Disappointing. I generally like Carlisle's writing and characters, and the first two book were pretty good but this one was just... not.

I was originally worried I was going to find the premise tedious - MCs dad framed for murder, - but it turns out that was actually one of the best parts. I thought the love interest was beyond ridiculous with the most overplayed, flimsiest and most contrived love-obstacle I've ever read. Further, I don't like the love interest; the author created a triangle from the start and now she's stuck her mc with the flash instead of the substance.

The murder mystery was just not that interesting; she created a murder victim that was so vile and hated nobody cared who killed him - including the reader. An attempt at a sub-plot concerning an abandoned baby was so bad and so transparent it wasn't worth the paper and ink it used. Sorry, but it was so hideously contrived to be a Hallmark Christmas moment that it failed to be touching. It was also so far outside the realm of realistic that I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough.

I'm a tried and true fan of Carlisle's Bibliophile mystery series, but I think I'm stopping this series here. At least until someone can tell me it improves dramatically from here, and the mc dumps the famous git. ( )

Shannon Hammer's project in this installment of the Fixer Upper series is to renovate an old Victorian mansion into multiple apartments for low income families. The house has been donated but the Bank manager isn't happy about it. Which of course turns him into the victim of this murder mystery. The community has rallied behind the project with multiple contractors/workers donating their time for the cause. Even Shannon's retired father gets into the act but there's the problem. Her Dad had an argument with the victim and now could be considered the prime suspect.

Shannon juggles the renovations, murder investigation, and an abandoned baby making this book entertaining and heart-warming as well. The characters are fun to follow and I look forward to more! ( )

A lovely Christmas mystery with a great Scrouge. Shannon is in charge of a project to renovate a home into low income apartments. Everyone is excited to help, except for the local bank President who donated, reluctantly, the house and seems determined to cause trouble. Does he get killed? Of course, and it’s up to Shannon to finish the house, find a home for a baby, and sort out her love life. As always, she’s up to the challenge. ( )

A fun, well-written cozy with likeable characters, a few intriguing mysteries, and a Christmas theme that follows through. Amateur detective and contractor Shannon Hammer (her last name is the only clunker in this book) is overseeing the conversion of an old Victorian mansion into ten affordable apartments for homeless families. When a murder in the mansion puts the remodel on hold, Shannon feels compelled to help solve the crime, especially since her dad is one of the many suspects. A few other mysteries pop up, along with some suspicious characters. I appreciated the accuracy of the construction terms and detailed carpentry descriptions. This novel kept me guessing till the end, when everything works out just in time for Christmas. If you like cozies with independent women protagonists, small town settings, and warmhearted personalities, you'll enjoy this book. ( )

When one of the characters in Deck the Hallways looks at Shannon and says, "You lead the most interesting life," I just had to laugh. It's true. Shannon Hammer certainly isn't your typical contractor, and this latest Fixer-Upper mystery is filled with all sorts of things happening to her. There's that group of Santas who insist on helping out at the jobsite. There's Shannon's relationship woes, and I'm not about to get into the strange things that turn up in the bed of her truck.

Even though I correctly guessed the identity of the killer the second time the person made an appearance, it didn't spoil this book for me. For one thing, I was too busy picturing the conversion of that grand old house into apartments. For another, I was watching Shannon teach her skills to local young people. Shannon is invested in her community, and for me, this is one of the things I like most in this very enjoyable series.

Like all well-written cozy mysteries, Deck the Hallways has much more to it than trying to guess whodunit. Well-developed characters, lots of humor, a tease of romance, and a hearty dose of home renovation makes this Fixer-Upper series one of my favorites. ( )