You know those cold case shows like Dateline and 20/20 where they investigate the suspicious deaths of women forever frozen in outdated hairdos and wedding gowns? Well, even the commercials for those shows make my skin crawl, so I never watch them. That said, an unsolved murder woven into the plot of an otherwise lighthearted novel is an entirely different kettle of fish. It comes across as more haunting than harrowing -- and yet also somehow more real. Which, I suppose, is why I took to Mary Kay Andrews's The Homewreckers.
Savannah widow and historical home rehab maven Hattie Kavanaugh agrees to star in a reality show about renovating a hundred-year-old beach house. Cheekily called The Homewreckers (apparently, Saving Savannah was too sleepy), it capitalizes on the reality programming mainstays of hairspray and hissy fits, all (un)scrupulously scripted to look off the cuff. Although more at home in Carhartts than cutoffs, Hattie puts up with the Hollywood hullabaloo in hopes of repaying her boss, who also happens to be her father-in-law. But she gets more than she bargained for when she finds a wallet that belonged to her beloved high school English teacher, who disappeared seventeen years ago. What was Lanier Ragan doing in that house, and who was the last person to see her? Someone doesn't want Hattie -- or anyone else -- to find out and starts sending not-so-subtle warnings. With her last cent tied up in the renovation (TV gigs being less lucrative than one might think), Hattie literally can't afford to turn a blind eye. Not only that, but Lanier was more than a teacher. She was a friend who helped Hattie through a tough time.
Hattie, by the way, is what makes this book compelling. So many mysteries feature a sleuth with no skin in the game, someone just looking for kicks or fulfilling a promise to a weaker character. And although those premises can be fun, I often wonder why the "detectives" just don't walk away. Life's hard enough without goading baddies into tossing bricks through your window. Yet Hattie's invested, and each and every step she takes toward whodunit rings true.
The Homewreckers covers all the baseboards, from murder mystery to reality TV to family drama to, of course, romance. With characters and a plot built to last, it's a story you can sink your sawteeth into.
5 comments:
It really turns up a mystery. Oh, sounds like a vacay if it's at the beach. We are having some very cold days here. And more snow to come..which I know we need. Hope your December is off to a great start. Thanks for the wonderful review!
I do like those driven characters. Oh, you are so fun with all those HOME DIY words too! Thanks so much for the review! Great to hear about this one. Hope you guys are staying warm. All the best to your December Reads!
Such a fun title. It does look like it would have its moments. And such a well-seasoned author. So great to see your almost last book review of the month. Hope your November is going well. Thanks so much. Yes, you are so right about these murder mysteries! All the best to a great December!
Another good review ! It sounds like an interesting story line. I'm still hooked on Netflix and haven't been doing much reading. When I do read, it's usually historical fiction or a biography. I really should get out a book. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a cool-sounding whodunit read!! Sounds like one that keeps you intrigued (how can it not with murder mystery, reality TV, family drama and romance?!) 💙 Also, I'm really loving the clever book cover!
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