Book 44, 2016
Jun. 5th, 2016 10:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chez_jaeEarlier this evening, I finished the book If Walls Could Talk, which is the first installment in Juliet Blackwell's "Haunted Home Renovation" mystery series. I had some other books in the series, then realized I didn't have the first one, so I bought it.
:D
Melanie Turner has taken over her father's construction business of renovating historic homes in San Francisco. When visiting a run-down Pacific Heights mansion, Mel and her friend Matt encounter one of Matt's colleagues, who has been seriously injured. Kenneth later dies of his injuries, and then his ghost begins appearing to Mel.
Although Mel wasn't sure she wanted to take on the project, it seems someone has already filed for permits under her company's name. In an effort to find out answers, Mel begins making the rounds and asking questions. Her only clue to the crime may be an old box that she found hidden in the walls of the mansion. The police aren't treating Kenneth's death as a homicide, so it's up to Mel to find out who killed him and why.
I enjoyed the story. Mel is an engaging heroine. I appreciated that she was older (39), and not a svelte waif. She has a wonderful, wry wit, and I liked reading about her interactions with other characters, including her father, (former) stepson, and even Kenneth.
Favorite line:
"Wait a minute," I said. "The dog saw you."
"So?"
"So maybe I'm not crazy, after all."
"Or maybe the dog's a figment of your imagination, too--ever think of that?"
"Very comforting, Kenneth. Thank you."
Four stars:
****
:D
Melanie Turner has taken over her father's construction business of renovating historic homes in San Francisco. When visiting a run-down Pacific Heights mansion, Mel and her friend Matt encounter one of Matt's colleagues, who has been seriously injured. Kenneth later dies of his injuries, and then his ghost begins appearing to Mel.
Although Mel wasn't sure she wanted to take on the project, it seems someone has already filed for permits under her company's name. In an effort to find out answers, Mel begins making the rounds and asking questions. Her only clue to the crime may be an old box that she found hidden in the walls of the mansion. The police aren't treating Kenneth's death as a homicide, so it's up to Mel to find out who killed him and why.
I enjoyed the story. Mel is an engaging heroine. I appreciated that she was older (39), and not a svelte waif. She has a wonderful, wry wit, and I liked reading about her interactions with other characters, including her father, (former) stepson, and even Kenneth.
Favorite line:
"Wait a minute," I said. "The dog saw you."
"So?"
"So maybe I'm not crazy, after all."
"Or maybe the dog's a figment of your imagination, too--ever think of that?"
"Very comforting, Kenneth. Thank you."
Four stars:
****
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Date: 2016-06-06 03:58 pm (UTC)ETA: This is already out of print! The used copies at Amazon are over $20, and my library doesn't have it. I guess I won't be reading it. It does sound fun, though.
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Date: 2016-06-15 01:07 am (UTC)I bought it, new, through Amazon just a few weeks ago, and I know I paid only the list price for it. Huh.
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Date: 2016-06-15 01:10 am (UTC)