She has slowly been making friends with the members of the group, helping them as she can, often quietly and unbeknownst to the recipient. Still, her most faithful companion remains her standard poodle, Captain Haviland.

A storm is brewing off the coast that weathermen assure residents is nothing, but one that locals are sure is going to turn into a major hurricane. Before the storm, Olivia happens along a body buried in the sand in a strange sort of way. Chief Rawlings, one of the newest writers' group members, warns Olivia away from any amateur investigating. However, Olivia begins to wonder if there is any connection between that murder and a string of recent break-ins where the burglar leaves a strange calling card - illustrations of cliches, not playing with a full deck (playing cards with the queen missing) or a silver spoon in one's mouth (dolls with spoons in their mouths).

As Olivia helps another group member secure a newspaper job, she finds herself being brought deeper and deeper into the investigation, and closer and closer to the widowed police chief, something she is entirely unfamiliar with. She also gets the surprise of her life when she learns that the father she thought died at sea when she was a child may still be alive and may be living on a nearby island.

A Deadly Cliche is a very well-written mystery with interesting and surprising characters and a great setting. Readers will feel as if they are in Oyster Bay, living among the residents, waiting for the big storm. Olivia is a complex character as she tries to remain aloof, not getting to close to anyone, trying to avoid being hurt by anyone, but deep down is a thoughtful, caring and generous soul. She is thrown off her stride when she learns her father may still be alive, but plans carefully as she works to learn the truth, and then acts only when she has all the facts, and then asks with a kindness that surprises herself.

While the man buried in the sand is the impetus for the other crimes Olivia becomes involved in, it is given less investigative importance in the plot and becomes almost incidental once solved. Olivia continues to be full of surprises, and appears to be home to stay in Oyster Bay.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry