This is the fifth book in the Do It Yourself Mystery series. And a great addition it is, too.

I have really enjoyed all the books in this series and this was no exception. Some books grab you on page one and this one did just that.

Avery and Derek are back on the mainland renovating the home of a local TV personality and the fiancee of Derek's ex wife, Melissa. This renovation is going to be taped for showing on a DIY tV show. The crew has arrived and Avery and Derek are doing a walk thru of the house and getting a timeline worked out for the filming. The next morning Avery and Derek arrive at the home to begin working and find that the houseowner has been killed, with what appears to have been a scewdriver. Quite naturally suspicion falls on Melissa. Needless to say that there is no love lost between Avery and Melissa, but Avery feels that she is not the killer. Then it is learned that the production manager has received notes stating: "I know what you did". In fact the victim had received on. But then, nobody really knows anything bout the production crew. Besides, the show interviewer had recieved a nasty electrical shock on previous shoot. Maybe someone has it in for the TV show.

Avery and Derek have the hands full trying to find out who and why the owner was killed. After all the production company is only going to be around for a week.

I thought it was a well detailed story, with excellent plotting. One thing, that is important to me, Bentley skillfully blended in the backstory in this book, too. ( )

Another good story in a strong series. I really enjoyed reading about likeable characters and the plot was interesting. Looking forward to the next one. ( )

This is the fifth book in the Do It Yourself Mystery series. And a great addition it is, too.

I have really enjoyed all the books in this series and this was no exception. Some books grab you on page one and this one did just that.

Avery and Derek are back on the mainland renovating the home of a local TV personality and the fiancee of Derek's ex wife, Melissa. This renovation is going to be taped for showing on a DIY tV show. The crew has arrived and Avery and Derek are doing a walk thru of the house and getting a timeline worked out for the filming. The next morning Avery and Derek arrive at the home to begin working and find that the houseowner has been killed, with what appears to have been a scewdriver. Quite naturally suspicion falls on Melissa. Needless to say that there is no love lost between Avery and Melissa, but Avery feels that she is not the killer. Then it is learned that the production manager has received notes stating: "I know what you did". In fact the victim had received on. But then, nobody really knows anything bout the production crew. Besides, the show interviewer had recieved a nasty electrical shock on previous shoot. Maybe someone has it in for the TV show.

Avery and Derek have the hands full trying to find out who and why the owner was killed. After all the production company is only going to be around for a week.

I thought it was a well detailed story, with excellent plotting. One thing, that is important to me, Bentley skillfully blended in the backstory in this book, too. ( )

I continue to enjoy this series, and Flipped Out is a nice addition. I like the Maine setting coupled with house renovations.

( )

4½ stars!

FLIPPED OUT is the fifth book in Jennie Bentley's popular Do-It-Yourself mystery series. I really enjoyed this one. In fact, I'd put it in my top three favorite cozy mysteries I've read this year.

For someone new to the series like me, Ms. Bentley did an excellent job of weaving in the series backstory with this book's mystery. Avery Baker has lived in Waterfield, Maine, for about a year, ever since she inherited her aunt's old house. She's a former Manhattan textile designer, and her boyfriend, Derek, is a doctor-turned-contractor. Together, they take on home renovation projects around Waterfield, and usually a dead body turns up along the way.

Avery and Derek's latest fixer upper is being showcased on Flipped Out!, a home renovation TV show. Not long after the crew comes to town to begin filming, the owner of the cottage being revamped is found murdered. Fingers point to the fiancee of the deceased, Melissa, who also happens to be Derek's unpleasant ex-wife. As Avery and Derek investigate further, they discover that the murder victim is connected to more than one member of the Flipped Out! TV crew. So, along with trying to complete the renovation project on schedule (the show must go on!), Avery and Derek work to catch the killer before there's another victim.

FLIPPED OUT had an intricate plot, likable characters and a charming setting. This was not an easy mystery to solve. There were several twists and turns to the story, and in the end, the killer could have been one of many possible suspects. FLIPPED OUT was filled with several funny moments. I particularly loved Avery's attack cat, Mischa, and how he launched himself at Derek's shins every time he came in her house. LOL. I thought the home renovation and all the "shop talk" was very interesting and blended nicely into the story. Also included at the back of the book are renovation and design tips. Fans of cozy mysteries shouldn't miss this one!

I received my copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )