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Home Repair Is Homicide #16
A Bat in the Belfry
When it comes to home repair, Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree is a fervent wielder of power drills and paint brushes. And when catching criminals, she’s been known to really bring down the hammer. But when a shocking murder rocks the small town of Eastport, Maine, Jake may be the next victim for whom the bell tolls.
It is nearly midnight when the enormous bell in the belfry of All Faith Chapel—silent for decades—booms forth, startling awake the entire town of Eastport. Upon inspection of the steeple, the police uncover the body of local teenager Karen Hansen, who had climbed the belfry’s dark, rickety stairs for a midnight rendezvous. But instead of the promise of an exciting new life, Karen meets her death.
Meanwhile, as an epic nor’easter bears down on the idyllic island town, Jake Tiptree hurries to shore up her ramshackle old house against the big blow. An amateur detective, she has sworn off chasing criminals. But when the news of Karen’s murder spreads and much of the evidence points to Jake’s likable houseguest, she and her sleuthing partner, Ellie White, get to work.
They discover an unexpected ally in newcomer Lizzie Snow, a woman from “away” who seemed to have blown into town with the nor’easter, and who also seems to know a lot about the mind of a killer. Can Jake and Ellie trust her? As a killer roams free and the townsfolk struggle against the pounding, screaming storm, the resulting tempest of gossip and suspicion rivals anything the Atlantic could brew up—and threatens to keep Jake and Ellie from putting the final nail in this cold-blooded case.
Complete with Home Repair Is Homicide repair tips!
It is nearly midnight when the enormous bell in the belfry of All Faith Chapel—silent for decades—booms forth, startling awake the entire town of Eastport. Upon inspection of the steeple, the police uncover the body of local teenager Karen Hansen, who had climbed the belfry’s dark, rickety stairs for a midnight rendezvous. But instead of the promise of an exciting new life, Karen meets her death.
Meanwhile, as an epic nor’easter bears down on the idyllic island town, Jake Tiptree hurries to shore up her ramshackle old house against the big blow. An amateur detective, she has sworn off chasing criminals. But when the news of Karen’s murder spreads and much of the evidence points to Jake’s likable houseguest, she and her sleuthing partner, Ellie White, get to work.
They discover an unexpected ally in newcomer Lizzie Snow, a woman from “away” who seemed to have blown into town with the nor’easter, and who also seems to know a lot about the mind of a killer. Can Jake and Ellie trust her? As a killer roams free and the townsfolk struggle against the pounding, screaming storm, the resulting tempest of gossip and suspicion rivals anything the Atlantic could brew up—and threatens to keep Jake and Ellie from putting the final nail in this cold-blooded case.
Complete with Home Repair Is Homicide repair tips!
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
78 people are currently reading
1030 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Graves
37 books798 followersSarah Graves lives with her husband John, a musician and luthier, and their black Labrador Retriever in a house very much like the one Jacobia Tiptree is remodeling in Eastport, Maine. When she's not writing Jake's adventures, Sarah works with her husband on the house and she plays the 5-string banjo.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
June 23, 2013
The best thing about this book was the blurb at the end stating that the author was working on the first book in her new series. This series should have been retired several volumes ago. Graves apparently decided to try to write darker and grittier stories but it didn't work out so well.
There are also some continuity issues that I am surprised an editor let slip by. When the series started, Sam was a troubled teen who was into drugs and general misbehaving, now, 15 year later, he is a respectable 25 year old. This would have made him 10 when he was moved to Eastport, not a troubled teen.
All in all this was a bad read. There was the Lizzie/Dylan storyline which really didn't fit into anything other than once many years before her sister had been killed in Eastport. One almost gets the impressions that Graves wanted to wrap up some loose ends and ended up shoving them all into this book. The story itself was almost like a bunch of paragraphs randomly arranged and due to the hopping from one character's viewpoint to another and then another then back again, this was painful reading.
I am hoping that Graves wraps this series and concentrates on the new one. It is a pity since I really like these storied through the first 10 or so volumes.
There are also some continuity issues that I am surprised an editor let slip by. When the series started, Sam was a troubled teen who was into drugs and general misbehaving, now, 15 year later, he is a respectable 25 year old. This would have made him 10 when he was moved to Eastport, not a troubled teen.
All in all this was a bad read. There was the Lizzie/Dylan storyline which really didn't fit into anything other than once many years before her sister had been killed in Eastport. One almost gets the impressions that Graves wanted to wrap up some loose ends and ended up shoving them all into this book. The story itself was almost like a bunch of paragraphs randomly arranged and due to the hopping from one character's viewpoint to another and then another then back again, this was painful reading.
I am hoping that Graves wraps this series and concentrates on the new one. It is a pity since I really like these storied through the first 10 or so volumes.
April 24, 2013
"In spring," wrote the poet Alfred Tennyson, "a young man's fancy turns lightly to thoughts of love." Hah! He obviously never experienced spring in Wisconsin and he certainly never watched water seeping into his ruddy basement, which is why my first pick this month is Sarah Graves' "A Bat in the Belfry" (Bantam, $26), the latest in her stylishly suspenseful Home Repair Is Homicide series.
Living in a 19th-century house that needs more "maintenance than your average space shuttle," Graves' main character, Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree, and Ellie White, her "unofficial sleuthing" partner, are doing their best to keep their lives drama-free. But as a "gullywhumper" of a storm thrashes Eastport, Maine, the two are forced to get involved when a childhood friend of Jake's son, Sam, becomes the main suspect in the murder of a teenager who, on a bet, climbed into the 200-year-old belfry where she met her death. As "the wind yowl(s) a banshee chorus," and a dangerous tide rises, Sam goes missing and the investigation crashes onto Jake's doorstep.
Living in a 19th-century house that needs more "maintenance than your average space shuttle," Graves' main character, Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree, and Ellie White, her "unofficial sleuthing" partner, are doing their best to keep their lives drama-free. But as a "gullywhumper" of a storm thrashes Eastport, Maine, the two are forced to get involved when a childhood friend of Jake's son, Sam, becomes the main suspect in the murder of a teenager who, on a bet, climbed into the 200-year-old belfry where she met her death. As "the wind yowl(s) a banshee chorus," and a dangerous tide rises, Sam goes missing and the investigation crashes onto Jake's doorstep.
June 14, 2013
I love books about Jake and Ellie and Sam and Wade ..... too bad this wasn't one of them.
The main characters were used to support the other plots ~ mainly the one about Lizzie and Dylan - who?
Exactly!
I would have preferred a new series about Lizzie and Dylan that was based in Eastport and had Jake etc as the supporting characters, because that's what it felt like I was reading in this book.
I love Bella and Jake's dad . . . what was his name again?
I don't remember. He was only mentioned when Bella was sitting up with him because he didn't feel well . . . .
I miss the house too - another main character that was lost.
I'll continue to read this series, but I hope the author gets back to the characters I want to read about ~ the ones that started it all.
The main characters were used to support the other plots ~ mainly the one about Lizzie and Dylan - who?
Exactly!
I would have preferred a new series about Lizzie and Dylan that was based in Eastport and had Jake etc as the supporting characters, because that's what it felt like I was reading in this book.
I love Bella and Jake's dad . . . what was his name again?
I don't remember. He was only mentioned when Bella was sitting up with him because he didn't feel well . . . .
I miss the house too - another main character that was lost.
I'll continue to read this series, but I hope the author gets back to the characters I want to read about ~ the ones that started it all.
June 28, 2013
This series has changed drastically and really no longer belongs in the cozy genre. We no longer have Jake's story, but some kind of thriller about people I don't know and don't care about. The point of view is all over the place.
The last book, Dead Level, was much like this and I couldn't finish it. To be fair, I didn't finish this one, either. but I did read more of it. I like my cozy, cozy, not full of psychological thriller elements that have nothing to do really with the main character.
It's a shame, because I used to really look forward to the new Home Repair Is Homicide Mystery that focused on Jake and her life. Now, I'm not sure what it's supposed to be, but nothing that interests me.
The last book, Dead Level, was much like this and I couldn't finish it. To be fair, I didn't finish this one, either. but I did read more of it. I like my cozy, cozy, not full of psychological thriller elements that have nothing to do really with the main character.
It's a shame, because I used to really look forward to the new Home Repair Is Homicide Mystery that focused on Jake and her life. Now, I'm not sure what it's supposed to be, but nothing that interests me.
February 3, 2022
So sad this series is done.
June 6, 2018
A Bat in the Belfry I picked up this book originally about a year ago from the library because of the title and then the picture on the cover and I just haven't found much time to sit with the book. I finally realized that in order to get through books a little faster (while school is in session) I really needed to use audio (for while I am driving) so that I could make some progress. I started listening in the car and had to restart a few times as people (mostly my children and husband) kept talking to me and I felt they were more important to listen to.
I think the other reason that I had trouble getting into the book was that it had so many different threads going on and I was having trouble keeping them straight. It also didn't help that it was the middle of a series and I feel that I may go and get the first in the series and see what happens.
Jake, is a woman who moved her family to an island in Maine to get her son away from the drugs and alcohol that was ruining his life and a place where she could start again away from her ex-husband. She bought and fixed up an old house. She found her father and his current wife and they live with her, her current husband and her son.
Chip is an old friend of the family and comes to visit and he has trouble with his life, his girlfriend/partner and with the police trying to get them to look at what he had found and use that information to stop the real killer of young people.
A young girl goes up into the belfry of the church to get the money from the local drug dealer so she can leave town and create a good life for herself as she wants to get as far from her father as she can. Only when she gets up in the belfry, there is someone waiting for her and she is murdered. When she is being tied up, the bell in the belfry starts ringing, this brings the sheriff to find out what had happened as the bell hadn't been rung in many years.
I think the other reason that I had trouble getting into the book was that it had so many different threads going on and I was having trouble keeping them straight. It also didn't help that it was the middle of a series and I feel that I may go and get the first in the series and see what happens.
Jake, is a woman who moved her family to an island in Maine to get her son away from the drugs and alcohol that was ruining his life and a place where she could start again away from her ex-husband. She bought and fixed up an old house. She found her father and his current wife and they live with her, her current husband and her son.
Chip is an old friend of the family and comes to visit and he has trouble with his life, his girlfriend/partner and with the police trying to get them to look at what he had found and use that information to stop the real killer of young people.
A young girl goes up into the belfry of the church to get the money from the local drug dealer so she can leave town and create a good life for herself as she wants to get as far from her father as she can. Only when she gets up in the belfry, there is someone waiting for her and she is murdered. When she is being tied up, the bell in the belfry starts ringing, this brings the sheriff to find out what had happened as the bell hadn't been rung in many years.
July 10, 2013
I was very disappointed in this book. The series is one I've loved and also recommended to friends... the books have fun characters, the house restoration sidelines are always interesting, and they've been well edited and consistent. The last two books have not been so good; this one is especially poor. Worst was the superficial treatment of the characters. Add in the clumsy storyline, constant switching of narrative, verbose language, and poor (really poor) editing, and the result was a jumbled mess that got in the way of enjoying what little storyline there was.
(This should not stop anyone from reading the series, starting with the first book; I don't think they'd be disappointed. Just don't bother reading this one.)
What came through loud and clear to me? The author is clearly bored with this series and has already switched her focus to a new series (book to be out in November 2013).
(This should not stop anyone from reading the series, starting with the first book; I don't think they'd be disappointed. Just don't bother reading this one.)
What came through loud and clear to me? The author is clearly bored with this series and has already switched her focus to a new series (book to be out in November 2013).
May 28, 2013
I love this series but the latest installment left me flat. I have found I don't care about a lot of these tertiary characters. I miss the mains. Story was ok but characters ho hum
January 29, 2018
3.5 stars. Brutal murder of a young girl, in an old belfry, during a nor'easter. All of our favorite characters get involved, and shocking, it isn't Jake that ends up in deadly peril this time! The murder was ultimately solved off screen, as it were, and recapped. I hadn't figured it out for myself completely, but I did figure out why the friend wouldn't give himself an alibi. It was a good wrap up to the series, and I am looking forward to the Lizzie Snow series. Happily, I already have the first book :-)
October 7, 2016
I hadn't ever read any of Sarah Graves' Home Repair Is Homicide series until this, the sixteenth installment. I wish I had read previous books to acquaint myself with the characters and their backstories. I think it may have helped in my enjoyment of this book. Even more sad, it seems this may be the last of this series, other reviewers are saying that the author is moving onto another series that may center on one of the main characters introduced in this book, Lizzie Snow a Boston detective who arrived in this coastal town of Eastport, Maine looking for her missing niece.
Lizzie happens to arrive just as the local constabulary happen upon the dead body of a young woman in the belfry of the old church's bell tower. The bell has not rung for years so when the sound of the bell rings out through the stormy night air, the police come to investigate. They find that someone has murdered the local teen beauty pageant winner. All this is happening as the town is battening down, preparing for a large Nor'easter storm that's moving up the coast.
Jake and her son Sam are our main characters. Jake owns a fixer upper in the area, she does home repair and amateur sleuthing on the side. Other reviewers have mentioned that most of the other books in this series focused on Jake and her best friend Ellie but this one seems to have a plethora of new characters including Chip who has come to visit Sam and then ends up accused of the murder in the belfry all because he went for a walk in the storm. Jake helps investigate as Chip is her guest and she wants to help find the real murderer.
I found this mystery to be a good solid read. Although it had many characters that were new, it may have helped that I had no preconceived notions of who should be "running" this mystery. I understand that this is a slight departure for Graves as the other books were a little more cozy and centered on Jake and Ellie solving mysteries while this one has many more characters doing the sleuthing. I found the pace of this book to be fast, all the action happened in about two days. Some of the home repair seemed a little unorthodox (I've renovated many homes in my life), it did add some fun to the story and helped break up the tension. I look forward to trying Sarah Graves' new series when it comes out as it seems this book has introduced us to the new heroine, Lizzie Snow, of her future series.
Lizzie happens to arrive just as the local constabulary happen upon the dead body of a young woman in the belfry of the old church's bell tower. The bell has not rung for years so when the sound of the bell rings out through the stormy night air, the police come to investigate. They find that someone has murdered the local teen beauty pageant winner. All this is happening as the town is battening down, preparing for a large Nor'easter storm that's moving up the coast.
Jake and her son Sam are our main characters. Jake owns a fixer upper in the area, she does home repair and amateur sleuthing on the side. Other reviewers have mentioned that most of the other books in this series focused on Jake and her best friend Ellie but this one seems to have a plethora of new characters including Chip who has come to visit Sam and then ends up accused of the murder in the belfry all because he went for a walk in the storm. Jake helps investigate as Chip is her guest and she wants to help find the real murderer.
I found this mystery to be a good solid read. Although it had many characters that were new, it may have helped that I had no preconceived notions of who should be "running" this mystery. I understand that this is a slight departure for Graves as the other books were a little more cozy and centered on Jake and Ellie solving mysteries while this one has many more characters doing the sleuthing. I found the pace of this book to be fast, all the action happened in about two days. Some of the home repair seemed a little unorthodox (I've renovated many homes in my life), it did add some fun to the story and helped break up the tension. I look forward to trying Sarah Graves' new series when it comes out as it seems this book has introduced us to the new heroine, Lizzie Snow, of her future series.
April 28, 2013
This 16th installment in the "Home Repair is Homicide" series is a pretty standard cozy mystery. Here is the synopsis from Goodreads: "As an epic nor'easter bears down on the idyllic island town of Eastport, Maine, Jacobia Tiptree hurries to prepare her antique house for the big blow, while the town battles to evacuate tourists and save the beloved 200-year-old Seaman's Church steeple, threatened by the storm. But when a local teen beauty-pageant winner from a troubled family is found murdered in the steeple's bell tower and Jake's son Sam's visiting childhood friend comes under scrutiny as a suspect, the resulting storm of gossip and suspicion rivals anything the Atlantic could brew up."
Slight spoilers ahead:
There isn't anything inherently wrong with the writing or the story in A Bat in the Belfry. My issue is that it was just kind of tired. Everything seemed predictable and there was no wow factor. The secret that Sam's friend, Chip, was hiding was no surprise. I knew almost immediately what he had done (and with whom). Sam's love life was also very annoying. He has a girl that loves him and that he loves but he breaks up with her because of the 'pressure' and starts sleeping with the town hottie. Then his true love acts like a doormat and stays in touch with him and continues to give him chance after chance. Maggie, you should kick him to the curb! Lizzie, a new character, was almost okay but she is drinking and driving in her first scene. There is very little Jake in this installment and in prior books in this series, she has been the driving force of the story.
I do understand that things are bound to get a little old after 16 books with the same characters in the same locale. But, it was disappointing. I may give the series one more shot but need more action! 2.5/5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Slight spoilers ahead:
There isn't anything inherently wrong with the writing or the story in A Bat in the Belfry. My issue is that it was just kind of tired. Everything seemed predictable and there was no wow factor. The secret that Sam's friend, Chip, was hiding was no surprise. I knew almost immediately what he had done (and with whom). Sam's love life was also very annoying. He has a girl that loves him and that he loves but he breaks up with her because of the 'pressure' and starts sleeping with the town hottie. Then his true love acts like a doormat and stays in touch with him and continues to give him chance after chance. Maggie, you should kick him to the curb! Lizzie, a new character, was almost okay but she is drinking and driving in her first scene. There is very little Jake in this installment and in prior books in this series, she has been the driving force of the story.
I do understand that things are bound to get a little old after 16 books with the same characters in the same locale. But, it was disappointing. I may give the series one more shot but need more action! 2.5/5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2025
"A Bat in the Belfry (Home Repair is Homicide #16)" by Sarah Graves. So, this was a Home Repair is Homicide book with minimal Jacobia moments or snooping. If it weren't for the Tiptree's Tips I would have thought it was actually a Lizzie Snow visits Eastport book with Jacobia as a guest star. There was way more Sam in this one than any Jacobia or Ellie.
Tiptree's Tips are just as random and useless as in past books. They're so short and unimportant to the story that I started skipping or tuning them out.
At least this one went back to you having no idea who the murderer was. It could have done without the David's kid's point of view. Sure, it gave you some more of the hints at who the murderer is, but maybe some more Jacobia moments could have done this too.
That leads to the multi person point of view problem. Why are we getting the occasional point of view from random people? Anyone other than Jacobia or Lizzie gave ZERO additional information to the story. If you skipped those parts you didn't miss anything. Like the Sam story line all the way up until he's with Wade leaving the hospital. Seriously! Nothing came of that other than Sam almost drank and is seeking help again. Was not needed to advance the story.
It was a good story though. I did still enjoy reading this book. Just have to remember to go into these books like each is it's own separate story and ignore the past books.
Tiptree's Tips are just as random and useless as in past books. They're so short and unimportant to the story that I started skipping or tuning them out.
At least this one went back to you having no idea who the murderer was. It could have done without the David's kid's point of view. Sure, it gave you some more of the hints at who the murderer is, but maybe some more Jacobia moments could have done this too.
That leads to the multi person point of view problem. Why are we getting the occasional point of view from random people? Anyone other than Jacobia or Lizzie gave ZERO additional information to the story. If you skipped those parts you didn't miss anything. Like the Sam story line all the way up until he's with Wade leaving the hospital. Seriously! Nothing came of that other than Sam almost drank and is seeking help again. Was not needed to advance the story.
It was a good story though. I did still enjoy reading this book. Just have to remember to go into these books like each is it's own separate story and ignore the past books.
February 27, 2020
I found the Sarah Graves series a few months ago, and have been listening my way through the list.
This installment of the Jake Tiptree saga leaves much to be desired. It seems that Graves could not decide whether to write a cozy mystery or a gritty psychological thriller, and she ends up missing the mark for both. There are continuity problems with the back stories of the characters. The narration switches about from third person to first. I have to ask: Is someone else ghostwriting the series?
I think that her introduction of a new character Lizzie Snow is an interesting, and I see that there is a new spin-off series.
I guess I'll keep reading these from the library, but I can't imagine spending a nickel for a copy.
This installment of the Jake Tiptree saga leaves much to be desired. It seems that Graves could not decide whether to write a cozy mystery or a gritty psychological thriller, and she ends up missing the mark for both. There are continuity problems with the back stories of the characters. The narration switches about from third person to first. I have to ask: Is someone else ghostwriting the series?
I think that her introduction of a new character Lizzie Snow is an interesting, and I see that there is a new spin-off series.
I guess I'll keep reading these from the library, but I can't imagine spending a nickel for a copy.
November 15, 2017
3.5--marking down because the storyline was too violent for me in places and the mixed narration was a bit distracting. The plotting and characterizations were good, but I thought the book wavered between being a cozy and being a thriller. I don't like thrillers, so blame me and not the author.
July 27, 2022
My favourite element of these books is Jake's perspective on her son's past, present and future behaviours. Other elements are but and miss for believability. This entry had too many characters/storylines.
May 3, 2013
Not one of the best books in the series. A solid read.
December 13, 2017
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.25 of 5
This is book number sixteen in the "Home Repair is Homicide" mystery series.
Wait a minute ... #16? For real? Why have I never heard of this author or this series? Well, probably because it's a 'cozy' mystery and I'm not such a big fan of those (I only came to realize that well after I requested this ARC).
We're in the town of Eastport, Maine and there's a big storm a'comin'. Locals and tourists are making plans for taking cover when the teen beauty pageant winner is discovered murdered in the steeple bell tower of the town's old church. Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree is a local home renovator and part-time amateur detective. She of course takes an interest in the murder of the troubled teen, but her interest grows to concern when a guest in her home is a leading suspect.
It is not unusual for me to pick up a book to read and only later discover that it is a later book in a series. Sometimes I can tell just by reading the book that I've missed out on a lot of information previous given about a character. Sometimes I get everything I need to know and reading an early book will help round out a character's identity, but it's not essential to getting in to a series. This book is the former.
There are so many characters here - and many of them seem interestingly unique (that old-world Maine charm), but we don't get to know any of them. I assume, since the series has lasted so long and the characters interact as though they've been around, that the character personalities have been established in earlier books, but this does nothing to help me here, now, with this my first volume.
Jacobia Tiptree's "Home Repair Tips" are fun and she feels like a character that I could enjoy, and I do get the sense of why this has been a long-running series, but this book (published in 2013 and the last book in the series) just hasn't hooked me or made me want to go back and read any of the earlier volumes.
The characters were unique and the setting desirable, but this book didn't hold my interest at all.
Looking for a good book? A Bat in the Belfry by Sarah Graves is the sixteenth (and last?) book in the Home Repair is Homicide series and it is not a good place to start . Fans of the series will want to read on, but those with only a passing knowledge of the series (or no knowledge at all) should probably look for something else.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is book number sixteen in the "Home Repair is Homicide" mystery series.
Wait a minute ... #16? For real? Why have I never heard of this author or this series? Well, probably because it's a 'cozy' mystery and I'm not such a big fan of those (I only came to realize that well after I requested this ARC).
We're in the town of Eastport, Maine and there's a big storm a'comin'. Locals and tourists are making plans for taking cover when the teen beauty pageant winner is discovered murdered in the steeple bell tower of the town's old church. Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree is a local home renovator and part-time amateur detective. She of course takes an interest in the murder of the troubled teen, but her interest grows to concern when a guest in her home is a leading suspect.
It is not unusual for me to pick up a book to read and only later discover that it is a later book in a series. Sometimes I can tell just by reading the book that I've missed out on a lot of information previous given about a character. Sometimes I get everything I need to know and reading an early book will help round out a character's identity, but it's not essential to getting in to a series. This book is the former.
There are so many characters here - and many of them seem interestingly unique (that old-world Maine charm), but we don't get to know any of them. I assume, since the series has lasted so long and the characters interact as though they've been around, that the character personalities have been established in earlier books, but this does nothing to help me here, now, with this my first volume.
Jacobia Tiptree's "Home Repair Tips" are fun and she feels like a character that I could enjoy, and I do get the sense of why this has been a long-running series, but this book (published in 2013 and the last book in the series) just hasn't hooked me or made me want to go back and read any of the earlier volumes.
The characters were unique and the setting desirable, but this book didn't hold my interest at all.
Looking for a good book? A Bat in the Belfry by Sarah Graves is the sixteenth (and last?) book in the Home Repair is Homicide series and it is not a good place to start . Fans of the series will want to read on, but those with only a passing knowledge of the series (or no knowledge at all) should probably look for something else.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This is the 16th book in the Home Repair is Homicide series by the author, but there are characters that have clearly been in other books. Past events are also referenced. Even so, it can be read as a stand-alone. It is the first book I have read by this author.
The beginning has a few depressing opening scenes. Chip knows that his girlfriend is cheating on him and accepts her lies because he still loves her. Sam is a recovering alcoholic wavering between two girlfriends. Fourteen year old Karen has unrealistic plans of leaving her hometown and her sad upbringing when she is murdered. This is not a cozy mystery. The story continues in this fashion including the story of a high school student who is bullied terribly.
The book is told from several different points of view. Most of it is told from Jacobia (Jake) or Lizzie’s point of view, but some is told from the point of view of secondary characters in order to get part of the story across. Generally, it takes just a sentence or two to figure out the perspective and you become accustomed to the switches as the story goes on.
The series usually has Jake and Ellie solving mysteries, but the author introduces Lizzie who becomes the main character in her own series of two books. Lizzie comes to town researching a lead about her missing niece. She is smart and I rooted for her. She has a convoluted relationship with a state cop that also had some negative elements (trying not to give spoilers). I liked her growth in that situation.
The mystery was somewhat easy to figure out, but the focus was often on psychological issues and motivations. It is a well written book.
The author uses too many incomplete sentences or sentences with repeating ideas. For example, “I quit my job. I quit my job. I quit my….” I did not care for those moments. Or those that involved random lines from songs or books. They did not seem a likely way to express thoughts internally.
I do not plan to continue reading this series. In the end, the focus on dreary, negative things did not appeal.
This is the 16th book in the Home Repair is Homicide series by the author, but there are characters that have clearly been in other books. Past events are also referenced. Even so, it can be read as a stand-alone. It is the first book I have read by this author.
The beginning has a few depressing opening scenes. Chip knows that his girlfriend is cheating on him and accepts her lies because he still loves her. Sam is a recovering alcoholic wavering between two girlfriends. Fourteen year old Karen has unrealistic plans of leaving her hometown and her sad upbringing when she is murdered. This is not a cozy mystery. The story continues in this fashion including the story of a high school student who is bullied terribly.
The book is told from several different points of view. Most of it is told from Jacobia (Jake) or Lizzie’s point of view, but some is told from the point of view of secondary characters in order to get part of the story across. Generally, it takes just a sentence or two to figure out the perspective and you become accustomed to the switches as the story goes on.
The series usually has Jake and Ellie solving mysteries, but the author introduces Lizzie who becomes the main character in her own series of two books. Lizzie comes to town researching a lead about her missing niece. She is smart and I rooted for her. She has a convoluted relationship with a state cop that also had some negative elements (trying not to give spoilers). I liked her growth in that situation.
The mystery was somewhat easy to figure out, but the focus was often on psychological issues and motivations. It is a well written book.
The author uses too many incomplete sentences or sentences with repeating ideas. For example, “I quit my job. I quit my job. I quit my….” I did not care for those moments. Or those that involved random lines from songs or books. They did not seem a likely way to express thoughts internally.
I do not plan to continue reading this series. In the end, the focus on dreary, negative things did not appeal.
September 7, 2021
In this book, Graves introduces readers to her new main character in a new series. You meet former Boston Cop Lizzie Snow. She has left her job in Boston and journeyed to Eastport, Maine where her troubled sister once lived with a child. Lizzie is looking for the child. Interestingly enough, Graves portrays her rather negatively in this book. I’m glad I’ve already read the first book in the Lizzie Snow series, because she’s much more likable there. Had I not already read it, I might not have been interested in starting it.
Karen is 14 the night someone murders her in the belfry of the old church—a belfry no one enters any more. It is in a state of disrepair and has been so for many years. But for reasons no one understands initially, the bell begins ringing the night someone murders 14-year-old Karen. She climbed up there on a dare. Those who sent her up there promised her 50 bucks if she would climb all the way to the top. The guy murdered her instead. The cops might never have found her body had the bell not mysteriously begun ringing.
Home fixer upper Jake Tiptree is the main character in this long-running series. She came to Eastport years earlier hoping her son would escape a drug habit and she could escape a hostile ex-husband. The hostile ex moved to Eastport, but the kid kicked the drugs. In this book, the sheriff charges one of her now-drug-free son’s friends with the murder of the teenage girl, and it’s up to Jake and her amateur sleuth friend Ellie to prove that the guy is innocent. All the while, they’re racing against an incoming nor’easter.
Karen is 14 the night someone murders her in the belfry of the old church—a belfry no one enters any more. It is in a state of disrepair and has been so for many years. But for reasons no one understands initially, the bell begins ringing the night someone murders 14-year-old Karen. She climbed up there on a dare. Those who sent her up there promised her 50 bucks if she would climb all the way to the top. The guy murdered her instead. The cops might never have found her body had the bell not mysteriously begun ringing.
Home fixer upper Jake Tiptree is the main character in this long-running series. She came to Eastport years earlier hoping her son would escape a drug habit and she could escape a hostile ex-husband. The hostile ex moved to Eastport, but the kid kicked the drugs. In this book, the sheriff charges one of her now-drug-free son’s friends with the murder of the teenage girl, and it’s up to Jake and her amateur sleuth friend Ellie to prove that the guy is innocent. All the while, they’re racing against an incoming nor’easter.
May 20, 2019
So sad this is the last book in Jacobi ‘Jake’ Tiptree series. I really enjoy reading them.
Karen Hansen is found dead in a local church as a Nor’easter bears down on the town of Eastport. Soon after the body is found a suspect is taken into custody. The suspect happens to not only be a guest staying at Jake house but also Sam’s best friend Chip Hahn.
Meanwhile an unknown female Lizzie Snow has shown up in town and seems to know somethings. As Jake and Ellie try to find who the real killer is to get Chip out, Lizzie is on her own hunt. To complicate things a bit more toss in Sam and his girl trouble between Maggie and Carol.
Jake and Ellie seem to have escaped putting themselves into any type of dangerous situation which usually happens when involved in a case.
The ending however, was told more as an after thought as to who killed Karen. Also told was some speculation about secrets that people had that they didn’t want out in the open for general knowledge.
I do see there is a new book series featuring Lizzie Snow which I am going to start as I want to see what happens to things that where left hanging when the book ended.
Maybe in the future there will be another Jacobi book but after five plus years I don’t have my hopes up. If there would be, I know I would be reading it.
October 28, 2016
I was reading this on my breaks at work so it took a while to finish.
I got to finish it today because I had to stay home with a viral infection. :( However, I did finish it and have to say I was a bit worried in a few places about how things would get resolved. One problem I had was that Chip was in jail for the murder of Karen Hansen then all of the sudden the end came (I won't spoil it) and everything was resolved. I kept thinking, what did I miss? I know that Ms. Graves did not resolve Lizzie Snow cases this way. There was an ending that was given in the story whereas this one just cut off and the characters told how they found out about the killer. I have not read any of her "Home Repair is Homicide" books before this so maybe that is how she ends each mystery in this series. I will have to read another one in the series to know. I read this one because I liked her Lizzie Snow book series and I wanted to see how Lizzie Snow came to Maine from Boston. It was a good story, although not as intense as some situations that Lizzie finds herself in, but a good story.
I got to finish it today because I had to stay home with a viral infection. :( However, I did finish it and have to say I was a bit worried in a few places about how things would get resolved. One problem I had was that Chip was in jail for the murder of Karen Hansen then all of the sudden the end came (I won't spoil it) and everything was resolved. I kept thinking, what did I miss? I know that Ms. Graves did not resolve Lizzie Snow cases this way. There was an ending that was given in the story whereas this one just cut off and the characters told how they found out about the killer. I have not read any of her "Home Repair is Homicide" books before this so maybe that is how she ends each mystery in this series. I will have to read another one in the series to know. I read this one because I liked her Lizzie Snow book series and I wanted to see how Lizzie Snow came to Maine from Boston. It was a good story, although not as intense as some situations that Lizzie finds herself in, but a good story.
June 19, 2017
I've enjoyed the Home Repair Is Homicide series from its inception, and Sarah Graves is still on her game in this sixteenth title in the series. All the regulars are doing well as time passes. Jake's son Sam is maturing and her father, happy in his second marriage, is becoming frail. And despite Jake's previous vow to leave the catching of murderers up to the professionals, she is drawn in, along with her friend Ellie, as her son's friend, their house guest, is accused of a particularly nasty murder. And a new character arrives on the scene - Lizzie Snow, a former Boston homicide detective, who has relocated to northern Maine for her own reasons.
Actually, this books seems as at least as much about introducing Graves's readers to Snow as it is about Jake's latest adventures in the worlds of old house repair and maintenance, and sleuthing. As Graves's fans know - or will soon find out - her next book after A Bat in the Belfry is Winter at the Door starring Lizzie Snow.
Actually, this books seems as at least as much about introducing Graves's readers to Snow as it is about Jake's latest adventures in the worlds of old house repair and maintenance, and sleuthing. As Graves's fans know - or will soon find out - her next book after A Bat in the Belfry is Winter at the Door starring Lizzie Snow.
November 22, 2023
Apparently this is the last book in a series I never knew about, and based on other reviews, not really representative of the series. I've read other series that I keep reading because I like the characters even when the later books aren't so good, so I might like the earlier books - but I probably won't go looking very hard for them. This book was moderately interesting, though it was hard to keep track of the different characters and their issues (no doubt less of a problem for readers familiar with the series), and none of them I cared enough about to be disappointed there wouldn't be another book in the series to learn more about them. Nothing deep or memorable, but good enough to occupy my mind while exercising.
November 24, 2023
Troubled Teens
The belfry in one of the churches in Eastport needed to be repaired and Jake and Ellie were on the committee to evaluate what needed to be done. After one quick inspection, Jake determined that carpenter ants were infesting the tower. Before she could give a report, a young girl is killed. Suspicion falls on Sam's friend Chip because he was wandering outside during the night. But there is a gang of vicious teens who may have something to do with the murder. A major storm is hitting the island and its wreaking havoc with buildings, boats, and communication. And what about the Boston cop who is looking for her missing niece is she in the line for Bob Arnold's job? This mystery is full of complications and twists.
The belfry in one of the churches in Eastport needed to be repaired and Jake and Ellie were on the committee to evaluate what needed to be done. After one quick inspection, Jake determined that carpenter ants were infesting the tower. Before she could give a report, a young girl is killed. Suspicion falls on Sam's friend Chip because he was wandering outside during the night. But there is a gang of vicious teens who may have something to do with the murder. A major storm is hitting the island and its wreaking havoc with buildings, boats, and communication. And what about the Boston cop who is looking for her missing niece is she in the line for Bob Arnold's job? This mystery is full of complications and twists.
January 21, 2019
Maybe this isn't a 5 star book but, I really like the Home Repair is Homicide series and this is the best I've read so far. It also introduces the Lizzie Snow character that Sarah Graves goes on to write about. The thing I liked best about this one is that it has about five crisis scenarios that hurtle simultaneously along to resolution making this, by far, the most exciting of the series. It also has the best collection of wonderfully flawed characters I've read in a single book in a while. Some of the characters are horribly wonderfully flawed and some are nicely wonderfully flawed and that helps this one as well.
January 4, 2025
A 14 year-old girl is brutally murdered at midnight in the church bell tower and the bell rings for the first time in many years. A friend of Sam's is visiting and is out of the house with no alibi at the time. He had been aware of the murder weapon. Jacobia 'Jake" Sam's mother and her friend Ellie do some sleuthing. This is the last of the Home Repair series and is better than the last couple I read. The plot follows the POV of several characters which made it interesting. Many little side stories develop and get resolved. There is a new character introduced who is the MC in the next series from Graves. She sounds interesting.
December 30, 2017
Three and half stars from me.
When I picked up this book I hadn't realized it was part of a long running series.It took me a little while to get acquainted with the characters and the small town of Eastport, Maine.
Jacobia"Jake"Tiptree is a home renovator and sometime amateur detective. She's hoping for a quiet life until a shocking murder leaves the town agog.When her house guest becomes a suspect she has to become involved to try and solve the crime.
Strong female protagonists and handy home repair hints too.
When I picked up this book I hadn't realized it was part of a long running series.It took me a little while to get acquainted with the characters and the small town of Eastport, Maine.
Jacobia"Jake"Tiptree is a home renovator and sometime amateur detective. She's hoping for a quiet life until a shocking murder leaves the town agog.When her house guest becomes a suspect she has to become involved to try and solve the crime.
Strong female protagonists and handy home repair hints too.
July 12, 2024
One of the best Home Repair Books by Sarah Graves
This is one of the best home repair books by Sarah Graves. I've read them all. Multiple plots that are fairly easy to follow without getting too entwined is so refreshing! Even when the main characters and new characters help or hinder each other, it all works really well. I read two to three mysteries a week and so does my spouse. Have done since we were kids. Out of all of the books I've read, this series is one of my favorites! Thank you to the author!
This is one of the best home repair books by Sarah Graves. I've read them all. Multiple plots that are fairly easy to follow without getting too entwined is so refreshing! Even when the main characters and new characters help or hinder each other, it all works really well. I read two to three mysteries a week and so does my spouse. Have done since we were kids. Out of all of the books I've read, this series is one of my favorites! Thank you to the author!
July 21, 2019
For me, this is the best book in the series. Yes, it rambles on a bit when describing the area (which doesn't seem quite necessary in the 16th book), but when the action get going, it zooms. One calamity after another, but in a much more believable fashion than in the previous book.
I really liked guest character Lizzie Snow and would enjoy seeing her in a series, especially trying to get used to someplace smaller than Eastport.
I really liked guest character Lizzie Snow and would enjoy seeing her in a series, especially trying to get used to someplace smaller than Eastport.
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