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Another day, another dead woman in Ellison Russell's study.

Only this one claimed to be Mrs. Anarchy Jones.

As Ellison juggles mothers, daughter, unhappy wives, and near-miss murder attempts, one thing is clear—someone will go to any lengths to hide the truth.

Can Ellison and Anarchy catch a killer before the body count rises? Or will Ellison be the next corpse in the study

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2020

425 people are currently reading
491 people want to read

About the author

Julie Mulhern

41 books1,657 followers
Julie Mulhern is the USA Today bestselling author of The Country Club Murders and the Poppy Fields Adventures.

She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean--and she's got an active imagination. Truth is--she's an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.

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5 stars
1,071 (55%)
4 stars
674 (34%)
3 stars
170 (8%)
2 stars
12 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
Profile Image for Darla.
4,846 reviews1,247 followers
October 26, 2022
This one escalated quickly -- in more ways than one. Mulhern wastes no time in planting a dead body for Ellison -- right in her study. Is it any wonder that is not her favorite room of the house? The trip Anarchy and Ellison had planned to Venice is scrapped. There is a murder to solve -- and a new mother in town --Anarchy's. And she is not a fan of Ellison. Lots going on in this one to keep the reader pondering the clues and the relationships. Will there be wedding bells in Ellison's future?
Profile Image for LORI CASWELL.
2,867 reviews326 followers
September 12, 2020
Ellison Russell comes home to find a dead woman in her study. She has been through this drill before, but this one identified herself to Aggie as Mrs. Anarchy Jones about 20 minutes ago and now she was dead. Worse her mother arrives before she can even call Anarchy. “Now strangers are coming to your house to die?”

Julie Mulhern is one of my favorite authors and her imagination continues to amaze me. She effortlessly takes readers back to the 1970s with no cell phones, avocado green appliances, and Ellison’s love affair with her Mr. Coffee.

The characters were strong in book 1, The Deep End, and they are still fresh and engaging in this 11th installment. The great thing is they continue to evolve and have plenty of room to grow.

Ms. Mulhern also knows how to serve up humor generously. The scene where Ellison’s and Anarchy’s mothers meet is absolutely priceless. I read most of this book during one of my chemo treatments and really tried to hold the laughter in but couldn’t help myself.

The author brings more than wonderful characters and fabulous humor, she also gives her readers an interesting and complex mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Killer Queen is no exception. Pop the cork on a bottle of Moët et Chandon or get your Mr. Coffee out and brew up a cup then sit back and enjoy Killer Queen.
Profile Image for Rosemary Standeven.
1,026 reviews56 followers
July 23, 2020
Reading these books is a bit like watching your favourite sitcom. You know all the main actors, their foibles, strengths and weaknesses, and you cheer with the audience when each beloved character takes the stage for the first time in this episode. Ellison, her daughter Grace, mother Frances, housekeeper Aggie, Mr Coffee and the wonderful Anarchy Jones (swoon, swoon) make their entrances – with supporting roles from friends Libby and Jinx (maybe Hunter Taft – but not this time).
Apart from in the first book where the dead body was Ellison’s un-lamented husband, it does not matter who dies – just that someone does die (preferably murdered), and Ellison has to find the body. The dead are a plot device to trigger expected reactions from the cast, and some very witty comments.
Ellison is becoming quite blasé about the corpses that keep appearing – but Frances will never get used to them:
“How can you eat when there’s a corpse in the study?” Mother asked. “If I stopped eating whenever I found a body, I’d starve.”

However, Ellison does occasionally try to use them as an excuse for avoiding tiresome social engagements:
“Liz, someone died at my house today.” “When has that ever stopped you from playing bridge?” She had a point.

The real highlight of this book is the meeting of the two matriarchs – Frances Walford and Celeste Jones (Anarchy’s mother). Two more different mothers is hard to imagine. They only have one thing in common: they both feel that their child’s partner is totally inappropriate.
“Pleased to meet you, Celeste.” “Likewise.” If Mother’s tone was cold enough to make it snow in Hawaii, Celeste’s could form icebergs off the Florida coast. With the image of enormous ice cubes cooling Miami Beach, I searched for something to say.

Celeste has arrived unexpectedly and uninvited – Anarchy is horrified. Ellison wants to make a good impression, but Celeste has already made up her mind. She considers Ellison to be shallow – before even meeting her. Shallow!!!??? You could understand Celeste considering Ellison as an inappropriate girlfriend because she is a corpse magnet, or even because she talks to Mr Coffee. But shallow? Both mothers have a habit of judging people by their own perceived picture of the person. Luckily Anarchy and Ellison take no notice of their respective parents.
It is important, though to keep up appearances, and the two mothers are perfectly civil to each other, with any distaste subtly(?) hidden:
“So nice she could come for a visit,” Mother continued. Nice like head lice or burnt coffee or a day wasted in a hospital bed.

By the way, there is a mystery to solve – which (of course) Ellison does. She is put in danger – but (of course) survives.
The ending was wonderful and had me in tears (of joy).
I cannot recommend this series highly enough – murder, mystery, romance, exceptional characters and very witty writing. Once you start, you will become an addict, like me.
Profile Image for Andrea.
142 reviews50 followers
October 6, 2021
This was a fantastic audiobook. The murder was incredibly unique and clever. Callie Beaulieu narrates the series. She brings every character to life and it adds depth and more enjoyment to the story. If you are not listening to this cozy mystery series you are missing out.

I’m starting the next book now and I can’t wait for the next book to come out.

I purchased the audiobook last November, but decided to wait until the next book came out.

What a wonderful surprise. We get another book this year! Now, the wait for the audiobook begins. Please be soon. Please. Please. Please. 🙏
Profile Image for Brenda.
1,540 reviews
June 26, 2020
6/5!!!

We meet Anarchy's mother - a total opposite to Ellison's. Wait for the sparks to fly! Of course Ellison finds a body - in Henry's study - again! This body claimed to be Mrs. Anarchy Jones! Before Ellison reaches the study the woman dies.

The humor was contagious. The setting of 1975 Kansas City Missouri and Chicago, along with suburban funeral proves that the Country Club scene is very much alive.

A sick child has Ellison concerned and her compassion is another story within this cozy mystery.

Character development continues as Ellison & Anarchy's relationship moves to a new level that is handled with such care and honesty it is a love story without losing the cozy.

Julie Mulhern's research to authenticate the '70s is so much appreciated. I love all of the details about the era. Brings back a host of memories.

Wonderful series and I look forward to the next adventure.

Release date June 30, 2020.
Profile Image for Micky Cox.
2,318 reviews38 followers
November 7, 2020
This audiobook series should come with a huge warning....you will laugh out loud repeatedly while listening to this book so if listening in public be cautious of when you take a drink! Seriously, I absolutely love this series and while I am sure the books are great, this series is a must listen series for me as the narrator does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and giving their personalities that little extra oomph of greatness! The 70's have never been so much fun and it is fun to read/hear about landmark KC locations that I remember from my youth. I'm only sad that I have finished the book and now must wait for the next to be available!
Profile Image for Ivonne Rovira.
2,549 reviews253 followers
July 4, 2020
Killer Queen, the 11th novel in this wry, funny series, focuses more on our heroine’s personal life. Ellison Russell — artist, socialite and an uneasy member of Kansas City’s WASP elite — decides to be bold and head to Italy with her beloved policeman Anarchy Jones. But when did the course of true love ever run smooth? (Thanks, Bard!)

Ellison runs into murder, adultery, betrayal and mental illness. Just another day in the Kansas City of the 1970s. And — scariest of all — meeting Anarchy’s mother. I loved every single second.
Profile Image for Jess.
3,590 reviews5 followers
July 21, 2023
THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!

Ahem.

What a good ship book! I think it's really interesting how the series transitioned so quickly from a love triangle to a solid pairing and I'm not at all mad about it though I wouldn't have minded spending more time on the love triangle. This series delights me.
Profile Image for JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book).
1,397 reviews27 followers
July 8, 2020
Ellison Russell is a wealthy, widowed artist with a teenage daughter who lives in upper class Kansas City, Missouri in 1975. She's getting ready to go on a trip to Italy with her beau, homicide detective Anarchy Jones, and make something permanent of their relationship. Luggage is packed, her housekeeper Aggie is staying at her home to care for her daughter, and all she needs is to head to the airport. Or not. After running an errand, she arrives home and Aggie isn't too happy: it seems there's a woman waiting for her in her late husband's study, and she's identified herself as Mrs. Anarchy Jones.

Stomach drops. Head spins. And all she has to do is open the door and find out what's going on. Unfortunately, what's going on is that Ellison has another dead body on her hands. A woman that she's never seen before. When she calls Anarchy, it turns out he's never seen her before, either. So who is the dead woman? Why would she lie about herself? And what did she come here for? Coffee. Ellison needs coffee, now...

Just when Ellison thought she had her life in the right place it seems she doesn't. Identifying the woman is easy, since everything in her purse is spilled out on the floor. Monica Alexander. The name means nothing to either of them, but a woman is dead, she's in Ellison's home, and now they have the task of figuring out why...

Again unfortunately, things aren't going to be easy. Not only do they need to figure this out, Ellison has other obligations at hand: since she's not going to Italy, the next day suddenly got full: she's agreed to play a fourth at bridge, and her father wants her to go golfing with him. Golfing with her father means her mother isn't happy with her, and her father needs to intervene. Little does Ellison know that these two innocuous events are going to change things, in more ways than one.

But even with this, things couldn't get worse, right? Wrong. Anarchy's mother has come unannounced for a visit, and he's not happy. Especially when she wants to meet Ellison. All Ellison can think is this woman can't meet her mother. Not ever...

So what we have is basically what is just another normal day for Ellison Russell: artist, mother, widow, dead body magnet. In fact, the only thing that's going right is the fact that she can always depend on Mr. Coffee to keep her sane throughout the day. (Not that I blame her; without coffee, I wouldn't even be moving. We're very good friends, too).

Monica Alexander, however, is another puzzle Ellison needs answers for. What she discovers is that Monica is the friend of friends, and she lives in another town altogether. So why was she here? And what did she want from Ellison? It doesn't take long for Ellison to figure that part out, but the story doesn't end there. What follows is a spider's web of secrets that keeps growing and lies that get entangled within one another as she looks for a killer. Which she shouldn't be doing in the first place, especially when there's an attempt on her life. But Ellison is made of stronger stuff, and she wants answers. After all, it was her home (not that it's the first time, but still...).

When Ellison discovers that Monica's trips to Kansas City were tied to people she knows, she has to decide what to do with her knowledge, since these are her friends and there's more at stake than a dead woman's justice. What Ellison finally uncovers is darker than she ever imagined, and sadder than anything she's ever known. Finding the truth could also put her relationship with Anarchy in peril, but Ellison knows what she needs to do is right.

I have been following this series from the beginning, so when I read of Ellison it's almost as if I'm a voyeur to her life, following her every move (although I'm glad I'm not the one finding the bodies) and it's probably one of the best series out there. Ms. Mulhern has a way of bringing Ellison and the others to life, pulling them right off the pages. These are characters that are animated and breathing on the pages, and I love being a part of their world, even if only for a fraction of time.

Going back to life in the 1970s when there was no Internet and cell phones, when human interaction was at a premium and there was a lot more actual face-to-face contact made things different than they are now, and more on a personal level. Ellison's world consists of people visiting instead of texting, talking with people to get information instead of using the Internet, and in many ways, it was a brighter one, bringing people closer together.

In the end, finding the killer might have been a bit of a surprise, yet the motive and reasons why show us what desperation can do, and it was rather sad in a way. But the surprises don't end there, and give us a reason to look forward to the next book. I will say that if you've never read this series, please don't start with this book. Go back to the very first one -- The Deep End -- and you won't be disappointed; in fact, you'll probably be addicted. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Lori McMullen.
436 reviews4 followers
July 9, 2020
Spoiler alert: THEY HAD SEX! Opps, I’m getting ahead of myself. Julie Mulhern did not disappoint with installment #11 of the Country Club Murders. How is it that some books put you to sleep, and others keep you up all night tearing through the pages? I tried soooo hard to savor every word, every plot twist, and every conversation with Mr. Coffee. Even the introduction of a new character, Anarchy’s mother, didn’t slow me down. The romance between Ellison and Anarchy had been simmering for over ten-plus murders. I appreciated that Mulhern drew out all those toe curling kisses, and then left the intimate parts to our imagination. Whew...but then I was faced with the reality that I was done with Ellison, Anarchy, and the gang. Until?
Ju
Profile Image for Kathy.
352 reviews
July 3, 2020
I LOVE this series! This latest installment may be the best yet. I love how Julie puts so much into characters who may only appear in one book. They may not be major characters, but she makes them so real.

She has such funny lines. She makes me laugh out loud, even though this IS a murder mystery.

I read this in one day. I wish it would have been longer, so I'd have something to read for tomorrow, but once I started it, I just couldn't put it down.
Profile Image for Ellen.
386 reviews15 followers
July 8, 2020
This series gets better and better.

I absolutely love the setting of this series. The seventies come alive. The mystery always keeps me guessing until the end. And the dialog makes me LOL. Ellison and Anarchy are perfect together...just like MacMillan and Wife!
10 reviews
July 4, 2020
Julie Does Not Disappoint

I read this in one sitting! It has many laughs and plot twists. Just love Ellison and Anarchy! Highly recommend this series.


Profile Image for Cait.
2,711 reviews4 followers
August 31, 2023
Okay so this was amazing??? so shippy, so charming, so fun!!! and the audio book was excellent.
2,419 reviews43 followers
July 1, 2020
Oh! Wow! So Awesome! Julie Mulhern does it again for the 11th time with Killer Queen. The Country Club Murders series has been hit after hit and Killer Queen may be the biggest winner of all.
Profile Image for Alix.
546 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2024
5 stars if only because: FINALLY!!!!

I loved, loved, loved this so much!! I read the last four books back to back, so this is more of a generic review:

- This series, as a whole, continues to be wonderful and charming! I love how Mulhern has perfectly balanced the cozy mystery genre with serious life topics, with a flawed but engaging cast of characters set in the perfect era and location!

- I AM SO HAPPY ABOUT MY SHIP!!!!

- The reveal that Anarchy

- I have noticed some consistency issues in the recent books. I believe Mulhern started self-publishing these now so many that's the reason? Some were more jarring than others (I saw a character's name going from Muriel to Mildred back to Muriel all within a few lines), while others were more obvious because I've been reading back to back (eg Ellison and Anarchy go the same restaurant twice and both times it seems like it's Anarchy's first time there and they exact same onion ring vs french fry convo)
Profile Image for Avery.
60 reviews
October 17, 2024
I'm actually quite pleased with how quickly I had the murderer and motive figured out. I very much enjoyed this one. Not sure I needed
Profile Image for Grace.
1,386 reviews45 followers
June 15, 2024
Well, once again I've read these too fast and am struggling to distinguish one from the other. I think this one involved the kid who was sick. I'm glad she ended up being okay!!
Profile Image for Sharon PLB.
61 reviews5 followers
Read
May 25, 2021
I really needed a laugh this week. Thankfully, Ellison and her crew came through as reliably as Mr. Coffee. These are just always fun to read. Can hardly wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Liz.
1,164 reviews10 followers
April 11, 2022
Ok, this might be my favorite of the series?

The case was interesting though heart breaking and I thought the way it played into the ending was smart - Anarchy & Ellison didn't need the test, but it was a nice illustration of why they work. Beyond their attraction there's deep trust and love there.

Also, everything with them was great. From that final scene to the trip to Chicago, Anarchy willingly taking her shopping. I also really enjoyed that Anarchy obviously cares for Grace; I can't wait for them to officially be a family.

Mother only appearing for a handful of scenes was just the icing on the cake.
2 reviews
July 2, 2020
Best one yet!

I've read every one of Julie Mulhern's books and this is the best yet! Fast paced, never boring and this time she even threw in my hometown! Ellison Russell is the smartest 70's chick ever and keeps us wanting more!
Profile Image for Toni.
1,571 reviews64 followers
July 6, 2020
5 stars

This is the eleventh book in the Country Club Murders series by Julie Mulhern.

The book starts off with Ellison and Anarchy getting ready to go to Italy. Of course, that doesn’t happen. A woman came to visit and before Ellison could even meet her, she was dead. Funny thing was, she introduced herself to Addie as Mrs. Anarchy Jones!

And the excitement doesn’t quit from this moment. All the great characters you have come to love are here. Ellison even gets to meet Anarchy’s mother who has come halfway across the US to surprise them. Who does that without calling first… especially back in 1975?

This series just keeps getting better and better. If you want to start this for the first time, start with book one and fall in love with the whole shebang!

Definitely one of my most favorite series! Recommend highly!

If you love a good cozy mystery, check this one out. What a fun read!
Profile Image for Stephanie Hobrock.
111 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2020
The Best Yet!
I don’t know how she does it but Julie Mulhern continues to impress and entertain with her Country Club series!
She has nailed the 70s, her characters become friends and neighbors that you want to defend or strangle and the humor is spot on!
I’m am anxiously waiting for the next episode!
Profile Image for Anne.
450 reviews8 followers
July 2, 2020
I always enjoy Ms Mulhurn’s books. The quote that kept drifting through my mind as I zipped through this book is: “If a book is well-written I always find it too short”. And I add. Too far apart. No spoilers. But the ending was quite satisfying.
Profile Image for Diane.
987 reviews15 followers
May 7, 2024
Loved it. Light mystery. Humor. Quirky characters. Some romance. Clean read. Part of a series. Better to start at first book to keep the characters straight.
363 reviews4 followers
July 26, 2020
I have followed Ellison since the beginning. I was excited for this new adventure and was not disappointed. I read this book in one day. I was glad that Ellison is finally breaking away from her .mother and having a life. This is not a book to be missed!
Profile Image for Jen Hunt.
681 reviews1 follower
October 29, 2022
Quick and fun read. Always enjoy these. Another character added to the mix. Fun character growth.
Profile Image for Sue Em.
1,808 reviews121 followers
January 13, 2025
Mysteries in the country club set in Kansas City in the mid 70s told with a sardonic, breezy manor. Delightful series. Mulhern's characters may draw on stereotypes, but they're chisel point sharp.
8 reviews
July 5, 2020
rparsley52

This may be her best yet. I have read them all but this one I could barely put down. I’m really looking forward to the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews

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