Dead Man's Chest by Kerry Greenwood

Phryne is off for a holiday, taking her girls, her companion Dot and the dog, Molly.  They are going to do some swimming, eating out when they like, and just generally do some relaxing.  When they arrive at their destination, she finds that the staff that wasn't to meet her is gone.  The back door was open, their furniture is gone, and there's no note or no sign of them...

Poisoned Pen Press and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published December 5th.

They search the house and grounds but find no one.  Luckily Ruth has been learning to cook so she finds a cookbook in the library, buys supplies, and begins doing meals.  They met a fish boy on the way into town.  Three local lads were harassing him and Phryne put a stop to that.  They soon get a big fish as a thanks from the boy.

Phryne begins hiring local help.  She has good luck with the young boy and girl who join her staff.  She even finds some extra food to send home for the families.  She has a good heart even if she makes a bad enemy.

As they continue to wonder about the Johnson's, an old lady across the street dies.  Was it natural or not?  And why did the Johnson's furniture go to a company that said there was never an order for pickup?  What else did that trucking do?  And why are there rumors about a hidden pirate treasure?

This author always adds some strange content to her stories.  Odd people abound and Phryne has to make sense out of small hints and her own intuition.  The good news is that everything works out for the better at the end of the story.  The girls are maturing, the locals respect Phryne, and her boyfriend will be arriving shortly.  What more could you want?