Scan barcode
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I bought this cozy because of the title. I really thought I was going to get a new-to-me paranormal cozy. I didn't...and that's okay. Good, in fact. Wee hint of ghosty activity, the rest is good ol' fashioned cozy mystery fun.
Avery is a neat lead character, still has issues with taking on this house renovation in this tiny little town in Maine, when she could be back in exciting Manhattan creating her textile designs.
The extra characters are filling and a good combination working with Avery on figuring out the mystery and keeping the story moving along.
Home renovation tips in the back, cozy mystery with good characters and a good story to make you want to try them.
Five flip this house beans.....
Avery is a neat lead character, still has issues with taking on this house renovation in this tiny little town in Maine, when she could be back in exciting Manhattan creating her textile designs.
The extra characters are filling and a good combination working with Avery on figuring out the mystery and keeping the story moving along.
Home renovation tips in the back, cozy mystery with good characters and a good story to make you want to try them.
Five flip this house beans.....
hankcanread's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I liked Spackled and Spooked but I am not itching to grab the next book. I love that the main character wasn't suspected to be the murderer it was different to what I normally find in this genre. Avery didn't have to solve a murder but she decided to. She and Derek work so well together and I hope their relationship is explored more in future books. He is such a supportive partner, both in business and in the relationship, and is willing to hear her ideas even if he finds them strange.The killer completely blew me away. I do feel like the ending was a bit rushed and that somethings were used to fill any potential plot holes. But otherwise it wasn't anything that runied my experience for the book. I love how detailed the home revonantion process is and Avery's style. I personally wouldn't turn a dresser into a vanity but I loved seeing how it turned out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol
nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second book in the home renovation and design mystery series. Avery and her new boyfriend Derek, having finished renovating the cottage Avery inherited from her great aunt, buy a 1950's ranch house to flip. 20 years previously a man had murdered his wife and in-laws in the house, then turned the gun on himself. The house has been vacant since. A visit to the crawl space under the house reveals human bones. Whose are they and how long have they been there? Will Avery and Derek be able to flip the house and get any buyers?
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
3.0
The second in the Do-It-Yourself Mystery series has Avery and Derek flipping the local haunted house, where a triple murder and suicide took place several years ago.
Overall, this was fun and I will definitely continue reading. But I have issues. The identity of the skeleton was fairly transparent early on. The culprit, also easily guessed. Even the other surprise I guessed fairly early too. And I'm not one who generally figures this stuff out ahead of time. This author, I hope, will do a better job in the future of not making everything so easily guessed. This was the problem with the first one too. Then, I have a small nitpick. Look at the book cover. Why does it look like someone is painting two-colored stripes with one brush? Bah!
Overall, this was fun and I will definitely continue reading. But I have issues. The identity of the skeleton was fairly transparent early on. The culprit, also easily guessed. Even the other surprise I guessed fairly early too. And I'm not one who generally figures this stuff out ahead of time. This author, I hope, will do a better job in the future of not making everything so easily guessed. This was the problem with the first one too. Then, I have a small nitpick. Look at the book cover. Why does it look like someone is painting two-colored stripes with one brush? Bah!
slferg's review against another edition
4.0
A fun book from the shelves in teh break room as work. I picked it up since we are currently working on our house.
Avery Baker has moved to Waterfield, Maine, because she inherited her great-aunt Inga's Victorian Cottage. There she has gone into business with her boyfriend Derek Ellis to buy and redecorate houses. Derek makes an offer on a house that has stood empty for years because of the murders that took place there. Avery agrees to go in with him on this. They rip up the carpets and move out the appliances and strip the bathrooms (mostly). Then they find the kitchen floor is very uneven, so Derek goes into the crawl space to put supports under the floor. While he is digging a spot to put the support, he finds a human bone. Derek had been studying to be a doctor when he decided he'd rather flip houses than doctor.
The police bring in cadaver dogs to make sure there are no more bodies (or skeletons) when the dog alerts on the house next door - and a neighbor is found dead. Her head has been basked in by a vase of flowers. The first body turns out to be a girl that Brandon, a policeman had dated in high school, who had disappeared. Everyone thought she had gone to Holllywood or Las Vegas where she always said she would go. Avery hears footsteps in the house when she is alone, as does Derek. Then things begin to escalate. Derek and Avery have to find out who killed Holly before they become victims themselves.
Avery Baker has moved to Waterfield, Maine, because she inherited her great-aunt Inga's Victorian Cottage. There she has gone into business with her boyfriend Derek Ellis to buy and redecorate houses. Derek makes an offer on a house that has stood empty for years because of the murders that took place there. Avery agrees to go in with him on this. They rip up the carpets and move out the appliances and strip the bathrooms (mostly). Then they find the kitchen floor is very uneven, so Derek goes into the crawl space to put supports under the floor. While he is digging a spot to put the support, he finds a human bone. Derek had been studying to be a doctor when he decided he'd rather flip houses than doctor.
The police bring in cadaver dogs to make sure there are no more bodies (or skeletons) when the dog alerts on the house next door - and a neighbor is found dead. Her head has been basked in by a vase of flowers. The first body turns out to be a girl that Brandon, a policeman had dated in high school, who had disappeared. Everyone thought she had gone to Holllywood or Las Vegas where she always said she would go. Avery hears footsteps in the house when she is alone, as does Derek. Then things begin to escalate. Derek and Avery have to find out who killed Holly before they become victims themselves.
suerae's review against another edition
Spackled and Spooked is the 2nd Do-it-Yourself Mystery by Jennie Bentley and I feel it was a great story. The characters were well written and I love Jennie Betley's writing with all her twists am]nd turns that keep you guessing almost until the end of the book.
Avery and Derek of the Waterfield R & R bought the old Murphy house in which Brian, the husband killed his wife, Peggy, and his in-laws but was unable to kill his son, Patrick who ran when he saw the gun in his father's hand. Lionel Kenefick, who was friends with Patrick Murphy told Avery and Derek that the house was haunted and he heard screaming coming from the house. This completely contradicts what the next-door neighbor, Venetia Rudolph said while talking with Avery. While in the house working one day Avery heard footsteps and thought it was Derek but he wasn't back from the hardware store yet. Kate thought maybe it was a ghost but Avery doesn't believe in ghosts. While under the house to fix the kitchen floor Derek finds a human bone in the crawl space, so they have to call Wayne Rasmussen, Chief of Police. This house may never sell!
Brandon Thomas, the CSI Officer starts digging up the bones so they can identify who the person is. The bones belong to an old girlfriend of Brandon's, Holly White. Daphne the K-9 Trooper and her canine partner were looking to see if there were any more bones and the dog found something at Venetia Rudolph house. Poor Ms. Rudolph is dead and looks like some killed her. While investigating the murder of Venetia, Wayne gets an anonymous tip telling him to look in Brandon's shed for Holly's book bag. With Brandon off the case, Avery, Derek, and Kate try to help with the investigation. Can they help prove that Brandon had nothing to do with the killing of Holly or Venetia?
Avery and Derek of the Waterfield R & R bought the old Murphy house in which Brian, the husband killed his wife, Peggy, and his in-laws but was unable to kill his son, Patrick who ran when he saw the gun in his father's hand. Lionel Kenefick, who was friends with Patrick Murphy told Avery and Derek that the house was haunted and he heard screaming coming from the house. This completely contradicts what the next-door neighbor, Venetia Rudolph said while talking with Avery. While in the house working one day Avery heard footsteps and thought it was Derek but he wasn't back from the hardware store yet. Kate thought maybe it was a ghost but Avery doesn't believe in ghosts. While under the house to fix the kitchen floor Derek finds a human bone in the crawl space, so they have to call Wayne Rasmussen, Chief of Police. This house may never sell!
Brandon Thomas, the CSI Officer starts digging up the bones so they can identify who the person is. The bones belong to an old girlfriend of Brandon's, Holly White. Daphne the K-9 Trooper and her canine partner were looking to see if there were any more bones and the dog found something at Venetia Rudolph house. Poor Ms. Rudolph is dead and looks like some killed her. While investigating the murder of Venetia, Wayne gets an anonymous tip telling him to look in Brandon's shed for Holly's book bag. With Brandon off the case, Avery, Derek, and Kate try to help with the investigation. Can they help prove that Brandon had nothing to do with the killing of Holly or Venetia?
slc333's review against another edition
Another one I read and rated but that is not listed in my books anymore. So annoying, especially as I use my ratings and reviews to jog my memory and help me keep track of whether I want to read more books in the series or by the same author.
jesslady's review against another edition
3.0
The solution was kind of obvious, but Bentley did throw in enough red herrings to make you question it. I really like Avery. I think she has no taste when it comes to fabrics or design, but she's smart, stubborn, and strong willed.
amandageorge117's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
julieputty's review
2.0
It was okay, until the main character fell out of the stupid tree and hit [Pete Puma] a whoooooole lotta branches [/Pete Puma] on the way down.
More...