Review

Avery Baker and her boyfriend and business partner Derek Ellis are beginning their fifth home renovation project together. Their latest project is to update the 1930s cottage belonging to local news anchor Tony “the Tiger” Micelli. This isn’t just any renovation project. The crew of Flipped Out! Is coming to Waterfield, Maine and will be filming the whole project. If that isn’t enough pressure, the entire project must be completed within one week. Further complicating the situation, Tony’s girlfriend Melissa James plans on making frequent appearances to the home and the beautiful Melissa just happens to be Derek’s ex-wife. Things start out better than expected until the second day when Tony is found murdered in the cottage, a victim of a vicious stabbing. All evidence is pointing at Melissa, and while Melissa is guilty of many things, such as constant flirting with Derek, even Avery thinks she is innocent of the murder and reluctantly agrees to help clear her rival.

I really enjoy the home renovation theme in this series. Derek is believable in the role as doctor turned handyman and Avery’s design expertise comes in handy for their projects. There are some interesting design ideas in the back of the book, as well as some really useful tips on improving the curb appeal of your home. However, the tips aren’t just relegated to the back of the book. Derek and Avery offer information about remodeling a home throughout the book in a way that is smoothly integrated into the story.

Adding to the enjoyment of this installment is the reality TV element. The inside look into the production of the show is fun to read. Many of the supporting characters involved in the show, such as Nina and Fae, are actually more interesting than some of the series regulars, especially Avery’s friend Kate who doesn’t come across as a fully developed character. Kate seems nice, but with the exception of a few scenes involving her daughter Shannon, she seems to be a part of the background and not vital to the series.

I have read one other earlier book in this series, and am glad to see that Avery is maturing and has stopped pouting (one of the reasons for her nickname “Tink”) when she doesn’t get her way. I am disappointed, however, that Derek still seems to be fixated on his ex-wife Melissa. While he is adamant that their marriage was unhappy and he would never get back together with her, Derek still drops everything whenever Melissa needs anything. Melissa always seems to have a plan to stay involved in Derek’s life, whether to win him back or just to goad Avery. In this case, I agree with Avery that she and Derek should keep their distance from the demanding and self-centered Melissa.

In spite of things often revolving around Melissa, I think the series is improving. I was interested in the renovation storyline as well as finding out the solution to the murder throughout the book. It is a suspenseful story, and the full solution isn’t revealed until the very end of the book. Fans of Juliet Blackwell’s Haunted Home Repair mysteries as well as mystery lovers who enjoy watching the DIY Network will want to read about Avery and Derek’s latest project in Flipped Out!

Reviewed by Christine