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 no-good husband, 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. It looks like an open-and-shut case, but Jake isn’t convinced. Then another resident turns up dead, and Jake knows the trail doesn’t begin—or end—with Merle. Jake had planned to spend the winter rehabilitating her old house, but now she’ll have to work on nailing a killer before her beloved town gets even smaller.
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"This was an entertaining cozy mystery. It kept my interest and had an ending that I did not expect and which I appreciate in a mystery. I plan to read more of this author's books." — Kathy (4 out of 5 stars)
"This was an entertaining cozy mystery. It kept my interest and had an ending that I did not expect and which I appreciate in a mystery. I plan to read more of this author's books."
“The prose is brisk and the jokes are funny.”
“Appealing.”
“The mystery and its solution are satisfying, but what distinguishes the novel are its likable, no-nonsense protagonist-narrator, her references to home repair that the author cleverly fits tongue-and-groove into the story and, especially, the detailed descriptions of the town.”
“This book has it all…fun and gripping.”
“An adventuresome spirit makes Wreck the Halls an amusing read…Graves has created a vivid picture of small-town Maine. Her characters are lively…and often charming. Her puzzle is involving and intricate…and Jake’s constant worries about her restoration projects and her love for her home provide an appealing backdrop.”
“Wreck the Halls boasts a plot with an edge and characters with a solidity so often lacking in books of this type. And Graves is a whiz at dialog and witty to boot…[A] humorously grisly take wrapped in a picturesque Maine winter. Grab a throw blanket and curl up.”
“A fun read, with just enough mayhem and suspense to keep you guessing until the end. Graves is a clever mystery writer and this proves her talent.”
“Graves hits the nail square on the head in her Home Repair Is Homicide series…Graves paints a compelling portrait of small-town Maine in this entertaining cozy.”
“The ride is fun, and Sarah Graves seems to be having a blast.”
“Eloquently depicts the beauties and hardships of life on an island in Maine…Filled with believable and engaging characters, exquisite scenery, and extravagant action.”
“Lindsay Ellison realistically portrays each strong and independent woman and gives listeners a keen sense of place, including the weather, eccentric characters, and way of life on a remote island. Jake and her bevy of friends have a quirky way of detecting and, at times, seem more like gun molls than modern women in New England. An enjoyable puzzle for mystery fans and those who enjoy an evocative setting.”
" This was my first read of the series, and I would like to go back and start from number 1. Nice twists, not predictable! "
" it was a fairly good book. of course, it made no sense to me whatsoever until i was way past capter 4. but stil... "
" These books always give me a quick read and a fun reminder of home improvement horrors. "
" Still generally liking this series, but can't read them one after another. "
" Very clever and I thoroughly enjoy the stories. "
" Fairly good mystery. Lagged in some places. I probably needed to read the first three books in the series. "
" Either I was too sick to enjoy any book or I'm getting tired of the two main characters, but this story was not as good as the others I have read in the series. Too many bad things happening to too many people. "
" One of "Home Repair is Homicide" mysteries in Eastport, ME. Jacobia Tiptree and friends. "
" Lots of twists and turns in this one. The most emotionally unstable person wins, but with lots of people unstable it was a little hard to figure...not a bad thing in a mystery. "
" This is my second try with this series and I think it is just not for me. "
" Another great mystery from Graves. She always has such a variety of characters and a good plot. I love the downeast Maine accents. "
" not as much Christmas theme as I expected but a first rate mystery with several options for whodunit! "
" This was great! I sat in our summer place in Lubec and read this. It was all so real! I like the characters and how the stories unfold. "
" 1st time I read a book by this author - was kind of confusing with all of the different characters, but I would read another in this series. "
" This definitely wasn't one of the best in the series. I didn't really think it ended very well. "
" I liked the characters and the narrative style of this book. I probably would've given it higher marks if the mystery itself hadn't been so far-fetched. Still, it's a pleasant read. "
" First one of her books I've read, really interesting if you're into themed mystery books which I am. I'll be looking for more of hers. "
" Fun who "dunnit" set in Maine. Only complaint was the author ties everything up in the last few pages. "
" Decent cozy series. "
" The usual interesting characters and vivid Maine setting, but the plot seemed less coherent this time around. I hope this doesn't bode ill for the continuing series. "
Sarah Graves lives with her husband in Eastport, Maine, in the 1823 Federal-style house that helped inspire her books. This series and the author’s real-life experience have been featured in House & Garden and USA Today.
Lindsay Ellison is a narrator, producer, director, editor, performer, teacher, and a published and recorded songwriter and poet. She has narrated hundreds of audiobooks for the Library of Congress and the Perkins School for the Blind. She is an improvisational storyteller and a spokesperson for art and literacy on several New England television stations, and she coaches the art of narration nationally.
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