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House-Flipper Mystery #2
Dead in the Doorway
A HOUSE WITH GOOD BONES. . .
Whitney Whitaker has scored the perfect piece of real estate: a ramshackle white Colonial at the top of a hill with views of downtown Nashville. What more could a self-taught home-improvement maven and occasional house-flipper ask for? Ideally, the property of Whitney’s dreams would not have come with a dead body blocking the entrance to the foyer. But Whitney, always quick to take heavy-duty matters into her own hands, also happens to be a skilled amateur sleuth. So that helps.
AND SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET.
Who is this older woman—and how did her corpse end up at the bottom of the staircase of this locked, unoccupied house? That is what Whitney, along with the support of her wood-working cousin Buck, Detective Collin Flynn, and, of course, feline partner-in-crime Sawdust, intends to find out. Her friendly-neighbor investigation takes a sharp turn, however, when Whitney discovers that the house’s former owner was a gourmet baker whose secret recipe for peach pie was to die for—perhaps literally. Now it’s up to Whitney to learn the truth about what happened before she loses this killer real-estate deal . . . and the killer comes knocking at her door.
Whitney Whitaker has scored the perfect piece of real estate: a ramshackle white Colonial at the top of a hill with views of downtown Nashville. What more could a self-taught home-improvement maven and occasional house-flipper ask for? Ideally, the property of Whitney’s dreams would not have come with a dead body blocking the entrance to the foyer. But Whitney, always quick to take heavy-duty matters into her own hands, also happens to be a skilled amateur sleuth. So that helps.
AND SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET.
Who is this older woman—and how did her corpse end up at the bottom of the staircase of this locked, unoccupied house? That is what Whitney, along with the support of her wood-working cousin Buck, Detective Collin Flynn, and, of course, feline partner-in-crime Sawdust, intends to find out. Her friendly-neighbor investigation takes a sharp turn, however, when Whitney discovers that the house’s former owner was a gourmet baker whose secret recipe for peach pie was to die for—perhaps literally. Now it’s up to Whitney to learn the truth about what happened before she loses this killer real-estate deal . . . and the killer comes knocking at her door.
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First published March 31, 2020
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About the author
Diane Kelly
69 books1,235 followersAward-winning author Diane Kelly writes romance and romantic mysteries featuring feisty heroines, quirky sidekicks, and sexy leading men, with humor that leaves readers laughing out loud.
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September 22, 2025
After reading the sixth and seventh books in the house-flipper series by Diane Kelly, I decided I wanted to read the first five books in the series. I recently read and reviewed book one and this is my review of book two.
Dead in the Doorway
continues to feature Whitney Whitaker, Sawdust, Whitney’s cousin Buck Whitaker, and Detective Collin Flynn.
How can you go wrong when you have a dead woman disliked by everyone, a missing prize-winning recipe, and a neighborhood full of suspects? Once again, Diane Kelly brings plenty of mystery, atmosphere, and conflict to the story. Whitney is a property manager for Home and Hearth Realty and who also works part-time as a carpenter for her uncle’s company. Sawdust is her cat. Buck is her first cousin and works for his father’s company as a skilled carpenter.
Whitney and Buck have started flipping houses together. Their latest project is a white Colonial at the tope of a hill with views of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Unfortunately, there’s a dead body blocking the entrance to the foyer. Who is she? How did she get in the locked, unoccupied house?
Whitney is inquisitive, punctual, personable, believes in progress as well as preservation, and doesn’t like having restrictions put on her. She loves fixing up properties and pays attention to detail, but often puts herself in danger. This series has Whitney’s cat Sawdust’s thoughts interspersed throughout the book in a few short chapters. While they aren’t necessary to the story line, they provide some humor and insights that made them enjoyable. Buck is amiable, an excellent carpenter, and responsible for the structural aspects of the renovations. Collin is determined, smart, and perceptive. He’s not good at compartmentalizing and has an erratic work schedule that makes relationships difficult.
The author is a great storyteller and managed to pull me into the narrative quickly. The main characters are likeable and relatable. The plot has a few twists and turns and a couple of subplots and the story moved at a good pace. The world-building was well-done and the story is sprinkled with light humor. The ending was perfect and sets up the third book in the series.
Overall, this is a fun, light, entertaining, and enjoyable cozy mystery with great characterization and some humor. The author’s writing style is easy to connect with and draws me into her stories. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series. Those who enjoy cozy mysteries will likely find this an entertaining read.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was originally published on March 31, 2020.
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My 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
How can you go wrong when you have a dead woman disliked by everyone, a missing prize-winning recipe, and a neighborhood full of suspects? Once again, Diane Kelly brings plenty of mystery, atmosphere, and conflict to the story. Whitney is a property manager for Home and Hearth Realty and who also works part-time as a carpenter for her uncle’s company. Sawdust is her cat. Buck is her first cousin and works for his father’s company as a skilled carpenter.
Whitney and Buck have started flipping houses together. Their latest project is a white Colonial at the tope of a hill with views of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Unfortunately, there’s a dead body blocking the entrance to the foyer. Who is she? How did she get in the locked, unoccupied house?
Whitney is inquisitive, punctual, personable, believes in progress as well as preservation, and doesn’t like having restrictions put on her. She loves fixing up properties and pays attention to detail, but often puts herself in danger. This series has Whitney’s cat Sawdust’s thoughts interspersed throughout the book in a few short chapters. While they aren’t necessary to the story line, they provide some humor and insights that made them enjoyable. Buck is amiable, an excellent carpenter, and responsible for the structural aspects of the renovations. Collin is determined, smart, and perceptive. He’s not good at compartmentalizing and has an erratic work schedule that makes relationships difficult.
The author is a great storyteller and managed to pull me into the narrative quickly. The main characters are likeable and relatable. The plot has a few twists and turns and a couple of subplots and the story moved at a good pace. The world-building was well-done and the story is sprinkled with light humor. The ending was perfect and sets up the third book in the series.
Overall, this is a fun, light, entertaining, and enjoyable cozy mystery with great characterization and some humor. The author’s writing style is easy to connect with and draws me into her stories. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series. Those who enjoy cozy mysteries will likely find this an entertaining read.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was originally published on March 31, 2020.
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My 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
April 24, 2020
Dead in the Doorway by Diane Kelly is the second book in the cozy House-Flipper Mystery series. As with most cozy mysteries each of these books in the series could be read as a standalone if choosing to do so as the mystery within is fully solved during the book. There is of course some character development carried over book to book for those fans following in order from the beginning.
In the House-Flipper Mystery series Whitney Whitaker has been working as a property manager to pay the bills for a while now while living in her parents pool house with her cat, Sawdust. Real estate and renovating are really Whitney’s passions so whenever she gets the chance she’s diving into the house flipping business.
This time around Whitney has obtained a ramshackle white Colonial with the help of a loan so she plans to move this flip quickly if she can. However, when coming over to inspect her new property Whitney has trouble opening the door only to find the body of one of the neighbors is blocking her new front door from opening so Whitney yet again finds herself with a murder mystery to solve.
This series takes a couple of my favorite things, renovating real estate and kitty cats, and combines them together so how could I say no to reading this one? Being a little different than the normal cozy this series come with chapters from the point of view of Sawdust, Whitney’s kitty. While Whitney and the secondary characters are likable enough Sawdust’s POV just gives the story that extra twist of cuteness that I enjoyed. I found this to be another fun addition to the series and will definitely look forward to more.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In the House-Flipper Mystery series Whitney Whitaker has been working as a property manager to pay the bills for a while now while living in her parents pool house with her cat, Sawdust. Real estate and renovating are really Whitney’s passions so whenever she gets the chance she’s diving into the house flipping business.
This time around Whitney has obtained a ramshackle white Colonial with the help of a loan so she plans to move this flip quickly if she can. However, when coming over to inspect her new property Whitney has trouble opening the door only to find the body of one of the neighbors is blocking her new front door from opening so Whitney yet again finds herself with a murder mystery to solve.
This series takes a couple of my favorite things, renovating real estate and kitty cats, and combines them together so how could I say no to reading this one? Being a little different than the normal cozy this series come with chapters from the point of view of Sawdust, Whitney’s kitty. While Whitney and the secondary characters are likable enough Sawdust’s POV just gives the story that extra twist of cuteness that I enjoyed. I found this to be another fun addition to the series and will definitely look forward to more.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 17, 2020
Whitney Whitaker is a property manager and carpenter in Nashville, Tennessee. She likes her job, but her real passion is flipping houses. In this second installment in the House-Flipper Mystery series, Whitney and her cousin have partnered to flip a ramshackle colonial-style house with views of downtown Nashville. When she arrives one morning, she is horrified to find a woman dead in the house. With an entire neighborhood of suspects, Whitney and Detective Collin Flynn, work together to catch the killer.
I found this book to be a delightful and humorous read. Whitney is a witty, smart, and likable main character. I loved the relationship between her and Buck, with its bickering and witty banter. Sawdust was adorable and reading the brief chapters from his perspective was fun and added to the story. I enjoyed spending time at Whitney's temporary neighborhood. The friendship between the ladies was wonderful and really gave me that small tight-knit community feeling that I love. I was really sad when I got to the end and realized that I will never get to meet the characters again.
The mystery was well-crafted, with plenty of suspects to throw readers off the scent. This was a fun cozy mystery, and I eagerly await the third book.
I received an ARC from St Martin's Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I found this book to be a delightful and humorous read. Whitney is a witty, smart, and likable main character. I loved the relationship between her and Buck, with its bickering and witty banter. Sawdust was adorable and reading the brief chapters from his perspective was fun and added to the story. I enjoyed spending time at Whitney's temporary neighborhood. The friendship between the ladies was wonderful and really gave me that small tight-knit community feeling that I love. I was really sad when I got to the end and realized that I will never get to meet the characters again.
The mystery was well-crafted, with plenty of suspects to throw readers off the scent. This was a fun cozy mystery, and I eagerly await the third book.
I received an ARC from St Martin's Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 31, 2020
With her trademarked wit, Diane Kelly delivers another fantastic cozy mystery with Dead in The Doorway: A House-Flipper Mystery (book 2). The book releases today (3/31/2020) so be sure to order your copy now. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for my advanced reader copy.
Whitney Whitaker and her cousin, Buck, purchase a fixer-upper from two brothers whose mother recently died of a stroke. In exchange for a cheaper price, the brothers left a lot of their mother Lillian’s personal effects in the home, including her many blue ribbons for her famous peach desserts. Unfortunately, Lillian’s recipe box does not contain any of her award-winning recipes.
The home sits in a cul de sac on Songbird Circle, where most of the neighbors have become life-long friends. On demo day, Whitney arrives early only to find the front door is blocked. She enters through the garage and is shocked to find not only the dead body of Nelda Dolan, a neighbor, blocking the door but also the former owner’s grandson, Dakota Walsh, coming down the stairs. It turns out no one really liked Nelda, including her own husband and daughter.
The plot has many possible suspects including Dakota and his father, Wayne; all of the neighbors in the cul de sac; a ride-share driver who seems to have a secret; an unknown burglar who breaks into one of the houses; and Nelda’s family. The big question is whether Nelda was killed for trying to take Lillian’s prized recipes from a secret hiding place that Whitney’s cat, Sawdust, was able to locate?
With a murder threatening the resale value of the house, Whitney is determined to resolve the case as quickly as possible. There is a sweet storyline where Whitney and Buck give a second chance to a young man who needs some direction in his life.
The novel has hints of two possible romances, first between Whitney and Detective Flynn and second, between Whitney’s roommate Collette and her cousin Buck. The story ends with Whitney and Buck looking at an old motel near downtown Nashville that is going up for a tax sale. I can’t wait for the third installment of the series to see what blossoms.
If you would like to check out my Peach Almond Cookie Cobbler recipe that is "to die for", then go to http://booksandrecipes.com/recipe/pea...
Whitney Whitaker and her cousin, Buck, purchase a fixer-upper from two brothers whose mother recently died of a stroke. In exchange for a cheaper price, the brothers left a lot of their mother Lillian’s personal effects in the home, including her many blue ribbons for her famous peach desserts. Unfortunately, Lillian’s recipe box does not contain any of her award-winning recipes.
The home sits in a cul de sac on Songbird Circle, where most of the neighbors have become life-long friends. On demo day, Whitney arrives early only to find the front door is blocked. She enters through the garage and is shocked to find not only the dead body of Nelda Dolan, a neighbor, blocking the door but also the former owner’s grandson, Dakota Walsh, coming down the stairs. It turns out no one really liked Nelda, including her own husband and daughter.
The plot has many possible suspects including Dakota and his father, Wayne; all of the neighbors in the cul de sac; a ride-share driver who seems to have a secret; an unknown burglar who breaks into one of the houses; and Nelda’s family. The big question is whether Nelda was killed for trying to take Lillian’s prized recipes from a secret hiding place that Whitney’s cat, Sawdust, was able to locate?
With a murder threatening the resale value of the house, Whitney is determined to resolve the case as quickly as possible. There is a sweet storyline where Whitney and Buck give a second chance to a young man who needs some direction in his life.
The novel has hints of two possible romances, first between Whitney and Detective Flynn and second, between Whitney’s roommate Collette and her cousin Buck. The story ends with Whitney and Buck looking at an old motel near downtown Nashville that is going up for a tax sale. I can’t wait for the third installment of the series to see what blossoms.
If you would like to check out my Peach Almond Cookie Cobbler recipe that is "to die for", then go to http://booksandrecipes.com/recipe/pea...
March 26, 2020
The long-awaited second book from Diane Kelly in the "House Flipper Mystery" series, Dead In The Doorway, is available at the end of March. This intriguing house renovation cozy published by St Martin's Press will leave readers itching to renovate and investigate the old broken down houses in their neighborhood.
Whitney is a remarkable character in this enjoyable and entertaining cozy series. She is hard-working, dedicated, and mindful of the people around her, even strangers. The characters in this series are exceedingly likable; readers will find at least one or more that they can relate with. The detective, Collin, is slowly becoming essential and hopefully will continue to be involved with Whitney. Sawdust, Whitney's beloved cat, steals the show more than once. I could read his thoughts all day and have a smile on my face the entire time.
In this addition to the series, Whitney's dream house flip turns into a nightmare when she finds the body of a neighbor in the entryway. Skeletons come out of the closet as she and Sawdust investigate. The old woman wasn't well-liked by many, not her family or neighbors. She was bossy, rude and at times downright nasty to everyone around her. But no one deserves to be pushed down the stairs and left to die alone. It doesn't take long for Whitney to find the killer and figure out that sometimes motives, like people, are just plain crazy.
Ms. Kelly is a dynamic writer. Her work is smooth, easy to read, and fills the reader with a sense of having been a part of a real mystery. Dead In The Doorway is a fantastic, fast-paced, enjoyable read that readers will not be able to put down. I highly recommend this cozy book and the series, as well as all of Diane's other mystery series. If readers want exciting reads and happy endings, they will love this book!
Whitney is a remarkable character in this enjoyable and entertaining cozy series. She is hard-working, dedicated, and mindful of the people around her, even strangers. The characters in this series are exceedingly likable; readers will find at least one or more that they can relate with. The detective, Collin, is slowly becoming essential and hopefully will continue to be involved with Whitney. Sawdust, Whitney's beloved cat, steals the show more than once. I could read his thoughts all day and have a smile on my face the entire time.
In this addition to the series, Whitney's dream house flip turns into a nightmare when she finds the body of a neighbor in the entryway. Skeletons come out of the closet as she and Sawdust investigate. The old woman wasn't well-liked by many, not her family or neighbors. She was bossy, rude and at times downright nasty to everyone around her. But no one deserves to be pushed down the stairs and left to die alone. It doesn't take long for Whitney to find the killer and figure out that sometimes motives, like people, are just plain crazy.
Ms. Kelly is a dynamic writer. Her work is smooth, easy to read, and fills the reader with a sense of having been a part of a real mystery. Dead In The Doorway is a fantastic, fast-paced, enjoyable read that readers will not be able to put down. I highly recommend this cozy book and the series, as well as all of Diane's other mystery series. If readers want exciting reads and happy endings, they will love this book!
April 26, 2023
Whitney and cousin Buck are on their second house flipping project when they once again discover a dead body. A neighborhood busy body is dead at the end of the stairs in the house they just started renovating and it seems she didn't just fall down, but may have been pushed. Why was she there in the first place and who is responsible for her death? An interesting mystery that kept me guessing as well as entertained. Whitney investigates again, to the chagrin of homicide officer Collin Flynn and maybe there's a romance brewing between them. I've read the books completely out of order. I'm going to read number three next and then be caught up. I hope another comes out soon because I really like this series.
April 4, 2020
Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck purchased a house in suburban Nashville through an estate, hoping to renovate and flip the house with a good profit for themselves. But their plans for a speedy demo are dashed when they find the next-door neighbor of the late owner dead at the bottom of the stairs. Just like the first in the series, Whitney decides to investigate while continuing the project--placing her again with Detective Flynn. Their interactions become closer and hint of a possible romantic storyline. The suspects include a squatter grandson, the long-time neighborhood ladies card club and a mysterious ride-share driver but others also have a motive for murder.
The book can easily be read as a standalone and the story moves at a comfortable pace. I read it in two sittings and didn't want to put it down. I really Whitney's character--someone who doesn't shy away from hard work, especially physical labor. The other shining star is her cat Sawdust, who makes a welcome return. I love that he has his own brief chapters, speaking from a cat's point-of-view.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
The book can easily be read as a standalone and the story moves at a comfortable pace. I read it in two sittings and didn't want to put it down. I really Whitney's character--someone who doesn't shy away from hard work, especially physical labor. The other shining star is her cat Sawdust, who makes a welcome return. I love that he has his own brief chapters, speaking from a cat's point-of-view.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
June 15, 2020
Whitney found the perfect house to redo and flip. When she goes back to start working on the house the door is blocked by the body of an elderly woman. Who could have killed her, Whitney starts looking into her neighbors. She finds that the woman wasn’t well liked but a good baker who kept her recipes to herself. Could that be the reason? I look forward to the next one in the series.
March 23, 2020
Dead in the Doorway by Diane Kelly is the second book in A House-Flipper Mystery series. Dead in the Doorway can be read without having picked up Dead as a Doorknocker. However, I recommend reading the cute debut of this series. A House-Flipper Mystery series is similar to A Paw Enforcement series written by Diane Kelly with chapters from an animal’s point-of-view. Sawdust, Whitney’s cat, is cute and smart, and I like reading about his perspective on things. I would like his chapters to have a wee bit more humor (I love Brigit’s snarky comments from A Paw Enforcement series). I thought Dead in the Doorway contained good writing, steady pacing and friendly characters. Whitney Whitaker works as property manager as well as a carpenter (for her uncle’s carpentry business). Her true love, though, is flipping houses which she does with her cousin, Buck Whitaker. They are both hoping for a better experience after the murder that happened in their first slip that prevented them from selling it (Whitney and two roommates are currently living in it). Whitney arrives early on demo day to find a woman dead at the base of the stairs and the deceased owner’s grandson squatting in the house (that gets the blood pumping). At first blush, it appears the victim fell down the steps during the night. Unfortunately, Detective Collin Flynn soon informs Whitney that the victim did not fall on her own. Whitney, who was going to snoop anyway, is thrilled when Detective Flynn asks for her assistance. There are definite sparks flying between the detective and Whitney (and he is a cat lover too). The mystery had a handful of suspects along with misdirection. There are clues to aid a reader in solving the crime. I would have preferred more sleuthing and less speculation. There was too much conjecture for my liking (I ended up skimming through some of it because it was repetitive). My favorite line from Dead in the Doorway is courtesy of Detective Flynn when he said, “You again?” when he sees Whitney at the crime scene. I did enjoy reading Dead in the Doorway, and I will be reading the next A House-Flipper Mystery with Whitney, Buck, Detective Flynn and Sawdust. Dead in the Doorway is a purr-fect cozy mystery to cuddle up with in a comfy chair.
April 4, 2020
Dead In The Doorway
House-Flipper Mystery, Book #2
Diane Kelly
5 Stars
Synopsis:
A HOUSE WITH GOOD BONES. . .
Whitney Whitaker has scored the perfect piece of real estate: a ramshackle white Colonial at the top of a hill with views of downtown Nashville. What more could a self-taught home-improvement maven and occasional house-flipper ask for? Ideally, the property of Whitney’s dreams would not have come with a dead body blocking the entrance to the foyer. But Whitney, always quick to take heavy-duty matters into her own hands, also happens to be a skilled amateur sleuth. So that helps.
AND SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET.
Who is this older woman—and how did her corpse end up at the bottom of the staircase of this locked, unoccupied house? That is what Whitney, along with the support of her wood-working cousin Buck, Detective Collin Flynn, and, of course, feline partner-in-crime Sawdust, intends to find out. Her friendly-neighbour investigation takes a sharp turn, however, when Whitney discovers that the house’s former owner was a gourmet baker whose secret recipe for peach pie was to die for—perhaps literally. Now it’s up to Whitney to learn the truth about what happened before she loses this killer real-estate deal . . . and the killer comes knocking at her door. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. Whitney knows her way around a hammer and she and her cousin, Buck, are doing another house flip. But this one comes with a dead body, and if she and Buck are going to make a profit, she needs to catch the killer. With the help of Sawdust, her cat, she is going to find the murderer, even if it kills her. And it just might. I enjoyed the Sawdust chapters, seeing things from his perspective.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. And the mystery was very well plotted and not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and I was not completely sure until the reveal at the end.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written cozy mystery. The characters are engaging, the setting was inviting and the mystery was intriguing. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
House-Flipper Mystery, Book #2
Diane Kelly
5 Stars
Synopsis:
A HOUSE WITH GOOD BONES. . .
Whitney Whitaker has scored the perfect piece of real estate: a ramshackle white Colonial at the top of a hill with views of downtown Nashville. What more could a self-taught home-improvement maven and occasional house-flipper ask for? Ideally, the property of Whitney’s dreams would not have come with a dead body blocking the entrance to the foyer. But Whitney, always quick to take heavy-duty matters into her own hands, also happens to be a skilled amateur sleuth. So that helps.
AND SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET.
Who is this older woman—and how did her corpse end up at the bottom of the staircase of this locked, unoccupied house? That is what Whitney, along with the support of her wood-working cousin Buck, Detective Collin Flynn, and, of course, feline partner-in-crime Sawdust, intends to find out. Her friendly-neighbour investigation takes a sharp turn, however, when Whitney discovers that the house’s former owner was a gourmet baker whose secret recipe for peach pie was to die for—perhaps literally. Now it’s up to Whitney to learn the truth about what happened before she loses this killer real-estate deal . . . and the killer comes knocking at her door. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. Whitney knows her way around a hammer and she and her cousin, Buck, are doing another house flip. But this one comes with a dead body, and if she and Buck are going to make a profit, she needs to catch the killer. With the help of Sawdust, her cat, she is going to find the murderer, even if it kills her. And it just might. I enjoyed the Sawdust chapters, seeing things from his perspective.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. And the mystery was very well plotted and not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and I was not completely sure until the reveal at the end.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written cozy mystery. The characters are engaging, the setting was inviting and the mystery was intriguing. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
March 22, 2020
Dead in the Doorway by Diane Kelly is a cozy mystery that I could not put down. This mystery is purr-fect for people who love home renovation shows. Kelly’s writing style is straight forward, clear, and easy, yet she uses such unique phrases to describe emotions and movement during her story.
The characters in this story are so tangible. They are already well developed in this first book. I can only see more layers being built in future books. Sawdust the cat was my favourite character. The relationship between Sawdust and his owner Whitney is perfection. I enjoyed how Whitney takes Sawdust to work and has conversations with him. There are also chapters written from Sawdust’s point of view! His points of view are hilarious and heartwarming, and I wish there were a few more scattered throughout the story. With cats being such a curious animal, combining a cat’s point of view with mysteries is so clever! I enjoyed Whitney’s disposition, character, and work ethic. She is a fun protagonist to follow around throughout the story. I also cannot wait to see where her relationship goes with Detective Flynn.
The story and mystery were very creative and well crafted. I did figure it out, but I did also keep questioning and changing my choice of murderer until the end. What I did not figure out was the motive. Kelly’s murder scenes are a little creepier than other cozy mysteries, but I like that.
This is the first book in a new series by Diane Kelly. Kelly is a new authour to me, but she has become an auto buy authour. I cannot wait to read more by her and especially for the second book in this newest series. I cannot recommend this story enough!
I received an electronic advanced reader copy from St. Martin’s Press through Net Galley. All opinions are 100% my own.
The characters in this story are so tangible. They are already well developed in this first book. I can only see more layers being built in future books. Sawdust the cat was my favourite character. The relationship between Sawdust and his owner Whitney is perfection. I enjoyed how Whitney takes Sawdust to work and has conversations with him. There are also chapters written from Sawdust’s point of view! His points of view are hilarious and heartwarming, and I wish there were a few more scattered throughout the story. With cats being such a curious animal, combining a cat’s point of view with mysteries is so clever! I enjoyed Whitney’s disposition, character, and work ethic. She is a fun protagonist to follow around throughout the story. I also cannot wait to see where her relationship goes with Detective Flynn.
The story and mystery were very creative and well crafted. I did figure it out, but I did also keep questioning and changing my choice of murderer until the end. What I did not figure out was the motive. Kelly’s murder scenes are a little creepier than other cozy mysteries, but I like that.
This is the first book in a new series by Diane Kelly. Kelly is a new authour to me, but she has become an auto buy authour. I cannot wait to read more by her and especially for the second book in this newest series. I cannot recommend this story enough!
I received an electronic advanced reader copy from St. Martin’s Press through Net Galley. All opinions are 100% my own.
March 30, 2020
Dead in the Doorway by Diane Kelly is the 2nd book in the House-Flipper Mystery series, and another good addition. Whitney Whitaker manages real estate properties and flips houses. When she tried to go into the new house, she can't get in because there is a dead women blocking the door. Who is this women? There are so many suspects, since the women was not well liked. Whitney is determined to find the killer and not lose her investment. I really enjoyed this book, it has a lot of action and suspects to sort through. I can't wait for the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries than I highly recommend this one. Ms. Kelly is no stranger to writing good books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 29, 2020
I read the first three chapters in Cozy Case Files, A Cozy Mystery Sampler, Volume 8 and was hooked!
The publisher's blurb is pretty good, but the quality of the story is much better. While there is a hint of romance, it certainly is not blatant enough to take anything away from the mystery but serves as a plot device to enhance the deduction process. Whatever. The important thing is that it is a good story with very little that is not realistic but not the kind of nastiness found in true crime. I definitely loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank You!
The publisher's blurb is pretty good, but the quality of the story is much better. While there is a hint of romance, it certainly is not blatant enough to take anything away from the mystery but serves as a plot device to enhance the deduction process. Whatever. The important thing is that it is a good story with very little that is not realistic but not the kind of nastiness found in true crime. I definitely loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank You!
February 2, 2020
A renovation with another twist of murder. The most endearing part of this series so far is the humor that gets mixed in, it makes the characters seem real, even though they seem to stumble over dead bodies. Full of suspects, mystery, this is a perfect whodunit.
March 20, 2021
Ahh, narrator switch! 😳
I was aghast first, but after a while I really liked the new woman.
I also really liked the book, even if the murder - or should we say the motive - felt very "Midsomer Murders". It's not a reason I think people usually kill for in real life.
Or at least... I hope so.
Anyway, I love Midsomer Murders so it was clearly my cup of tea.
Even if a lot of time is spent inside Whitney's head speculating about what ifs, I quite enjoyed this book as a whole.
There's something very sympathetic and likeable about Whitney and Buck.
I will continue onto book 3. 😊
I was aghast first, but after a while I really liked the new woman.
I also really liked the book, even if the murder - or should we say the motive - felt very "Midsomer Murders". It's not a reason I think people usually kill for in real life.
Or at least... I hope so.
Anyway, I love Midsomer Murders so it was clearly my cup of tea.
Even if a lot of time is spent inside Whitney's head speculating about what ifs, I quite enjoyed this book as a whole.
There's something very sympathetic and likeable about Whitney and Buck.
I will continue onto book 3. 😊
August 30, 2020
Adoro questa serie! La protagonista e il cugino comprano case malridotte e le sistemano per poi rivederle... e io adoro i programmi televisivi che parlano di cose simili. In più il gatto della protagonista ha i suoi capitoli, in cui si leggono i suoi pensieri: magnifica idea!
In questo libro il mistero era ben congegnato: ho capito quasi subito cosa ci fosse dietro all'omicidio, ma non ero riuscita a decidere chi fosse il colpevole. Mi piace il rapporto instaurato fra la protagonista e il detective e spero che evolva come sembra dall'ultimo capitolo.
In questo libro il mistero era ben congegnato: ho capito quasi subito cosa ci fosse dietro all'omicidio, ma non ero riuscita a decidere chi fosse il colpevole. Mi piace il rapporto instaurato fra la protagonista e il detective e spero che evolva come sembra dall'ultimo capitolo.
April 6, 2020
Knock-knock.
Whitney is back again in the House Flippers series. She and cousin Buck have bought the house of a recently deceased woman that needs quite a bit of updating. The first day that Whitney goes to the house on her own she discovers the body of a neighbor and the grandson of the former owner.
I really like the characters in this series! I love that Whitney is an independent, smart hard-working woman. Her cousin Buck is almost like a brother to her. Together they make a great team. Of course Sawdust is a major character in my mind. I love that he gets his own chapters to relate how he sees things happening.
The victim was not very well liked by her neighbors (or her family it seems). No one truly mourns her loss. The biggest question among all the survivors is where the late home owner left her famous peach pie recipe.
Each of the neighbors comes under Whitney's suspicions as she works along side of detective Collin Flynn. Flynn is also making a few more overtures towards romance with Whitney that she doesn't quite pick up on until the end of the book.
I enjoyed the thought process that went into the mystery and had several suspects along the way. I was a bit surprised at the actual culprit and felt rather sad for the person.
Whitney and Buck both have open, giving hearts that allows them to reach out and help others. I like seeing that in a story.
I really enjoy this series and look forward to reading more. in the meantime, I will catch up on some of the other series written by Diane Kelly.
Whitney is back again in the House Flippers series. She and cousin Buck have bought the house of a recently deceased woman that needs quite a bit of updating. The first day that Whitney goes to the house on her own she discovers the body of a neighbor and the grandson of the former owner.
I really like the characters in this series! I love that Whitney is an independent, smart hard-working woman. Her cousin Buck is almost like a brother to her. Together they make a great team. Of course Sawdust is a major character in my mind. I love that he gets his own chapters to relate how he sees things happening.
The victim was not very well liked by her neighbors (or her family it seems). No one truly mourns her loss. The biggest question among all the survivors is where the late home owner left her famous peach pie recipe.
Each of the neighbors comes under Whitney's suspicions as she works along side of detective Collin Flynn. Flynn is also making a few more overtures towards romance with Whitney that she doesn't quite pick up on until the end of the book.
I enjoyed the thought process that went into the mystery and had several suspects along the way. I was a bit surprised at the actual culprit and felt rather sad for the person.
Whitney and Buck both have open, giving hearts that allows them to reach out and help others. I like seeing that in a story.
I really enjoy this series and look forward to reading more. in the meantime, I will catch up on some of the other series written by Diane Kelly.
March 23, 2021
This series is cute. I liked that the book didn't immediately end after the murder was solved. I also liked that there weren't as many chapters in the cat's voice as the previous book. A few are cute, but too many is a little silly. I do wonder if Whitney is going to continue to find bodies in every flip house, but I guess I'll need to keep reading to find out!
April 5, 2020
I liked this book so much better than the first book in the series. The characters seemed more developed and their actions made more sense. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 22, 2020
This is the second book in the house flipper series. Whitney and her cousin, Buck, purchased a home to renovate and resell. When Whitney comes in to work on the house, she finds her neighbor at the bottom of the stairs. This was an interesting book. The mystery held my attention and I definitely did not expect the killer. The characters are well rounded and well written. I especially like how we get to see the point of view from Whitney's cat, Sawdust, in certain chapters.
March 16, 2020
4.5 Stars
This is the second book in the House-Flipper mystery series by Diane Kelly.
Can you imagine buying a property in order to flip it and when you get there for day one of work there is a dead body blocking the doorway? Disturbing. This turned out to be a great read. I had no idea what to expect since I hadn’t read a Diane Kelly book before. I do have book one in this series, DEAD AS A DOOR KNOCKER in my paperback collection. Need to get to that one for sure!
I am wondering who the main cast is as I ponder this review. Seems like in a story like this the setting could change from book to book and thus the cast would change as well. Besides Whitney and her cousin Buck, I assume Detective Flynn is a mainstay. I am not sure if this limited of a main cast would make it harder or easier for the author. It will make it totally interesting for the reader since we will never know what to expect when we pick up the next book.
It was interesting getting Whithey’s take on everything. At times I felt like I was reading from a male POV since I am not used to women fawning so much over building things and doing renovations. Not sure why that baffled me considering how man DIY shows there are on tv right now. This is the perfect time for a series like this.
Loved how we got to know so many people and how Whitney fit so easily into the new neighborhood. Not sure it would be that way in real life, but I loved the whole hometown feel of this book. Wonderful experience all around.
If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the second book in the House-Flipper mystery series by Diane Kelly.
Can you imagine buying a property in order to flip it and when you get there for day one of work there is a dead body blocking the doorway? Disturbing. This turned out to be a great read. I had no idea what to expect since I hadn’t read a Diane Kelly book before. I do have book one in this series, DEAD AS A DOOR KNOCKER in my paperback collection. Need to get to that one for sure!
I am wondering who the main cast is as I ponder this review. Seems like in a story like this the setting could change from book to book and thus the cast would change as well. Besides Whitney and her cousin Buck, I assume Detective Flynn is a mainstay. I am not sure if this limited of a main cast would make it harder or easier for the author. It will make it totally interesting for the reader since we will never know what to expect when we pick up the next book.
It was interesting getting Whithey’s take on everything. At times I felt like I was reading from a male POV since I am not used to women fawning so much over building things and doing renovations. Not sure why that baffled me considering how man DIY shows there are on tv right now. This is the perfect time for a series like this.
Loved how we got to know so many people and how Whitney fit so easily into the new neighborhood. Not sure it would be that way in real life, but I loved the whole hometown feel of this book. Wonderful experience all around.
If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
March 27, 2020
With this second book in the series this has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love that the heroine has a non-traditional job and isn’t close to perfect. This installment has a cul-de-sac full of suspects and a victim that won’t be missed by any of them. I love the slowly growing relationship between Whitney and Colin and what looks to be a burgeoning relationship between Buck and Collette. As always Sawdust is too cute for words. I can’t wait for the next installment.
March 26, 2020
This was an okay mystery for me. The main character was likeable and had an interesting job. Her relationship with the Detective was intriguing and I can't wait until they (hopefully) become a couple. The only thing that put me off was I felt the story was too long winded. I received an advanced reader's copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2020
Love the cover. The cat is inviting you into the story. This is the second book in the House-Flipper mystery series by Diane Kelly. I like the author’s Paw Enforcement series and thought I’d give this one a try. I am so glad I did.
The humor mixed in with the story made it an easy and entertaining read.
Thank-you for allowing me to read this book. I was given an advanced e-copy of the book by Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.
The humor mixed in with the story made it an easy and entertaining read.
Thank-you for allowing me to read this book. I was given an advanced e-copy of the book by Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.
February 11, 2020
Description
Dead in the Doorway is the second in a delightful cozy series from Diane Kelly set in Nashville—where the real estate market is to die for.
A HOUSE WITH GOOD BONES. . .
Whitney Whitaker has scored the perfect piece of real estate: a ramshackle white Colonial at the top of a hill with views of downtown Nashville. What more could a self-taught home-improvement maven and occasional house-flipper ask for? Ideally, the property of Whitney’s dreams would not have come with a dead body blocking the entrance to the foyer. But Whitney, always quick to take heavy-duty matters into her own hands, also happens to be a skilled amateur sleuth. So that helps.
AND SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET.
Who is this older woman—and how did her corpse end up at the bottom of the staircase of this locked, unoccupied house? That is what Whitney, along with the support of her wood-working cousin Buck, Detective Collin Flynn, and, of course, feline partner-in-crime Sawdust, intends to find out. Her friendly-neighbor investigation takes a sharp turn, however, when Whitney discovers that the house’s former owner was a gourmet baker whose secret recipe for peach pie was to die for—perhaps literally. Now it’s up to Whitney to learn the truth about what happened before she loses this killer real-estate deal . . . and the killer comes knocking at her door.
My Review
Thank you St Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC - provided to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Well, let me tell you I LOVE this cozy mystery. The characters are well crafted and enjoyable and the humorous aspects from the novel make this a perfect fit.
The novel starts off with Sawdust greeting cousin Buck as he just happen to show up just in time for lunch with Whitney and her two roommates. Whitney is excited to show Buck the new house she purchased hoping that in a few weeks they can flip the place for a profit.
Of course things turn sour when the dead body of a woman is found inside the home. To make matters even more interesting Dakota the previous owner's grandson is squatting at the house. Definitely one of those books that keeps you guessing until the very end - very well done. I give this a 5 Star.
Dead in the Doorway is the second in a delightful cozy series from Diane Kelly set in Nashville—where the real estate market is to die for.
A HOUSE WITH GOOD BONES. . .
Whitney Whitaker has scored the perfect piece of real estate: a ramshackle white Colonial at the top of a hill with views of downtown Nashville. What more could a self-taught home-improvement maven and occasional house-flipper ask for? Ideally, the property of Whitney’s dreams would not have come with a dead body blocking the entrance to the foyer. But Whitney, always quick to take heavy-duty matters into her own hands, also happens to be a skilled amateur sleuth. So that helps.
AND SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET.
Who is this older woman—and how did her corpse end up at the bottom of the staircase of this locked, unoccupied house? That is what Whitney, along with the support of her wood-working cousin Buck, Detective Collin Flynn, and, of course, feline partner-in-crime Sawdust, intends to find out. Her friendly-neighbor investigation takes a sharp turn, however, when Whitney discovers that the house’s former owner was a gourmet baker whose secret recipe for peach pie was to die for—perhaps literally. Now it’s up to Whitney to learn the truth about what happened before she loses this killer real-estate deal . . . and the killer comes knocking at her door.
My Review
Thank you St Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC - provided to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Well, let me tell you I LOVE this cozy mystery. The characters are well crafted and enjoyable and the humorous aspects from the novel make this a perfect fit.
The novel starts off with Sawdust greeting cousin Buck as he just happen to show up just in time for lunch with Whitney and her two roommates. Whitney is excited to show Buck the new house she purchased hoping that in a few weeks they can flip the place for a profit.
Of course things turn sour when the dead body of a woman is found inside the home. To make matters even more interesting Dakota the previous owner's grandson is squatting at the house. Definitely one of those books that keeps you guessing until the very end - very well done. I give this a 5 Star.
January 27, 2020
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of DEAD IN THE DOORWAY (Book 2 of the House-Flipper Mysteries) by Diane Kelly in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the generosity of her employers, Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck have the opportunity to remodel and flip a colonial style house with views of downtown Nashville. The house is plagued with uninvited guests, intruders who feel comfortable going in and out of the residence at will. When the broken corpse of one such intruder blocks the inside foyer doorway, Whitney and her trusty feline, Sawdust, have to call the police. When Detective Collin Flynn and his partner respond to the call, Whitney worries that she’ll, again, be the star suspect. Freaking out over the prospect that this death will render this house unsellable, too, Whitney decides to find out all she can about the mystery corpse and the unusually unconcerned attitudes of the person’s family and friends.
I was drawn to this book series because I am a fan of Diane Kelly’s Tara Holloway Series. I also like humorous books, cozy mysteries featuring adorable pets, and those with house renovation themes. I really liked this book and the first book in the series. I recommend this book and series.
I was drawn to this book series because I am a fan of Diane Kelly’s Tara Holloway Series. I also like humorous books, cozy mysteries featuring adorable pets, and those with house renovation themes. I really liked this book and the first book in the series. I recommend this book and series.
February 20, 2024
I started this with the second book because I couldn’t find the first one and it was a home run! I have found when I read a cozy mystery my enjoyment of it has a lot to do with the theme and how the author incorporates it into the book. Diane is an all star at this. Even though this book didn’t make me want to go bake bread and light candles I adored all of the house Reno details. For someone who can’t put and ikea shelf together it totally kept my interest with the details. I also loved the little community of neighbors how they come together for a poker game. They felt like a family. The main character and her cousin and their banter reminded me so much of myself and one of my cousins. I love the kitty and that he has his own chapters. I loved it took place in Nashville, yet still felt very community driven. There is a touch of romance, but it was the perfect amount. I love the down on his luck kiddo getting a second chance too. This book brought me pure enjoyment and almost made me late for work!! I can’t wait to read the rest of this series.
January 26, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ms. Kelly has written an absolutely delightful cozy mystery. The characters are fun and lovable. Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are house flippers. They are renovating a Colonial in Nashville. When Whitney arrives one morning with her cat Sawdust, they find the body of a dead elderly lady. Whitney also finds a young man who apparently slept through the accident (or was it a murder).
As Whitney makes friends with their temporary neighbours while working on the flip-house, she wonders if she's making friends with a possible murderer.
Even though this is book #2 in the series, the way it is written you can pick right up and not feel that you missed something and don't know the characters. It was actually quite difficult to put the book down as it was very entertaining. Looking forward to book #3!!
Ms. Kelly has written an absolutely delightful cozy mystery. The characters are fun and lovable. Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are house flippers. They are renovating a Colonial in Nashville. When Whitney arrives one morning with her cat Sawdust, they find the body of a dead elderly lady. Whitney also finds a young man who apparently slept through the accident (or was it a murder).
As Whitney makes friends with their temporary neighbours while working on the flip-house, she wonders if she's making friends with a possible murderer.
Even though this is book #2 in the series, the way it is written you can pick right up and not feel that you missed something and don't know the characters. It was actually quite difficult to put the book down as it was very entertaining. Looking forward to book #3!!
February 3, 2020
Whitney Whitaker and her cat Sawdust are in the middle of another mystery in Dead in the Doorway by Diane Kelly. Whitney and her cousin, Buck find a house to flip and it comes with a dead body. On the first day of construction Whitney finds a body while trying to enter the house. Who is the dead woman and why is she in their house? While checking out the body and waiting for Detective Collin Flynn, Whitney find out there is a young man staying in her empty house. Was this an accident or murder? Whitney needs to solve this mystery as soon as possible in order for them to be able to sell the house after renovation. This was a wonderful Cozy Mystery, kept me guessing end till the end of the story and Sawdust prospective was a humorous addition to the story.
I happen to come across this new author while checking out NetGallery books. I was really impressed with Diane Kelly writing and will be getting her first book in this House-Flipping Mystery Series.
I happen to come across this new author while checking out NetGallery books. I was really impressed with Diane Kelly writing and will be getting her first book in this House-Flipping Mystery Series.
January 16, 2020
This is a fun and entertaining novel that fans of the genre will enjoy. I loved the characters, especially Whitney - a woman trying to make it in a non-traditional job. She and her cousin have partnered to flip houses. Shortly after purchasing a new house, Whitney arrives one morning to find a dead body in the house. She calls in her favorite detective, Collin, and the two of them try to piece together what happened. I really like the way Whitney and Collin interact and am looking forward to how their relationship develops in the future.
If you enjoy a light mystery with a hint of romance, you will enjoy this one. Put this one on your TBR list.
If you enjoy a light mystery with a hint of romance, you will enjoy this one. Put this one on your TBR list.
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