Statue of Limitations (A Goddess of Greene St. Mystery)

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.