Lowcountry Book Club

Liz Talbot Mystery #5

by Susan M. Boyer

Somebody pushed Shelby Poinsett out her second-floor library window and it wasn’t her husband. At least that what Charleston’s most prestigious law firm wants Liz Talbot to prove. Liz must run the spectrum of Southern society, from the local homeless shelter where Shelby volunteered to the one-hundred-year-old book club where Charleston’s genteel ladies are dying to join, to bring a killer to justice.

Related subjects include: women sleuths, private investigator mystery series, cozy mysteries, murder mysteries, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), book club recommendations, Southern fiction, Southern humor, Southern living.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Southern, Audiobook, Cozy, Paranormal

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2016

About the author

Susan M. Boyer is the USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels. Her debut novel, Lowcountry Boil, won the 2012 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and garnered several other award nominations. Subsequent books have been nominated for various honors, including Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Picks, the 2016 Pat Conroy Beach Music Mystery Prize, and the 2017 Southern Book Prize in Mystery & Detective Fiction.

Susan loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone, and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels. She and her husband call Greenville, SC, home and visit the Carolina coast as often as possible.

Susan loves to hear from readers. You can reach her through her website: http://www.susanmboyer.com/

Sign up for her newsletter to get recipes from her books and to be among the first to hear the news when the next book is scheduled for release.

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the fifth book, Liz and her new husband, Nate are hired by a prominent Charleston law firm to find evidence that their client did not push his wife, Shelby Poinsett to death. Now that they are married, Nate is also able to see and hear Colleen, the ghostly protector of Stella Maris. They have two weeks to find evidence before Shelby's husband Clint goes to trial.

This book was not as intense or action packed as some of the others, but it was still enjoyable. There is a lot of watching, listening and talking in this one. Shelby and Nate work the case together, usually in constant communication. The book club was an interesting aspect to the story. This was not a bookclub like the one I belong to, but a rather, high falutin', social status club. Some of the members were quite intriguing and the fact that they don't all like each other was interesting. Liz and Nate seem to be settling in to married life quite nicely. We do not see much of her family in this book and I miss that. The murder seemed a bit ho hum this time around and I hope the next book is more entertaining.

[HENERY PRESS PUBLISHING]

“Boyer delivers a beach read filled with quirky, endearing characters and a masterfully layered mystery, all set in the lush lowcountry. Don’t miss this one!” – Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times Bestselling Author of A Lowcountry Wedding

[Obsidian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please note that this review spoils the events that take place in books #1-4.

"Lowcountry Book Club" takes place several months after Liz marries her long term boyfriend and now husband Nate. As we saw at the end of "Lowcountry Bordello", Nate now that he is married to Liz, can also see her ghostly best friend, Colleen. Liz and Nate are called in by a pretty high ranking law firm to see who killed Shelby Poinsett. They have two weeks to figure it out before Shelby's husband Clint is formally charged by a grand jury and then arrested and put on trial.

This book felt a lot like it was just going through the motions. I was very interested in the whole book club aspect, especially since this was not like any book club I have ever heard of before. It would have been fun to read some of these fictional ladies comments about books. However, besides focusing on a few key members of the book club, the book actually chooses to spend a lot of time on Liz figuring out what may happen to her island home due to a prophetic dream she has.

I love the character of Liz. And her marriage to Nate is great to see in action. But I did feel a little bored by it. Unlike with the last book, we don't have Nate and Liz doing much side by side investigation. Instead we have them running down leads and talking about them later when they come home for dinner. There was just too much action happening off screen.

Also we don't get much interaction with Liz's family which I always love and wish that we got more of their crazy antics in this one.

And even Colleen wasn't a welcome addition this time through as much as she usually is, probably because she kept acting like a brat, and I was kind of over her. She doesn't really do much in this one besides eavesdrop, and Liz doesn't really need her for things like that.

The writing was good, though I thought the whole why behind the murder was not that great. I also said in one of my updates this book read like filler. And it really does. There are certain things going on with Liz's family that I am sure going to be followed up in subsequent books, and also there seems to be something concerning Liz's dream as well.

These books are always a fast read, so I didn't feel like I was re-reading things over and over again.

I thought the ending was a bit anti-climatic and kind of abrupt. A solid entry in the series, I just don't think this was one of the best ones I have read.

[Katheryn Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liz Talbot and her husband Nate Andrews are private eyes, hired by Charleston's most prestigious law firm to prove that Clint Gerhardt did not push his wife out of a second-floor window. Their search for Shelby's real killer leads them to the local homeless shelter, where Shelby volunteered, to the Market Pavilion Hotel, where Clint tracked her to in the time before her death, and to the one-hundred-year-old book club, of which Shelby was a controversial president. Liz and Nate's task becomes even more difficult when their search for Shelby's potential lover leads them to a close family friend, who clearly has something to hide.
When I first started this book, I was surprised to discover that one of the secondary characters is a ghost. I have never read any of this series before, and there was no mention of this element in the synopsis, but once I got over the initial shock, I found it to be a quirky and enjoyable addition. Colleen pops in, quite literally, every now and again to offer her thoughts and check up on Liz, providing useful insights and moments of humour as she can only be seen and heard by Nate and Liz, but is far from a distraction.
This cozy mystery took me a short while to get into properly, although it was enjoyable from the start, and once I'd gotten going I found it to be warm, witty, and engaging. I would highly recommend it, and I will definitely be adding more from this series to my TBR list.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now if you know anything about little ole' me, you will know I have fallen in love with this series, wish I could even meet Liz Tablot, hang out with Nate, give doggie "Rhett" a good ear rub, run on those beach sand dunes, be introduced to Colleen, hang with the book club 'cause I have always wanted to be a part of a book club. AND why not make this moment extra special by having a Tablot family reunion with all her super fun very unique relatives. I love all things Charleston, how it holds such history & mystery. I so wish to be one of Liz's employees, now wouldn't that be fun!!!

I feel like with each book within this great series, that the mystery have gotten even more difficult to figure out. I usually feel I know where it will head & man this one got me, I was clueless. See if you can figure it out? If you do before the book is over, let me know. I would love to hear your thoughts??!

This book was fast read, but I tell ya each book has become such a struggle, WHAT, what you mean Beth? Well, I want to figure out whodunit, BUT, I always dislike when the book is over? Susan's books are just that great. A big struggle I got know, but I don't want the story/book to end. I could weep when they end. (I'm serious, I need tissues!)

I <3 how Nate calls Liz "Slugger" ...I swoon every time. Oh, be still my beating heart, I love, LOVE!!! I <3 how Nate can now see Colleen. Thank goodness, I was being to worry that Nate would think Liz need mental help??! or needed to be on medication. I <3 that Liz didn't take Nate's last name when they got married. Nate's ringtone when he calls Liz: "meaning of the song" interview w/ Kenny Chesney & ("song") "Always Gonna Be You" by: Kenny Chesney I <3 the acknowledgements and dedications at the front of the book, I guess now that I review a lot of books I really take notice of these specials parts of books. So so special. Susan M. Boyer those brought me to tears. (tissues?)

I was super happy to have the chance to share this book release with you my friends. I can not wait to meet Susan one day, get her autograph & feel like part of the Susan M. Boyer fan book club. She has been such a sweetheart, chatting with me on FB & twitter. She is always sharing such amazing Southern Living recipes, must read books you just gotta check out. ( ;

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good addition to a great series. 4.5*

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do these books keep getting better?

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find a visit to Lowcountry area is a fun and entertaining read. In the fifth book, Liz is hired by a prominent Charleston law firm to find evidence that their client did not push his wife to death. Nate and Liz began to research the evidence and learned the victim, Shelby belonged to a book club that had a waiting list for membership. The members of the club were challenging the bylaws. Shelby will determine who would be joining the club. None has only praise for Shelby. She was always helping someone Liz finds blackmail, greed, jealousy and adultery among the suspects. I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from HENERY PRESS through NetGalley for an honest review of the book. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Karyn Niedert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Boyer really knows how to bring the South to life, and she captures the right amount of romance, mystery, and family in another terrific book.

This time out, Liz and Nick (with some help from Colleen) are on the trail of a murderer. The question of who would kill Shelby Poinsett, loved by all for her virtuous works and kind nature seem to have been answered when the police arrest her husband, Clint. But, he swears innocence and his lawyers hire Liz to find the true culprit. Few clues and too many acquaintances make this case a challenge, especially with Shelby's philanthropic lifestyle. Did she reach out to help someone, only to be betrayed?

I've always enjoyed Boyer's Lowcountry series, and am very glad that a married Liz Talbot doesn't mean a boring Liz Talbot!

[Jennie Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Liz Talbot series and BOOK CLUB is my favourite so far. The plot is twisty, with suspects lurking everywhere, and Liz does what she does best: she gets it done. Nate, Moon Unit, Colleen, and all the other delightful ongoing characters are present and accounted for, and I really like how the longer storylines have come/are coming together. If you like cozy mysteries, this is a series for you!

For my full review and a cover manicure, check out my blog! :D http://www.jennieshaw.ca/2016/07/book...

[Andrea Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many things that I love about the Liz Talbot series that I don't even know where to start. I have listened to the audio version of them all and I think it enhances the experience to hear Loretta Rollins perfect Lowcountry accent as narrator.

These novels are a wonderful blend of mystery, romance, supernatural... with a healthy dose of Charleston's charm, history. and culture mixed in. The characters are simply adorable and authentic.

Thank you, Susan M. Boyer for allowing us another adventure with Liz & Nate.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The shine is coming off this series for me. I was hoping the book club would play a much bigger role in the storyline than it did. And the detective work was a lot of tasks that just needed a computer or phone to do. That stupid dream and Liz's obsession over emergency evacuations would have made sense if the main storyline had to do with the weather or even the island. Liz's detective instincts and thinking is the only good thing about this book. Overall, a quick read to get me caught up in the series, but not a whole lot to sink my teeth into.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last night I finished Susan M. Boyer's Lowcountry Bookshop, the 7th book in the Liz Talbot Mystery Series. This one is a first for me though. I really enjoyed the husband and wife team of private detectives. I loved the family drama, the complicated mystery and premise of the bookshop, with its roll in the story and the relationships surrounding it. I found this to be a very good mystery. Even though I had not read any other in this series I found it easy to get into and enjoyable. This book is published by Henry Press and will be out May 29th.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Lowcountry!

The stories just keep getting better and the characters more eccentric!! I would really enjoy meeting these people one day.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery has you constantly wondering. With a wide variety of characters. This book and this series are perfect for cozy mystery readers. I love it.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

After finishing The Queens of Innis Lear and The Poppy War, both epic fantasies and both epic tragedies, I went looking for something just a bit (OK a lot) lighter and brighter. And remembered the Liz Talbot series. I read the first few books (starting with Lowcountry Boil), enjoyed them, but ran into the “so many books, so little time” conundrum and picked up the subsequent books but never got around to them.

The seventh book in the series, Lowcountry Bookshop is coming out next month, which made this the perfect time to get caught up. I find mysteries to be a good “palate-cleanser” for reading, and this was definitely the right time!

The series features private investigator Liz Talbot, her business partner and new husband, Nate Andrews, and Liz’ guardian ghost, the spirit of her childhood best friend Colleen. Yes, you read that right, one of the main characters is a ghost.

But in spite of the woo-woo that Colleen occasionally contributes, the mystery in this story is very firmly grounded in the reality of here and now. Shelby Poinsett is dead, her husband is accused of her murder, and his lawyer believes that he is innocent and hires Liz and Nate to find the evidence before it is too late.

Shelby was rich, her husband inherits and no one else was in the house. It seems pretty cut and dried, and it looks like Shelby died for the oldest reasons in the book.

Except that no one believes her husband did it. And he already has his half of their very considerable fortune, and did not need to bump off his wife to get his hands on the cash. Theories abound. If it wasn’t the money, maybe jealousy was the motivating factor. There are nasty rumors that Shelby was having an affair.

But no one seriously believes that, either.

It seems impossible to believe that she died over the traditions of a 100-plus year old book club, but it’s starting to seem like what happens at book club stays at book club – at least until Liz prevails on old Southern hospitality and a few people’s need for hot gossip to wedge her way, if not into the inner circle, at least to a near-enough fringe to overhear the juiciest bits.

When someone starts taking poorly aimed potshots at both Liz and her best police pal, it’s obvious that they are getting close to something – even if they still can’t figure out what. Or who. Or why.

Escape Rating B: Lowcountry Book Club is just plain good fun, and it was exactly what I needed this week.

This is a case with a lot of red herrings – an entire school of them. On the one hand, no one seems to have wanted Shelby dead. She seems to be one woman who really was every bit as nice as people originally claimed she was,

Some of the “ladies” in the book club are pretty vile, or at least venal. Even so, the possible murder motives that stem from the book club seem pretty thin, at best. Unless someone really is seriously off their meds.

A lot of the investigation in this case involves removing possibilities, because they begin with a ton of potential suspects, no evidence at all, and very little time before the trial. But they also begin with the notes from the first investigator who worked on the case, and that’s where they finally unearth the leads, which are just a bit glaringly obvious in that direction if no other.

Lowcountry Book Club, in spite of the murder investigation, is a light, quick read. The two leads, Liz and Nate, are fun to follow and it’s a pleasure to see them working together in the middle of their happy ever after, in spite of some of the craziness that brought them together.

I was a bit disappointed that after all of the buildup, the motive for Shelby Poinsett’s murder was so… mundane. She sounded like such a great person, and there was so much drama in the investigation, that when the killer was eventually revealed it seemed a bit out of left field and felt a bit flat.

But I was still reminded of just how much i liked Liz and enjoyed the earlier books in the series. I’ll be back for Lowcountry Bonfire.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Boyer has done it again with her latest, Low Country Book Club. In this book, we find Liz Talbot and her husband Nate hired to investigate a death of one of Charleston’s well known ladies, Shelby Poinsett, who was pushed out of her second floor library window. Initially, all indications are that her husband is the murderer, but Liz does not find that idea feasible. She and Nate begin the investigation looking for who, besides, Shelby’s husband, could have pushed her out the window, why, and whether this was a deliberate act or an accident in the heat of an argument. Liz and Nate are definitely methodical in their investigation, looking carefully at clue after clue, as they push farther into the mystery surrounding Shelby’s death. The book is definitely fast paced and interesting. There are a lot of possible suspects, but Liz, with her family and professional contacts, manages to get through them all, until she and Nate can put the missing clues together to determine who committed this terrible crime. I have read the other books in the series, so I had no difficulty following the many and varied characters in this story. However, this can be read as a stand-alone book, with little or no difficulty. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Liz and Nate interact, both as a newly married couple and as great partners. Their characterization as private investigators is well done, as is their characterization as a recently wed couple. The plot is strong and well executed. This is, as are the others in the series, a good mystery. It has a little more oomph than a cozy, yet not enough to get a reader bogged down. I highly recommend it. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Published by Henery Press Books via NetGalley.

The fifth book in the Liz Talbot Lowcountry mysteries.

Liz and Nate are asked to take over an investigation on the murder of Shelby Poinsett, as the previous investigator had spend 4 months and a trip to London, England and had nothing to show for the time and money spent.

The prestigious law firm of Rutledge and Radcliffe are retaining them, as they do not believe that Shelby's husband Clint Gerhardt killed his wife, but need answers within the next couple of weeks before the jury selection can begin.

Shelby was a very rich woman, from an old Charleston family, with a passion to help others and volunteered at a homeless shelter. She was also the leader of a one-hundred-year-old book club for the elite ladies of Charleston.

Was she murdered because she was having an affair? A target because of her involvement with the homeless shelter? Because of the changes she wanted to make within the Book Club? Or something else completely?

Liz and Nate have a to race against time to find the answers...before the killer targets them!

Love this fun series. Great set of characters, well written and plotted. A joy to read.

If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have made, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres... like, comment and follow.

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lowcountry Book Club is the fifth installment in Susan M. Boyer's Liz Talbot Mystery Series. Set in the Charleston, South Carolina area with home base on the fictional barrier island Stella Maris, Liz Talbot and her husband/business partner Nate Andrews have been hired by attorney Fraser Rutledge to help clear Clint Gerhardt of the murder of his wife, socialite and philanthropist, Shelby Poinsett Gerhardt.

With jury selection only two weeks away, Rutledge has fired the current investigator and hired Liz and Nate to find the truth. As they unravel informative from Shelby's life, they find she has no known enemies, a devoted husband and the position of president in an historic book club taking on controversial changes in their bylaws. Sorting through Shelby's friends and acquaintances, Liz and Nate find out much, but nothing that will clear Clint and prosecute the villain.

In true form, this mystery twists and turns to solve the crime. With shots taken at Liz and Charleston detective Sonny Ravenel, the clues start climbing to a startling crescendo. Although this is the fifth in the series, it can stand alone, but you are missing a lot if you do not read this delightful series. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

[Kay Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan M. Boyer’s Lowcountry Book Club is the fifth entry in the Liz Talbot Mystery series, and just as good as its predecessors. This time Liz and Nate, back from their honeymoon, are investigating the murder of a local socialite/volunteer who seems to have been loved by everyone around her, including the husband accused of pushing her over the balcony (and possibly another man—but who?). With the help of her ghostly friend Colleen, Liz narrows down the suspect list and discovers just how much turmoil can develop in a very prestigious Book Club.

As always, the city of Charleston and the island community of Stella Maris contribute essential aspects to the story and Liz’ family members make cameo appearances. I’ve enjoyed this series from Henery Press since it began with Lowcountry Boil—worth reading in order.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book; this is the fifth book in the A Liz Talbot Mystery series written by Susan Boyer. This book can be read as a standalone, but once you read one you will want to go back and read the other books in this series. Liz Talbot and her husband are private investigators in the Charleston, SC area. When Shelby Poinsett is pushed to her death from her second floor library window, Liz and her husband take the case to prove that Shelby’s husband is innocent. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was such a GREAT read!!! The suspect was one I would never suspect and his reasoning was stupid on his part. WHAT A LOSER!! I really enjoyed this cozy and would have never guessed the culprit. That's because his motive was so stupid! But, I truly enjoyed reading this little cozy and once I got into it, I could not put it down.

I think everyone should have a Colleen in their lives, it makes everything so much clearer. HA!!

Actually, this is a great series and I am so glad that I got to read and review it. It was so entertaining, and yes a few chuckles, but I truly enjoyed it!

Thanks to Henery Press and Net Gallery for providing me a free e-galley in exchange for a honest review. I LOVED IT!!!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lowcountry Book Club is the fifth book in the Liz Talbot mystery series. It is a well written and professionally edited, full length novel.

Liz and her husband are hired to investigate a murder by a prestigious law firm. Their job is to prove that the defendant, the victims husband, is innocent. But Liz can't stop herself from trying to find the true murderer and the evidence to prove it.

I've always loved the main characters in this series, because they are intelligent and honorable. The mystery in the Lowcountry Book Club is fast paced, detailed and unpredictable.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading future books in this series.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This murder/mystery is chock full of quirky characters, Southernisms, mysterious twists and turns that will keep you guessing up until the very end...and even has a ghost thrown for some comic relief.

There is plenty of good detective work used throughout the story as Liz and Nate methodically peal back the layers of the crime, adding and eliminating suspects as they seek out the murderer. The dialog is smart, the banter witty and engaging, with just the right amount of seriousness used to keep this from being considered a "cozy mystery".

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley for my honest review.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liz and Nate are back in another great cozy set in the Carolina's low country. What's the big deal about belonging to a book club? Would someone really kill the president of the club to get in? The only way to get in is if someone moves or dies and there are some very anxious women in Charleston. Everyone loved Shelby and from the evidence it looks like her husband is the only suspect until Nate and Liz are hired to find another suspect and prove Clint didn't kill his wife for the millions in their bank account. I enjoy this series and I'm always surprised when they reveal the killer. Susan Boyer has written a wonderful series set in an area I love.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming and delightful series. I usually avoid any books containing ghosts, but I enjoy the stories so much and how they are told that I overlook the one in this series. Love the Southern voice, mannerisms and food included. A copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Liz's family has great interaction which is quite entertaining and relatable.

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! It is smartly written with a witty touch. The author’s descriptions of the main characters’ family make me laugh out loud. The protagonist is an intelligent woman with a style of her own. The descriptions of the investigation get me caught up in it and I don’t want to stop reading. Even if you prefer straight crime stories, I think you will enjoy this cozy series.

[Debbie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amusing mystery !

This book was interesting because of all the details about the Charleston area. I initially selected it because of it being on sale, but enjoyed enough to want to read all of her books!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this one, Liz and Nate are hired to prove the innocence of a man whose wife just died. Not so easy though, considering there are a few dozen potential suspects. But they use their smarts and get it done once again.

[Gretchen Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five huge stars for the oyster scene. I absolutely loved this book.