The Busybody Book Club - by Freya Sampson

About the Book

"A dysfunctional book club must learn to pull together and solve a murder in this bighearted new mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of Nosy Neighbors. 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"--

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"The small-town book group we all want to join, where the quirky, coloring-outside-the-lines members take their cues from literature and band together to do the right thing for one of their own, even if it means risking their lives to solve a crime. Funny, endearing, and full of snappy, insightful dialogue about the joys and compromises of life - I'll bring the brownies to their next meeting!"--Christina Lynch, author of Pony Confidential

"Sampson's latest is another fun British amateur sleuth story. ... The intertwining perspectives of the disparate members will tug at readers' armchair sleuthing abilities as they try to puzzle out whodunit and why. A good fit for fans of bookish mysteries featuring reluctant allies who learn to work together." --Library Journal

"Fans of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club will love this new novel from Sampson."-AARP

Praise for the novels of Freya Sampson

"Touching, entertaining, and deeply compassionate, Nosy Neighbors is a tribute to the power of unexpected community and a portrait of two women who take the risk of healing."-Shelf Awareness

"Freya Sampson is the patron saint of city dwellers who form unexpected, solid-as-steel friendships."-NPR

"Freya Sampson is a master at creating complicated, nuanced characters you care deeply about and Nosy Neighbors is no exception!"-Mia P. Manansala, author of the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award-winning Arsenic and Adobo

"Sampson delivers a lovely cozy crime mystery! A pair of mismatched sleuths cleverly unite their mistrustful London apartment building community in a story of found family that brims over with warmth and charm."--USA Today bestselling author Sherry Thomas

"Freya Sampson has a wonderful talent for creating characters that feel vividly true to life, and it really shines here. This warm and moving novel is layered with mystery, emotion, and heart as it explores its powerful themes of guilt and community."--India Holton, author of The Secret Service of Tea and Treason

"A fun, heartwarming community caper, this book reminds us that while we can't choose our neighbors, we often end up with exactly the ones we need--even if they infuriate us at first."--Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover

"A sweet, uplifting story that explores how a group of strangers can ultimately become a community--and perhaps solve a mystery or two along the way!"--Nikki Erlick, author of The Measure

"Nosy Neighbors is an utterly adorable novel filled with heart and mystery. Freya Sampson gets better and better."--New York Times bestselling author Clare Pooley

"Freya Sampson never fails to make me cry in the best possible way...It's impossible not to root for Dorothy, Kat, and even Shelley House itself."--Tori Anne Martin, USA Today bestselling author of This Spells Disaster

"Nosy Neighbors is a real hug of a book, full of dynamic characters, intrigue, courage and kindness. I loved it!"--Hazel Prior, bestselling author of How the Penguins Saved Veronica

"Touching and thrilling all at once. I loved this clever mystery about friendship, loss and the power of community. Highly recommended!"--Tess Amy, author of The Confidence Games

"The ultimate cozy mystery...if you love "Only Murders in the Building," you'll love this."--theSkimm

"Sampson once again presents a charming story about intergenerational friendship leading to healing...This heartwarming tale is full of subtle humor and rich characters."--Booklist

"The tenants are as crafty and charming as the house in this all's-well-that-ends-well tale."--Kirkus

About the Author

Freya Sampson works in television as a creator and executive producer. Her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British royal family as well as a number of factual and entertainment series. She studied history at Cambridge University and in 2018 was short-listed for the Exeter Novel Prize. She lives in London with her husband, two young children, and an antisocial cat.