Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Fixer-Upper Mystery #10
Publication Date: 5/2/23
Period: Contemporary
Number of Pages: 304

Whoosh! What an exciting read – there is never a dull moment in the book – and the last few pages are the most perfect yet! On the heels of attending the premier of the latest movie based on one of Mac’s books, it is time for Shannon to put on her steel-toed work boots and get started on the massive renovation of a beautiful Victorian church. The church congregation has moved to a new sleek new location and the now empty, centuries-old church will be made into a museum by Shannon and her crew. Everyone is excited to get started – until they almost immediately find a body and the police shut down the job until forensics could finish their examination.

When Shannon found the body, she noticed several ‘odd’ things – and immediately began checking them out while she waited for the police. The police chief, who is engaged to Shannon’s sister, Chloe, quickly berated Shannon for messing around with the crime scene – even though he appreciated her insights. As the crew is allowed back to work, they meet many of the former congregation – and Shannon realizes that they are hiding a secret of some sort – or maybe more than one secret. Was it a secret worth killing over? Then, another murder – how are the two murders connected? Shannon and Mac are determined to find out who committed these heinous crimes before their project gets shut down – and to get justice for the victims.

With a whole congregation full of suspects – along with the staff at the church, there is enough to keep them busy. Who could possibly wish to harm those lovely people? What secrets could be worth that? The victims weren’t really related – one was an employee of the church – and the other was an employee of the museum – what could they have in common?

Shannon, Mac, her crew, her gaggle of girlfriends, and, of course, the local police definitely have their work cut out for them. Luckily they are up to the task. The culprit may surprise you – and the reason may have your jaw-dropping.

It was a fun, fast-paced read and was, as always, excellently written and plotted. Then, as I mentioned earlier, those last few pages are to die for. You’ll love it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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