Wren Fontaine, an architect with a love for historic houses, is thrilled when she's commissioned to restore the Turnbull residence, a Federal jewel on an island in New York Harbor.

Her client is Nicky Tallon, a famous movie star, who plans to shoot a movie on the island and then live with his family in the restored house. As icing on the cake, Tallon has also hired Wren's girlfriend Hadley as a caterer during the film shoot.

On inspection, Wren is charmed by the house, which -- despite years of neglect -- still has good bones and a storied history. She's intrigued by the history and mystery surrounding the original owner, a sea captain who built it as a home for himself, his wife and his sister. Wren passes her curiosity about the subject onto Saffron, a strange young girl who is part of Tallon's entourage, though her exact role in the "family" is also somewhat of a mystery.

During a site inspection of the property, Beebee Jenkins, a studio executive opposed to Tallon's decision to live on the island far from the Hollywood scene, dies after drinking coffee laced with poison. But, was he the target of the deadly dose?

Wren has been living in the family home with her widowed father. As she and Hadley begin the search for a place of their own, Wren is upset when Veronica Selwyn, a renowned actress with a series of marriages behind her, begins a relationship with her father. At the same time, Veronica appears to also be casting more than a friendly eye at Nicky Tallon.

When another member of Tallon's "family" dies under suspicious circumstances, Wren fears the new owners are suffering a repeat of the misfortune that dogged the original inhabitants. Is she the only one who sees this as more than mere coincidence?.

I identified the murderer before the reveal of who and why, but it didn't prevent me from enjoying the story. In addition to my love of a good mystery, an interest in architecture and history was an added incentive for enjoying this cozy by an author new to me. R.J. Koreto is the author of two other mystery series that may bear looking into.

[ visit R.J. Koreto's website ]