“Fixing to Die” by Elaine Viets — a “restoration comedy” murder mystery — setting inspired by Retro Renovation!
pam kueber - December 16, 2013, Updated: June 23, 2021
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
And the fun just keeps on coming. Here’s something I would never in a million years have expected: RetroRenovation.com and a reader’s kitchen remodel — Carrie’s — has inspired the setting for a “restoration comedy” murder mystery by a bestselling author. The book, just out, is Fixing to Die: Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, by Elaine Viets (affiliate link). Elaine Viets gives the blog lots of shout-outs in the book — clearly, she is an intent reader — and now, we are immortalized in the Library of Congress. Woot! This is a real-deal book: It debuted at #9 on the Barnes & Noble paperback list! It’s available in both paperback and for Kindle — quick, there’s still time to get your copy before Christmas!
Viets first contacted me about this project a full 11 months ago, in January 2013. Elaine (may I call you Elaine?) also expressed her love for the retro:
My name is Elaine Viets and I write mysteries for Obsidian, a division of Penguin in New York. I’ve fallen in love with the retro kitchens on your site, especially Carrie’s $6,000 renovation.
I would like my character, Josie Marcus, to renovate her retro kitchen in my new mystery, and of course I’d mention your site.
Carrie’s husband bought her a Dishmaster when the project was completed. 🙂
I’d also like to introduce my readers to the delights of retro kitchens and to the important and useful resources on your site.
May I use some of Carrie’s photos to show readers what a well-designed retro kitchen looks like on my Facebook page? I would of course give proper credit to your site and to Carrie.
My husband and I renovated a 90-year-old flat in St. Louis some years ago. We now live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In St. Louis I owned a vintage Magic Chef which I had to leave behind but loved.
Elaine Viets
This weekend, my copy of Fixing to Die arrived in my mailbox (Viets send me a copy for free). When I cracked it open, I was super surprised and delighted to see lots of love expressed for the blog, and for Carrie and her epic kitchen remodel. Readers of this book surely be encouraged to check out our little community!
We’re in the smack dab front of the book:
We’re right up top in the Acknowledgments at the beginning of the book!
We’re in the shopping section:
In the shopping section at the back of the book… Many of our advertisers are mentioned as well!
Carrie gets a special shout out in the Shopping section — her kitchen remodel was Viets’ inspiration for the setting for her murder mystery solved by protagonist Josie Marcus:
Retro Renovation reader Carrie’s kitchen inspired the setting for Elaine Viet’s latest Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper murder mystery, Fixing to Die
Thank you, for your immense generosity, Elaine!
I also love Elaine’s dedication, to her grandmother:
And she signed my copy for me!:
Fixing to Die is a murder mystery — but Viets also calls it a “restoration comedy.” I started reading my copy over the weekend. If you are a regular reader of the blog, you will be laughing right off the top. Hint: Viets has noticed my rants against the greige nation, I think. Tee hee. So far I have only read the first 30 pages — but clearly, the process of buying a house, then renovating it, plays a very key role in the plot. The dead body is found during the remodeling process… and the mystery unfolds, with trusty sleuth Josie Marcus hot on the trail of the killer — not to mention her kitchen renovation!
What a happy way end to another year of Retro Renovation! Thanks, Elaine… super mega thanks, Carrie… and thanks to all you readers — you never know where your inspiring projects will end up!
You can get your copy here (affiliate linky dink) — there also is a Kindle version:
As a life long mystery lover, especially those centered on food, antiques and houses: I can’t wait to get a hold of a copy. Congrats to both Pam and Ms. Viets.
Robin, NVsays
Oh goody!! I love mysteries and one that involves home renovation sounds awesome. Amazon here I come.
Congrats on all the mentions Pam. You’ve clearly gathered quite a following. Pam’s Retro Renovation Army. We WILL change the world one pink bathroom at a time.
Andisays
This is so exciting—I’ve just ordered my copy from Amazon and can’t wait to read it. What fun!
As a mystery fan, a daily reader of RR, and veteran of two vintage house restorations (not often a “comedy”!) I’m sure I’ll love this!
Most of the renovation Don and I did wasn’t a comedy either, at least not at the time — like the time the plaster ceiling fell on my head. It’s a real test of a marriage.
pam kuebersays
Yes, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry… That’s for sure!
I love mysteries and this one sounds like a lot of …fun!!!!! (Body under the gazebo aside.)
Pennesays
I’m fairly certain that Elaine Veits wrote a column in the Sunday magazine for the St. Louis Post Dispatch and I enjoyed her insight. I always try to have a special book to start reading on Christmas night and Fixing to Die is going to be the one for this year. Thanks Pam, Carrie, and Elaine. Merry Christmas.
That’s me! I still come home to St. Louis at least twice a year, usually in May and November, for book signings.
And I definitely recommend Pam’s site for anyone who’s interested in mid-century modern.
Suesays
Loved Elaine’s columns in the St. Louis Post Dispatch many years ago. St. Louis’ loss is the world’s gain. Congratulations on the placement.
And the fun just keeps on coming. Here’s something I would never in a million years have expected: RetroRenovation.com and a reader’s kitchen remodel — Carrie’s — has inspired the setting for a “restoration comedy” murder mystery by a bestselling author. The book, just out, is Fixing to Die: Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, by Elaine Viets (affiliate link). Elaine Viets gives the blog lots of shout-outs in the book — clearly, she is an intent reader — and now, we are immortalized in the Library of Congress. Woot! This is a real-deal book: It debuted at #9 on the Barnes & Noble paperback list! It’s available in both paperback and for Kindle — quick, there’s still time to get your copy before Christmas!
And she signed my copy for me!:
Fixing to Die is a murder mystery — but Viets also calls it a “restoration comedy.” I started reading my copy over the weekend. If you are a regular reader of the blog, you will be laughing right off the top. Hint: Viets has noticed my rants against the greige nation, I think. Tee hee. So far I have only read the first 30 pages — but clearly, the process of buying a house, then renovating it, plays a very key role in the plot. The dead body is found during the remodeling process… and the mystery unfolds, with trusty sleuth Josie Marcus hot on the trail of the killer — not to mention her kitchen renovation!
Jay says
As a life long mystery lover, especially those centered on food, antiques and houses: I can’t wait to get a hold of a copy. Congrats to both Pam and Ms. Viets.
Robin, NV says
Oh goody!! I love mysteries and one that involves home renovation sounds awesome. Amazon here I come.
Congrats on all the mentions Pam. You’ve clearly gathered quite a following. Pam’s Retro Renovation Army. We WILL change the world one pink bathroom at a time.
Andi says
This is so exciting—I’ve just ordered my copy from Amazon and can’t wait to read it. What fun!
As a mystery fan, a daily reader of RR, and veteran of two vintage house restorations (not often a “comedy”!) I’m sure I’ll love this!
Elaine Viets says
Most of the renovation Don and I did wasn’t a comedy either, at least not at the time — like the time the plaster ceiling fell on my head. It’s a real test of a marriage.
pam kueber says
Yes, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry… That’s for sure!
Elaine Viets says
Also had Josie’s daughter, Amelia, Save the Pink Bathrooms!
pam kueber says
🙂 I think you will get an honorary I Saved a Pink Bathroom shirt!
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
Pretty cool!
Roundhouse Sarah says
How fun! Just ordered my copy from amazon. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Puddletown Cheryl says
Oh, my goodness. Two of my favorite things, RetroRenovation and mysteries (I never figure out who dun it. Oh, well).
RetroSandie says
I love mysteries and this one sounds like a lot of …fun!!!!! (Body under the gazebo aside.)
Penne says
I’m fairly certain that Elaine Veits wrote a column in the Sunday magazine for the St. Louis Post Dispatch and I enjoyed her insight. I always try to have a special book to start reading on Christmas night and Fixing to Die is going to be the one for this year. Thanks Pam, Carrie, and Elaine. Merry Christmas.
Patty says
Same one. Loved her columns and so did my mother.
Elaine Viets says
That’s me! I still come home to St. Louis at least twice a year, usually in May and November, for book signings.
And I definitely recommend Pam’s site for anyone who’s interested in mid-century modern.
Sue says
Loved Elaine’s columns in the St. Louis Post Dispatch many years ago. St. Louis’ loss is the world’s gain. Congratulations on the placement.