Hobarth Manor is a building of light. Caryatids grace its marble facade, one on each side of eighteen windows. But the historic apartment building is soon to be demolished.
Percival Jamieson McNulty ("Pea"), was born in the building, to caretaker parents, and has lived there most of his fifty years. Now he must save five elderly tenants, for whom he feels responsible.
At eighty-five, Maizie is the eldest. Her solution to stopping the demolition is to "find out where the bodies are buried."
Carlotta is a former concert pianist. The other ladies have voted to restrict her playing to two hours in the morning; thwarting, in her mind, the ability to make a "comeback."
Sulie, the former proprietor of a once-famous restaurant, now lives on canned soup and crackers, but has useful connections from her past as a renowned chef.
Nan, a former artist of some note, has become a recluse who hasn't left her apartment for years. Pea loses sleep worrying about how to save his favorite tenant.
The elegant and secretive Fiona has a past connection to the underworld. In the end, this shady past is key to "finding where the bodies are buried."
Lacy Fox, the rightful heir to Hobarth Manor, is Pea's long-lost childhood friend. Her husband has gained power-of-attorney over her property. It is he who has made the decision to replace the building with condominiums. Lacy and Pea reconnect and try to save the building. But help comes as each lady resurrects some part of her past.
