The Book Club Murders by Maggie Allswell is a cozy mystery steeped in bookish charm, where a group of avid readers obsessed with fictional killers suddenly finds themselves tangled in a very real one.
Judy lives for her Thursday nights with the Serial Killers Book Club – an easy rhythm of gossip, cheap wine, and crimes that stay safely between the pages. Until one day, they don’t.
When Judy is tasked with picking up the month’s selections from the library – thanks to her daughter Sarah’s all-important date – she stumbles into something far darker than overdue books. Librarian Wendy is found dead in her home, a bottle of sleeping pills spilled beside her and a copy of Romeo and Juliet nearby. The police are quick to call it suicide, backed by a typed note. But Judy knows better. Wendy loathed Shakespeare – there’s no way she’d be caught dead with it… except, now, she is.
What follows is the book club’s transformation from armchair enthusiasts to amateur detectives. Each member slips into a role straight out of their favorite genre, digging into Wendy’s life and uncovering secrets that refuse to stay buried. Nigel, the tavern owner, may have had more than a casual connection to Wendy. Bryan, the bookshop owner, harbors a rivalry with the library that runs deeper than professional jealousy. And as theories stack up, so do the possibilities of who might have wanted Wendy gone.
Meanwhile, Judy has her hands full closer to home. Sarah’s new boyfriend, Frank, raises more than a few red flags. Having watched her daughter’s heart break one too many times, Judy isn’t taking chances. Balancing suspicion of Frank with the growing mystery surrounding Wendy’s death, Judy finds herself chasing answers in every direction – while the book club buzzes with speculation and barely-contained gossip.T
he central questions linger: who wanted Wendy dead badly enough to make it happen? Can Judy untangle truth from rumor before someone else becomes the next victim? And will Frank ever pass Judy’s very personal test?
Allswell delivers a delightfully quirky cast whose banter and bickering are half the charm. Judy anchors the story as a sharp, observant lead – her protectiveness and curiosity keeping her firmly at the center of the unfolding chaos. Her grief adds a subtle emotional weight without ever overshadowing the cozy tone. Wendy, though gone, is vividly constructed through flashbacks and whispers; she becomes less a victim and more a reflection of the town’s buried truths. The supporting cast may orbit the edges, but each plays a crucial role, bringing humor, tension, and an authentic sense of chemistry to the story.
The pacing hits all the right cozy-mystery notes, with short chapters and well-placed mini-cliffhangers that keep the momentum steady. Allswell captures the feel of everyday life – casual chatter, dry humor, and small-town quirks – while threading in clues that feel like pieces of living evidence. The episodic structure flows cleanly, each revelation feeding into the next as the stakes quietly rise. Her voice is crisp and observant, rich with detail: the damp chill of rainfall, flaking paint on a windowsill, biscuits and crisps shared over speculation. It’s a world where community is comfort – but also a liability. The same neighbors who remember your birthday also remember your secrets.
If you are looking for a lightly twisted, smartly paced cozy that balances the fun of fictional sleuthing with a real emotional core, The Book Club Murders by Maggie Allswell is a def need to be added to your TBR. Releases May 22, 2026 and available for pre-order now on Amazon!
I would like to thank Maggie Allswell and NetGalley for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for The Book Club Murders. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
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