A Body at Book Club

Myrtle Clover Mysteries #6

by Elizabeth Spann Craig

When octogenarian sleuth Myrtle Clover discovers Naomi Pelter’s dead body during a book club meeting, the other members seem shocked. But Myrtle can read between the lines. Naomi had riled everyone up by flirting with other people’s husbands, arguing with neighbors, and generally making a nuisance of herself. Murdering troublemakers is the oldest trick in the book. The book club members seem too sweet to be killers, but Myrtle knows better than to judge books by their covers. Myrtle’s investigation into the murder will take a more novel approach than her police chief son’s by-the-book methods. Can Myrtle and her widower sidekick uncover the killer…before he writes them off for good?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Detective

202 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2014

About the author

Author also writes under Elizabeth Craig

Elizabeth is the bestselling cozy mystery author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. Find out more about her books and sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com . Find her books on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...

Reviews

[Laura Cushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Myrtle Clover series keeps getting better - loved this latest installment. Octogenerian sleuth Myrtle, and her faithful sidekick Miles, are investigating a murder at their book club that ties into poison mushrooms discussed at garden club.

In a small town where a lot of folks are members of both clubs and have grudges against each other, there are a variety of suspects. And to top it off, Myrtle's semi-feral cat Pasha has gone missing!

Loved the interaction between the characters, and the ending of this book was super funny. Looking forward to the next book in this delightful cozy mystery series.

[Nicole Bannister · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of vampire chronicles collection

I truly liked the book. There was nothing I didn't like about the book. I enjoyed the story that was being told. I would gladly reread it again. I also like the concept of the book. I also would recommend this book to anyone.

[Janice Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myrtle Clover, an octogenarian, is an old lady in body only, in her head, she is young and agile. She doesn't let too much slow her down. A retired teacher, she has strong opinions about people. On a quest to find her missing feral cat Passa, she agrees to go to Book Club to learn more about a neighbour who is not well liked than to review a book she considers trifle.

Imbued with small town flavour, gossip and rumours, the story revolves around the discovery of a body at a Book Club hostess' home. Myrtle, against her son's advice, engages the support of her friend Clive to solve the mystery.

A long list of suspects gives Myrtle plenty to work with. It will keep you guessing. Myrtle is an endearing old soul.

This was my first read in the series. Starting with Book 1 would have been a better choice, it might have endeared me more to the protagonist and cast of characters.

Reviewed for #MysteryThrillerWeek 2017

[Karen B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Myrtle Clover mystery and I really liked the feistiness of the character. Myrtle knows what she's doing and her age doesn't keep her back. She manages to solve crimes in spite of her son, Red, the police chief trying to get her to do less. But you can't keep a determined woman down. The supporting characters had their interest quirks. An enjoyable cozy mystery

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Spann Craig has done it again, another very funny and entertaining mystery for Myrtle Clover to investigate. I am really enjoying this series and I am so glad I discovered it. Each book is a stand alone but I just love the recurring characters that I would recommend you start with book one so you don't miss a second of this brilliant series. As I said the characters are fun and I really like the fact that Myrtle is an octogenarian and uses that fact to her advantage. The supporting cast of characters are just as entertaining and I can very easily see it being turned into a T.V show. Move over Jessica Fletcher, Myrtle Clover is here to stay.
Myrtle and Miles attend a book club meeting only to discover a dead body before it has even begun.The police Chief, who just happens to be Myrtle's son Red thinks Myrtle should stay out of the investigation because being a member of the club she is too close to the most likely suspects. But that is precisely why she is perfect for the job, everybody knows her and will talk to her and when Myrtle's cat Pasha gets chased by some dogs and goes missing this provides the perfect time to question the suspects as she hands out missing flyers. The murder weapon leads them to there first clue, the garden club had only just had a talk about poisonous mushrooms. Unfortunately Myrtle had skipped that meeting but could the garden club dinner have provided the opportunity for the killer? Then another body is found. Cam Myrtle catch the killer and find he cat all before she becomes another victim like Red fears? Or before Red gets her carted of to a retirement home?
I really like the narrator and think she does a good job with both the elderly and young voices that are needed to make this story so much fun.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"She's no kidnapper, she's my mother."
A deliciously silly who-dun-it? with great characters and good conversation. The mother of the policeman, Red Clover, is an interfering old busybody who refuses to do as he requests to keep safe. Consequently, when one of the members turns up dead at the local book club meeting, Myrtle Clover goes into full investigative action, aided by her somewhat more sensible 'side kick' Miles. But the main concern is the missing feral cat, Pasha.

Although the mystery is itself improbable - though I'm sure people have been killed for far less - it is the cranky characters and excellent dialogue that make this story so appealing. And the narrator, Low Frederick does full justice to both. Her voice is warm, clear and well intoned. Her character voices are distinct, appropriate and very much add to the personalities of the protagonists. This is a lightweight, easy to read, fun story and recommended for fending away tedious times and bring a little day of (grumpy) sunshine into the reader's life.

This is the first book in the Myrtle Clover series that I have read and it will most definitely not be my last: number six in the listings but it is not dependant on having read any of the earlier books. And this was a freely gifted complimentary copy which I downloaded from FABC. My thanks to the rights holder who made this available to anyone who requested it.
Great fun. An elderly sleuth with a touch of the Victor Meldrews.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

When octogenarian sleuth Myrtle Clover discovers Naomi Pelter’s dead body during a book club meeting, the other members seem shocked. But Myrtle can read between the lines. Naomi had riled everyone up by flirting with other people’s husbands, arguing with neighbors, and generally making a nuisance of herself. Murdering troublemakers is the oldest trick in the book. The book club members seem too sweet to be killers, but Myrtle knows better than to judge books by their covers. Myrtle’s investigation into the murder will take a more novel approach than her police chief son’s by-the-book methods. Can Myrtle and her widower sidekick uncover the killer…before he writes them off for good?
[Amazon synopsis]

Myrtle is really annoying. In this book, Red [the police chief son] is pushing the retirement home. He even goes so far as to schedule Myrtle for a tour/interview. Out come the garden gnomes again. Each of these books is the same - just a different person murdered. Pasha added nothing to the story, just made it longer.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, full of humor with good narration, sets the plot in a small town with a retired English teacher. She loves gardening and decorating with the gnomes. When a body is found murder at the book club. She knows there is a killer among them,the deceased was flirting with too many husbands. she is more than ready to solve. . The narration was good, clear voice and added to this story. Good series. Given audio for my voluntary review

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun

Myrtle Clover is so much fun. She is smart, feisty, funny, and isn't going to a retirement home without a fight. Her antics while trying to prove here are entertaining.
These stories are formulaic, but it is good clean fun.

My only beef with these books is still about formatting. The abrupt scene changes within chapters is just annoying bro me. An extra line after a paragraph would be nice when going to a different location and characters in town.

[Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, formulaic, end presented as a fait accompli with the murderer walking in and confessing. All the apologies and I'm sorry-ing to Myrtle just annoy, as the readers already know there will be the same unchanged attitudes at the start of the next installment. Apparently, newspaper editors and Police Chiefs are born, since they are in the category of humans that don't learn from repeat lessons?

[Jemi Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Myrtle!!
Fascinating characters, intriguing mystery, and a great mix of humour and suspense. Following along as Myrtle analyzes the data, sorts the clues, and tracks down leads ensures a fun read!

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

The fact that the sleuth is eighty is fun in itself. The story is a quick easy read. I like the main character 's sense in humor. The last fifteen minutes of the book were rather funny. Enjoyable read.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny. Best book yet. This retired teacher is tired of the book club choosing vapid works that murder the English language, but when another murder takes place, it will take all her learned sleuthing skills to survive finding out who did it.

[Cathie Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Myrtle Clover antics

I have been a fan of the Myrtle Clover mysteries for a long time. I really enjoyed this one too. There is always some excitement to keep my interest.

[Annina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Myrtle simply is adorable. Sometimes a bit difficult and nasty - but that's what the octogenarians should be ;-)

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle

[Elaine Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy this series

A very good cozy mystery. I like Myrtle & Miles. Just the right mixture of mystery and characterdevelopment. Will go on to read next one in line.

[Astrid Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Myrtle Clover books are some of my favorite stories to read. Quick read with a fun mystery to solve.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun characters, enjoyable, but I believe the population has decreased significantly since the series began

[Sammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. A great cosy mystery, with quirky characters and lots of humour. Myrtle is fantastic. 5/ 5

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 = Cute cozy mystery. Good pace and interesting light read.

[Fanny Grote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

This is the first book I've read in this series and I'll be looking to read more of them. It was an enjoyable read that held my attention for the entire book.

[Sandybear76]

set in Bradley, NC

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series partly because Myrtle reminds me of my grandmother's best friend Sadie. Who knew being a member of book club (or garden club) could be so dangerous.

[Laura Philips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun quick read!

[catherine elisabet batt · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute little beach book

Cute little beach book for the summer. I have not read the other books, but would do it on my next vacation.

[Christine Banser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series. Myrtle and Miles did not disappoint in this novel.

[Kathy Oyer-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy these books from the series. Especially when I need a break from the serious mystery books that I read. I would love to see a movie or mini series made from these books .

[carl taylor]

The author does an excellent job of mixing humor and mystery. The sub plots are just marvelous.

[Larkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying the the author had a great idea: introducing a strong-willed, feisty octogenarian sleuth, whose identity is softened by the knowledge that she's a well-meaning grandmother. I like that it's set in a small town, and that the Police Chief is her son. I could like this series much more if the author wasn't lazy about her writing. Or maybe she doesn't credit her readers with much intelligence. In any event, she is halfway to ruining the series instead of elevating it to a series that I would want to own and re-read. Maybe she's now just interested in the paycheck, and not the creative process? Here are some things I feel she is doing wrong:

How to ruin a cute premise for a mystery series:

1. Be sure that the reader is expected to take the sleuth seriously, yet insert ludicrous scenarios in which the sleuth displays neither intelligence nor common sense -- so that it's impossible to take the sleuth seriously. Do this in every single book.

2. Introduce several tropes. Instead of sprinkling them throughout the series in a light-handed manner, cram these tropes down the readers' throats, so that not only are they expecting them in each book, but are dreading their utter predictability.

3. Re-introduce every character (and every place), at length, in every single book. Never assume that the reader is clever enough to use context clues to discern these for themselves; or that they have probably read at least one other book in the series.

4. Instead of being realistic about the occult, make the psychic infallible. I mean, if all psychics were 100% correct, as in this series, wouldn't they be winning every bet in racing, gambling or politics? Yes, it is stated that "you can't control the Sight", but it is tiresome to see the occult portrayed unrealistically, and see blatant foreshadowing with each use. Perhaps the author thinks her audience needs these heavy-handed techniques.

5. Use the exact same adjectives, repetitively, to describe people. In one paragraph, I started counting how many times "braying" was used for Erma. We get the idea!!!

6. Confuse the reader by altering biography facts about main characters. In the first books, Miles was 70; in the latter books, he is now 60-something. I guess an editor, who might have caught this, costs more. Speaking of an editor . . . .

7. An editor could have caught the misspellings of "discreet","discreetly" and "indiscreet" used throughout the series. The author doesn't ever get them right.