Shot Through the Hearth

Another Winner! Eco-living, smart mice, and murder round out Shot Through the Hearth, the latest installment of Kate Carlisle's Fixer-Upper series. Shannon Hammer along with the cast of regulars help plan, build and participate in the first ever global conference in Lighthouse Cove. Of course murder disrupts the best laid plans. It is up to Shannon, her friends, and the police department to catch the killer. I love this series for the cozy, small town feel and the familiar cast of characters that rounds out each of these novels. Shot Through the Hearth keeps you guessing until the end. It is well worth your time.

In Shot Through the Hearth, Shannon Hammer and her friends and family help put on an environmental tech conference, raise a barn, and figure out why mysterious things keep happening at the conference. It’s fast paced and it was fun now that we are comfortable with Shannon, Mac, and the other characters to just see them doing their thing, solving crimes and having fun! There was less Victorian home renovation in this latest book in the series but I actually really enjoyed the change of pace! I actually can’t believe it but this is Fixer-Upper Mystery #7️⃣! Seems like I started reading them yesterday 😂 While you should probably read them all for them to make the most sense, they do have enough introductory context to stand alone!

The Fixer-Upper Mystery Series remains one of my favorite cozy series. In Shot Through the Hearth, Shannon is caught up in another murder mystery when her friend Raphael Nash’s business partner is found murder during a tech convention he is sponsoring. The plot is fast moving and engaging, with a host of interesting characters new and old.

Shot Through the Hearth by Kate Carlisle is the seventh A Fixer-Upper Mystery. It can be read by those familiar with the series as well as newcomers. I found Shot Through the Hearth to be a delightful cozy mystery. Shannon Hammer is excited by the challenge of Rafe’s project. He not only wants his Victorian farmhouse renovated, Rafe wishes a unique tower (the Ecosphere) to be constructed and for them to hold a barn raising. It will be Shannon and her crews first barn. Rafe also wants them to use green materials as well as unique eco-friendly gadgets. The one downside is they only have eight months to complete Rafe’s list since he plans on holding the first Future Global Survival Con. The conference begins and we are introduced to a quirky cast of characters. There is Marcus Reedy with his special vine, Stephanie to Midge Andresen with her sandcastle worms. Sketch Horn, an author, is also in attendance and Mac is not thrilled (wait until you meet him). When Rafe’s old business partner, Dillon Charles is murdered, there are a host of suspects who could have killed the unpleasant man. There are good clues and some unexpected revelations. As the conference continues, there are a series of unfortunate events including another death. Shannon with help from her boyfriend, Mac work to uncover the culprit. I love the banter between Mac and Shannon. They are a couple who are truly meant for each other. I appreciate that Shannon and Mac share information with Eric Jensen, the chief of police. The female readers will relish the character Niall Rose with his Scottish brogue and the descriptions of him wearing his kilt. I laughed often while reading Shot Through the Hearth. It is a humorous story that I was sorry to see end. I especially enjoyed Shannon’s reaction to the smart mice (it was hilarious). Shot Through the Hearth is told in the first person which I normally dislike, but it works for this series. We get to see things from Shannon’s perspective which can be highly entertaining at times (like with the smart mice). There is one scene at the end that had me in stitches. I cannot wait to read the next installment in A Fixer-Upper Mystery series. Shot Through the Hearth is a captivating cozy mystery with a barn building, flirtatious fauna, puzzling patents, malicious mushrooms, wacky worms and a dazzling detective duo.