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A Deadly Book Club
When Celeste inherits her grandmother's bookstore, she decides to start fresh in Bristol, after discovering that her boyfriend is cheating on her. While dealing with feelings of loss from her grandmother's death and from her failed relationship, she also needs to find the strength to move on. Joining Bristol's dedicated book club seems like the perfect way to meet new people and escape her thoughts for a while. Little does she expect that the seemingly innocent book club that is about to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary will bring chaos in her life. For this special occasion, the town hosts a party at the local library where a renowned author is scheduled to do a book signing, and everyone is thrilled to see their favorite writer. Unfortunately for them, they'll never get a chance to meet him... alive. During the festivity, the guest of honor, novelist Stew Michaelis, is found lifeless in the library's washroom. After the police determine his death to be the result of murder, they arrest a member of the book club named Clyde, a man encapsulated in mystery and rumors. Even though everyone in town appears dead set on blaming Clyde, Celeste is not that easily convinced. Clyde was the first man she met upon her arrival and she believes him to be innocent, so she takes the investigation into her own hands. Soon, she'll learn shocking secrets about Clyde and the other book club members--secrets they would rather keep hidden. Celeste is determined to find out who killed Stew Michaelis and why people are so quick to believe in Clyde's guilt. Is she really ready to face the truth though, or are some things better left buried? Celeste will boldly face rejection and uncover each and every layer of Clyde's mysterious demeanor until she learns with certainty that he has nothing to hide. Despite the challenges she faces from others, as well as the inner saboteur that wreaks havoc inside her mind, Celeste will push forward with a tenacity her grandmother would be proud of. Will she manage to find Stew's true killer and learn the truth about Clyde's identity, or will a seemingly innocent man be sent to prison?"A Deadly Book Club" is an intriguing cozy mystery novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cliffhangers, just pure captivating mystery.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2021
70 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Ivy Thorne
8 books5 followersIvy Thorne was born and raised in Portland, Maine, where she spent her teenage years writing countless stories about plucky young girls solving wildly imaginative and frankly implausible mysteries.
Leaving home to study Geology at college, she quickly realized this was the wrong path for her. Deciding to return to her first love, writing, she eventually graduated with a degree in English literature and a renewed passion for storytelling. As a side benefit, she also acquired her partner in crime and future husband, an endlessly patient and kind man who has been by her side ever since. They live in rural Maine with their daughter and several pets.
Having worked for years as an English teacher, Ivy loves encouraging young minds to be curious about the world and to read everything they can get their hands on. A devoted bookworm and a life-long fan of true crime documentaries, she also enjoys spending time out and about in Maine's breathtaking nature or ordering shoes online!
Always happy to discuss a good mystery, Ivy adores hearing from readers! 🕵
Leaving home to study Geology at college, she quickly realized this was the wrong path for her. Deciding to return to her first love, writing, she eventually graduated with a degree in English literature and a renewed passion for storytelling. As a side benefit, she also acquired her partner in crime and future husband, an endlessly patient and kind man who has been by her side ever since. They live in rural Maine with their daughter and several pets.
Having worked for years as an English teacher, Ivy loves encouraging young minds to be curious about the world and to read everything they can get their hands on. A devoted bookworm and a life-long fan of true crime documentaries, she also enjoys spending time out and about in Maine's breathtaking nature or ordering shoes online!
Always happy to discuss a good mystery, Ivy adores hearing from readers! 🕵
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 15, 2021
Wonderful characters. Interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. Simply a GREAT read!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
July 17, 2021
This was a different presentation of any other advertised cozy mystery that I've ever read. The last chapter (Chapter 20) noted that it was continuing the story, "Two Months Later." I enjoyed the last chapter as I enjoyed the cozy but it seemed to come to a rather abrupt halt. As I was scrolling to the next page I thought perhaps there might be another chapter that would bring the book to a close perhaps several more months or years in the future. Instead, the reader was invited to click on a link to check out the "Extended Epilogue." I clicked on the link and found I was on a page on the author's minimal website and that in order to read the epilogue I had to submit my email address. The epilogue did bring the cozy to a more satisfying ending than Chapter 20 but it was certainly a different type of method to obtain the reader's email address. I'm quite curious as to whether any newsletter will be forthcoming.
The cozy presents a character with Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D.) [formerly known as multiple personality disorder) with sensitivity. It also highlights an organization that employs drag queens to attend libraries across North America to read to kids.
Please note the language used in this novel does not meet the tenets of the cozy mystery genre that many readers depend on when they open the pages of their next cozy. The reader will also need to overlook multiple sentences with a missing word.
The cozy presents a character with Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D.) [formerly known as multiple personality disorder) with sensitivity. It also highlights an organization that employs drag queens to attend libraries across North America to read to kids.
Please note the language used in this novel does not meet the tenets of the cozy mystery genre that many readers depend on when they open the pages of their next cozy. The reader will also need to overlook multiple sentences with a missing word.
June 27, 2021
Celeste's Grandmother passed away and left Celeste her bookstore in Bristol, Rhode Island
Celeste broke up with her boyfriend in New York City when her Grandmother Gwen passed away and she inherited the bookstore with an apartment in Bristol. She loved the store and the small town in which it was located. The store staff are some very interesting characters. She also joins the book club that meets twice a week and is headed by Doris, who also works at the bookstore. The club is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has invited a best-selling author to have a book signing. To save her good friend, Clyde, Celeste must solve the crime. A very interesting story on many levels, such as explaining about D.I.D.
Celeste broke up with her boyfriend in New York City when her Grandmother Gwen passed away and she inherited the bookstore with an apartment in Bristol. She loved the store and the small town in which it was located. The store staff are some very interesting characters. She also joins the book club that meets twice a week and is headed by Doris, who also works at the bookstore. The club is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has invited a best-selling author to have a book signing. To save her good friend, Clyde, Celeste must solve the crime. A very interesting story on many levels, such as explaining about D.I.D.
September 5, 2021
Interesting characters
I found the main characters interesting but don't recall reading a mystery with a major character like Clyde. The info about D.I.D. definitely added to the story although the cause is sad. That said, there are editorial issue such as the occasional use of very obscure words without a definition and missing words. The beginning had large spaces within a chapter which left me wondering if it was written to fit a cell phone screen. Good plot, enjoyable story, looking forward to the next.
I found the main characters interesting but don't recall reading a mystery with a major character like Clyde. The info about D.I.D. definitely added to the story although the cause is sad. That said, there are editorial issue such as the occasional use of very obscure words without a definition and missing words. The beginning had large spaces within a chapter which left me wondering if it was written to fit a cell phone screen. Good plot, enjoyable story, looking forward to the next.
May 9, 2021
Another amazing story of suspense
This is another amazingly gripping story, that has a plot that keeps you guessing almost to the end, with some great characters who are crafted brilliantly. This story touches on some controversial psychological issues in a sympathetic way. The extended epilogue has given us an insight into the main characters future lives delightfully. I read an ARC copy.
This is another amazingly gripping story, that has a plot that keeps you guessing almost to the end, with some great characters who are crafted brilliantly. This story touches on some controversial psychological issues in a sympathetic way. The extended epilogue has given us an insight into the main characters future lives delightfully. I read an ARC copy.
May 15, 2021
A book club with secrets.
This was such a good mystery Ivy Thorne is a very talented author. There were twists and turns and a plot that will keep you guessing right up to the end. Little humor and romance are added in also this is not a book you will go wrong reading. I really liked the cast of characters I thought they blended together well. If you like cozies this is a book I think you will enjoy.
This was such a good mystery Ivy Thorne is a very talented author. There were twists and turns and a plot that will keep you guessing right up to the end. Little humor and romance are added in also this is not a book you will go wrong reading. I really liked the cast of characters I thought they blended together well. If you like cozies this is a book I think you will enjoy.
June 30, 2021
Excellent book!!!!
I wish it had a sequels to it. I loved the characters, i felt like i was there with them. The bookstore sounds so cool.
Celeste is so like her grandmother, Clyde is a great character. I like that Ivy acknowledged what people go through and how others react when they find out.
There is so much to this book, i went to sleep thinking about the story, when i finally was able to put the book down.
I hope you won't be disappointed!!!! I wasn't!!!!
I wish it had a sequels to it. I loved the characters, i felt like i was there with them. The bookstore sounds so cool.
Celeste is so like her grandmother, Clyde is a great character. I like that Ivy acknowledged what people go through and how others react when they find out.
There is so much to this book, i went to sleep thinking about the story, when i finally was able to put the book down.
I hope you won't be disappointed!!!! I wasn't!!!!
May 16, 2021
A Deadly Book Club A Cozy Mystery Book
This is a very good and well written story about a murder in the library of a author and a young man is accused but innocent The characters are determined and emotional and the extended epilogue shows just how much happiness happens for the characters envolved
This is a very good and well written story about a murder in the library of a author and a young man is accused but innocent The characters are determined and emotional and the extended epilogue shows just how much happiness happens for the characters envolved
May 24, 2021
I love a cozy mystery
The book kept my interest and also taught me a thing or two. I had heard of D.I. D.. But had not seen it used in a story and when the other person would come and voice would change,mannerisms change,everything about the person changes as the alter ego speaks. Fascinating
The book kept my interest and also taught me a thing or two. I had heard of D.I. D.. But had not seen it used in a story and when the other person would come and voice would change,mannerisms change,everything about the person changes as the alter ego speaks. Fascinating
May 17, 2021
Another exciting and gripping mystery story by Ivy. I always look forward to reading her books as they keep me enthralled from beginning to end following the twists and turns until the final denouement. I received ARC notification and am leaving a totally unbiased and honest review.
July 10, 2021
Good story.
October 15, 2021
It was pretty good. Not exactly my style but not half bad and a very easy read
June 15, 2022
A different sort of murder mystery for me. The characters took center stage rather than the murder itself. The author did a great job making the characters come to life.
May 27, 2021
It was an okay read. Pretty good story but just not my cup of tea. Clyde was too out there for me. Probably will not read any more by this author. It was a good plot twist.
July 4, 2021
This was well written and the plot moved right along so it held my attention. I thought the characterizations were a little weak. Appreciated that there was room in the plot for the reader to fill in some of the blanks and form your own ideas on what was going to happen.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews