The story-line isn't bad, but it moves pretty slowly. The first several chapters are building characterization, which is always a good thing, but it goes better when the characterization is done through the action of the conflict in the plot. I think I was in chapter 5 and was still wondering what the plot driving the story was. That's not a good thing. Still, I like the characters (although they are a tad overly British in that Angela Lansbury way, and I mean all of them whether they are British or not). The author is very good at description of the characters, putting in nice details that make them memorable. The dialog helps build characterization and usually moves the story along, but the characters mostly speak in the same way and use phrasing that rings a little hollow. This book is well worth reading if you read a lot and need something to read while looking for something a little less "cozy mystery," but there are a lot of books that rate much more highly. I do intend to read more of this author, if for no other reason than to see if this book is an anomaly. She seems to get high ratings and good reviews, so perhaps I jumped in on the wrong book.