As a book reviewer, I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher or author to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation, and all opinions are always 100% my own.
Nova’s life is more than a little stressful. After a wreck of a year in which her dad died and there was an incident at the youth center where she worked, she has moved from London to a new, small, town and a new job, all whilst living with future in-laws and planning a wedding! As if that weren’t enough, during a book club meeting at the community center, all the money raised for a new roof is stolen, and Nova is the one who forgot to lock up the office!
Members of the book club are questioned, as they were the only ones in the building during the time of the theft, and so they decide to get involved in the hunt for the thief. Suspicion initially centers around a book club attendee named Michael, who got a text in the middle of the evening and fled the scene. And was that blood on his shirt? Phyllis, an elderly woman mostly known for her obnoxious dog, is an Agatha Christie devotee, and she’s confident that the answer can be found between the pages of a Miss Marple book. She’s not shy about crashing funerals and snooping behind closed doors. Arthur, a retired farmer who read so many romance novels to his blind wife that he’s become a fan himself, is certain there’s a woman behind it, and he’s not afraid to help along any romances that might come his way. Ash, a shy teenager who tends to hide behind his hair, thinks of how Star Wars might apply to the situation.
Meanwhile, things are looking worse and worse for Nova and the community center both. On top of that, her mother-in-law insists that the wedding go the way she wants it to with no consideration of Nova or Craig’s wishes, and she’s infuriated that Nova won’t just give up her job and focus on walking down the aisle in a pouffy princess gown. When the group manages to get itself in further hot water, and it looks like Nova will miss her own rehearsal, it becomes apparent they’re on the wrong track–or are they?
The Busybody Book Club is a delightful read, full of fun characters that while quirky are entirely believable. The twists and turns of the plot are masterfully paced, and there’s a lot of humor too. It’s a perfect summer read, which I define as interesting enough to keep your attention on a plane ride or beach, but enjoyable enough to stay up late to finish!
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