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A Home Renovation Mystery #1
Death by Demo
Jaime and Henry were the perfect couple with the perfect life; together, they ran one of the most successful construction and interior design companies in all of Charlotte, North Carolina. But when Jaime catches her charismatic husband in an affair, she realizes her husband is not the man she thought she married. The divorce is equally gutting—due to an ironclad prenuptial agreement, Jaime receives only one thing: a historical house in disrepair. Knowing that any renovation she attempts will be tedious and costly, Jaime starts to believe that things can’t get much worse—until she finds a dead body in the house.
The body is found behind a recently renovated wall—and this leaves Jaime with more questions than answers. Who killed this person and why? Could it have been the previous owners, someone who snuck in while nobody was looking, or could it have been Henry? Furious that the house is now a crime scene, which further delays all renovations, Jaime decides to investigate the murder herself, DIY-style. Together with the new resident cat she calls Demo, and the handsome and friendly hardware store owner who happens to be her neighbor, Jaime is ready to use all the tools in her toolbox to catch the killer.
Jaime needs to renovate this house if she wants to move forward with her life, but will this murder investigation leave her in ruins—or worse?
The body is found behind a recently renovated wall—and this leaves Jaime with more questions than answers. Who killed this person and why? Could it have been the previous owners, someone who snuck in while nobody was looking, or could it have been Henry? Furious that the house is now a crime scene, which further delays all renovations, Jaime decides to investigate the murder herself, DIY-style. Together with the new resident cat she calls Demo, and the handsome and friendly hardware store owner who happens to be her neighbor, Jaime is ready to use all the tools in her toolbox to catch the killer.
Jaime needs to renovate this house if she wants to move forward with her life, but will this murder investigation leave her in ruins—or worse?
245 pages, Hardcover
First published December 5, 2023
20 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
December 4, 2023
I thought this was an outstanding start to a new series.
Jaime has recently divorced due to her husband's infidelity and she is starting out again in her business of restoring old homes. Of course once she begins to demolish an internal wall we all know what she is going to find behind it. However the corpse is in an unusual condition which leads to a very interesting investigation.
I enjoyed the story, the characters and the author's style of writing. The pages whizzed past and I was finished before I knew it. Always a good sign. I look forward to book two.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Jaime has recently divorced due to her husband's infidelity and she is starting out again in her business of restoring old homes. Of course once she begins to demolish an internal wall we all know what she is going to find behind it. However the corpse is in an unusual condition which leads to a very interesting investigation.
I enjoyed the story, the characters and the author's style of writing. The pages whizzed past and I was finished before I knew it. Always a good sign. I look forward to book two.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 10, 2023
Death by Demo is a story set in a small town in North Carolina, near Charlotte, where everyone knows everyone. Jaime and her husband worked together to build a successful contracting company working in renovations. All was well until her cheating husband ended their marriage and left her nothing but an old house needing renovation, due to a prenup. I liked Jaime and was pulling for her. She is smart, really the brains in the company and she plans to make a go of it, starting with the house. But when she is demoing a makeshift wall in the house, she discovered the body of a popular local woman and things come to a halt. She is determined to find the killer for the sake of the dead woman and for her livelihood. It turns out that several people had access to the house and more since a key was known to be in an outside building. Jaime and her friend Lara work through suspects as Jaime does some sleuthing on her own. Things get dicey and scary before it is all over. This is a good read for those who enjoy cozy mysteries with a home renovation theme and strong, smart, and determined women.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
December 5, 2023
Recently divorced Jaime was working on the historical old home that was all she'd received from the divorce settlement when she took a sledgehammer to an internal wall she'd confirmed could be removed. The shock Jaime received when the collapsing wall revealed a body sealed inside, was only overridden by the fact that she knew the person.
Because the house was now a crime scene and Jaime could no longer renovate, she decided to investigate to find the murderer. There were many suspects but the frustration Jaime felt was alleviated slightly by the conversations she had with best friend Lara and Demo the cat. How long would it take before Jaime could continue with her renovations?
Death by Demo is an excellent start to A Home Renovation Mystery series by Callie Carpenter which I really enjoyed. Well-paced and well-written, it was light hearted and fun. I'm looking forward to #2 in the series and have no hesitation in recommending this one.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Because the house was now a crime scene and Jaime could no longer renovate, she decided to investigate to find the murderer. There were many suspects but the frustration Jaime felt was alleviated slightly by the conversations she had with best friend Lara and Demo the cat. How long would it take before Jaime could continue with her renovations?
Death by Demo is an excellent start to A Home Renovation Mystery series by Callie Carpenter which I really enjoyed. Well-paced and well-written, it was light hearted and fun. I'm looking forward to #2 in the series and have no hesitation in recommending this one.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2023
This is the start to a new cozy mystery series and it was a super fun, light, mystery. I listened to the audiobook and I felt like the narrator did a great job bringing the main character Jaime to life. I thought this book set up a neat idea for a cozy mystery series focused on Jaime, a recently divorced woman who is starting her own business remodeling and restoring homes. Left with nothing but a home deemed too much work to restore Jaime is determined to prove everyone wrong and gets to work, starting with demolishing a wall that isn’t needed and not in her design plans. Unfortunately for her this wall was the final resting place for a body. Determined to help solve the murder so she can get back into her house and get to work she turns her skills to sleuthing (with her best friend’s impressive excel skills). I did think the mystery was pretty easy to solve and I could have shaken Jaime when she chose her hiding place at the end, but I still found it to be a fun story and I would definitely continue in this series.
July 26, 2024
I received an ARC of “Death by Demo. A Home Renovation Mystery” by Callie Carpenter from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, due to some personal issues going on, my download expired before I could review it, so I purchased a Kindle copy of the book. Purchasing this book is one of the best things that I’ve ever done.
Based on Carpenter’s GoodReads page, this is the author’s first novel. Who would have known that such a brilliant writer lurked within for so long? Writing a novel (and carpentry!) is a lot like quilting—anyone can do it. With practice, our results become better and better over time, especially if we have the right tools at our disposal. But, sometimes, there are those among us who seemingly appear unusually gifted in a given craft. I believe wholeheartedly that Carpenter is one of those fortunate people.
Over the past few years, I have found a new love of mysteries, and particularly cozy mysteries. Sometimes cozy mysteries can be a little “hokey” to quote my mother (and she is a ravenous reader of all cozy mysteries). But there is absolutely NOTHING hokey about this novel.
“Death by Demo” includes all of the elements that cozy mystery readers have come to love and expect: a clean story (no cussing); no fear mongering in the the form of over-description of dead bodies; a light read with absolutely NO politics (thank goodness, because there’s enough of that in the world already); plenty of suspense (with seven suspects, no less); tongue-in-cheek humor that kept the story light and entertaining; just a hint of romantic love that wasn’t overbearing; and a satisfying ending where the offender was caught and justice was served.
Carpenter is an excellent writer. And I don’t mean just “kind of”; I mean she is EXCELLENT at writing. This book was engaging from the title to the very last page. I admit that it took me a while to get through this book, but this should in no way reflect that author, but rather my insistence on devouring this book page-by-page. I fully admit that this is exactly what I did because as soon as I read the first page, I knew that I was reading a potential first novel by a writer who will no doubt go on to have an illustrious career. I believe that the name “Callie Carpenter” is quite possibly a pseudonym, but whether or not this is true, and whether or not the author is male, female, or any other gender along the spectrum, this writer has a unique ability to become a bridge between genders. How is this so? By taking a female character and ensuring that the character has complete expertise in a traditionally “male” occupation, while at the same time showing readers that this expertise does not hinder the MC’s femininity in any way whatsoever. THIS is exactly what the world needs.
The author’s timing is excellent. For example, at the 8% mark and the end of Chapter 2, the MC finds the body. There is great tension within this book, but the tension isn’t overpowering. The climax was both exciting and I felt a complete sense of urgency. Carpenter made me fall in love with the MC, Jamie Moore, and I desperately wanted her to succeed, and I STILL do.
I am looking forward to seeing a second, third, and fourth novel. And, hopefully, the author will provide as many future books as I a read. I absolutely recommend this book to everyone and without hesitation. If you’ve never read a cozy mystery before, I encourage you to start with this novelist.
Based on Carpenter’s GoodReads page, this is the author’s first novel. Who would have known that such a brilliant writer lurked within for so long? Writing a novel (and carpentry!) is a lot like quilting—anyone can do it. With practice, our results become better and better over time, especially if we have the right tools at our disposal. But, sometimes, there are those among us who seemingly appear unusually gifted in a given craft. I believe wholeheartedly that Carpenter is one of those fortunate people.
Over the past few years, I have found a new love of mysteries, and particularly cozy mysteries. Sometimes cozy mysteries can be a little “hokey” to quote my mother (and she is a ravenous reader of all cozy mysteries). But there is absolutely NOTHING hokey about this novel.
“Death by Demo” includes all of the elements that cozy mystery readers have come to love and expect: a clean story (no cussing); no fear mongering in the the form of over-description of dead bodies; a light read with absolutely NO politics (thank goodness, because there’s enough of that in the world already); plenty of suspense (with seven suspects, no less); tongue-in-cheek humor that kept the story light and entertaining; just a hint of romantic love that wasn’t overbearing; and a satisfying ending where the offender was caught and justice was served.
Carpenter is an excellent writer. And I don’t mean just “kind of”; I mean she is EXCELLENT at writing. This book was engaging from the title to the very last page. I admit that it took me a while to get through this book, but this should in no way reflect that author, but rather my insistence on devouring this book page-by-page. I fully admit that this is exactly what I did because as soon as I read the first page, I knew that I was reading a potential first novel by a writer who will no doubt go on to have an illustrious career. I believe that the name “Callie Carpenter” is quite possibly a pseudonym, but whether or not this is true, and whether or not the author is male, female, or any other gender along the spectrum, this writer has a unique ability to become a bridge between genders. How is this so? By taking a female character and ensuring that the character has complete expertise in a traditionally “male” occupation, while at the same time showing readers that this expertise does not hinder the MC’s femininity in any way whatsoever. THIS is exactly what the world needs.
The author’s timing is excellent. For example, at the 8% mark and the end of Chapter 2, the MC finds the body. There is great tension within this book, but the tension isn’t overpowering. The climax was both exciting and I felt a complete sense of urgency. Carpenter made me fall in love with the MC, Jamie Moore, and I desperately wanted her to succeed, and I STILL do.
I am looking forward to seeing a second, third, and fourth novel. And, hopefully, the author will provide as many future books as I a read. I absolutely recommend this book to everyone and without hesitation. If you’ve never read a cozy mystery before, I encourage you to start with this novelist.
December 2, 2023
Outstanding new cozy mystery to sink your brain into and try to hammer out the villain! Our main character is fresh from a horrible marriage that left her on the verge of broke and with only a broken-down old home that she is eager to start restoring. She's an intelligent, strong women who not only has brains, but the brawn to take on the remodel after spending years building a successful construction company with her ex. One major problem, there is a dead body in the house and now she is on the hunt to find out who put it there so she can get started on her new life! Great character development makes you really dig in and want to help find the killer as well as kick her ex's backside! A small town full of character to keep you excited about who you are going to meet next. I can't wait to see where the author takes this series as the plot was well executed and the mystery was superbly written. The audiobook was even better! The narrator did an fantastic job of connecting the reader/listener to the characters and the storyline making if feel all that much more realistic! I want more and you will too once you read or listen to this book!
November 28, 2023
What a great start to a new series! I loved Jaime – she’s smart, savvy, is in the process of starting her own renovation company so she’s driven and crafty. Aside for one “I just have to check one more thing” moment, I enjoyed everything about this mystery. The setting was quaint and I’m a sucker for home renovation shows and mysteries so this was right up my alley. The mystery itself was well-paced and definitely kept me guessing. Can’t wait to read the next one!
I received a copy from #NetGalley, #CrookedLaneBooks, and #Dreamscape_Media for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley, #CrookedLaneBooks, and #Dreamscape_Media for an honest review.
October 19, 2023
Thank you to Callie Carpenter, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of Death by Demo in exchange for my honest review.
Jaime King is now divorced from her narcisstic husband is now fully alone for the first time in her life. As part of the divorce settlement, her husband gives her a dilapidated house (which is a lot less than she deserves since she was basically the reason their business thrived). Jaime has been staying with her best friend Lara while recovering from her divorce and is now ready to jump back into her love of house restoration. While starting on the house restoration, Jaime discovers a dead body behind a wall she wanted to take down. The discovery of the body leads Jaime to became an "amateur" investigator in order to regain access to her renovation project. Unfortunately, when the body turns out to be someone Jaime knew in her past, the investigation becomes personal, especially when the suspects include her ex-husband, his new girlfriend, and a long time family friend/attorney. Throw in a stray cat, murder investigation spreadsheets, and possible love interest and you have a delightful new cozy mystery series.
I really enjoyed this book. It was great to see a female MC to become independent from a toxic marriage and discover her strengths of investigating and her first career love of home restoration. Jaime has big plans to start her own home renovation business, which mostly male dominated. I also loved the character of Detective Scoles. Unlike many detective cozy mysteries, the MC and the Detective are usually butting heads but this relationship seems to be supportive and level-headed.
I am looking forward to more books in this series!
Jaime King is now divorced from her narcisstic husband is now fully alone for the first time in her life. As part of the divorce settlement, her husband gives her a dilapidated house (which is a lot less than she deserves since she was basically the reason their business thrived). Jaime has been staying with her best friend Lara while recovering from her divorce and is now ready to jump back into her love of house restoration. While starting on the house restoration, Jaime discovers a dead body behind a wall she wanted to take down. The discovery of the body leads Jaime to became an "amateur" investigator in order to regain access to her renovation project. Unfortunately, when the body turns out to be someone Jaime knew in her past, the investigation becomes personal, especially when the suspects include her ex-husband, his new girlfriend, and a long time family friend/attorney. Throw in a stray cat, murder investigation spreadsheets, and possible love interest and you have a delightful new cozy mystery series.
I really enjoyed this book. It was great to see a female MC to become independent from a toxic marriage and discover her strengths of investigating and her first career love of home restoration. Jaime has big plans to start her own home renovation business, which mostly male dominated. I also loved the character of Detective Scoles. Unlike many detective cozy mysteries, the MC and the Detective are usually butting heads but this relationship seems to be supportive and level-headed.
I am looking forward to more books in this series!
December 19, 2023
Due to an unfair prenup, Jaimie's cheating husband got their renovation company along with a new girlfriend and Jaimie ended up with an old house that needs a lot of work. Unfortunately, as soon as she starts the demolition, she finds a mummified body hidden in a wall. Things get even worse when it turns out to be a girl that she knew in high-school. Jaimie investigates so that she can get back to her reno, as well as bring some justice for her friend. There's also a budding romance with Jaimie and her next door neighbor. All in all, a wonderful start to a new cozy series.
June 30, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much. I like the writing style, it’s light and focused. I like how she handles the ex husband character, not too bitter and not to heavy handed. The conversations with the cat are great. I did think oh, there’s a wall to be demolished, there’s going to be a body in it. I even recommended this book to someone on Facebook who was looking for new house renovation books. #DeathbyDemo #NetGalley
October 10, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
[ Thank you @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]
PUB DATE: December 5, 2023
THOUGHTS:
I enjoyed this first book in a new series!
I liked the short chapters. It made for a quick read! I liked our new amateur sleuth, Jaime and her BFF, Lara. Their friendship was great and super solid. They’ve been friends since they were eight years old! So it was fun to see them work together at times to figure out what happened.
The mystery was good! I didn’t guess who the killer was right away, it took me a good bit to figure it out! And the ending was stressful. I was worried for a second about Jaime.
I’m looking forward to the next book to learn more about the characters and see what’s happening with that potential love interest!
If you are fan of the Fixer-Upper series (by Kate Carlisle) or the House-Flipper series (by Diane Kelly) then I think you would enjoy this one! 🔨
[ Thank you @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]
PUB DATE: December 5, 2023
THOUGHTS:
I enjoyed this first book in a new series!
I liked the short chapters. It made for a quick read! I liked our new amateur sleuth, Jaime and her BFF, Lara. Their friendship was great and super solid. They’ve been friends since they were eight years old! So it was fun to see them work together at times to figure out what happened.
The mystery was good! I didn’t guess who the killer was right away, it took me a good bit to figure it out! And the ending was stressful. I was worried for a second about Jaime.
I’m looking forward to the next book to learn more about the characters and see what’s happening with that potential love interest!
If you are fan of the Fixer-Upper series (by Kate Carlisle) or the House-Flipper series (by Diane Kelly) then I think you would enjoy this one! 🔨
January 27, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Jamie Moore signed an ironclad prenuptial agreement when she married Henry King never imagining their perfect life would come to an end. Together they ran King Contractors, a very successful construction and interior design company. After catching Henry in an affair their love bubble burst and all she received in the divorce was a historical house in need of a ton of repairs to even make it livable or flippable. But Jamie takes the bull by the horns and starts to demolish a strange wall in the home. She is shocked when the wall quickly falls apart and the dead body falls out.
She now has so many questions. Who is the dead body? Who killed them? Why were they killed? Could Henry be involved? Is that why he gave her this house? Or was it the previous owners? Or did some random person see the empty house as a great place to dump a body?
Now the house is a crime scene and any work Jamie had planned comes to a halt. With nothing but time on her hands, she decides to do some sleuthing of her own with a little assistance from Mike, her new neighbor/hardware store owner, and a cat she found on-site she now calls Demo.
____
Several years ago my husband and I owned a construction company with some friends. These days I have been binge-watching Fixer Upper from the Magnolia Network. So when I saw this book, the synopsis spoke to me on several levels. I just had to read it. We too, saw many cats on our construction sites and one very special one found a home with our friends. I immediately had a soft spot in my heart for Demo.
I enjoyed meeting Jaime Moore. She made a huge mistake signing a prenup without reading it but now she is trying to make the best of a bad situation. She did most of the work at King Contractors so she does have the skills, knowledge, and reputation to start her own company. She develops well throughout the story. Her ex-husband was a real tool and his new girlfriend is awful too. They were very easy to dislike. Thankfully Jaime has her best friend of 24 years, Lara in her corner. Her parents are supportive but their plans for her to take her life in another direction didn't mesh with what Jaime wanted to do. Detective Scoles is an interesting cop and more open with Jaime than I expected him to be. All of Ms. Carpenter's characters have room for growth as the series continues but their introductions were done very well within this story.
Several people could have gotten into Jaime's new house which means plenty of suspects. Jaime doesn't know who she can trust and her list includes some people she has known for years including her ex. The body itself offers an interesting clue sending Jaime's quest in a different direction. She did have a few instances that made me want to jump into the story to stop her from making stupid decisions. One did fall into the TSTL (too stupid to live category) but she was in dire straights already. The way she handled it though was very smart and a little bit painful and was followed by an exciting showdown where she was very lucky.
I really liked the way the story ended. It gave me just a peek at what's to come for Jaime and I think the future of this series looks bright.
Death by Demo has given this series off to an exceptional start. The theme has me invested on a personal level and I am looking forward to seeing what develops in book two.
Jamie Moore signed an ironclad prenuptial agreement when she married Henry King never imagining their perfect life would come to an end. Together they ran King Contractors, a very successful construction and interior design company. After catching Henry in an affair their love bubble burst and all she received in the divorce was a historical house in need of a ton of repairs to even make it livable or flippable. But Jamie takes the bull by the horns and starts to demolish a strange wall in the home. She is shocked when the wall quickly falls apart and the dead body falls out.
She now has so many questions. Who is the dead body? Who killed them? Why were they killed? Could Henry be involved? Is that why he gave her this house? Or was it the previous owners? Or did some random person see the empty house as a great place to dump a body?
Now the house is a crime scene and any work Jamie had planned comes to a halt. With nothing but time on her hands, she decides to do some sleuthing of her own with a little assistance from Mike, her new neighbor/hardware store owner, and a cat she found on-site she now calls Demo.
____
Several years ago my husband and I owned a construction company with some friends. These days I have been binge-watching Fixer Upper from the Magnolia Network. So when I saw this book, the synopsis spoke to me on several levels. I just had to read it. We too, saw many cats on our construction sites and one very special one found a home with our friends. I immediately had a soft spot in my heart for Demo.
I enjoyed meeting Jaime Moore. She made a huge mistake signing a prenup without reading it but now she is trying to make the best of a bad situation. She did most of the work at King Contractors so she does have the skills, knowledge, and reputation to start her own company. She develops well throughout the story. Her ex-husband was a real tool and his new girlfriend is awful too. They were very easy to dislike. Thankfully Jaime has her best friend of 24 years, Lara in her corner. Her parents are supportive but their plans for her to take her life in another direction didn't mesh with what Jaime wanted to do. Detective Scoles is an interesting cop and more open with Jaime than I expected him to be. All of Ms. Carpenter's characters have room for growth as the series continues but their introductions were done very well within this story.
Several people could have gotten into Jaime's new house which means plenty of suspects. Jaime doesn't know who she can trust and her list includes some people she has known for years including her ex. The body itself offers an interesting clue sending Jaime's quest in a different direction. She did have a few instances that made me want to jump into the story to stop her from making stupid decisions. One did fall into the TSTL (too stupid to live category) but she was in dire straights already. The way she handled it though was very smart and a little bit painful and was followed by an exciting showdown where she was very lucky.
I really liked the way the story ended. It gave me just a peek at what's to come for Jaime and I think the future of this series looks bright.
Death by Demo has given this series off to an exceptional start. The theme has me invested on a personal level and I am looking forward to seeing what develops in book two.
July 6, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review. #campnetgalley
It was a wonderful start to a series about home renovations. HGTV is one of my favorite TV networks, so I knew it would be good. The character Jaime is determined, trying to rebuild her life after having a terrible marriage, and rebuild herself and start a new home renovation business.
There was something annoying about the neighbor and possible love interest. It was fascinating to learn the ins and outs of renovating a home. And quite an interesting location for a dead body. Jamie's new cat, Demo, was a perfect match. I found it to be a suspenseful and enjoyable read. Hopefully, this series will continue.
It was a wonderful start to a series about home renovations. HGTV is one of my favorite TV networks, so I knew it would be good. The character Jaime is determined, trying to rebuild her life after having a terrible marriage, and rebuild herself and start a new home renovation business.
There was something annoying about the neighbor and possible love interest. It was fascinating to learn the ins and outs of renovating a home. And quite an interesting location for a dead body. Jamie's new cat, Demo, was a perfect match. I found it to be a suspenseful and enjoyable read. Hopefully, this series will continue.
December 10, 2023
Review: This is a cute cozy mystery, but after listening to a thriller novel I felt this was a little corny. The audio was engaging but the narrated annoyed me often with her dramatic lines.
Recommended For: Cozy mystery fans.
Want to read
August 21, 2025Mood/Seasonal Reading: late April
January 22, 2024
Thank you Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read and review Death by Demo on NetGalley.
Published: 12/05/23
Narrator: Cindy Kay
Stars: 5
This is book 1 in the Home Renovation Mystery series. I see a lasting relationship with myself, the author and this cozy series. The story flowed really well.
The characters held their individual roles perfectly. I found the main character resourceful with her crime solving. She was recently divorced and had realistic issues, but not over the top. I didn't have any cringe moments like I do with a lot of cozy mysteries. The author worked out the murder with the cast and it flowed naturally.
Cindy Kay did a fantastic job.
I would recommend this for young teens moving out of middle grade into young adult books to older adults, and everyone in between. The read was fast, clean, clever and enjoyable.
Published: 12/05/23
Narrator: Cindy Kay
Stars: 5
This is book 1 in the Home Renovation Mystery series. I see a lasting relationship with myself, the author and this cozy series. The story flowed really well.
The characters held their individual roles perfectly. I found the main character resourceful with her crime solving. She was recently divorced and had realistic issues, but not over the top. I didn't have any cringe moments like I do with a lot of cozy mysteries. The author worked out the murder with the cast and it flowed naturally.
Cindy Kay did a fantastic job.
I would recommend this for young teens moving out of middle grade into young adult books to older adults, and everyone in between. The read was fast, clean, clever and enjoyable.
November 30, 2023
3 stars
I wasn’t a big fan of this one. It wasn’t necessarily bad, it was just more of a cozy mystery and a step up from Nancy Drew novels. I prefer more of a psychological thriller style of writing and this just wasn’t it. If you enjoy a slower paced, no graphic details, lots of potential suspects, Murder She Wrote vibe, this may be a good match for you.
Narration- the narrator wasn’t really up my alley either. She had a bit of a nasally, whiny voice that I couldn’t get into.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t a big fan of this one. It wasn’t necessarily bad, it was just more of a cozy mystery and a step up from Nancy Drew novels. I prefer more of a psychological thriller style of writing and this just wasn’t it. If you enjoy a slower paced, no graphic details, lots of potential suspects, Murder She Wrote vibe, this may be a good match for you.
Narration- the narrator wasn’t really up my alley either. She had a bit of a nasally, whiny voice that I couldn’t get into.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️ 4.25 stars ⭐⭐️
What a fun idea for a cozy mystery! First in a new series by Callie Carpenter, Death by Demo feels just like an episode of Flip or Flop but with a twist. Jaime Moore discovered her husband and partner in King Construction, Henry, had been cheating on her. Since she had signed an ironclad prenuptial agreement, the divorce left her with only a Victorian house in a state of disrepair. But Jaime had hope, feeling the potential of restoring the house to its original glory....that is, until she started demolition and found a body hidden in a wall. That would inevitably delay renovation plans and she just wanted to move on from the divorce and go forward with her life. So she decided to conduct her own DIY investigation which later became a way to get justice for the victim.
I loved how Jaime and her best friend, Laura, worked together with Laura making spreadsheets detailing motives, personalities and alibis for various suspects. Motives for murder could be money, sex or power. But who could have done it? I thought all of the suspects seemed like logical choices so I was completely invested in the story throughout. I had my suspicions but I was ultimately surprised by the ending.
There was plenty of reflection on Jamie's marriage and the way she let Henry run her life but it was great to see her finally acknowledge that and realize she deserved better. I thought Jamie was a strong protagonist except for her out of character foolishness near the end as she did something that could have gotten her in way over her head.
All of the characters were well written and fit flawlessly into the plot. I even liked how Henry's story arc evolved. I loved Jamie's chats with the cat that kept wandering onto her property and it was perfect that she named the cat Demo. I look forward to seeing more of Demo later in the series. I'm also intrigued by Jamie's budding romance and I'm interested to see how it evolves. I initially had my doubts about her romantic interest but I eventually started to warm up to him.
I listened to the audiobook and thought Cindy Kay did a fantastic job voicing all of the characters. I listened mostly at 1.75x and would gladly listen to her again. I think this story could have benefitted from a first person narration instead of third but that's my personal preference. Either way, I definitely want to read or listen to more of this series to indulge my home renovation guilty pleasure.
* Special thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Available December 5, 2023. *
What a fun idea for a cozy mystery! First in a new series by Callie Carpenter, Death by Demo feels just like an episode of Flip or Flop but with a twist. Jaime Moore discovered her husband and partner in King Construction, Henry, had been cheating on her. Since she had signed an ironclad prenuptial agreement, the divorce left her with only a Victorian house in a state of disrepair. But Jaime had hope, feeling the potential of restoring the house to its original glory....that is, until she started demolition and found a body hidden in a wall. That would inevitably delay renovation plans and she just wanted to move on from the divorce and go forward with her life. So she decided to conduct her own DIY investigation which later became a way to get justice for the victim.
I loved how Jaime and her best friend, Laura, worked together with Laura making spreadsheets detailing motives, personalities and alibis for various suspects. Motives for murder could be money, sex or power. But who could have done it? I thought all of the suspects seemed like logical choices so I was completely invested in the story throughout. I had my suspicions but I was ultimately surprised by the ending.
There was plenty of reflection on Jamie's marriage and the way she let Henry run her life but it was great to see her finally acknowledge that and realize she deserved better. I thought Jamie was a strong protagonist except for her out of character foolishness near the end as she did something that could have gotten her in way over her head.
All of the characters were well written and fit flawlessly into the plot. I even liked how Henry's story arc evolved. I loved Jamie's chats with the cat that kept wandering onto her property and it was perfect that she named the cat Demo. I look forward to seeing more of Demo later in the series. I'm also intrigued by Jamie's budding romance and I'm interested to see how it evolves. I initially had my doubts about her romantic interest but I eventually started to warm up to him.
I listened to the audiobook and thought Cindy Kay did a fantastic job voicing all of the characters. I listened mostly at 1.75x and would gladly listen to her again. I think this story could have benefitted from a first person narration instead of third but that's my personal preference. Either way, I definitely want to read or listen to more of this series to indulge my home renovation guilty pleasure.
* Special thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Available December 5, 2023. *
to-read-get-series
September 16, 2023I'll put this on my TBR but I'll never buy it unless the price reduces by at least 60 percent. I wouldn't spend 18 bucks on a kindle cozy mystery that was the much anticipated last-in-series of my favorite author writing my favorite series, and I *certainly* won't spend it on the first book by an author I've never heard of. I read about 300 or more cozy mysteries a year -- I *am* your target audience, and you are completely lacking in any understanding of that audience. Cozy readers read *many* cozies, and for the 18 bucks you want me to spend on one, I could get five others. *I* can do that math. Maybe you should learn to do it as well.
July 17, 2023
Great start to a new series!
Picked herself up, dusted herself off, began finding her new self, and started all over again. After spending too many years with a dismissive husband and working together in their contractor business, Jaime got shafted in the divorce. Now working on the only real thing she got in the divorce (a real money pit), she finds a mummified body in a wall. And so the real story begins, complete with some good sleuthing. Loved it and hope for more of these fun characters and mysteries!
I requested and received an EARC from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Picked herself up, dusted herself off, began finding her new self, and started all over again. After spending too many years with a dismissive husband and working together in their contractor business, Jaime got shafted in the divorce. Now working on the only real thing she got in the divorce (a real money pit), she finds a mummified body in a wall. And so the real story begins, complete with some good sleuthing. Loved it and hope for more of these fun characters and mysteries!
I requested and received an EARC from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
December 5, 2023
The first book in a new cozy mystery series, Death by Demo was an absolute blast to read. My favorite cozy mysteries are those in which the author combines red herrings, plot twists, and secrets to create a mystery that keeps me guessing to the very end, and this cozy certainly delivered! Just when I thought I'd figured out whodunnit, new information would come to light that completely threw me for a loop, which made this story all the more fun to read.
And I absolutely loved reading in Jaime's point of view. Her go-getter, spunky personality came to life on the page, but the way it was balanced by her past hurts and her working through those made her a very sympathetic protagonist that I felt like I could really get to know and relate to through the story.
I'm very much hoping for many more books in this series to enjoy!
Thank you so much to #Netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for an e-ARC copy of this book.
And I absolutely loved reading in Jaime's point of view. Her go-getter, spunky personality came to life on the page, but the way it was balanced by her past hurts and her working through those made her a very sympathetic protagonist that I felt like I could really get to know and relate to through the story.
I'm very much hoping for many more books in this series to enjoy!
Thank you so much to #Netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for an e-ARC copy of this book.
January 7, 2024
A solid start to what will hopefully be a series, I'm a sucker for a good "house story" - which is what, along with a friend's recommendation, drew me to trying this book. Fresh off a divorce, her ex getting sole ownership of their construction / renovation business, the heroine is left with only a dilapidated house to her name - and that's only because her ex considers the house a lost cause. But that house is all Jaime has so she's determined to make a go of it - until she knocks down a wall and discovers a dead body.
The story lacks urgency (to be fair I think 99.9% of cozies lack urgency) but it's a good solid mystery set in small town that didn't set my teeth on edge. There's no cutesy crap to wade through (yarn stores, cupcake shops, unnecessary secondary characters clogging up word count) and all the players in the story have some sort of ties to the victim, even Jaime's family who knew the woman and her family. A pleasant listen on audiobook, I hope a book 2 is already in the works.
The story lacks urgency (to be fair I think 99.9% of cozies lack urgency) but it's a good solid mystery set in small town that didn't set my teeth on edge. There's no cutesy crap to wade through (yarn stores, cupcake shops, unnecessary secondary characters clogging up word count) and all the players in the story have some sort of ties to the victim, even Jaime's family who knew the woman and her family. A pleasant listen on audiobook, I hope a book 2 is already in the works.
December 30, 2023
A very solid foundation on which to build a a fun cozy series! I am a huge fan of home renovation shows(love me some Chip & Jo!) so a home reno based cozy series is a favorite cozy theme for me. This one was really good. I liked the setup for the series with Jamie coming off a divorce and is now finding her independence and success on her own terms away from her dirtbag ex. The mystery had me guessing and I like the secondary characters that look to be the core of the series going forward. I am excited to see where this series goes and I am here for it!
March 5, 2024
This was my first time reading the cozy crime genre and honestly? I’m hooked. It was so good for what it was and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series when it comes out.
October 19, 2023
A well-written mystery. The characters are fun and well-developed, the setting is quaint and beautiful,
Thank you to Callie Carpenter, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc of this book.
Thank you to Callie Carpenter, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc of this book.
October 19, 2023
A well-written mystery. The characters are fun and well-developed, the setting is quaint and beautiful,
Thank you to Callie Carpenter, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc of this book.
Thank you to Callie Carpenter, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc of this book.
December 8, 2023
Home renovations are always stressful…but nothing can compare to finding a body inside the walls!!
We follow Jamie who is newly divorced and starting over. She is running full steam ahead, channeling all of her frustration into renovating the home she received in the divorce settlement. The issue? Everything comes screeching to a halt when a body is uncovered! Now it’s up to her to sleuth around, clear her name and get this case solved so she can get back to creating the home (and life) of her dreams!
🏚️ Home Renovation
🔍 Cozy Mystery
💀 Body in the Wall
🫶 Family
🐾 Adorable Cat
📚 First in a New Series
Callie Carpenter’s Home Renovation Mystery series is off to an amazing start with Death by Demo! I’m so excited for this series and can’t wait to see what happens next!
Method Read: 🎧
Cindy Kay did an amazing job narrating and bringing the story to life!
Thank you Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy!
We follow Jamie who is newly divorced and starting over. She is running full steam ahead, channeling all of her frustration into renovating the home she received in the divorce settlement. The issue? Everything comes screeching to a halt when a body is uncovered! Now it’s up to her to sleuth around, clear her name and get this case solved so she can get back to creating the home (and life) of her dreams!
🏚️ Home Renovation
🔍 Cozy Mystery
💀 Body in the Wall
🫶 Family
🐾 Adorable Cat
📚 First in a New Series
Callie Carpenter’s Home Renovation Mystery series is off to an amazing start with Death by Demo! I’m so excited for this series and can’t wait to see what happens next!
Method Read: 🎧
Cindy Kay did an amazing job narrating and bringing the story to life!
Thank you Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy!
September 10, 2023
Jaime and Henry were the perfect couple with the perfect life; together, they ran one of the most successful construction and interior design companies in all of Charlotte, North Carolina. But when Jaime catches her charismatic husband in an affair, she realizes her husband is not the man she thought she married. The divorce is equally gutting—due to an ironclad prenuptial agreement, Jaime receives only one thing: a historical house in disrepair. Knowing that any renovation she attempts will be tedious and costly, Jaime starts to believe that things can’t get much worse—until she finds a dead body in the house.
The body is found behind a recently renovated wall—and this leaves Jaime with more questions than answers. Who killed this person and why? Could it have been the previous owners, someone who snuck in while nobody was looking, or could it have been Henry? Furious that the house is now a crime scene, which further delays all renovations, Jaime decides to investigate the murder herself, DIY-style. Together with the new resident cat she calls Demo, and the handsome and friendly hardware store owner who happens to be her neighbor, Jaime is ready to use all the tools in her toolbox to catch the killer.
Jaime needs to renovate this house if she wants to move forward with her life, but will this murder investigation leave her in ruins—or worse?
I really enjoyed this story. Will recommend to others.
The body is found behind a recently renovated wall—and this leaves Jaime with more questions than answers. Who killed this person and why? Could it have been the previous owners, someone who snuck in while nobody was looking, or could it have been Henry? Furious that the house is now a crime scene, which further delays all renovations, Jaime decides to investigate the murder herself, DIY-style. Together with the new resident cat she calls Demo, and the handsome and friendly hardware store owner who happens to be her neighbor, Jaime is ready to use all the tools in her toolbox to catch the killer.
Jaime needs to renovate this house if she wants to move forward with her life, but will this murder investigation leave her in ruins—or worse?
I really enjoyed this story. Will recommend to others.
December 4, 2023
Jaime and Henry ran a successful construction and interior design company – until Jaime caught Henry in an affair. The only thing she gets in the divorce is a dilapidated historical house in need of major work before it can be lived in, let alone sold. When a body is found behind a recently renovated wall, it raises more questions than answers... and delays her renovations, leaving her with nothing else to do except conduct her own investigation into the murder.
This is the first book in a new series and the author’s first novel. I like Jaime, her resilience and her refusal to let a bad situation defeat her. Her connections in the construction industry are a huge help in getting back on her feet, and the support from her family and friends keeps her on the right track as well.
There were several characters on my list as possible murderers, and I really hoped that one of two people (or maybe even both together) would turn out to be the killer, but that was not the case. I didn’t figure out who the killer *was until it became obvious in the book, and then the confrontation scene kept me turning pages until its resolution. I’ve already made a note to look for the next book in this series when it’s released, hopefully next year.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is the first book in a new series and the author’s first novel. I like Jaime, her resilience and her refusal to let a bad situation defeat her. Her connections in the construction industry are a huge help in getting back on her feet, and the support from her family and friends keeps her on the right track as well.
There were several characters on my list as possible murderers, and I really hoped that one of two people (or maybe even both together) would turn out to be the killer, but that was not the case. I didn’t figure out who the killer *was until it became obvious in the book, and then the confrontation scene kept me turning pages until its resolution. I’ve already made a note to look for the next book in this series when it’s released, hopefully next year.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 30, 2023
Another new author, another fun new series! Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookledLaneBooks for a chance to try Callie Carpenter's new series. Jamie is an interesting main character, her life is in upheaval, she comes out of a messy divorce with nothing but a big old Victorian house that needs lots of work. Pulling herself together and willing to work hard, she starts her first project only to find a body in the wall she knocks down, now she has a crime scene. When she discovers the deceased was a former school mate that was very nice to her geeky high school self she is doubly determined to help figure out who killed her. Between trying to work around the police limits, continuing work on the house she has to get cleaned up, and trying to find out who killed her school mate Jamie is a busy woman. As well as a good mystery, I love that the main character works with the police, this is also a story of self discovery. I can't wait to read more in this series.
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