Kate Carlisle

There is a subgenre of cozy mysteries series which picks up a hobby (usually art or craft) or business and sets the series around it - coffee-shops, baking, bookstores... you name it, it probably exists. Most of them are formulaic to some extent (there is a love interest, whoever runs the business/has the hobby becomes a reluctant detective, the police seems to always think they did at least the first murder at least for awhile and so on) but they tend to have enough details and difference show more to actually work on their own.

This novel is the first in one of these series. Brooklyn Wainwright restores old books and is one of the best in the business, albeit very young. A rare collection, being restored by her old mentor Abraham Karastovsky, is about to be shown in a local museum but he does not live long enough to see it - during a celebration in the museum he is killed. And it seems like Brooklyn and people she cares about are in the frame for it. So she resolves to do two things: find the murderer and finish Abraham's work with the collection.

There is an old love interest, there is an old foe (almost Cruella de Vil level cartoonish in her hate) and then there is the security consultant which makes Brooklyn's knees week. All that was the usual formula. Then there are the details - the commune where Brooklyn grew up (and met Abraham), all the book binding and restoring details and Brooklyn's personality which after a bit of a stumble early on (way too... formulaic) actually evens out and even shines.

But what really carries the book is the mystery itself - the murder and its resolution. With old books all over the place it was bound to be ties to the past and it is. But it was handled properly, without sudden jumps or surprises.

A good start for a new cozy mystery series - if you are in the mood for the style. I plan to read at least a few more from the series - they are a wonderful palate cleanser after heavier books. show less

I always enjoy Kate Carlise’s cozy mysteries, and The Knife Before Christmas was no exception. We get to visit Lighthouse Cove at Christmas where Shannon Hammer and her crew are creating a Victorian carnival midway on the grounds of the Cliffs Hotel. I loved the descriptions of the hotel and the midway (I wish it was in my town). The carousel was a great addition. The story is easy to read with great characters. Shannon and Mac make a great couple. I enjoy the interactions between them. I show more like Shannon’s relationship with her crew. I find it funny that the guys do not like to borrow her pink tools. I appreciated that the whodunit did not take place at the beginning of the story. We get to learn about the carnival and spend time there, enjoy the local Christmas festivities, and catch-up characters. I had an idea who would die and who would do the deed, but I did not know why. I enjoyed following Shannon as she asked questions and searched for clues. There is a twist or two along the way as well as with some strategically placed clues for an armchair detective like me. I like that Shannon and Mac work together to solve mysteries by playing their Scooby Doo game. I was sorry when my visit to Lighthouse Cove came to an end. I hope I get to return soon. The Knife Before Christmas is a festive story with a regal hotel, a clever carnival, a delightful dinner with friends, an adorable carousel, Scooby Doo for two, and a cheery Christmas. show less

Shannon Hammer is a contractor and her specialty is home-renovation, especially Victorian style homes. She took over the business after her father retired, but she and her sister grew up on his jobsites after her mother died, learning about everything along the way.

Her married friend Lizzie has set her up on a blind date because she wants everyone to be as happy as she is. The man she's chosen is Jerry Sexton, and when Shannon meets him, he is indeed nice and attractive. At least until they show more go walking on the beach and she has to fight him off -- in front of a group of people who can see them from higher ground. Then Shannon gets called to one of the homes she's fixing, and stumbles across Jerry's body in the basement. When the police discover that the murder weapon belonged to her -- courtesy of the pink color of her tools -- she instantly becomes a suspect.

But Shannon knows she didn't kill anyone. And no matter how attractive the new chief of police is, she's not going to let him stop her from inquiring about who wanted Jerry dead. Except it seems that every woman in town had a motive, which makes it harder. Then a bike accident (unfortunately) introduces her to an author who's just moved there - 'Mac' Sullivan - and he sees that it really wasn't an accident and now she's wondering who's out to get her. But when it's apparent that someone really is out to get her, by framing her for Jerry's death and a second one, then the police are taking a hard look at others in town, and so is Shannon. If she doesn't figure out who's trying to kill her, and soon, then they just might succeed...

This is the first book in the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, and it's a very good beginning indeed. Shannon isn't your usual sleuth; she's a contractor who builds and refurbishes homes, and she's very good at it. She has close friends and a decent social life with them, even though there hasn't been a steady man in her life for a long time. But she's intelligent, courageous, independent, and determined. Unfortunately, there's also the "evil nemesis" in this book in the form of Jennifer and Whitney - who stole and married her high school boyfriend, Tommy. While she can let it go, Whitney can't. While I also really despise the 'evil nemesis,' I have to say that it wasn't too overt in this book so it really didn't bother me, because Whitney wasn't going through the book making Shannon's life miserable every chance she got. It was merely things said on and off, and didn't take up every paragraph in the book.

As the first book, it drew me in and kept me reading, which is a good thing. The plot was well written and done nicely, and there were clues strewn throughout, which were easy to miss if you weren't looking for them. The dialogue was witty and at times humorous, and I liked the interaction between Shannon and her friends. It's a strong connection, and it shows. While I can almost see which of the two men Shannon is going to choose, we'll have to see which way it's going to go in the next book.

When the murderer is finally revealed, there's a pretty interesting climax that gives us all the information we've been waiting for, and shows us more of Shannon's tenacity when the situation calls for it. In the end, Ms. Carlisle is obviously a talented writer who can create characters that become real on the page. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next in the series. Highly recommended. show less

The first book in the Bibliophile mystery series introduces book restorer Brooklyn Wainright and her eccentric family. Brooklyn spent most of her childhood living in a commune in California's wine country. Her parents met as Deadheads traveling around following the band. However, now they are very successful members of a rich commune. Her father makes wine. Her mother follows every path to enlightenment.

The commune is where she met Abraham Karastovsky who first began teaching her how to show more repair books when she was eight. Brooklyn broke off her apprenticeship with him when she went off to college and graduate school. Abraham didn't think she needed what college taught her.

They met again at an opening at the Covington where rare books were going to be the focus of attention. They mended their past differences and renewed their long friendship just in time for Abraham to be found murdered.

Brooklyn discovers the body and shortly after is discovered by Commander Derek Stone who is doing the security for the exhibition. He initially suspects her, and she is keeping secrets. She isn't willing to mention that she saw her mother in the same area as the murder.

When one of her ex-fiancés asks her to take over Abraham's restoration of a very valuable edition of Faust, Brooklyn agrees even though the book is believed to be cursed having left a string of dead owners behind it.

And the deaths continue when a second, somewhat criminal book restorer is also murdered. Brooklyn also discovered his body since she had an appointment with him. Brooklyn also comes under attack when her studio is vandalized, and she is knocked unconscious.

This was a fun series beginning. I liked the information about bookbinding. I liked Brooklyn and the cast of characters who surround her. I'm eager to read more in the series. show less