Statue of Limitations
A Goddess of Greene St. Mystery
by Kate Collins
About Statue of Limitations
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Kensington (January 28, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 149672433X
ISBN-13: 978-1496724335
Digital ASIN: B07R8QWPTN
In this delightful new series by the New York Times bestselling author of the Flower Shop Mysteries, Athena Spencer comes back home to work with her crazy big Greek family at their garden center. But she never expected a return to her roots would mean protecting her family from murder . . .
After her divorce, Athena has returned to coastal Michigan to work in her family’s garden center and raise her son, while also caring for a mischievous wild raccoon and fending off her family’s annoying talent for nagging. Working alone at the garden center one night, Athena is startled by a handsome stranger who claims to be the rightful owner of a valuable statue her grandfather purchased at a recent estate sale.
But she has even bigger problems on her plate. The powerful Talbot family from whom her pappoús bought the statue is threatening to raze the shops on Greene Street’s “Little Greece” to make way for a condo. The recent death of the family’s patriarch already seemed suspicious, but now it’s clear that a murderer is in their midst. Athena will have to live up to her warrior goddess namesake to protect her family from a killer and save their community from ruin . . .
About Kate Collins
Kate Collins is the New York Times bestselling author of the Flower Shop Mystery series. After publishing numerous historical romances, Kate penned the long-running mystery series, three books of which were made into Hallmark movies starring Brooke Shields. An Indiana native, Kate graduated from Purdue University with a master's degree in education. When not growing roots at her computer, Kate loves to garden. Other passions include yoga, reading, spending time with family and friends, sampling great wines and fine dark chocolate, and enjoying every moment of life. Kate lives in Northwest Indiana and Key West, Florida. Visit her online at KateCollinsBooks.com.
Author Links
My Thoughts
Statue of Limitations by Kate Collins is the debut of A Goddess of Greene St. Mystery series. Athena Spencer, recently divorced, returns
home to Sequoia, Michigan with her son, Nicholas. Her large Greek family is happy to have her
back, though, Athena had to endure a few “I told you so’s” from them (they told
her not to marry the bum). While Athena
loves her family, they can be a bit overwhelming at times especially her mother
who wants to see her settled with a nice Greek boy (like Kevin Coreopsis). She alleviates her frustrations with “It’s All
Greek to Me” a blog she writes under the name Goddess Anon. Athena is the business manager for Spencer’s
Garden Yard (her father’s business). One
evening while working on her blog in the office, Athena hears a noise
outside. She believes it is Oscar, the
raccoon, and is shocked to find a man fiddling with her grandfather’s newly
acquired Greek statue “Goddess of Athena”.
Case Donnelly tells Athena that the statue, which was made by Greek
sculptor, Antonius was stolen from his family in Greece. He is trying to prove ownership. Athena is quick to send Case on his way. The next morning, Case is wanted in the murder
of Harry Pepper, Grayson Talbot Sr.’s longtime assistant. Athena finds herself hiding Case and
searching for a killer while trying to protect her grandparent’s beloved
restaurant from greedy developed, Grayson Talbot Jr. I like how we are introduced to Athena in
Statue of Limitations. I thought it was
clever and a unique way to introduce the protagonist. This book is easy to read, and I like the
theme of a large Greek family and community.
We are introduced to Greek culture, food, and language. I thought Athena’s blog was humorous. Her family loves to read it and they fail to
realize that Athena is describing them.
Athena’s sisters are quirky (especially Delphi). Her father is a sweetie. I liked the interactions between Athena and
Case Donnelly. Sparks were flying
between these two. The mystery was fun
to follow, but it is a snap to solve. There are floral tips at the end. Cozy
mystery readers will enjoy getting to know Athena’s family and the Greek
community in Sequoia. Statue of Limitations is a lighthearted cozy mystery with a meddling mother, a rascally
raccoon, the charismatic Case, one big-headed blowhard, and a Greek goddess
gumshoe.
Excerpt
Case studied me with a shrewdness that made me uneasy. “It’s just after eight o’clock. Why isn’t the garden center open?”
“All of the shops in town close at eight. You’re not from around here, are you?”
Completely ignoring my question, he glanced back at the statue. “I’m betting you paid a lot of money for her.”
His sudden switch of topics threw me off guard. Plus, I was growing hungrier—and angrier—by the second. I hadn’t wanted to dine so late anyway, especially not with Kevin Coreopsis, the “good Greek boy” my mother was encouraging me to see, but of course, when did my wishes ever count? I would’ve much rather had dinner with my son at The Parthenon with the rest of the family.
“First of all, I didn’t buy the statue. My grandfather did. He was going to use it at his diner, but it was too large. Secondly, how much he paid isn’t your concern. Now, would you please keep your promise and leave?”
“I’ll take that as a yes, she did cost a lot of money. I hope your grandfather at least bought her from a reputable art dealer.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but he bought her at an estate sale.” Why had I told Case that? My stomach rumbled, reminding me why.
“So, an auctioneer sold it to him? Is the auction house reliable?”
I balled my hands into fists, not about to admit that neither the auctioneer nor the auction house was one I knew anything about. I hadn’t even been aware that Pappoús had purchased it until it was delivered.
“Okay,” Case said, “I’ll mark that down as a you don’t know. Whose estate was up for auction?”
I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket. “Get out now or I really will call the police.”
“One more question. Did the auctioneer inform your grandfather that someone had applied a thin layer of cement over the bottom of the statue where the sculptor’s name should be?”
I glanced in surprise at the sandal-clad feet of the marble Athena and saw that Case had indeed scraped off a bit of what appeared to be a cement coating.
“I’ll take that as no,” he said. “Therefore, my question for you is, why would someone put cement over the sculptor’s name unless it wasn’t a genuine Antonius?”
I absorbed the information with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Had my pappoús been ripped off?
Statue of Limitations is available at Kensington, Amazon*, B&N, and Kobo. As part of the tour, there is a giveaway for three (3) copies of Statue of Limitations (Sorry, U.S. Only). Click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck! Thank you for dropping by today. I will return tomorrow with my review of The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiavaroli. Be prepared to be swept into the past with this compelling novel. I hope that you have a beautiful day. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Tour Participants
January 28 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
January 28 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT
January 28 – Diane Reviews Books - GUEST POST
January 29 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 29 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW
January 29 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT
January 30 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
January 30 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
January 30 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, EXCERPT
January 31 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW
January 31 – TBR Book Blog – REVIEW
January 31 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
February 1 – Gimme The Scoop Reviews – REVIEW
February 1 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
February 1 – StoreyBook Reviews - REVIEW
February 2 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT
February 2 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 2 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
February 3 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, EXCERPT
February 3 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 3 – My Reading Journey – SPOTLIGHT
February 4 – Rosepoint Publications – REVIEW
February 4 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 4 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – REVIEW
February 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
February 5 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW
February 5 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 5 – This Is My Truth Now – SPOTLIGHT
February 6 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW
February 6 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
February 6 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Thank you for your review on "Statue of Limitations" by Kate Collins and for being part of the book tour.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book that I would very much enjoy having the opportunity to read.
2clowns at arkansas dot net