Heather A. (imabookfanatic) reviewed Wreck the Halls (Home Repair is Homicide, Bk 5) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoy this series- great characters and setting. #5
Helpful Score: 1
This whole series is so much fun. I just love smart, gutsy women getting things done.
Jo-Ann E. (poodlelov) reviewed Wreck the Halls (Home Repair is Homicide, Bk 5) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book and it's author. She can weave a great story that keeps you guessing to the end.
Allison W. (sealady) reviewed Wreck the Halls (Home Repair is Homicide, Bk 5) on + 657 more book reviews
From Publishers Weekly: "....Graves entertains with a cozy New England murder as she also treats such dark topics as domestic violence, stalking, date rape and drug abuse. When not do-it-yourselfing around her 1823 Federal house on a Maine island or looking after her son, Sam, Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree, a former Manhattan financial manager who's divorced from a philandering neurosurgeon, solves mysteries. In this outing, a neighbor, Faye Anne Carmody, stands accused of murdering her wife-beating husband, Merle, a butcher who was literally butchered. Although no one liked Merle, Faye is the prime suspect, and no one doubts her guilt except her friend Ellie. Ellie encourages Jake to investigate, and before long there are so many likely suspects you wonder if there is anyone on the island who didn't have a motive to kill Merle. But Graves is crafty and craftsmanlike enough to pull a least likely killer out of her top hat. Home repair doesn't figure as much as in past books, but the case is difficult to crack and involves considerable danger for Jake and Ellie. Incidentally, Jake acquires a cat and a mouse to keep her dog, Monday, company; and her ex-husband, who's moved to Maine to be near Sam, asks her help to persuade his new girlfriend to marry him. Graves's characters are very human creations, warts and all, with Jake in particular making fine company. (Dec. 4)Forecast: A most attractive holiday jacket will snag attention, but a few supportive blurbs, particularly from male authors, would help signal that this series isn't just for women." Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Kathy K. (Curled-on-Couch-n-CA) reviewed Wreck the Halls (Home Repair is Homicide, Bk 5) on + 15 more book reviews
Christmas is just weeks away, but what Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree discovers at Faye's house is far from festive: a dazed Faye Anne covered with blood. Her no-good husband is nowhere in sight ... I enjoyed this book and got a real flavor for this little town in Maine and its residents.
When ex-Wall Streeter Jacobia Jake Tiptree bought a charming 1823 fixer-upper in tiny Eastport, Maine, she figured shed also bought herself a tranquil, stress-free life. But Jake soon learned that appearances can be deceiving, and that even small towns have their share of dark secrets -- including murder. Wreck The Halls... more »
People hardly ever lock their doors in Eastport. So when Jake and her best pal, Ellie, arrive at Faye Anne Carmodys kitchen door, they knock and walk right in. But though Christmas is just two weeks away, what they find is far from festive: a dazed Faye Anne covered with blood, and her no-good husband -- the town butcher, Merle -- nowhere in sight. Nowhere, that is, until Jake discovers his body -- tidily wrapped in his own butcher paper....
It doesnt take long for news of the murder to race through the small town, and just about everyone has a theory about the grisly crime that has robbed Eastport of its least-liked citizen. But while police chief Bob Arnold considers it an open-and-shut case, Jake and Ellie arent convinced of Faye Annes guilt.
Jake has enough going on in her life without trying to investigate a murder. After all, shes just married her longtime love, Wade, and the pair plan to spend the winter rehabilitating the paint-encrusted windows in Jakes old house.
But Jake has to admit that there are a lot of details that dont add up: for example, Faye Annes complaint that she was being stalked, and blood-splattered evidence at the crime scene that just doesnt make sense. Then there is the diary that Faye Annes secret, sometime boyfriend claims is hidden somewhere in her house. Could Faye Annes own journal be the key to unlocking an even more fiendish murder plot, or is her double-crossing lover trying to frame her?
When yet another Eastport citizen turns up dead, Jake realizes the murderers trail began long before the night Merle Carmody died. But what keeps eluding her and Ellie is the motive behind the mystery. The truth is so close, they can almost taste it -- but can they stop the shrewd killer before he chisels another victims name onto a tombstone?
People hardly ever lock their doors in Eastport. So when Jake and her best pal, Ellie, arrive at Faye Anne Carmodys kitchen door, they knock and walk right in. But though Christmas is just two weeks away, what they find is far from festive: a dazed Faye Anne covered with blood, and her no-good husband -- the town butcher, Merle -- nowhere in sight. Nowhere, that is, until Jake discovers his body -- tidily wrapped in his own butcher paper....
It doesnt take long for news of the murder to race through the small town, and just about everyone has a theory about the grisly crime that has robbed Eastport of its least-liked citizen. But while police chief Bob Arnold considers it an open-and-shut case, Jake and Ellie arent convinced of Faye Annes guilt.
Jake has enough going on in her life without trying to investigate a murder. After all, shes just married her longtime love, Wade, and the pair plan to spend the winter rehabilitating the paint-encrusted windows in Jakes old house.
But Jake has to admit that there are a lot of details that dont add up: for example, Faye Annes complaint that she was being stalked, and blood-splattered evidence at the crime scene that just doesnt make sense. Then there is the diary that Faye Annes secret, sometime boyfriend claims is hidden somewhere in her house. Could Faye Annes own journal be the key to unlocking an even more fiendish murder plot, or is her double-crossing lover trying to frame her?
When yet another Eastport citizen turns up dead, Jake realizes the murderers trail began long before the night Merle Carmody died. But what keeps eluding her and Ellie is the motive behind the mystery. The truth is so close, they can almost taste it -- but can they stop the shrewd killer before he chisels another victims name onto a tombstone?
Colleen H. (Dove) -
Another great book in the series.
Jean S. (readmore) reviewed Wreck the Halls (Home Repair is Homicide, Bk 5) on + 141 more book reviews
Christmas is just weeks away, but what Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree discovers at Faye Anne Carmody's house is far from festive: a dazed Faye Anne covered with blood. Her wife beater Merlehusband Merle- Eastport's butcher and least-liked citizen-is nowhere in sight. Nowhere that is until Jake finds his body - wrapped in his own butcher paper in his display case. After the first chapter it is slow, but picks up half way through.
This was an easy read- very light and entertaining.
Marilyn Y. (Scrapydoll) reviewed Wreck the Halls (Home Repair is Homicide, Bk 5) on + 13 more book reviews
Good read. Loads of great recipes. I was surprised the story itself was only 3/4 of the book long. Ended suddenly and ending good. I do recommend for a good easy coze mystery read and loads of recipes. (about 1/4 of the book).
this book was so good I couldnt put it down till I finished it couldnt wait for next book to come out. love sarah graves repair tips helping with our own house repairs.
Jan W. (Paperchick) reviewed Wreck the Halls (Home Repair is Homicide, Bk 5) on + 153 more book reviews
I love this series. Jake and her family/friends never fail to amuse!
This is one busy lady. She is trying to renovate an old house, take care of her new husband and investigate a murder. One of which isn't such an open and shut case. Action packed.
