Murder at the Book Group

October 13, 2014
Murder on Tour, a Richmond, Va., book group that focuses each meeting on mysteries that share a geographic setting, provides the milieu for King’s entertaining debut. At a gathering devoted to Florida-based mysteries, one of the group’s cofounders, Carlene Arness, who’s normally soft-spoken and composed, is highly critical of the books under discussion, especially after an old acquaintance of hers from L.A. drops by. The group’s other cofounder, Hazel Rose, wonders whether Carlene’s irritation is a sign that something’s amiss in her personal life. By night’s end, Carlene is dead of cyanide poisoning. Certain that the suicide note is a fake, Hazel worries that any number of people around Carlene had an interest in her demise. Carlene’s estranged husband, Evan Arness, was once married to Hazel, which complicates matters. Readers will find more substance here than in most cozies. Agent: Mel Berger, WME.

November 1, 2014
Hazel Rose and Carlene Arness start a mystery-book group in which each member talks about different mysteries on a theme. The latest meeting takes a tragic turn when, shortly after discussing cyanide as a murder weapon, Carlene dies from cyanide-laced tea, prompting Hazel and Carlene's flamboyant stepsister, Kate, to join forces in an effort to find the murderer. In the process, they discover that the seemingly prim and reserved Carlene hid many secretsbut some weren't all that hidden. Carlene was seen having sex in the library parking lot and arguing heatedly with another woman at a recent book signing. Rumors abound as well about the state of Carlene's marriage (to Hazel's ex). Complicating matters further, the other members of the book club turn out to have unpleasant secrets of their own, making for plenty of red herrings. While certain plot elements may strike readers as far-fetched, this promising series debutedgier and sexier than many coziesshould intrigue anyone who enjoys biblio crime.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)