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Designer Mystery #2
Ripped, Stripped and Flipped
"Finders keepers, losers weepers . . ."Interior decorator Laura Howard has no intention of keeping the gift someone left for her in the yard of the 19th Century Italianate house she's helping to restore. And, Detectives at the Portland, Oregon, Police Bureau don't plan to close their investigation until they find out who delivered the gift, a corpse wrapped in newly poured concrete. The police -- whom Laura now sees so often that she's considering buying additional place settings -- think whoever killed "concrete man" is trying to frighten her and the other partners at Graham Construction away from the building site. Laura isn't convinced she's in danger, but she begins to question how much can be coincidence when one thing after another goes wrong, including a second suspicious death. Her spirits crash when her once-faithful boyfriend appears to be running for Carouser of the Year. Everyone working on the Street of Dreams show homes is a suspect, but even the police are caught off guard when the twisted mind of a killer unravels on the eve of the open house tours.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
39 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 1, 2018
Kathleen Hering is the female Carl Hiaasen. This series is laugh out loud funny. The author has a talent for putting the reader in the scene, observing the action.
June 5, 2014
Completely delightful.
January 15, 2025
Renovation of an Italianate mansion is pretty dangerous for Laura. A designer & builder showcase project has several houses built near the mansion, but none have the vandalism and danger that Graham Construction has. The parts of the book about the renovation and decor is interesting, especially to historic home owners.
December 27, 2016
Kathleen Hering writes a fun story with a few design tips
I love these fun mysteries, with great lovable characters. They are very entertaining and always seem to have more than one mystery going on at the same time. Laura never fails to give us some design tips at the end of each chapter as well as a few scattered throughout the story while she is planning her remodel. There is a lot going on in this book, a couple of dead guys, an assault, some romance, and a little humor. Can't wait to read the next book in this series. I borrowed this book from Amazon's lending library, such a great service.
I love these fun mysteries, with great lovable characters. They are very entertaining and always seem to have more than one mystery going on at the same time. Laura never fails to give us some design tips at the end of each chapter as well as a few scattered throughout the story while she is planning her remodel. There is a lot going on in this book, a couple of dead guys, an assault, some romance, and a little humor. Can't wait to read the next book in this series. I borrowed this book from Amazon's lending library, such a great service.
March 20, 2015
Not as good as the first one.
This book tended to be confusing, the plot not near as well developed. It was humorous in spots but pretty much a farce. Completely avoided real construction mode and not very accurate. I did not enjoy this book as much as the first.
This book tended to be confusing, the plot not near as well developed. It was humorous in spots but pretty much a farce. Completely avoided real construction mode and not very accurate. I did not enjoy this book as much as the first.
May 8, 2015
funny, romantic with a mystery!
Really well written with great comedic timing. Love the protagonist. Fearless with the right amount ditzy and very down to earth. Awesomeness indeed! I enjoyed this story immensely. Happy reading!
Really well written with great comedic timing. Love the protagonist. Fearless with the right amount ditzy and very down to earth. Awesomeness indeed! I enjoyed this story immensely. Happy reading!
May 13, 2015
Insulting
Insulting. Opens incoherently. It eventually levels off to almost tolerable, until the writer gets tired of writing, and the murderer suddenly gets a pang of conscience and suddenly confesses, with no one actually "solving" the crimes.
Insulting. Opens incoherently. It eventually levels off to almost tolerable, until the writer gets tired of writing, and the murderer suddenly gets a pang of conscience and suddenly confesses, with no one actually "solving" the crimes.
September 24, 2015
This book wasn't as good as the first book. It's humorous in small doses which was disappointing and lacked focus never fully developing a plot. However, I still hated to put the book down. I had guessed in the beginning who the murderer was but needed that confirmation. It's a quick, fast read.
December 6, 2015
#2 in the series. the first one was ok, but this one was so slow and boring, I had to skip fast-forward style just to get through it to see "who did it." That was a let down.
It starts with a hand being found at a construction site.
It starts with a hand being found at a construction site.
March 4, 2016
Design
Am enjoying reading this series. The characters are likable and interesting. Fun reading. Hope there are more books in the series. Enjoy the description of Oregon. I've never been there, but may have to take a holiday there!
Am enjoying reading this series. The characters are likable and interesting. Fun reading. Hope there are more books in the series. Enjoy the description of Oregon. I've never been there, but may have to take a holiday there!
April 12, 2014
It has moments at being entertaining but the ending feels like the author gave up.
May 26, 2014
Excellent.
I really liked the whole book. it was funny and informative on remodeling a home. it was also a good mystery. I can not wait to read more of this series.
I really liked the whole book. it was funny and informative on remodeling a home. it was also a good mystery. I can not wait to read more of this series.
June 30, 2014
Wow
didn't see that coming. this book was funny and had a lot of twists and turns. I was totally surprised about who the murderer was .
didn't see that coming. this book was funny and had a lot of twists and turns. I was totally surprised about who the murderer was .
July 26, 2014
Good book
Good book
light reading and easy to follow the story I am waiting for the next book. A good easy to follow story.
Good book
light reading and easy to follow the story I am waiting for the next book. A good easy to follow story.
March 20, 2015
Entertaining
Not quite as good as the first book in the series but still a fun read and worth the $
Not quite as good as the first book in the series but still a fun read and worth the $
May 26, 2015
Nice family-friendly mystery with inside interior design info. A good read
November 14, 2015
Easy read
While the book was entertaining and an easy read the ending was quite dull. Hence why I didn't give it more stars.
While the book was entertaining and an easy read the ending was quite dull. Hence why I didn't give it more stars.
July 24, 2016
Enjoyed the mystery and am looking forward to reading the next.
June 25, 2018
give a hand
A hand sticking out of concrete is what greets Laura. Another great read. Recommended for all who love cozy mysteries
A hand sticking out of concrete is what greets Laura. Another great read. Recommended for all who love cozy mysteries
April 28, 2017
Laura Howard arrives at the Italianate home she is decorating for the Street of Dreams project to discover a hand sticking up out of the concrete driveway poured the night before. It is attached to the body of a small time gangster unknown to anyone on the project. As the project progressed additional problems assail the house they are working on and others in the vicinity. A security guard is hired but not liked by many. Ross Graham owner of the firm Laura works for hires a tile layer who acts as protector when Ross is not available. The mystery is not very well drawn out and the editing is bad, but some of the side characters are great (Aunt Esther and Ernie).
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews