Book ~ "The Christie Curse" (2013) Victoria Abbott

From Goodreads ~ In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared - making headlines across the world - only to show up eleven days later at a spa under an assumed name. During those eleven days, did she have time to write a play?

Jordan Bingham needs a new job and a new place to live. She’s back in Harrison Falls, New York, living with her not so law-abiding uncles, in debt thanks to a credit card–stealing ex and pending grad school loans.

Enter the perfect job, a research position that includes room and board, which will allow her to spend her days hunting down rare mysteries for an avid book collector. There’s just one problem: her employer, Vera Van Alst - the most hated citizen of Harrison Falls.

Jordan’s first assignment is to track down a rumored Agatha Christie play. It seems easy enough, but Jordan soon finds out that her predecessor was killed while looking for it, and there is still someone out there willing to murder to keep the play out of Vera’s hands. Jordan’s new job is good ... but is it worth her life? 

Jordan has just finished school and needs a place to live.  She gets a research job working for an older crusty recluse, Vera Van Alst.  Vera had heard there is a long lost play written by Agatha Christie during the couple weeks she had mysteriously disappeared in 1926 and she wanted Jordan to find out if it exists and if it does, she wants it.  When Jordan finds out her predecessor, Alex, died when he was pushed in front of a subway by a homeless man, she wonders what happens to his notes and how much progress he made.  She starts investigating whether the play actually exists and starts speaking with sellers of old books.  One of the booksellers is badly beaten and a police officer happens to turn up every time Jordan turns around puts her on guard.  Vera doesn't care about anything but getting her hands on that play.

This is the first in the Book Collector Mystery series.  I liked the writing style and the characters ... and how can you not like a book that has a dog and a couple of cats in it?  It is written in person perspective in Jordan's voice.  As it's a cozy mystery (so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity), it was a quick easy read.  I liked it enough to continue on with the series.  There are recipes at the end.