Dead Bolt (A Haunted Home Renovation Mystery #2)
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 stops...
The ghosts aren't the only ones standing in the way of the renovations. A crotchety neighbor, E
...moreebook, 336 pages
Published
December 6th 2011
by New American Library
(first published January 1st 2011)
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San Francisco general contractor Melanie Turner is up to her ears in trouble—of the human as well as the ghostly variety—in “Dead Bolt,” the second Haunted House Renovation Mystery by Juliet Blackwell. I’m not normally a fan of paranormal mysteries, but this one hooked me in right away.
Melanie and her crew have been hired to restore a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood. This is no easy task because the home owners—the Daley family—refuse to leave and demand...more
Melanie and her crew have been hired to restore a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood. This is no easy task because the home owners—the Daley family—refuse to leave and demand...more
Juliet Blackwell continues her terrific Haunted Home Renovation mystery series with Dead Bolt. It’s not necessary to have read the first book, If Walls Could Talk, in order to appreciate this one. But, why would you want to miss any of the adventures of Mel Turner as she restores houses and tangles with ghosts?
Mel’s latest job is restoration of an 1890s Queen Ann Victorian, Cheshire House, in San Francisco. The project has had a few problems, handprints appearing on the ceiling, deadbolts lockin...more
Mel’s latest job is restoration of an 1890s Queen Ann Victorian, Cheshire House, in San Francisco. The project has had a few problems, handprints appearing on the ceiling, deadbolts lockin...more
A light and entertaining read. The conceit of the series is that San Francisco general-contractor / historical home renovation specialist Melanie "Mel" Turner can see ghosts. This is #2 of the series, so it's the second time a ghost problem has turned up. There's a lot of chatter about historic renovation problems, ghost enthusiasts, and (naturally) her ex-husband and her potential current interest. Mel is a character with a complicated history and an interesting family situation - I like her fa...more
In Blackwell's paranormal mystery novel, general contractor Melanie Turner's latest restoration job involves a historic Queen Anne Victorian in one of San Francisco's neighborhoods. The owners have decided to reside in the basement while the work is done, making it more difficult for the crew. But when strange things begin to happen around the site, the owners threaten to cancel all restoration plans for fear of disturbing the ghosts who live somewhere on the property. It's soon clear that the g...more
This is the 2nd in the Haunted Home Renovations series. Personally I like home renovations so I find that aspect of this series very interesting though I know many of the reviewers don't enjoy the building lingo. That said - this book was wonderful!
Mel Turner is the owner of Turner Construction. They specialize in high-end period home renovations. Her first home (Book 1) had an unfortunate circular saw accident which resulted in a death. The ghost of that grisly accident appeared to Mel and help...more
Mel Turner is the owner of Turner Construction. They specialize in high-end period home renovations. Her first home (Book 1) had an unfortunate circular saw accident which resulted in a death. The ghost of that grisly accident appeared to Mel and help...more
This is the second book in this series, I also read the first one. Back in March, after I finished reading “If Walls Could Talk”, I remember not being able to wait for the next one to come out in December. Upon reading the first few pages “Dead Bolt”, I felt like I had read it before… then I realized the previous book had an excerpt of this one in it. Silly me.
It took me a little bit to remember why I had enjoyed these books to begin with. At times, the details can be exhausting if you’re not o...more
It took me a little bit to remember why I had enjoyed these books to begin with. At times, the details can be exhausting if you’re not o...more
Dead Bolt is the second book in the Haunted Home Renovation Series by Juliet Blackwell, who also writes the Witchcraft (Vintage Clothing) Mystery Series. She is probably one of my favorite authors that is currently writing cozy mysteries. I guess I just get her writing style and her books speak to me, and I love them.
Dead Bolt finds Mel Turner again in the middle of a renovation project, this time she is working on an 1890s Queen Anne style-old house, again in San Francisco. The owners area cute...more
Dead Bolt finds Mel Turner again in the middle of a renovation project, this time she is working on an 1890s Queen Anne style-old house, again in San Francisco. The owners area cute...more
Melanie is renovating a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco but she has some resident ghosts sabotaging the work and a cranky neighbor complaining about the noise. The couple who owns the house insists on living there in the midst of the massive refurbishing. The wife is from Russia and is petrified of the ghosts, she thinks perhaps stopping work would let the ghosts rest.
Melanie tries to research the past of the house but the records at city hall are missing. Something went on in th...more
Melanie tries to research the past of the house but the records at city hall are missing. Something went on in th...more
Dead Bolt is a terrific sequel to If Walls Could Talk, first in the Haunted Home Renovation mysteries. In this book our new and as yet reluctant medium discovers that the ghosts in her latest renovation project are far from benign. When they start sabotaging the renovation Mel has no choice but to roll up her sleeves and deal with the pesky ghosts. She dives into the history of the house in an attempt to discover the identity of the ghosts in the hope that it will help lay them to rest. As if th...more
I was first drawn to this series because I used to build and remodel houses, then I enjoyed these wonderful characters and couldn’t 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 can’t help but care about her as we take each step right along with her, up those attic stairs or home to her Dad, Stan...more
Dead Bolt is the second book in the Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series by Juliet Blackwell from Obsidian Mystery.
Book Blurb:
There’s no room at the inn when it’s full of ghosts.
General contractor Melanie Turner’s latest restoration is a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood. Trouble is, she’ll have to work around the owners, the Daley family, who refuse to leave during construction.
But when eerie things start happening around the site, the Daleys threaten to...more
Book Blurb:
There’s no room at the inn when it’s full of ghosts.
General contractor Melanie Turner’s latest restoration is a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood. Trouble is, she’ll have to work around the owners, the Daley family, who refuse to leave during construction.
But when eerie things start happening around the site, the Daleys threaten to...more
Dead Bolt is the second book in Juliet Blackwell’s A Haunted Home Renovation series. Mel Turner is a former archaeologist who moved back home when her mother died and took over her father’s construction/renovation business. Mel takes on old historic homes and restores them to their former glory by finding and restoring old fixtures or contracting people to remake them. She also has a habit of seeing ghosts.
Once again Juliet Blackwell turns out an excellent tea cozy mystery with a dash of the par...more
Once again Juliet Blackwell turns out an excellent tea cozy mystery with a dash of the par...more
I received this book from the publisher for review
Juliet Blackwell's latest in her new Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series, Dead Bolt was a tremendous followup to its predecessor. It's been a year since I read the first book so my memory was fuzzy on the details of the murder mystery there, but it wasn't too important to be totally in the know of it. Characters and events just get mentioned and slightly recapped.
This mystery totally had me guessing from beginning to end! Even though it says t...more
Juliet Blackwell's latest in her new Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series, Dead Bolt was a tremendous followup to its predecessor. It's been a year since I read the first book so my memory was fuzzy on the details of the murder mystery there, but it wasn't too important to be totally in the know of it. Characters and events just get mentioned and slightly recapped.
This mystery totally had me guessing from beginning to end! Even though it says t...more
This is the second in the Haunted Home Renovation Mysteries series.
Melanie Turner is restoring a Victorian for a young executive, his Russian born wife and their young child. The young wife relates some occurrences that have been happening in the house and Melanie strongly suggests they leave until the renovations are complete. Of course this unacceptable to the young husband.
One evening as Melanie is leaving, she has a nasty encounter with a neighbor across the street and the next morning he is...more
Melanie Turner is restoring a Victorian for a young executive, his Russian born wife and their young child. The young wife relates some occurrences that have been happening in the house and Melanie strongly suggests they leave until the renovations are complete. Of course this unacceptable to the young husband.
One evening as Melanie is leaving, she has a nasty encounter with a neighbor across the street and the next morning he is...more
Mel Turner is wrapping up the previous house renovation on Vallejo Street, while starting a new project, the Cheshire Inn on Union Street. She hasn’t done her historical homework and yet the ghosts have already made her aware of their presence. Mel hasn’t seen Graham in a while but’s he’s around again with a girlfriend in tow. The cast from the last book are still around and adding to this story nicely. I find the book fast paced, the renovation details interesting, the ghosts intriguing and the...more
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Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell
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View all my reviews
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Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwellfgghjmjmmlomm,l.lm,mm,,.m,mm,.,.,.
View all my reviews
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This was one of those books so enjoyed you read it in one sitting if possible.
I enjoy Ms Blackwell's writing style and in this book the way she ended and began chapters kept the story moving quickly. I was even hoping the story might be a bit longer.
If there is a weak spot in the story, it would be near the end where she eluded to malicious activity, enough that you got the idea but she did not fill in seedy details. This does make Dead Bolt a story safe for all age levels.
This can be read as a...more
I enjoy Ms Blackwell's writing style and in this book the way she ended and began chapters kept the story moving quickly. I was even hoping the story might be a bit longer.
If there is a weak spot in the story, it would be near the end where she eluded to malicious activity, enough that you got the idea but she did not fill in seedy details. This does make Dead Bolt a story safe for all age levels.
This can be read as a...more
************************Spoiler Alert ***********************
I really liked this book. I liked the first book in the series as well, but I liked the continuation of Mel's story with this one.
I like reading about the way Mel is trying to close herself off to men because she was hurt by her ex-husband. I think she is a little unsure of herself when it comes to men after being thrown for a loop by Caleb's dad. However, she is obviously attractive and could probably have any man she wanted if she w...more
I really liked this book. I liked the first book in the series as well, but I liked the continuation of Mel's story with this one.
I like reading about the way Mel is trying to close herself off to men because she was hurt by her ex-husband. I think she is a little unsure of herself when it comes to men after being thrown for a loop by Caleb's dad. However, she is obviously attractive and could probably have any man she wanted if she w...more
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 s...more
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 s...more
Jan 04, 2012
❂ Jennifer
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
cozy-mystery,
paranormal-mystery
I really enjoy Juliet Blackwell's work, both as Juliet Blackwell and as Hailey Lind. Even though this story's *living* plot seemed a bit disjointed and didn't really flow for me, I still gave the book 4 stars because the ghost story was great and the characters continue to develop into likeable characters I care about following. The ghost story was definitely the focus, while the living murder mystery was sort of back burner'ed for most of the first half of the book, with only occasional mention...more
Such a fun series with great characters and super ghostly goin's on. These are scary spectres roaming in the Victorian Mel is renovating. I like how atmospheric the ghost scenes read. I find myself wrinkling my nose at the 'smells' or the cringing at the sounds as I read a passage.
There's more than just ghosts, too. I like a book with more than one mystery to solve and this has a couple or more. A murder and missing people, so Mel has her hands full. All that and she has her company to run and...more
There's more than just ghosts, too. I like a book with more than one mystery to solve and this has a couple or more. A murder and missing people, so Mel has her hands full. All that and she has her company to run and...more
This was a great read that had me turning pages as I followed the mystery trail and also laughing as I went.
Melanie (Mel) Turner is running the family General Contracting firm for a restoration of a Victorian house with a history. And, boy does it ever have a history, complete with ghosts and voices and accidents...even a possession.
Mel is learning that she has her Mother's knack of communicating with ghosts. It is truly coming in handy at this time for a Queen Anne Victorian Home with a young...more
Melanie (Mel) Turner is running the family General Contracting firm for a restoration of a Victorian house with a history. And, boy does it ever have a history, complete with ghosts and voices and accidents...even a possession.
Mel is learning that she has her Mother's knack of communicating with ghosts. It is truly coming in handy at this time for a Queen Anne Victorian Home with a young...more
Dead Bolt is cozy ghost story and murder mystery that will keep you entertained and guessing until the end. Renovating an historic mansion is hard work, but becomes dangerous work with the interference of some not so friendly ghosts. With likable characters and maybe some romance creeping in, this story is a delightful but not too creepy way to spend an afternoon or two.
I really enjoy this mystery series. Not only does it have the woo-woo factor, it takes place in wonderful San Francisco with all those historic houses. I also find the details of period renovations interesting. The characters are likeable and the stories are fun.
Highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a book that will keep you reading.
Highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a book that will keep you reading.
This is the 2nd book in her series & I've enjoyed both of them, this one a bit more than the 1st one. I enjoyed all the details about renovating homes & the different styles of homes in San Francisco. I like her main character's personality. I read to escape the real world & I did that with great pleasure while reading this book.
Somehow I got this one to read before the first in the series, so I didn't know the characters as well as I could have. It didn't really matter for the story though. I enjoyed it a lot. The characters were fun, off the wall people. The ghosts not so much.
This was a quick post-finals read. I enjoyed the San Francisco setting, as well as the historic renovation and ghosty elements. I would definitely get a 3.5 rating if available here on GR, but not quite a 4 star. Still, an enjoyable read.
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| Is this original?? | 7 | 21 | Jan 12, 2012 09:35am |
Juliet Blackwell (aka Julie Goodson-Lawes, aka Hailey Lind) started out life in Palo Alto, California, born of a Texan mother and a Yankee father. The family soon moved to what were, at the time, the sticks of Cupertino, an hour south of San Francisco. Walking to and from kindergarten every day she would indulge in her earliest larcenous activity: stealing walnuts and apricots from surrounding orc...more
More about Juliet Blackwell...
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