Imagine a group of the most curious, nosy, and gossipy seniors plus a teenager in a book club offered by the Community Center working together to solve a crime. That’s what this book is about and the antics are hilarious. You can’t help but to fall in love with each of the characters. They are clever, cunning, caring, and show great charisma. They are just the crew that you’d want to help get you out of a pickle! I really loved this book and highly recommend it to other readers. It’s the perfect light and airy summer read with just a splash of romance.

You can’t help but fall in love with the main character, Nova. She recently started working at the St. Tredock Community Center. She is a new resident to Cornwall so she is temporarily living with her fiance and his family.

My favorite characters by far are Phyllis and Arthur. I love Phyllis because of her determination to solve crimes like Miss Marple and other heroines in Agatha Christie novels. Although she may not be as accurate in creating theories as Miss Marple, she doesn’t miss the target of providing humor and youth to the story line. Arthur is a grumpy but sweet man. He is a teddy bear beneath it all and really just want others to need him around. Teenager Ash needs help and guidance in life. Arthur begins to mentor him and teach him. He also accepts Ash in a way that he had never been accepted before.

Again, I just absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more by Freya Sampson. She is the creator of a warm and lovable found family.

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.

I LOVED this book!

This cast of characters was lovable right from the start, and the pacing of the story was perfect. I enjoyed how the narrative point of view switched from character to character, and never had trouble following who was speaking.

I really enjoyed all of the representation of different life experiences in this book, always mentioned as being part of who a character is, and not the focus of their story in this particular novel.

On to the mystery, which was intriguing enough to keep the pages turning in this cozy, and just kept unfurling perfectly right to the end of the book. Just when you think you've got something figured out, it's revealed to be true, and a new question comes to light.

This really is a great homage to Miss Marple, while pushing beyond and having its own voice and story to tell. Loved it!

This was a good book, good for the warm weather. It is light and the cast of characters are engaging. A woman who relocates and starts a book club. However, the members squabble and have trouble agreeing on the time of day. More trouble comes; a large amount of money is stolen from the center. One member is a fan of Agatha Christie so she likes to solve crimes like Agatha Christie. They have to come together to solve the murder and clear a member who is accused of it--in addition to the money, there is a dead body in his house.
This was light and I thought the second half, when they dealt with the murder and trying to clear their friend was a bit more engaging. The pacing in the book was a little slow in the first half. The characters were engaging and kept my attention.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley for providing me with a copy of this murder mystery in exchange for my honest opinion.

Found family is simply a common thread in Sampson’s books. The Busybody Book Club introduces the readers to an eclectic group of readers, coming together to embrace the power of words. But only it’s more, they are lonely and this book club gives them purpose.

When a serious of unfortunate events turns this group into super sleuths, they band together to uncover the culprit so all is not lost in their cherished community center. Phyllis’s love of Agatha Christie gives them just the right tools, asking “what would Miss Marple do?”.

This cozy mystery is simply delightful. What a joy to meet these characters.

Thank you for the free book Berkley Pub.

This book was a fun ride.

Nova recently moved to the English countryside with her fiancé. She is working a job at the community center and running a book club with 4 other members. When $10,000 and one of the book club members goes missing, Nova and the rest of the book club make it their mission to clear Nova’s name and find the money to save the community center.

I am always a sucker for quirky side characters and this book did not disappoint. Arthur, the 80 year old farmer and Phyllis, the 70 something year old mystery lover were my favorites. Then there is Ash, the social awkward teenager who grew on me as the story went on.

Nova’s fiancé and his family on the other hand I hated. From the very beginning I was rooting against her fiancé. He calls her names and is letting his mother completely steamroll her. I felt bad for Nova, especially given the fact she went through some trauma that made her leave London. The trauma was a little bit less extreme than I expected, but made sense for the story.

I also liked all of the book club talk. They talked a lot about books that I’ve read and I loved how they compared mystery books to romance novels. That was probably my favorite part of the story. I enjoyed the characters making connections to stories and their love of reading.

In terms of the mystery itself, there were a lot of parts I figured out, but some parts I didn’t quite figure out the how. I had a theory of who had stolen the money and why and it was never who the characters thought it was. I did figure it out before the end, so I have to knock it down a little bit, but overall I enjoyed the story and the journey.

This book was a little more of a 3.5 stars but I didn’t quite feel I could round up to a 4. The characters and the setting were fun and I enjoyed reading it. The mystery isn’t mind blowing, but I think sometimes when you’re reading a cozy mystery it doesn’t need to be.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my complimentary copy of The Busybody Book Club. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable cozy mystery with all the
Agatha Christie vibes. A quick easy read with a cast of fun characters
Phyllis
Arthur
Nova
Ash
You’ll grow to love this ragtag bunch of “misfits”. Each one has their own mysterious background but like puzzle pieces, they will all come together to solve the crime.
Did I solve this one ? Ha. But I was so certain I had it figured out.
Plenty of red herrings to keep guessing until the end.

Author Freya Sampson pens a delightful, cozy mystery set in a small English village in The Busybody Book Club.

The book club is an eclectic group and spans the gamut of ages. It also only has four members, possibly adding a few more recently. Led by Nova, one of the workers there at the community center, she tries to keep the others in check. But things don’t always go as planned.

In discussions, here are references to books, authors, and tropes, especially Miss Marple, one of Agatha Christie’s amateur sleuths. In her seventies, Phyllis fashions herself after Miss Marple and gets the others to follow her lead when gathering clues or visiting several different locales, especially after several crimes have been committed.

The prologue sets the stage, and the epilogue, which takes place six months after the story ends, gives closure. It’s Phyllis, not the police, who makes the big reveal of whodunnit in an unusual place. There is a nice flow, with several storylines playing out among the pages. Nova and Phyllis use their voices to tell the story, but Nova is definitely center stage throughout.

Packed with clues, suspects, and a little bit of romance, The Busybody Book Club is an entertaining read on a lovely Spring day.

The review is posted on NovelsAlive.

This is the second book I have read by Freya Sampson. I just thought I would try another by her since I enjoyed [book:Nosy Neighbors|182484343]. Also, I love reading books about various book clubs.

Description:
The five members of the St. Tredock Book Club disagree on everything, from the books they read to the biscuits they eat. But when one of the group suddenly disappears and a dead body is discovered at his house, these bibliophiles must put their differences aside to solve the mystery.

Having recently moved to Cornwall, Nova Davies started the book club to impress her new colleagues at the community center, but so far it’s a disaster. To make matters worse, six thousand pounds is stolen from the community center during one of her meetings, putting both her job and the whole center at risk.

Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when a dead body is discovered at his house and Michael disappears. The police think he’s simply run away, but the other members have their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove he’s a murderer as well as a thief, while secret romance reader Arthur believes Michael’s eloped with his mistress, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play.

While trying to find Michael and recover the money, each book club member has their own secrets to protect. With inspiration from their favorite fictional sleuths, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and everyone is safe at home where they belong.

My Thoughts:
This is really a dysfunctional book club. It has very few members and they don't seem that interested in books. I guess they just needed somewhere to hang out. Nevertheless, it was an interesting group. Phyllis is an eccentric, nosy character who seemed to stick her nose it everywhere it didn't belong. The group turned into investigators when one of their members disappears along with a bunch of money that was being held for the community center's roof. Nova was the one who started the book club. She was fairly new to the town and her job at the community center. I felt sorry for her because of what was happening - she had quite a few challenges. I enjoyed this cozy mystery and the characters.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Thank you @FreyaSampsonAuthor and #Berkley for the free book! #BerkleyPartner #BerkleyBookstagram

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 336 / Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: May 27, 2025
🥳#HappyPubWeek!🎉

Nova Davies just moved from London to the quaint seaside town of St. Tredock. She’s just started a new job at the community center in town and is about to get married. But one disaster leads to another starting with her first day leading her book club. New book club member Michael suddenly runs out of the meeting and disappears into the night. What follows is a theft, a murder, and a mystery that Agatha Christie enthusiast Phyllis can’t help but involve herself and the rest of the book club in.

This sweet cozy mystery is full of complicated characters and surprising revelations. Just the thing for when you’re in the mood for a quiet night in.

Despite some sad moments and tougher topics of loss and grief being at the heart of this book, it has a remarkably cozy feel with a tightknit group forming within a charming community and a range of interesting characters with backstory that gets filled in nicely.

The Busybody Book Club is a cozy whodunnit mystery that resembles Miss Agatha Christie herself. When newcomer Nova Davis was hired at the community center, she decided to start the book club as a way to impress her bosses. But this book club is unlike any other, the quirky members have nothing in common, not even the types of books they like, or what should be served at the club. When one of the members receives a phone call and runs out without saying a word, it looked awfully suspicious. Especially when money for the community centers roof repair goes missing the same night, and a death is reported at the residence of the now missing runaway book club member.

The group of book club members decide to come together and see if they can figure out the mystery surrounding their co-member. The story is told from various points of view, and is really based on the characters themselves. In trying their hand at a Miss Marple style investigation, so many secrets of each member unfolds only creating further character development. There are so many references to other books, both new and old, as well as various movies, which only adds to the allure of the storytelling. The ending is quite surprising, but the characters themselves really make the story.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Berkley Publishing and Freya Sampson for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.25/5 rounded down

Thank you Berkley Pub for the advanced reading copy!

I loved this author's last book, NOSY NEIGHBORS, and I was super excited to see a new book from her. While I did enjoy this one, it fell a little bit short to me overall.

As with Freya Sampson's last book, the characters throughout this story were fantastic -- their depth and heartfelt interactions were a lot of fun to read, and could be moving at times! There were a LOT of characters, though, and that could be hard to keep track of. I feel like the main twist was really obvious IF I had understood some of the relationships between the characters, which I did not.

The mystery had moments of major intrigue, and moments that were sub par. I wasn't super invested or interested in the overall premise and at times it felt like I was missing something signaling the importance of the plot. The last 25% was really well done, though, and had more action, twists and turns than the front of the story. That definitely kept me hooked when my interest started to wane.

Overall I liked this one, but didn't love it. I'd still take a look at other books by this author, since I loved the last one so much.

The Busybody Book Club is a page-turning cozy mystery with a colorful cast of characters.

Inspired by a favorite fictional sleuth, book club members must come together to solve a mystery and a murder. Cue colorful characters and a dog for a page-turning and twisty cozy mystery.

The quirky and unlikely cast of characters includes Nora,, librarian and book club organizer; Arthur, an octogenarian; Ash, a shy teenager; Michael, mysterious and suspect; and Phyllis, an Agatha Christie enthusiast. Let’s not forget the English bulldog, Caddock. Featuring strong character development, The Busybody Book Club is a balance of character-driven and plot-driven fiction.

Library money is stolen, Nora’s job is at risk, a dead body is reported, Michael is missing, and Phyllis is certain that local law enforcement needs the help of an amateur detective. The book club members must put their differences aside and find a way to work together. I appreciate a story with book references and page-turning action. With many twists and turns, The Busybody Book Club does not disappoint.

In addition to the overall plot, each character has unique challenges. As they work together, they grow in understanding, support, and appreciation of each other. I love the friendship theme.

Fans of Freya Sampson who love books about books and quirky characters will want to add this page-turning cozy mystery to their TBRs!

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub for a complimentary eARC of #TheBusybodyBookClub upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Nova’s life is more than a little stressful. After a wreck of a year in which her dad died and there was an incident at the youth center where she worked, she has moved from London to a new, small, town and a new job, all whilst living with future in-laws and planning a wedding! As if that weren’t enough, during a book club meeting at the community center, all the money raised for a new roof is stolen, and Nova is the one who forgot to lock up the office!

Members of the book club are questioned, as they were the only ones in the building during the time of the theft, and so they decide to get involved in the hunt for the thief. Suspicion initially centers around a book club attendee named Michael, who got a text in the middle of the evening and fled the scene. And was that blood on his shirt? Phyllis, an elderly woman mostly known for her obnoxious dog, is an Agatha Christie devotee, and she’s confident that the answer can be found between the pages of a Miss Marple book. She’s not shy about crashing funerals and snooping behind closed doors. Arthur, a retired farmer who read so many romance novels to his blind wife that he’s become a fan himself, is certain there’s a woman behind it, and he’s not afraid to help along any romances that might come his way. Ash, a shy teenager who tends to hide behind his hair, thinks of how Star Wars might apply to the situation.

Meanwhile, things are looking worse and worse for Nova and the community center both. On top of that, her mother-in-law insists that the wedding go the way she wants it to with no consideration of Nova or Craig’s wishes, and she’s infuriated that Nova won’t just give up her job and focus on walking down the aisle in a pouffy princess gown. When the group manages to get itself in further hot water, and it looks like Nova will miss her own rehearsal, it becomes apparent they’re on the wrong track–or are they?

The Busybody Book Club is a delightful read, full of fun characters that while quirky are entirely believable. The twists and turns of the plot are masterfully paced, and there’s a lot of humor too. It’s a perfect summer read, which I define as interesting enough to keep your attention on a plane ride or beach, but enjoyable enough to stay up late to finish!

I love the tagline for this book. They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder?

The St. Tredock Book Club, comprising of five members, faces a challenge and at least one of them is in hot water. The group’s founder, Nova Davies, hopes the book club will not only foster a sense of belonging among its members but also contribute to the struggling community center. The recent theft of thousands of pounds has dealt a devastating blow to the center. Will Nova be the one to take the blame for this serious theft?

While Nova is understandably concerned for her job, she is also deeply concerned for the center itself, and especially the people that rely on its services. Over a period of time, funding has become less and less available for the center, and it is only due to fundraising efforts that the funds were even available for an absolutely necessary repair. So this loss is devastating for more than one reason.

One of the members of the book club, Phyllis, an octogenarian always accompanied by her rather annoying bulldog, Craddock, is bound and determined to find the thief and recover the funds. She enlists the help of an endearing older member named Arthur, as well the much younger Ash. Nova can’t help but come along for the ride.

Nova has more pressing concerns than the theft and her job. She’s about to marry Craig, and her upcoming wedding already brings its own stresses. To top it off, since she’s relatively new to the community, losing her job would leave her with few options.

There’s one person that is the most likely suspect, but there are a rapid series of event events that occur that raise even more questions. This makes this small group of people struggle to work together even harder to try to recover the funds. More than that, recovering that money might be just critical as protecting any secrets that might be hidden.

Phyllis stands out as a compelling character in this novel. Her strong admiration for Agatha Christie and her aspiration to be just as effective as the renowned Miss Marple brings moments of levity in this book. However, there are other circumstances that contribute to the overall enjoyment of this well-crafted latest novel by Freya Sampson.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Nova, Arthur, Phyllis, Ash, and Michael...

...are the five members of the St. Tredock Book Club, a newly re-formed book club that hasn't quite found its groove yet. Can this book-loving group forego their disagreements, criticisms, and rigidity, and come together to solve the 'snowballing' mystery that impacts them all?...

"The Busybody Book Club" is tons of fun to read. This cozy mystery features short chapters that keep the pages turning, pique your curiosity, and draw you in. Once the twists kick in, so do the surprises.

As you meet these book club characters and watch them grow within the story, I hope you will come to love them too. My favorite is Phyllis, with her nod to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Her love of this character is a delight. Arthur deserves honorable mention as the type of friend everyone needs and should have. I miss both of them already, and by default, Miss Marple, too.

"The Busybody Book Club" is the second book I have read by Freya Sampson, who writes stories that are cozy and comfy enough to sink into, with a diverse character mix that keeps things moving, and themes that make essential connections to what matters in our lives.

Lastly, I do have one question for my British GR friends: Are Fish Paste Sandwiches really a thing? Y'all seem to come up with the most interesting food stuff from a can. Or is it a tube in this case? Just curious...

4⭐

Thank you to Berkley and Freya Sampson for the gifted DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

New to the area, Nova starts a book club at the local community center, but things are not going well. The group’s members don’t agree on much, and then funds being raised to repair the center’s roof are stolen during one of the meetings. Most fingers point to one of the book club members, especially when a dead body is found in his house. The group sets out to prove his innocence, solve the murder *and recover the stolen money, all while each of them tries to protect his/her own secrets.

I read one of this author’s earlier books and enjoyed it enough to want to read this book too. At first, I wasn’t sure I’d like this one, but I’m glad I stuck with it till the end. Each of the book club members had their own theories about the theft and the murder, but the one I was most annoyed with was Phyllis. Her theories were all based on plots from Agatha Christie books, even without evidence to support them, and they seemed to get wilder as the story continued.

The group seemed to bumble around more than conduct an actual investigation, but they found answers the police did not find, so they must have been doing something right. I still don’t know if it was be design or by accident that they solved both the murder and the theft, but solve them they did – and gained new friends, even a ‘found family’ along the way.

I wouldn’t mind reading more about this group of characters, but (at least so far), this author doesn’t write series, so I will look at some of her other books instead.

This is my second Sampson book and I really enjoyed this one. Cozy mysteries aren’t my usually my favorite but Sampson has a way to not put down a book! All the characters are so fun and intriguing! Highly recommend

“A girl as unique as you deserves something more original than that.”

I enjoyed Nosy Neighbors so much last year and I was so excited to get this early. Freya Sampson has this way of writing such delightfully quirky and interesting characters that are wrapped up in a fun and enthralling story.

This centers around a small book club of busybodies, who are all so different but find this beautiful community. But during their first meeting, six thousand pounds were stolen from the community center and later that night a dead body is found. It sends the book club into a spiral and they become armchair detectives to figure out the mystery.

These characters are so fun and quirky, and it’s so easy to want the best for them. I absolutely loved Arthur, the octogenarian that reads romance to his blind wife. He is such a sweet soul and the way he also helps Ash is so lovely. Phyllis was also a standout, and she is such a Miss Marple type. The characters worked so well together and provide so much levity in this cozy mystery.