For fortysomething Poppy McAllister, taking a stroll down memory lane in Cape May, New Jersey, isn’t just awkward—it’s deadly. Newly widowed and stuck in a middle-aged funk, Poppy has been running on cookies, infomercials, and one-sided chats with her cat for months. There’s no way on earth she’s attending her twenty-five-year class reunion—especially after receiving a very bizarre letter … very bizarre letter from Barbie, the popular cheerleader who taunted her all through high school. At least, not until Poppy’s best friend practically drags her to the event . . .
Using the dreaded homecoming as an excuse to visit her eccentric Aunt Ginny, Poppy vows to leave Cape May with pride and Spanx intact. Too bad Barbie is still the queen of mean at the reunion. And worse, that her dead body is lying right in front of Poppy’s old locker. Singled out as the killer, it’s up to Poppy to confront her past and clear her name. But between protecting her aunt from disaster and tackling a gluten-free diet, can Poppy crack the case before she’s voted “Most Likely to Die” by the murderer?
Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!
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I loved this book! I’m addicted and plan on reading the whole series. Smart, funny, and yes, touching, with a wonderfully likeable protagonist. Trust me, this series will hook you.
Looking for memorable characters? Engaging writing? Laugh-out-loud humor? You’ve come to the right book! Don’t miss this hilarious, heartwarming page-turner.
I picked up this book because of its gluten free heroine. I loved it for its funny tone. What a great start to a series.
Put on your seatbelts, and a crash helmet, because CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER is a fast paced, high speed ride of a story.
Before I had a chance to read this book, I had friends messengering me telling me I had to put it to the top of my TBR. I started it with high hopes and was not disappointed. Page after page I was laughing so hard I was crying. It took me forever to write this review because the only word that kept coming to mind was laughtastic. While it is accurate description for so many parts of this tale, it just doesn’t do justice to the mystery aspect of CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER.
This outstanding whodunit had an entire high school class of suspects, and with a victim like Barbie Pomeroy Clark, it could have been any one of them. The author did a great job in introducing a lot of characters at once but keeping everyone and everything clear for her readers. Though I did manage to narrow down the list of suspects, I never did nor never would have guessed who did it or why.
A giant kudos to the author for showcasing a truly relatable protagonist. I felt a true connection to series lead, Poppy McAlister. I was a lot like her in school, and now. It felt good to be able to relate in so many ways. But as much as I loved Poppy, my favorite character in this story was Poppy’s Aunt Ginny. She’s such a riot! Oh, the fun I would have had with an aunt like her! I can’t wait for the next installment to spend more time with these ladies.
Make sure to check out the recipes at the back of the book. You’ll find some great Paleo dishes!
An excellent mystery, that was just plain fun to read, CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER is now on my list of favorite cozies for 2018.
This cozy mystery charmed me from the get-go! Poppy McAllister is a feisty, flawed protagonist who “pops” off the page with her sense of humor, her fierce determination, and her clever way of squeezing info even from the most reluctant of suspects. Aunt Ginny was a hoot and a half, the perfect sidekick for Poppy. The ending was quite a surprise, and I didn’t glean it until the final pages. Book two in this promising new series is already on my TBR list!
I LOVED IT SOOOO MUCH! This was a very engaging story with a great variety of characters.
Poppy comes back to Cape May for her 25 year Highschool class reunion. Barb, the head cheerleader and her arch nemesis, is still as rude and unlikeable as she had been in Highschool. When she is killed that night and Poppy discovers the body she becomes the prime suspect.
I don’t have a lot in common with Poppy but her character was so well written that I could relate to her and her problems at all times. It was great to see how she changed and took charge of her life over the course of the book.
I highly recommend this as a must read to every cozy mystery lover. I didn’t want the book to end so I was happy to see the first chapter of the second installment included at the end. There are also some very tempting recipes that I can’t wait to give a try. We hopefully don’t have to wait too long to read more from Poppy and the gang.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with a copy.
This cozy mystery is funny and easily read. Definitely a good choice for your next plane ride.
I absolutely LOVE this book. First in a new series that I hope has many many books in it’s future. There are so many relatable things inside that I caught myself laughing out loud, shaking my head and feeling like I was along for the crazy ride.
Aunt Ginny is so much fun, a perfect sidekick. So many twists and turns that had me guessing and still couldn’t believe it when the murderer was announced. The 80’s references made me love it even more. A amazing book, I am ready to jump into book two right now! Thanks Libby for one of my new favorite series
I enjoyed this cozy mystery. This is the first in the series so there is a lot explanation. Poppy has returned to help her Aunt Ginny out and go to her Class Reunion. At the reunion she meets up with old friends and mean girls. When one of those mean girls is killed and Poppy is the suspect she sets out to solve the crime. Along with the murder she also has to help her Aunt hold onto her house. There is a lot of humor as Poppy tries to juggle both mysteries and bakes Gluten Free Treats for a local bakery. I really liked Aunt Ginny. The author does a good job with the South New Jersey Setting and baking background. The mystery was good and there were a lot of suspects. The solution made sense. The book was a quick light, enjoyable read. The back of the book includes some of Poppy’s Gluten Free recipes. I am looking for word to reading more in this series. Enjoy
Great writing style, I finished and immediately bought the next book in the series.
East Coast /NJ humor, funny& frank. it also dealt with people’s insecurities that were developed in high school, how they continue to affect them and the mistakes people make.
I ordered the next book in the series because I liked the first one so much!!
Fun. Not too heavy. Love the cat.
I love Poppy and love this new cozy mystery series! Poppy has been invited to her high school reunion and just isn’t really sure she wants to delve into that life again. Tired of dealing with the mother of her recently deceased husband, realizing she should visit her aunt she hasn’t seen in awhile and ultimately being convinced by her best friend Sawyer, Poppy decides to make the trek home and deal with the consequences later. Who knew part of the consequences would end up involving the murder during the reunion of one of the popular cheerleaders, with Poppy in the first suspect seat! Poppy’s personality will make you constantly laugh out loud. I love the references to the 80’s and anyone who mentions the Muppets is automatically loved by me! There is also a very positive underlying story line about becoming who are are after high school and being comfortable and accepted as who we are in the end, even when we are mean and judgmental towards ourselves, question our decisions and become people we didn’t picture – we are all who we are meant to be and figure it out and life does go on after high school. I can’t wait for the next release in this series so I can go back and see what happens to some of my new found favorite character “friends”.
This book made me laugh and I like authors who can be humorous while writing about a serious subject. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered a copy for my sister.
This is very light reading, but there are times when that’s just perfect! You know it will turn out fine, and it might take your mind off heavier matters. I like that. Just fun.
Loved it! Really enjoyable, you could relate with the characters. Funny yet it’s a mystery who done it
I love Aunt Ginny. She really made this book for me. Love funny seniors in stories. So glad Poppy is finally turning her life around and going to take care of herself (physically, mentally, career-wise). I just hope she doesn’t feel she needs a man to complete her life – so no love triangles necessary. I love the idea of the bed and breakfast. I’m glad Poppy moved back to live with her aunt and be near her friends. So looking forward to book 2.
lots of fun to read
We have all been there, the high school reunion with the mean girls. This book tells us what we already know, but didn’t want to say out loud – Yes, the mean girls are still mean!