Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Alexandra Ivy does an excellent job writing about Bailey Evans, a nursing home RN who initial joins an online Murder Club, compromised of a group of amateurs who investigate cold cases. When Bailey attempts to drop from the group , she begins receiving direct text messages (sent from a burner phone) that almost forced to participate in attempting to solve the murder of some of her former patients as well as others in town.

This novel also has a bit of romance for Bailey (in the guise of a heroic old crush).

Personally romance is not my cuppa, but it might well be yours.

Regardless, an entertaining mystery that is well-written with a solid storyline

This was a wonderful thriller. Lots of twists and turns. There were a few surprises. I really liked Bailey. She’s such a sweet person. There are quite a few characters who were not nice. The book kept my interest and I enjoyed it a lot. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through Net Galley.

This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. The story was fast paced and kept my interest with plenty of twists. Thanks Netgalley for this arc.

This is the first book I've read by the author but this one definitely kept me gripped. I'd read more by Alexandra in the future.

This is a standalone, but part of a series, which I didn't realize. While I typically won't read any book in a series without reading the rest, standalone or not, I gave this one a chance.

I read through this one really fast. I love the idea of a small town, having a cold case murder club. That's totally something I would love to join where I live, so it was fascinating to read.

That being said, the romance aspect fell super flat to me. I just didn't believe that Bailey and Dom were "meant to be." I think if I felt it and rooted for them more, I would have scored this higher but it just made me lose interest faster than I should have.

I was drawn into this story it is a fast paced keep you guessing till the end book. The storyline was excellent with some great characters and fantastic plot twists, the chemistry between the main characters was very well done i would definitely recommend this book.

A quick read that keeps you connected and waiting for the next thing to happen.

Bailey and Dom met at their best friends' wedding. After a really good weekend Dom has returned to house sit for Kaden and Lia and to see if what he saw the first time was real.

Bailey liked Dom when she met him for the wedding festivities and now he's back. Just in time for Bailey to have a stalker and it to turn dangerous.

Read this for their adventures. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Small town living can be predictable….but she never guessed what joining an online crime solving club would do to her life.

Bailey Evans’ life in the town of Pike, Wisconsin had become pretty boring, particularly since her best friend’s recent wedding. At the urging of a coworker she joined an online group called The Murder Club who pooled their talents to find solutions to cold crimes. It seemed like an innocent enough thing to do, but when one of the other anonymous group members began to pester her to join a private offshoot with them and saying no didn’t make them back off, Bailey logs out of the group. Problem solved, right? Wrong. This same unknown person starts texting her directly and the invitations become warnings. No one from the group should have her direct contact information except the co-worker who had invited her to join, but he swears it isn’t him making contact. When one of the patients at the nursing home where Bailey works as a nurse passes away and is found to have left her a large sum of money, Bailey finds herself being threatened by the deceased’s son (who thinks that she exerted undue influence on his mother) and put on unpaid leave by her not-very-nice employers (who don’t want their business reputation tarnished). Angry and upset by her work situation and increasingly worried by the mysterious contact from the unknown crime buff, Bailey turns to Dom Lucier, best buddy to her own best friend’s new husband. They had met one another at the recent wedding of their friends and felt an attraction. Dom is back in town to pursue that relationship, and his protective instincts are roused when he discovers what is happening to Bailey. When another elderly woman dies in a nearby town, they wonder if her death is connected to that of Bailey’s former patient. And worse still….are their deaths natural, or is someone committing crimes in order to force Bailey to solve them?

True crime shows and podcasts are all the rage these days, so the online Murder Club is a timely and believable backdrop to this romantic thriller. Bailey is kind, compassionate, and an overall sweet girl next door type who has somehow caught the attention not only of the town’s oddball (her co-worker and former Murder Club group member) and the very good looking Dom, but also that of a sinister person who is insistent that she “play” his murder game. Maybe her boring and predictable life wasn’t so bad after all. Bailey and Dom try to get to the bottom of the situation with Bailey’s cousin and town sheriff Zac backing them up; can these two find happiness and find out who is stalking Bailey? There are plenty of suspects to consider, although that list dwindles as the body count increases. There is, after all, something about Pike that draws in serial killers, as readers of this series (in which The Murder Club is #5, but you don’t need to have read the earlier books to thoroughly enjoy this one) know only too well. Readers of Ms Ivy’s previous novels will undoubtedly pick this latest installment up and will be glad they did, but I would also recommend it to readers of Kat Martin, Lisa Jackson, and Sharon Sala (among others). Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Zebra for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy of The Murder Club in return for my honest review. I very much enjoyed this quick, addictive read!

Welcome back to Pike , Wisconsin a serial killers paradise - or so it seems
Beth joined an online 'murder club' after an invitation from a work colleague ........their purpose was to look at old cold cases and see if they , with their various life experiences , could spot mistakes made by the killers .
But after removing herself from the site she starts to receive unsettling texts , someone doesn't want her to go - they want to play an exclusive game with her .
On top of all this she has been sacked from her role at a Care Home after a deceased client left her a legacy .

Dom has returned to town , he needs a break from his job - he cannot forget the woman he met at his best friend's wedding .......... a woman who now needs his help to discover just who is after her and is willing to kill to keep her attention .
I found the premise for the story , an inheritance of $20,000 , a bit weak- who would commit murder for such a small sum ? But overall it kept me turning the pages .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Back to Pike Wisconsin we go where the body count is always climbing...

Bailey isn’t having the best time she gets suspended from her job and accused of murdering one of her patients for an inheritance and someone is stalking her. What started out as an online game where strangers play detective solving cases has become a real life problem. Somebody is watching her and somebody wants her to keep playing the game. Lucky for Bailey she’s not alone as a guy she met some time ago at her best friend’s wedding is all too happy to help her try to sort out what’s going on. Dom is supposed to be housesitting but really he had ulterior motives in coming to town and it’s all about Bailey. As things begin to escalate Bailey is happy to have Dom around... maybe for some other reasons that don’t have to do with danger...

This book felt different than the others in the series probably due to the fact that if doesn’t start out with a crime being committed. It’s just Bailey’s series of unfortunate events and one fortunate even in Dom coming to town. Things do rather quickly spiral out of control as they tend to do in Pike. The one thing that was driving me crazy is that anyone would think that $20,000 was enough money to kill someone over. Sure it’s a small town with not much wealth to spare but even to me as someone who does not have $20,000 it seemed like a rather insignificant sum to be accusing someone of murder over even if someone is desperate for money.

I liked Bailey and Dom and apparently I’ll read any insanity coming from this small town that seems on the brink of having more murders occur than people still living there. One would think the murders would make people less likely to live there but aside from one book where the main characters didn’t live in Pike and weren’t from there nobody ever leaves.

The Murder Club is a gripping murder thriller that seamlessly weaves together well-rounded characters, a carefully paced romance, and a captivating mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. I found myself engrossed in the narrative, with its intricate plot and a plethora of shady characters that added layers of complexity to the story. This is part of a series of books in the same setting, but can be read alone. I have not read the previous 4 books, but I was fully engaged and did not feel lost or confused.

One of the standout features of the book is its well-developed characters. Each individual comes to life on the pages, with their unique personalities, flaws, and motivations. The author's attention to detail in crafting these characters allows readers to form a connection with them, making the stakes of the mystery even higher as the plot unfolds.

The romance element in the story is skillfully integrated, serving as a complement to the main plot rather than overshadowing it. The pacing is just right, offering moments of respite amidst the tension of the unfolding murder mystery. The subtle and gradual development of the romantic subplot adds depth to the characters and enhances the overall reading experience.

The heart of the novel lies in its mystery, and in this regard, it excels. The author masterfully plants clues and red herrings throughout the narrative, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Personally, I was taken by surprise when the true identity of the perpetrator was revealed. I had several guesses as to who it was throughout the book, but I was still guessing at the end. The author skillfully navigates the intricate web of suspense, ensuring that the resolution is both satisfying and unexpected.

What sets this murder thriller apart is the array of shady characters introduced, each with a plausible motive for the crime. As a reader, I found myself constantly reassessing my suspicions as the story unfolded, creating a sense of intrigue that held my attention from start to finish. The author's ability to maintain this level of suspense throughout the novel is commendable.

In conclusion, The Murder Club is a thoroughly enjoyable and well-crafted murder thriller. With its compelling characters, expertly paced romance, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the final pages, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Pretty good whodunnit. I thought it kept my interest and kept a good pace. I have not read this author before but I will look for more of her books. I enjoyed this read.

A bit under 2 stars

This story started off so well, and I was really excited about it. But before long, my interest waned. In fact, I came close to a DNF on more than one occasion.. I'd read the previous book in the series a while back and liked it well enough and Dom and Bailey were secondary characters in it. I had high hopes that these two very nice people would find their happy ending here. Unfortunately, they had zero chemistry. I mean, they said all the right things, but I felt no vicarious spark whatsoever.

I also didn't really like this Murder Club game that Bailey used to play. The concept is straight up creepy. And when Bailey drove alone to Grange on a whim to look into a suspicious death, I wanted to smack her upside the head (shades of "i heard strange noises in the basement.; i must go look"). I really dislike it when the female lead character shows signs of being TSTL.

But then Dom jumped on the TSTL bandwagon himself, something the male hero rarely does, and it got worse. Two people with careers really far from anything law enforcement playing Nancy Drew, and not particularly well at that. Even the sheriff and Bailey's cousin Zac suffers. What's a sheriff doing being okay with Dom and Bailey poking around, especially when Bailey has a stalker?

Lots of characters, lots of suspects, a rather forced choice for the main bad guy. A town that's described as run down in many ways and is also the hellmouth when it comes to murder.... why didn't Bailey just pack up and go the minute she was put on unpaid leave? I get hometown nostalgia, but Pike really has nothing to offer.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

Wow! This talented author has written a cannot out down page turner. I read quickly and could not wait to learn the outcome. Red herrings and some secrets in a great whodunnit. Cannot wait to read more from this author. The characters kept the story moving quickly. No time to ponder…next page please. I liked this main character. I liked this mystery. Thanks Netgalley.

Bailey is a nurse at a nursing home in the town of Pike. One of her coworkers suggest playing the Murder Game. A game where everyday people try to solve crimes online.
Don is a pawn shop owner, house sitting for his friend.
Once Bailey starts getting weird texts about the Murder Game, she enlists the help of Dom to figure it all out.
I enjoyed trying to figure out who the bad guy was, it was hard to put this one down it was so good.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the chance to read and review this.

Alexandra Ivy is simply amazing. A true master of her craft!! I absolutely loved The Murder Club!!!!!

I was only supposed to start it, and ended up finishing it in one sitting.

Really enjoyed this one. I haven’t read the others in the series and didn’t feel lost so I think it can be read as a stand-alone. Enjoyable plot and characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Part of a series but reads ok as stand alone. You don’t want to be part of The Murder Club. Lots of clues but fir me a surprise at the end. Two great main characters who find tension, danger and romance. Great read, hard to put down.

This was the first time for me, author, and a Netgalley read that I am super glad that I applied for.

It was a great whodunit, with a side of who is who and romance!

It was easy to follow and really captivated you from the first chapter, making you want to know more and more.

The only thing I would have liked is a little more spice, but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed and will be checking out more of this authors work.

Bailey Evans is a nurse who has spent her entire life in Pike, Wisconsin - contrary to her expectations, at one point, that her life would involve far wider horizons. She is in a rut of sorts, despite being kept company by her duo of over-sized Labs, Bert and Ernie.

To make matters worse, she has recently been suspended because an elderly woman at the nursing home where she works has died and left Bailey a large bequest, which the woman's nasty son has lodged a complaint about.

Meanwhile, Bailey has been receiving a series of strange messages after leaving the club of true crime buffs that she had enjoyed being part of for some time. Despite ignoring the anonymous messages, she is feeling unsettled to receive them.

The purpose of Murder Club, the original group Bailey had joined, was to scrutinize cold cases and see if new clues could be identified. But the creepy messages that Bailey is now receiving indicate that there may be a link with very recent murders. So who are these messages from? And what does the sender want from Bailey?

This is a hearty murder novel with a hefty helping of romance heaped on top. Bailey is likable, and the romantic lead Dom is both genuine and charming, so this one should be gobbled up by small town romantic mystery lovers. It gets 3.5 stars.