second murder happens, with another of Shannon's tools. She has to now clear her name, before the New Chief of Police arrests her for double murder.With a good set of characters, in a well plotted and written mystery.I loved and enjoyed this mystery the first time round, and it was even better listening to the narration from Angela Starling the second time.

Ok - a page turner that doesn’t tax the brain too much. Thought i’d try this series after seeing the Hallmark film.Brief overview: Shannon Hammer (yes really) is a builder who finds herself a murder suspect when a guy she has an altercation with is found dead in her renovated property.No surprises here - in spite of being a contractor (which was interesting) the lead turns out to be an anodyne Mary Sue who predictably attracts every male in town. There’s the pre-requisite love triangle and the murderer is obvious from an early stage.Ok for a beach read but too predictable and formulaic. I won’t be buying any more of the series.

Great story, kept me guessing all the way through, really enjoyed it, can't wait for next instalment! Love the characters too!

Fabulous read. Great plot. Love the lady pink tools.