Planning for Book Clubs

 LUCY BURDETTE: Before we get to the topic of the day (book clubs!), I'd like to extend my tremendous gratitude for everyone who helped launch The Mango Murders. The event at RJ Julia Booksellers was amazing--it's so much fun to talk to friends and readers in person! As an aside, if audio books are your poison, A POISONOUS PALATE  is 75% off through September 5.

LUCY BURDETTE: Now back to the topic at hand...It seems odd to me that mysteries and crime fiction can be lumped into a category of non-book club books--in other words, escapist reading, nothing worth discussing. We couldn't disagree more! With September around the corner and book clubs resuming meeting or planning their reads for the year, we thought we'd make a few suggestions. Five of us have new books that are just out or are coming this fall, and all of us have ideas about which of our books might make great book club fodder. Today you’ll hear from three of the Reds. We’ll suggest a book, a couple of discussion questions, and maybe something memorable to eat along with it. We’ll do part 2 with the other new releases in October.

I choose the brand new Mango Murders. You’ll find all my book club questions here, but here are a few to get you started:

1. Setting as Character: How does the tropical backdrop of Key West influence the tone and atmosphere of the story? In what ways does the setting contribute to the mystery?

2. Hayley’s Expertise: Hayley uses her culinary knowledge to aid in solving the crime. How important is her career as a food critic to the investigation? In what other ways does her profession help or hinder her?

3. The Explosion: The pivotal moment of the story is the explosion that transforms a party into chaos. How did this event shift the story's tone and escalate the stakes for Hayley?

4. Themes of Rivalry and Envy: The mystery revolves around professional rivalries and “recipe envy.” How do these themes play out among the characters? How do they relate to the world of food and culinary competition?

For the book club snack, I suggest a mango upside down cake. It’s super easy but delicious and fits with the theme perfectly.

RHYS BOWEN: Lucy, it’s funny that this arrived in my in box today as I’d just mailed off the list of book club questions to my publicist. (Of course this isn’t a mystery novel but historical fiction so more book clubs do tend to ask ).

Here are some of my questions for readers of Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure.

1. Did Ellie Endicott make the right decision when her husband demanded a divorce? What would you have done in the same circumstances.

2. Ellie takes two women with her—women she would not normally have considered friends. Would you have taken them?

3. Ellie has been the perfect wife. Everything runs like clockwork, her husband says. And yet the moment she is free of him she makes some rash decisions. Is this a side of her character she has not allowed to emerge before or is she evolving as a person?

4. One of her impulsive decisions is to take Yvette. Do you think that turned out well or badly for all involved?

5. What themes do you find running through the book? Second chances? Personal growth? The power of female bonding?

And for my book club snack it has to be a French cheese board with a fresh baguette.

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS is perfect for book clubs because it’s about an author on booktour–and her relationships with her readers, librarians, and booksellers. What starts as a glam cross country book tour turns into a deadly cross-country cat and mouse chase, with the author running for her life. No spoilers here--and even if you haven't read the book yet, you’ll be able to answer these!

1. On page one, Tessa walks out of her job, live on Insta—she's tired of feeling invisible. Tired of having good ideas that are appropriated by others, and tired of cleaning up after her colleagues' poor decisions and disasters. Have you ever felt like that in the work place? Have you ever just wanted to quit?

2. Tessa is part of a group called #MomsWithDreams. What would be your dream? Is there something that you have always wanted to do with your life? (If so, what’s stopping you?)

3. From the time she was a child, Tessa had a contentious relationship with her social-climbing mother. And that influence put Tessa in some extremely high-stakes situations–where she made decisions that she thought would make her mother happy. Have you ever done something to make someone else happy–only to have it backfire miserably?

4. Almost all of this book takes place in bookstores, libraries, airports and hotels–it's all on Tessa's book tour for her surprise bestselling novel. Have you ever been to an author event at a bookstore or library? Did you enjoy it? Have you ever wondered how the author felt about it?

5. Tessa becomes very apprehensive about parasocial relationships–devoted and adoring fans who relate to her book so much that they feel Tessa must understand them, personally, and should be their friend. Has reading a certain book ever made you feel so personally close to the author–that you feel they are thinking your very thoughts?

6. Tessa hears the voice of her main character very powerfully. Do you think that’s weird? Or do you think it’s logical that authors “hear” their character’s voices?

7. Tessa is on a weeks-long book tour, and must leave her beloved husband and two kids back home. How would you feel about that? She is the sole breadwinner–would that make a difference?

8. Tessa has to communicate with her family by Zoom and Facetime. And realizes she's only seeing what her husband and kids are putting in camera range–what are they leaving out? Would it frustrate you– or worry you?-- to know you’re not seeing the whole picture?

9. Tessa has memories of a gorgeous place she spent a few summer vacations. Did you have an idyllic place you visited as a child? What’s your best memory of that–or worst–and how vivid is it to you?

10. Tessa knows her life is an open book (ha ha) because her tour schedule is on her website–and as a result everyone knows exactly where she will be in person. And even what airport she might be using. Has the vulnerability of a public schedule ever seemed scary to you?

And for food for your event? Got to be Caesar salad with grilled chicken and a glass of red wine. That’s Tessa’s room service go-to!


Red readers, do you belong to a book club? How are the book selections made? What about the snacks? Does someone run the show or is it a free for all?