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Designer Mystery #1
Hammered, Nailed and Screwed
Interior decorator Laura Howard is receiving messages from her husband on her telephone answering machine. It’s his voice all right. But his ashes are in the urn on Laura’s fireplace mantle. . . Now wealthy from her husband’s life insurance benefits, Laura tries to put her life in order. She strains to keep her sense of humor and sanity as vandals destroy her car and burglars ransack her house. Is it the final straw when the new resident of the home she shared with her late husband is killed on the very designer tile Laura selected for the entryway? All this—plus mysterious and threatening messages from her cheating, lying, no-good husband—begins to push the ever-tasteful Laura to that tacky place known as despair. Oregon Detective Chris Pfeifer has everyone including Laura on his suspect list while Laura has everyone including Detective Pfeifer on her dinner date list. Between decorating gigs, Laura and her co-workers – a cantankerous retiree and a handsome young contractor – assist Detective Pfeifer as he unravels the truth behind the bizarre twists in Laura’s life.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2012
92 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 22, 2016
First in a series. Trite and cute. Whenever a character- building conflict arises, the author glosses over it and the characters forget about it. Then things continue in their mind-numbing way.
Not for seekers of great literature, nor deep thinkers, but as useful as television for passing the time.
Not for seekers of great literature, nor deep thinkers, but as useful as television for passing the time.
December 30, 2012
I couldn't wait for this book to be over.
May 20, 2018
This was a designer murder mystery with a touch of romance. It had a forgettable intriguing plot and was a quick read. The author lives in Albany, Oregon; and I live in a town close by, so it was fun, for a change, to read a book and know most of the places she described. The story, itself, takes place in Portland, Oregon. This book is the 1st in a series and will make you smile, if not laugh out loud at times. It is written with humor and wit.
Laura Howard is an interior decorator whose husband, Todd, took off on a sales trip to London. But a young officer shows up at her door and tells her Todd was shot to death in an upscale hotel in Mexico while in bed with a young fashion model. It turns out that he was leading a double life - a secret one for Laura. The mailman keeps sliding life insurance checks through the mail slot. Laura thinks it's a mistake, but an insurance agent assures her it is no mistake and that each policy was written in a different part of the world and she is the sole beneficiary. There were no suspects in Mexico, but all these insurance policies makes her suspicious to the police in Portland, especially a detective named Chris Pfeifer.
Laura moves out of the house they lived in, and moves to a disreputable neighborhood in Portland, because she is afraid to cash all those checks. She suffers house and car break-ins, vandals, and fire. Now 11 months after her husband's death, she decides it's time to cash the checks and buy herself a house. She finds a Harrington house down the street from where she works and begins restoring it. She works for Graham construction which is owned by handsome Russ Graham and his spunky aunt Esther who does the bookkeeping and ordering of supplies. Laura is the decorator when the houses are finished.
Laura begins receiving phone messages from her dead husband on the answering machine, BUT Mexican authorities had already sent her his ashes! Then the husband of a couple named Henderson whom Laura sold her house to is found murdered in the entry-way by a tile she picked out! Detective Pfeifer has everyone including Laura on his suspect list. Laura, Russ and Esther eventually assist the detective in discovering the truth behind the phone messages after a woman calls Laura and says Todd is alive and in trouble and needs $45,000. The police set up a sting operation using Laura as bait. But things don't go as planned.
The climax is a twist I never saw coming. The book is also written in three voices which are those of Laura, Russ Graham, and Chris Pfeifer. The book is witty and humorous at times. An example is that several characters; including Russ the contractor, Chris the detective, Alexander Burns the insurance agent, and Dr. Winston the doctor ask Laura for a dinner date when she least expects it. Esther also has to fight back the temptation to play matchmaker for Laura. Russ is the romantic interest, but Laura is a little leery of men at this point and keeps pushing back. A subplot involves a junior burglar named Justin who breaks into The Harrington. Pfeifer thinks the kid is worth trying to save if Laura will help. At the end of each chapter are decorating tips and/or advice. I highly recommend this book.
Laura Howard is an interior decorator whose husband, Todd, took off on a sales trip to London. But a young officer shows up at her door and tells her Todd was shot to death in an upscale hotel in Mexico while in bed with a young fashion model. It turns out that he was leading a double life - a secret one for Laura. The mailman keeps sliding life insurance checks through the mail slot. Laura thinks it's a mistake, but an insurance agent assures her it is no mistake and that each policy was written in a different part of the world and she is the sole beneficiary. There were no suspects in Mexico, but all these insurance policies makes her suspicious to the police in Portland, especially a detective named Chris Pfeifer.
Laura moves out of the house they lived in, and moves to a disreputable neighborhood in Portland, because she is afraid to cash all those checks. She suffers house and car break-ins, vandals, and fire. Now 11 months after her husband's death, she decides it's time to cash the checks and buy herself a house. She finds a Harrington house down the street from where she works and begins restoring it. She works for Graham construction which is owned by handsome Russ Graham and his spunky aunt Esther who does the bookkeeping and ordering of supplies. Laura is the decorator when the houses are finished.
Laura begins receiving phone messages from her dead husband on the answering machine, BUT Mexican authorities had already sent her his ashes! Then the husband of a couple named Henderson whom Laura sold her house to is found murdered in the entry-way by a tile she picked out! Detective Pfeifer has everyone including Laura on his suspect list. Laura, Russ and Esther eventually assist the detective in discovering the truth behind the phone messages after a woman calls Laura and says Todd is alive and in trouble and needs $45,000. The police set up a sting operation using Laura as bait. But things don't go as planned.
The climax is a twist I never saw coming. The book is also written in three voices which are those of Laura, Russ Graham, and Chris Pfeifer. The book is witty and humorous at times. An example is that several characters; including Russ the contractor, Chris the detective, Alexander Burns the insurance agent, and Dr. Winston the doctor ask Laura for a dinner date when she least expects it. Esther also has to fight back the temptation to play matchmaker for Laura. Russ is the romantic interest, but Laura is a little leery of men at this point and keeps pushing back. A subplot involves a junior burglar named Justin who breaks into The Harrington. Pfeifer thinks the kid is worth trying to save if Laura will help. At the end of each chapter are decorating tips and/or advice. I highly recommend this book.
March 22, 2023
Laura Howard is living the good life, enjoying her career as an interior designer and marriage to Todd, a computer whiz, when a policeman shows up at her door with bad news: Todd was shot to death in a hotel room in Mexico. He was in bed with another woman. Suddenly she is a widow and she knows her husband was cheating on her. But it gets worse. She starts receiving phone calls from “Todd.” But he’s dead, right? Maybe, maybe not. Meanwhile Laura and her co-worker Russ can’t seem to keep their hands off each other. The mystery grows more and more complicated until explosive ending when most questions are answered. I’ll be honest. The writing seemed amateurish, the dialogue corny, and the romance clichéd, but I read this book in one day. I couldn’t stop. So it must be a good yarn. This title is the first novel in Hering’s Designer Mystery series.
June 15, 2017
I desperately needed an 'easy' book after finishing "The great Passage" by S Muira and this book was perfect. I found it in a little bookstore in the little town in Oregon where Kathleen Hering lives. The book is even signed by her. I bought it simply because I loved the title and liked to support the store; small bookstores are ever so hard to find nowadays!
The book lives up to its promise: mystery, very light reading,
The Protagonist is Designer who works closely with a Contractor and his bookkeeping Aunt. Her husband turns out to be a womanizer I loved to hate. He gets killed in Mexico together with his lover of the week. The plot starts to thicken when the protagonist starts receiving phone calls from him.
The book lives up to its promise: mystery, very light reading,
The Protagonist is Designer who works closely with a Contractor and his bookkeeping Aunt. Her husband turns out to be a womanizer I loved to hate. He gets killed in Mexico together with his lover of the week. The plot starts to thicken when the protagonist starts receiving phone calls from him.
September 25, 2019
One phrase I love and it correlates well with this book was: “You know where I can get nailed?”
Of course, that phrase is not in the book, but I expected the same witty repartee.
Laura is a widow from a cheating bastard and now has the wealth from the life insurance. The mystery revolves around the death of that husband? And the Mexican government is involved? Property scam? Insurance jargon? Boring!
And it doesn’t get any better when Laura gets a job for a construction company as an interior decorator no less. This story was just not interesting.
Of course, that phrase is not in the book, but I expected the same witty repartee.
Laura is a widow from a cheating bastard and now has the wealth from the life insurance. The mystery revolves around the death of that husband? And the Mexican government is involved? Property scam? Insurance jargon? Boring!
And it doesn’t get any better when Laura gets a job for a construction company as an interior decorator no less. This story was just not interesting.
January 13, 2025
This was a surprising and suspenseful little mystery. The dead husband who starts leaving voicemail messages a year after being murdered would be enough to freak out anyone. Arson, break-ins, and the creepy feeling you're being followed makes Laura wonder what is going on, but she has steadfast business partners and a determined detective on her side. Clever twists and an adorable kitten add up to a satisfying quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2017
Fun book written by an Albany Oregon author...quick wit and read
August 13, 2016
Laura Howard is a widow of 10 months when she begins getting calls from her dead husband. Todd Howard was murdered in Mexico with a lady friend when he was supposed to be in London. It turns out he led a very secret life with more homes and secret accounts. He also had taken out multiple insurance policies on himself leaving Laura rich and a person of interest for the murder. Laura and Todd had lived in a big house but Laura had few friends outside of her work. She works as a designer and partner in a small family owned construction company with Russ Graham (constructor) and his aunt Esther (supplies and accounts). Laura sells the big house and temporarily rents an apartment before buying a small house. However, at each place she gets the calls, suffers car break-ins, fires, and house break-ins. The story is told from 3 vantage points; Laura, Russ and the police investigator. The story has a nice feel to it. Characters seem like neighbors and solutions followed logical leads. Will look for future volumes.
December 28, 2014
Intriguing and witty.
This fast-paced tale is a great read full of twists and turns and is filled at times with hilarious humor aimed toward the heroine herself. She's given a young male kitten named Louise. Gun shy about trusting any male but Louise, Laura finds difficulty in dealing with a business partner, a cop investigating her husband's death and a security system installer. Follow her as she works as a full-time home designer while restoring her own circa 1920's house in the evening.
This fast-paced tale is a great read full of twists and turns and is filled at times with hilarious humor aimed toward the heroine herself. She's given a young male kitten named Louise. Gun shy about trusting any male but Louise, Laura finds difficulty in dealing with a business partner, a cop investigating her husband's death and a security system installer. Follow her as she works as a full-time home designer while restoring her own circa 1920's house in the evening.
March 28, 2015
Unexpected gem of a book.
I am not big into mystery novels so I wasn't expecting to be overly thrilled with this one. The title caught my attention and screamed humor so I figured I'd give it a shot. This book was incredible, I read it extremely fast because I couldn't put it down. I Loved the main character and thought her decorating tips at the end of each chapter were amazing. The story had a great plot and the ending was not see through. This is an author I am excited to read more from.
I am not big into mystery novels so I wasn't expecting to be overly thrilled with this one. The title caught my attention and screamed humor so I figured I'd give it a shot. This book was incredible, I read it extremely fast because I couldn't put it down. I Loved the main character and thought her decorating tips at the end of each chapter were amazing. The story had a great plot and the ending was not see through. This is an author I am excited to read more from.
May 11, 2016
This is a new author for me, love her.
I enjoyed this book so much and will read the rest of the series. The mystery in this story was gripping and exciting, nothing like any other cozy mystery that I have read. I loved the characters, Laura, Louise, and the rest of the cast of characters. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a great mystery with a little romance and humor. I borrowed this book from Amazon's lending library, but I don't think I can wait until next month to read the next book in the series.
I enjoyed this book so much and will read the rest of the series. The mystery in this story was gripping and exciting, nothing like any other cozy mystery that I have read. I loved the characters, Laura, Louise, and the rest of the cast of characters. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a great mystery with a little romance and humor. I borrowed this book from Amazon's lending library, but I don't think I can wait until next month to read the next book in the series.
November 23, 2012
I really enjoyed the writing style and pacing of this book. The story moved along and was fun to read. The last couple of chapters could have been left out, in my opinion. That's the only reason I'm not giving it five stars. Very impressive debut for this author. I will look for more of her work.
October 9, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised with this storyline. It was a quick read which I appreciated and I liked how it changed point of view throughout to help tell the story. I'll be looking for more books from this author!
December 12, 2012
This was a fun first novel by this author. The title is a very catchy lead-in to the things that befall our heroine. She is a recently-widowed designer who has to contend with some very scary happenings. I found it to be a quick and entertaining read!! I definitely recommend it.
February 24, 2013
Interesting story of a young widow who starts receiving "messages" from her late husband who was leading a second, secret life. I liked the secondary characters more than the heroine, though. She was just a little too wimpy for me.
March 7, 2013
Cute. Good mystery. Fast read.. Would recommend:
it kinda is fast or jumps ahead & you have to read it carefully. She just makes fast switches b/w characters, and you have to stop for a second to get your bearings... like wait what oh ok
it kinda is fast or jumps ahead & you have to read it carefully. She just makes fast switches b/w characters, and you have to stop for a second to get your bearings... like wait what oh ok
March 13, 2014
Entertaining, funny, good read
Entertaining, funny, good read
enjoyed the characters, the humor and dialogue. liked the way the mystery was weaved in with the ordinary daily lives of the characters, not occurring in 3 days. ready for book 2.
Entertaining, funny, good read
enjoyed the characters, the humor and dialogue. liked the way the mystery was weaved in with the ordinary daily lives of the characters, not occurring in 3 days. ready for book 2.
September 8, 2014
A Good Read!
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their adventures, I thought the play between the characters was very realistic and entertaining. I enjoyed knowing the places where the story took place, as I also live in the Willamette Valley.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their adventures, I thought the play between the characters was very realistic and entertaining. I enjoyed knowing the places where the story took place, as I also live in the Willamette Valley.
December 29, 2014
Cute, easy read. Mystery -- with no chance of figuring out who-done-it, which is okay. It was a slightly choppy read for me, the flow from chapter to chapter was mildly disjointed. Still worth the few hours it takes to read it.
March 11, 2015
Good read not sure about the decorating comments.
It was a good read. Well developed and good plot. Enjoyed the short chapters as I sometimes only have a few min. To read. Really found the decorating tips a little distracting. Realize I didn't have to read the comments.
It was a good read. Well developed and good plot. Enjoyed the short chapters as I sometimes only have a few min. To read. Really found the decorating tips a little distracting. Realize I didn't have to read the comments.
June 8, 2015
Good book for passing time babysitting
Put this on my kindle right before being in pitch black parking lot. The story was simple,plausible,and entertaining. I will follow this author for future grandma's babysitting without. WiFi.
Put this on my kindle right before being in pitch black parking lot. The story was simple,plausible,and entertaining. I will follow this author for future grandma's babysitting without. WiFi.
August 10, 2015
The plot was fine, but I could just never get into the characters. There were also plot points (such as the detective's interest in Laura) that never went anywhere. I believe this was the author's first novel, so I'm sure she will grow and improve.
October 23, 2016
Intriguing little mystery. Quick mostly fun read. The only time I was stumped was towards end of book when the name Logan appeared. Who the heck is Logan???? Obviously Laura, main character, was at one time Logan. Whoops!
June 25, 2018
hammered
Laura learns of her husband's death and that is when the problems start. Is the move in her interests? Is renovating for her? Can she clear her name and the mystery at her house? Good quick read. If you like your heroine to come out on top, this is for you.
Laura learns of her husband's death and that is when the problems start. Is the move in her interests? Is renovating for her? Can she clear her name and the mystery at her house? Good quick read. If you like your heroine to come out on top, this is for you.
December 16, 2012
This was a good story with likable characters. It was a fast enjoyable read. I Recommend it.
January 4, 2013
This was a fun and enjoyable book by what I believe is a first time author. It had a very interesting plot line and pleasant enjoyable characters. Here's hoping this is the first in a series.
October 14, 2013
Hammered, Nailed and Screwed by Kathleen Hering is a quick read, a mystery, with appealing characters and pithy decorating advice. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
January 25, 2013
This was a nice quick read. There were a few scenes that I wish had been left out, but at least they weren't graphic.
February 2, 2013
I liked this cozy mystery. Hopefully there will be a series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews