Book Review: Repair to Her Grave

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Repair to Her Grave     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Sarah Graves
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy   Woman Main Character
Series: Home Repair Is Homicide # 4
Bantam, August 2001, $5.99, 320 pp.

Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree used to be a high flyer living in a posh townhouse in Manhattan with her physician husband and their son. Everything turned to ashes when she learned her husband was cheating on her and her son was smoking weed. Deciding they had to get out of their environment, she divorced her husband and took her son to Eastport, Maine population about 2000.

Her new home is delightful except when the poltergeists act up but on the bright side, her son is off all drugs and doesn’t drink. The only fly in the ointment is that her ex husband followed her up here to be near them. This year Jonathan Raines, a student doing his thesis, wants to be the summer guest since Jake gave him permission almost a year ago. When Jonathan disappears Jake thinks foul play occurred. When Jonathan’s fiancee and her uncle suddenly appear he believes they’re all looking for the Stradivarius that is supposedly hidden in her house.

Sarah Graves writes an interesting cozy that is dark and foreboding instead of lighthearted and non-threatening. It makes for fascinating reading and the touch of the paranoia adds some spice to this tasty brew. REPAIR TO HER GRAVE is a straightforward story with complex characters that have many different facets making Ms. Graves’ star seem imminent in the mystery galaxy.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner