I've enjoyed several of these Fixer- Upper Mystery stories which revolve around Shannon Hammer, a building contract who works in Lighthouse Cove, California. Shannon keeps busy in this latest adventure when her younger sister Chloe, who left town some years ago, returns.

With a show called Makeover Madness on the popular Do-It-Yourself Network, Chloe, who left to find herself, is a minor TV star. But there will soon be A WRENCH IN THE WORKS. Chloe is full of her news, about her show which is coming to Lighthouse Cove to film the restoration of a neglected Victorian mansion, along with her cranky, unprofessional producer, Bree Bennett. Seems Chloe gets fired every other week, none of it permanent. At least she has a design book out under her own name.

First, Shannon feels inadequate when facing the prospect of a film crew and her glammed-up sister. All she's needed for years has been jeans and flannel shirts with work boots. I chuckled as I'm a practical, no make-up lady too. But with lights, close-ups, and attention to detail on the people as well as the home décor, our hardy builder doesn't want to let the family down. Next, Shannon meets Blake Bennett, her sister's co-presenter and producer Bree's ex-husband. Oh dear - no wonder the temper tantrums occur. I think this would be the worst show to work on!

Early in the morning as the crew arrives, coffee and doughnuts readily available, and the lighting is just right, things seem to be off to a good start. But shooting can't begin because a dead woman is discovered in the mansion. All the arguments behind the scenes come back to haunt the show as the Lighthouse Cove police have a murder investigation on their hands. I found the scene was really well set and like the crew, I was keen to get filming, then had to apply mental brakes at the tragic discovery.

Shannon knows some of the police from her school days and others from around town - she's stumbled upon a few murders by now, with her wide circle of contacts and locations. But the TV folks are strangers. Except for Chloe, who couldn't possibly be a suspect, could she? Perhaps the wooden siding isn't the only place where the rot set in...

Kate Carlisle keeps us guessing artfully in A WRENCH IN THE WORKS. I enjoyed all the nuances, including Chloe's meeting old enemies in town, and Shannon's ex-SEAL buddy. Fans of the series will be pleased to grab this book, and not just for the details of cleaning old paint out of spoon carvings with a blowtorch - though that's pretty cool too.