Absence of Mallets (A Fixer-Upper Mystery) Market Paperback – December 7, 2021 by Kate Carlisle

Description

Author: Carlisle Kate

Color: Multicolor

Package Dimensions: 19x171x154

Number Of Pages: 304

Release Date: 07-12-2021

Details: Product Description

Contractor Shannon Hammer steels her nerve to pin down a killer in the latest Fixer-Upper Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Premeditated Mortar. . . .

Shannon could not be happier that her hunky thriller-writing boyfriend, Mac, has moved in, and it is a good thing they are living together because they are both busier than ever. Mac is hosting writing retreats at his now vacant lighthouse mansion, while Shannon and her crew build Homefront, a quaint Victorian village of tiny homes for veterans in need. Mac’s latest guests are proving to be a handful though, and Shannon has heard some grumbling from the luminaries of Lighthouse Cove about her latest passion project. But nothing can throw a wrench in their plans except a malicious murder.

When one of Shannon’s new friends is found brutally bludgeoned with a mallet near the lighthouse on Mac’s property, the couple hammers out a suspect list and searches for a motive. As they drill deeper for clues, more violence strikes and a new victim winds up in a coma. The pressure is on, and Shannon and Mac will have to move fast to find an unhinged killer dead set on demolishing anyone who gets in their way. . . .

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author
Kate Carlisle worked in television for many years before turning to writing. Inspired by the northern seaside towns of her native California, where Victorian mansions grace the craggy cliffs and historic lighthouses warn fishermen and smugglers alike, Kate was drawn to create the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, featuring small-town girl Shannon Hammer, a building contractor specializing in home restoration. Kate also writes the
New York Times bestselling Bibliophile Mysteries, featuring Brooklyn Wainwright.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter One

Coffee. The aroma was calling my name and nudging me out of a deep, dreamless sleep. Still, I lingered under the covers for a moment, wishing I could stay for another hour and savor the quiet warmth. Through the fog, though, I managed to remember that my day was going to be insanely busy. I had to get up.

Besides, there was coffee.

And there was Mac.

That did it. I threw back the covers and stumbled to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face.

After brushing my teeth and taming my wild mop of red hair back into a single braid, I dabbed on some moisturizer and lip balm, then stared at my image in the mirror. For a few wonderful seconds, I reflected on how much my life had changed over the past eight months. That was how long it had been since Mac Sullivan and I had been living together. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to wipe that happy smile off my face.

I dressed quickly and rushed downstairs to the kitchen, where I was greeted with ecstatic barking from Robbie, my West Highland terrier, and an affectionate head bop from Tiger, my orange marmalade cat.

“Good morning, creatures,” I said, and bent down to give Robbie a brisk belly rub. Mac’s silky black cat, Luke, sauntered into the room just then, looking like a tiny panther on the prowl. “I didn’t forget you,” I murmured, and gave the newcomer a light scratch under the chin.

I stood up and there was Mac. He was leaning against the counter by the coffeemaker, holding a fresh cup of coffee and grinning at me.

He seemed pretty darned happy these days, too. Setting the cup down, he walked over and pulled me into his arms. “Good morning, beautiful.”

I wrapped my arms around him and held on, breathing him in. After a long moment, I leaned back to smile at him. “Good morning yourself. And bless you for making coffee.”

He reached for the cup and handed it to me. “You’re welcome, sleepyhead.”

I took a big, life-affirming gulp of strong coffee, then checked the clock on the stove. “It’s barely six o’clock. How long have you been up?”

“About two hours.” He grabbed his own cup and took a sip. “I woke up with this crazy idea for a turning point and n