The Busybody Book Club
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3.9 • 17 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
LibraryReads Pick
They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder?
Having recently moved from London to a small Cornish seaside village, Nova Davies started a book club at the local community center, but so far it’s a disaster. The five members disagree on everything, and to make matters worse, a significant sum of money is stolen during one of the meetings, putting the much-loved community center at risk.
Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when he disappears and a dead body turns up at his house. But the book club has their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove Michael’s been framed, while romance reader Arthur believes there’s a mystery woman involved, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play.
While trying to locate Michael, solve the murder and recover the stolen money, each of them has their own secrets to protect. But despite the danger closing in, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and gotten everyone safe at home with a book, where they belong.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Sampson (Nosy Neighbors) delivers a genial and entertaining cozy centered on a ragtag ensemble of bookworms. Nova Davies has moved from London to the small Cornish village of St. Tredock to stay with her fiancé's family while her overbearing mother-in-law plans their wedding. After starting her job at the local community center, Nova organizes a book club whose members range from studious teens to crotchety octogenarians. At first, she struggles to bridge the group's cultural gaps. Then £10,000 earmarked for the community center's roof repair vanishes, and Nova's bosses blame her book club for the loss. When this incident is quickly followed by a murder in St. Tredock and the disappearance of a book club member, the group realizes they're in real danger. Led by elderly Miss Marple fan Phyllis Hudson, the four remaining members launch an investigation, with each gumshoe's quirks proving equal parts helpful and distracting to the cause. From there, Sampson hits a parade of familiar but satisfying beats: unexpected friendships blossom, books provide key clues, and well-placed red herrings keep the pace from flagging. It's a bright and breezy treat.
