For some reason I haven't gotten around to reading this book until now, but I can't wait to get hold of the second in the series, Olive and Let Die. This author has a long and very successful career ahead of her with both of her cozy mystery series (She is also Sadie Hartwell, author of the Tangled Web series).
Georgie Nikolopatos manages Bonaparte House, a Greek restaurant located in a historic octagonal house in upstate New York. Bonaparte House, which is also the family home, is owned by her mother-in-law, Sophie, and Georgie's gay husband, Spiro, neither of whom seem all that interested in actually WORKING in the restaurant. That falls primarily on Sophie. The historic location of the restaurant is based on a real house supposedly built by Joseph Bonaparte for his brother, Napoleon. Unfortunately, the original house is now gone, but it has been recreated in glorious detail by Hardy.
Spiro is missing, which is not unusual given that outside relationships with men seem to have become more frequent for him. This time something is different, though. Spiro had arranged for people from the popular TV series Ghost Squad to investigate the legend that Bonaparte House is haunted. yet he has not been seen or heard from for days. When Georgie hitches a boat ride with old friend (and possible romantic interest) Keith to her friend Liza's spa, they make a gruesome discovery, the body of rival restaurateur Dom DiTomasso floating in the river. Of course, Georgie is a suspect.
Hardy's wonderful novel is part mystery, part zany comedy. Georgie is one of those practical yet headstrong heroines (think Perils of Pauline), often taking action without thinking through the consequences or danger. When handsome Coast Guard Captain Jack comes into the picture she can't quite decide if he is friend or foe, and her determination to deliver the demanded ransom (the identity or location of which she is completely in the dark about) to Spiro's kidnappers creates some really hilarious scenes.
Very likable characters (Georgie doesn't seem to have a mean bone in her body), an interesting mystery with a lot of twists, a great sense of place, and the historical aspects of the setting all combine into a great book. I would highly recommend it!
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