Who ever heard of a small community book club involved in a murder mystery? Especially one where the members of said book club are each a part of a mystery of their own tied to that murder? It works surprisingly well in Freya Sampson's The Busybody Book Club (#1,363).
Nova Davies should be concentrating on her upcoming wedding in a few days, but hanging on to her job at the community center is getting harder. Her evening book group is a perfect example. One of the members of the group is suspected of nicking the cash to repair the roof of the community center building. The money is essential in order to keep it open. Otherwise, it will be condemned, and where will all the people who depend on its services go in this remoted Cornish coastal town?
When the book club members hear they are under suspicion, they bond together to find out "who dunnit". Michael, a newcomer to the group, is a prime suspect since he rushed out of the meeting on the night the money went missing. Following the examples of their favorite fictional detectives, they find a body at his home, and Michael missing. Case closed? Not since more evidence points to Nova herself as the likely culprit.
As they investigate, each member of the book club turns out to have secrets of their own. As these are slowly revealed, the plot thickens, and so do their bonds with each of these lonely folks. All will become clear at Nova's wedding - if she ever makes it to the church!
Entertaining characters and evolving relationships are at the heart of this cozy mystery. If you enjoy character-driven stories, you will also want to check out Freya Sampson's Nosy Neighbors.
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