Monkey Wrench

Welcome to Tyler #4

by Nancy Martin

Christmas is coming to Tyler. Share a cup of eggnog and the warm holiday cheer of America s favorite hometown.

Each book set in Tyler is a self-contained story; together, they stitch the fabric of a community.

Joe Santori, Tyler s resident contractor, is loud, cocky and filled with a zest for living. So what on earth is he doing pursuing Susannah Atkins, the workaholic Milwaukee TV personality who s home for the holidays?

Susannah s certainly convinced they have nothing in common. But her Granny Rose has other ideas. She wants Susannah back in Tyler permanently with Joe. And what Granny Rose wants, she usually gets.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1992

About the author

Winner of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement award for mystery writing from Romantic Times magazine, Nancy Martin announces the release of the 8th book in her popular Blackbird Sisters mystery series, NO WAY TO KILL A LADY. Set in Philadelphia, the story features three heiresses whose parents have run off with their trust funds. Now thay have a chance to regain their wealth when their aunt, "Madcap Maddy" Blackbird dies in a volcano and leaves her estate to the sisters. But Nora Blackbird soon discovers all the treasures in Aunt Maddy's house have disappeared...information that leads her to believe maybe Maddy didn't die the way everybody thinks.

Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002--- mysteries about three impoverished heiresses who adventure in couture and crime --as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is at work on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur. In 2009 she received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery writing.

Nancy lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of Pennwriters. Find her on Pinterest and Facebook.

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the contrast of the pairing in this one--small town handyman who loves opera with a big city local television celebrity who is secretly unhappy.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

working my way through the tyler series. this book is absolutely delightful 😊 I did cry once, but just a little.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monkey Wrench, the fourth volume in the Tyler series, is the story of Susannah, a local television personality in Milwaukee who comes home to Tyler at the urging of Joe, who is concerned for her grandmother's health. Susannah's grandmother thinks she's dying and is quite anxious to get Susannah married off and Joe seems like an excellent candidate. It was a very sweet little book, but I was a little irritated with Susannah's willingness to chuck her life in Milwaukee and marry Joe after knowing him only two weeks. Of course, a lot is packed into that bit of time, as it always is in these types of books, but it still seemed rushed. The writing was a little pedestrian, but you can't expect a whole lot from a Harlequin. It was a quick read and I had fun reading it. Still interested in the town of Tyler and the mystery of the Body at the Lake.

[Melissa Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monkey Wrench is the fourth book in the Welcome to Tyler series and the first that I have read. Normally I wouldn’t read book in a series unless I start from the beginning, however this book was recommended to me and I found the description to be interesting. As I got into to book (and did some research on the previous books) I discovered that it wasn’t a typical continuing story, so I wasn’t lacking any crucial background information. Monkey Wrench was a quick read for me. I enjoyed the cozy homey feel of the town of Tyler, especially due to the fact that the plot was set at Christmas time. The characters were interesting and likable; my favourite being Granny Rose. Although the story was predictable, I expected this and enjoyed the book.

[Kshydog · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointed that this book was just an “I love my career, can’t leave it” “want to change my life” and “I don’t love him” “yes he is so sexy so I must love him”. Susie loves her grandma Rose but leaves her alone even knowing there are health problems with Rose for her own love life with carpenter often. Story never progressed anywhere in series mystery.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay... Harlequin grade

[Mande Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book had its odd moments and maybe some ah-ha moments; but the more you kept pushing forward the more you’ll find chapters you like more over others. Then turns into a tear jerker at the end.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We find out more about Joe Santori, the contractor who's been working out at the Lodge - the one who found the body. You know who that is now, right? If you've been reading these books in order, you should know! If you haven't been reading in order - why not??? Jeez, you're ruining it!

Susannah is a TV celebrity, but she comes home for Christmas when Joe calls to tell her he's concerned about her Granny Rose. Granny Rose IS sick, isn't she??

Have your tissues ready for this one, it's a tear jerker.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable but still fun and sweet. I think things felt a little rushed relationship-wise, but of course, the two people were thrown together every single day! I loved the slow-down-and-examine-what-really-matters theme.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, THIS is my FAVORITE book so far in the series. I'd highly highly highly recommend it.

[Ewa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK reading, quite easy to digest. However I found it recommended on some website as cozy mystery and surprice - no mystery, just slow romance. So a little bit disappointed.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some surprises. 3.5 stars.

[Cathy Savage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written in 1992 the series has not aged well... or my tastes have matured! Probably a combination of the two factors. These are totally escapist fantasy and good for a quick read when you are bored.

[Wanda Mcguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the "Welcome to Tyler" series. This book is great.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this series, wish I had them all!

[Jean Flattery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect story for a Hallmark movie!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th book of a 12-book series. It has the most quilting references, the most about the mystery, and the most sex-less romance, so far. I'm about 1/2 way done and I'm enjoying it thus far. Oh, Susannah! star of a Milwaukee TV show has come to Tyler to check on her Grandmother, who is having health problems. Rose, the Grandmother, is determined to matchmake Suzie with the resident handyman, to Suzie's dismay. But as has happened in the other books, it only takes a day, or 2, for romance to flare. Still reading. Finished. Better than the others.

[Laura Planton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susannah, a Milwaukee TV host returns to fictitious Tyler Wi to take care of her ailing Grandmother, Rose. Joe Santori, the local carpenter is Rose's choice for Susannah. Career or potential happiness with Joe? Same as first 3 in the series but further progress on the murder at the lodge subplot that weaves the stories together.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this 2 stars because I just never could bring myself to like the main character Susannah and that really brought my enjoyment of the book down.

Rose & Joe were characters that I enjoyed but most of the book was from Susannah's view point.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series, but okay. The characters were likable, but I thought that some of the dialog was awkward and didn't make much sense.
I liked that this book had more quilting references than the previous books since the covers were what drew me to the series in the first place.

[Cws]

YAT-D

[Kathy Robbins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off really slow. Then it picked up. About a spoiled brat turning into a woman after she returns to her hometown to recover from a setback in life. She falls in love and gets the guy.

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Murder Series I ever Read and I loved it. :)

[The_Book_Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Cindy Kester · Rating 2 out of 5]

Numer 4 of Welcome to Tyler. Was hoping since it took place at Christmas it would cool things off outside. A cute predictable romance.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

[Gloria Rudacillr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok book and was a fast read

[Michelle Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Next wook in the series.. ok.. not the best one for me..

[Kimberly Bohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great read. I can't wait to see what is in store in the next book.