Deck the Hallways

A Christmas Journey to Lighthouse Cove I love a cozy mystery set during the holidays. Murder, mayhem and a Santa Brigade round out the Yuletide mystery in Kate Carlisle’s Deck the Hallways, the latest installment in the Fixer Upper mystery series. Shannon Hammer is back on the job at the Forester House, a Victorian mansion,being renovated into apartments for needy families. The whole town pitches in to finish this worthy project. Along the way, Peter Potter, the Scrooge of Lighthouse Cove is murdered and Shannon’s father, Jack, is the prime suspect. While trying to solve the mystery and clear her father's name, many Lighthouse Cove regulars make their appearance. Lizzie, Emily, and Shannon’s potential love interest best selling writer Mac Sullivan assist Shannon in solving the mystery and the renovation project. New characters add some surprises along the way as well. Despite the murder, Deck the Hallways has its heartwarming moments,too. The community comes together to help the less fortunate as well as show real humanity to each other. The small town holiday and happy ending make Deck the Hallways the perfect companion while sipping cocoa by the Christmas tree.

Deck the Hallways by Kate Carlisle is the fourth book in the Fixer-Upper Mystery series. Shannon Hammer is supervising the Forester House project for Holiday Homebuilders. They are dividing the mansion into apartments for people in need. The house was donated by Lighthouse Cove Bank and Trust. Many people are donating their time and services for this special project. Unfortunately, they have a scrooge in their midst. Peter Potter, representing the bank, insists on visiting the site every single day. Mr. Potter is definitely on Santa’s naughty list for the way he manages to antagonize every single person he encounters. Early one morning Shannon is unable to sleep and heads over to the job site. Shannon wants to check the progress the butler’s pantry that is being turned into a kitchen. The door will not budge. She pushes on it and finds Mr. Potter on the other side with her father’s new axe in his neck. Jack, Shannon’s father, had a very loud, public argument with Potter the day before. Someone is trying to frame Jack. Shannon sets out to find the Grinch that is trying to ruin her Christmas. Shannon’s stocking is overflowing with trouble. A troublesome volunteer, a plethora of Santa’s, missing tools, a parade to organize, stolen diamond charm, the return of her beau, and a baby! Someone left a baby in Shannon’s truck. Shannon needs to find the baby’s mother and a killer (and someone to take care of said baby). Will she be able to wrap up her to do list by Christmas Eve? Join Shannon and friends for some holiday hijinks in Deck the Hallways! Deck the Hallways was an entertaining novel. It has engaging characters, good writing and a beautiful setting of Lighthouse Cove, California. There is certainly a lot going on in this book, but the author makes it work. I give Deck the Hallways 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I just wish that more work had been put into the mystery. It was obvious who would be killed (I think Peter Potter is nastier than Scrooge). The killer’s identity was as obvious as a wrapped golf club sitting under the tree. Deck the Hallways can be read alone. Everything the reader needs to know (about the main characters and town) is provided in the book. I look forward to visiting Shannon again in Lighthouse Cove in the next A Fixer-Upper Mystery novel.