The Barn Identity

By Diane Kelly
** Publication Date 31 March 2026 **
​4 stars




Cute cozy mystery that has just a bit of darkness to it. This is the 8th book in Kelly’s House Flipper series. I have not read another book in this series, therefore this one is a standalone for me.


Whitney is a flipper. Along with her cousin Buck, they buy up properties, renovate, and sell once again. Previously Whitney even flipped her own home. Whitney’s husband Collin is a member of the police department. And somehow Whitney keeps finding herself in the middle of murder investigations.


This time it entails a barn which was once part of an antebellum estate. There is both good and dark history associated with this barn that served as a stopover for the Underground Railroad. Instead of being a flip, Buck and Whitney have been hired to rehab the barn into a property the family can be proud of. 


When a local reporter, working on a story about the barn, gets brutally murdered on the property, Whitney inserts herself right into the investigation. After all, this young man wouldn’t have even been there if it weren't for the history and rehab of the property. 


Cute novel. Loved the chapters with the cat’s thoughts inserted in-between the human focused chapters. As this is part of a larger series, I can testify that you do not need to have read any of the previous novels to enjoy this one. Also, like me, you may want to go back and read the rest because you enjoyed this one so much. 


Engaging, not too dark, fun read. Definitely recommend when you’re in the mood for something mysterious, but not gory or depressing.