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Home Improvement: Undead Edition (Downside Ghosts #3.5 - Rick the Brave)
by
Charlaine Harris (Goodreads Author) ,
Toni L.P. Kelner , Victor Gischler, Patricia Briggs, Rochelle Krich, Heather Graham (Goodreads Author), James Grady (Goodreads Author), Melissa Marr (Goodreads Author)
,
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The editors of the New York Times bestselling Death's Excellent Vacation bring home a new collection...with a never-before- published Sookie Stackhouse story!
There's nothing like home renovation for finding skeletons in the closet or otherwordly portals in the attic. Now, for any homeowner who's ever wondered, "What's that creaking sound?" or fans of "how to" television wh ...more
There's nothing like home renovation for finding skeletons in the closet or otherwordly portals in the attic. Now, for any homeowner who's ever wondered, "What's that creaking sound?" or fans of "how to" television wh ...more
Hardcover, First edition, 340 pages
Published
August 2nd 2011
by Ace
(first published August 1st 2011)
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
Since this is an anthology I figure I would give a quick review of each story.
If I had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris: Of course I loved reading this story because I love everything about Sookie Stackhouse and since I have just finished reading book 11 everything was like a continuation of that for me. It also had spirits in it which is a little different compared to what Sookie normally deals with i.e. werewolves, vampires, and shapeshifters.
Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler: I really enjo ...more
If I had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris: Of course I loved reading this story because I love everything about Sookie Stackhouse and since I have just finished reading book 11 everything was like a continuation of that for me. It also had spirits in it which is a little different compared to what Sookie normally deals with i.e. werewolves, vampires, and shapeshifters.
Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler: I really enjo ...more
Aug 22, 2011
Cathy
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
fantasy,
mystery,
mythology,
urban,
romance,
paranormal,
horror,
jewish,
vampire,
magic-users,
elves-fae,
anthology,
read-in-2011,
people-of-color
Definitely one of the most successful anthologies I've read. Overall I really liked the home improvement theme, but I'm addicted to HGTV and DIY channels, so that was a given. I've also always liked cozy mysteries with DIY themes too. It's interesting that the editors chose to include so many straight mystery authors in this book. As far as I can tell, a number of these authors don't normally write mystical or fantasy books, but most of them did a great job with their stories. And cross marketin
...more
Premise: Short stories about home improvements and the supernatural.
I am honestly very nearly speechless after finishing this book. I've read a lot of these UF story anthologies at this point. I know the authors that tend to pop up often, and generally I have my opinions on which ones I'm most likely to enjoy before I even read the stories based on my previous experience with these authors. I thought there were few surprises left for me. This anthology knocked my hubris down a couple of pegs the ...more
I am honestly very nearly speechless after finishing this book. I've read a lot of these UF story anthologies at this point. I know the authors that tend to pop up often, and generally I have my opinions on which ones I'm most likely to enjoy before I even read the stories based on my previous experience with these authors. I thought there were few surprises left for me. This anthology knocked my hubris down a couple of pegs the ...more
If you thought remodeling your home was hell, you ain't seen nothing yet. Home Improvement the Undead Edition is a pretty varied collections of stories some urban fantasy and a few horror. Many of the authors here offer shorts connected to their long running series, which is fun for us fans. On the whole though, this is a pretty mixed bag, there are some stories that I just slogged through side by side with some that I really enjoyed. I found that my favorites on the whole were ones by authors t
...more
TW: Gigantic Spiders!
Well, I should probably write a review for this short story before I completely forgot what the thing was about!
So, this takes place a couple of books ago _ I've just finished volume nine _ when Toby was sent to open GoldenGreen's Knowe (you know, a fairy underground place?). Honestly don't read it out of order, or you'll miss a lot of the fun.
Thing is, as everything that happens in October's life, things are never as straightforward as one would expect.
The Knowe has been a ...more
12/3/2013
I read the short story from the Sookie-verse, "If I Had a Hammer." 3 stars
I read the short story from the Sookie-verse, "If I Had a Hammer." 3 stars
Anthology The rating I'll round up to 3 but only a few of the stories were worth reading
1. If I Had a Hammer, Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #13.1). It's been awhile since I read a Sookie book so this was really nice to read about her now. Even though I thought I'd everything out there this story was new. I liked it, I just wish the Sookie wouldn't be hypocritical where other people are concerned. Sookie even acknowledges it but is more like, "Oh well, that's how I think." Very good story. ...more
1. If I Had a Hammer, Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #13.1). It's been awhile since I read a Sookie book so this was really nice to read about her now. Even though I thought I'd everything out there this story was new. I liked it, I just wish the Sookie wouldn't be hypocritical where other people are concerned. Sookie even acknowledges it but is more like, "Oh well, that's how I think." Very good story. ...more
First off I want to confess that I only read four stories in this. The four stories were very good.
If I Had a Hammer was a very good story. Nice to meet the psychic babysitter, Quiana. I would think it would be creepy though to find a hammer behind a wall in your house. Also interesting to learn about the Wechsler's and the Summerlin's. Would be creepy to have psychic powers though, being able to be possessed and everything. Hope the house is okay now.
Gray was an interesting story. Glad that Ja ...more
If I Had a Hammer was a very good story. Nice to meet the psychic babysitter, Quiana. I would think it would be creepy though to find a hammer behind a wall in your house. Also interesting to learn about the Wechsler's and the Summerlin's. Would be creepy to have psychic powers though, being able to be possessed and everything. Hope the house is okay now.
Gray was an interesting story. Glad that Ja ...more
May 21, 2011
Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2011
Only read the novellas listed below.
**Stacia Kane's Rick The Brave ~ 4 stars**
4 stars just for getting to read about Chessie and Terrible and....
"He's my family," she said finally. Quietly. "He's everything."
sigh...and its a cute, little story as well.
**Charlaine Harris' If I Had a Hammer ~ 3 stars**
This is about Sookie and Sam helping out Tara in a remodeling project. Nice story but nothing to get excited about.
**Patricia Brigg's Gray ~ 4 stars**
I really liked this story about a vampire dealin ...more
**Stacia Kane's Rick The Brave ~ 4 stars**
4 stars just for getting to read about Chessie and Terrible and....
"He's my family," she said finally. Quietly. "He's everything."
sigh...and its a cute, little story as well.
**Charlaine Harris' If I Had a Hammer ~ 3 stars**
This is about Sookie and Sam helping out Tara in a remodeling project. Nice story but nothing to get excited about.
**Patricia Brigg's Gray ~ 4 stars**
I really liked this story about a vampire dealin ...more
3/4/16
Through This House, October Daye #4.5
4 stars
Through This House, October Daye #4.5
4 stars
If I Had A Hammer (Charlaine Harris) - I'm not even bothering with these Sookie shorts anymore, their usually pretty pointless.
Wizard Home Security (Victor Gischler)3 stars - This is a cute and funny story but not quite laugh-out-loud. A wizard gets robbed and calls Wizard Home Security to come and update his house for an exorbitant fee. I wasn't sure if this would be good at first, but once the house turns on him, hilarity ensues. The zombie bear was by far my favorite part.
*Gray (Patricia Bri ...more
Wizard Home Security (Victor Gischler)3 stars - This is a cute and funny story but not quite laugh-out-loud. A wizard gets robbed and calls Wizard Home Security to come and update his house for an exorbitant fee. I wasn't sure if this would be good at first, but once the house turns on him, hilarity ensues. The zombie bear was by far my favorite part.
*Gray (Patricia Bri ...more
The stories in this collection really varied in quality. The two readers' performances did too. Generally, I liked McLeod Andrews' performances more than Amanda Ronconi's.
Rating the stories individually seems to be the fairest course, so here goes:
If I had a Hammer, by Charlaine Harris -Only OK, as most of the Sookie material of the last 3 years has been. Certainly not the worst of the bunch, but not the best either. 2.5 stars
Wizard Home Security, by Victor Gischler -Liked it about the same ...more
Rating the stories individually seems to be the fairest course, so here goes:
If I had a Hammer, by Charlaine Harris -Only OK, as most of the Sookie material of the last 3 years has been. Certainly not the worst of the bunch, but not the best either. 2.5 stars
Wizard Home Security, by Victor Gischler -Liked it about the same ...more
Rating/review for Through This House, the October Daye story by Seanan McGuire only.
If there’s one way to get back at a changeling you can’t stand, it’s by bestowing her with not just a title, but a wild knowe to boot. October Daye inherited Goldengreen along with ‘Countess’, unfortunately, it’s been left fallow for several years and knowes tend to have abandonment issues. It’s Toby’s job to reclaim Goldengreen in the name of Faerie, but neither the knowe (nor its new residents) seem likely to b ...more
If there’s one way to get back at a changeling you can’t stand, it’s by bestowing her with not just a title, but a wild knowe to boot. October Daye inherited Goldengreen along with ‘Countess’, unfortunately, it’s been left fallow for several years and knowes tend to have abandonment issues. It’s Toby’s job to reclaim Goldengreen in the name of Faerie, but neither the knowe (nor its new residents) seem likely to b ...more
2.5 stars
FYI - This rating is based solely on the story by Charlaine Harris! I may go back and edit this based upon the remaining short stories, but that's not likely.
I'm a huge fan of her Sookie Stackhouse series so I couldn't resist a short story to get me by until her next full length novel. Sadly, I was super disappointed.
This short story involved Tara and JB and the recent addition(s) to their family. Not having enough space for their new twins they decide to renovate and do some 'Home Imp ...more
FYI - This rating is based solely on the story by Charlaine Harris! I may go back and edit this based upon the remaining short stories, but that's not likely.
I'm a huge fan of her Sookie Stackhouse series so I couldn't resist a short story to get me by until her next full length novel. Sadly, I was super disappointed.
This short story involved Tara and JB and the recent addition(s) to their family. Not having enough space for their new twins they decide to renovate and do some 'Home Imp ...more
2.5 stars
I read only Seanan McGuire's "Through This House."
This is not the best October Daye short story. I wasn't that interested in what they did to take over Evening's knowe, and it was about as interesting as I expected. There's also no new characterization learned in this one and a lot more recap than usual since it was going into a collection of stories where people wouldn't be familiar with October Daye.
If you're a completist, go for it. It's not terrible. If you aren't, skip this one.
I read only Seanan McGuire's "Through This House."
This is not the best October Daye short story. I wasn't that interested in what they did to take over Evening's knowe, and it was about as interesting as I expected. There's also no new characterization learned in this one and a lot more recap than usual since it was going into a collection of stories where people wouldn't be familiar with October Daye.
If you're a completist, go for it. It's not terrible. If you aren't, skip this one.
*Rating* Whole book = 3.0 stars.
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Review*
I broke down my feelings and thoughts on each of the stories I actually read. Some, I decided to skip over entirely. No offense to any author I may shirk.
Charlaine Harris's If I Had A Hammer is a Sookie story with Sam, JB, Tara, and Tara's psychic babysitter Quiana along with the babies. A renovation project takes a wild turn as Sam finds a bloody hammer, and the house becomes haunted by a ghost who took his own life. Hi-jinks follow ...more
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Review*
I broke down my feelings and thoughts on each of the stories I actually read. Some, I decided to skip over entirely. No offense to any author I may shirk.
Charlaine Harris's If I Had A Hammer is a Sookie story with Sam, JB, Tara, and Tara's psychic babysitter Quiana along with the babies. A renovation project takes a wild turn as Sam finds a bloody hammer, and the house becomes haunted by a ghost who took his own life. Hi-jinks follow ...more
Yuck! I picked this up at the library because I've enjoyed writing by Patricia Briggs and Charlaine Harris, and have a book waiting to be read by Melissa Marr, all of whom are featured in this book.
First story was the Sookie story by Charlaine Harris. a simple, kind of harmless story, that while in the Sookie universe, had no real influence on greater story plot. It was good.
Then I read the one by Patricia Briggs, Gray. it was an interesting vampire/ ghost story...seemed to be functioning by th ...more
First story was the Sookie story by Charlaine Harris. a simple, kind of harmless story, that while in the Sookie universe, had no real influence on greater story plot. It was good.
Then I read the one by Patricia Briggs, Gray. it was an interesting vampire/ ghost story...seemed to be functioning by th ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Overall a very, very good collection. The worst stories within I still rate as at least Average/Good (Nothing merits below a 3-star rating). Overall it earns that 4.
"If I Had a Hammer" by Charlaine Harris - Its okay. (***)
"Wizard Home Security" by Victor Gischler - Cute. (***)
"Gray" by Patricia Briggs - Really Good. (****)
"Squatter's Rights" by Rocelle Krich - Okay (**)
"Blood on the Wall" by Heather Graham - Fun. (****)
"Mansion of Imperatives" by James Grady - I really like it. (****)
"The Streng ...more
"If I Had a Hammer" by Charlaine Harris - Its okay. (***)
"Wizard Home Security" by Victor Gischler - Cute. (***)
"Gray" by Patricia Briggs - Really Good. (****)
"Squatter's Rights" by Rocelle Krich - Okay (**)
"Blood on the Wall" by Heather Graham - Fun. (****)
"Mansion of Imperatives" by James Grady - I really like it. (****)
"The Streng ...more
Gray by Patricia Briggs
3.0 stars
Creepy vampire story. Again, wholly unrelated to the stories that we know and love. I mostly liked it except . . . nothing good can ever come from loving a ghost. Sorry. I don't care how pretty the story is, being unable to touch the one you love can NEVER end well.
Through This House - October Daye, 4.5
3.5 stars
This might have been a 4 star novella if I didn't hate spiders as much as I do. Like May said, "Worst knowe ever. It was also disappointing to discover th ...more
3.0 stars
Creepy vampire story. Again, wholly unrelated to the stories that we know and love. I mostly liked it except . . . nothing good can ever come from loving a ghost. Sorry. I don't care how pretty the story is, being unable to touch the one you love can NEVER end well.
Through This House - October Daye, 4.5
3.5 stars
This might have been a 4 star novella if I didn't hate spiders as much as I do. Like May said, "Worst knowe ever. It was also disappointing to discover th ...more
This is fourteen short stories where tales of adding a bedroom, updating a kitchen get combined with finding an actual skeleton in the yard --the Sookie Stackhouse story, “If I Had a Hammer,” a pixie portal in the swimming pool in Suzanne McLeod’s “Full- Scale Demolition,” Patricia Briggs’ “Gray,” is about a vampire who returns to where she lived when she was human. Rochelle Krich’s “Squatters’ Rights” I like a lot; it has observing Jews as main characters and Jewish demons. She’s written novels
...more
Aug 11, 2011
L-D
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
anthology,
ghost-spirits-medium-reaper
"Rick the Brave" by Stacia Kane: OKAY - I ONLY bought this book for this story and I had to read it right away! I needed my Chess and Terrible fix in a bad, bad way! I will eventually get to the rest but really, who cares about the other stories?? I loved seeing Chess and Terrible from a third person's POV. I understand people who rated this story moderately because they aren't familiar with Downside, but if you know and love Chess and Terrible as much as I do, you'd give this 5 stars also!
Apr 06, 2016
Ahmad Sharabiani
marked it as to-read
Home Improvement: Undead Edition (Mercy Thompson World - Complete 0.4 - Gray), Charlaine Harris (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Toni L.P. Kelner (Editor), Victor Gischler, Patricia Briggs, Rochelle Krich, Heather Graham (Goodreads Author), James Grady (Goodreads Author), Melissa Marr (Goodreads Author) , E.E. Knight (Goodreads Author), Seanan McGuire (Goodreads Author), S.J. Rozan (Goodreads Author), Stacia Kane (Goodreads Author), Suzanne McLeod (Goodreads Author), Simon R. Green
Through This House - Seanan McGuire:
A short story about Toby's first visit to her new Knowe. As usual, she runs into trouble but manages to get out of it by being who she is and accepting other unfortunate souls in a place that will be her first home.
A short story about Toby's first visit to her new Knowe. As usual, she runs into trouble but manages to get out of it by being who she is and accepting other unfortunate souls in a place that will be her first home.
Briggs story only.
Rating is solely for Seanan McGuire's short story.
The title of the book says it all: HOME IMPROVEMENT: UNDEAD EDITION is an anthology of stories with home improvement themes and the undead. All of them are smart, well-written, and unique. Enjoy!
"If I Had a Hammer" by Charlaine Harris is a Sookie Stackhouse story where Tara and JD have bought their first house. During demolition of a wall they find a hammer with old blood on it and discover they've released a malevolent spirit in the process. It's a fun short in the usual Sookie style.
"Wizard ...more
"If I Had a Hammer" by Charlaine Harris is a Sookie Stackhouse story where Tara and JD have bought their first house. During demolition of a wall they find a hammer with old blood on it and discover they've released a malevolent spirit in the process. It's a fun short in the usual Sookie style.
"Wizard ...more
Introduction standard "welcome to the book" type intro. All the stories are themed around home improvement in one way or another
If I Had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris A new Sookie story (or at least one I hadn't heard) -- a basic haunted house type story. It was good
Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler You get what you pay for. A story of a scammer getting his just desserts
Gray by Patricia Briggs I really liked this story a lot. The story of Elyna and her man Jack. Very enjoyable vampire tale
S ...more
If I Had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris A new Sookie story (or at least one I hadn't heard) -- a basic haunted house type story. It was good
Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler You get what you pay for. A story of a scammer getting his just desserts
Gray by Patricia Briggs I really liked this story a lot. The story of Elyna and her man Jack. Very enjoyable vampire tale
S ...more
3.5 stars
Usually the anthologies i read have four stories in them. This one had considerably more, and I think it is a good bargain. The good stories far outweigh the bad.
Patricia Briggs - Gray 5 stars: A hauntingly beautiful tale of a vampire and a ghost and their past history.
Victor Gischler - Wizard Home Security 4 stars: A rather funny story about a burgled wizard and the home security he buys
James Grady - The Mansion of Imperatives 2 stars: A hot mess of a story
Heather Graham - Blood on t ...more
Usually the anthologies i read have four stories in them. This one had considerably more, and I think it is a good bargain. The good stories far outweigh the bad.
Patricia Briggs - Gray 5 stars: A hauntingly beautiful tale of a vampire and a ghost and their past history.
Victor Gischler - Wizard Home Security 4 stars: A rather funny story about a burgled wizard and the home security he buys
James Grady - The Mansion of Imperatives 2 stars: A hot mess of a story
Heather Graham - Blood on t ...more
Stacia Kane "Rick the Brave" - I had to read this first as I have been craving more Chess & Terrible adventures in Downside! This shirt story was funny, and gave you a hint of the wonder that is romance with Chess & Terrible!! A fun edition to one of my favorite series! 5/5
Charlaine Harris "If I had a Hammer" - quick read, but didn't reach out and grab me as a page turner. I read the first Sookie book and felt the same way...this short story did not change my mind. 2.5/5
Victor Gischler " ...more
Charlaine Harris "If I had a Hammer" - quick read, but didn't reach out and grab me as a page turner. I read the first Sookie book and felt the same way...this short story did not change my mind. 2.5/5
Victor Gischler " ...more
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Charlaine Harris has been a published novelist for over twenty-five years. A native of the Mississippi Delta, she grew up in the middle of a cotton field. Now she lives in southern Arkansas with her husband, her three children, three dogs, and a duck. The duck stays outside.
Though her early output consisted largely of ghost stories, by the time she hit college (Rhodes, in Memphis) Charlaine was wr ...more
More about Charlaine Harris...
Though her early output consisted largely of ghost stories, by the time she hit college (Rhodes, in Memphis) Charlaine was wr ...more
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Downside Ghosts
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“Jack always had said you knew a person by the books they read . . . or didn’t read.”
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