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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala by Laura DiSilverio is the third book in A Book Club Mystery series. Amy-Faye Johnson is an event planner/organizer in Heaven, Colorado (what a lovely name for a town) and has arranged a Celebration of Gothic Novels for Gemma Frant who owns Book Bliss. There is a question and answer session with three gothic writers, an auction, a writing contest, and a costume party and dance. The Readaholics book club has read Rebecca in honor of the event. Constance Aldringham, Francesca Bugle, and Mary Stewart are the three gothic writers who agreed to come to Heaven for the events. At the question and answer session there is a man with a baseball cap. He is a stranger to the town. He stands out because most of the audience is women. He asks one question of the authors and then departs. Amy-Faye notices him again at the auction, but then her attention is diverted when there is a mix-up with an auction item. Someone added an item to the auction. The matter was quickly resolved, and the group moved on to the writing contest. When there is a little snafu at this event as well, Amy-Faye knows something is up. Someone is trying to make a point to one of the writers. They just have to get through the costume party and dance without another incident. Unfortunately, it is not to be. The man in the baseball cap turns up at the costume party. He is found in the manager’s office with a metal stake through his body. Who is this man and what did he do to get himself murdered? The weapon used belonged to Lola Paget. Everyone knows she did not commit the crime, but they have to prove it. Can Amy-Faye and the Readaholics find the culprit before it’s too late (most of the people are visitors to town for the gothic gala event and will soon take off for home)?
The Readaholics and The Gothic Gala was a good cozy mystery. I enjoyed reading this novel. The book is easy to read, has interesting characters, and a nice, small town setting. The mystery was complex and not easy to solve (which was just wonderful). The more difficult the mystery is to solve; the better I like them. I appreciated the Kinsey Millhone and Sleepy Hollow references in the book. I give The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala 4.5 out of 5 stars (I more than liked it, but I was able to solve the mystery). While this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. The author brings the reader up-to-date on past happenings. Will I read the next book in A Book Club Mystery series? Definitely. There are references to gothic novels in The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala as well as a discussion on Rebecca by the book club.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The Readaholics and The Gothic Gala was a good cozy mystery. I enjoyed reading this novel. The book is easy to read, has interesting characters, and a nice, small town setting. The mystery was complex and not easy to solve (which was just wonderful). The more difficult the mystery is to solve; the better I like them. I appreciated the Kinsey Millhone and Sleepy Hollow references in the book. I give The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala 4.5 out of 5 stars (I more than liked it, but I was able to solve the mystery). While this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. The author brings the reader up-to-date on past happenings. Will I read the next book in A Book Club Mystery series? Definitely. There are references to gothic novels in The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala as well as a discussion on Rebecca by the book club.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
holly_keimig's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the conclusion of this series. I had not read Rebecca so it was not as fun being able to connect the story line with the events in the mystery, but fans of Gothic literature will enjoy those. I wish there were more in this series!
msnyderk's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the first two books in this series but this one just didn't hold my interest. I was drawn to this series because of the book aspect to it. Although there is a bookstore scene and some light mentioning of the book the book group is reading, the whole book club emphasis is not there. I felt it centered more around Amy Faye's entertaining business and other scattered things. I don't know, something got lost for me....not sure I will return to this series.
jodyladuemcgrath's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third installment of The Book Club Mysteries by Laura DiSilverio. Amy-Faye is hired by to put together an event celebrating gothic writers. It will include a small panel of current gothic writers, an auction, and a costumed ball. All the plans seem to be in order...and then the authors and their problems and egos arrive. Amy-Faye holds it together until at the ball a woman, who is stalking one of the writers, shows up and flings faux blood on everyone. If that isn't bad enough, the manager brings Amy-Faye back to his office where summon has staked a man on his desk. Well Amy-Faye just can't help herself, and with her Readaholic friends, there is snooping and shenanigans to get up to!
This series just keeps getting better and better. I loved the gothic backdrop of this one. The characters have really grown from the first book and each are distinct in their persona now. Maude is still easily my favorite character, and she is still seeing conspiracies everywhere. As for the side characters in this book, the authors were all great and added a lot of humor in spots also. The last scene with them all was a hoot!
I would definitely recommend this book to all cozy mystery fans. It is part of a series and it is nice for backstory if you read them in order, but it is also fine as a stand alone novel. I can't wait to see what happens in the next one!
This series just keeps getting better and better. I loved the gothic backdrop of this one. The characters have really grown from the first book and each are distinct in their persona now. Maude is still easily my favorite character, and she is still seeing conspiracies everywhere. As for the side characters in this book, the authors were all great and added a lot of humor in spots also. The last scene with them all was a hoot!
I would definitely recommend this book to all cozy mystery fans. It is part of a series and it is nice for backstory if you read them in order, but it is also fine as a stand alone novel. I can't wait to see what happens in the next one!
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
Amy-Faye Johnson’s book group, the Readaholics, is reading the classic mystery Rebecca which is fitting since Amy-Faye is currently responsible for coordinating a gothic novel festival in her hometown of Heaven, Colorado. Amy-Faye is an event planner and this one seems perfect for a booklover like Amy-Faye, but although the festival gets off to a good start, things go downhill quickly. What should have been a perfect part of the weekend’s festivities turns ugly when a body is found at the gothic-themed costume party Amy-Faye had coordinated. Now it’s up to Amy-Faye and her friends to find the real killer before there are any more victims.
Amy-Faye and her fellow book club members make a good team when they work together to find the killer. Amy-Faye and her friends are each very different, but have the love of reading in common and are always there for each other. It’s fun to see a group of friends come together for each other and to solve the latest crime that happens in their small town. The investigation into the murder is interesting, especially with the added fun of the Gothic festival, and I wasn’t able to guess the real killer. I also enjoyed their discussion of the book Rebecca. It’s definitely not necessary to have read that classic mystery to enjoy this novel, but you will appreciate the book club’s discussion if you have.
I like the author’s writing style and had enjoyed her previous Mall Cop series as well. The book is filled with plenty of humor, but also intelligent discussions on books, and great writing to tell the story of the murder of a man unknown to the people of Heaven. I hope this isn’t the last of Amy-Faye’s adventures. Fans of Erika Chase or Kylie Logan will enjoy the latest in Laura DiSilverio’s Readaholics series.
This review was originally written for Smitten by Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Amy-Faye and her fellow book club members make a good team when they work together to find the killer. Amy-Faye and her friends are each very different, but have the love of reading in common and are always there for each other. It’s fun to see a group of friends come together for each other and to solve the latest crime that happens in their small town. The investigation into the murder is interesting, especially with the added fun of the Gothic festival, and I wasn’t able to guess the real killer. I also enjoyed their discussion of the book Rebecca. It’s definitely not necessary to have read that classic mystery to enjoy this novel, but you will appreciate the book club’s discussion if you have.
I like the author’s writing style and had enjoyed her previous Mall Cop series as well. The book is filled with plenty of humor, but also intelligent discussions on books, and great writing to tell the story of the murder of a man unknown to the people of Heaven. I hope this isn’t the last of Amy-Faye’s adventures. Fans of Erika Chase or Kylie Logan will enjoy the latest in Laura DiSilverio’s Readaholics series.
This review was originally written for Smitten by Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
melmo2610's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic story in this series! I am so sorry it is the last one for I have loved this series. Great characters, exciting mysteries and fun reads. I enjoyed the bookish themed mystery in this one. It kept me guessing and the ending was satisfying. This is going on my favorite series list for sure.
mchavarria228's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
The series is about Amy-Faye, an event coordinator, and her book club. It’s interesting to be reading a book about a book club and their reviews of the books they are reading, or have read. This is my first book in the Book Club Mystery series, and I really enjoyed it. I was worried going into it that I was not going to know the characters, but by the end – I felt like I knew each one. I also felt that if I had read the other books, I wouldn’t have had too much repetition about each of the characters, which is nice.
A stranger in small-town Heaven, Colorado has been murdered, and the book club takes it into their own hands to try to help solve the murder. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that it seemed to take a long time to get to the murder, but after that I felt like it was fast paced and really an enjoyable read. It was really fun to try and guess along with Amy-Faye about what was next and who had committed the murder. The book makes me really want to visit Colorado sometime as it sounds so beautiful.
I will definitely go back and read the other two books in this series and I would recommend this book to others.
The series is about Amy-Faye, an event coordinator, and her book club. It’s interesting to be reading a book about a book club and their reviews of the books they are reading, or have read. This is my first book in the Book Club Mystery series, and I really enjoyed it. I was worried going into it that I was not going to know the characters, but by the end – I felt like I knew each one. I also felt that if I had read the other books, I wouldn’t have had too much repetition about each of the characters, which is nice.
A stranger in small-town Heaven, Colorado has been murdered, and the book club takes it into their own hands to try to help solve the murder. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that it seemed to take a long time to get to the murder, but after that I felt like it was fast paced and really an enjoyable read. It was really fun to try and guess along with Amy-Faye about what was next and who had committed the murder. The book makes me really want to visit Colorado sometime as it sounds so beautiful.
I will definitely go back and read the other two books in this series and I would recommend this book to others.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Still not having as much as charm as the first, the third was still an enjoyable mystery with a book-centered theme. I was especially fangirling when it started out with a celebration of famous Gothic authors and books, including a bookish cake and costume party. Murder comes to the celebration, of course, but it was interesting to meet three "current" gothic writers and their demented families. Rebecca is the book's theme, one of my favorites, and for most of the length I didn't think they focused enough on it fairly in their book club discussions like previous novels. They fixed that during the last few chapters, giving their theories and again settling in for a movie version. That reminds me, I still need to watch that Hitchcock adaptation...
The mystery is worthy enough, especially the ending where it looked like they may have been tricked for a minute. On the downside, there wasn't any way for the reader to figure out the villain because that big reveal wasn't there until the end. Unfortunately there were too many coincidental discoveries and finds for the MC, especially with stumbling on vans and the bathroom. I liked how Rebecca blended in with the ending of the mystery a bit, and how the author brought up the intriguing disorder of Kleptomania and treated it seriously.
Amy-Faye is as fun as ever, again mentally conjuring her favorite detective Kinsey Millhone in some circumstances, Stephanie Plum in others. Hart and her finally progress their relationship to another level, and I'm happy the author avoided a love triangle that was hinted in the first book - none of that in sight now. Fans of Maud will be happy since we get plenty of the older, conspiracy-seeking friend. Brooke gets some happy news that has been brewing for three books as well. Amy-Faye and the gang are all present, and I'm happy to see they gave a small moment of remembrance to their lost friend from the first book.
The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala delivers another book-themed cozy that works - the series is well-written and evenly paced. While the mystery isn't fair for budding detectives since it's not solvable without sudden discoveries that pop up at the end, it's inventive enough with some amusing tributes to detectives mystery readers will recognize from other book series. Strangely the author dropped a hint that one of the characters slept with Jack Nicholson on a movie set. Worth reading if you're a fan of cozies, although you should start from the beginning of the series for the full effect of the characters.
Still not having as much as charm as the first, the third was still an enjoyable mystery with a book-centered theme. I was especially fangirling when it started out with a celebration of famous Gothic authors and books, including a bookish cake and costume party. Murder comes to the celebration, of course, but it was interesting to meet three "current" gothic writers and their demented families. Rebecca is the book's theme, one of my favorites, and for most of the length I didn't think they focused enough on it fairly in their book club discussions like previous novels. They fixed that during the last few chapters, giving their theories and again settling in for a movie version. That reminds me, I still need to watch that Hitchcock adaptation...
The mystery is worthy enough, especially the ending where it looked like they may have been tricked for a minute. On the downside, there wasn't any way for the reader to figure out the villain because that big reveal wasn't there until the end. Unfortunately there were too many coincidental discoveries and finds for the MC, especially with stumbling on vans and the bathroom. I liked how Rebecca blended in with the ending of the mystery a bit, and how the author brought up the intriguing disorder of Kleptomania and treated it seriously.
Amy-Faye is as fun as ever, again mentally conjuring her favorite detective Kinsey Millhone in some circumstances, Stephanie Plum in others. Hart and her finally progress their relationship to another level, and I'm happy the author avoided a love triangle that was hinted in the first book - none of that in sight now. Fans of Maud will be happy since we get plenty of the older, conspiracy-seeking friend. Brooke gets some happy news that has been brewing for three books as well. Amy-Faye and the gang are all present, and I'm happy to see they gave a small moment of remembrance to their lost friend from the first book.
The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala delivers another book-themed cozy that works - the series is well-written and evenly paced. While the mystery isn't fair for budding detectives since it's not solvable without sudden discoveries that pop up at the end, it's inventive enough with some amusing tributes to detectives mystery readers will recognize from other book series. Strangely the author dropped a hint that one of the characters slept with Jack Nicholson on a movie set. Worth reading if you're a fan of cozies, although you should start from the beginning of the series for the full effect of the characters.
booknallnight's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect book to kick off my Fall-centered reading! I know, I know... It's mostikely not even close to Fall for most people, but for me the weather is already cooling and Fall is here.
I love reading books that have books or bookish characters and this was an enjoyable one. Not only was it set around gothic books and their authors, it has a costume gala, murder, and mystery. I can't think of a better way to spend my day.
I absolutely love the Readaholics and the friendship they all share through, not only books, but through their everyday life occurrences. That they also solve mysteries together is a plus.
I love reading books that have books or bookish characters and this was an enjoyable one. Not only was it set around gothic books and their authors, it has a costume gala, murder, and mystery. I can't think of a better way to spend my day.
I absolutely love the Readaholics and the friendship they all share through, not only books, but through their everyday life occurrences. That they also solve mysteries together is a plus.
_kristiew_'s review against another edition
4.0
This is the 3rd and final book in the Book Club series. I really wish this series had continued as I really like Amy-Faye, her family and friends. Heaven also sounds like a great place to visit. In this book, Amy-Faye coordinated a weekend for gothic authors to gather at the local bookstore and attend various events in town. Naturally someone dies and Amy-Faye, along with her friends, investigate the murder. Maud was featured more in this book and I liked how her and Amy-Faye worked together. I never guessed the killer or motive, it was pretty interesting how things worked out.