A Book Club to Die For reminds me a bit of a cozy locked room mystery as we have a woman who is killed in a kitchen, with a variety of suspects and clues available to pursue if you know where to look. All of the regular characters are present in the book, and while I do find some of them particularly annoying, including Tru herself, the overall mystery was engaging and I always enjoy a mystery that features a book at its core.

First of all, the main characters True and Jace, while I do like them, are kind of wimpy in my estimation. Tru is controlled by her mother while Jace is controlled by his relationship with Tru and some of her behaviours, something that always rubs me the wrong way. And to keep blaming everything on Southern manners and traditions drives me bonkers. Tru is a grown-ass woman who can decisions for herself and to have her mother constantly nagging at her about what she eats, what she buys at the grocery store, and threatening to come to her house and clean out all her food is annoying. And to have to hide food in your own house from your mother? Maybe I don't understand southern thinking, but really? And Jace. To threaten someone's position on a force because of your relationship? I did think the other characters were interesting and really enjoyed the relationship Tru has with her best friend.

I did find the mystery to be interesting as there are book snobs to be found all over the world, and I love how the author includes that in her mystery. To have the mystery focused around an elite book club was fun, and I definitely enjoyed the irony and sarcasm around the comments in the book about people's reading preferences and styles and what they should be reading. And I liked how in a small town, such a book club could be incorporated into social status and be used to further one's career prospects. Philosophical clubs were used this way in the past (elite men's clubs), so it's not surprising to see them used this way in today's society, and the pressure to conform would be enormous.

The plot moved along rather quickly, and the pacing was even. Because of the nature of the murder, Jace was not allowed to investigate, so Tru got involved simply because she was there when it happened and people like to talk to her. The flow of conversations felt natural and Tru doesn't do stupid things like in other books or hinder the police in any way. I did find the solution to the mystery to be a bit bland, and wished it had been more complicated than it was so I felt a bit let down. The book does suffer from repetition, especially concerning the hidden library, something I still find a little silly, but I do love that cat. I think the discussions surrounding the use of technology versus the use of physical books to be quite fascinating, but the hidden library thing needs to be better developed. Anyone with an eye could figure out what was going on with that. And I'm still wondering if I should be upset at who died as she was a miserable piece of work. For the life of me, I just could have garner an ounce of sympathy.

Verdict
A Book Club to Die For is a light, cozy read that was fairly predictable and did have a tendency to ramble on at times, especially when it came to that secret library. The characters were typical, no one actually stood out, although I think Flossie's job needs to be explored more as that kind of rankled, and the mystery was light, fun, but so, so easy to figure out. If you are looking for a light, fun read, then this is definitely for you. ( )

Trudell has been asked to speak at a very exclusive book club which is meeting at Hazel’s home. Hazel just happens to be her boyfriend’s mother. The leader of the group is bossy, opinionated, and feared by most everyone. She is also dead in the kitchen. The prime suspect? Hazel, of course. The lead detective believes it, even if others don’t. Trudell’s boyfriend, also a detective, is prohibited from doing any investigating, which is why he seeks Tru’s help. It also appears that if Tru can prove Hazel innocent, she will unwillingly cast suspicion on another friend. It’s a well written mystery that will keep readers in suspense. The main characters are quite likable, and their side stories adds much interest to the tale. ( )

I was able to figure out who the killer was quite early in the story but I still enjoyed reading the reveal and all of the little hints and clues that Dorothy parceled out throughout the novel. I would never want to be in the Arete Society, I would hate to have someone telling me what I can and cannot read on my own. I loved when Mrs. Farnsworth had that moment with Tru (don't want to give anything away) but I am very happy that Tru doesn't have to stress about that particular thing anymore. Love how mischievous Dewey was in this book, you just knew he was trying to tell Tru something. I am very much looking forward to reading book #4 in the Beloved Bookroom mystery series. ( )

A Book Club to Die For by Dorothy St. James is the third A Beloved Bookroom Mystery. For those new to the series, the book can be read as a standalone. A Book Club to Die For is easy to read and it has steady pacing. There is an interesting cast of characters (they would fit right into any small Southern town). I do not blame Tru for trying to save the library’s books and opening a secret library (any booklover in her position would do the same). Tru is having a hard time, though, keeping the secret library a secret. I cannot imagine a library without physical books. I just love Tru’s cat, Dewey (who could resist that cute face). The mystery is amusing. Tru is asked to speak at the elite Arete Society (a fancy book club). When the president of the group ends up dead before the meeting begins, the police zero in on the hostess of the event. Unfortunately, the hostess is Hazel Bailey who happens to be Jace’s mother (and Tru is dating Jace). Jace is not allowed to investigate. Tru dons her detective cap and sets out to expose the killer. Tru asks questions and soon learns that here are plenty of people who wished the victim dead. There is misdirection to keep readers off the trail of the true killer. I wish the solution had been more challenging. It can be deduced soon after the murder (before if you are an avid mystery reader). Everything comes together for Tru, and she sets out to capture the killer. When Tru is not busy working or trying to clear Jace’s mother, she is on the hunt for her father. He has disappeared and no one seems to know where he is located. Tru must also keep the basement library a secret from Mrs. Farnsworth, her boss (and the fact that Tru brings Dewey to work with her each day). A Book Club to Die For is told in the first person which leaves us privy to all of Tru’s thoughts. She tends to ramble. There are repetitive details (I lost track of how many times we are told that Flossie is dying to become a member of the Arete Society). I am baffled as to why Hazel would serve tuna noodle casserole at what is supposed to a classy event. There is humor scattered throughout. I especially found the Tech Bros latest creation hilarious (there is one scene involving yellow dust that cracked me up). A Book Club to Die For is an upbeat tale with a bag of books, a dead diva, a metal menace, a clever cat, a caffeine conundrum, a missing man, and a casserole killer. ( )

Tru Becket is an assistant librarian who has solved a couple of mysteries. She works in a library that has gotten rid of all of its books in favor of technology. But Tru has a secret print library in the basement for people, like her, who love print books.

She has been asked to make a presentation to the Cypress Arete Society - the oldest and most prestigious book club in town. When she and her friend Flossie arrive early, they discover Rebecca White who is the club president moving furniture and harassing this month's hostess. When she rushes off to the kitchen to "supervise" Hazel Bailey who is this month's hostess and the mother of Tru's boyfriend Jace, Tru is left arranging furniture until there are a couple of loud thumps in the kitchen.

When Tru gets there, Rebecca is dead on the floor and the only possible suspects are Rachel and Flossie. Tru can't believe that either of them could have killed Rebecca, but the police don't agree.

Jace askes Tru to do her own investigating and find out who really killed Rebecca which leads to lots of possibilities since Rebecca wasn't very well loved. She was an actress on a soap before she quit and came to Cypress where she has been busy throwing her weight around.

I liked Tru and thought that the story was well-plotted. This is the first in the series that I have read, and it worked well as a standalone for me. I got very involved trying to figure out who really did murder Rebecca since there were so many likely possibilities.

Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy this one. ( )