The Fixer Upper

By: Mary Kay Andrews

Narrated by: Isabel Keating

Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

The delightful New York Times best-selling author returns with a hilarious novel about one woman's quest to fix up her house and her life.

After a political scandal, fledgling lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left almost broke, unemployed, and homeless. She reluctantly accepts to refurbish Birdsong, the old family place in Guthrie, Georgia. But, oh, is Dempsey in for a surprise. "Bird Droppings" would more aptly describe the moldering Pepto Bismol - pink dump. There's also a murderously grumpy old lady who has claimed squatter's rights and isn't moving out. Ever.

Furthermore, everyone in Guthrie seems to know Dempsey's business, from a smooth-talking real-estate agent to a cute former lawyer who owns the local newspaper. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the pesky FBI agents who show up on Dempsey's doorstep, hoping to pry information about her ex-boss from her. All Dempsey can do is roll up her sleeves and get to work. And before long, what started as a job of necessity somehow becomes a labor of love and, ultimately, a journey that takes her to a place she never expected - back home again.

©2009 Whodunnit, Inc. (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Wanted More of the Story

Wanted more closure to the story. What happened to Dempsey? Did she marry Berryhill? Guess that's what makes a great story... you don't want it to end.

Absolutely great

Wonderful exciting full of adventure intrigue and a little good down-home goodness good read

I love!!

This was the first fiction book I’ve read and i am in LOVE! From the story to the narrator, it’s so, so great!

Fun

It's a charming diversion. the characters are all charming--except I found it annoying that Dempsey, the main character, despite being a top law student at a top law school was so slow on the uptake on way too many subjects. I could see her getting hoodwinked by the boss--the dewy eyed girl syndrome, but not to family and friends. Presenter was excellent!!

Really enjoyed

My favorite thing about the book was probably the house. I really enjoyed hearing about the progress of the renovation. The characters were all really likeable, the narrator was pleasant to listen to and distinguished between characters well. I would definitely recommend this book and was sad to finish it.

Very best Andrews audiobook

What did you love best about The Fixer Upper?

Keating's performance.

What other book might you compare The Fixer Upper to and why?

Savannah Blues, same author and concept of finding treasure, making do and getting hands dirty on a project.

What about Isabel Keating’s performance did you like?

Well. The Donald Duck voice of Ella-Kate (hope I'm remembering the name right - it was a whole week ago) is so obnoxious in the first few chapters that I must decide whether to continue...each time I listen to it. And then she kinda grows on me. And then I remember that she reminds me of a very toxic aunt I had - most even-tempered woman I ever knew - just mad all the time. Anyhow, this is a genius vocal portrayal, as are the snappish voice of the female FBI agent and the laid-back Bobby Livisy.

If you could take any character from The Fixer Upper out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Bobby Livisy. He has standards and he knows stuff.

Good, escapist fun

Like others have said, this isn't high literature, but it's not meant to be. It's meant to be good, escapist fun and it delivers. The story is somewhat predictable, true, but it's like a comfortable, favorite pair of shoes in that regard, because things settle out exactly as they "should", with a nice little twist at the end.

Isabel Keating is my favorite narrator of Mary Kay Andrews' books, because her voices are all distinct, and unlike some female narrators, when she's voicing a male character, I can believe it's a man talking. I actually listened to this book before I read it later in print, and I could still "hear" Ella-Kate's voice when I read her dialogue.

My only (small) complaint is that the men in Mary Kay Andrews' books are willing to put up with a lot of uncertainty and occasional abuse from the female characters, but I suppose that's part of what makes it chick-lit fantasy!

Excellent

Excellent narration and great story for when you're in the mood for something not too serious and just fun to listen to

Fun!

A fun, funny story! Excellent narration! I've yet to be disappointed with Mary Kay Andrews!! Want a treat?? Try this one!

Somewhat far fetched

Having read/listened to all of Mary Kay Andrews books I found this latest to be somewhat below par. Isabel Keating is as always an excellent narrator. It's the story that is a little too implausible. Our heroine is too dense despite her law degree and career in politics to see through the villain and maintains her incredulity despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary for a good 2/3rds of the book. The house or "fixer-upper" of the title is loaded with problems and difficulties for which solutions just seem to miraculously appear at the right time.i.e. The handyman hired to do the fixing up just happens to find enough virgin lumber in the basement of the house with which - over the weekend mind you - to build from scratch a fine furniture-quality kitchen island, for free it seems.
This story only deserves a 3 but Isabelle Keating's skill raised it to a 4 for me.