Book Clubs Can Be Fatal

Senior Sleuthing Club #1

by Jinty James

Can senior sleuth Martha and her cute puppy Teddy discover who killed a member of their book club – before it’s too late?

When Pru, the new assistant librarian at the Gold Leaf Valley library, knocks on Martha’s door asking to be her roommate, she has no idea she’ll soon become a member of the Senior Sleuthing Club, despite being a lot younger than Martha.

In charge of setting up a new book club at the library, Pru is worried not enough people will join. So Martha agrees to come, although she dislikes the book they have to read.

When Pru and Martha stumble across the dead body of one of the book club members, Martha decides they must investigate, along with her fluffy white puppy, Teddy!

They snoop around the Gold-Rush era small town, and visit their friends Annie, Lauren, and Zoe at the Norwegian Forest Cat Café to discuss the case.

But when they respond to an anonymous note, the three of them find themselves in peril! Can they discover the killer and escape in time, before it’s too late?

This is a fun, clean, dog cozy mystery with female amateur sleuths, hot chocolate drinking – and Teddy, the adorable Coton de Tulear puppy!

You may also

Purrs and Peril – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 1

Meow Means Murder - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 2

Whiskers and Warrants - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 3

Two Tailed Trouble – A Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery – Book 4

Paws and Punishment – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 5

Kitty Cats and Crime – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 6

Catnaps and Clues - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 7

Pedigrees and Poison – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 8

Christmas Claws – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 9

Fur and Felons - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 10

Catmint and Crooks – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 11

Kittens and Killers – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 12

Felines and Footprints – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 13

Pouncing on the Proof – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 14

Fur Babies and Forgery – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 15

Leaping into Larceny – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 16

Triple Threat – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 17

Hunting for Handcuffs - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 18

Four-Footed Fortune – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 19

Rewards and Revenge – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 20

Catnip and Capture – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 21

Mice and Malice – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 22

Prowling at the Premiere – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 23 (Teddy appears in this book for the first time)

All available in eBook format, print, and Large Print pap

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks, Amazon, Cozy Mystery

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2023

About the author

Jinty James grew up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven mysteries, as well as all the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden books. Later on, she graduated to mysteries written by Agatha Christie, Elizabeth Peters, and many other authors. It was her dream to one day write her own cozy mystery, and now she has, with plans for many more.

Reviews

[Loretta · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed very simply written. Characters were not fleshed out except Teddy the dog. All conversations included Teddy saying "Ruff" (with a translation of what Ruff meant in that instance) all the way through which was annoying. The plot of the book deals with a newly formed book club by the new assistant librarian. Shortly after the book club has gotten started one of the members is murdered and the story goes from there trying to determine who killed her. I'm not interested in reading any follow up books in this series.

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newly graduated with a degree in library sciences, Prudence "Pru" Armstrong accepts the only position offered to her, assistant librarian at the Gold Leaf Valley library. Unable to find accommodation in the small town, she begins rooming with Martha, a senior who's short on money and long on love for her dog. A book club requested by a female patron turns deadly when she is left bleeding out beside the library. Pru and Martha find the woman and feel they must help solve this crime.

I wanted to like this story, but it was a touch too cloying for my taste, which is a shame, because I did enjoy the series that spawned it: the Norwegian Forest Café series. In the Senior Sleuthing Club series, the investigation seemed amateurish, the constant "ruff" from the dog was annoying, and the senior citizen acted as though she were a child. I did like Pru and wished she were the sole main character.

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha has a couple changes in her life. She has a new puppy named Teddy and a new roommate who is the new assistant librarian in Gold Leaf Valley. When Pru starts s book club at the library, she asks Martha to attend. The first book is a huge miss with the group except for one woman who had insisted on the book. When Martha and Pru later find that women's body, Martha wants to investigate. She draws Pru in and they form the Senior Sleuthing Club. Can they find a killer without putting themselves in peril?

This is the first book in a new series and it was a quick, fun read. The book was well-written with wonderful characters, many of whom we know from Jinty's Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe series, although we do meet some new people. I was drawn into this captivating story and kept hooked from beginning to end. Jinty is a fantastic author and storyteller and this book is a prime example of that. The mystery was intriguing, pulling you in and keeping you on your toes throughout. I really enjoyed this book and sincerely hope there's more to come. Martha is a spitfire and Pru balances that out. I highly recommend this book.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book and I love this little town! I’ve been collecting the Norwegian Forest Cat Café books and now I’m definitely gonna make time to start them. I loved meeting Martha as the main character of this series and her new roommate Pru who made a great sleuthing buddy for her. Teddy was an adorable little pup that was almost able to talk to people, but his reactions about others came in handy. Isn’t he just the cutest thing on the book cover?

I also enjoyed meeting Lauren, Zoe and Mitch from the original series. This book can definitely be read and make total sense if you haven’t read the first series. I haven’t read it yet and I wasn’t lost at all since the author briefly explained who everyone was if they came from the other series. I’m eager now for the second book in Martha’s series!

[Vibeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great read!🌼

What a wonderful start to this Spin-off series from Jinty’s the Norwegian Cat Cafe series.

Martha is such a joy - her stamina, her quick thought to action mentality, and her extreme logic ( or perhaps only logic to her) makes this a hilarious treat to the readers. Her lovely dog, Teddy, we love because he is just so adorable.

We are also being introduced to Pru, the new assistant librarian and Martha’s new roommate. Martha and Prue really complete each other - Pru is the voice of reason when Martha’s logical thinking gets way out of porportions and Martha get Pru to discover a full life outside her comfort zone.

I so look foreward to read about what they all will get into next time.🌼

[Marit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha, one of the frequent visitors to the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe, enjoys playing the role of amateur sleuth, despite her age and dependency on a walker. After having spent a lot of money on her new puppy, Teddy, she decides to have a roommate to help with the bills. Pru, the new assistant librarian at the Gold Leaf Valley Library, comes to live with Martha and Teddy. Pru is tasked with setting up a new book club at the library and Martha, somewhat reluctantly, agrees to come to the first meeting. Heated discussions ensue, with most disliking the book chosen. Then a murder takes place; Martha and Pru are in their element. Annie, Lauren, Zoe from the Cafe as well as Lauren’s detective husband, Mitch, also feature. A delightful light cozy mystery.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Books Can Be Fatal, Prudence "Pru" Armstrong is the assistant librarian at the Gold Leaf Valley Library. Needing a place to live after her move from Colorado, she finds a roommate--senior citizen Martha and her rescue dog Teddy. Pru starts a new book club at the library and the members aren't happy with the first book. Later they find out that one of their members actually wrote the book. When the author is found dead, Pru, Martha, and Teddy begin sleuthing to discover what happened and why. I liked the library as the setting. I also liked having characters of various ages. This seems like the start to a fun series.

[Christian Domenicci · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lover of Cozy Mysteries, I can truly say I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. The characters were well-crafted, but my absolute favorite was Teddy the dog; I loved how he was an integral part of the narrative throughout the entire book.
​The premise is great: a book club can be fun, but as the title suggests, it can also be fatal. While there were some moments where the plot felt a bit "flat," the story definitely picked up steam and regained its strength as it progressed.
​Even though the ending was somewhat predictable, I still found it very satisfying. Overall, it was a great read and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prudence "Pru" Armstrong is the new Assistant Librarian at the Gold Leaf Valley Library. Since she's new to town and needs a place to live, she contacts senior citizen Martha who is searching for a roommate. Fortunately, they hit it off and Pru moves in with Martha and her new puppy Teddy. Once of Pru's responsibilities at the library is to lead a new book club. After a couple weeks leading her book club, one of the members of the book club gets murdered and Martha leads Pru in investigating the murder to find the killer. The book is fun and a delight to read.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great spin-off!

More of a cat lover myself, I fell in love with Teddy anyway! I loved this new spin-off, it has the same warmth as the original series does, and it’s well written. I took to Martha, I felt that connection that I always love when reading a book. A quick read, I read it in just a few hours, and so so worth it!

[Carole Craddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely.Adorable.  This new series is not only adorable, it's hilarious and very entertaining! I love the original series, the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe, which is also adorable, and I think this spinoff is funny, very cute, and hard to put down. And knowing some of the characters makes it seem like I'm visiting old friends. I'm really looking forward to the next in series!

[Teresa M Bawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Jinty James books. They are fun light cozy mysteries. The characters are fun and always a little bit of humor. And I love that it's not geared to a set age group. And seniors are involved in the solving of crime. And the small town and knowing everyone is fun.
Cupcakes Cats And Dogs and a mystery. Great Combo

[Marseydoats · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a spin off from the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe books, featuring feisty senior Martha, until I started reading it. I was glad to that Annie and the rest of the gang all made appearances. This is a really fun, fast read. I think it's nice that the author promotes other writers. I will definitely continue the series.

[Jennifer Laird-Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good read, branching out from the Norwegian Cat books. Martha happens upon her own mystery and with a new character decides they will investigate. Lauren, Zoe and the gang are in there too but Martha is the main character. I enjoyed reading this. I would recommend this book.

[Eirlys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

A Very cosy murder mystery book. Pru, Martha, and her endearing pup, Teddy, set out to find a murderer. The characters were skilfully crafted, and their interactions were funny and intriguing.

[Pamela Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Clubs Can Be Fatal

This was the first book by this author I have read. It’s a very cute, cozy mystery. I love the characters and the dog, Teddy I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Mary Barna · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK

I have to read the next book in the series. Book #1 had an interesting plot but seems amateurish. She doesn't really explain the bucket of water and what it has to do with anything. I do like that Pru is a librarian.

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Clubs Can be Fatal: A Senior Sleuthing Club cozy mystery book 1

This is a fun light hearted murder mystery. Nails small town characters well. It also good with cruel personality too.

[Debbie Facemire · Rating 5 out of 5]

pleasant mystery

A pleasant mystery with characters of different ages that join together to find the murderer. Very easy to read and keeps you guessing from beginning to end on who was the murderer. You must get your own copy of this enjoyable book and read it.

[Irma Espinosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old doesn't mean your done

I really enjoyed reading this funny, mystery book. I love the way the author wrote the characters in. Being of a ripe old age doesn't mean you can't do certain things. Thank you Jinty.

[Denise Brennecke · Rating 5 out of 5]

a sweet cozy read

I found the book a little childish at times but could picture the characters and the town as they were described in such detail. The story was good and I loved Teddy the dog

[Celest · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Jinty James Mystery

This was a fun story with some great characters and an excellent mystery. I'm sure there will be more sleuthing in Pru and Martha's future. They make a great pair of detectives with a little help from Ruff.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute cozy about Martha from the Senior Center, her dog, Teddy, and her new roommate, Pru as they branch out into the sleuthing business on their own.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice story that has some very interesting characters. Looking forward to the next one! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Paulette Sheward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read..

Liked the fact that seniors are featured. Since I am officially one myself, I am happy to see them featured as productive in society.

[M Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the story simplistic (kind of like 'what I did on my holidays'). Was it written for children? No depth to the characters. The best thing about this book? It was short.

[Sherrie Gallegos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and funny but with a lot of grammatical issues.

[patricia sendelbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this is a cozy mystery but it was very thin in its character development and left me cold for any more from this author.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and cute! I also queued up the next couple of titles in the series.

[Susan Mahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Interesting story, unusual characters, lots of twists and hidden backstories. Martha is very quirky and makes a great side sick along with her dog.