Axe Me No Questions

Hometown Hardware Mystery #2

by Paula Charles

In the quaint mountain town of Pine Bluff, Oregon, fall has arrived and it’s time for the annual Timber Festival, complete with Lumberjack and Lumberjill contests, and booths serving spicy chili and creamy pumpkin pies. Widowed hardware store owner Dawna Carpenter is selling cookbooks at a booth in the park for a fundraiser her women’s group is running. She’s looking forward to soaking in all her favorite things about the season, including hoping to have a conversation with her deceased husband, who she thinks is still hanging around the house.

But when Dawna falls over the body of one of the lumberjacks, with his own throwing axe imbedded in his chest, her focus turns to murder. With the town in turmoil, Dawna takes Chief Dallas’s request to keep her ears open as a full license to snoop. She’d better watch her back, or Dawna might be the next one to get the axe.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2025

About the author

Always an avid reader, I came to this writing journey later than many. A local genealogical library offered a workshop on writing family stories, so I signed up, wrote a few short stories and was hooked. Cozy mysteries were always my go-to when I needed an escape, so I decided to see if I had what it takes. At the age of 55, I signed my first contract. And a week later, I signed my second. It's never too late!

I grew up in a small, Pacific Northwest town that instilled a lifelong love of small towns and country living, along with a deep love for pie, family history, and the possibility of ghosts. My grandfather was a building contractor and together my grandparents owned and operated a hardware store and lumberyard in my hometown. I spent many hours as a kid tagging along with Grandma in the store. Now I've turned those memories into my first cozy mystery series. Hammers and Homicide will be coming from Crooked Lane Books in January, 2024.

Today, my husband and I live on a small hobby farm in SE Washington. Watching the antics of our silly goats in the barnyard inspired my Zen Goat cozy mystery series. An Escape Goat is written under my pen name of Janna Rollins and will be coming from Level Best Books in March, 2024.

When I'm not writing or reading, I love to bake, garden, and spend time with the grandkids, (who are growing up way to fast!)

Reviews

[Courtny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Paula Charles, all I want to do is read about all things Fall, eat my weight in festival food, and read nothing but books that feature lumberjacks. Haha! In all seriousness, this book pulls you in with the stunning over, but you stay for Dawna's amazing relationships with the town, the mystery, and a budding romance between her daughter and someone special. I love the ghost elements in this book, and I say keep 'em coming! I am addicted to this series and can't wait for book three.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawna's back, y'all, and I couldn't be happier!

In this delightful second installment of the Hometown Hardware Mystery series, we return to Pine Bluff, Oregon for the town's annual Timberfest. Paula Charles paints such a vivid picture of the setting in this charming Pacific Northwest town, I could practically smell the steaming bowls of chili intermingling with the crisp fall air, and aromas of freshly brewed coffee, while hearing tidbits of laughter and conversation from passersby. Shortly before the festivities begin, Dawna stumbles over the dead body of one of the lumberjack competitors. With her natural curiousity and previous success as a sleuth, Dawna is determined to suss out the killer. Filled with witty banter, a wonderful cast of characters, and no shortage of suspects, I was captivated from beginning to end. Throw in a subplot that threatens Dawna's livelihood, subtle ghostly elements, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! This is a wonderful, well-written read that I highly recommend to all cozy mystery readers. Looking forward to seeing what's next for Dawna, April, and the rest of the Carpenter's Corner crew! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to the author, Paula Charles, for allowing me to read an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Kirstin Troyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series did NOT disappoint and now I'm anxiously waiting book 3. Paula does a great job linking the books, but also leaves us with a taste for what's to come (you mean I have to wait til the next book to find out what happens). Dawna once again finds herself stumbling over a body (literally). During the Timber Festival in her beautiful small town in Oregon, hardware store owner, widowed Dawna finds herself getting into the spirit of the festival, but also getting herself into a few pickles. Stumbling across a body and a potential threat to her beloved store. With the help of her daughter and closest friends, and perhaps a little nod of permission from the local police, they set out to find a murderer AND save her store (I sure hope). This has a slight paranormal aspect in that she senses her husband and cat Lily hanging around, both of whom have been dead for a few years, and perhaps the previous owner of the local theater. Not creepy in any sense of the word (I'm not a real ghost/paranormal person). I found myself chuckling and shaking my head several times. I love Dawna! I look forward to more adventures. I stayed up late to finish this one!

[Marian West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Hometown Hardware series, and it's just as exciting as the first... well, maybe more so since it feels like we're visiting old friends. This story revolves around the town's annual lumberjack competition. The author does a wonderful job of describing all of the activities and makes you feel like you're actually there.

When Dawna (literally) stumbles over a dead body, she decides to investigate. She even gets permission from the police chief to keep her ears open, which she takes as a license to snoop.

This story is a lot of fun. What I love is the relationship between Dawna and her daughter April. The author is great at dialogue, and all of the love and snarkiness shine in this series.

[Lori Leaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

What to expect:
🍁Small mountain town in Oregon
🍁Set against a fall festival
🍁Older protagonist, Dawna

My thoughts: This was an enjoyable murder mystery to read and took me right back to my favorite season, fall. The descriptions of the town and fall festival made me feel like I was there too. I love that Dawna was given permission to “keep her ears open” for the murder investigation which she took as permission to start sleuthing with her daughter April. White I love reading about the murder investigation and now sleuthing happening it’s really the settings and characters that keep me coming back. I love this little town, feel for Dawna as she continues to figure out running the hardware store and brief visits from her late husband and cats ghosts and am falling in love right alongside April.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Axe Me No Questions” is the delightful second book in Paula Charles’s Hometown Hardware cozy mystery series. I really love the main character Dawna Carpenter – a sixty-something widow who is running a hardware store on her own after the death of her husband whom she misses dearly. She is smart, resilient, a bit snarky, stubborn, and not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Her relationship with her daughter April who helps out at the store is very well done as are her battles with aging (a visit to the doctor had me laughing and groaning at the same time – been there, done that). There is a nice sense of humor throughout the book as well as a well done touch of the paranormal. In this book, Dawna gets involved in a murder investigation when she literally stumbles across a dead body. There are plenty of suspects (the murder takes place during a Timber Festival featuring Lumberjack and Lumberjill contests), twists and turns, and suspense along the way. I kind of figured out who the killer was but was still surprised at some of the events that took place along the way. In the end, I really enjoyed this book and hope there are more books coming.

Thanks to BookSirens for sending me a review copy of this book.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Axe Me No Questions book 2 in the A Hometown Hardware Mystery by Paula Charles . This was the first book I read in the series and I found it to be enjoyable and entertaining. What a great cozy mystery it was engaging, really well-written, set in a small town of Pine Bluff, Oregon.

My favorite character is Dawna as I found her very relatable and likeable. I enjoyed that she felt her late husbands presence as well as her deceased furbaby who comforted her after a big scare.

The mystery was well written and had plenty of suspects who seemed to want the victim dead. I did suspect the killer early on but there were a few red herrings so I wasn't 100% sure until close to the end when the final piece fell into place. There are a couple of sub-plots in this book that have me excitedly waiting for the next instalment !

I highly recommend this cozy mystery series to all my friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Level Best Books and BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axe Me No Questions is the 2nd awesome book in Paula Charles' Hometown Hardware Mysteries. The characters are down to earth and very likable. The main character Dawna Carpenter is a widow and her sidekick is her daughter April. I love the mother-daughter sleuthing duo. Dawna has been through a lot with losing her husband and running their family hardware store. Dawna and April have a realistic relationship with some heartfelt, humorous and contentious moments. Dawna gets an unpleasant surprise and it was interesting how she handled it. She also senses her husband's, cat's and Aunt's ghosts so there is a little paranormal. It is Fall in Pine Bluff, WA and everyone is excited for the annual Timber Festival. All of the local lumberjacks and lumberjills are competing in various events. Dawna trips over a dead body and is drawn into the investigation. The suspects are some of the lumberjacks, lumberjills and a few locals. The cozy mystery kept me guessing and the story kept me engaged. Very enjoyable! I received an advance review copy for free from Author Paula Charles and I voluntarily leave this review.
#AxeMeNoQuestions #HometownHardwareMysteries #RainyDayMysteries

[Bethanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Charles makes me want to move to Pine Bluff and work in Dawna’s hardware store! This book was so much fun! I got all the cozy vibes and enjoyed trying to figure out whodunnit. I’m ready for book three!

[Lori Bonkoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and I hope there are many more to come! The setting is Lumberjack days and Dawna trips over the dead body of one of the lumberjacks. Given permission to snoop, Dawna begins asking questions and trying to discover who the killer could be. The dialogue is great, the relationship between Dawna, her friends, her daughter and the town are all highlights of the book. A good read that keeps you reading past your bedtime!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Looking forward to the next book.

[Kylie Forsythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Hometown Hardware Mystery series is such a fun read! It's fall in Pine Bluff, and everything about the town's Timber Festival was engaging, interesting, and entertaining. When Dawna Carpenter stumbles upon (literally) the body of a murdered lumberjack, she's pulled into helping to solve the crime. With a delightful cast of characters and a compelling mystery, you won't want to put this one down. I especially love Dawna's spunk. You can't help but root for her, both to solve the mystery and in her personal life. Looking forward to the next book in this series!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the ARC of Axe Me No Questions and loved it! Charles is a great writer, uses a lot of humor and really nails the small town feel. The perfect cozy for fall.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one was great. Finally stops ignoring the loan issue (which was wild in the last volume). I thought the mystery was good lots of potential suspects for reasonable reasons. Fun cast of characters (her bestie and her late husbands group of friends, and her daughter! I do like their dynamic you can tell they love each other and annoy each other just a bit. I did Shake my head a few times when she was telling her daughter she didn’t need to sell her house( which I agree with she doesn’t) but then driving around one handed with a broken wrist feels like a huge risk. And then she would meddle in her daughters life right after… I was like you two in my head…. I am knocking a star down only cause I have trauma from being in debt and I know how panic king and horrible it is. I can’t wait for the next I’m glad this author indie published cause I would be sad to never read this series again it was one of my fav new series from last year.

[Caitlin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series. This is the second in the series and they just keep getting better.

It's set in the fall. The Timber Festival is upon Pine Bluff. Lumberjacks and Jill's are everywhere! Dawna literally falls over the dead body of one of the top contenders. She becomes emersed in the murder and mystery, trying to figure out who killed their beloved Lumerjack.

Dawna learns a lot about herself in this book. The story progresses nicely with a fair amount of twists and turns. I love how Dawna makes friends (almost) everywhere she goes. She is likeable and fun. Her daughter, April is a fantastic addition and I look forwrd to seeing more about where her relationship is headed. The setting was fabuous, and I love how Dawna and April bond and meet over a good meal.

We start to see more of the paranormal elements coming out and Dawna learning more about her late husband, Bob.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axe me No Questions is Book 2 in a Hometown Hardware Mysteries by Paula Charles. Dawna is a widowed main character who owns a Hardware store. I enjoy the small town feel. There is a competition with an axe, Nate did not expect the ax to be planted in his chest! Dawns and her daughter, April, are amateur sleuths looking into the murder. The smaller theme running through the story is the bank holds a $25,000 loan in the store. Since Dawn a did not take out lan, who did? Book 3 should be exciting. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I absolutely loved it!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Paula, you really knocked it out of the park!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one kept me reading and guessing nonstop. I was certain I knew whodunit , but I didn't. I was beyond disgusted when the killer finally admitted all their misdeeds after they were caught. How someone can be that selfish, greedy, and jealous to take a life was beyond me. I love how Dawna gets willing sidekicks (bff, daughter) to aid her in sleuthing. She came a hairs breadth from her own demise, but escaped by the skin of her teeth!! Drama, danger, suspense, and a compelling read. Go Dawna. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Axe Me No Questions is set in Pine Bluff, Oregon. The town’s annual Timber Festival is set to begin the next morning. The festival celebrates the town’s sawmill and logging history. The biggest draw is the weekend long lumberjack competition. The favorite to win is Scotty Trimmer, local businessman and axe-throwing champion. But when Dawna stumbles over his dead body the next day, she is thrust into solving the murder.

Dawna is a fun character. She runs the hardware store on her own, since the death of her husband. She’s smart and independent. She has a sharp wit and isn’t afraid to use it when necessary-with her tenant Darlene Lovelace, for example. Humor is also present throughout the novel. The author does a great job immersing the reader into the world she’s created.

I enjoyed reading Axe Me No Questions. Even though I haven’t read the first book in the series, it didn’t matter. The characters are well-written, and the murder is twisty making the killer’s identity hard to figure out. 4/5 stars.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

AXE ME NO QUESTIONS is the second book in the Hometown Hardware Mysteries by Paula Charles. While I haven’t read the first book in the series (which I plan to remedy), the author gave just enough backstory so that I never felt lost, and in fact, I felt like I’d known the delightful characters for a very long time. I love that the protagonist, hardware store owner Dawna Carpenter, is a woman of a “certain age”. She’s widowed and her children are grown… except her daughter worries about her, so has moved back to town to keep an eye on her. The author captures the family dynamics and the characters are realistic. I also loved the fall theme and the Timber Festival, with the lumberjack and lumberjill contests being the backdrop of the mystery. Ms. Charles’ strong descriptive voice brings the story to life, which pulled me in and kept me glued to the pages.

When Dawna finds one of the contestants, murdered with his own axe, she immediately wants to get involved. This time the chief of police asks her to keep her ears open for gossip, which she takes as an invitation to snoop. There’s humor and fun banter to keep the story light against the tragic death, plus a light paranormal element which is surprisingly tender and sweet. As the mystery progressed, the well-paced story and clues kept me guessing. With so many people attending the festival, there were a lot of suspects to sift through. At the heart pounding reveal, the author ramped up the action which kept me on the edge of my seat. While this can easily be read as a standalone, there is a small overarching mystery relating to Dawna’s deceased husband and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[T K Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much better than the first book. Again, a lot of characters but the plot centers around the town’s logging festival and all that involves: competitors, exhibitors and attendees. The author does a good job introducing characters pertinent to carrying the story forward. Most, if not all, are given adequate descriptions to keep them straight while reading.

Being reintroduced to friends and family from the previous book was done well. And somehow the author again makes them all seem likeable without piling on details. The reader gets necessary information but not superfluous word filler. I so appreciate not knowing the color of every dish taken out of the cupboard nor the brand of shoes anyone wears. The mother daughter relationship is written so realistically that I’m pretty sure I want to go to lunch with them.

The mystery was a long trip, winding its way to a satisfactory conclusion. Even when in danger, the main character avoids getting there by being too stupid to live.

There is a side story that is not tied up by the end but book three will be released in a month so I’ll allow it.

It is mentioned in the acknowledgements that the former major publishing company dropped this series “like a hot potato”. The author made the decision to self-publish. Readers may be witnessing in real time a FAFO moment between authors and publishers. If this is the future of self-pub books, I am a fan. Gorgeous cover, minimal if any typos or errors, wonderfully typeset, and edited beautifully.

On an entirely personal note, my starter marriage involved visiting in-laws that live in Wallowa county. Keeping a map of northeast Oregon open to be able to identify real vs fictional locations adds to fun for me.

[Cozy Champagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axe Me No Questions by Paula Charles is a cozy whodunnit with a senior sleuth, a small-town setting, and a fall festival.

Axe Me No Questions could be read as a stand-alone mystery or as a follow-up to Hammers and Homicide, the first book in the Hometown Hardware Mystery Series. The series sleuth is Dawna Carpenter, a widowed sixty-something hardware store owner with adult children.

Dawna is clever, kind, and feisty. Her adult daughter, April, assists in her investigations. The two make a good sleuthing team. They work well together and know when to support (and rib) each other.
As the owner of the hometown hardware, Dawna is familiar with everyone in town. This familiarity is one of the best tools in her sleuthing toolbox.

Axe Me No Questions is set during the fall season. The town's annual Timeber Festival plays a significant role in the plot. Dawna is operating a booth where she is selling cookbooks for charity. She ends up stumbling over the body of a lumberjack and into a mystery.

This mystery was an entertaining read. Paula Charles is a talented author who excels at description, characterization, and dialogue, making her work a real treat.

I love Dawna as a character and will continue to read this series as new books come out.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Rose Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Axe Me No Questions for an honest review.
This was an excellent cozy mystery. There's a touch of paranormal in it as well.
The author weaves a skillful story with clues, twists, and turns that had me guessing who the killer was.
Descriptive language sets the stage at the town's annual Timber Fest. You can feel the crisp air and hear the ring of the axe hitting it's target in the axe throwing competition.
The main character, Dawna Carpenter, is 62 years old. Her husband, Bob, passed away three years ago, and she’s running their hardware store in the small town of Pine Bluff in Oregon. Dawna and her daughter, April, make a great sleuthing duo.
At the center of the story is the town’s annual Timber Fest. Lumberjacks and jills compete for a cash prize and the chance to compete at the state competition.
Hurrying to get to the festival, Dawna stumbles over a body.
Using her wits and courage, Dawna figures out who the killer is, saves herself from the killer, and contacts the sheriff with the information to put the killer behind bars.

Overall, a well-written and satisfying cozy mystery. A five-star read! I would recommend this book.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read the first book in the series, but found this easy to read as an intro to the characters. And what fun characters they are! Dawna Carpenter and her daughter April lead us on a merry chase through the events of Pine Bluff's Timber Festival. Set in a small logging town in Washington state the events are designed to demonstrate the skills of the lumberjacks and lumberjills who live and work in the logging world. All of those dedicated people become suspects when Dawna stumbles over the dead body of a lumberjack.
I enjoyed having a "later in life" main character sleuthing around as she also dealt with a not so great surprise from her late husband. The plot moved right along and kept me guessing until the end. I held my fifth star because the situation with the surprise from her husband felt unfinished to me. Now I have to wait for the next book to see if and how it is resolved.
I received an advanced review copy for free from Book Sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kris L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axe Me No Questions is a thrilling read filled with exciting moments that kept me hooked from start to finish. I found myself completely engrossed in the story, always eager to see what would happen next. The book’s fast pace and engaging plot made it difficult to put down.

One of the highlights for me was the main character, Dawna Carpenter. I truly loved her and found myself relating to her on some level while also feeling inspired by her determination to uncover the truth. Her relentless drive to solve the murder at the town's Lumberjack Festival added depth to the story and kept the mystery intriguing.

Initially, I was left wondering, "What's next?" at the end, only to realize that this is actually the second book in a series! Now, I’m even more excited to go back and read the first book and continue the journey with the rest of the series.

Overall, Axe Me No Questions by Paula Charles is a fantastic read for anyone who loves suspense, a few twists and turns, and a gripping storyline. I highly recommend it and can't wait to dive into the other books!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the setting of the Pacific Northwest in the Hometown Hardware Mysteries by Paula Charles.
I visited Port Angeles and some surrounding areas a few years ago, so this series brings back memories of the beautiful scenery.

This second book in the series takes place during the Fall season. Lots of fall decor, hot drinks, and a timber festival. On the morning of the festival, our main character Dawna literally stumbles over a dead body. Who killed this lumberjack contestant? Dawna and her daughter April start looking for answers.

I love the cozy town that the author has created. The characters are funny and so real. Dawna has the best friend group. There are also some ghostly elements in this series.
I look forward to seeing what else Dawna gets up to in future books.

Thank you to the author for letting me be part of your ARC team, and for letting me share my early thoughts on Axe Me No Questions.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Axe Me No Questions is the perfect cozy fall read. There leaves are turning, the nights are cool and darkness falls early.
A lumberjack festival is in the offing. How have I never heard of these before? I asked the author on Facebook and they are totally a thing!
One of the lumberjacks dies, it’s not accidental. The whole thing sis quite puzzling. Dawna sifts through clues and drags her daughter April and best friend Evonne into the sleuthing.
There are ghostly visits, a not so good surprise awaiting Dawna about the hardware store and a killer to apprehend.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Axe Me No Questions. If you haven’t visited northeastern Oregon via the Hometown Hardware mysteries, here is your chance.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don’t like women main characters that are my age. I don’t like the way most authors portray them. But I love Dawna. She’s got spunk.

I loved this book and read it in one day. The characters were great and the story was well written. It made me miss Minnesota where they had a yearly Tall Timber Days festival similar to the one in this book, minus the body. There were some threads left hanging at the end but I’m assuming we’ll learn more in the next book.

I read this without reading the first book and I had no issues. Now I’m going to read the first one because I’m already loving this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.