Celeste rules her kingdom with an iron fist. Her kingdom being a courtyard surrounded by three buildings converted into flats. And her iron fist consists of a pair of binoculars and a devoted live-in valet. Little escapes her notice, sitting from her perch in front of a large window overlooking the fenced square, accessible only to residents and their guests.
When Richard Glead is found dead by his wife Linda, no one is particularly sad. It was a known secret that he abused Linda and he was very disagreeable as a neighbor. But Celeste is concerned that her other residents aren’t safe so she hires two of them to act as private sleuths, both for her own satisfaction and to make sure the cops are following up on the leads she thinks are important.
Audrey is a housekeeper, and roommate to a young, hungry criminal attorney. Audrey is quiet but fastidious. She notices things out of place, part of why clean houses brings her satisfaction. Lewis is a grumpy author who rarely leaves his apartment. In fact, he doesn’t even know the names of most of his neighbors–and doesn’t care to. But ever since he has been unable to follow up his bestselling murder mystery novel, he doesn’t feel like showing his face.
it was dark now, and the Victorian street lamps lit the courtyard in circles of orange light. … Today was the first time she’d ever seen Flat 5 Guy up close, and he was behaving oddly. Taller than average, with dark curly hair and brown eyes, she’d have put him in his mid-thirties, yet he was behaving like a child at a theme park. He seemed interested to the point of excitement in everything going on, and kept his phone in his hands the entire time, typing furiously the minute the police weren’t looking. Probably posting about it on social media, or acting the big man on some lads’ text group. He looked the type, in his junior-stockbroker suit and too-shiny shoes. ~Pg. 12
Despite bristling at their differences, the two learn how to work together and understand their strengths while they follow clues, give hints to the police, and try to trap the murderer. The result is a smart, funny procedural. The unlikely detectives are full of earnestness and the neighborhood busybodies are hilarious. Even as the solution becomes clear, the story hangs together and the pieces fit together.
Fans of sharp cozy mysteries with a layer of humor will greatly enjoy this one.
My thanks to Union Square for the review copy.
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Publication date: April 1, 2025
Print length: 400 pages (English)
ISBN-10: 1454958413