Avery Baker

Avery Baker is the textile designer turned renovator in Jennie Bentley's Do-It-Yourself Mysteries, set in Waterfield, Maine.
Character

Avery Baker leaves New York after inheriting a neglected Victorian house in Waterfield, Maine. Her original plan is to renovate and sell it, but a murder turns the project into the first of several investigations. She stays in town and learns building work alongside local handyman Derek Ellis.

The renovation projects are part of the cases rather than background decoration. Avery encounters old houses, hidden spaces, and the complications of living in a small town while she and Derek investigate local deaths. The seven books also follow their developing partnership. Begin with Fatal Fixer-Upper and use the Do-It-Yourself Mysteries reading order for the rest.

Reading Order

See the complete Do-It-Yourself Mysteries reading order for all books in the series.

Appears in Series

  • Do-It-Yourself Mysteries - Jennie Bentley's Do-It-Yourself Mysteries follow Avery Baker and Derek Ellis through home renovations, small-town Maine life, and murder investigations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Avery Baker?

Avery Baker is a textile designer from New York who inherits a run-down Victorian house in Waterfield, Maine. She was created by Jennie Bentley (a pen name for Jenna Bennett) and first appeared in Fatal Fixer-Upper (2008).

Who is Derek Ellis in the Do-It-Yourself Mysteries?

Derek Ellis is a local Waterfield handyman who partners with Avery on her renovation projects. He teaches her the building trade and helps investigate the murders that keep happening around their projects.

How many Do-It-Yourself Mysteries are there?

There are seven Do-It-Yourself Mysteries, from Fatal Fixer-Upper (2008) to Home for the Homicide (2013). Jenna Bennett published them under the name Jennie Bentley.

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