Mortar and Murder

A Do-It-Yourself Mystery #4

by Jennie Bentley, Jenna Bennett

A designer and a handsome handyman hammer out the details of a cold case, in this must-read for lovers of HGTV’s home renovation shows.

Avery Baker was once a New York textile designer, but inheriting her aunt's old Maine cottage has led her down a new career path-home renovation. Finding a property's hidden potential has rewards and challenges-especially when a mystery surfaces from behind the walls of a centuries-old house on an island that has more than its share of deadly secrets.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Romance, Crime, Contemporary

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 3, 2010

About the author

Pen name for Jenna Bennett

Reviews

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another entertaining afternoon read. This one had a lot going on as Avery and Derek are committed to renovating a home on Rowanberry Island when they find a body floating in the ocean on the way to the island one morning. Avery just can't help herself and the investigation begins.

[Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been loving this series, but not now. I was so disappointed with the ending. I hate it when an author has the main character do something so stupid, so off-the-wall; in other words too-stupid-to-live (TSTL) because the author is too lazy to come up with a convincing way to resolve the plot. Avery knows that the Russian brides websites is operated by someone in Maine, but doesn't wait for more information, even though she has a computer expert working on it. And she goes out to the isolated island all-by-herself. Who does that? Oh wait, someone TSTL. But I've liked the previous books and I will go on to the next one, hoping for better. I like that there is a new cat: Mischa. One who will actually let you pet him.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennie Bentley/ Jenna is always consistent with her writing. i always enjoy her cozy mysteries

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery and Derek are renovating s house on a island when they found a body in the ocean between.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This time the main characters discover two bodies in the water. The investigation concerns the murders but also human smuggling set in Maine. The book was an easy read.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery and Derek are back and they are renovating a 225 year old Colonial on Rowanberry Island just off the coast of Maine. It is going to be a monumental renovation, but the sister house across the island shows what a great beauty it will be when complete.

On their way to work one day, boating across the water, they find the body of a woman in the water, not far from the island. A few days later another woman is found floating close to the harbor. Then Avery finds a secret room in the house they are renovating. As Avery tries to stay out of the police investigation of the found bodies, she tries to keep busy learning the history of her house and the island. She learns about the island's long tradition of smuggling different things over the past 200+ years. It doesn't take her long to hammer out the details and find a connection between the dead women and the island history. As much as she wants to stay out of the case she finds herself trapped right in the middle of it.



My first "I LOVED IT!!!!!" of 2011. Jennie Bentley writes another wonderful whodunit. This one takes on a current world problem and serves it up cozy style. We have come to love Avery and Derek and their love story too. All the other characters we love are back too, with the addition of an eccentric thriller writer who is as mysterious as his books. The house and the island are much more than the settings for the story, they are both integral to the plot and keys to solving the mystery. The home renovation tips and descriptions of Derek and Avery's work will be enjoyed by any do-it-yourselfer and are a true bonus to this fast paced story. A must read series and this latest edition is definitely the perfect story to start off the new year.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable mystery. Our investigator and her boyfriend are in the business of buying old homes, redoing them and then reselling them. This time while working on a Colonial era home they come across a dead body in the water, which turns out to be a young lady from Ukraine. We end up with another body and a human smuggling operation. Add in a secret room in the house they are working on which has recently been used, a reclusive writer living in a house that is a duplicate to theirs, a nervous real estate agent who is Ukrainian, and a site for Russian brides and you end up with an interesting mystery. The situation will of course resolve itself, but not necessarily how you expect. This is the fourth in the series, though the first I have read. I will probably seek out others. Given that all of the action is pretty much confined to a specific town and its environs this can probably be defined as a cozy, which happens to be the favourite type of mystery of our heroine. Recommended.

[Elisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main character is annoying. Too light on the character development of the women from the Ukraine. An attractive setting on the coast and on the islands. Could have been written in greater depth, but I guess the author/publisher knows her market. I wouldn't bother with any more in the series.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun adventure in sleuthing, renovating and finding secret rooms.

[Jeanie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. Also a little history of the smuggling done in Maine in the early years.

Great read.

[Carylanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bored me too much to get past 50 %, will not be so ready for the next book.

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery and her boyfriend Derek begin a new project: a 225 year-old house on nearby Rowanberry Island. It’s in rough shape, but Derek can see the potential it has, and Avery is up to the challenge. Their renovations are put on the back burner when the two of them discover a body floating in the water between the mainland and the island. The young woman had the name of local realtor, Irina, in her pocket. Irina claims not to know her, but Avery can’t help but be suspicious. Irina, a native of Ukraine, came to Maine under shady circumstances, and Avery begins to wonder if she’s somehow involved. When another body turns up in the harbor, the police are desperate for answers. After Irina goes missing, Avery is convinced that everything ties back to Rowanberry Island, and she’s determined to prove it.

A fast-paced and interesting story. It was published in 2011, but its themes are quite contemporary, including illegal immigration, ICE, and human trafficking. I wasn’t really getting a read on who the “bad guy” was, but then again, neither were the main characters. Lots of twists and turns in this one.

Good read, four stars.

[Katherine Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy a trip to Maine. This time Avery and Derek are working on a house out on an island, which means taking a boat out and back each day. At this point, they should be used to finding dead bodies, and so they end up finding two in the water over the course of the book. Add in some young Ukrainian girls and a human trafficking ring and the couple find themselves with their hands full. Avery and Derek make a great team in more ways than one, and despite Wayne's insistence that they remain out of the investigation, they end up finding some key clues. Of course Avery will once again find herself in some hot, or rather icy cold, water.
As someone who has spent part of every summer up in Boothbay Harbor, ME, I was particularly happy to have some of the action take place up there. I'm always fond of authors including real life places in the fictional world. In addition to the location, I found the plot intriguing and the characters solid. Another enjoyable read from Maine.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long-standing multi-layered history, challenging overhaul, and more recent mystery are all wrapped into Derek and Avery's latest home renovation project. Located on Rowanberry Island, their ramshackle colonial gives up a Russian Blue kitten, a smuggler's hide, and a clue to a criminal organization. As the house reveals its' secrets, Avery and Derek stumble upon first one and then two victims in the ocean. Involved in the mystery up to their ceiling trim, they slowly find the right fit for each the clues their house gives up or they uncover culminating in a nail-biting finish.

My first book by this author, I really enjoyed it!! I loved that it took place on an island in New England, that it shared some of the local history and lore stories, and that it explained some do-it-yourself historical home fixes. I am looking forward to reading more of the "Do-It-Yourself" mysteries.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series, but this one wasn't a favorite of mine. It dealt with human trafficing. It was handled well but it was a little more intense and not as enjoyable for me. It was still a riveting mystery with some twists. Avery & Derek are working on renovating a house on an island off the coast of Maine. They find a dead young lady in the water on their way to the island. She has a note in her pocket that implicates a friend of theirs. Then they find another dead young lady. Of course Avery has to get involved. Derek starts out helping & keeping an eye on Avery but then gets side tracked. Avery is still wary of Melissa. It doesn't add much to the story in this book. The ending was a bit rushed. I liked it, just not as much as the previous books.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number four in the Do-It-Yourself Mystery series has Avery and Derek renovating a huge, abandoned house on a remote, sparsely populating island, only reachable by boat. But when they find a dead body floating in the water, Avery has to find out what happened.

I think I've realized that I don't like Derek all that much. I don't hate him, but I definitely do t like him. He repeatedly says some mildly chauvinist things that annoy me. There was some language in here that I did t like either, referring to people as "illegals," but I'm letting it pass because this was written in 2011. I like the writing style here, but I think the plotting and characterizations could be better. Still, it was a fast, enjoyable read, so I'll continue.

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Avery and her boyfriend Derek have taken on a 250 year old house on an island off the coast of Maine to flip. On the boat trip to the island one day they find the floating body of a young woman. A slip of paper with their Realtor's name is found in her pocket. Irina is from the Ukraine and there are soon many Russian connections and a second body. I wasn't thrilled with this plot and the Russian connection. It seemed a little stretched as well as the ways Avery pushes herself into the investigation. What I did like was all the history around the house they are flipping and the background on the Maine coast during the American Revolution.

[Richelle Starke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why do I keep reading these books? Avery is so unlikeable and ignorant. Is there a difference between Russian and Ukrainian language? Yes, Avery, there is. Is the author trying to make her so irritating? The author also seems to love dumping random piles of research on the reader that often have little or nothing to do with the plot. But after reading so many books in this series, I really only have myself to blame. Will I read the next one? Sigh. Probably.

[Sherry Partington · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it was light and fluffy and required no effort but...it was enjoyable. Not every book needs to be serious reading. There was no emotional heartache or tears. It was like reading a book on a lazy, hot summer afternoon and just relaxing. Exactly what I needed ☺

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book went where I wasn't expecting, but out was at that crucial 4th book in the series does it rehash the same plot or stretch a bit...,It stretched. It worked. Cannot wait to see where number 5 goes!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. I love how the mysteries contain a little historic aspect, as well. Heroine is not too full of herself & the rest of the characters are great, with the exception of Melissa. I wish she was less prevalent in the series- I just don't think her character adds much except annoyance.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das erste Buch, das ich aus dieser Reihe gelesen habe und ich freue mich schon auf das nächste. Ein Stern Abzug, weil es kaum zu ertragen ist, wie Ukrainer und Russen gleichgesetzt werden. Offensichtlich kennen die Autorinnen den Unterschied nicht. Unfassbar.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun east to ready cozy mystery series

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story moves along at a good pace and brings the reader right into the story. Kept me guessing all the way to the end.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story line. I kind of thought the cattiness, and poutiness was a tad more adolescent than I personally enjoy. Otherwise; a very good mystery.

[Dakota Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not too bad, liked the characters, good supsence level and lots of DYI/ Historical Info.

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book

[Sherrie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had forgotten I was reading this series, and was glad to return. Fun cozy mystery, with great characters.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one in this series. This time they are working on a house on an island. Smuggling happened here way back when....