Confessions of a Contractor - Hardcover

aIn screenwriter Murphyas breezy debut, Henry Sullivan, a single, in-demand L.A. contractor, can pick and choose his high-end home renovation jobs. Henryas self- imposed rulesadonat sleep with clients and donat take on too many projects at onceago out a half-finished window when he falls for two clients at once: Sally Stein, a single and successful purse designer, and Rebecca Paulson, an unhappily married mother of twins who is Sallyas former best friend. Why the two women he loves are no longer speaking becomes so intriguing to Henry that he begins to dig for answers while simultaneously finishing (or, rather, attempting to finish) both their houses. How Henry finally solves the mystery is neatly wrapped up at the end of this amazing tour through the perils of poking around in othersa intimate spaces.a
a"Publisheras Weekly"
aHollywood screenwriter Murphy taps into his own lengthy history in the home- repair business to craft a debut novel about the uneven relationships between love and shelter. Murphyas fictional doppelganger Henry Sullivan, a blue-collar contractor, is having a hell of a summer. After 15 years working a hammer, this home-repair whiz has learned a few tricks, including maintaining a firm grip on his common sense while clients are losing their minds. aNothing epitomizes the American dream like a house, a he says. aIt is the reason renovation has become the most expensive drug on the market, and the reason some people canat stop doing it once they start.a Henry breaks his own rules by sleeping with Sally Stein, a charismatic purse designer who finds him to be a perfect accessory. At the same time, he canat stop thinking about new client Rebecca, the wife ofrepellent real-estate guru Derrick Paulson, who buddies up to Henry to help him salvage his doomed marriage. As if the self-possessed Sullivan doesnat have enough trouble with his love triangle, heas also coping with retaliatory strikes by a vengeful oncologist who believes Henry slept with his wife; good-humored teasing by charming Mexican crew members Hector and Miguel; and his own unresolved feelings about a long-ruined relationship with a sexy Web designer named Gia. Murphy has a good feeling for dialogue, which gives the bookas uncomfortable relationships a strong sense of realism, despite the eccentric and sometimes outright crazy behavior of Henryas love interests, and he ably captures the absurd humor that often springs from extreme wealth. But where the novelas real charms lie is in Sullivanas insightful observations of the thorny relationship between humans and their domiciles. Zen and the art of home repair: Home-improvement addicts, architectural hobbyists and amateur couples counselors should get plenty of mileage here.a
a"Kirkus"

aSexy, and filled with enough dA(c)cor details to keep any HGTV addict happy.a
a"People" (three stars)
aEntertaining. You donat so much read a novel like this as watch it unfold, scene by scene.a
a"Los Angeles Times"
aA mix of True Confessions, Architectural Digest, and Psychology Today.a
a"USA Today"
aMurphy captures the absurd humor that often springs from extreme wealth. But where the novelas real charms lie is in [its] insightful observations of the thorny relationship between humans and their domiciles.a
a"Kirkus Reviews"

"Sexy, and filled with enough d cor details to keep any HGTV addict happy."
-"People" (three stars)
"Entertaining. You don't so much read a novel like this as watch it unfold, scene by scene."
-"Los Angeles Times"
"A mix of True Confessions, Architectural Digest, and Psychology Today."
-"USA Today"
"Murphy captures the absurd humor that often springs from extreme wealth. But where the novel's real charms lie is in [its] insightful observations of the thorny relationship between humans and their domiciles."
-"Kirkus Reviews"

"Sexy, and filled with enough d?cor details to keep any HGTV addict happy."
-"People" (three stars)

"Entertaining. You don't so much read a novel like this as watch it unfold, scene by scene."
-"Los Angeles Times"

"A mix of True Confessions, Architectural Digest, and Psychology Today."
-"USA Today"

"Murphy captures the absurd humor that often springs from extreme wealth. But where the novel's real charms lie is in [its] insightful observations of the thorny relationship between humans and their domiciles."
-"Kirkus Reviews"

"Sexy, and filled with enough dTcor details to keep any HGTV addict happy."
-People (three stars)

"Entertaining. You don't so much read a novel like this as watch it unfold, scene by scene."
-Los Angeles Times

"A mix of True Confessions, Architectural Digest, and Psychology Today."
-USA Today

"Murphy captures the absurd humor that often springs from extreme wealth. But where the novel's real charms lie is in [its] insightful observations of the thorny relationship between humans and their domiciles."
-Kirkus Reviews

Richard Murphy has written for New Line Cinema, Sony/ Revolution, and Universal Pictures. Prior to screenwriting, he renovated apartments and houses in Los Angeles and elsewhere. Murphy is currently in the market to buy a home.