Member Reviews
I really enjoyed this first book in the Tuesday Night's Survivors' Club series. I found it quite uplifting to see gals come together using their love of reading to support each other's cancer journeys. I particularly liked Rarity, Sam, Drew and Asher. I am wondering who might find love with Rarity since I feel like Drew and Archer are both in the running. The book club quickly became a sleuthing club when one of their members was murdered. Definitely going to read book two. Lynn Cahoon has a great way of making me fall in love with her book people. Totally recommend this one!
Received this as an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I really enjoy a new Lynn Cahoon book! This new series is a great addition to my list of "must read" books.
A cozy mystery about a breast cancer survivor who opens a bookstore to promote healthy living and surviving with your community. To top it off, solving a murder. The plot and story was so important and I truly enjoyed the friendship between these awesome survivors.
The Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club by Lynn Cahoon is a fun curl-up-on-the-couch quick read filled with likeable characters (including a bookstore owner, a crystal shop owner, a fortune teller, a handful of cancer survivors, an affable detective, and a hunky hiking guide).
Set in beautiful Sedona, Arizona, Rarity Cole, a transplant from St. Louis and the new local bookstore proprietor, is healing—from cancer and from a relationship with an fully unsupportive partner. At The Next Chapter, she promotes the store’s first book club, which welcomes readers who are cancer survivors. But when one of the members goes missing, the rest of the group shifts its focus from books to sleuthing despite the detective’s gentle-but-exasperated admonishments.
This first book in a new series by a prolific author is adorably sweet, complete with a Yorkshire Terrier named Killer. However, beneath the fluff, the author draws on her own experiences as a survivor. She effortlessly highlights the various ways cancer survivors and patients are viewed and preyed upon, the need for community, and the bonds that develop between those who share similar experiences.
I’m a sucker for books about bookstores, so this was a delight. And novels with a predominantly likeable cast of characters are always a welcome bonus when everything else needs brightening up.
Book 2, Secrets in the Stacks, publishes November 1, 2022.
The Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club
by Lynn Cahoon
If anyone could write a cozy mystery about a book club formed to gather and support breast cancer survivors, it would be Lynn Cahoon. As survivors these women share a background that leaves some things unspoken, but understood. They are not choosing books about breast cancer, however. They select a mystery for their first read, but soon find themselves involved in a real-life murder mystery.
In The Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club, the founder of the club is Rarity who owns the new bookstore that sponsors the group. She has left her stressful, big city job for the slower pace of being her own boss in Sedona, AZ. Her best friend is Sam who owns a crystal shop and makes jewelry. There are two romantic interests: Drew, a detective, and Archer, a lawyer turned hiking guide.
The murder of one of the group members turns them all into amateur sleuths investigating potential suspects and ferreting out motivations. Not everyone is who they seem to be. Rarity also finds the original, limited membership concept for the club expanding as others pitch in to help with the investigation. I thought I had figured out the murderer from a clue mentioned early on, but I was wrong. The investigation turns dangerous and the ending is a surprise. I can’t wait for the next book in this new series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: #1 in the Survivors’ Book Club Mystery Series
Publication: June 14, 2022—Kensington
Memorable Lines:
Action was rewarded. Worrying never did anyone any favors.
Welcome to the sisterhood. The cost of joining was just living through a disease that tried to kill you. And you had to wear pink for the rest of your life. (A rule that Rarity ignored since she hated pink.)
“There have been times in my life when I questioned whether Edith and I were ‘meant to be.’ Whether or not she was my soul mate. But I always come back to the fact that our lives together are what we make of them. Don’t hold out for a fantasy when real life is more rewarding.”
This is a really fun start to a cozy series. The concept is great and the characters are already coming together well! I can see the neighborhood rounding out nicely. It’s clear the author is (partly) writing from real experience. The mystery was well done and kept me engaged.
Typical cozy, easy read. Two thumbs up and solid 3 stars. Thank you #Netgalley & #Kensington for the eARC version. This is only the 2nd book by Cahoon that I've read, even though she has been on my radar with several series. The book moved quickly but felt off with the character development. First let me say I love books that include talking about books or bookstores. This has both & I love the mention of actual books that I could buy. Even if they're not my style, that shout out to the authors hooked me. So starting with our main character , Rarity. She felt very dry for most of the book. Then just as I see that she is developing and feels, more real, or at least more connected, the awkward climax happens and it's all over, the end. A very quick ending that would never take place in realty as it did in this book. But, it is a cozy and not a police procedural. So if you're a stickler for something realistic, this may not be for you. Speaking of police, the male characters all have the hots for Rarity. Again, it is a cozy. But their bluntness is definitely only in the cozy realm or maybe something more x rated. Don't worry, the mention of a death is the only thing that makes this book PG. We also have a character that goes from shy and dependent to open and confident in a blink. It just felt off. It's not often I enjoy the first 1/2 of a book more than the 2nd half. But I definitely feel the last 1/2 was more rushed. I know I sound negative. But I do like this story & will definitely read book 2. The premise is good. Meeting as survivors bonding & explaining how much that is needed gives it that cozy friendly female feel. It's a light quick read with no swearing or hanky panky.
I'm always a bit hesitant to start a new series by an author that has a series that I already loved. However, I loved this one. Ms. Cahoon's writing style has always kept me reading. The characters were likable and it's interesting watching the relationships that were formed during this one.
I liked the setting and the group of characters that were introduced. I can't wait for the next one!
I love reading Lynn Cahoon's cozy mystery series, so when I saw that she was starting a new one, I had to give this first book a read. Rarity Jones is a breast cancer society and credits her friends and books for getting her through her treatments. Now that she owns a bookstore, she wants to use it to help others. It is dedicated to healing such as Eastern medicine, Western medicine, the healing power of food, the power of meditation, and the importance of developing a support community. She has begun the Tuesday Night Survivors book club, with all members being either cancer survivors or dealing with cancer treatments. Things are going well, until one of their members goes missing. Martha was always the most private of their group, so it is going to be difficult to find clues as to her whereabouts.
I have been to Sedona, so I loved the magical setting with all that goes with it. Even with the background being characters with cancer, this is not a depressing book, but upbeat and typically cozy. I liked Rarity's character, although not her name, as the protagonist and leader of the book club. She is a survivor, and is smart and independent. Her best friend Sam, owns the crystal store next to her shop and they have a great friendship. There are a couple of male possible romantic interests in Drew Anderson, a detective and Archer Ender, a trail leader. There are some quirky characters, such as Madame Zelda, a fortune teller. The mystery is interesting and very appropriate for the setting. There are a couple of suspects, several red herrings and a great showdown that brings everything together. This is a great start to a new series, by one of the "Queens of Cozy Mysteries".
Release Date: June 14, 2022
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Books and friends saved Rarity’s life . During chemo and the battle with breast cancer books were a source of joy and friends a source of encouragement. When Rarity is given the remission status she decides to open The Next Chapter, a bookstore and have a Tuesday night book club with others who have fought the disease. Rarity and her best friend Sam grow concerned when Martha, a quiet book club participant doesn’t show up for the club so they call to request a wellness check. Unfortunately it shows that Martha has disappeared without her beloved dog killer, they know something is wrong. Rarity, Sam and the book club make it their mission to find Martha and really, what book loving book club could resist a real life whodunnit?
This is the first in the survivors mystery series and it was fabulous! I really enjoy @lynncahoon and was very excited about a new series to start! She creates these intricate backstories for the characters and puts them in beautiful locales. I really want to go visit Sedona now! This book is a definite read for me!
#survivorsbookclubmystery #kensingtonbooks #lynn cahoots #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #cozymysteryseries #Tuesdaynightsurvivorsclub
Cancer survivor Rarity Jones has opened a book shop in hopes of helping other survivors by providing a community. She forms a book club and finds some friends in her new town. When one of the book club members goes missing, Rarity is determined to figure out what happened to her.
Lynn is one of my favorite cozy authors! I have loved every book I've read by her. I really enjoyed this new book and new series. I feel like this main character was so relatable and amazing. I loved reading about the town and the bookstore. I cannot wait to read more of this series!
Rarity Cole is a breast cancer survivor and now she is changing her life to do what she enjoys, eliminating the stress of a high powered job and just running a book store. In that avenue she has decided to start a book club just for other cancer survivors. At the first meeting, there are several others who have "beat" cancer but one other that is currently going through treatment. The others agree that she should be able to participate, but when she doesn't return the next week, they begin to worry? Has something happened to her? When they try to check on her, they find she has disappeared leaving her dog behind. What happened?
This was a great mystery especially getting to know the characters in this new series. AZs a survivor, I wish there was such a book club in my area.
Looking forward to more!
Rarity Cole has moved to start the next chapter in her life, literally. She opens a book store she named The Next Chapter, which specializes in books relating to cancer. She is a cancer survivor herself and wanted to start a support system for those like her that have survived their treatments and won their battle with the disease. So when Rarity started a book club this is what she believed she is doing, however, when one of their members goes missing under suspicious circumstances the book club turns into a crime-solving club.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Rarity isn’t the typical protagonist that I usually read about, however, I really liked her. She is smart, fearless, compassionate, a fighter, and a survivor. The secondary characters are interesting as well and I can see great relationships forming in the group. The mystery is well-written. It moves at a great pace with plenty of suspects and twists and turns along the way to the big reveal. I recommend this book to cozy mystery fans
On a personal note, my mother is a breast cancer survivor. I always wanted to stay positive around her even after the treatments. So for me, this is a great way of getting incite into the feelings she may have been dealing with without being dark and depressing.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.
I thought that I would give this book a try because I have read the author’s Tourist Trap mystery series and have really enjoyed it. I am so glad that I decided to give The Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club a chance because I love that it is about a bookstore owner who is a cancer survivor and decides to start a book club made up of cancer survivors. The Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club is full of unforgettable characters that I just couldn’t get enough of. I would definitely recommend this book to mystery lovers. It did get off to a slow start, but I am so glad that I stuck with it because once it got going, it was quite an enjoyable read with unique characters.
I really enjoyed this - it reminds me of a cozy murder mystery series that I read with my mum when I was a teen, that was set in a needlecraft shop. This book really shines in its positive female friendships - that grow out of the “Thursday Night Survivors Book Club” - the book club aspect gets pushed to the side when one of their own, disappears abruptly and they band together to try to work out what happened… there is a little romance, a lot of false leads and a really cute Yorkshire terrier who really doesn’t live up to his name. Sign me up for the sequel.
Another favorite author and I will admit I can be a bit hit or miss with her series. Sometimes it takes more than one in the series to get my going on them. I was a bit worried because this was a book about cancer survivors and I didn't want it to be a lot of gloomy cancer talk and I was plesantly survived that it wasn't anything like that. I actually really enjoyed this one.
I really liked Rariety and her survivors book club that kind of turns into a sleuthing club...lol. I liked how even though they didn't really know each other real well when one went missing and turns up dead they wanted to find out what happened to her, it wasn't because they were suspects or anything they just wanted to know.
I also liked that Rariety's friend likes the cop and Rariety likes the cops friend...lol. So it's not the MC with a cop like in most cozies. :) It had a really good mystery as well. I loved that the Yorkie was named Killer...lol. :)
Not a huge new age type person but I can handle it being a part of the book. Can't wait to try another one!
When I first started reading Tuesday Night Survivor’s Club, I wasn’t sure if I would like it, and it wasn’t until I was almost halfway finished that I began to enjoy Rarity’s character. The premise was original and a nice twist on what can be a delicate subject. Cancer is not a joking matter, but you have to have a sense of humor to get through the treatments, begin healing, and become a survivor. A book club dedicated to supporting cancer survivors would be welcome by most people who have had to go through all of the difficulties, challenges, and fear. All of this is what makes this story and this writer special.
The characters are just beginning to develop, and I already have a favorite, but I will keep that to myself. The victim, a survivor of cancer and in the middle of the healing process, is perfect, even though she only appears in the book in the first pages. Martha is memorable in many ways, and finding her killer will lead the characters and the readers on a journey they weren’t expecting. The few suspects that there are, have great motives that are believable. And Killer, the victim's dog, will make you want to protect her, hold her, and ensure nothing ever hurts her. Once the murderer is revealed, readers will realize that it couldn’t have been anyone else, even if they still have a few hidden doubts. The evidence only points in one direction, and even with the well-crafted twists and turns, following the story to the right conclusion is fun and easy.
Tuesday Night Survivor’s Club allows readers to learn about some of the issues that survivors of cancer face in real life. How the healing process takes different forms for each person and what they may keep hidden from those around them. The characters are memorable, the circumstances ripped from reality, and the conclusion filled with everything a cozy mystery fan could want. Lynn Cahoon knows how to craft a meaningful story that will keep readers entertained and informed. I look forward to the next installment in this series.
After recovering from breast cancer but still reeling from her longtime boyfriend’s defection, Rarity Cole pulls up stakes and moves from St. Louis to Sedona, Arizona. She embraces “her second shot at life” by opening The Next Chapter bookstore, nestled between “a fortune teller’s shop and a place that sells crystals.” Books, chocolate, ice cream, and friendship are as integral to Rarity’s fight against cancer as medicine and good doctors. Her bookstore is focused on “the power of healing—Eastern medicine, Western medicine, the healing power of food, the power of meditation, and the importance of developing a support community.” Still, it’s a risky decision.
Maybe opening a brick-and-mortar store in a digital age hadn’t been the smartest idea with the book world changing in front of her eyes.
It didn’t matter, though. This was her dream, and she wasn’t going to waste any time worrying about opening at the right time. Action was rewarded. Worrying never did anyone any favors.
Rarity’s best friend from high school, Sam Aarons, owns the crystal shop next to her bookstore. While Rarity values her friendship with Sam, she knows that, to thrive in her new home, she’ll need some supportive new relationships. Enter the Tuesday Night Survivors book club where all the participants have cancer in their past. The notion of a shared journey is a natural for Sedona, famed for its embrace of new-age communities. People gather “because of shared experiences. Like her new book club,” thinks Rarity.
The club gets off to a slow start when only one older woman shows up. Fortunately the second meeting is better attended. Rarity is cautiously pleased until she receives unsettling news—Martha Redding, one of the members—has disappeared. Worryingly, she left their last meeting in a huff. Martha’s peculiar leave-taking causes Rarity to ponder the difficulties of being a survivor; there are so many life lessons to learn: “One would be trying to learn to live while dying, the other trying to stop dying when she was living.” Rarity’s exercise lap pool under the starry sky is the perfect spot for such musings.
Life was hard. Rarity closed her eyes as she let her body relax into the water and the night. Living after having believed you were dying was even harder.
That is to say, the members of the survivors’ club have a healthy respect for life. Armed with determination and smarts, they band together as Tuesday Night Sleuths and take on the matter of Martha’s disappearance. The police had found Martha’s car abandoned on a trail head and later discover she left her little doggie with a friend, but that’s the end of the trail. Rarity fears the worst.
The group attacks the problem of Martha’s disappearance from many angles. Who did she know? Who was in her address book? Which doctors did she patronize? When the police find Martha’s dead body, the club’s members are stymied.
“Yeah, Sam and I were talking about that problem. So we have information, but no context.” Rarity paused at her street. “I guess we just keep asking questions and seeing if we can find a way to answer them.”
Holly nodded. “You know this investigation stuff looks so much easier on television. They find the killer with the clue that the murder victim left in the sand next to their body. We didn’t even get to see the body.”
“I’m kind of thankful for that.” Rarity waved as they parted ways.
Holly’s comments about television investigations sound like she’s breaking the fourth wall and addressing readers directly, and there is a thread of bemusement surrounding the first of a new cozy series. Bookseller Rarity stands in for author Lynn Cahoon. I chuckled at Cahoon’s aside about the expectations surrounding cozies. Check out lap-swimmer-slash investigator Rarity’s riposte to her friend Sam.
“I just need to burn off some of this energy. I can’t believe we still don’t know who killed Martha. According to all those books, finding a killer is really easy. And they even have time to develop recipes to put in the back.”
How apropos. And don’t despair readers, there is a delicious recipe at the back of Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club. What a terrific start to a new series—the heroine, her friends and fellow-sleuths, and the fabulous Sedona setting (home to famous spiritual vortexes), not to mention a tantalizing love interest. Bring on the next mystery!
I'm a film composer and wrote a piece to go along with this book! Click on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT1LKoqRceU
I recently came upon the term “cozy mystery” which I take to mean, a gentle crime novel that doesn’t keep you up at night! I thought I might like to read one, so I chose The Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club because I’m a sucker for stories that take place in a bookstore!
Rarity Jones is a breast cancer survivor. Her boyfriend Kevin had left her during her treatment in St. Louis, and when she is declared cancer-free, Rarity decides to make her dream come true. She moves to Sedona to open a bookstore called The Next Chapter, near her old best girlfriend Sam’s crystal shop. To start building a community in her new town, Rarity starts a book club called The Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club, for cancer-survivors who want to read books together and share their cancer journeys. No sooner does the group form than one member, a crusty woman named Martha, goes missing. A local policeman named Drew discovers that Martha has left her beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Killer, alone, and enlists Rarity’s help to take care of Killer as he investigates Martha’s disappearance. She and her book club friends fall in love with the yorkie:
“Killer was perched between them, so when one stopped petting him to talk, the other one would pick up the slack. The dog had skills.”
Rarity, Sam and the book club members are worried about Martha and start doing some investigating on their own, starting with a local spa that doesn’t feel quite legit. The book club members grow close as they share their discoveries, and Sam and Rarity find themselves drawn to Drew and his friend Archer, a local hiking tour guide.
A cancer survivor herself, author Lynn Cahoon’s descriptions of these cancer survivors’ experiences ring true. Still, The Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club is mostly a light-hearted read, perfect for fans of whodunnits on a summer vacation.
Paperback 175 pages, Audiobook 7 hours.
A bit of a copy cat of Thursday murder club...but these are cancer survivors! A nice story but a bit too slow paced god me.