The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson

THE BUSYBODY BOOK CLUB by Freya Sampson is a really fun cozy mystery story with a delightful cast of characters. Nova (along with her fiancé Craig) has recently moved to a small village in Cornwall where she works in a community center. There, Nova runs a small book club whose members include the older and very opinionated Phyllis (and her dog smelly bulldog, Craddock), Ash (a teenager, trying to impress a classmate), retired farmer Arthur who cares for his wife, Esi, and the newest member, Michael. A great part of the enjoyment is how each references a favorite genre: Phyllis frequently invokes Miss Marple and Agatha Christie; Arthur cites the plots of romance novels, and Ash loves Star Wars and science fiction. Readers won’t be too sure of Michael’s tastes because he disappears early in the story – at roughly the same time that 10,000 pounds goes missing and a dead body is discovered. He becomes a chief suspect although plenty of theories are bantered about and the book club members have some harrowing adventures, even threatening Nova and Craig’s upcoming nuptials. A May 2025 LibraryReads selection, THE BUSYBODY BOOK CLUB is light and entertaining; there are some surprises and more obvious twists, giving readers an equal chance to smile to themselves, saying “told you so!” Also enjoyable: The Lost Ticket and Nosy Neighbors, both by Freya Sampson.