I admit I'm rather late to this series. I found this one--number 10 in the series--at the library and can't wait to read the other nine. This Home Improvement series features Jacobia Tiptree, called "Jake." She's a former runaway and former accountant for the mob, now resettled in Maine, married (for the second time), and struggling with keeping up with the repair demands and expense of owning a century home.
Jemmy Returns
Trap Door finds Jake building a dock for her lakeside cottage with her best friend, Ellie. On their way to the lake, they see a ghost from Jake's New York City past, a "wiseguy" named Jemmy Wechsler. Now Jemmy may be a hired killer, but he's like family to Jake. He's the one who found her on the streets as a teenager, put her through school, and got her that accounting job. Still, his turning up in rural Maine can't be a good thing.
Walter Henderson
As if one hired killer in Eastport, Jake's small Maine community, isn't trouble enough. Another assassin, Walter Henderson, has recently moved just outside of town and built himself a multi-million dollar mansion and estate, complete with state-of-the-art security. After a little digging, Jake learns that he's in town waiting for Jemmy, who's likely to come find Jake eventually. The two men have a score to settle and the outcome will likely leave at least one of them dead.
Even more disturbing, Jake learns that a young man was recently found hanged in the Henderson barn. The official ruling is suicide, but Jake finds it just too convenient that the boy also happened to be dating Henderson's beautiful, but arrogant, teenage daughter. The more she learns, the more convinced she is that Henderson is guilty. But how can she prove it?
Trap Door is light and easy-to-read, without being cloying, as so many cozy mysteries can be. Even in the 10th installment, the characters are well-defined and likeably quirky. Ms. Graves even shares some DIY tips at the beginning of each chapter. If you're like me, you'll be seeking out the rest of this series when you finish Trap Door.
About Sarah Graves
Sarah Graves is the author of ten Jake Tiptree mysteries. She, like Jake, is always working on some DIY project. She lives with her husband and labrador retriever.
Related Links
- Sarah Graves Web site
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