The Book of Old Houses

Home Repair Is Homicide #11

by Sarah Graves

Once upon a time, Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree was a hotshot money manager to Manhattan's rich and dreadful—until she left city life behind for a centuries-old fixer-upper in the quaint seaside town of Eastport, Maine. But even this tiny haven has its hazards—and they can be astonishingly deadly....When a mysterious book is unearthed from the foundation of Jake's 1823 fixer-upper, she immediately sends it off to local book historian Horace Robotham. After all, there must be a logical explanation for why the long-buried volume has her name in it—written in what looks suspiciously like blood. But all logic goes out the window when the book disappears—and Horace turns up dead.The suspects include Horace's spoiled daughter, who has enough credit card debt to give killing her rich daddy a certain appeal. And just about everyone's pointing fingers at a local crackpot with a penchant for black magic and an unholy lust for its artifacts—including antique texts inked in blood. To complicate matters further, there's a mysterious stranger in town with vengeance in his heart and a gun in his pocket. Never mind that Jake's just taken a sledgehammer to her ancient bathroom. Or that she forgot she's set to host a party for Eastport's most treasured teacher. She's also about to lose her beloved housekeeper on account of her father's hasty marriage proposal...and her son, Sam, has just taken his first tentative steps toward sobriety.But all that will have to wait, because when two more victims turn up in a town better known for its scenic views and historic homes than its body count, she and her comrade-in-sleuthing, Ellie White, need to go on the prowl to find someone who may believe that the pages of an ancient book are the blueprint for a perfect murder.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Adult Fiction

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Sarah Graves lives with her husband John, a musician and luthier, and their black Labrador Retriever in a house very much like the one Jacobia Tiptree is remodeling in Eastport, Maine. When she's not writing Jake's adventures, Sarah works with her husband on the house and she plays the 5-string banjo.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Stephanie Graves · Rating 1 out of 5]

I put this down after about 100 pages, which is something I have only done maybe twice before. I honestly found it unreadable, and I quite enjoy a good cozy mystery. The writing was so broken up into paragraphs that the story had no flow, and the main character was so distracted that she annoyed the crap out of me--if the main character can't pay attention to the story, why should I?

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep reading these. I can't help myself. I think I love the characters and the town of Eastport Maine. However, Jake is getting perilously close to be a character that is TSTL; but she is really not a stupid woman - the opposite, really. But she has very poor impulse control and can't seem to stop herself from getting into dangerous situations. Why her best friend and young mother, Ellie goes along with her, I do not know. Ellie seems to have a bit more common sense. Maybe she goes along to rein Jake in, but it still puts her in danger too.

The mysteries, though, are well written. This one centers around an old book Jake and her father found in the foundation of her house a few books back. Mysteriously, it has all the names of the owners of the house, including Jake's. She had sent it off to be analyzed by book experts. How does Jake's name get in their, when its been buried in the foundation for years?

In any event, I will continue to read this series, though I am getting a bit annoyed with Jake at times. As I said, one the whole, I like the characters and town.

[Jan C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am still having problems with some of Ms. Graves' writing quirks. If she would just tell the story and leave out the asides. Something like "if we'd known we'd have done it differently." It gives the impression she is telling this story to someone over a cup of coffee. I always took my coffee black or straight, and that's how I'd like the sotry. Why can't she just tell it straight?

Several books ago Jacobia Tree's father found an old creepy book in the cellar. This book resolves that story.

I like this series - what happens when a New Yorker moves to an island in Maine and the things she does to try and get accepted. Well, she's been there about six years now. And she can't quit trying to solve mysteries, although she and Ellie (her BFF) have tried. Some guy gets murdered she wants to know why. In this case, she thinks it is because of her book.

[Emmalynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book meandered aimlessly for almost 50%. At other points I thought this book was about an old bathtub because that’s how many references and pages were dedicated to to demolishing a bathroom, and moving the bathtub 😒😒. Anyway, Ellie and Jake finally got around to “investigating” murder of the historian who was studying the book she found in her foundation and the the murder of a local teen that seems connected. This book was kind of a dud.the appeared to to want to have a plot but couldn’t make up its mind which direction to head so it just meandered in whatever direction the character felt like popping in at the moment, with no thought to cohesion or development. Oh and suddenly, Belle and Jake’s dad are dating and he’s wanting to get married. Jake us very very unflattering in her descriptions of Bella which is hard to read ( these don’t age well and it’s bad even for a book of the early 2000).

[Holly Mcclain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the last I'll read in the series, it's veering from cozy to just weird. Not in a good way. Getting much too dark. Going to try the "Death By Chocolate" series

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining murder mystery series. One thing to know is that crazy things are always happening so maybe don’t listen to this book if you are sick.

[Sara Kreps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pros: each chapter starts with a Tiptree's Tip about home repair.
Con: Jake seems pretty incompetent so I don't know that I trust them.
This book was fairly entertaining but somehow felt older than it is; I thought it was taking place at least a decade before the copyright but that could just be revealing my age and how time flies. Or maybe the series was published in more time than the story covers? It could also be because it isn't exactly a cozy: the danger level is higher, deals with more serious subjects, and gets in the mind of not just the protagonist. Close enough but feels like it was written in a time before cozies really had their own niche.
I really liked the protagonist yet I'm left wondering about the internal timeline. This is the eleventh book in the series but the first I've read (because it's the only one my library has on audio) so has Jake really spent ten other books working on the same house?!? I was expecting someone closer to Shannon Hammer or Whitney Whitaker than Stephanie Plum with a hammer. Thankfully, she's better at detecting and isn't trying to make a living from home renovation. And she's surrounded by a slew of incredible people. My favorite was her explosives-loving dad; her husband was cool but we saw very little of him. The dogs were also excellent.
While the mystery started with a murder in a previous book, it was easy to understand what was going on and jump into the storyline. Some parts seemed unnecessarily complicated or iffy but it wasn't anything too over the top. It left me wondering how much of the story will continue into the next book, if any.
As far as the audio version goes, I have to say this is one of the better narrations I've heard, at least for cozy mysteries. Mainly because it takes place in Maine and the narrator actually gives them appropriate accents! Such a pleasure.

[Soph · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't even get half way through

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this series, but this installment was a misfire. I can't quite put my finger on it other than to say it simply felt 'off', not quite in keeping with the style of some of the other Home Repair is Homocide books. Also WAY too many pages devoted to the cast iron bathtub situation. I will continue to read other books in this series, but hoping next one will rebound.

[Martha Bode · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should have stuck with my hard and fast rule -- don't read a book from a series without starting at the first book.... this review could be tainted by the fact that I did not know these characters and the apparently lengthy literary history from the HOME REPAIR IS HOMICIDE Mystery Series by Sarah Graves. However, I still don't think this was such a hot book -- the plot was convoluted and wandered all over the page and the small town setting. The writing seemed disjointed and frankly the characters, though they might be beloved, just did not appeal to me -- including the main character, Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree, a home repair tipster who was previously a questionable money manager, her ex-alcoholic teenage son, and an unpleasant retired teacher. Suffice it to say that if I had another book on CD in the car I might have stopped listening to this when the plot took a 4th ridiculous turn.... I will also note that the ending was also ridonkulous... and the killer was, well, quite out of character. Hate it when a plot makes no sense. Sorry Sarah Graves, but I won't be reading any more of Tiptree's Tips.

[Kimber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really didn’t like this book. First I’ve read in the series. I checked it out based on reviews.
Personally I thought the Tiptree tips were unnecessary and sort of ridiculous. My husband works in this field and her tips were really silly and amateur. I didn’t understand why I would care (as the story reader) about her hints on deglazing windows. Particularly because it was irrelevant to the story. And also because she was such an idiot when it came to renovations.
Also, her backstory was ... wow. Only a writer could come up with something so fantastic and cliche.
Bottom line. I didn’t like her at all. And the story was so much about her. I guess I’m just not a fan. You have to love this character to love the book. And I just thought she was an ex-criminal who ignores her son and gets involved in stuff she should keep her nose out of. I hoped I would like it more near the end but it ends with her and her husband going for a drive and looking at deer. Sorry. But I also hunt. Deer don’t go around in family groups like Bambi and eat carrots and apples out of peoples cars while the people sit around and watch. Maybe these were trained deer.
Unbelievable and Unrelatable.

[Rieta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might have enjoyed this more without the voices. Especially the voice of Bella - irritating.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a lover of historic houses and a fan of cozy mysteries, I thought I might enjoy this book. I didn't find the characters or the story particularly compelling, and I figured out whodunnit almost from the start; the motive as finally revealed seemed pretty contrived. So let's just say I won't be rushing right out to read any of the other books from this series.

[Karen Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series; I like the unfolding story line, the characters and the solutions to the murders.
This is the first time I've been impatient with Jake's impulsiveness both in home repair and putting herself in danger, but it's made up for by the unexpected development of Jake's father and Bella. Elllie is always a delight.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

While renovating her 1823 house, Jake uncovers an old book that she sends to historian Horace Robotham for verification that it’s a relic. When Robotham turns up dead, Jake must find the book and Robotham’s murderer. Lindsay Ellison did a good job in storytelling.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was not as good as the previous books in the series.. problems with continuity, weak plot, and just plain idiocy exhibited by the main character. I'm hoping the next one is better, because I do like the characters/setting.

[Ewa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really weak series, awaful characteres, no cozy mystery at all, unrealistic plot.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ... different.

For the last few books there's been a relatively low-focus subplot about an old book that was hiding in Jake's house's foundation. Now the old book comes to the foreground after the antiquarian book dealer who was examining it is murdered during his evening walk and the dealer's protege comes to Eastport to confront the person he thinks is responsible. The longer he stays in Eastport, however, the more potential suspects he and Jake find -- but Jake's old book remains missing. And more and more people keep dying....

In many ways, I really liked that the book included passages from the point of view of Dave DiMaio, the protege. They added depth to a very important character in this story and demonstrated how very limited Jake's own perspective on things may be. The fact that DiMaio also connected with Jake's son, Sam, made the passages that much better.

One thing that I very much didn't like, on the other hand, was that the book didn't mention -- even once -- the current status of Jake's ex-husband or what happened to the local projects he'd started. That really bothered me, especially given how much of the last few books involved those elements. I don't know why there wasn't even a mention of any of that in this book -- my theory is that this book was actually written, or at least started, earlier in the series before any of that took place -- but it bothered me. I'm hoping that the next book is different.

All in all, though, I'm glad to be back to this series and may even read the next in line ... well, next.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am about to host a large party at my house so the first thing I do is take a sledgehammer to my bathroom. Why? Because it needs remodeling and I don't have an ounce of brains in my head. I'm supposed to be preparing for said gathering but I decide to reglaze some windows instead. Talk about a lead character with no focus...how on earth can she be expected to solve a mystery?

The idea of a DIY sleuth was appealing but, sadly, the execution wasn't what I expected. Jake's (Jacobia) knowledge of rehabbing is not even at the basic level. One would know after just a few viewings of any HGTV program about support walls. Ultimately, almost all the repairs are made by Jake's father off camera.

Jake is so headstrong that she became annoying, as did her continual aside comments. Initially they were funny but it got old fairly soon. It seemed as if Jake was continually out-of-body, which allowed her to view events from a detached vantage point, acerbically commenting on every event, whether or not such commentary was appropriate.

I skipped the entire middle of the book. Yes, I missed some plot elements but it didn't matter. The reveal at the end was weak, probably because the murderer would have been discovered much sooner if Jake had been less easily diverted by the color of a radiator or the condition of some flooring.

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 2 out of 5]

A former money manager for the rich and famous comes to the small, seaside town of Eastport and buys a victorian fixer-upper. Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree has moved from her past but with plenty of entanglements: a father once wanted as a bomb maker, an alcoholic son trying to dry out and fly straight and a overly ambition housekeeper. The town may be cute but there are plenty of quirky characters there as well.

So what is one more: a "professor" who comes to town after the death of his mentor, packing a gun and heading Jake's way because his mentor had been investigating a supposed ancient and suspicious book that Jake had found while renovating her home.

Only, Jake doesn't really fix anything in her house, its more destroying (case in point, her only full bathroom) that causes her father and others to eventually come to her rescue. But she has a nose for murder and getting herself and others mixed up in trying to come up with a solution.

OK, its a cozy and I usually allow for a certain amount of crazy characters and quirks in cozies, because frankly, that's what makes them cozies. But this book has a little too much quirky characters and the entanglements are a bit too-far fetched. While I enjoyed the solution, I'm not sure I want to return to Eastport and Tiptree.

[Beth Waltman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted this book to do what “Agnes and the Hitman” did, but it didn’t quite get there. Lots of similarities. Beautiful old house near the water in need of remodeling. Good looking people sauntering around, mysterious strangers, multileveled plot. In contrast to Agnes, there is a real element of the supernatural in this book. I think the author should have given that theme a little more playing time. There is a handsome husband who seldom shows up, people dropping dead just when you thought there was a redemptive theme coming up. However, you get to the end, and all the characters remained as one-dimensional as they began, no personal growth. No lessons learned, just lots of running all around town. Can anyone explain adequately why the cop, Bob enlisted the help of two housewives and moms to sleuth for him? Because I don’t get it. However, I still found this fun to read on a day too hot to go outside and the TV show too stupid to watch. It’s funny and charming, just not deep or creepy or insightful. If you want something similar but with more symmetry and a beauty of an ending, I recommend Jennifer Crusie’s “Agnes and the Hitman.” No supernatural, but lots of murder and sisterhood and romance tied together with recipes.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unknowingly, I bought this book and not realizing it was part of a series. I found the book highly interesting.And I loved how the characters were portrayed. From the main character, Jacobia, to her husband Wade, and her best friend ... even the catalyst Dave.

I love a good mystery especially one that has facts add an interesting storyline. This checked all the boxes! What could be more interesting than having somebody find a book inside their 200-year-old home that appears to have written in blood that she would be one of the owners of the house?!! Add in the fact that she's updating or fixing their historic home (I love historic houses like this) add the antics that happen along with that. I found myself compelled to keep reading the story because you didn't really know, if a crime had happened or not and you were figuring it out as you read along. Very cool! I also love the relationship. Jake has with her husband and how he has her back and they're in love but it's not all about being in a romance. The friendship with her best friend is pretty cool too. As you get deeper in the story, she gets more interesting.
All that being said, I believe i'm gonna read a couple more of this series. Oh on a side note, there was a little bit more murder than I expected in this book.

[Kriss Luckett-Ziesemer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars on this one. I have enjoyed this series, but even though the plot had potential, this one is a little too cat-and-mouse, is-it-or-isn’t-it, and instead of being intriguing with captivating twists, it comes off more disjointed and choppy, and doesn’t really work. Also, one small detail but big issue here…one, this book came out in 2007, which makes it difficult to believe that, with all the MANY life-and-death situations Jake and Ellie have found themselves in, are you telling me that NEITHER of them regularly carries a cell phone? Come on, ladies. Stop being a horror movie stereotype, and stop charging into dangerous situations without any backup or means of communication with anyone who might save you from your own gullible stupidity.

Also, I’m still not sure why the author chose to kill off Victor two books prior. He added a subtle tension and a bit of humor, plus the skills of a neurosurgeon which would have actually tucked nicely into the end of this book. The author seemed to have had a choice about whether to grow or eliminate the character of Victor. She chose to eliminate him, but the way he died seemed almost impulsive and a little clumsy.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's some inconsistencies in Jacobia's pre-East Port life. I noticed it in other books but the time line for her moving to East Port has been re-written a bit. This is an issue when jumping over to the "Death by Chocolate" Series as well. Just have to chalk it up to this being several books into the series and that its just getting cranked out at this point. Maybe ghost writer's not doing enough research before writing and editor green lighting too quickly?

Tiptree's Tips are still at the start of each chapter and still not relevant to the chapter they're part of. They're also not very helpful.

Each chapter was ended by a few paragraphs being from the point of view from another character's point of view. Which is an evolution from the murder victim's view in the prologs of the past couple books. Neither type of additional view points has added anything to the story. Really just filler and duplicate information.

Now that I'm starting to understand the flow of this author's books I was able to identify the killer a lot earlier on. It was still an "ah ha! I knew it!" moment.

[CJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read this entire series and while the writing style can be awkward to read I usually enjoy the characters and story. However, this book put me off almost immediately. Jake’s harsh and quite mean-spirited description of her housekeeper, Bella was unnecessary to say the least. Is she trying to make herself feel better by downgrading her “friend??” Also, I feel quite certain Jake lost her beloved and equally hated, depending on her mood, Bisley revolver in a previous book but it’s back in this one. Finally, while she isn’t quite the witch to Ellie in this book as she has been previously, she still treats her “best friend” like an employee or barely tolerated acquaintance, far too often. Overall, the inconsistencies and rude thoughts and actions of the protagonist kept me from finishing this 11th installment of Ms Graves’ little series.

[Jane Arnup · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this whole series of house repair while finding an impressive array of corpses. I liked the characters and liked the discussion of the surrounding area architecture. I liked the relatively brief descriptions of the home repairs such an old house needed and respected her for taking most tasks on herself. However there were some points in which she provided WAY more information about performing certain repairs than I ever care to know, especially a whole lot about repairing the wooden framed windows, their sashes etc. This was series was one of many pandemic reads and was light and if my mind wondered sometimes I didn’t feel I’d miss some crucial issue in a later revealed complicated explanation of a murder.

[mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Graves really described the flavor and local lore of Eastport with this mystery, I had not read any other of her books so I can't compare but I do think she has a knack writing a good mystery. Jacobia and Ellie are curious spies and mystery solvers and get into some antics both trying to fix an old home and solve a murder mystery. The premise is the murder of an antique book seller and a missing antique book found in Jacobia's old home's attic, it gets complicated, and a slew of characters enter into the picture. I would call this book a light read and a nice breather from heavier more serious novels, I do intend to read another penned book by Sarah. I am from and live in Maine, so this has been a chance to read about Eastport since I know the area pretty well.

[Karen Keyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were ranking the first eleven books in this series, The Book of Old Houses would come dead last. It’s distracted, the mystery takes too long to develop and some of the ancillary characters are both ridiculous and unrealistic (Ann Talbert and Liane Myers, for instance). This series generally combines gritty murders with a comic flair but the humorous parts of this book fall flat. In addition, Wade and George are barely present and Sam has become one dimensional and flat. Meanwhile, Jacobia and Ellie continue to take stupid risks and expose themselves to danger at every opportunity. I liked the first ten books so I will give number twelve a try but if it is not any better than The Book of Old Houses I doubt I will make it all the way to book 16.

[Deedee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series, and I am heartbroken that it appears I’m nearing the end. Jacobia,, Ellie, George, Wade, Bob, Bella, et al, have become people I wish I knew. A strong, smart, and independent narrator, Jacobia is admirable and eminently likable. I thoroughly enjoy her humor and the messes she gets into restoring her old house. The mysteries are complex and not easily solved. One personal note: I’m very appreciative of the author’s handling of animals in the stories. When reading novels, I am often left asking “but what about the dog???” (cat, etc.) and I can depend on Ms. Graves to tell me. I wish she would keep Jacobia going for many books to come.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up ten of this series at our local library sale. Had thought about reading, but never had. The set was in pristine condition and I read the first one right away. The rest 2-11 I have read this year (2017). Not really a cozy, there are some difficult passages, but the character development is good and I love the setting in Eastport, Maine. The home repair hints and instructions are interesting and the area in Maine is great. Best read in order or there will be spoilers in each book otherwise. First is Dead Cat Bounce. (a phrase used in the financial world)