A Big Fat Greek Murder

September 4, 2020

When the groom doesn't show up for the rehearsal dinner catered at the diner owned by Athena Spencer's grandparents, the groomsmen head to his apartment. They find his body, scissors in his back. Athena's oldest sister, Selene, believes the scissors are hers because on the day the wedding party had their hair done, the scissors went missing from the salon where she works. The bride accuses Selene of having an affair with the groom, and it isn't long before she's arrested. Athena teams up with Case Donnelly, a research specialist, to dig into the stories of the bride and groom. The multiple story lines of murder, Case's business proposals, Athena's job at the Spencer Garden Center, and romance and food in a large Greek American family keep the action moving in the second "Goddess of Greene Street" mystery. VERDICT It's a little much to have two out-of-control women, one a stalker, in the same book that is already stuffed with characters and some unnecessary side stories. Readers of the first in the series, Statue of Limitations, or fans of Collins's "Flower Shop" mysteries, might find this of interest.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

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October 1, 2020
A rehearsal dinner goes badly awry when the groom is not only absent, but dead. Athena Spencer left a bad marriage to return to the bosom of her large Greek family. She works at their garden center and helps out in the family restaurant along with her three sisters, Delphi, Maia, and Selene. Wealthy Mandy Black, who's about to marry personal trainer Brady Rogers, is waiting for him at the restaurant, where they've booked their rehearsal dinner. After he doesn't show up, his friends find him stabbed with a pair of scissors Selene uses at the hair salon where she works. Selene had reported Brady when he hit on her at the gym, but when Mandy accuses her of having had an affair with Brady, she becomes the prime suspect. Although the bridal party was visiting the salon when the scissors vanished, the evidence piling up against Selene forces Athena to investigate. At the same time, Athena's working out relationship problems with handsome, astute Case Donnelly, whom she saved from a murder rap in her debut, Statue of Limitations (2020). Although Case has recently moved to Michigan, Athena, who has trust issues, isn't sure if that was for her or for some other reason. But she's glad he's willing to pitch in to help her save Selene. Now they just have to find someone who was fed up with Brady's playboy habits. Mean girls, stalkers, and a jealous brother are all fair game as suspects in this clever and amusing mystery.

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