ARC Review: A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle

A Wrench in the Works
Author: Kate Carlisle
Series: A Fixer-Upper Mystery
Publication: Berkley (November 6, 2018)

Description: Shannon Hammer's younger sister Chloe left Lighthouse Cove after high school to make it big in Hollywood. And she did it! For several years now, Chloe has been the co-host of a popular home repair show on the Do-It-Yourself Network. Now, after ten years, Chloe returns to Lighthouse Cove with her crew and co-host to film several shows featuring her sister Shannon, along with some special mini-segments on Victorian style and design.

But Shannon realizes quickly that things are not exactly blissful in TV land. Her sister's handsome co-host is being stalked by someone who turns out to be his estranged wife, Erica--who also happens to be the executive producer of the show. Erica's got a knack for stirring up sticky situations and when she's found dead, Chloe and the entire crew are under suspicion.

Shannon soon discovers the real reason why Chloe was so eager to move away from Lighthouse Cove all those years ago. Can Shannon figure out if that ten-year-old secret is connected to Erica's death? And can she track down the real killer before her beloved sister becomes the next victim?

My Thoughts: Contractor Shannon Hammer's sister Chloe has come to Lighthouse Cove to film some episodes for her popular home improvement show and wants to feature Shannon. Chloe was unhappy in town and left right after high school. Now Shannon finds out what happened to cause her to leave.

Shannon also learns about the ins and outs of making a television show and all of the personality conflicts involved. Chloe's executive producer Bree is a toxic personality who delights in stirring things up. She also delights in firing her staff which the staff has learned to ignore.

When Shannon and Chloe are looking over the property that they are going to rehab, they find Bree dead on the hearth of one of the fireplaces. They also find her husband, and Chloe's co-star, drugged in his trailer.

Since Chloe had had a loud argument with Bree the day before, Shannon needs to put on her detective hat and find out who really killed Bree. Then when a man who had been using emotional blackmail on Chloe for years is also found dead in the house, Shannon's task becomes even harder.

Shannon wonders if the deaths came from something in Chloe's past or whether they had to do with a possible new television show which will oust her old co-star and bring in a younger hunk to be her partner.

I enjoyed the mystery and the information about Victorian houses. This is not the first book in the series but I had no trouble following what was happening. I would like to read earlier books to learn more about Shannon's previous cases and how her friends and boyfriend came into her life.

Favorite Quote:

"I don't want you to panic."

"Really? Because when someone says that, it pretty much guarantees there will be panic." I glared at him. "What did you do?"

"My job."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.