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Designer Mystery #3
Studs, Tools and Fools
“Jack fell down and broke his crown . . .”Laura Howard didn’t plan to take down a bank robber. Any more than she meant to subvert the police investigation following the bank heist . . . Now all she wants is to reclaim her quiet life as an interior decorator in Portland, Oregon. Right on cue, that peaceful existence explodes again when local TV newsmen broadcast the photo taken of Laura during the bank robbery. Is her life now in danger? Are the hate notes and home invasions related to her heroism at the bank? ? Is she responsible for the death of a local hero? Or, is something more sinister at play?Laura Howard and her pesky cat Louise return in Book 3 of the Designer Mystery series along with building contractor Russell Graham, zany Aunt Esther, and much of the Portland Oregon Police Bureau. This time it may take all of them to separate the skunks from the scoundrels in the police lineup.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2015
35 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 18, 2017
Great series
I have enjoyed all three books in this series. The characters are engaging and I like the way the story lines have evolved. I hope that the series continues, so we can learn what next adventure Laura and Russ encounter following married life.
I have enjoyed all three books in this series. The characters are engaging and I like the way the story lines have evolved. I hope that the series continues, so we can learn what next adventure Laura and Russ encounter following married life.
February 9, 2017
Good!!!
I would recommend this book to all my friends. It has a unique plot and great interaction between the most interesting and unusual characters!!!!
I would recommend this book to all my friends. It has a unique plot and great interaction between the most interesting and unusual characters!!!!
March 25, 2017
Laugh out loud funny
Initially I had trouble getting into the story. However about 1/4 of the way through, it grabbed my interest and I finished it in one sitting. The staple gun scene did it, I was on a bus trip and it made me laugh out loud. Not many writers are that good. I highly recommend this book if you want an entertaining read.
Initially I had trouble getting into the story. However about 1/4 of the way through, it grabbed my interest and I finished it in one sitting. The staple gun scene did it, I was on a bus trip and it made me laugh out loud. Not many writers are that good. I highly recommend this book if you want an entertaining read.
October 25, 2017
Love this Series
The characters of Laura, Russ, and Esther are hilarious. The ancillary characters provide great support. The book is a fun read and very entertaining.
The characters of Laura, Russ, and Esther are hilarious. The ancillary characters provide great support. The book is a fun read and very entertaining.
October 17, 2018
Love the humor
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I hadn’t heard of a comic mystery genre before reading this, but I think it’s my new favorite!
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I hadn’t heard of a comic mystery genre before reading this, but I think it’s my new favorite!
November 29, 2022
Fun read
I loved the sassy attitude of Laura and the interaction of the characters. Add a good mystery plot and you have a fun and light hearted read.
I loved the sassy attitude of Laura and the interaction of the characters. Add a good mystery plot and you have a fun and light hearted read.
January 17, 2025
Laura was entirely too cavalier about her safety, but she was lucky. This was another satisfying mystery.
Read
March 5, 2017Disappointing. The "mystery" was contrived, and the decorating tips were totally unnecessary. Read it for local color, and there wasn't much at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2017
Loved it so sorry it's over
My internet has been out for five days so I read a lot. Now it's time to review them all. I truly love Kathleen Hering. She writes a great story, with mystery, romance and a lot of fun. Starting with the bank robbery that Laura was not only witness to but aided in stopping. A hero, no, about to become a victim, maybe. Laura is in for a bumpy ride. This book is so full of mystery and excitement that I found it difficult to put down. I am going to miss reading about Laura, Russ, Aunt Esther, Louise the male cat, and Hammer the dog. I can only hope that someday soon there will be another one. I borrowed this book from Amazon's lending library, a great service.
My internet has been out for five days so I read a lot. Now it's time to review them all. I truly love Kathleen Hering. She writes a great story, with mystery, romance and a lot of fun. Starting with the bank robbery that Laura was not only witness to but aided in stopping. A hero, no, about to become a victim, maybe. Laura is in for a bumpy ride. This book is so full of mystery and excitement that I found it difficult to put down. I am going to miss reading about Laura, Russ, Aunt Esther, Louise the male cat, and Hammer the dog. I can only hope that someday soon there will be another one. I borrowed this book from Amazon's lending library, a great service.
January 18, 2016
Well Written Cozy But a Little Dark
I've read all the Designer Mysteries and I like them all. They're well written, (congrats on proper grammar and excellent composition) and the characters are all likable and interesting. I found this book to be a little darker, with Laura being stalked, and another character who was trying to protect her ending up being murdered. I was glad the ending was light and unexpected, but I thought it was a little too silly. And just as a side note, I think your end of chapter decorating tips are snarky and condescending. Still, these are all personal viewpoints. I can find little fault with the writing, just not a big fan of the plot.
I've read all the Designer Mysteries and I like them all. They're well written, (congrats on proper grammar and excellent composition) and the characters are all likable and interesting. I found this book to be a little darker, with Laura being stalked, and another character who was trying to protect her ending up being murdered. I was glad the ending was light and unexpected, but I thought it was a little too silly. And just as a side note, I think your end of chapter decorating tips are snarky and condescending. Still, these are all personal viewpoints. I can find little fault with the writing, just not a big fan of the plot.
July 8, 2016
Book 1 was the best of the 3, but books 2 and 3 both dragged along for me to the point I forced myself to finish the 3rd book. I'd have been better off reading the first and last few chapters of each and moved on! These are "cozy" to the extreme and the couple that are supposed to be in a romance just aren't romantic. Sorry, but for me the best thing about Studs, Tools, and Fools is the cat on the cover!
March 3, 2016
Very enjoyable
This is the first book I have read by this author. I enjoyed the characters, the plot and subplots, the action and mystery, and the sprinkles of humor. I will definitely read more by this author.
This is the first book I have read by this author. I enjoyed the characters, the plot and subplots, the action and mystery, and the sprinkles of humor. I will definitely read more by this author.
June 16, 2016
Good summer read
Great series. Proof reading could stand much improvement. In the second book the main character name Laura was printed as Logan. If you can overlook errors such as this, the series is a breezy summer read.
Great series. Proof reading could stand much improvement. In the second book the main character name Laura was printed as Logan. If you can overlook errors such as this, the series is a breezy summer read.
March 5, 2016
Cute Series
I enjoyed the whole series. It was cute and was an easy read. You have to read all three books.
I enjoyed the whole series. It was cute and was an easy read. You have to read all three books.
July 27, 2016
Enjoyed the series, good mysteries. Was amazed that Russ and Laura had a romance without all the mushy stuff, and liked the way everything was tied up at the end.
Currently reading
July 24, 2016
June 25, 2018
read the series
What happens when you buy a house without looking into it's history. A good cozy mystery and an enjoyable series
What happens when you buy a house without looking into it's history. A good cozy mystery and an enjoyable series
April 3, 2017
A very good cozy mystery. A bit predictable (not as to who the guilty person was that committed a murder but to the love interest of our amateur detective). The main characters personalities are developed sufficiently enough that you are vested in what happens to them in this book, but more importantly you are looking forward to the next installment. For anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries they will surely enjoy this episode,as well as, additional installments of this series. Pull up a cozy chair pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy several hours of reading.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews