A delightful cozy mystery
Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle is a compelling cozy mystery. Shannon Hammer, Mac Sullivan, Jane Hennessey, and the gang are back. Jane has purchased the seventh building at the Gables which was once the Northern California Asylum for the Insane. The buildings have been abandoned for years but there is no denying the potential. Shannon cannot wait to start the project with her crew. It will take a year to turn the Victorian building into the Hennessey Hotel. Some people, though, are not excited about the project and set out to derail it. I thought Premeditated Mortar was well-written with developed characters and steady pacing. I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and the Gables. The author�s vivid word imagery brought the scenes alive for me. The mystery was multifaceted and creative. There are several viable suspects, misdirection, and subtle clues. I had a good time following this whodunit and figuring out the identity of the guilty party. I like how the romance is progressing between Mac and Shannon. We also get to catch up with Chloe and Eric as well as Jane and Niall. Romance is blooming in Lighthouse Cove and the ending has me eager for the next A Fixer-Upper Mystery. Premeditated Mortar can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or if you have missed a book or two. Premeditated Mortar is a diverting cozy mystery with malicious mischief, creepy corridors, awesome architecture, flourishing romances, and a perplexing puzzle.