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A Do-It-Yourself Mystery #6
Wall-to-Wall Dead
Avery Baker never thought she’d leave Manhattan, until she inherited her aunt’s old Maine cottage and found her true calling—home renovation. But when Avery goes to work restoring a condominium, she discovers it’s another condo owner who’s been condemned...
Avery and her partner, Derek, are fixing up a cute little condo in homey Waterfield, Maine, hoping for a quick turnaround and some extra money. It seems like a simple project—and Avery is looking forward to using her big-city experience with small spaces.
But they didn’t expect to have their every move watched by the resident busybody in the condo, Hilda Shaw, who loves snooping on everyone’s comings and goings. When the busybody becomes a dead body, Avery suspects foul play. Soon she’s doing some snooping of her own—and it seems everyone in the complex has a secret. Could one of them be worth killing for? Avery needs to work fast, before someone decides to fix her...for good.
Avery and her partner, Derek, are fixing up a cute little condo in homey Waterfield, Maine, hoping for a quick turnaround and some extra money. It seems like a simple project—and Avery is looking forward to using her big-city experience with small spaces.
But they didn’t expect to have their every move watched by the resident busybody in the condo, Hilda Shaw, who loves snooping on everyone’s comings and goings. When the busybody becomes a dead body, Avery suspects foul play. Soon she’s doing some snooping of her own—and it seems everyone in the complex has a secret. Could one of them be worth killing for? Avery needs to work fast, before someone decides to fix her...for good.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 4, 2012
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667 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
May 23, 2019
As much as I have enjoyed this series, this one didn't sit as well with me. Avery was a little over the top in this one as she went about satisfying her curiosity about the neighbors in the condo complex where Derek and her are working. It was still fun to visit Waterfield and all of the characters that I've come to know throughout the series. The mystery itself was more complex than the previous one which made it enjoyable in spite of Avery's behavior.
November 27, 2014
I have enjoyed this cozy series and this one fit along with the others. The location , characters, and "real" occupations are interesting to me. While I've given it four stars, I think this book took a couple missteps that has put it a little behind the other books. (The four stars are more for the series as a whole, then this book stand-alone.)
In short, I think a bit too much was crammed in - too much character advancement, too complicated a story - that the whole suffered a bit. At the end of the previous book I had concern that the character development would continue to drag out too long, as happens in many cozys (see Joanna Carl). That issue was solved here, yet it was rushed so far that I felt like I was jipped a bit on the story. The "b" storyline of fixing up a house was used merely as a tool to introduce the murder and after the first 1/3 of the book wasn't brought up again. The murder mystery was fine, and although I knew something was up with the villian the only real clues you had were the fact that it was a standard setup ploy for such a book, so it had to be that person.
As mentioned, the series is entertaining and I hold it a bit above the rest in the genre. I think the missteps here are easily fixable. One thing to really watch out for is the heroine. She is quickly sinking into the untenable situation of annoying busybody. With this book I asked myself the questions of "why do people like her at all, shes so nosy? How is she keeping this guy by continuously doing what she does?" I'd recommend work on developing her rapport with others - give her some genuine friends (versus inherited from the boyfriend) in town, have her demonstrate why she's a worthy friend, and also show what she is bringing to her relationship. This will help counteract all the annoyances she brings to peoples lives.
In short, I think a bit too much was crammed in - too much character advancement, too complicated a story - that the whole suffered a bit. At the end of the previous book I had concern that the character development would continue to drag out too long, as happens in many cozys (see Joanna Carl). That issue was solved here, yet it was rushed so far that I felt like I was jipped a bit on the story. The "b" storyline of fixing up a house was used merely as a tool to introduce the murder and after the first 1/3 of the book wasn't brought up again. The murder mystery was fine, and although I knew something was up with the villian the only real clues you had were the fact that it was a standard setup ploy for such a book, so it had to be that person.
As mentioned, the series is entertaining and I hold it a bit above the rest in the genre. I think the missteps here are easily fixable. One thing to really watch out for is the heroine. She is quickly sinking into the untenable situation of annoying busybody. With this book I asked myself the questions of "why do people like her at all, shes so nosy? How is she keeping this guy by continuously doing what she does?" I'd recommend work on developing her rapport with others - give her some genuine friends (versus inherited from the boyfriend) in town, have her demonstrate why she's a worthy friend, and also show what she is bringing to her relationship. This will help counteract all the annoyances she brings to peoples lives.
June 16, 2013
3.5 stars (3 for this book & 4 for series overall). I really look forward to reading each book in this series and have a secret crush on Derek! I really enjoyed the mystery in this one even though I saw some of the things coming a mile away - I still enjoyed the ride. I will note that Avery can be a little "much" at times. In previous books she was a little to insecure/jealous for my tastes and in this book she was a little too over the top in her snooping for my but boy do I still like this series so I will overlook it!
September 6, 2012
Derek and Avery are fixing up a cute little condo in Waterfield, Maine. It reminds Avery of her tiny apartment in Manhattan. She hopes to use some "tricks of the trade" that she has learned to make the small condo into a place with a more open feeling. It should be a quick job and a fast sale as the need the money as they wait for the right buyer to come along for the huge project they had just completed.
The only drawback to the project is the little old lady in the downstairs condo. She watches every move every resident of the building makes from her perch in front of her window. Hilda loves to snoop and keep track of everything happening outside her window.
When Hilda is missing from her window for a whole day Avery gets suspicious. She convinces Derek to break open the door so they can make sure she is all right. It is then they find that the busybody is now a dead body. While most people think she has died of natural causes Avery thinks there is more to the story. No one seems sad that Hilda is gone. Some residents are even happy. Maybe the old lady had some dirt on one of the residents, a secret they didn't want to get out. Could anyone have a secret worth killing for? Avery is determined to find out by doing a little snooping of her own.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Checking in with Derek and Avery is like getting together with old friends. I love to see what they are up to and their projects never fail to spark some DIY ideas for around the house.
Every small town and most apartment buildings have someone who could be called a busybody but Hilda is a busybody extraordinaire. In my synopsis I called her seat in front of her window her "perch", that is so fitting because she seemed to me like an ornery old bird. Too bad her snooping got her into so much trouble.
Jennie Bentley is one of the master writers of the cozy mystery genre. She has created characters we care about and she has a plethora of ideas for having trouble find them. The stories are fun and full of suspects which keeps the reading guessing. This one fooled me right to the end.
The setting in part of this book took us to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine. After reading about this wonderful building I had to find out if it was a real place. It is! Jennie's words had formed a picture in my mind. All I can say is her words took me there and the pictures confirmed that this cathedral really is an awesome place. The best books help us to escape and travel without ever leaving home. This one did that for me!! I know Waterfield is a fictional place but the author has painted it so clearly in our minds that we can escape there in each installment without any need to physical pictures. From Barnham College to Waterfield Inn. You can travel around Waterfield with ease and be drawn right into the lives of its residents from the seat of your cozy chair.
Wall-to-Wall Dead is a wonderful cozy mystery and a perfect escape.
The only drawback to the project is the little old lady in the downstairs condo. She watches every move every resident of the building makes from her perch in front of her window. Hilda loves to snoop and keep track of everything happening outside her window.
When Hilda is missing from her window for a whole day Avery gets suspicious. She convinces Derek to break open the door so they can make sure she is all right. It is then they find that the busybody is now a dead body. While most people think she has died of natural causes Avery thinks there is more to the story. No one seems sad that Hilda is gone. Some residents are even happy. Maybe the old lady had some dirt on one of the residents, a secret they didn't want to get out. Could anyone have a secret worth killing for? Avery is determined to find out by doing a little snooping of her own.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Checking in with Derek and Avery is like getting together with old friends. I love to see what they are up to and their projects never fail to spark some DIY ideas for around the house.
Every small town and most apartment buildings have someone who could be called a busybody but Hilda is a busybody extraordinaire. In my synopsis I called her seat in front of her window her "perch", that is so fitting because she seemed to me like an ornery old bird. Too bad her snooping got her into so much trouble.
Jennie Bentley is one of the master writers of the cozy mystery genre. She has created characters we care about and she has a plethora of ideas for having trouble find them. The stories are fun and full of suspects which keeps the reading guessing. This one fooled me right to the end.
The setting in part of this book took us to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine. After reading about this wonderful building I had to find out if it was a real place. It is! Jennie's words had formed a picture in my mind. All I can say is her words took me there and the pictures confirmed that this cathedral really is an awesome place. The best books help us to escape and travel without ever leaving home. This one did that for me!! I know Waterfield is a fictional place but the author has painted it so clearly in our minds that we can escape there in each installment without any need to physical pictures. From Barnham College to Waterfield Inn. You can travel around Waterfield with ease and be drawn right into the lives of its residents from the seat of your cozy chair.
Wall-to-Wall Dead is a wonderful cozy mystery and a perfect escape.
June 16, 2013
Avery and Derek buy a flat in an apartment house where the stereotypical nosy busybody is killed and everyone harbors a secret.
I gave this 2 stars instead of 3 because the entire book lacked focus. Actually, I would have given it 1 star if I didn't enjoy the other books in this series. *sigh* where to begin?
It also felt like the prologue and the epilogue were added on later, almost like the editor said, "hey, this book is terrible, add on a few heart tugging scenes and it'll make it more palatable."
As a footnote, I'd like to add that my experience with law enforcement is very slight (and not in a criminal sense), but I can tell you that in real life, asking the chief of police to "let me know if you find out anything" on a murder investigation, would never happen. Not only because such details would be used to track down the killer but also because it would jeopardize the prosecution if and when the case went to trial. It's a convenient plot device, but it's implausible and ridiculous and drives me up the wall.
I gave this 2 stars instead of 3 because the entire book lacked focus. Actually, I would have given it 1 star if I didn't enjoy the other books in this series. *sigh* where to begin?
It also felt like the prologue and the epilogue were added on later, almost like the editor said, "hey, this book is terrible, add on a few heart tugging scenes and it'll make it more palatable."
As a footnote, I'd like to add that my experience with law enforcement is very slight (and not in a criminal sense), but I can tell you that in real life, asking the chief of police to "let me know if you find out anything" on a murder investigation, would never happen. Not only because such details would be used to track down the killer but also because it would jeopardize the prosecution if and when the case went to trial. It's a convenient plot device, but it's implausible and ridiculous and drives me up the wall.
June 9, 2021
This one was meh. Law enforcement allowing the amateur sleuths to participate in the investigations was completely implausible. Avery’s insistence on nosing around was over the top. Then we have a wedding that felt tacked on as an afterthought, to a man who has become impatient, uninteresting and angry. This may be the last of this series for me.
August 21, 2025
The female and male main characters get married in this book. Before there a couple of deaths but no clear killer - some motive. The book was easy to read.
July 22, 2023
This is a good series and I’m so happy I got y to I read another book in it. Derek and Avery are great characters and I enjoy renovating and sleuthing with them. The mystery was good, kept me guessing and one of my thoughts turned out to be right.
August 28, 2012
Wall To Wall Dead is the 6th book in the DIY Mystery series by Jennie Bentley. Another series where the reader can learn something useful and read a good story.
Avery and Derek decide to take on renovating a condo in Waterfield, hoping for a quick job and a quick turnaround.
Josh Rasmussen, who father Wayne is the police chief and close friends with Avery and Derek, invites them to take a look at the condo in the building where he lives. Once the paperwork has been completed, they begin the renovations. As they arrive they a lady in the first floor unit is peaking through the curtains. The lady, Hilda Shaw, is a recluse and busy body and gathers personal information on everyone who lives in the building. One day as Avery and Derek are leaving they see Amelia, who live in the building, knocking on Shaw's door. Since there is no answer Avery hadn't seen her either, Derek removes the lock on her door and finds that Shaw is dead. She has died of anaphylactic shock and no EpiPen can be found in her condo.
What with Shaw delving into every one's life there are plenty of suspects and she let everyone know what she had on them. Amelia's, the college professor, goes back to when she was in college 20 years ago, Candy and her roommate Jamie. Candy is dating her married boss and Jamie who is from a deeply religious family works as a stripper. Robin and Bruce, who are not legally married. Gregg and Marino are a couple and Marino is an illegal alien. And William Maurits, an insurance adjuster whose company had to pay a $6 million claim. Were any of these people willing to take the extra step to make sure that their secrets were revealed? But maybe it is Candy's lover or his wife,as Candy's life winds up in jeopardy too.
Oh, yes, on top of having to solve this mystery, Avery is busy planning her wedding, too.
Again, a wonderful story Jennie Bentley. Looking forward to reading the next one.
Avery and Derek decide to take on renovating a condo in Waterfield, hoping for a quick job and a quick turnaround.
Josh Rasmussen, who father Wayne is the police chief and close friends with Avery and Derek, invites them to take a look at the condo in the building where he lives. Once the paperwork has been completed, they begin the renovations. As they arrive they a lady in the first floor unit is peaking through the curtains. The lady, Hilda Shaw, is a recluse and busy body and gathers personal information on everyone who lives in the building. One day as Avery and Derek are leaving they see Amelia, who live in the building, knocking on Shaw's door. Since there is no answer Avery hadn't seen her either, Derek removes the lock on her door and finds that Shaw is dead. She has died of anaphylactic shock and no EpiPen can be found in her condo.
What with Shaw delving into every one's life there are plenty of suspects and she let everyone know what she had on them. Amelia's, the college professor, goes back to when she was in college 20 years ago, Candy and her roommate Jamie. Candy is dating her married boss and Jamie who is from a deeply religious family works as a stripper. Robin and Bruce, who are not legally married. Gregg and Marino are a couple and Marino is an illegal alien. And William Maurits, an insurance adjuster whose company had to pay a $6 million claim. Were any of these people willing to take the extra step to make sure that their secrets were revealed? But maybe it is Candy's lover or his wife,as Candy's life winds up in jeopardy too.
Oh, yes, on top of having to solve this mystery, Avery is busy planning her wedding, too.
Again, a wonderful story Jennie Bentley. Looking forward to reading the next one.
January 8, 2013
So I'm really only giving this 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up because this is usually a strong series. First, I loved the Prologue - it was a nice surprise and made me start the book off with a smile. I love the relationship between Derek and Avery and the 'supporting cast' is both strong and likeable. The author has really created a very likeable world in this series.
It lost that half star because through a good portion of the book Avery was almost unlikeable - she was suddenly acting like a gossipy, nosey busybody. I realise cozy mysteries somewhat require that the protagonist be nosey, but Avery was just ridiculous and unreasonably nosey in certain parts of the book. A real turn off.
The other bit that was a disappointment - I totally guessed the plot device and the murderer right away. I knew who did it, which sometimes happens, but I also knew exactly why they did it and that's not something that's often obvious. Took away a bit of the fun for me.
Still, this is a great series and the author does a good job with each book. I look forward to the next one !
It lost that half star because through a good portion of the book Avery was almost unlikeable - she was suddenly acting like a gossipy, nosey busybody. I realise cozy mysteries somewhat require that the protagonist be nosey, but Avery was just ridiculous and unreasonably nosey in certain parts of the book. A real turn off.
The other bit that was a disappointment - I totally guessed the plot device and the murderer right away. I knew who did it, which sometimes happens, but I also knew exactly why they did it and that's not something that's often obvious. Took away a bit of the fun for me.
Still, this is a great series and the author does a good job with each book. I look forward to the next one !
September 26, 2012
This book had a good murder mystery or three, a true romance story, and humor. This all made it one lovely, to read, cozy murder mystery for me.
An engaged couple, Avery Baker, and Derek Ellis find a small condominium to update and turn over. It turns out that their Police Chief's son, Josh lives there as does other members of the small community of Waterfield, Maine.
One apartment, on the ground floor, has a resident, Hilda Shaw, that the rest of the complex can not stand. Hilda is beyond nosy, how much beyond, Avery finds out when she dies suddenly. Hilda is one of the first and there is just no way to keep our sleuth, Avery from sniffing away to find out the link.
I only figured out what was happening an instant before turning the page and being told. Great writing, Ms. Bentley.
The pace was quick, the story solid, the characters three dimensional and colorful. I always look forward to this series coming out. I hope they continue for decades more.
An engaged couple, Avery Baker, and Derek Ellis find a small condominium to update and turn over. It turns out that their Police Chief's son, Josh lives there as does other members of the small community of Waterfield, Maine.
One apartment, on the ground floor, has a resident, Hilda Shaw, that the rest of the complex can not stand. Hilda is beyond nosy, how much beyond, Avery finds out when she dies suddenly. Hilda is one of the first and there is just no way to keep our sleuth, Avery from sniffing away to find out the link.
I only figured out what was happening an instant before turning the page and being told. Great writing, Ms. Bentley.
The pace was quick, the story solid, the characters three dimensional and colorful. I always look forward to this series coming out. I hope they continue for decades more.
May 23, 2013
While Avery and Derek are flipping a small condo the building's snoopy resident turns up dead, apparently from food induced anaphylaxis. Her prescribed epi-pen is missing. Was she murdered or did she die accidentally? There are no shortage of candidates who are glad she's dead.
October 10, 2021
This time, Avery and Derek have bought a flat in a small apartment building and are all set to refurbish it. But when the nosy busybody on the first floor who is in everyone's business dies from an allergic reaction, Avery can't let it go. Shocking.
This was just terrible. Everyone hates this woman, who collected secrets on her neighbors and didn't leave her apartment. So Avery decides to become just as nosy as she was, following anyone and everyone at the slightest provocation. Avery is absolutely TSTL in this book and she had me wanting to throw the book across the room every other chapter. Also, talk about cringey: that scene where Avery asks Kate to be her matron of honor? "Yeah, I don't have any other friends and my mom lives in California, can you be my matron of honor?" Never mind that in the book, Avery always calls Kate her best friend. Why not lead with that???
Then there's ***SPOILER*** the end. Candy drank antifreeze, which, btw, Derek seems to pull out of his ass after the 8th time someone asks him what happened to her. The first many times, he says he has no clue. Then, the next time, even though he has no new information, he comes up with the antifreeze solution and suddenly that's exactly what happened! Sorry, anyway, Jaime also drank it and isn't feeling great, though she drank much less. But NO ONE even mentions that maybe she should see a doctor. They just tell her to get some rest. 🤷♀️
Gah! This was absolutely the worst of the series. It's also the last one I have. I'd probably read the last one if I come across it, but I'm certainly not gonna buy it. /headdesk
This was just terrible. Everyone hates this woman, who collected secrets on her neighbors and didn't leave her apartment. So Avery decides to become just as nosy as she was, following anyone and everyone at the slightest provocation. Avery is absolutely TSTL in this book and she had me wanting to throw the book across the room every other chapter. Also, talk about cringey: that scene where Avery asks Kate to be her matron of honor? "Yeah, I don't have any other friends and my mom lives in California, can you be my matron of honor?" Never mind that in the book, Avery always calls Kate her best friend. Why not lead with that???
Then there's ***SPOILER*** the end. Candy drank antifreeze, which, btw, Derek seems to pull out of his ass after the 8th time someone asks him what happened to her. The first many times, he says he has no clue. Then, the next time, even though he has no new information, he comes up with the antifreeze solution and suddenly that's exactly what happened! Sorry, anyway, Jaime also drank it and isn't feeling great, though she drank much less. But NO ONE even mentions that maybe she should see a doctor. They just tell her to get some rest. 🤷♀️
Gah! This was absolutely the worst of the series. It's also the last one I have. I'd probably read the last one if I come across it, but I'm certainly not gonna buy it. /headdesk
February 14, 2018
Another great book in the Do It Yourself series! This is probably my favorite! An event the readers in this series have been waiting for! And a character everyone loves to hate moves on! On top of that, it was a really good cozy mystery with a twist to keep you guessing! Avery talks Derek into buying a small condo to renovate for a quick turnover. One of their condo neighbors dies and she knew secrets about everyone in the building! So who wanted her gone?
March 12, 2022
Avery is such a caring person. Stupid. But caring. She sticks here nose into another crime and Derek must watch her constantly so she does not spoil their wedding. So as usual she wanders off on her own and fortunately does not get buried, shot, stabbed, set on fire or run off a road into the ocean. She does help solve 3 more murders, gets Derek shot and stills has her wedding.
April 27, 2018
I was ready to give this cozy mytery a higher rating until I got to the end and realized how many loose ends Bentley left. What happened to Jamie? How did Nan pull off her switch of identify? How did the nosy lady really die? Kinda disappointing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2020
I wanted to like this book I have enjoyed other books at the beginning of this series but I just couldn't being myself to finish this book. I really don't care what happens to the main characters so this is going in the never finished pile
July 8, 2017
Another fun read from DIYer Avery, who solves mysteries while she fixes houses.
January 29, 2018
I am really enjoying this series. Nice winter escape.
May 21, 2018
This was my favorite of the series.
August 19, 2018
Love this series..
March 10, 2019
So enjoyed another trip to Waterfield, Maine. Great story.
July 23, 2021
Did not like.
January 24, 2022
Avery is at again trying to renovate a new place and solve another murder.
May 22, 2022
It was a quick read and once I remembered all the characters from the earlier books it wasn't so bad.
January 12, 2023
Another good one. Interesting twist. Loved the ending.
June 12, 2023
3 Stars
March 27, 2025
These have been great reads. Very distracting from everyday life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews