What do you think?
Rate this book
Book Club Murders #1
The Book Club Murders
What Judy’s book club doesn’t know about murder mysteries isn’t worth writing about. Nothing beats cracking a fictional case over some wine and salt and vinegar crisps. But can they put their puzzle-solving skills to the test when the local librarian dies in a real-life murder?
For widower Judy, her murder book club is the highlight of the she gets to hear all the local gossip and even discuss a good fictitious poisoning or two. But when local librarian Wendy disappears, Judy follows in the footsteps of her fictional detective heroes only to find her dead in her home, clasping a copy of Romeo and Juliet…
The police rule it a tragic accident, but Judy knows that her friend hated Shakespeare, and suspects foul play. Gathering her fellow book lovers together, soon they discover that several townspeople had motive to want Wendy dead. Was it Nigel from the tavern, who may have been Wendy’s secret boyfriend? Or could it be Bryan, the local bookshop owner, tangled in a bitter rivalry with the library?
The plot thickens at a charity murder mystery night held at Nigel’s tavern. Suddenly more murders come to light, both real and very badly staged. And when Nigel makes an astonishing revelation, the book club agree it’s a plot twist no-one saw coming. Can Judy and her book club solve the mystery before they too fall victim to a killer plot?
For widower Judy, her murder book club is the highlight of the she gets to hear all the local gossip and even discuss a good fictitious poisoning or two. But when local librarian Wendy disappears, Judy follows in the footsteps of her fictional detective heroes only to find her dead in her home, clasping a copy of Romeo and Juliet…
The police rule it a tragic accident, but Judy knows that her friend hated Shakespeare, and suspects foul play. Gathering her fellow book lovers together, soon they discover that several townspeople had motive to want Wendy dead. Was it Nigel from the tavern, who may have been Wendy’s secret boyfriend? Or could it be Bryan, the local bookshop owner, tangled in a bitter rivalry with the library?
The plot thickens at a charity murder mystery night held at Nigel’s tavern. Suddenly more murders come to light, both real and very badly staged. And when Nigel makes an astonishing revelation, the book club agree it’s a plot twist no-one saw coming. Can Judy and her book club solve the mystery before they too fall victim to a killer plot?
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
May 27, 2026
3.2 Stars
One Liner: Okayish; got some funny moments, but the characterization needs depth
The murder book club is the highlight of widow Judy’s life, as that’s when she gets all the gossip and can discuss a few poisons. When librarian Wendy disappears, Judy tries her hand at sleuthing and finds Wendy’s dead body holding a copy of Romeo and Juliet.
Though the police call it a tragic accident, Judy knows Wendy disliked Shakespeare and is determined to find the actual truth. With her fellow members of the club, Judy digs into the events. But can she and her friends find the killer?
The story comes in Judy's (mainly) and other club members' POVs (limited).
My Thoughts
There have been a few comparisons to the Thursday Murder Club, and I can see why. I also agree that it falls short, though it tried hard.
We don’t have to wait long for the dead body to appear, so it pretty much gets started right away. The club members belong to different age groups and have their own personalities, even if some of them feel borderline comically exaggerated.
Cozy mysteries do have easy plots, but this one is a bit too apparent. Luckily, when things come together halfway through, you’ll know there’s a major twist lined up. But then again, the twist wasn’t hard to guess either.
There were some funny moments (the chats and all), but nothing really great. The characters are shaping up, but we don’t know enough about them to ‘get’ their personalities. Also, the repetition didn’t help.
It’s a light read despite the drama. Hopefully, the characters will show more depth in the next book.
To summarize, The Book Club Murders is an okay read as the first in the series. There’s a lead for book two, so I’ll mostly give it a shot and then decide. This is the author’s first book in the genre, so hoping things will improve as she feels more comfortable.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheBookClubMurders
One Liner: Okayish; got some funny moments, but the characterization needs depth
The murder book club is the highlight of widow Judy’s life, as that’s when she gets all the gossip and can discuss a few poisons. When librarian Wendy disappears, Judy tries her hand at sleuthing and finds Wendy’s dead body holding a copy of Romeo and Juliet.
Though the police call it a tragic accident, Judy knows Wendy disliked Shakespeare and is determined to find the actual truth. With her fellow members of the club, Judy digs into the events. But can she and her friends find the killer?
The story comes in Judy's (mainly) and other club members' POVs (limited).
My Thoughts
There have been a few comparisons to the Thursday Murder Club, and I can see why. I also agree that it falls short, though it tried hard.
We don’t have to wait long for the dead body to appear, so it pretty much gets started right away. The club members belong to different age groups and have their own personalities, even if some of them feel borderline comically exaggerated.
Cozy mysteries do have easy plots, but this one is a bit too apparent. Luckily, when things come together halfway through, you’ll know there’s a major twist lined up. But then again, the twist wasn’t hard to guess either.
There were some funny moments (the chats and all), but nothing really great. The characters are shaping up, but we don’t know enough about them to ‘get’ their personalities. Also, the repetition didn’t help.
It’s a light read despite the drama. Hopefully, the characters will show more depth in the next book.
To summarize, The Book Club Murders is an okay read as the first in the series. There’s a lead for book two, so I’ll mostly give it a shot and then decide. This is the author’s first book in the genre, so hoping things will improve as she feels more comfortable.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheBookClubMurders
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Add this one to your list! I received an advanced audiobook from NetGalley, and the publication date is May 22, 2026.
I found this mystery to be delightful. Judy's book club has a variety of members, many of which are retired, and all enjoy a good mystery. When the local librarian is found dead, the police believe it is suicide. But Judy's friends all believe there is something more sinister at play. They have several local suspects, but as they investigate, they find more murders and sinister secrets.
These characters were so fun, and their activities and solutions were surprising. There were unforeseen plot twists that kept me engaged, laughing, and shaking my head. I'll look forward to reading more in this series and by this author.
I found this mystery to be delightful. Judy's book club has a variety of members, many of which are retired, and all enjoy a good mystery. When the local librarian is found dead, the police believe it is suicide. But Judy's friends all believe there is something more sinister at play. They have several local suspects, but as they investigate, they find more murders and sinister secrets.
These characters were so fun, and their activities and solutions were surprising. There were unforeseen plot twists that kept me engaged, laughing, and shaking my head. I'll look forward to reading more in this series and by this author.
June 3, 2026
This is a fun, Agatha Christie-like story that was suspenseful, humorous, and very entertaining. I loved the Serial Killers Book Club. Each member added a perspective to this intriguing tale. The plot was clever and original. I look forward to future books in this enticing series.Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy.
May 26, 2026
I fully expected to like this book. I mean, a small town book club focused on murder mysteries, quirky characters of a range of ages, and some budding romance. What's not to like? Much to my surprise, while I certainly didn't dislike the book, I never fully got into it, either. In other words, I didn't much care whodunit. Don't let that reaction detour you from it, however, as there's every chance you'll fully enjoy it. For me, I have decided that I need to be more careful about requesting books with a hoard of characters to keep track of as I had trouble sorting out who was who and how they were all connected. The main characters, Judy and daughter Sarah, of course, were easy, albeit maybe that Sarah has a dog named Gordon had something to do with that. She's also suffered loss, a recurring theme, and Judy worries about her. Sarah created an online site for those who've lost a spouse. Judy, on the other hand, is co-owner/operator of a funeral parlor, not the usual job for even the quirkiest amateur sleuth, I'd say. In any case, aside from Jack, who I kept wishing someone would put a sock in his mouth given his tendency to complicate questioning by his habit of blurting out things better left unsaid, the others sorta drifted in and out of my mind with me having to refresh my memory of who they were. They were all generally likable, even Jack, but would have liked more character development.
The mystery was fine, albeit it sorta faded into the background when potential issues with Sarah's new beau popped up. Too good to be true? Maybe, but back to the murder. Who killed seemingly harmless librarian Wendy? Judy is convinced it was murder although the police are calling it suicide. It was fun to read the text chain the book club members utilized, particularly Judy's frequently almost nonsensical texts. Spell check seems to have had no chance with her. That said, her skills in seeing things others miss or misunderstand are excellent. Even though she wouldn't have considered Wendy among her close friends, her observations of the death scene prove helpful. Despite this, her skills and those of the rest of the book club are, at best, feeble. Obviously, reading about solving a case and actually doing so are two very, very different things.
Bottom line, without revealing much more of the plot, there are several suspects. These range from a mysterious possible romantic interest to others who've had disagreements with her, however minor. Judy is a bit distracted by Sarah's romance, not sure of the prospective son-in-law. There are reasons, as you'll discover as you read. As for the murder, convincing the police that there is evidence that suggest murder, not suicide, might be the first step, though the club members ineptness doesn't help move that along much. I had both the ebook and audio for this, btw, and give kudos to narrator Jilly Bond for her ability to differentiate the multiple characters as well as capture the humor or drama of the moments. Since the plot evolves primarily around the dialogue, even the seemingly mundane, unrelated chatter, having a good narrator was a perk. The audio flowed along nicely and was easy to listen to and, in fact, may have helped me differentiate characters better than the text. Toss in a bit of a twisty ending and while I was never quite fully drawn in, it was still an enjoyable read/listen. Thanks #Bookouture for making this available to me for an early read. Given that ending, I'm leaning toward thinking I'll be ready to give the next book another chance, too.
The mystery was fine, albeit it sorta faded into the background when potential issues with Sarah's new beau popped up. Too good to be true? Maybe, but back to the murder. Who killed seemingly harmless librarian Wendy? Judy is convinced it was murder although the police are calling it suicide. It was fun to read the text chain the book club members utilized, particularly Judy's frequently almost nonsensical texts. Spell check seems to have had no chance with her. That said, her skills in seeing things others miss or misunderstand are excellent. Even though she wouldn't have considered Wendy among her close friends, her observations of the death scene prove helpful. Despite this, her skills and those of the rest of the book club are, at best, feeble. Obviously, reading about solving a case and actually doing so are two very, very different things.
Bottom line, without revealing much more of the plot, there are several suspects. These range from a mysterious possible romantic interest to others who've had disagreements with her, however minor. Judy is a bit distracted by Sarah's romance, not sure of the prospective son-in-law. There are reasons, as you'll discover as you read. As for the murder, convincing the police that there is evidence that suggest murder, not suicide, might be the first step, though the club members ineptness doesn't help move that along much. I had both the ebook and audio for this, btw, and give kudos to narrator Jilly Bond for her ability to differentiate the multiple characters as well as capture the humor or drama of the moments. Since the plot evolves primarily around the dialogue, even the seemingly mundane, unrelated chatter, having a good narrator was a perk. The audio flowed along nicely and was easy to listen to and, in fact, may have helped me differentiate characters better than the text. Toss in a bit of a twisty ending and while I was never quite fully drawn in, it was still an enjoyable read/listen. Thanks #Bookouture for making this available to me for an early read. Given that ending, I'm leaning toward thinking I'll be ready to give the next book another chance, too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Book Club Murders is a different take on murder mystery. It begins with Judy, a senior citizen who runs a book club with her friends and family, when she finds the librarian dead in her home. Judy and her bookclub spend a good portion of the book trying to figure out what happened to the librarian, and then another portion of the book solving who her daughters new mystery man is.
The story reads more like a lot of conversations, since the plot moves through everyone gathering and discussing. There isn't a lot of descriptive factors, and at times it was hard to keep up with the characters. I did find some of their interactions to be fillers, and other times there were a lot of silly moments. I had to skim through some of the conversations since they added nothing to the plot, and turned repetitive.
This book also touches on grief, and how some characters manage the loss of loved ones, either due to old age or accidents happening to them. There are some light hearted takes on it, which a bit of humor, but also some wisdom involved. I feel like someone who has lost a loved one could relate to those portions of the book and find comfort in them.
This wasn't a hard book to get through, its more of a cozy read with a cup of tea and a blanket. The plot is not too complicated and the characters are charming. I was throughly interested about half-way through the book on our mystery man, and wanted nothing more than to finish it so I could see the plot unfold. The ending did not disappoint, and I felt a lot of satisfaction with it.
I received an advanced copy from netgalley, thank you!
The story reads more like a lot of conversations, since the plot moves through everyone gathering and discussing. There isn't a lot of descriptive factors, and at times it was hard to keep up with the characters. I did find some of their interactions to be fillers, and other times there were a lot of silly moments. I had to skim through some of the conversations since they added nothing to the plot, and turned repetitive.
This book also touches on grief, and how some characters manage the loss of loved ones, either due to old age or accidents happening to them. There are some light hearted takes on it, which a bit of humor, but also some wisdom involved. I feel like someone who has lost a loved one could relate to those portions of the book and find comfort in them.
This wasn't a hard book to get through, its more of a cozy read with a cup of tea and a blanket. The plot is not too complicated and the characters are charming. I was throughly interested about half-way through the book on our mystery man, and wanted nothing more than to finish it so I could see the plot unfold. The ending did not disappoint, and I felt a lot of satisfaction with it.
I received an advanced copy from netgalley, thank you!
May 13, 2026
Thank you for the Audiobook Arc NetGalley
This was Brilliant
Loved that it was set in Matlock, Derbyshire, this has all the cosy mystery charm you'd expect.
The narrator absolutely nailed the characters giving everyone such distinct personalities. I kept second-guessing the mystery the whole way through because every “obvious” answer felt too obvious — and the twists kept coming.
I really hope The Book Club Murders becomes a series because I’d happily spend more time with this serial killer murder club again. ⭐️4.5/5
April 28, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
This was a very nice cozy mystery. It reminded me a lot of the Thursday Murder Club by Osman. The cast of characters was diverse, fun and relatable. Their dialogue, especially the group chat text threads were very entertaining and well executed. There were some slower parts, but the vivid narration in the audiobook made up for it. I liked seeing our armchair sleuths trying to apply their book knowledge to their real life situation. The reveal was not particularly unpredictable, but I thought it fit the cozy character of the mystery anyway.
This was a very nice cozy mystery. It reminded me a lot of the Thursday Murder Club by Osman. The cast of characters was diverse, fun and relatable. Their dialogue, especially the group chat text threads were very entertaining and well executed. There were some slower parts, but the vivid narration in the audiobook made up for it. I liked seeing our armchair sleuths trying to apply their book knowledge to their real life situation. The reveal was not particularly unpredictable, but I thought it fit the cozy character of the mystery anyway.
May 3, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the team at Bookouture for approving me for this eARC on NetGalley.
This book started out great, we have a group of people in various ages joining together in a book club where they solve murders (while reading the book). I guess my only complaint there was that it could’ve been one or two less people in the group as I sometimes forgot who was who and who was related to who.
My biggest issue was something that happened after ish 50% and I can’t write it down cause it’s a huge spoiler. But it did change the whole book in a way that I wasn’t the biggest fan of.
Then a few loose ends were never tied up after so that made me a bit confused. Like they started out due to one murder but kind of forgot about it?
If you want to read a cozy murder mystery where the characters are more important than the plot, here it is. It was fun but nothing that will stay with me.
Also, Jack has to be the most annoying character ever created I wanted to strangle him since I met him in this book.
Thank you to the team at Bookouture for approving me for this eARC on NetGalley.
This book started out great, we have a group of people in various ages joining together in a book club where they solve murders (while reading the book). I guess my only complaint there was that it could’ve been one or two less people in the group as I sometimes forgot who was who and who was related to who.
My biggest issue was something that happened after ish 50% and I can’t write it down cause it’s a huge spoiler. But it did change the whole book in a way that I wasn’t the biggest fan of.
Then a few loose ends were never tied up after so that made me a bit confused. Like they started out due to one murder but kind of forgot about it?
If you want to read a cozy murder mystery where the characters are more important than the plot, here it is. It was fun but nothing that will stay with me.
Also, Jack has to be the most annoying character ever created I wanted to strangle him since I met him in this book.
April 30, 2026
A cozy mystery book club… but make it meddling, murder, and surprisingly heartfelt.
Thanks to Bookouture Audio for the complimentary ALC via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to dive into this cozy mystery and share my voluntary thoughts.
Grab your blanket and a cuppa, because this is the kind of charming cozy mystery that pulls you in with a familiar setup and then quietly deepens into something more meaningful. As someone who loves anything centered around bookshops, libraries, and book clubs, this one hit all the right notes, and then went further.
A mystery-loving book club made up of older, delightfully nosy members set in England? Add in salt and vinegar crisps, a real-life murder to solve, and sharp, laugh-out-loud banter, and I was completely in. But what really elevated this beyond a standard whodunit was its thoughtful exploration of grief from multiple perspectives. That emotional layer gave the story a depth I wasn’t expecting—but really appreciated.
The audiobook experience was a standout. Narrator Jill Bond brings warmth, personality, and impressive range to the performance. She effortlessly handles a full cast of characters, shifting subtly between voices while still leaning into the more dramatic moments when needed. The production itself felt polished and well-executed, making it an easy and immersive listen.
I especially loved how the story unfolds through the conversations of the book club members as they piece together clues. It felt fresh, engaging, and full of quirky charm. Honestly, it made me want to start an in-person book club dedicated to solving fictional (or even true crime) mysteries.
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that offers humor, heart, and a little something deeper beneath the surface, this is absolutely one to curl up with.
Thanks to Bookouture Audio for the complimentary ALC via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to dive into this cozy mystery and share my voluntary thoughts.
Grab your blanket and a cuppa, because this is the kind of charming cozy mystery that pulls you in with a familiar setup and then quietly deepens into something more meaningful. As someone who loves anything centered around bookshops, libraries, and book clubs, this one hit all the right notes, and then went further.
A mystery-loving book club made up of older, delightfully nosy members set in England? Add in salt and vinegar crisps, a real-life murder to solve, and sharp, laugh-out-loud banter, and I was completely in. But what really elevated this beyond a standard whodunit was its thoughtful exploration of grief from multiple perspectives. That emotional layer gave the story a depth I wasn’t expecting—but really appreciated.
The audiobook experience was a standout. Narrator Jill Bond brings warmth, personality, and impressive range to the performance. She effortlessly handles a full cast of characters, shifting subtly between voices while still leaning into the more dramatic moments when needed. The production itself felt polished and well-executed, making it an easy and immersive listen.
I especially loved how the story unfolds through the conversations of the book club members as they piece together clues. It felt fresh, engaging, and full of quirky charm. Honestly, it made me want to start an in-person book club dedicated to solving fictional (or even true crime) mysteries.
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that offers humor, heart, and a little something deeper beneath the surface, this is absolutely one to curl up with.
May 22, 2026
THE BOOK CLUB MURDERS (ARC) | ★★★☆☆.75 | KINDLE
a quaint little town never expects much. especially not murder. but when wendy the librarian goes missing — judy, a widower and funeral director decides to follow her hunch and enlists her book club; the serial killers bookclub that is. that there is more going on that meets the eye.
when this rag tag team involve themselves further they begin to discover more than maybe what they bargained for.
this book isn’t my typical pick but there was something about it that was intriguing to me! so when i saw that i got the arc for this i was really excited! this book is dripping in those cozy murder mystery vibes. there is a strong plot choice at 50% and for me that is when i was officially hooked even further. the beginning was a little difficult to get into but once things slowly began to be revealed, the major plot twist ending threw me by complete surprise.
though this wasn’t the most perfect book, it does make me interested to see where book 2 — you heard that right it ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER — goes and if there is still more to discover.
thank you @netgalley and @bookouture for the e-arc!
if you need a good little murder mystery with dabbling of great humour and close knit friendship then this is the one for you.
the book club murders is out today!!!
a quaint little town never expects much. especially not murder. but when wendy the librarian goes missing — judy, a widower and funeral director decides to follow her hunch and enlists her book club; the serial killers bookclub that is. that there is more going on that meets the eye.
when this rag tag team involve themselves further they begin to discover more than maybe what they bargained for.
this book isn’t my typical pick but there was something about it that was intriguing to me! so when i saw that i got the arc for this i was really excited! this book is dripping in those cozy murder mystery vibes. there is a strong plot choice at 50% and for me that is when i was officially hooked even further. the beginning was a little difficult to get into but once things slowly began to be revealed, the major plot twist ending threw me by complete surprise.
though this wasn’t the most perfect book, it does make me interested to see where book 2 — you heard that right it ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER — goes and if there is still more to discover.
thank you @netgalley and @bookouture for the e-arc!
if you need a good little murder mystery with dabbling of great humour and close knit friendship then this is the one for you.
the book club murders is out today!!!
May 29, 2026
Its always lovely to start a new series where the narration is full of character and really brings the story to live. A great cozy mystery set within a book club full of colourful characters who each have their own backstory woven in. This was an enjoyable binge listen as events quickly changed. Id love the unfolding of the real story. The way in which a bunch of characters who in real life wouldnt even meet had some much love for each other alongside there love of mysteries. It was funny , heart warning, ott in places but a great opening cozy mystery. The way technology was used to reflect various age groups and abilities was brilliant. The ending threw me a little and made me want book 2 even more. This is perfect for anyone who enjoys a cozy murder but wants a bit of humor thrown in. I could hear the research gone into the story to make elements as realistic as possible This would have been a perfect 5 for me except the ending so its a reluctant 4 stars. Thanks so much netgallery, publisher, author and narrator for this near perfect cozy mystery
Read
May 25, 2026I listened to The Book Club Murders by Aggie Allswell narrated by Jilly Bond. I did think the audiobook was a good way to go, but I did not enjoy the way she did the male voice. I enjoy a good cozy mystery. I don't like knowing who the murderer is this quickly and I think that is fundamentally problematic in a book that is a murder mystery. It is more, how do we get the evidence to catch him, than a whodunit. And, I much prefer puzzling out who and how the crime/murder was committed. This is the first book in a series so I will definitely check out the next book in this series. Thank you so much Net Galley and Bookouture Audio for my advance listener copy. This book is out May 22, 2026.
May 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.
I struggled with the narrators in the audio unfortunately, but I did enjoy the story.
I struggled with the narrators in the audio unfortunately, but I did enjoy the story.
May 8, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
Have you ever hated someone so much that you wanted to plot their murder? Because that’s exactly what this book club does in The Book Club Murders.
This was such a fun, easy-to-read cozy mystery.
One of my favorite details was all the references to other mystery novels sprinkled throughout the book. Those little Easter eggs made it extra fun as a reader. I also loved the book club group chat and text message sections between chapters. They genuinely reminded me of real book club conversations and made the characters feel more relatable. It added a personal touch that made the whole reading experience feel cozy and familiar, like being inside your own chaotic group chat with friends.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable cozy mystery with a clever premise, fun bookish references, and a strong book club atmosphere. If you like mysteries that are more entertaining and character driven than intensely realistic, this is a great pick.
Thank you to NetGally for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Have you ever hated someone so much that you wanted to plot their murder? Because that’s exactly what this book club does in The Book Club Murders.
This was such a fun, easy-to-read cozy mystery.
One of my favorite details was all the references to other mystery novels sprinkled throughout the book. Those little Easter eggs made it extra fun as a reader. I also loved the book club group chat and text message sections between chapters. They genuinely reminded me of real book club conversations and made the characters feel more relatable. It added a personal touch that made the whole reading experience feel cozy and familiar, like being inside your own chaotic group chat with friends.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable cozy mystery with a clever premise, fun bookish references, and a strong book club atmosphere. If you like mysteries that are more entertaining and character driven than intensely realistic, this is a great pick.
Thank you to NetGally for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 11, 2026
Book club, murder, sassy characters? Count me in!
Honestly reminded me a little of my own book club, if only we decided to turn to solving murders.
This was fun, quick, and a great read!
Honestly reminded me a little of my own book club, if only we decided to turn to solving murders.
This was fun, quick, and a great read!
May 26, 2026
consider this a fun cozy mystery thanks to the cast of characters from the serial killers book club. police aside, if not avid mystery / thriller readers, who else would you trust to do "good" detective work?
early on, you'll get an inkling of who the suspect might be so a hefty portion of the book has you thrust into the conversations of the book club members sharing theories and plotting schemes. each of the characters brought something to the table, making their individual personalities and eccentricities shine. there were some suspect storylines that didn't get closed out, and at one point i wanted to knock some sense into one of the main characters but nonetheless, the story wrapped up nicely with a neat bow.
apt to them being part of a book club, i loved how that set-up paved the way to allow for people of different backgrounds, personalities, and ages to come together and just bond over something they like. you could feel their closeness in their dialogues and it truly felt like a safe space where each member genuinely cares for each other.
thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC!
early on, you'll get an inkling of who the suspect might be so a hefty portion of the book has you thrust into the conversations of the book club members sharing theories and plotting schemes. each of the characters brought something to the table, making their individual personalities and eccentricities shine. there were some suspect storylines that didn't get closed out, and at one point i wanted to knock some sense into one of the main characters but nonetheless, the story wrapped up nicely with a neat bow.
apt to them being part of a book club, i loved how that set-up paved the way to allow for people of different backgrounds, personalities, and ages to come together and just bond over something they like. you could feel their closeness in their dialogues and it truly felt like a safe space where each member genuinely cares for each other.
thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC!
May 24, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the book!! 🩸📖 🔪🛵🥜
This was fun! I love the amateur detective trope (even if in this book they have read up on it quite a lot due to the book club - Awesome name by the way The Serial Killers book club)
⁀જ➣ The writing was quick and smart and I loved seeing the characters interact with one another in a more down to earth way while still pairing the serial killer in our midst theme.
⁀જ➣ Also the narrator was AMAZING! Hearing her voice for everyone was so funny (in the best most entertaining way of course) and enjoyable. So it was a BIG + for my read
ᯓ➤ That being said... I didn't like the ending a lot. I mean having Judy be the one that killed him was 10/10 predictable and the moment the characters heard the noice in the CCTV I knew it was her.
ᯓ➤ That & poor Jack being the laughing stock for the whole book kinda ticked me off.
This was fun! I love the amateur detective trope (even if in this book they have read up on it quite a lot due to the book club - Awesome name by the way The Serial Killers book club)
⁀જ➣ The writing was quick and smart and I loved seeing the characters interact with one another in a more down to earth way while still pairing the serial killer in our midst theme.
⁀જ➣ Also the narrator was AMAZING! Hearing her voice for everyone was so funny (in the best most entertaining way of course) and enjoyable. So it was a BIG + for my read
ᯓ➤ That being said... I didn't like the ending a lot. I mean having Judy be the one that killed him was 10/10 predictable and the moment the characters heard the noice in the CCTV I knew it was her.
ᯓ➤ That & poor Jack being the laughing stock for the whole book kinda ticked me off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2026
The Book Club Murders
Thoroughly entertaining! This book reminded me how much I enjoy a good murder and to be swept up in shenanigans. The cast was absurdly eccentric (in a good way). This was more than just a murder mystery but I don’t want to ruin the fun by giving away the plot. The ending elevated the book and I was genuinely surprised. It’s cozy, but also deals with heavy themes such as grief with kindness and empathy.
What to expect:
🔪 Murder Mystery
🔎 Amateur sleuths
🫖 Cozy crime
🗝️ Locked Room
📚 Serial Killer Book Club
🏡 Quaint English village
🛵 Quirky cast of characters
🎢 Thrilling moments
✨ Immersive Experience
🗓️ Release Date: 22 May 2026
🎧 Solo Narration | 8hrs34
📖 Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for the ARC & ALC. My thoughts are my own.
Thoroughly entertaining! This book reminded me how much I enjoy a good murder and to be swept up in shenanigans. The cast was absurdly eccentric (in a good way). This was more than just a murder mystery but I don’t want to ruin the fun by giving away the plot. The ending elevated the book and I was genuinely surprised. It’s cozy, but also deals with heavy themes such as grief with kindness and empathy.
What to expect:
🔪 Murder Mystery
🔎 Amateur sleuths
🫖 Cozy crime
🗝️ Locked Room
📚 Serial Killer Book Club
🏡 Quaint English village
🛵 Quirky cast of characters
🎢 Thrilling moments
✨ Immersive Experience
🗓️ Release Date: 22 May 2026
🎧 Solo Narration | 8hrs34
📖 Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for the ARC & ALC. My thoughts are my own.
May 10, 2026
Thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC!
4.5 ⭐️
I loved this book!! It was cozy and sweet and hilarious. I laughed out loud several times! Judith is fantastic. So straightforward and matter of fact, but with the right amount of heart. Her printout that she gives to new widows/widowers, “Judith’s Top Tips for Visiting a Grave”, was excellent! 😂 of course there’s plenty of tea and pastries and wine. The WhatsApp group texts, with Judith not wearing her glasses while typing, were such a funny addition. And interestingly, it goes in a different direction than I was expecting at the end. Also, the narrator, Jilly Bond, was excellent. Highly recommend!
#BookoutureAudio #NetGalley #TheBookClubMurders #MaggieAllswell
4.5 ⭐️
I loved this book!! It was cozy and sweet and hilarious. I laughed out loud several times! Judith is fantastic. So straightforward and matter of fact, but with the right amount of heart. Her printout that she gives to new widows/widowers, “Judith’s Top Tips for Visiting a Grave”, was excellent! 😂 of course there’s plenty of tea and pastries and wine. The WhatsApp group texts, with Judith not wearing her glasses while typing, were such a funny addition. And interestingly, it goes in a different direction than I was expecting at the end. Also, the narrator, Jilly Bond, was excellent. Highly recommend!
#BookoutureAudio #NetGalley #TheBookClubMurders #MaggieAllswell
April 28, 2026
3.5 stars 🌟
I can say this because they mention it in the book as a joke - this is like Thursday Murder Club but younger 🤣
There’s a group of people in varying ages who all meet once per week for the Serial Killers book club. I think the youngest is Jack at 27 and the oldest is Judy who might be 70’s and 80’s.
They are all quite the characters in their own right and it’s hard to pick a favourite. I am leaning towards Jack though. He’s a young hopeless romantic who has a crush on 30 year old Talisha the pharmacist.
Sarah in the book club runs a website that puts widowed people in touch with one another for friendship, support and possibly romance. Her family owns a funeral business so the idea naturally came to her.
Sarah met Frank via the website and frank immediately is full of 🚩. He’s been widowed twice and each wife died in mysterious circumstances. Sarah has a lot of money from the sale of her website to a US company so obviously he’s her next target. Although she doesn’t realise it.
Thankfully the book club does and begins investigating. With spreadsheets 🤣🤣 📈 they even try to plan his murder so Sarah doesn’t become his next victim. I love how they make PowerPoint presentations etc when discussing what to do.
There were so many funny moments like Jack and the overpowering aftershave 🤣 and I was pleasantly surprised. At first I was annoyed that it was easy to guess but then it took a funny turn and the ending surprised me.
However, I was furious at what happened with Gordon and I’m so glad the ending that happened served justice.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC of this one and I can’t wait to see if there will be another in the series.
I can say this because they mention it in the book as a joke - this is like Thursday Murder Club but younger 🤣
There’s a group of people in varying ages who all meet once per week for the Serial Killers book club. I think the youngest is Jack at 27 and the oldest is Judy who might be 70’s and 80’s.
They are all quite the characters in their own right and it’s hard to pick a favourite. I am leaning towards Jack though. He’s a young hopeless romantic who has a crush on 30 year old Talisha the pharmacist.
Sarah in the book club runs a website that puts widowed people in touch with one another for friendship, support and possibly romance. Her family owns a funeral business so the idea naturally came to her.
Sarah met Frank via the website and frank immediately is full of 🚩. He’s been widowed twice and each wife died in mysterious circumstances. Sarah has a lot of money from the sale of her website to a US company so obviously he’s her next target. Although she doesn’t realise it.
Thankfully the book club does and begins investigating. With spreadsheets 🤣🤣 📈 they even try to plan his murder so Sarah doesn’t become his next victim. I love how they make PowerPoint presentations etc when discussing what to do.
There were so many funny moments like Jack and the overpowering aftershave 🤣 and I was pleasantly surprised. At first I was annoyed that it was easy to guess but then it took a funny turn and the ending surprised me.
However, I was furious at what happened with Gordon and I’m so glad the ending that happened served justice.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC of this one and I can’t wait to see if there will be another in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was soooo cozy! I breezed through this quick.
The Book Club Murders follows a group of women (and one guy!) and their friendship while having a book club they call “The serial killers book club.” They are all insanely loveable, quirky, and complex. That being said though, this book went a completely different direction than I thought it was… and then it felt like there was a lot of build up for nothing. This is obviously going to be a series and was set up perfectly for a continuance - but without anything else to grab onto - I’m left wanting more.
I would give book two a go though, whenever that comes out.
This was soooo cozy! I breezed through this quick.
The Book Club Murders follows a group of women (and one guy!) and their friendship while having a book club they call “The serial killers book club.” They are all insanely loveable, quirky, and complex. That being said though, this book went a completely different direction than I thought it was… and then it felt like there was a lot of build up for nothing. This is obviously going to be a series and was set up perfectly for a continuance - but without anything else to grab onto - I’m left wanting more.
I would give book two a go though, whenever that comes out.
May 3, 2026
Brb gonna go write my will 😂
Thank you to Bookouture Audio & the author for the ALC!
What I liked
🔪 hilarious and quirky cast of characters who were as entertaining as they were endearing
🔪 cozy murder mystery
🔪 audiobook narrator
🔪 quick and easy read
🔪 cute budding side romance (0 🌶️)
🔪 some good little twists & red herrings
Why not 5 ⭐️?
☠️didn’t really need to be an open-ended ending. I think in trying to set up book 2, it took a lot away from the awesomeness that was book 1
Read this book if you are in the mood for an unserious & fun book with lots of heart & laugh out loud moments
TW (spoiler)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Untimely death of a pet
Thank you to Bookouture Audio & the author for the ALC!
What I liked
🔪 hilarious and quirky cast of characters who were as entertaining as they were endearing
🔪 cozy murder mystery
🔪 audiobook narrator
🔪 quick and easy read
🔪 cute budding side romance (0 🌶️)
🔪 some good little twists & red herrings
Why not 5 ⭐️?
☠️didn’t really need to be an open-ended ending. I think in trying to set up book 2, it took a lot away from the awesomeness that was book 1
Read this book if you are in the mood for an unserious & fun book with lots of heart & laugh out loud moments
TW (spoiler)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Untimely death of a pet
May 20, 2026
This was a nice comfy mystery book. Not written in the style of whodunnit but a fun quacky mystery. You find out who the Murder is less than 50% into the book and spend the rest of it plotting revenge against them, in a lot of screwball ways. If you liked the first season of Bad Sisters with an even more light hearted vibe this is the book for you. The cast of characters were funny and quirky. This book was very cozy and pleasant to read, I would differently say this was more of a palette cleanser book but I did enjoy it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC
May 8, 2026
The Book Club Murders is exactly the kind of mystery that reminds you why cozy thrillers are so addictive. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked by the atmosphere, the clever pacing, and the feeling that every character was hiding something. It has the perfect balance of suspense, humor, and small-town tension that makes you want to keep reading “just one more chapter.”
What really stood out to me was how sharp and entertaining the book club dynamics were. The relationships felt believable and layered, and the author did such a good job capturing the personalities, rivalries, and secrets that can exist beneath seemingly ordinary friendships. The mystery itself was incredibly well done — enough twists to keep me guessing without ever feeling overcomplicated.
The writing was engaging and easy to fly through, but still atmospheric and immersive. I loved how the story built tension gradually while keeping the tone fun and entertaining. It would make an excellent book club pick because there’s so much to discuss: trust, perception, friendship, and the ways people present themselves to others.
If you enjoy clever mysteries with strong character dynamics, a cozy-but-suspenseful vibe, and a plot that keeps you invested until the very end, this is absolutely worth reading. A five-star read for me. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC
What really stood out to me was how sharp and entertaining the book club dynamics were. The relationships felt believable and layered, and the author did such a good job capturing the personalities, rivalries, and secrets that can exist beneath seemingly ordinary friendships. The mystery itself was incredibly well done — enough twists to keep me guessing without ever feeling overcomplicated.
The writing was engaging and easy to fly through, but still atmospheric and immersive. I loved how the story built tension gradually while keeping the tone fun and entertaining. It would make an excellent book club pick because there’s so much to discuss: trust, perception, friendship, and the ways people present themselves to others.
If you enjoy clever mysteries with strong character dynamics, a cozy-but-suspenseful vibe, and a plot that keeps you invested until the very end, this is absolutely worth reading. A five-star read for me. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC
May 29, 2026
If you loved The Thursday Murder Club, you will love this!
I listened to the audiobook thanks to @NetGalley and right from the beginning I was hooked! You completely go on a journey with these characters and feel like you are part of this club my the end!
It's funny, witty, sad and reminds us how important friendship is, very enjoyable. I hope there is more to come from this group who stop at nothing to find out how their friend died and to save another from a con artist!
I listened to the audiobook thanks to @NetGalley and right from the beginning I was hooked! You completely go on a journey with these characters and feel like you are part of this club my the end!
It's funny, witty, sad and reminds us how important friendship is, very enjoyable. I hope there is more to come from this group who stop at nothing to find out how their friend died and to save another from a con artist!
May 15, 2026
was unable to fully comprehend the plot of this book. The narrative structure proved challenging to follow. I have opted to listen to the audiobook version, which may provide a more accessible understanding of the story.
I appreciate NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of the book.
I appreciate NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of the book.
May 25, 2026
"The Book Club Murders" put a new twist on the old cosy-mystery genre. Some plot diversions were entirely unexpected so readers should be forewarned! Enter a book group in a small town, all fixated on serial killers and good baking. Each has a job that's important within the community, a few are related by blood, others by deep friendship. Will a stranger emerge as a love interest, a potential criminal, a victim? Will the book club survive, will the friendships? I'm looking forward to reading more about life in a small English village and more about people who love books and mysteries.
May 22, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
A cozy murder mystery with some genuinely excellent moments. The book club premise was fun, and there were parts of the mystery and character dynamics that really worked for me. While not everything fully came together, it was still an enjoyable read overall and a solid choice for cozy mystery fans.
A cozy murder mystery with some genuinely excellent moments. The book club premise was fun, and there were parts of the mystery and character dynamics that really worked for me. While not everything fully came together, it was still an enjoyable read overall and a solid choice for cozy mystery fans.
May 12, 2026
I really enjoy cozy mysteries so I didn’t want to miss this. I enjoyed it for the most part, but I definitely feel like it went off the rails towards the end. I had a different idea of what this group would do to solve the murders and I was completely wrong. I don’t know why but it definitely rubbed me the wrong way. The characters were interesting and sometimes it reminded me of the Thursday murder club.
May 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for the ARC version of The Book Club Murders!
This was such a fun and cozy mystery, and I loved the book club characters and their dialogue — it made them feel lively and real with the conversations. The audio version was great as well (with ascents) and bringing personality and charm to the story that it felt like you were right there alongside the group. A great, quick read!
This was such a fun and cozy mystery, and I loved the book club characters and their dialogue — it made them feel lively and real with the conversations. The audio version was great as well (with ascents) and bringing personality and charm to the story that it felt like you were right there alongside the group. A great, quick read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews