Fatal Fixer-Upper by Jennie Bentley is the first book in the new “Do-It-Yourself” cozy mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin), November 2008
Avery Baker was once a New York designer, but inheriting her aunt’s old Maine cottage has led her down a new career path—home renovation. Now, with help from hunky handyman Derek Ellis, Avery starts learning the ABCs of DIY. But when the designer-turned-renovator finds clues that lead to a missing professor, she wonders if she can finish the house—without getting finished off in the process.
New Yorker Avery Baker receives a cryptic note from her great-aunt and heads up to Maine only to discover that she had passed away several days ago from an accidental fall down the stairs. She inherits her aunt’s cottage and decides with the help of Derek Ellis to renovate the house for re-sale. There’s a secret that her aunt had and Avery’s life if threaten, the cottage has been searched and thrashed and a professor is missing and Avery begins to wonder if they are all connected. I enjoyed this new series and look forward to reading more about the renovation work of Avery and Derek.
Pseudonym of Bente Gallagher
*new-to-me author