"A riveting thriller that ratchets up the suspense from the start to the breathless conclusion."

By: Sarah Graves

Genres: Mystery Woman Sleuth | Mystery Amateur Sleuth

Posted: December 15, 2009

True-crime writers Chip Hahn and Carolyn Rathbone arrive in Eastport, Maine, to research the murders of two sisters. The crimes occurred six years apart, but Carolyn and Chip believe the women's husbands, Roger and Randy Dodd, committed the murders. Before they can unpack their luggage, Carolyn disappears. Chip appeals to Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree, the mother of his friend Sam, to help him convince the police of foul play. Jake's interest spikes when Sam's disappearance coincides with Carolyn's. Jake looks for clues and scrutinizes Roger Dodd, the surviving brother. She probes the accidental death of Randy Dodd in a fishing accident right after his wife's murder. The compelling evidence at that time was Randy's body was on the ocean bottom. The evidence proves wrong. Randy is alive and on a killing spree.

Jake's housekeeper and new mother-in-law, Bella, joins Jake as they search for Sam. Their evolving uneasy relationship undergoes drastic changes as they attempt to get into the mind of a killer to save Sam and the other hostages.

Ms. Graves delivers a riveting thriller that ratchets up the suspense from the first page to the breath stopping conclusion. The cold Maine Island and frigid water surrounding it take center stage as the characters must battle their perilous environment along with struggling to match wits and stay alive from a ruthless serial killer. The Home Repair series continues to give mystery and thriller fans a top notch read.

Book Summary

Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree abandoned Wall Street to its bankruptcies and bailouts for a far more rewarding life fixing up an 1823 Federal-style house in Eastport, Maine.

But in Sarah Graves’s chilling new mystery thriller, Jake discovers that no matter what your address, the most terrifying crimes always hit closest to home.The infamous Dodd murders are hardly among Eastport’s proudest legacies. So when bestselling true-crime author Carolyn Rathbone arrives to research the case for a new book, the locals in the seaside town let her know that she’s about as welcome as a spoiled clam. But surely no one would harm a crime writer out of a sense of civic pride–or would they?

Jake has her own problems, from the mysteries of old-house insulation to an anonymous caller plaguing her with death threats. But with Carolyn’s arrival, the slayings of the wealthy Dodd women suddenly go from cold case to hot topic– much to someone’s dismay. For Carolyn Rathbone’s untimely investigation hasn’t only reopened old wounds and stirred up new suspicions; it’s unearthed a string of deadly secrets–ones that a cunning killer is grimly determined to rebury right along with Carolyn herself.Suddenly Jake finds herself inescapably targeted by one of the most deranged criminal minds she’s ever encountered. For as much as she fights to insulate herself from his grisly compulsions, someone with a taste for terror has already crept closer than she dares to imagine. She’d rather die than lose the home and family she’s built–and that suits her nemesis fine, because her death is just exactly what he has planned.

Crawlspace by Sarah Graves

Crawlspace

by: Sarah Graves

Home Repair Is Homicide #13

Bantam
January 1, 2010
On Sale: December 29, 2009
Featuring: Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree
288 pages
ISBN: 0553806807
EAN: 9780553806809
Hardcover

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