Source: Publisher
Description: 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 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. . . .
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I love books involving renovation of old houses or buildings and I've enjoyed previous books in the series.
My Impression: This is a bit tricky to write. Objectively, I can see the flaws in this book. The actual murder doesn't occur until more then halfway through the book. The characters aren't particularly fleshed out and can be a bit one note. Shannon's observations about Mac can get a bit repetitive and are a bit overdone.
That said - I really liked it! This book really clicked with me and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I was fascinated with the history of the Gables and the renovation project that Shannon and her team were working on. I couldn't wait for each tiny little hint of a clue to be revealed and corner of the old asylum to be explored. I love the renovation aspects and that Shannon is actually involved versus her job just being window dressing for the series. I also really enjoyed Jane and Shannon's friendship and the details about Jane's mother.
This was a fun cozy mystery read with a fantastically creepy setting. If the blurb intrigues you as much as it did me don't hesitate to pick this one up!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I've enjoyed what books in this series I've read though I really need to go back to the beginning and catch up.
Would I Recommend this Book? After writing my thoughts I skimmed some Goodreads reviews and it sounded like most people had no problem jumping in with this one so if it intrigues you grab it! Otherwise if you enjoy books about renovations and love a good cozy this is a good series.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I've enjoyed what books in this series I've read though I really need to go back to the beginning and catch up.
Would I Recommend this Book? After writing my thoughts I skimmed some Goodreads reviews and it sounded like most people had no problem jumping in with this one so if it intrigues you grab it! Otherwise if you enjoy books about renovations and love a good cozy this is a good series.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
I never mind if the murder mystery isn't always right at the start - because having the crime occur a good way through, is give the reader a strong idea of the protagonists' normal life and a good opportunity to really care before their world is turned upside down...
ReplyDeleteI like this series and jumped into it and I don't normally do that...lol. I still want to go back and read the others though!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this series. It looks so good.
ReplyDeleteSounds good despite the few flaws. I like starting a series at the beginning so one I'd read as house renovation is kinda what I like. But... will read the quilting one first that I started because I loved it. Only flaw I could see was a bit of insta-love that I thought could have been stretched out, but then it was the author's very first book and she didn't really think it was going to go much further apart from one more!
ReplyDeleteI like books like set around home renovations or the like too. This sounds like a great cozy series. I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteDog cover! 🐾✨
ReplyDeleteCute cover and like how the building looks like it's made out of gingerbread. I'm reading Peppermint Peril, a cozy series that is all winter based (?). I think it's the first Christmas themed book for this year.
ReplyDelete