Summary

In “Agios Nikolaos, Crete,” Susan Ryeland, the first-person narrator, notes that she never imagined that she would be the co-owner and manager of a hotel in Agios Nikolaos, Crete. Even though it was a beautiful hotel, there were problems with the plumbing, wiring, and staffing. She spent her days stressing over the problems she and Andreas, her partner, encountered.

Susan explains that she came to Greece after the last novel she edited, Magpie Murders, resulted in the death of Alan Conway, the author of the novel, and the collapse of her publishing company. Her career as an editor had also ended. She joined her boyfriend, Andreas, in Greece. However, since that time, the relationship had suffered. He had proposed, but Susan indicates they were both too busy to follow through. They started out as best friends. However, their...