Book 12, 2023

[chez_jae]

Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I almooooooost finished reading my book at work today, which means I brought it home to read the final chapter. It was Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle, and it's the 8th book in the "Fixer-Upper" mystery series. The main character is general contractor Shannon Hammer.

Shannon has a big project on her plate when her best friend Jane purchases one of the buildings of The Gables, a former state insane asylum that's slated to be renovated. Jane wants to turn her building into a luxury hotel, and Shannon's crew will be doing the work. Before work begins on the first day, however, a group of protesters show up and disrupt the proceedings. Shortly after, someone pushes Jane over a collapsed wall. Later, a body is found in the same area. All Shannon wants is to get to work, and if finding the killer helps her achieve that goal, she's determined to do so.

I enjoyed this story. Despite this being the first I've read of this series, I did not feel like I was adrift and wondering what was going on. The author provided enough backstory without bogging down the narrative. Shannon is a likable character, and other characters were portrayed well, from Shannon's BFF Jane to her significant other Mac. The plot was engrossing and flowed seamlessly. The only thing that took me aback was how far into the book the murder occurred.

Favorite lines:
♦ "Boatloads of cash always make me giddy."
♦ "We're just playing the Scooby-Doo game, tossing ideas around, remember?"
♦ "She is lower than the green jaws of hell."

Very good book, and I would certainly read more in the series. Four stars


1. Does the mc work at/as one of the following: baker/bakery/sweet shop/tea shop/coffee shop, library/librarian, antique/vintage shop, book store, fashion/boutique, bed & breakfast? No, she's a contractor
2. Does the mc live at her (or his) place of occupation? No, she does not
3. Is the love interest involved in law enforcement? (Police officer, sheriff, detective, PI, FBI) No, he's an author -- thank goodness!
4. Does the mc have a dog/cat as a pet? Yes, she has a dog and a cat
5. Is the mc's BFF either a gay guy or a ditzy/zany woman? No
6. Did the mc find the body? Yes
7. Did the mc wind up in mortal danger at the end of the book? Eh, not mortal danger.
8. Is the mc's mother either: dead, absent, far removed, ditzy and dithering, or overbearing/disapproving/meddling? Yes
9. If mother is dead/absent, does the mc have another mother-figure (grandmother, aunt, mom's friend, or an older friend)? Maybe? I'm not familiar enough with the series.
10. Is the mc child-free? (Either no children or else grown children--i.e. no small children to look after) Yes, she's child-free