{ "item_title" : "A Death on Corfu", "item_author" : [" Emily Sullivan "], "item_description" : "Living in Greece at the turn of the twentieth century, widow Minnie Harper struggles to find her place in a swiftly changing world. But when a local woman is murdered, her resolve is put to the test in a race to shed light on the truth . . .The first in a new series for readers of Tasha Alexander, Deanna Raybourn, Anna Lee Huber, and Rhys Bowen. Minnie Harper isn't used to putting herself first. Not after she moved away from England only to be left raising two children alone on the Greek Island of Corfu following her husband's unexpected death. But with her daughter begging to be sent to school abroad and her son grasping at his own independence, Minnie realizes she must prepare for the next stage of her life. When famous mystery author Stephen Dorian settles into a neighboring villa to escape writer's block and hidden scandals, she is intrigued at first by the handsome Londoner--until he proves to be nothing more than a boorish grump. Determined to avoid the man as much as possible, Minnie is shocked when he offers her a well-paid job as his typist. She isn't in a position to turn down work, even from a man she has sworn to hate. But before Minnie can fully regret her decision to take the job, she makes a horrifying discovery that changes everything. A young maid has been murdered, and local authorities aren't moving fast enough to bring justice to the terrible crime. Unwilling to allow the death to fade into obscurity like the stories of so many other women deemed unworthy by society, Minnie launches an investigation of her own--and reluctantly accepts Stephen's help. As she embarks on a dangerous search for answers that reveals another side of Corfu, unsettling questions take shape about her employer-turned-confidant and the culprit who just might do whatever it takes to strike again . . .", "item_img_path" : "https://covers1.booksamillion.com/covers/bam/1/49/675/141/1496751418_b.jpg", "price_data" : { "retail_price" : "27.00", "online_price" : "27.00", "our_price" : "27.00", "club_price" : "27.00", "savings_pct" : "0", "savings_amt" : "0.00", "club_savings_pct" : "0", "club_savings_amt" : "0.00", "discount_pct" : "10", "store_price" : "" } }

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Known for her historical romance novels—the League of Scoundrels series and 2024’s Duchess Material—Emily Sullivan adds murder to the mix in A Death on Corfu, her kickoff to a cozy mystery series. Set on the titular Greek isle in 1898, it’s a simmering, slow-burn tale that plays out among charming villas and fragrant gardens stretching down to the sparkling Ionian Sea.

Our heroine, British expat Minnie Harper, moved to Corfu eight years ago with her husband, Oliver, and their young children. Before his sudden death four years ago, Oliver—who retired early from the British Foreign Service in hopes of a more peaceful existence for their family—implored Minnie never to return to England. She’s gladly complied, but now that 14-year-old Cleo is begging to attend school in London, Minnie’s wondering whether staying put is still best. They do have nice daily routines, like donkey-cart rides to school and town, visits with British-expat and Greek neighbors, and delicious meals prepared by their beloved housekeeper, Mrs. Kouris. But their home needs major repairs, and their money is running out. 

A handsome new neighbor brings aggravation and opportunity: Successful mystery author Stephen Dorian is brusque and arrogant, but offers Minnie a well-paying job as typist for his new novel. The two forge a prickly work partnership that transforms into something else altogether when Daphne, a young maid, is found dead nearby. The local police seem uninterested in properly investigating, and Minnie and Stephen are appalled—as well as fiercely determined to find justice for Daphne. The killer is wily and smart, but so are the amateur investigators, who risk social censure by traveling together to Daphne’s home island (scandalous!) and ferreting out their neighbors’ secrets as they pursue the dangerous truth. 

Sullivan cleverly folds in fun meta elements regarding mystery-novel plotting and characters, and thoughtfully illuminates the ways in which gossip can be both informative and destructive. She closes A Death in Corfu with a satisfyingly dramatic resolution—as well as tantalizing hints about her characters’ adventures in the next Minnie Harper Mystery. This entertaining, immersive read is perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series and the PBS TV series The Durrells in Corfu.