Barb W. (kidcrazybarb) -
Helpful Score: 5
This book is as good as the first one in this series! Because I work full time I don't get a lot of time to read but I finished this book in about two weeks which is pretty fast for me. If you enjoy home repairs, nasty ghosts, family dynamics & a touch of romance I think you'll enjoy this book. I can't wait for the next one to hit the shelves!!!
Helpful Score: 1
Love the series and the last book in this series is wonderful. This is a do not miss book
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
What a great title for this book Dead Bolt. I really enjoyed book 2, as I also liked book one. While reading book 2, I really couldnt recall the outcome of the mystery in book one. I remember the ghost in book one more than the mystery. The ghost does not return in book 2, but the rest of the characters do return, and they were less memorable than the ghost of book one.
The Dog is back. The major male romance possibility, Graham is also back. Again do not even remember him from book one, but the chemistry seems real. Mel eats lunch with her best buddy often, she is also not memorable from book one.
Book 2 has a great set of ghosts, a great historical mystery, a present day murder, and some home renovations of this historical house. I am amazed at how an author can take so many characters and their back stories and roll it all into one great mystery.
The Dog is back. The major male romance possibility, Graham is also back. Again do not even remember him from book one, but the chemistry seems real. Mel eats lunch with her best buddy often, she is also not memorable from book one.
Book 2 has a great set of ghosts, a great historical mystery, a present day murder, and some home renovations of this historical house. I am amazed at how an author can take so many characters and their back stories and roll it all into one great mystery.
Turner Construction's latest restoration project is a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco. This time general contractor Mel Turner has to work around the owners who insist on sticking around- along with some ghosts that insist in their own way that the work
The ghosts aren't the only ones standing in the way of the renovations. A crotchety neighbor, Emile Blunt, secretly wants this house, and could be behind some of the disturbances. But when Emile is found dead, it's Mel who appears guilty. Now she must restore the building-and her reputation-before it's too late.
This was truly a fast moving, intriguing, interesting read! It was extremely difficult to put down once it started. And, what was truly amazing is that the story was based on a true San Francisco House Haunting built in the late 1880s! Wonderful story well plotted, characters well developed ---Juliet Blackwell really writes a good read! Was so very sorry when it ended --- have to find the next one in the series!
The ghosts aren't the only ones standing in the way of the renovations. A crotchety neighbor, Emile Blunt, secretly wants this house, and could be behind some of the disturbances. But when Emile is found dead, it's Mel who appears guilty. Now she must restore the building-and her reputation-before it's too late.
This was truly a fast moving, intriguing, interesting read! It was extremely difficult to put down once it started. And, what was truly amazing is that the story was based on a true San Francisco House Haunting built in the late 1880s! Wonderful story well plotted, characters well developed ---Juliet Blackwell really writes a good read! Was so very sorry when it ended --- have to find the next one in the series!
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
First Line: My father always used to say: There's nothing quite like a protracted remodel to test a person's sanity.
Mel Turner's father was right. The renovation of the historic Queen Anne Victorian house in San Francisco is taking much longer than it should primarily because the owners insist upon living on site throughout the entire process.
When strange things begin to happen and Mel begins to see ghosts out of the corners of her eyes, she knows she's got trouble. A grumpy old man across the street covets the house, and Mel wonders if he could be at the heart of some of the disturbances. He's found dead in his shop and things keep happening, so Mel knows the answers are going to be a bit more difficult to find. These are the first dangerous spirits that Mel has had to deal with, but deal with them she must if this renovation has a prayer of being completed.
If you like strong female characters surrounded by a loving if unconventional family and a handsome man or two... and if you like your mysteries housed in old Victorian homes being brought back to life... and if you like your old houses populated with a spirit or two... then you've come to the right book in the right series.
Mel Turner is a general contractor specializing in restoring historic homes. She's divorced, lives with her father, and dearly loves her stepson, Caleb. She didn't know she'd inherited her mother's ability to see ghosts until after she'd sustained a solid whack to the head. In this book, the spirits are decidedly unfriendly, and one of them (the "shadow ghost") made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
This isn't just a ghost-laced little mystery, though. There's the renovation to savor, and those homeowners who insist on living in the house while it's being torn apart are every bit as interesting as the ghosts with whom they're sharing space. If you're in the mood for a light, fun, well-written cozy that whets your appetite for old houses and ghosts, Dead Bolt will be just your cup of tea.
Mel Turner's father was right. The renovation of the historic Queen Anne Victorian house in San Francisco is taking much longer than it should primarily because the owners insist upon living on site throughout the entire process.
When strange things begin to happen and Mel begins to see ghosts out of the corners of her eyes, she knows she's got trouble. A grumpy old man across the street covets the house, and Mel wonders if he could be at the heart of some of the disturbances. He's found dead in his shop and things keep happening, so Mel knows the answers are going to be a bit more difficult to find. These are the first dangerous spirits that Mel has had to deal with, but deal with them she must if this renovation has a prayer of being completed.
If you like strong female characters surrounded by a loving if unconventional family and a handsome man or two... and if you like your mysteries housed in old Victorian homes being brought back to life... and if you like your old houses populated with a spirit or two... then you've come to the right book in the right series.
Mel Turner is a general contractor specializing in restoring historic homes. She's divorced, lives with her father, and dearly loves her stepson, Caleb. She didn't know she'd inherited her mother's ability to see ghosts until after she'd sustained a solid whack to the head. In this book, the spirits are decidedly unfriendly, and one of them (the "shadow ghost") made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
This isn't just a ghost-laced little mystery, though. There's the renovation to savor, and those homeowners who insist on living in the house while it's being torn apart are every bit as interesting as the ghosts with whom they're sharing space. If you're in the mood for a light, fun, well-written cozy that whets your appetite for old houses and ghosts, Dead Bolt will be just your cup of tea.
This picks up about 6 months from the previous book. Mel and her crew are restoring a former boarding house. A house who has a past, but Mel hasn't been able to find much information on it due to records having been purposefully destroyed.
This was a nice, solid mystery, the "who done it" was decent and I didn't guess who it was. Mel has accepted her ability and is open to learning about it, seeking help. Not sure how I feel about Graham as a love interest considering he had a girlfriend for the majority of this book (with Mel "mooning" over him). It would be nice for her to be less interested in him (IMO).
This was a nice, solid mystery, the "who done it" was decent and I didn't guess who it was. Mel has accepted her ability and is open to learning about it, seeking help. Not sure how I feel about Graham as a love interest considering he had a girlfriend for the majority of this book (with Mel "mooning" over him). It would be nice for her to be less interested in him (IMO).
Very good book- fast paced and lots of little questions/mysteries to ponder along the way. I have already ordered the next one in this series.
I was first drawn to this series because I used to build and remodel houses, then I enjoyed these wonderful characters and couldnt get enough. Mel Turner is a take charge kind of gal, very organized, meticulous and not afraid of much except maybe getting her heart broken. She also has a special gift that at times is as much a curse as a blessing. With traits like these readers cant help but care about her as we take each step right along with her, up those attic stairs or home to her Dad, Stan and Caleb, or even into those confusing romantic situations. She is funny and smart, the kind of friend you would want to tag along with, even when shes off trying to get a family of ghosts to move along and out of the house she desperately wants to finish renovating.
This book is fun, entertaining with perfect amounts are mystery, mayhem and haunting characters. I loved every word!!
This book is fun, entertaining with perfect amounts are mystery, mayhem and haunting characters. I loved every word!!
Second in the series. Good cozy mystery. Very well done. I will be looking for more in this series.
