Dead Bolt: A Haunted Home Renovation Mystery

In Blackwell’s smooth, seductive second mystery featuring San Francisco historic house contractor Melanie Turner (after 2010’s If Walls Could Talk), something otherworldly is interfering with Mel’s work on Jim and Katenka Daley’s 1890s Queen Anne Victorian. Mel must also contend with the elderly neighbor across the street, Emile Blunt, who’s determined to buy the Daleys’ house, even though it’s not for sale. Mel’s father, himself a former contractor, tries to smooth things over with the crotchety Emile, only to find him shot dead the next day. Desperate to save her character and her renovation from a murder, Mel may have to dig the truth up about yet another ghost before all is said and done. The return of divorced Mel’s old crush, green building expert Graham Donovan, adds romantic interest. Cozy fans will want to see a lot more of the endearing Mel. (Dec.)