Kate Carlisle is the author of A High-End Finish (Fixer-Upper Mystery 1), which debuted at #9 on the New York Times bestsellers list. Fixer-Upper Mystery 2 is This Old Homicide, available January 27 in paperback and ebook wherever books are sold.
Lighthouse Cove, California is not made for speeding, a fact I usually appreciate. But today I’m running late, so I can’t see the charm of sleepy traffic.
Oh, sorry. Hi. I’m Shannon Hammer. I run Hammer Construction. I specialize in restoring Victorians. This morning, when I spotted an original tile behind a depressing 1940s remodel, I lost a few minutes getting doe-eyed. Hence, running late.
I zip (sedately) to my house. Emily asked me to meet the gang at her tea shop, and it sounded important. After everything she did for me, I owe her. A few months ago, a man was murdered with one of my tools in a house I was working on. The night before he died, we’d had a pretty public argument, so you can see why suspicion fell on me. But my friends rallied. Emily has the tea shop, Lizzie and her husband have a stationery store, Marigold owns a little quilt shop, and Jane is the proud owner of what will soon be the best inn in Lighthouse Cove. They all put work aside to help me find the killer. Those are friends! They’ve always said they’d do anything for me, and they certainly proved it.
My dog Robbie, a Westie, is trying to get to me through the fence. I hate to disappoint him, but—
“Sorry, bud,” I say as I head on foot toward the sidewalk.
“What’s that?” My irascible neighbor Jesse says as I pass his yard.
“I was talking to my dog.”
A lifelong scuba diver, Jesse spent so much of his life in saltwater that it made him crusty. He’s also my friend Jane’s uncle, and I’ve always found him to be delightful. I hadn’t seen him around much lately. Very unusual. I don’t have time for one of his stories now, though, so I don’t ask where he’s been, I just keep walking.
I hope I don’t regret that later. . .
A sneak peek at This Old Homicide:
“Jesse?” I called again, more urgently this time. I headed for the small den off the kitchen where he liked to watch television. And that was where I found him. He was sound asleep on the couch with one arm dangling over the edge.
“Jesse!” I hurried across the room, so filled with relief that I forgot about the mess and everything else. “Thank goodness you’re here. Don’t be mad that I came into your house, but I was worried.”
There was no reaction. The man could sleep like the dead, I thought. The way he’d torn his home apart, I had to wonder if he was simply exhausted. Old people could do some weird things sometimes. I recalled my grandmother going off on all sorts of oddball tangents before she died, once tearing up a scrapbook filled with old photographs, and another time bingeing on jars of jalapeño pickles.
I studied Jesse’s face and wondered if maybe he was sick after all, because he looked pale, almost gray.
“Jesse?” I knelt down beside the couch and touched his forehead to make sure he wasn’t feverish.
On the contrary, his skin was cool. And no wonder, since the poor guy was wearing a pair of tidy white cotton boxer shorts and nothing else.
“Come on, Jesse, wake up.” I reached for the afghan draped over the back of the couch and covered him up to give him a little dignity. I lifted his arm onto the couch and tucked the edges of the blanket under him to warm him up.
“Jesse,” I said softly, shaking his shoulder lightly. “Can I get you some soup or something?”
His arm slid off the couch again. And I suddenly realized why.
You can read more about Shannon in This Old Homicide, the second book in the “Fixer-Upper” mystery series, published by Obsidian.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on February 2 for the chance to win a copy of THIS OLD HOMICIDE. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
New York Times bestselling author Kate Carlisle is a native Californian who worked in television production 
for many years before turning to writing. Kate’s “Bibliophile Mystery” series features bookbinder protagonist Brooklyn Wainwright, whose rare book restoration skills invariably uncover old secrets, treachery and murder. Find excerpts, contests, book news, and more at Author Kate Carlisle and Facebook.
This Old Homicide sounds like a great book! I can’t wait to read it. Thank you for the giveaway. myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh, I’m so glad to hear you’re excited to read THIS OLD HOMICIDE, Jen. 🙂
Looking forward to reading This Old Homicide. I loved A High End Finish.
That is *so* nice to hear! It’s fun to have the first two books in the series out so close to each other, so readers don’t have to wait a year to get to know the characters better.
I want to start reading this series.
I hope you will! You can start right now with the free excerpts on my website. 😉 http://www.katecarlisle.com
Hi Dru,
I hope you’ve had a good weekend!
Do you think you might be able to help me track down an e-book cozy mystery I read in the last 18 months, if I gave you some details about it?
Thank you, Maureen
>
I love Kate’s books and would definitely give one of my kids right arm to win a copy. Toss my hat in the contest ring please Dru.
LOL!!!! Please don’t give your kids’ arms away! 🙂
This book sounds great and I love the cover! Thank you for the contest!
Isn’t the cover gorgeous? I adore the lighthouse, the green lawn, the cat, and especially the skull-shaped fence post. I hope readers will be drawn to it. 😀
Loved the first one. Looking for another visit to Lighthouse Cove.
Aw! Thank you! I’m so glad you loved A HIGH-END FINISH. <3
I love Kate’s books. Looking forward to reading this one.
Thank you, Dotty! That makes me happy!
I enjoy her writing, would love this one.
That’s so nice to hear. Thank you. (I don’t feel right calling you Gram, though I suppose that could be your name and not short for grandma.)
I’ve been waiting to read this. Thank you for the chance
Wonderful! THIS OLD HOMICIDE will be in stores tomorrow. I’m always happy to hear that readers are excited to get their hands on my books. 😀
I love seaside villages, lighthouses and Victorian houses . This book sounds wonderful
Thank you, Debbie. I hope you’ll enjoy your visit to Lighthouse Cove. You can explore the town here: http://katecarlisle.com/lighthouse-cove.php
This sounds like a charming cozy, and the cover is gorgeous!
Isn’t it? Thanks, Linda! I’m always awestruck by the talented cover artists. They do an excellent job of capturing the tone of the book and of my writing. I want readers to look at the covers and know they’re going to be getting a smart, funny murder mystery.
love this series. Can’t wait to read – marked on my calendar!
Hurray!!!!! I love being marked on your calendar! 😉 For extra insurance, you can sign up for my mailing list. Then I can pop you an email when I release a new book. http://www.katecarlisle.com
Love to own anything by Kate Carlisle! Waiting impatiently for the #2 in the new series.
That’s so sweet, Amy! Thank you.
already a ‘must-read’ for me!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
“Must Read” are two of my favorite words in the English language.
This sounds like a fun book. Thank you for the chance to win
Good luck! I hope you’ll love Shannon Hammer and Lighthouse Cove!
A protagonist who fixes up old Victorians and solves mysteries? Sign me up!
Haha! Here, sign yourself up: http://katecarlisle.com/kate.php#mailing
😉 😉 😉
I loved the first in this series and can’t wait to read #2. Thanks for the giveaway!
That’s so nice to hear! I was really honored when A HIGH-END FINISH debuted at #9 on the New York Times list. That was my first time in the Top 10, and I got the news while at Bouchercon, a conference for mystery writers and readers. I was so excited, I could hardly focus! Heady stuff.
A female contractor – sounds like a winner to me.
Shannon is a lot of fun to write. I like to turn expectations on their head. She’s a builder and really knows her stuff… but she also likes girlie things like makeup and manicures. 🙂
I’m a big fan of Kate Carlisleand I really enjoyed the first book of this series so I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway
Thank you! It’s especially fun for me to hear from readers who enjoyed A HIGH-END FINISH and want more of Shannon Hammer and Lighthouse Cove. Excellent!
Looks like a great cozy mystery.
xzjh04@ gmail.com
Thanks, Kiki! That cover sends a definite “cozy” message, doesn’t it? I always hope readers will judge my books by their covers because I think they’re terrific!
Love watching and reading DIY. This looks like fun
Oh, I love watching DIY… or professional remodels, for that matter (except when it was in my own house, which I found very stressful!) HGTV is one of my favorite channels.
I’m so looking forward to reading this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Good luck in the giveaway, Sheila! You can start reading THIS OLD HOMICIDE right away on my website, http://www.katecarlisle.com. 🙂
Have not had a chance to read the first book but it sounds like a really good series from what synopsis I have read about the first and now this book. 🙂
You don’t have to read A HIGH-END FINISH in order to enjoy THIS OLD HOMICIDE. 🙂 (But I’d be happy if you decided that you’re intrigued enough to check out the first book in the series. LOL)
Hi Kate, sorry just now saw your response. I’ll read anything that’s put in front of me. I love reading things in order or close to order even if its a book considered “stand-alone” just because I know some characters sometimes do get brought up in them I wouldn’t recognize. 🙂 Thanks 😀
Looks great, thanks for the chance to win it 🙂
This looks good. I have read some of her other books but not this series. Would love a copy.
This sounds like my kind of story 🙂
Looking forward to reading this as I enjoyed the first book in the series. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win.
Oh my! The teaser from the book sounds wonderful! I don’t know how this series slipped past me, but I am very excited to learn about it and intend to read book 1 as soon as possible! (Thanks Santa for my amazon money-I will use some today!) Anyway Dru, I would like to be considered for the contest to win this new book. Thanks to you and author Kate!!
Oh, I’m so honored, Barbara, that you’re spending some of your Santa money on my books. 🙂 Thank you!!! I hope you’ll love A HIGH-END FINISH and THIS OLD HOMICIDE. The third Fixer-Upper Mystery will be out later this year.
Love the sound of the book.
So looking forward to this one. I somehow missed the first but I can take care of that!
LOL! Indeed you can! 😉
Can you say anticipation? That is what I am feeling for the chance to read Kate Carlisle’s next book. Always a good read with lots of twists and turns that keep the reader interested.
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, Robin! Your description of my books brought a big smile to my face right when I needed it… I’m knee-deep in final edits on RIPPED FROM THE PAGES, the next Bibliophile Mystery.
Love this series, can’t wait to read this book.
Oh, dear. NOT a good visit at all.
I loved High End Finish and I know that I’ll love this one too. It sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you, Debbie! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed A HIGH-END FINISH. I hope THIS OLD HOMICIDE will also give you a fun, unpredictable ride.
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance.
Sounds great!
Wow the plot sounds good…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I loved the first book and can’t wait to read this one. Thank you for this chance.
This sounds really good. Haven’t started this series, but now it’s on my wish list.
Oh, my, I would be terrified if I found a dead person. What a teaser!! I want to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
It sure would be startling!!! 😉
I really enjoyed the first book in this new series and would love to win a copy of This Old Homicide. (I love the Bibliophile Mysteries, too.) Ms. Carlisle’s characters are so engaging and likable!
Thank you so much, Linda. I quickly grow to love my characters, and it means a lot to know that readers feel the same way. Shannon Hammer is a favorite because, really, how can you not love a woman who has friends who would drop everything to help her clear her name of murder charges? You know when a person has friends like that, she has been a good friend to them. 🙂
Sounds like a great book
Kate, I’ve been wanting to read this series. I LOVE your Bibliophile series!! I’ve read most of them twice!! I hope you’re working on the next one!! Thanks for chance to win!!
Thank you, Kathy! Yes, I am. In fact, I’m doing final edits on RIPPED FROM THE PAGES now. The next Bibliophile Mystery will be out in June.
Talking to dogs (or cats) certainly beats trying to talk to some humans. Go, Shannon!
Moving up my TBR. I want to find out just what was up with Jesse. You can always count on Kate for a terrific story. Thanks for the giveaway.
Ooooh, I hooked you, Sally! Niiiiiice! 😀
Guess who’s a member of the secret room, loves Shannon Hammer, finding dead guys (pretend finding, at least), thinks Kate Carlisle rocks, & wants to win this book? That’s right, me! I work in a library surrounded by books, come home to read books, & even dream about books. I’m a real fan of this series & think you’re the best thing since sliced bread. I hope I win this book so badly!. 👏 KTB 😊
Oh, KTB, you are the best!!! Thank you so much!!! It’s been a long day of edits, but comments like yours really gave me the drive to keep moving forward. It means so much to know that you and other readers are waiting for my books. Thank you!
Would love to own this book . Enjoyed HIGH END FINISH and bet it just gets better and better just like the Bibliophile Mysteries do.
“Better and better” is always the goal, Ruth! Thank you!
Thank you for highlighting another new to me series ! Looks like I have some great reading ahead of me. Thanks for the chance to win.
Good luck, Mary!
Just wonderful! I’m so glad I started this series. Most books that are in a series make you weary if you’re an avid reader that has to finish a series when you start it (even if you weren’t too thrilled with it). Books are a passion of mine and reading them is such a pleasure and has been able to get me through a lot of tough things I’m grateful to the authors that can create such wonderful worlds and are willing to share them with us.
Reading has helped me through some tough times, too, Shannon. I think all readers know the comfort that a good book can bring when real life is getting you down. I hope you’ll love THIS OLD HOMICIDE.
Can’t wait to read this!
Will be reading this one. Lovely the cover
I would love to win this. My reading slump of 2+ years is FINALLY over and I NEED to get up to date on the wonderful cozies out there!
Two years of no reading???? I think I’d die! Welcome back to heaven, Wendy. 😉
THANKS!! It is good to be back!!!
Heard this is a wonderful book.
This sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win.
Yes I can’t wait
Can’t wait to read would love to win. I love all your books
The first book in the series was great. Looking forward to reading this one.
The Old Homicide looks like a fun entertaining read. I love the picture of Robbie. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I looked at this on Amazon wishing I could buy it…Great choice for a giveaway…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Love to read a book from a new author.
I love the other series by Kate. Haven’t read this one.
Loved the first book in this series. Cannot wait to read this one!
Kate is a great author and would love to win this book.
I have been wanting to try this series. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of This Old Homicide.
I’m sure this will be another great book from a fabulous author. Thanks for the chance to win.
I haven’t had a chance to read high end finish yet, but I solan on it, and would love to read This Old Homicide. Thank you, Dru and Kate for the chance to win this giveaway.
I’ve read other Kate Carlisle series, but not this one….yet. I look forward to finding a copy of #1 and maybe winning this one.
I loved High-End Finish…I can’t wait for This Old Homicide. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Oh, I have been wanting to read this series! This is a great post. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
I am permanently disabled and reading is my salvation. I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t read. I love Shannon Hammer (not just because of her name, which we share) and can’t wait for her next adventure!
I love cozy mysteries will love to have the chance to read this one…good luck to everyone and thank you for the chance to participate
This would be awesome in my TBR pile!!
Thanks Kate for the opportunity.
Thanks for the chance! Your teaser has got me hooked and I would love to know what happens next!
Love the play on words title. I often watch the similar titled TV show. Count me in for the giveaway.
Thanks Kate for interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.