Dead Post Society was a nice cozy mystery. I enjoyed the poems at the beginning of each chapter to complement the play on words of the title. Whitney finds an old Victorian house on the site of the family’s current construction job. She discovers a murder suicide had taken place fourth years earlier, finds new clues, and sets out to solve the case.

5/5 stars: This is the seventh entry in Kelly's House-Flipper Mystery series, which is a DIY Cozy Mystery that follows a carpenter who works with her cousin flipping residential and commercial properties as she turns sleuth to investigate the decades old cold case murder of a boarding school headmaster and his wife who were killed in her newest project a beautiful abandoned Victorian. But she'll soon find that someone's determined to keep the secrets of the past silent and she'll have to work fast before they bury her once and for all. With plenty of twists and turns, Kelly has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Kelly's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It was a joy to catch up with Whitney, her cousin Buck and her friends and family. And I love seeing Whitney and Collin, a homicide detective, settling into their marriage. Oh and I love the unique addition of the chapters in Whitney's cat, Sawdust, POV. And of course Collins's cats, Copernicus & Galileo, are adorable too. But wait, you'll for sure want to try out the absolutely delicious recipe that's included. Kelly touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Dead as a Door Knocker. Kelly's a longtime favorite author and this newest book doesn't disappoint; Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Dead Post Society, the seventh book in the House-Flipper mystery series by Diane Kelly, centres around a complex cold case that has caught the unrelenting attention of carpenter Whitney Whitaker. When working to turn an old Victorian home into a B&B, Whitney finds a bullet in an outdoor post and a corresponding hole in the wall inside, bringing into doubt the accepted narrative that the tragedy of years ago was actually a murder/suicide.
Whitney, with some help from the local police, is on the case, with a number of complex clues and various viable suspects that keep the reader turning the page to the very end. Throw in snippets from her cat's point of view and in depth descriptions of the renovations being undertaken, as well as police procedures, and this cozy is as entertaining as it is fascinating.
Literary references at the beginning of each chapter will appeal to the bookish among readers.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #DeadPostSociety. I look forward to the next installation.

Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly (House Flipper Mystery #7) 4.5 stars

Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are helping in the renovation of a property. Once a private boarding school, the new owner wishes to remake it into an exclusive retirement community. Within the property is the a headmaster’s house that has a tragic history, a murder-suicide of the previous headmaster. Whitney and Buck take on this project to turn that once blighted home and turn it into a bed and breakfast. In the process, Whitney discovers new evidence that may point away from murder-suicide scenario and move it towards homicide.

A very fun read, with Whitney tracking her way towards the classic: motive, means and opportunity. A very capable sleuth, Whitney seems to channeling her new husband detective skills in this outing. I look forward to the next House Flipper Mystery.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC.

Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly is the next in the House-Flipper series. When Whitney and her cousin Buck find an old Victorian house with a double murder history, they decide to buy it and renovate to a B and B. Whitney finds a bullet in the porch post and after turning it into the sheriff's department, she decides to dig into the murders and gets herself in trouble again. This series has believable characters and good mysteries and is a nice addition to your cozy list.

Dead Post Society the 7th instalment in the House Flipper Mysteries series by Diane Kelly. The characters of Whitney, Sawdust (cat), Buck, Collin and Collette are ones I have really come to love. I also enjoy the setting of Nashville, Tennessee. I like how the series continues to alternate chapters narrated by Whitney and her cat Sawdust.

This time around they are flipping an old Victorian which was the scene of two suspicious deaths. Can Whitney and Buck exorcise the structure’s demons, solve the cold case, and give the building new life? Or will ghosts from the past seek to silence them forever?

The mystery is interesting and had lots of twists which kept me guessing. I did suspect who the killer was just before Whitney did.

I highly recommend to all my cozy mystery loving friends.



I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from St.Martin Press and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a series I generally enjoy. Whitney and her cousin Buck are fun main characters, and the house-flipping and carpentry are always a cool background. However. In this book, I'm really missing the house-flipping and carpentry portion of things. In fact, the author sets it up so that the reno and resale of the house *can't* be done until the mystery is solved. IMO, that removes a fun world-building element, and I'm disappointed in that. I also find Whitney making uncharacteristically dumb decisions, and the final confrontation feels...unsatisfying to me.

The mystery itself, though, is well-plotted and enjoyable. There's some humor (the beauty treatments!), a total psycho, and nice relationship stuff too. I'd give this one 3-1/2 stars.

I enjoyed this one, but it wasn’t as good as the others in this series have been. It seemed like it took place over a much longer period of time than the others, with very little renovation work compared to the others, and not enough from Sawdust. But overall, it was a good story and I’ll still look forward to reading the next one.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Paperbacks/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read "Dead Post Society" in exchange for my honest review.

This was the seventh book in the House-Flipper Mystery series. Diane Kelly's books are always well written and full of interesting characters. Whitney Whitaker Flynn, her cousins Buck and Owen, along with Uncle Roger are renovating the Ridgetop Preparatory Academy building. This was an old boarding school that closed in the 1980s. When Whitney explores the old Victorian house that used to belong to the school's Headmaster she finds that all the windows are blocked by bookcases or heavy furniture. Was Mr. Finster trying to keep someone in or out of the house? When she finds a bullet in the porch post she realizes that she has stumbled upon a historic murder case or was it murder/suicide?

There are many suspects because there seemed to be a lot of troubled students at the school. Of course, Whitney jumps to a few wrong conclusions along the way as she works her way down her suspect list. Her husband Collin feels that his wife can't stop sticking her nose into other people's business. Whitney usually forgets that she's a carpenter and not an investigator for the police department. Before she figures out what really happened at the school she places herself and her family, not to mention Sawdust into grave danger.

This was an interesting mystery for Whitney. While she and Buck are helping their uncle on a huge project, turning an old boarding school into a senior living community, they buy the old Victorian that was the headmaster home but is not part of the project. Whitney is drawn into the tragedy of the old home that was deserted when it was said that the headmaster killed his wife and then committed suicide. As they start doing rehab on the house, Whitney finds a few things that point to the fact that maybe it wasn't a murder suicide after all. The detective she contacts, since it has been 40 years, the original has passed, says he will investigate if she can find more. Whitney being Whitney, she is all in. While this was an interesting mystery, there are a couple of things that were off for me. I could really not understand why Whitney was so invested in something so remote and to which she actually has no ties. She went way above and beyond, and it was odd without any real connection. The second thing was the poetry before each chapter, I enjoyed a quote to start a chapter, but this was a little overkill. Thanks to #Netgally, #Minotaur, and the author for a chance to read. #DeadPostSociety #HouseFlipperMysteries #DianeKelly #bookreviews #bookideas #retiredreader

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my copy of Dead Post Society, book #7 in Diane Kelly's house flipper series. It was especially fun to meet Diane Kelly at a conference and hear her talk about her work while I was reading this. I have read several of her other books so was familiar with the major characters.
Whitney, the first-person protagonist, is working on a construction project with her Uncle Roger and partner Cousin Buck to renovate a prep school into a retirement complex for seniors. The school closed its doors in the 1980s after the headmaster supposedly killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself.
Adjacent to the school is a dilapidated Victorian mansion that once housed the headmaster and his wife. Whitney proposes saving the old house from the wrecking ball and turning it into a Bed and Breakfast. Once she begins working on the project, she finds some clues that suggest the deaths weren't actually a murder-suicide, and perhaps a third party was involved.
The police tell Whitney there's not enough evidence to open an investigation into the cold case, but will do so if she finds more. So, Whitney keeps digging, going through records of former students and faculty who may have either had a motive for murder or known of someone who did. The leads uncover several suspects and more evidence to suggest that the headmaster did not commit suicide, nor did he murder his wife.
As a cat lover, I enjoyed the occasional short chapters told from the POV of Sawdust, Whitney's pet cat. However, I don't think they added any information to advance the plot.
Overall, this was a good mystery with well-developed characters. Recommended.

Whitney are Buck are still flipping This time the project is the headmaster's house on an old private school campus. Unfortunately, there was a murder-suicide in the house that was never really solved. So, Whitney begins digging the dirt on this. She does a good job of finding those who might want the headmaster and his wife gone. But, who really did it? The characters are well drawn and Buck isn't very involved in this one. Whitney is a bit daring but her detective husband seems cool with it. At times, I felt this one moved a bit slowly. Thanks to Net Galley for the arc.

Dead Post Society is the seventh book in Diane Kelly’s House Flipper Mysteries. This was a unique and different cozy mystery. Though there was a double killing it wasn’t recent murders. In fact it was a cold case that happened forty years ago. I love that sleuth Whitney Whitaker Flynn doesn’t heed her husband Collin’s warnings to mind her own business. Even cases that are so cold that they’re almost forgotten about intrigue Whitney and there’s no stopping her until she can solve the most unusual and complex murders. I love Whitney's character. She and her cousin Buck take old run down houses and restore them to list on the real estate market . She’s able to work in a men’s trade and isn’t afraid she might break a finger nail. She’s smart too as you already know if you’ve been reading the other books in this series. I was totally caught up in this cozy. I loved shifting through clues and going with Witney to investigate this cold case. I wasn’t sure who the guilty suspect would be but when I found out who it was I wasn’t surprised either.
When Witney and Buck decide to help Uncle Rodger restore and turn an old deserted boarding school into a senior complex she stumbles upon an old deserted house on the back of the schools property. After breaking into the house she is wowed by the antique furniture still left in the house. That’s not all she finds there. Evidence of foul play with blood on the floor and a bullet hole on the window ledge. Strange sounds coming from somewhere over head and shadows on the walls. Why does Witney feel a strong urge to find out what happened inside this old deserted house?
I highly recommend Dead Post Society to readers of cozy mystery and to those who love poetry. Each chapter starts out with a poem. This book can be read out of order and readers won’t be lost or confused. However if you enjoy the book you probably will want to read the other books in this series too. This book is scheduled for release on 4/1/25.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are solely my own.

This is the 7th installment in the House Flippers mystery. Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are working on her Uncle Roger’s crew for a development to turn a former boarding school into a retirement community. While Whitney is waiting for others to arrive, she discovers and old Victorian house on the property that looks promising. She later learns there are no plans for the house in the development project and she wants to take a chance and turn the property into a B&B for families coming to visit their family at the retirement community. Whitney learns that the house had been the scene of a murder/suicide over 40 years ago in 1982 when the headmaster murdered his wife and killed himself. She discovers a bullet and after talking to her husband Collin, takes it to the police, where she learns that the case was never officially closed. Whitney needs to know what really happened and begins her own investigation and with personnel files and everything else still in place at the school she has information at her fingertips. The story is paced well and kept me engaged every step of the way. Enjoyed the way Whitney investigated and ultimately figured out the mystery of their deaths. I really enjoyed this story and this series. Looking forward to the next installment in this series. Highly recommend.

This was a very good read and I would highly recommend it. Deciding to renovate a house with a mystery cold case. Whitney decides to get involved to find out if murder happened.

Dead Post Society is the 7th installment in the A House-Flipper Mystery series featuring carpenter Whitney Whitaker Flynn and set in Tennessee. Whitney's building partner and cousin, Buck and his wife Colette are welcoming a new baby and while they were waiting for the baby's arrival Buck and Whitney hadn't been doing any flipping. Instead they were working for Buck's father Roger doing renovations.

Uncle Roger has taken on the job of renovating the former Ridgetop Preparatory Academy which closed in the early 1980's and had remained vacant. The school and dormitories are still filled furnishings and supplies. Troy Loflin, a local developer has purchased the property and has plans to turn the grounds into a retirement complex. Troy is a former student so the project is close to his heart and money is no object.

Adjacent to the school is the former headmaster's house. The dilapidated Victorian has seen better days and has a unfavorable reputation. The headmaster, Dr. Irving Finster is reported to have killed his wife and then himself in an apparent murder suicide. Whitney decides that she wants to purchase the house and turn it into a Bed and Breakfast for the families who come to visit their relatives staying in the retirement home.

Curious as to why Dr. Finster would have killed himself or his wife, Whitney starts digging into the 40 year old mystery and quickly discovers that a third party might have been involved in the shootings. Could it have been one of his former students or colleagues? The girl who stalked the headmaster and his wife, the boy who was expelled for bad behavior or maybe even one of his fellow teachers.

A good addition to the series although this one fell a little flat for me. I missed the usual banter between Whitney and Buck, the descriptions of the renovations and having Sawdust on the job site. Whitney is contemplating a baby with her husband, Collin and working through her emotions about being a mom.

I received an advanced copy of Dead Post Society from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Whitney is working to convert the house of the head master of a private school with her partner when she finds a bullet that calls into question the supposed murder/suicide of the headmaster and his wife. Sawdust, the cat, is worried about his mistress Whitney who is preoccupied by the deaths. As new clues arise more suspects emerge. Carpentry and curiosity go hand in hand. Cozy murder worth reading.

Dead Post Society was a very good read. I enjoyed it very much. It takes place in the town of Ridgetop, Tenhnessee. Whitney Flynn is the main character who works with her cousin, Buck in restoring and flipping houses. Collin Flynn is her husband wo works as a homicide detective for the Metro Nashville Police Department. They have been married less than a year. Buck and his wife, Colette, who is a professional chef have just become new parents. They are both working for Buck's father, Roger Whitaker who owns a carpentry business called Whitaker Woodworking. He has asked them to go in with him on this new project.They have been hired by Troy Loflin a developer who has purchased an old boarding school on 18 acres called Ridgetop Prep. He plans to make the old school into a resort style community for seniors. He wants Whitaker Woodworking to do the work. He and his wife both attended the high school and have many good memories of their time there.

Whitney and Buck get to the old school early and are waiting for Roger and Owen to arrive to meet with Troy for a tour of the property. Buck and Owen are brothers. While Buck is napping Whitney sees an old old victorian house hidden in the trees behind the 3 buildings. Whitney decides to go and check the house out. There is a small iron fence around it. The house looks beyond repair. She goes onto the porch and into the house. She is surprised how well the inside is perserved. It has all the furniture still in it. Buck comes into the house to find Whitney and they both look around. While leaving and on the porch Whitney notices something at the bottom of one of the posts. It is a bullet. She planned to show it to her husband when she got home.

When Troy gets there he takes them on a tour of the buildings. They go into the first building which was the art room. There are old pictures of art. There are two pictures of two woman with her heart cut out and put on the other - twins. The painting was called "The Two Fridas painted by Frida Kahlo. It was a self-portrait. She was married to Diego Rivera who had many affairs. The picture represented the Frida that he loved and the Frida that he didn't. In her diary she stated it was an inspiration of a childhood friend. It represented an identity crisis. The school became an art school for art and performing art.

Work had already started in cleaning up the inside. The last class was in 1982. While showing the buildings they came to the victorian house. Loftin said it was a beautiful house. It was the headmaster's. He said that once the antique dealer came for the furniture the building would be demolished. He said that the headmaster and his wife had been shot and died in the study. It looked like the headmaster had killed his wife and then himself. The murder had happened 3 years after they had graduated. Their names were Dr. Irving and Rosalyn (Rosie) Finster. The case had never been closed. Rosie taught piano and voice and lead the choir. She helped direct the musical theatre performances. Everyone loved her. There had been a rumor that she and Mr. Noy were having an affair.

Whitney told Loflin that she and Buck had toured the house before he arrived. Would Loflin consider selling the house to them. They wanted to restore it. He said his wife felt the same way. He said that he would consider their offer. He told them that his workman had heard footsteps upstairs and two of them said they had seen moving shadows. After reviewing everything Whitney came up with a price and after checking with Buck they presented their proposal to Loflin. He accepted their proposal. It was planned to be a small boutique hotel. He also threw in the furniture to seal the deal.

Whitney decided to look into the murder. There were two articles about the murder. One was Adam Joule who taught advanced math and physics. He had gone to school with Irving. He said that Irving did his best but was dealing with alot of problems but did not mention what the problems were. The second article was from Carole Tiller, theatre teacher. She said that Rosie had been a good friend. She was a wonderful person and sadly missed. The death had taken place on Friday, March 12th. There were pictures of the house as well as pictures of the couple. She decided to look them up and speak to them.

This is where the story takes off. There is too much to put all on paper. I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the exciting and scary ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Booksk for this ARC.

Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly is the seventh book in the house-flipper series. I have read several of the books and really enjoyed them.
Whitney Whitaker is now married, and the story starts with her cousin and business partner, Buck, welcoming a baby into the family. Whitney is now married to her detective boyfriend.
Buck and Whitney help their uncle’s woodworking business remodel a boarding school.
There is an old house on the property- so they purchase it to flip.
Whitney decides to try and solve the murder that happened in the house.
The story is good and worth reading. I enjoyed all the books in the series. Thanks for a copy for an honest review.

I love this series, and this book is a great addition. This story follows the main character as she tries to solve a cold case. This is a cozy mystery with a strong female lead, a great mystery, and I love all of the side characters. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, then you should really read this series.