“You have to get out there and seize life with both hands, Nono,’ he used to say when he closed the pages and kissed her goodnight. ‘After all, no one writes books about characters who sit around waiting for life to happen to them.”
― Freya Sampson, The Busybody Book Club

Nora has left London for love and now lives in Cornwall. Planning her wedding has been a nightmare with an overbearing mother-in-law who refuses to let Nora have the low-key wedding she desires. Luckily her job keeps her happy. Working at the local community center, Nora is hopeful to get back on her feet after a traumatic event at her last job in London. One of her duties is the St. Tredock Book Club and believes that she will be able to impress her colleagues if only she could get them to agree on a book to read!

At their latest meeting, Nora is surprised to see Michael, a relatively new member of the club. Her regulars, Arthur, Ash, and Phyllis, are rearing to go, but Michael’s presence throws the group into a tailspin when he receives a message on his phone and bolts from the meeting. Next morning, Nora discovers the community center in shambles. Someone has stolen thousands of pounds, the entire pot of money the community had raised for the first installment of payment for the community center’s damaged roof. Who could have stolen the money? The police have a suspect, but after a series of other crimes occurs, the book club members start to doubt the police’s decision. They poke around, using the skills they have read about in some of their favorite books to find who the culprit is.

If you’re a lover of quirky British cozy mysteries with nosy older citizen detectives, The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson is for you! Nora, Arthur, Ash, Michael, and Phyllis are the perfect example of found family. They are there for each other no matter what, not afraid to jump in whenever they are needed. There are references to many other books scattered throughout this title which I thoroughly enjoyed. This charming and heartwarming read was full of witty dialogue, relatable characters, and a sense of community.

This title is also available in large print.