The Busybody Book Club is a delightful cozy mystery full of humor and heart. There's theft and murder and gassy English bulldogs and a healthy dose of found family, and it's all rather entertaining. No one's going to mistake it for an Agatha Christie novel – I guessed the culprit well before Nora and her gang did, something that never would have happened had Hercule Poirot been on the case – but it's still a solid and well-written mystery that manages to stay lighthearted and fun while addressing some serious topics.

And speaking of Agatha Christie, if you're a fan of her most famous detectives, you're likely in for a treat with this one. Amateur sleuth and busybody Phyllis is a huge Miss Marple fan and frequently takes her sleuthing inspiration from Marple's cases. Sure, I mean, perhaps her deductions aren't always quite as accurate as Miss Marple's, but she certainly gives it her best shot. And maybe she's a little critical of Hercule Poirot (blasphemy!) and his gigantic ego, but the frequent references to Dame Agatha's novels are a lot of fun.

This is also a book about books. There are so many books. There's the book club and their selections, couples meeting and bonding over books, the multiple references to Christie's novels, books whose plots assist the book club gang in solving their own mystery, a husband who devotedly reads romance novels to his ailing wife, and more. Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing also plays an important role in one of the subplots … along with a Star Wars film or two.

So, yeah. There's murder. There's mystery. There are books. There are dogs … or one dog, anyway. There's humor and heart and entertaining characters. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with all of the above, definitely consider giving this one a read.

My overall rating: 3.85 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is May 27, 2025.

this is a charming cozy mystery with small town secrets and and fun adventures full of sleuthing. the group must work together to solve the crime when money goes missing, one of the members goes missing, and a murder!!!

This cozy mystery is a delightful mix of small-town charm, quirky characters, and murder-solving antics that would make Agatha Christie proud. With secrets unraveling and danger creeping closer, this story is a heartwarming celebration of community, misfits, and the magic of books, even when they’re solving murders instead of reading them. A must-read for fans of humor, mystery, and a touch of chaos!

This book is an absolute delight, mixing small town charm with murder, mayhem, and plenty of bookish banter. Nova and her misfit book club make for an unforgettable team, each bringing their quirks, secrets, and wildly different theories to the table. The writing is sharp, witty, and full of heart, and the mystery keeps you guessing until the end. It’s the perfect blend of humor, intrigue, and a love for stories, a cozy, feel good read that’s impossible to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Can a book about murder and mayhem be cute? Maybe not traditionally but The Busybody Book Club was cute and emotional and yes, had a solid mystery. Nova is engaged and nearing the day of her wedding while staying at her future in law’s house with her fiance (and I agree with Phyllis here - he’s a chump). She’s trying to keep her job at the community center (her forgetfulness is causing issues) while mourning her father, missing her mother in South America, and generally feeling lost. Enter her book club which is just getting started and complete with blue haired and Agatha Christie obsessed Phyllis (who has a pretty traumatic story), gentile elder gentleman Arthur (hiding the most heartbreaking secret), teenage and painfully shy Ash, and the aloof and mysterious Michael (mommy issues). When money goes missing from the center and crimes start to pile up you should be less than shocked to find Nova on the case, despite her fiancé’s protestations, along with the noisy book club gang.

This book delivered all the feelings! While it’s fairly simple and would most definitely fit under the description of cosy mystery, it had some good twists and I loved picking it up each night to see where the gang was in their investigation, and if I could figure out each of their own secrets.

The Busybody Book Club is a modern take on a classic small-town mystery. Local book club members get drawn into amateur sleuthing when money to repair the town's community center goes missing.

The characters are well drawn and likable, each getting their say as the POV shifts. The setting is cozy. And the motives plentiful. The mystery twists and turns with several reveals leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Perfect for fans of Miss Marple and The Thursday Murder Club series.

The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson is a charming and cozy mystery full of small town secrets and hilarious amateur sleuthing adventures. Nova Davies, the founder of a struggling book club in a Cornish seaside village, finds herself leading a group of endearing misfit readers. What starts as a book club disaster escalates into a full blown mystery when money goes missing, a murder shakes the town, and one of their own disappears. The group’s attempts to solve the crime are so funny and heartwarming! Each member brings their unique and often ridiculous perspective to the investigation. Their crazy antics and this lighthearted mystery makes for a highly entertaining read!