This Old Homicide by Kate Carlisle is the second book in the “Fixer-Upper” mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, January 2015

Contractor and part-time sleuth Shannon Hammer specializes in improving the quirks and flaws of the Victorian homes in Lighthouse Cove, California. The quirks and flaws of their residents are another story. . .

Valentine’s Day is approaching, and while Shannon is delighted to be friends with not one but two handsome men, not everyone in town is feeling the love. After her elderly neighbor Jesse Hennessey fails to make his daily appearance at the local diner, Shannon swings by his place to check on him. Not only does she find Jesse dead—of an apparent heart attack—but she also realizes that his home has been ransacked.

Someone suggests that a thief was searching for a priceless necklace Jesse claimed to have retrieved from a capsized sailing ship, but Shannon doesn’t believe it. Everyone knows Jesse had a penchant for constructing tall tales—like the one about him having a hot new girlfriend. But his death is soon ruled a homicide, and shady suspects begin popping out of the woodwork. When another victim turns up dead, Shannon is convinced she must find the killer before someone else gets nailed. . .

This was a good mystery peppered with plenty of suspects and twists and turns to keep me both engaged and entertained in this fast-paced whodunit. Shannon is great protagonist (and I especially love her pink tools) that has me rooting for her as she searches for a killer. The author does a great job in presenting this well-written light drama that boasts a lovable cast of characters, a great setting with a small town atmosphere and good conversations. I look forward to more visits to Lighthouse Cove with Shannon and her friends.