Carolyn Blue, a nationally syndicated culinary writer, is meeting her husband in Italy to attend a conference with him. Carolyn is using this trip as a chance to write some interesting columns about Italian food, but she's disappointed when her husband is unexpectedly detained in Paris. Carolyn decides to make her way to the lovely town of Sorrento alone, hoping to get a head start on her research (eating) for her column.

Upon arrival, Carolyn meets a beautiful young woman, Paolina, whose lover has stood her up, and they become fast friends. They spend the rest of the day together shopping, eating and discussing their mutual love of poetry, and when they part in the evening, Carolyn hopes they'll see each other the next day.

Carolyn wanted to see Paolina again, but not like this. As she sits by the pool enjoying her coffee, she sees someone floating in the pool. Watching, Carolyn notices that whoever is in the pool isn't moving. She kicks off her shoes, jumps in, and after turning the body over, is shocked to find it's Paolina, and she's dead.

Bianca Massoni, eight months pregnant, is attending the conference with her husband, two children and mother-in- law. Bianca and her children meet Carolyn in the hall while playing and are shocked to find that there's been a death in the hotel. When Carolyn explains that the police think it was suicide, but she's not so sure, Bianca insists that they investigate Paolina's death together. After all, she'd like to have one last adventure before settling down with the new baby.

Between cocktail parties, sightseeing with the other attendees, fabulous breakfasts and atrocious dinners, Carolyn and Bianca investigate Paolina's death. When the women come too close to the truth, the killer sets out to stop them. Peppered with recipes and history, this mystery is a most enjoyable read.