I loved Kelly’s latest book in the Fixer Upper series. She kept me guessing until the very end. As an animal lover, I enjoy reading Sawdust’s view of situations and her loving inclusion of character’s pets. Her books are always enjoyable reading when I want to escape the realities of the world we live in.

This is the sixth book in the House-Flipper Mystery series by Diane Kelly. I am behind a few books in this series, but that didn’t affect my enjoyment of this story.

Whitney and Buck, her cousin, have won the bid on a fire station to remodel and flip. While they are working on the project, Joanna Hartzell, who lives in the neighborhood, asked them for their opinion on the townhouse that is attached to her house. While she has maintained her side, the owners of the other side have died and the that townhouse is falling into disrepair as the children who inherited it do not maintain it. It was fun to read how Whitney and Buck were able to purchase the shares of the townhouse from the seven children. Of course, there is dissention in the ranks of the children as they all feel they should have received more—after they sold their shares in the property.

When Joanna stumbles into the fire station to see Whitney and ends up dying there, there are many suspects. Was it one of the seven children out of retribution for Joanna telling Whitney about the property? Joanna’s estranged son? Her friend of many years?

It was fun to read about Whitney’s and Collin’s wedding plans and struggle to find a venue. I think readers will enjoy the outcome of the wedding plans.

I have not read a book written by Ms. Kelly yet that I do not enjoy and this is no exception. While the seven children in the story are unpleasant, Buck and his wife Colette, Emmalee (Whitney’s roommate), Whitney, and Collin are enjoyable characters. I especially like Sawdust’s sections in the book where he talks about Whitney and his thoughts on any subject. I do hope the series continues after the wedding as some series use a wedding as a stopping point.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

House flipper Whitney Whitaker and her cousin and business partner Buck are looking for their next project when they find a historic firehouse in desperate need of rehab in Nashville’s trendy Germantown neighborhood. Their plan is to renovate the building into a quirky single-family home, the kind of thing that will appeal to rich hipsters and thus sell quickly. Given their dedication to preserving as much of the building’s original architecture as possible, they easily win the bid, and set to transforming the dilapidated firehouse into a charming modern abode.

The cousins are somewhat surprised at the constant stream of interruptions they get from neighbors interested in the project. Least welcome are a gang of know-it-all retired gentlemen who feel free to dispense unsolicited amateur advice to Whitney and Buck. But when another neighbor comes round with a conundrum, she also brings with her an opportunity the professional house flippers just can't resist.

Joanna Hartzell owns a townhome in a building split between her own well-maintained residence and the sorely neglected adjoining property. The elderly couple who once lived there passed on several years ago, bestowing their half of the building to their seven squabbling kids. None of the Bottiglieri kids have done any maintenance on the family home since then, resulting in it slowly but surely sliding into disrepair. Joanna is worried that any structural issues caused by this neglect will inevitably creep over onto her own side of the building. She asks Whitney and Buck to take a look at the other house and give her a professional opinion on its state and her options.

The cousins do her one better: after inspecting the place and finding that it has good bones, they decide to buy it from the Bottiglieris, remodel and resell it. This not only greatly allays Joanna’s concerns but also draws the attention of others who are interested in purchasing the property once Whitney and Buck are done fixing it up. Perhaps a little too interested, as the cousins quickly find themselves put in one uncomfortable position after another both by overeager buyers and by remorseful sellers. But no one would actually murder over a townhouse, would they? When a dead body lands on their doorstep, however, it's up to Whitney to figure out whodunnit before anyone else gets hurt.

I love how naturally the writing flows in this sixth book of the House-Flipper Mystery series, especially as Whitney juggles wedding planning with two big renovation projects. It was also pretty hilarious when Diane Kelly turned the tables on her heroine near the end of the book and had Whitney become the subject of suspicion by other sleuths, amateur or otherwise. It’s not something you read a lot of in cozy mystery novels, and was a very clever way to flip the script.

There were three recipes included here. I felt that I absolutely had to try out this one:

QUOTE
Chickpea-of-the-Sea Mock Tuna Salad

1 can garbanzo beans
1 ½ cups plant-based, egg-free mayonnaise such as Vegenaise (No cholesterol, gluten, or preservatives! Yay!)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder or garlic salt
¼ cup chopped celery (optional)
¼ cup chopped green, white or red onion (optional)

Using a potato masher, mash the beans in a large bowl until the skins separate and the beans are reduced to a lumpy paste. You may use a food processor instead if you prefer, transferring the beans to a large bowl once you've processed them. Add the other ingredients and stir together thoroughly. The chickpea salad may be served cold or at room temperature, and is great as a sandwich spread, on crackers, or on celery sticks. Enjoy that plant-based protein.
END QUOTE

I had two major notes while making this surprisingly yummy dish. First, make sure to drain the garbanzo beans before mashing them. I wasn’t sure whether to mash the chickpeas up with the liquid they came in, but decided to separate them and hang on to the aquafaba, just in case I needed it later (I did not.)

Second, put in just a cup of Vegenaise to begin with, then stir in the rest of the ingredients. Add more Vegenaise till you get the consistency you prefer. I felt that one and a half cups was actually a little too much, and gave this a thinner consistency than I liked (hence why I recommend draining the chickpeas first, too.) It was great for a dip, but definitely felt too runny for a sandwich filling.

All that said, this was an incredible vegan dish! I used garlic salt instead of just powder, and added chopped red onion before enjoying the dip mostly with a variety of savory crackers. I loved the combination of the lemon with the garlic, and the way that the sharpness of the onion contrasted well against the creaminess of the Vegenaise. I definitely recommend this dish for anyone wanting to try something new and delicious, vegan or otherwise.

Next week, we travel northwest to bake up some goodies while investigating a death that threatens to derail another heroine’s wedding. Do join me!

This is the sixth book in the House Flipper Mystery series. Like the prior books, it's an enjoyable cozy mystery. It was good to see Whitney, Buck, and Sawdust again. It's fun to sleuth along with them. While this is a series, the story could be read as a standalone novel, but reading the prior books gives the reader a greater appreciation for the characters.

I always enjoy the installments in the House Flipper mystery series. The characters are like long lost friends. My inner child, who loves to see old made new in home renovations, gets excited reading about the renovations to the old buildings in Nashville.

Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck have become known for their expertise in the renovation business. They love to take something old and make it new while also maintaining the integrity of the original building, as well as sometimes showcasing its history. This time they have purchased an old firehouse which they plan to make into a new home for someone. I loved the descriptions of the firehouse, and their renovation plans. While renovating the firehouse, they are approached by a local neighbor, Joanna. Joanna owns one half of a townhouse. The other half is in disrepair and desperately needs a facelift. The only problem is the townhome is now owned by 7 siblings who cannot even agree that the sky is blue. By using their expertise and charm and a little legal assistance, Whitney and Buck are able to purchase the townhome for renovation as well. So, they have two projects going on in this story.

While working on the firehouse, Joanna comes in and it is obvious that she is not well. After her mysterious death, Whitney's armchair sleuthing skills are put to use. The local neighbors and families in the surrounding area, as well as the 7 siblings who previously owned the townhome provide some more mystery. Red herrings are scattered throughout the story. There is also a little danger as it seems that someone wants Whitney and Buck out of the neighborhood. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, and this one did not disappoint me. I was so excited to see that wedding bells are finally ringing for Whitney and Collin. You do not have to read the other books in this series, but I highly recommend that you read them all. It will be worth your time so that you can better understand family dynamics. Sawdust, the cat, always provides some humor with his point of view of everything going on with Whitney.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are in for more than just flipping an old firehouse when Joanna Hartzell asks them to look at a townhouse that she owns half of. When word gets around that they are working on the townhouse also, they are many people who want to buy it. But first they have to get ownership of it, and that won't be as easy as it sounds from the seven siblings that own it. But who would want to harm Joanna? She is murdered, and the police think Whitney may have something to do with it. Oh no! Not before her wedding and all this flipping! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Real estate and family lead to murder in this latest in a fun series that can also be read as a fine standalone. Whitney and Buck were meant to be renovating a firehouse but then Joanna approached them about the rundown other side of her duplex which is owned by seven siblings. And then Joanna is murdered! Whitney and her fiance Colin, a homicide detective must solve the crime, with help, of course, from Buck. I like this series for the tidbits about home renovation and the insight from Sawdust the cat as well as for the mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for cozy fans.

Whitney and Buck are great characters and easy to become attached too and root for. Many changes are at work in their lives as the series continues. There was a great blend of characters, with an exhilarating and engaging plot and an unexpected conclusion to the mystery. The story moved at a nice pace, and you can tell the author enjoys writing this series.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

This is a solid and entertaining cozy mystery series featuring two cousins, Whitney and Buck, who flip houses in the Nashville, TN area. In this outing, the team takes on two jobs--an old firehouse and a townhouse in the same neighborhood. Whitney and her fiancé Colin are also planning their wedding and decide the firehouse would be the perfect venue for it, if it can be finished in time. But all doesn't go smoothly: first there's a fire, then a death. Can Whitney help figure out who is behind the crimes and wrap things up so she can walk down the aisle?

A nice mixture of mystery and romance with interesting characters makes for a fun, entertaining read. The solution sure kept me guessing. I thought I had it all figured out but then my guess was the first t0 be disproven! There's even a few fun chapters written from the cat's pov and three yummy-sounding recipes, including one for the wedding cake.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Once again Diane Kelly brings plenty of mystery, atmosphere, and conflict to a series. Besides the mystery, the author gives readers insights into the personal lives and events affecting several of the characters. While I’ve read the first three books in her Mountain Lodge cozy mystery series, this is the first one that I’ve read in House-Flipper Mystery series. Four-Alarm Homicide is the sixth book in that series, but I had no problem reading it as a standalone novel.

Carpenter and designer Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are in the business of buying and flipping buildings. This time around they pursue a 1930s era fire station that has just come on the market in Nashville. During the interior demolition stage, Joanna Hartzell who lives in a nearby townhouse comes by and pleads with them to help her by buying the other half of her townhouse which is in disrepair. When Joanna later shows up at the fire station and collapses, Whitney suspects foul play.

Whitney is inquisitive, perceptive, believes in progress as well as preservation, and doesn’t like to be the center of attention. She is engaged to Collin Flynn, a police homicide detective. He is intelligent, has a strong work ethic, a strict moral code, and has recently taken up trail running. Buck has a great sense of humor and handles a lot of the heavier work. He also helps with the wedding planning. Like the Mountain Lodge series, this series has features cats with Whitney’s cat Sawdust’s thoughts being interspersed throughout the book in a few short chapters. While they aren’t necessary to the story line, they provide some humor and insights that made them enjoyable.

I was immediately drawn into the story and the main characters were likeable and relatable. The plot had a few twists and turns and the characters were emotionally rich. By setting this series in Nashville, the types of buildings available for flipping are varied and the descriptions of the firehouse and townhouse made them easy to visualize. However, I didn’t get a feeling for the city itself. While I guessed some of the items related to the mystery, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story as I sped through it effortlessly. Food is mentioned through the novel and several recipes are included at the end of the book.

Overall, this is a fun, light, and enjoyable cozy mystery with great characterization and some humor. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author’s writing style is easy to connect with and draws me into her stories. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series.

St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Paperbacks and Diane Kelly provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be April 23, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Loved reading this book and series. I always love reading this series. Hopefully you enjoy it also. Looking forward to the next book in the series

Another cute entry in the fun cozy house flippers series. I really loved their Reno of the fire station. It made me think of Ghotsbusters, lol. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Paperbacks for the chance to read and review this book.

Cozy Mystery At Its Best

Utilizing deduction and logic, our heroine thinks her way through each problem. When multiple options are present, she systematically eliminates or correlates all data. With this laid-back approach, surprisingly, there were still a few edge of the seat moments. Beautifully crafted and gently told, there are enough questions to keep "who done it" under wraps. The clues were there, but the author's clever misdirection kept me from guessing. Plus there are recipes at the end! Altogether a delightful read.

This was a nice cosy little mystery. I had not read any of the previous ones but it didn’t seem to matter.
It’s a fast paced story that kept me guessing to the end.
I liked the chapters that featured her cat Sawdust too.
I really wanted to see what the firehouse looked like after the flip.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Diane Kelly keeps readers on their toes with a tale of murder, arson and vandalization while Whitney plans her wedding. Catch more from my complete review at www.reviewingtheevidence.com

"Four-Alarm Homicide" by Diane Kelly ignites the page with a thrilling blend of mystery, renovation, and community intrigue. Set against the backdrop of Nashville's Germantown neighborhood, the novel follows carpenter Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck as they embark on the restoration of a historic fire station and a rundown townhouse, only to find themselves entangled in a deadly mystery.

Kelly skillfully weaves together elements of home renovation and amateur sleuthing, creating a narrative that is both engaging and suspenseful. Whitney and Buck's dynamic personalities add depth to the story, while their passion for preservation and justice drives the plot forward with energy and determination.

The author's attention to detail brings the setting to life, immersing readers in the charm and character of Germantown. From the bustling streets to the quirky neighbors, each aspect of the neighborhood feels authentic and vibrant, enhancing the overall reading experience.

As the mystery unfolds, Kelly keeps readers guessing with clever twists and turns, leading to a satisfying and surprising conclusion. The pacing is brisk, with plenty of action and suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Overall, "Four-Alarm Homicide" is a gripping and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and home renovation enthusiasts alike. With its engaging characters, vivid setting, and well-crafted plot, it earns a solid four stars and is sure to leave readers eagerly awaiting Whitney and Buck's next adventure.

Mysteries while house flipping. This was a fun read with engaging characters, interesting properties, and an interesting mystery. It's the first book I've read by Diane Kelly, it won't be my last.

I really enjoyed the 6th book in the series. Whitney and Buck always find fun projects to remodel for their business of flipping properties. This time it is an old abandoned fire house. When Whitney and Collin had trouble finding a venue to get married in, this seemed like the perfect place. While in the process of working on this, they were approached by a woman who lived around the corner. She asked their opinion of the townhouse adjoining hers, which was in bad shape. They also purchased that, and immediately ran into some problems with the former owners. However, when the woman who asked for their advice suddenly died, that's when all the fun started....Thanks, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a chance to read this book.

Four-Alarm Homicide is the sixth novel in the House-Flipper Mystery series, but it is the first novel that I’ve read from this author. That being said, I had no problem reading Four-Alarm as a standalone.

The story unfolds through the lens of the main character, Whitney Whitaker, a carpenter by trade and house-flipper with her cousin, Buck. There’s a few cameo appearances from Whitney’s cat, Sawdust. But I didn’t see the point of including a cat’s point of view as it didn’t add anything to the narrative.

The pacing of the novel was significantly slower than what I’m accustomed to as the murder doesn’t occur until I was at least 40% vested into the novel. I would normally give up at a little past 33%, but what kept me going were the science-based theories, and the house-flipping operations. Patience paid off in the end as the finale was unexpected and a surprise.

Being that the novel is the sixth in the series, I was pleasantly surprised that all of the characters were well developed and didn’t lose any of their attributes through the prior novels. I loved all of the characters. But dear to my heart was the crotchety old neighbor, Gideon. And then, of course, there was Whitney’s cousin, Buck.

Like most cozy mystery novels, there are a few recipes at the end which was a bonus in my book. Four stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

“Four-Alarm Homicide” A House-Flipper Mystery, book 6 by Diane Kelly
Love, friendship, cats, cozy, and recipes, too
I really liked this story. (and then the dreaded but).. But, for me, it had some slow parts, parts that I didn’t think really added very much to the story. Maybe because I wanted to cut my reading time down a bit and give that time to a knitting project. Torn between two loves. This is a fun light read. AND, check out the recipes shared at the end of the book. Happy Reading ! !
Note: This review expresses my honest opinion.