The Book of Old Houses [Preloaded Digital Audio Player]

Sarah Graves (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2008

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….

What would you do if a long-buried book was unearthed from beneath your 1823 fixer-upper—a book containing your name written in blood? That’s the mystery Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree faces in the midst of her latest old-house renovations. But it’s only the first in a town better known for its scenic views and historic homes than its body count. Now Jake is putting aside her hammer and fixing to find someone who’s got the blueprint for a perfect murder.

Complete with Home Repair Is Homicide Repair Tips!

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this multilayered cozy, the 11th in Graves's home repair series (after 2006's Trap Door), Jacobia Jake Tiptree has uncovered what looks to be a very old book while fixing up her 1823 house in Eastport, Maine. Local rare book expert Horace Robotham offers to take a look at it, but then dies in what appears to be a mugging gone wrong. Jake doesn't think too much about this until a stranger drives up to her house three weeks after Horace's death. He introduces himself as a friend of Horace's, says he might have some information about the book and then asks Jake if he can hide a gun in her house. Meanwhile, Jake's father is putting the moves on her sassy housekeeper, Bella. Although the development of minor characters is a little thin, local color and an entirely unexpected denouement combine for engaging reading. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“Mixing slaughter with screwdrivers, renovator-author Sarah Graves wields the pen and paintbrush behind the Home Repair Is Homicide series.” —Miami Herald

“Packed equally with incidents and tips on household repair.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Multilayered.… engaging.”—Publishers Weekly


From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Preloaded Digital Audio Player
• Publisher: Playaway; Unabridged edition (May 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160514939X
• ISBN-13: 978-1605149394
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 4.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Sarah Graves lives with her husband in Eastport, Maine, where her mystery novels are set. She is currently working on her twelfth Home Repair Is Homicide novel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What was this all about?, January 13, 2008

By 

M. C. Carter "cartertoggle" (Columbia, Md USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Old Houses (Home Repair Is Homicide Mysteries) (Hardcover)

This entry in the long running series finds Jake still in a quandry over the old book she found in the cellar of her Maine 'fixer upper'. And like the old house that never seems to be completed, I did not find that the story line was complete....convuluted, over busy, full of starts and stops, yes. Finished, certainly...Complete, no. I have been a big fan of Jake's stories from the first but this one falls flat. Maybe I still miss Victor! I have never been a fan of Ellie's (too contrived) or Wade's (off to the boat...go catch a murderer....see you later). In my opinion the storyline couldn't decide whether to develop into a straight who-dunit, branch out into a supernatural thriller, or just turn into a morality tale. (Bad guy corrupts weird kid in an quaint setting and they all wear aluminum foil hats forever). And poor Sam. PLEASE find him a purpose in life. I will eagerly await the next book and hope for the best.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book of Old Houses, June 4, 2008

By 

Erica D. Vetsch - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Book of Old Houses (Home Repair Is Homicide Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The fictional world created by Sarah Graves in her Home Repair is Homicide series is one of my favorites. I enjoyed this book, as I have every book in the series so far. In fact, after I read this one, I started the series over again.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A book that needed to be built a bit better..., October 25, 2009

By 

H. McCubbin (Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Old Houses (Home Repair Is Homicide Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

I couldn't finish this book. When I started it, I felt like I was coming in in the middle of a story. I didn't know what this old book was Jake found, when she found it, why she gave it away for research...I guess I'd have to start with book 1 in this series, but I didn't know this WAS a series until I began reading.

Usually, though, in series, the authors do a good job of updating you on what has happened. I found that wasn't case in "The Book of Old Houses". I also found I didn't care about ANY of the characters! They just didn't come to life for me. Frustrating since I actually bought this book.