Book Groups

Continuing our annual tradition, which started in 2013, our May meeting will be a “Series Share” night! Because the libraries have volumes in so many brand-new mystery series constantly being added to the collection, most of which we don’t get in large quantities of copies, we’re not assigning any specific authors or titles this month. Instead — we encourage all attendees to sample a new “mystery”, “suspense” or “thriller” series, which launched in the past few years (2021 to 2024). Come to Just Desserts prepared to give a nutshell description of the series, the protagonist, the setting, the writing style, etc., and what your opinion is of that series — thumbs up or thumbs down. Extra points if it is a brand-new series, or a less-well-known author!

Attendees at Just Desserts are always looking for great new series to try out…our track record has been that this “series share” opportunity gives us all a lot of new authors to explore!

Note: Because of the unusual nature of this month’s discussion, we can’t guarantee that we’ll get to our traditional “Round Robin” at the end of the meeting — we hope to, but the discussion of “Series Shares” may take more time than anticipated!

In June, the Just Desserts group will be reading and discussing the latest book from an author that we’ve never discussed before, William Landay.

Here’s the plot description of All That is Mine I Carry With Me from the jacket blurb:

Three grown siblings confront their father’s role in their mother’s disappearance in this arresting novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Defending Jacob.

Jane Larkin disappeared without a trace in November 1976. When ten-year-old Miranda arrives home from school that autumn afternoon, finding her mother’s pocketbook in its usual spot in the front hall, she assumes her mother will be back any minute. But as the hours tick by, alone in the house, Miranda becomes filled with a steady certainty that her mother will never come home again. In the absence of other leads, detectives quickly turn their suspicions toward Jane’s husband, Daniel. A criminal defense attorney, Dan would know a thing or two about how to stay one step ahead of investigators. Indeed, no evidence is ever found. But nor is any real possible motive. And so Miranda and her two older brothers, Jeff and Alex, are left in limbo, to be raised by the man who may or may not have murdered their mother.

Over the years, as the case grows colder, each makes their own uneasy peace with the situation. Until one day, when they are all grown — and a body is found.

Suddenly, the investigation is reinvigorated, and everyone has to choose a side in a confrontation they have long avoided. Once lines are drawn, there is no going back. Untangling a web of family secrets, compelling motives, and long-held grudges, William Landay masterfully grapples with a tantalizing case, calling into question the most basic of morals: How deep should family loyalty run? What do we owe to the dead? And what happens when the search for the truth could cost everything?

William Landay online: Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Threads | FantasticFiction

In July, the Just Desserts group will be reading and discussing a 2023 mystery that showed up on many “Best of” lists for the year, and is set during the heat of summer at a luxurious vacation destination — Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum.

Here’s the plot description from the jacket blurb:

Emma Rosenblum’s Bad Summer People is a whip-smart, propulsive debut about infidelity, backstabbing, and murderous intrigue, set against an exclusive summer haven on Fire Island. None of them would claim to be a particularly good person. But who among them is actually capable of murder?

Jen Weinstein and Lauren Parker rule the town of Salcombe, Fire Island every summer. They hold sway on the beach and the tennis court, and are adept at manipulating people to get what they want. Their husbands, Sam and Jason, have summered together on the island since childhood, despite lifelong grudges and numerous secrets. Their one single friend, Rachel Woolf, is looking to meet her match, whether he’s the tennis pro-or someone else’s husband. But even with plenty to gossip about, this season starts out as quietly as any other. Until a body is discovered, face down, off the side of the boardwalk. Stylish, subversive, and darkly comedic, this is a story of what’s lurking under the surface of picture-perfect lives in a place where everyone has something to hide.

Emma Rosenblum online: Website | Facebook | Twitter/X | Instagram | FantasticFiction