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The Murder Mystery Book Club #3
Le Club des amateurs de romans policiers - Tome 3 Meurtre sous les étoiles
Le nouveau plaisir coupable des amateurs de romans policiers
Après avoir débattu dans leur club de lecture des mérites respectifs de Miss Marple et d'Hercule Poirot, les sœurs Finlay et leurs amis, tous membres du Club des amateurs de romans policiers, décident de s'offrir un moment de détente en allant voir l'adaptation d'un roman d'Agatha Christie,Meurtre au soleil. La projection a lieu de nuit et en plein air. Nos héros, emmitouflés dans leurs couvertures, captivés par le film, ne remarquent rien d'anormal. Et pourtant : lorsque la séance s'achève, une spectatrice assise tout près d'eux est retrouvée morte, étranglée. Personne n'a rien vu ni rien entendu. Le club décide alors de mener l'enquête. Mais si un meurtre en chambre close avec un nombre restreint de suspects n'est pas toujours simple à élucider, que dire d'un meurtre en plein air au milieu d'une foule ?
Lynette, Alicia, Perry, Missy, Claire et Anders, tous répondent présent pour cette nouvelle aventure plus jubilatoire que jamais du Club des amateurs de romans policiers. Si vous aimez les meurtres astucieux, les personnages excentriques, les charmes criminels du cosy crime, ce petit bijou du genre est pour vous !
424 pages
Published April 10, 2025
201 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Larmer
25 books243 followersAuthor Christina (C.A.) Larmer was born in remote Papua New Guinea where close encounters with witchdoctors and cannibal progeny (no, really), gave her a morbid taste for mystery that has culminated in more than a dozen crime novels, including four in the Amazon-bestselling Agatha Christie Book Club series, two Posthumous Mysteries, seven Ghostwriter Mysteries, a thriller/suspense, and a stand-alone novel called An Island Lost, which is set in deepest Papua—where else?
When she's not politely bumping people off (they are mostly 'cozies', folks), Christina can be found in the hinterland behind Byron Bay (Aus) where she runs an indie publishing biz, teaches, freelances, and hangs out with her muso hubby, two sons and one very cheeky Blue heeler. For news, views, calarmer.com // https://calarmer.com/blog/
When she's not politely bumping people off (they are mostly 'cozies', folks), Christina can be found in the hinterland behind Byron Bay (Aus) where she runs an indie publishing biz, teaches, freelances, and hangs out with her muso hubby, two sons and one very cheeky Blue heeler. For news, views, calarmer.com // https://calarmer.com/blog/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 23, 2019
I am getting a real taste for this series now. I guess the characters are growing on me although I wish Alicia would stop expecting every boyfriend to be the love of her life.
That apart I enjoyed the mystery, which I was nowhere near solving,and I loved all the references to Agatha Christie's Evil Under the Sun. I was happy for Anders to move on and liked the increased attention paid to Perry.
Altogether a pleasant, easy to read and enjoyable little mystery. I am ready for the next one!
That apart I enjoyed the mystery, which I was nowhere near solving,and I loved all the references to Agatha Christie's Evil Under the Sun. I was happy for Anders to move on and liked the increased attention paid to Perry.
Altogether a pleasant, easy to read and enjoyable little mystery. I am ready for the next one!
December 20, 2020
The Agatha Christie Book Club group were looking forward to watching one of their favourite movies – Evil Under the Sun – at the outdoor cinema; relaxing with their cold drinks and food, sitting on rugs surrounded by others doing the same. Watching the altercation at the bar tent during intermission between the husband and very drunk wife was off putting, but no one gave them a second thought as they settled into the second part of the movie. It was when it was all over and people were packing up to leave that things took a nasty turn. How could a woman end up dead in the midst of all the people – and no one see a thing?
Detective Inspector Liam Jackson was book club member Alicia’s significant other, so it wasn’t long before he and his team arrived. Between them all, including the security of the night, many were interviewed – but there were few clues. The Book Club members decided to put their heads together and dig for evidence and find the killer of the young woman. But would they? Their frustration was rising – the police were not getting anywhere. Where were the answers?
Evil Under the Stars is the 3rd in the Agatha Christie Book Club mysteries by Aussie author C.A. Larmer and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Tense, suspenseful, entertaining – an excellent cosy mystery which I have no hesitation in recommending. I’m looking forward to the next – And Then There Were 9 – soon.
Detective Inspector Liam Jackson was book club member Alicia’s significant other, so it wasn’t long before he and his team arrived. Between them all, including the security of the night, many were interviewed – but there were few clues. The Book Club members decided to put their heads together and dig for evidence and find the killer of the young woman. But would they? Their frustration was rising – the police were not getting anywhere. Where were the answers?
Evil Under the Stars is the 3rd in the Agatha Christie Book Club mysteries by Aussie author C.A. Larmer and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Tense, suspenseful, entertaining – an excellent cosy mystery which I have no hesitation in recommending. I’m looking forward to the next – And Then There Were 9 – soon.
April 22, 2019
a good plot, with some reference to patricia highsmith's strangers on a train and evil under the sun by agatha chrisite - i did not guess the culprit, which is always nice to me because i seldom have a surprise at the end of a whodunit =^-^=
I like all the characters of the ACBC very much, but i do have a soft spot for perry, he has the same sarcastic humour as I - a pity about the writing, well can't win them all
I like all the characters of the ACBC very much, but i do have a soft spot for perry, he has the same sarcastic humour as I - a pity about the writing, well can't win them all
July 18, 2025
3,5/5 🌟
C’est celui que j’ai le moins aimé pour le moment même si j’ai tout de même passé un agréable moment. Je suis toujours autant étonnée par l’ingéniosité des meurtres
C’est celui que j’ai le moins aimé pour le moment même si j’ai tout de même passé un agréable moment. Je suis toujours autant étonnée par l’ingéniosité des meurtres
October 9, 2018
On the lighter than air side of the cozy spectrum this is a series that will appeal to readers who like a bit of self-aware silly in their crime fiction.
Third book in the Agatha Christie Book Club series, EVIL UNDER THE STARS, continues the adventures of a group of friends, linked by their shared love of the novels of Agatha Christie. When I reviewed the first novel it was littered with references and clues to Agatha Christie plots that were surprisingly missed by many of the club members, which at the time seemed a bit odd, but that's definitely been tightened up a lot here. It will help if you read the series in order though, as this is really more about the characters in some way - and there's a lot of them - and the connections are a bit complicated, so it would be better if you know them, and their backgrounds as you go through.
With servings of humour, love and longing, and a plot that's more than a bit of a hat-tip to the structures that Christie herself was fond of, EVIL UNDER THE STARS is told in a slightly arch manner which fits with the style of the series, the characters and the intent. Cute series, designed for and meeting the requirements of fans who like their crime on the very cozy side.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Third book in the Agatha Christie Book Club series, EVIL UNDER THE STARS, continues the adventures of a group of friends, linked by their shared love of the novels of Agatha Christie. When I reviewed the first novel it was littered with references and clues to Agatha Christie plots that were surprisingly missed by many of the club members, which at the time seemed a bit odd, but that's definitely been tightened up a lot here. It will help if you read the series in order though, as this is really more about the characters in some way - and there's a lot of them - and the connections are a bit complicated, so it would be better if you know them, and their backgrounds as you go through.
With servings of humour, love and longing, and a plot that's more than a bit of a hat-tip to the structures that Christie herself was fond of, EVIL UNDER THE STARS is told in a slightly arch manner which fits with the style of the series, the characters and the intent. Cute series, designed for and meeting the requirements of fans who like their crime on the very cozy side.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
July 23, 2018
This was supposed to be a night to remember, and it was, just not for the reasons they hoped! The Agatha Christie Book Club have decided to go to one of the open air film nights, this means a picnic and sitting, lying on rugs and watching the film (with a pause at a suitable point), the decided to go as the showing on this night is Evil Under The Sun.
Both Anders and Alicia have taken partners to the showing (but with Alicia's being a homicide detective it was not long before he was called away for work), everything seems to be going smoothly (apart from a very uptight religious family and a couple that seemed to think that with everyone watching the film they could have "fun" on and under their rug!) and then the end of the film comes and there is a dead body no more that 10 feet away from the Club.
Now the members need to figure out who could have killed the lady and why, because the police are stumped!
Both Anders and Alicia have taken partners to the showing (but with Alicia's being a homicide detective it was not long before he was called away for work), everything seems to be going smoothly (apart from a very uptight religious family and a couple that seemed to think that with everyone watching the film they could have "fun" on and under their rug!) and then the end of the film comes and there is a dead body no more that 10 feet away from the Club.
Now the members need to figure out who could have killed the lady and why, because the police are stumped!
May 23, 2018
This book was kind of good. I never read the original book by Agatha Christie so I did not know what to expect with this story.
The Agatha Christie Book Club has several members who meet every week, they are Alicia, her sister Lynette, Anders, Claire, Perry, and Missy.
Alicia is dating a detective named Liam Jackson, who gets involved in a murder at an outdoor movie showing of Christie's novel "Evil Under The Stars". Since all the Club members are going to be there, Alicia and Jackson will be there also.
The whole club with a few others get involved to try to fin out who dun it!
The story was well planned out and kept my attention to the end. I don't think I would try to get the next in the series though! I have read a few of Christie's nvels and find that she is without a doubt the #1 mystery writer.
The Agatha Christie Book Club has several members who meet every week, they are Alicia, her sister Lynette, Anders, Claire, Perry, and Missy.
Alicia is dating a detective named Liam Jackson, who gets involved in a murder at an outdoor movie showing of Christie's novel "Evil Under The Stars". Since all the Club members are going to be there, Alicia and Jackson will be there also.
The whole club with a few others get involved to try to fin out who dun it!
The story was well planned out and kept my attention to the end. I don't think I would try to get the next in the series though! I have read a few of Christie's nvels and find that she is without a doubt the #1 mystery writer.
May 8, 2025
The third volume is another favorite, the adventures of Alicia Finlay and her book club gang. A fascinating investigation that holds surprises right up to the end. I wasn't really wondering how it would end because I really hadn't imagined this outcome.
Such endearing characters that I always enjoy revisiting. I really like the Alicia-Jackson couple, Linette is hilarious, Perry makes me die laughing, Claire is elegance itself, and I love the evolution of Missy, who is finally taking flight. I'm a little disappointed that Anders is leaving the ship, but ultimately, he wasn't very present in this investigation. I wonder who will join the club in the next volume.
Such endearing characters that I always enjoy revisiting. I really like the Alicia-Jackson couple, Linette is hilarious, Perry makes me die laughing, Claire is elegance itself, and I love the evolution of Missy, who is finally taking flight. I'm a little disappointed that Anders is leaving the ship, but ultimately, he wasn't very present in this investigation. I wonder who will join the club in the next volume.
November 11, 2018
I enjoyed the trip down-under (despite the over abundance of alcohol! LOL). This a mix between police procedural and cozy (cosy) murder mystery. The amateurs and police both get their moments, but being Agatha Christie inspired, the amateurs shine at the end. I like the modern characters and male-female relations mixed with the the classic amateur sleuthing. And the varied point-of-view let you get quite close to many of the characters. Well done!
July 9, 2020
A group that are fans of Agatha Christie’s books go to an outdoor viewing of a film about ons of her books. Evil under the Sun. And during the film a woman is murdered with no one around her. seeing it done. The group decides to “help” the unwilling and seemingly inept police and with their help the murderer is finally unmasked. This book has an impossible crime element which I like a lot.
August 17, 2025
Je n’ai pas du tout trouver l’intrigue prévisible, intéressante jusqu’au bout. Les personnages principaux ont été un peu plus développé sur ce tome. J’ai hâte de lire la suite !
August 1, 2024
The writing is way more polished now, and the characters have grown and have more depth. It was a much better plot, but still predictable, which is perhaps where the charm is this series lies.
May 10, 2024
Je suis ravie d'avoir retrouvé les acolytes du club des amateurs de romans policiers. Pour ce tome 3 l'ambiance est directement donné, le meurtre arrive très rapidement. C'est lors d'une soirée cinéma en plein air en plein cœur de Sydney que le drame va avoir lieu.
Alicia est en couple depuis peu avec l'enquêteur Liam Jackson, ils forment un joli duo, mais dans un premier temps le club va laissé la police faire son travail en essayant de ne pas trop interférer et puis l'enquête étant toujours à la case départ ils vont mettre leur grain de sel pour résoudre ce meurtre énigmatique fait sous les yeux de plusieurs dizaines de personnes.
J'aime toujours autant retrouvé cette petite équipe passionnée par les romans d'Agatha Christie et qui se retrouvent toujours avec un macchabé à proximité et un coupable à identifier.
C'est facile à lire, cosy à souhait, plutôt addictif et drôle ! J'aime beaucoup cet univers, les groupe est éclectique et chacun à vraiment sa personnalité propre, j'adore Lynette, elle n'a pas les deux pieds dans le même sabot.
Le cosy mystery est vraiment un genre littéraire que j'affectionne, ce n'est pas sanglant, ni effrayant, la tension est toujours moindre et l'univers toujours cosy et bienveillant !
Alicia est en couple depuis peu avec l'enquêteur Liam Jackson, ils forment un joli duo, mais dans un premier temps le club va laissé la police faire son travail en essayant de ne pas trop interférer et puis l'enquête étant toujours à la case départ ils vont mettre leur grain de sel pour résoudre ce meurtre énigmatique fait sous les yeux de plusieurs dizaines de personnes.
J'aime toujours autant retrouvé cette petite équipe passionnée par les romans d'Agatha Christie et qui se retrouvent toujours avec un macchabé à proximité et un coupable à identifier.
C'est facile à lire, cosy à souhait, plutôt addictif et drôle ! J'aime beaucoup cet univers, les groupe est éclectique et chacun à vraiment sa personnalité propre, j'adore Lynette, elle n'a pas les deux pieds dans le même sabot.
Le cosy mystery est vraiment un genre littéraire que j'affectionne, ce n'est pas sanglant, ni effrayant, la tension est toujours moindre et l'univers toujours cosy et bienveillant !
November 9, 2024
J’ai retrouvé avec grand plaisir les membres du club et leur dynamique bien particulière, que j’avais moins ressentie dans le deuxième tome.
Rythmé, énigmatique, vif, ce livre est mon préféré de la série jusqu’à maintenant!
Rythmé, énigmatique, vif, ce livre est mon préféré de la série jusqu’à maintenant!
January 8, 2018
Jolly good book
Book 3 in the Agatha Christie Book Club series is another winner. The gang is back and they go to an outdoor screening of Agatha Christie 's Evil Under The Sun. During the movie they witness a young couple who are exceptionally amorous in public as does everyone else in attendance at the movie. When the movie is over the man screams that something is wrong with his wife. Dr. Anders checks the wife out and discovers that she is dead of apparent strangulation. The police are called including Alicia's boyfriend, Inspector Jackson and everyone is questioned including the book club members who were right near the couple during the movie. Many different suspects emerge leaving the police grasping at straws due to lack of hard evidence. The book club gang enter into the investigation despite being told to stay out of things. Will the killer be caught? The plot is intricate and fast paced leaving you turning pages long into the night to get to the exciting conclusion. I loved this book and can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Book 3 in the Agatha Christie Book Club series is another winner. The gang is back and they go to an outdoor screening of Agatha Christie 's Evil Under The Sun. During the movie they witness a young couple who are exceptionally amorous in public as does everyone else in attendance at the movie. When the movie is over the man screams that something is wrong with his wife. Dr. Anders checks the wife out and discovers that she is dead of apparent strangulation. The police are called including Alicia's boyfriend, Inspector Jackson and everyone is questioned including the book club members who were right near the couple during the movie. Many different suspects emerge leaving the police grasping at straws due to lack of hard evidence. The book club gang enter into the investigation despite being told to stay out of things. Will the killer be caught? The plot is intricate and fast paced leaving you turning pages long into the night to get to the exciting conclusion. I loved this book and can't wait to read the next book in this series.
August 8, 2025
~3,75~
Mieux que le deuxième tome mais je n'ai pas entièrement été happée non plus. J'ai trouvé qu'on partait un peu trop loin du schéma classiques des cozy mysterys et qu'on voyait trop le point de vue des inspecteurs. Certes, c'est intéressant pour faire avancer l'enquête mais bon la saga se nommé "le club des amateurs ect" donc c'est plus eux qu'on voudrait voir.
J'avais deviné le/la coupable mais j'ai bien aimé comment de nombreuses pistes sont avancés pour faire miroiter les lecteurs sachant que toutes ses pistes sont plausibles. Néanmoins, l'explication pure et dure de la manière dont le crime a été commis m'a un peu étonnée car très précise et on n'a aucune recherche précédente fait par rapport à cela, excepté le lien entre les personnages.
J'ai quand même trouvé que ce tome s'améliorait face au deuxième mais mon préféré reste le 1er pour l'instant.
A voir, il semblerait que l'autrice installe encore des bases pour les futurs tomes.
PS: la traduction est vraiment bizarre à certains moments
Mieux que le deuxième tome mais je n'ai pas entièrement été happée non plus. J'ai trouvé qu'on partait un peu trop loin du schéma classiques des cozy mysterys et qu'on voyait trop le point de vue des inspecteurs. Certes, c'est intéressant pour faire avancer l'enquête mais bon la saga se nommé "le club des amateurs ect" donc c'est plus eux qu'on voudrait voir.
J'avais deviné le/la coupable mais j'ai bien aimé comment de nombreuses pistes sont avancés pour faire miroiter les lecteurs sachant que toutes ses pistes sont plausibles. Néanmoins, l'explication pure et dure de la manière dont le crime a été commis m'a un peu étonnée car très précise et on n'a aucune recherche précédente fait par rapport à cela, excepté le lien entre les personnages.
J'ai quand même trouvé que ce tome s'améliorait face au deuxième mais mon préféré reste le 1er pour l'instant.
A voir, il semblerait que l'autrice installe encore des bases pour les futurs tomes.
PS: la traduction est vraiment bizarre à certains moments
August 19, 2020
Such a good saga, honestly! I’m a little sad that this was the last book cause I really enjoyed the saga and plots and learned to loved the characters. Honestly, it’s so funny how much it resembles Agatha and how much homage is there to her without being a copy, is so original and enjoyable. I just love how the police officers never resolve the crimes but as expected is the book club who always put all the pieces together... over and over. And how the crime does not seem clear until it unfolds at the end, with the noisy book club explaining everything. It’s fiction with the reality of humanity, how a human reacts and being flawed. And love how this books are an homage to Miss Marple and not Poirot, who already has all the fame. Totally recommended!
May 20, 2018
Loads of witnesses who saw nothing!
I admit that I LOVE Agatha Christie, so this series is such a treat. Readers get to remember favorite Christie stories and enjoy a book club investingating new crimes as well. This one was complicated with loads of witnesses who saw absolutely nothing of the murder. It's better than a locked room mystery as there are loads of suspects in an open-air movie night. Won't say more other than you should grab this novel and enjoy!
I admit that I LOVE Agatha Christie, so this series is such a treat. Readers get to remember favorite Christie stories and enjoy a book club investingating new crimes as well. This one was complicated with loads of witnesses who saw absolutely nothing of the murder. It's better than a locked room mystery as there are loads of suspects in an open-air movie night. Won't say more other than you should grab this novel and enjoy!
December 24, 2018
Rating 3 (solid 3 star rating)
An entertaining modern cosy mystery with a few references to the Agatha Christie books.
It was a bit more stretched this time due to the nature of the crime scene, but the solution was quite ingenious and at least partially work out-able .
A pity that this is the final book in the series and no more have been written.
Would definitely recommend if you enjoyed the others and would recommend to someone looking for a modern cosy not set in the UK.
An entertaining modern cosy mystery with a few references to the Agatha Christie books.
It was a bit more stretched this time due to the nature of the crime scene, but the solution was quite ingenious and at least partially work out-able .
A pity that this is the final book in the series and no more have been written.
Would definitely recommend if you enjoyed the others and would recommend to someone looking for a modern cosy not set in the UK.
January 3, 2020
I read this for the Popsugar Challenge 2020 category of "A book about a book club". It's the third in the series about the Agatha Christie Book Club, and I thought it was a lot better than the previous two in the series. The mystery was more complex and the investigating the book club members did made more sense. There were still a few examples of misused words and typos, but not so many as to be too annoying. Overall, I found it a fun book to read with a well structured ending.
March 2, 2022
Another delightful instalment!
These novels keep getting better! They are such a delight to read and the main characters are certainly evolving. This time the club are caught in the middle of another baffling case where all is not what it seems! Agatha Christie eat your heart out and am sure she wouldn't mind the inspiration she gives for these novels! I too grew up reading her books.
These novels keep getting better! They are such a delight to read and the main characters are certainly evolving. This time the club are caught in the middle of another baffling case where all is not what it seems! Agatha Christie eat your heart out and am sure she wouldn't mind the inspiration she gives for these novels! I too grew up reading her books.
August 8, 2020
2 Thumbs up 👍
Great read. A murder, lots of leads, several suspects, a few red herrings and a group of mystery book club members round out this wonderful cozy mystery. Very well written with a plausible plot. The main characters have well developed personalities and soon become your best friends as you, yourself, become involved in trying to figure out who done it!
Great read. A murder, lots of leads, several suspects, a few red herrings and a group of mystery book club members round out this wonderful cozy mystery. Very well written with a plausible plot. The main characters have well developed personalities and soon become your best friends as you, yourself, become involved in trying to figure out who done it!
May 31, 2025
La joyeuse bande des amateurs de romans policiers se retrouve encore une fois mêlée à un meurtre.
Ce fut un plaisir de retrouver le grand pour une nouvelle aventure. Les situations sont toujours aussi improbables mais c'est ce qui fait le charme de ce type de roman.
En bref : un bon moment de lecture et de suspens.
Ce fut un plaisir de retrouver le grand pour une nouvelle aventure. Les situations sont toujours aussi improbables mais c'est ce qui fait le charme de ce type de roman.
En bref : un bon moment de lecture et de suspens.
July 1, 2025
J’ai trouvé l’enquête assez longue, le plotTwist est assez fou et impressionnant. On n’ arrive pas du tout à suivre, il y a plein d’indices et de coupables présumés je ne suis pas déçu, mais j’aimerais sentir un peu plus la Vibes de Sydney parce qu’on sent pas du tout qu’on est en Australie et c’est un peu dommage
July 25, 2025
Un tome 3 tout aussi intrigant que les 2 premiers tomes. Encore une fois notre club de lecture s'attaque à résoudre une enquête mais cette fois-ci ils en ont été les témoins ! Comment faire pour résoudre une telle enquête quand les indices s'embrouillent dans les cellules grises et quand une certaine inspectrice n'est pas de leur côté 😉
January 17, 2018
Honestly, I'm leaning towards 3.5 stars for this instalment - however, I enjoy the author and the ACBC in general, so I'd rather round up.
Will come back and do a full review soon.
Just wanted to note that I will def be buying the 4th when it comes out!
Will come back and do a full review soon.
Just wanted to note that I will def be buying the 4th when it comes out!
October 7, 2019
Gets better towards the end
I felt this story dragged in places, and the religious family were not well researched. However, the story picked up towards the end, and the book club members were able to work with the police to solve not one, but two murders.
The Sydney settings rang true.
I felt this story dragged in places, and the religious family were not well researched. However, the story picked up towards the end, and the book club members were able to work with the police to solve not one, but two murders.
The Sydney settings rang true.
March 21, 2020
The Agatha Christie book club goes to see Evil Under the Sun on a special screening outdoors. A woman is found dead on a nearby blanket. DI Liam Jackson gets them involved in solving the mystery.
Delightful little cozy mystery.
Delightful little cozy mystery.
July 1, 2020
Another winner!
I found this series and have fallen totally in love with these folks. Yes it's a bit far-fetched and over the top but it's a lot of good fun.
The stories are solid and enjoyable in every way. This was the best so far but am anxiously awaiting book four.
I found this series and have fallen totally in love with these folks. Yes it's a bit far-fetched and over the top but it's a lot of good fun.
The stories are solid and enjoyable in every way. This was the best so far but am anxiously awaiting book four.
December 16, 2021
I was at an outdoor performance in Washington DC and the blankets were there!!! I could understand and the Agatha Christie Book Club had it all figured out also and they proved it to Inspector Singh!!! I totally enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews