Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an advanced Reading Copy pf HAMMERS AND HOMICIDE by Paula Charles. All of my opinions are my own.

Dawna Carpenter is faced with the prospect of running the family hardware store after her husband Bob passes away. Her daughter, April, is applying for a position at the High School as the Soccer Coach. After hearing an argument between a most disliked real estate magnate and the local realtor, Dawna finds the detested man dead in the public bathroom of the building where the hardware store is. Dawna's hardware shop shares the same building as Lipstick and Lace, owned by Darlene.

There is a range of suspects from Bill, a business partner of Dawna's husband Bob to Kristi the realtor to Darlene who thought she was dating the wealthy real estate magnate. Bill is arrested for Highcastle's murder and Dawna KNOWS that Bill could not have done it. Dawna and April investigate, despite the objections from T.J. the Sheriff. Unfortunately, the investigations attract the attention of the real killer.

So many red herrings.

This is a wonderful start to a new cozy mystery series.

A promising start to a new mystery series. Dawna is running their hardware store after her husbands death. She’s having a hard time adjusting and finding a body in the bathroom is not helping. Cute cover

When a town landmark is sold to a developer, the town is torn between being excited that the property will be restored and used again and the fact that it may just ruin the old relic. Though when the developer is found dead in Dawna’s business, she can’t help but try to figure out who killed the man and why. After all, it happened in her building and she feels some level of responsibility to find the killer. Could it have been her quiet employee whom she really knows nothing about? Dawna will find out, but she hopes it won’t be the last thing she does.

This is the first book I have read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I like the fact that dawn isn’t super young and she’s got some experience on her side and her take on things in life. I’m going to be back for more in this series!

If you love the slice-of-life cozy mysteries that take place in a small town, Hammers and Homicide is definitely for you.

The main character, Dawna, gives quirkiness all day long with her offbeat expressions, perpetual clumsiness, insatiable curiosity, and her ability to, maybe, see ghosts.

There’s plenty of humor especially the banter between Dawna and her youngest daughter, April, as they investigate.

Plus you get lush descriptions of food and Dawna’s garden.

The mystery was logical and well-plotted. Since the victim was a super shady out of towner there were plenty of suspects.

Fun, casual read!

This was my first cozy mystery and it won’t be my last. I loved this book. Read it in a day! Definitely recommend!!

It’s ok. I thought the end of this book is better than the first part. It felt stiff in the dialogue and characters. The end is mostly focused on Dawna a d her daughter April. I wouldn’t read any additional books in this series. #HammerandHomicide #NetGalley

Carpenter's Corner in the fictional town of Pine Bluff, Oregon is owned by the the delightfully, inquisitive Dawna Carpenter, (being a Bookstore owner named Reid, this greatly amused me). Hammers and Homicide with a charming, very likable cast of characters and one well hidden villain, kept me engaged, guessing and now, invested throughout this completely enjoyable read. Cozy mystery readers are in for a real treat and I can't wait to visit Pine Bluff, Oregon again! When does book 2 come out?

This thrilling cozy mystery will have you up late reading past your bedtime to finish. I loved it and I could not put it down! This was perfect to curl up on the couch with. I was hooked until the end. I can't wait to see what Dawna gets into next book!
I just reviewed Hammers and Homicide by Paula Charles. #HammersandHomicide #NetGalley
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Welcome to a new series. Dawna is an older widow running a hardware store. A dead man is found in the restroom and her friend is blamed. Dawna, and her daughter April, determine to solve the case. This is a small town mystery that moves at a nice pace. Plenty of clues to follow and suspects to eliminate.

This was a great concept in the Hometown Hardware Mystery series, it does everything that I was hoping for from this type of book. I enjoyed the way Paula Charles wrote this and thought it worked overall. I was never bored and hope this series continues.

Cute first of the series cozy mystery. I did like the hardware store theme. The plot kept me guessing until the very end and there are a few surprises for upcoming books.

Hammers and Homicide is the first installment in a new cozy mystery set in the small town of Pine Bluff. Sexagenarian Dawna Carpenter, the owner of Carpenters Corner Hardware, stumbles upon a dead body in her bathroom one morning. After one of her friends is arrested in the murder, Dawna and her daughter, April, decide to investigate and help free her friend.

I thought this was a great story and loved that our main character was not a recently single 30-year-old that moved back in with her family, as most cozies seem to be. Dawna is sassy, and her conversations with her daughter are laugh-out-loud funny. The mystery was great, and at times I was creeped out by the descriptions of happenings in the book. There was part of the story that was never put to rest, so I hope the author will approach that in another book. 5/5 stars!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

A great start to a cozy mystery series. When widowed Dawna finds a body in the bathroom her hardware store shares with a neighboring business she feels she must find out what happened. With the help of her daughter April they start digging into possible killers and almost end up being killed themselves. Liked this one and look forward to reading more in the series. Highly recommend.

small-business, small-town, widow, cozy-mystery, new-series, first-in-series, local-law-enforcement, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, situational-humor, verbal-humor, family, family-dynamics, paranormal*****

Dawna Carpenter is over 60, mother of two, widowed, continues to be proprietor of her small town hardware store, and found the dead body of an unliked developer in her store's bathroom. Oh, and she often converses with her deceased husband. She is also very realistic and likeable. Very good cozy, and I hope that the series will continue!
I requested and received an EARC from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Dawna Carpenter became the sole proprietor of Carpenters Corner Hardware and Building Supply in Pine Bluff, Oregon, after the death of her husband, Bob. Dawna’s youngest daughter, April, took over Dawna’s design and furniture restoration business, Carriage House Designs. Questions arise the day Steve Harrison is late to work as he’s late the same morning Dawna discovers a dead body in her building.

One delight of visiting a newly created small town for a debut cozy series is learning the names of the businesses. My favorites in Pine Bluff are Lipstick and Lace, Rocking M Coffee Shop, and Stage Stop Café.

The very 1st action that Dawna takes as a sleuth is the first time I remember the subject matter being captured in a photograph. I loved the sleuth’s act of taking the opportunity of the moment's spontaneity, even though it is improbable that a police chief would let this item linger out of his sight. For those of a certain age or those that enjoy series from years gone by, the chief’s last name may be a highlight with the addition of his description compared to a cowboy in a commercial of the same vintage. There is a paranormal aspect to the cozy as well. I knew the reveal from the first clue but still enjoyed the progress of the investigation.

I was puzzled that Dawna never mentioned to April a discovery in town (even photographing it too) that she knew April would enjoy using in her business. A certified letter and phone call also leave questions unanswered, so I’ll revisit Pine Bluff for further developments.

Thank you to Paula Charles, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

#HammersAndHomicide #NetGalley

Need a cozy read that gives you all the cozy feels? HAMMERS AND HOMICIDE is the perfect book for you! It has mystery, an adorable small town, quirky characters, delicious-sounding food, a mother-daughter duo with hilarious banter, and a main character that you want to be friends with. Did I mention yummy food? Ms. Charles has created a story that kept me guessing until the end and left me wanting to visit Dawna and Pine Bluff a lot more.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

“Hammers and Homicide” by Paula Charles is a picturesque read with loads of description and many colorful characters. Pine Bluff sounds like a lovely town, and murder aside would be a fun visit, if for no other reason than to hear its sheriff sing. This debut novel has a touch of the supernatural and a solid mystery. It’s rare that I am stumped by a whodunit, but this one caught me by surprise. Well done, Paula! I am looking forward to future visits to the small Oregon town of Pine Bluff.

“Hammers and Homicide” is currently available for preorder, and will be released on January 16, 2024. To learn more, visit the author’s website, https://www.paulacharles.com/.

3.5/5 rounded up to 4

Hammers and Homicide is the first book in a new small-town mystery series. Paula Charles was able to create a charming small-town atmosphere that felt real and like I’d visited there before. The main character Dawna is fun and quirky, her journey of widow turned detective is exciting and I enjoyed her development throughout the book! I appreciate that Dawna is an older and wiser woman, I feel like it’s rare to see a protagonist that isn’t 25 or younger so I loved seeing that. The plot was paced well, and I didn’t find it to be too predictable. This is a wonderful debut and start to a new series! I recommend this to anyone looking for a fast paced cozy mystery!

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book is the start of a new series, Hometown Hardware Mystery series. Dawna Carpenter is a 60-something widow who runs her family's hardware store after her husband dies. Dawna still talks to hubby and her cat that has also died. Her daughter April returns home to keep an eye on Mom. When a dead body is found in the store's bathroom, Dawna's life changes considerably. The writing is skillful, and the characters are appealing. I did figure out the murderer just before it was revealed. I look forward to another volume in this new series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC.

Hammers and Homicide is the first book in this delightful new series. Hardware Store owner Dawna Carpenter finds a man murdered in the store rest room. When one of her good friends is arrested for the murder, Dawna is sure he is innocent and with help from her daughter April. follows the clues to find the real murderer.

This was a well plotted, fast paced, and light hearted mystery that had me hooked from page one! I liked that the main character was a smart feisty older women and enjoyed the mother/daughter interactions she has with her daughter April.

My thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me this ARC to read and review. I look forward to reading the next book in this entertaining series.

5/5. Stars.