Book 61, 2024
Spackled and Spooked by Jennie Bentley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
At lunch today I finished reading the book I'd taken to work. It was Spackled and Spooked, which is the 2nd in Jennie Bentley's "Do-It-Yourself" mystery series. The main character is interior designer Avery Baker.
Avery and her boyfriend, Derek, have purchased a home to flip. Unfortunately, it was the scene of a domestic murder several years ago, so they need to overcome that stigma. There are also rumors the house is haunted, but neither Avery nor Derek believe in the paranormal. That may change when Avery is alone in the house and hears footsteps coming down the hall. As work continues on the house, Derek discovers a human bone in the crawlspace beneath the house. Soon their work is brought to a halt when the police come to investigate. Avery joins the locals in speculating about the victim, and when another murder occurs in the neighborhood she is convinced the two crimes are connected.
Interesting story, with just enough of a creepy factor to keep me on tenterhooks. Characters were fully realized, and there were some intriguing plot twists.
Favorite line: "Unless it's catnip, I don't think so."
The dreaded 'holding my breath' line: I let out a breath I wasn't aware I'd been holding.
Very good, four stars