Olive and Let Die
by Susannah Hardy
Olive and Let Die is a great cozy mystery that I was able to read over the weekend. It was almost impossible for me to put the book down at any point – …
~Sapphyria’s Book Reviews
I like the author’s writing style and how she keeps the story moving right along.
~Griperang’s Bookmarks
This is a great mystery and anyone who loves mysteries will love it.
~3 Partners in Shopping; Nana, Mommy, &; Sissy too
First let me tell you that this is a series you shouldn’t miss.
~A Chick Who Reads
…a complex mystery, growth and added depth to the characters, as well as a thought provoking look at what it means to be family.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
Olive and Let Die
(A Greek to Me Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (November 3, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425271667
ASIN: B00SI027QY
Synopsis
The second Greek to Me Mystery from the author of Feta Attraction…
As manager of the Bonaparte House, a historic landmark and Greek restaurant in upstate New York, Georgie Nikolopatos knows her local legends—and her traditional Greek recipes are to die for.
Between her soon-to-be ex-husband Spiro coming out of the closet and her budding romance with Captain Jack Conway, Georgie’s life is beginning to feel like a soap opera. And that’s before a surprise visit from her estranged mother Shirley, better known as soap star Melanie Ashley. But the dramatic family reunion takes a chilling turn when another long-lost relative turns up dead.
Just outside Spiro’s new restaurant, Georgie and Melanie find the body of Doreen Webber—a cousin Georgie never knew she had. With Spiro’s partner Inky on the list of suspects, Georgie begins to wonder what else her mother may be hiding. Is the dead-broke diva capable of murder? She’d better find out before someone adds a new twist to the family plot.
Includes delicious Greek recipes!
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My Review
Even though I haven’t read the first book in this series, that didn’t stop me from enjoying this book. The author sprinkled bits of previous events throughout so I quickly got clued in.
Georgie has so many eggs in her basket. She lives with her soon to be ex-mother-in-law, Sophie. What will happen after the divorce is final? Will she have to move?
And her romance with sexy Captain Jack Conway is taking off. What will happen if her mother-in-law finds out?
A sticky situation, as Sophie took her in when her mother took off and Georgie wants to buy the restaurant.
Then the humdinger. Famous soap opera star Melanie Ashley visits the restaurant. It doesn’t take long for Georgie to figure out Melanie is her mother, last seen riding away on a motorcycle over 20 years ago.
Things get crazy when a body is found outside Spiro’s restaurant. His partner, Inky, is suspect number one. Georgie and Spiro may be getting a divorce, but they’re still friends, and she’ll do what it takes to prove Inky innocent.
I thought it was funny that Georgie’s mother was a star on a soap opera. This book felt like one. So much going on. So many people connected to each other by blood or friendship.
Plenty of secrets, suspicions, and misdirection keep you guessing who killed Georgie’s cousin and why.
And a lot of food is mentioned in this book. Georgie manages Bonaparte House, a Greek restaurant. I had to look up some of the dishes and they sound delicious. There are several recipes at the end of the book. I especially want to try Glady’s Banana Bread. I didn’t know you could freeze bananas.
I did it again, started a series somewhere besides the beginning. I’ll be grabbing Feta Attraction now. As I mentioned earlier, you can read this without having read the first book, but why miss all the fun. I need to know how this all began.
4 Stars
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Author Susannah Hardy
Susannah Hardy thinks she has the best job in the world: making up stories and inventing recipes to go along with them. A native of northern New York, where she attended St. Lawrence University, Susannah now lives in Connecticut with her husband, teenaged son, and Elvira the Wonder Cat.
Author Links Website / Facebook / Twitter
Purchase Links
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I have one print copy to give away.
US Only. Sorry to my International friends.
To enter, please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:
“What’s your favorite thing about cozy mysteries?”
Inquiring minds want to know! LOL
Giveaway ends November 16th.
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Tour Participants
November 3 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – Review
November 4 – Melina’s Book Blog – Guest Post
November 5 – Community Bookstop – Review
November 6 – Back Porchervations – Review
November 7 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Review, Interview
November 8 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too ! – Review
November 9 – A Chick Who Reads – Review
November 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Guest Post
November 11 – fuonlyknew – Review
November 12 – Books Are Life – Vita Libri – Review
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I love cozies because I love to get involved with the characters and the place they live in. I also love to solve mysteries. With each cozy I learn about a new place and a new thing. Like cooking, sewing, and other things.
Me too, Candace. I also learn new trivia in many of them:)
Becoming involved with the characters and setting and the suspense of wanting to know who did it.
And laughing!
Cozies leave yo with a happy feeling and you need that.
debby236 at gmail dot com
We sure do!
Cozy mysteries are intriguing, have unique characters, intriguing situations and are great entertainment.
You can say that again! LOL
I like the traditional storytelling arc of cozy mysteries, plus the fact that they use a mystery as a plot device without throwing gore and trauma in your face. You can safely assume that babies and kittens and grandmas aren’t going to get killed and that bad people get their just desserts in the end. They are the grown-up version of fairytales.
Me too. They are relaxing and puzzling and there are no shocking scream scenes.
I love the mysteries … my favorite thing about cozies is that there is no graphic violence, adult situations, or inappropriate language.
That’s what makes them so cozy and fun, isn’t it!
I love the gimmicks on cozy mysteries – like this one involves a Greek Restaurant but there are books about bakeries, libraries, bookstores, home improvement and all kinds of other fun topics. This sounds like a fun read! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
katherine.e.pitts(at)gmail(dot)com
I love that too. Books, food, sewing, and even some paranormal, all of it! And you often learn some trivia too.
That’s hard. Everyone is different and I love them all. But if I have to pick the latest one I read was Peaches and Scream. That was an awesome book. My email is kimcooper28@gmail.com thank you for giving me this chance. Have a wonderful day
I have that book on my wish list!
I really like the cozies because there’s a community involved, (usually), and with some I learn about something or they have recipes.
kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net
Yep. I live in a small town and can relate to that. The recipes are fun and I enjoy learning new trivia.
My favorite thing about cozy mysteries, is trying to figure out who did it before it is revealed in the book.
ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
Me too. It’s not always obvious and sometimes I’m way off. LOL
Easy and fast reading.
sherry @ fundinmental
You said it. I’m glad you started reading some!
I really the “theme” aspect of cozies. Not only is it a mystery but it offers an interesting new skill to learn about.
I know! I’ve even started getting back into cross stitch and knitting.