cover image The Breakfast Club Murder

The Breakfast Club Murder

Camilla T. Crespi. Five Star Publishing, $25.95 (326p) ISBN 978-1-4328-2805-9

In this tight standalone from Crespi (The Trouble with a Hot Summer), the discovery of newlywed Valerie Fenwick’s body in the trunk of husband Rob Staunton’s BMW causes several citizens of Hawthorne Park, Conn., to point fingers. For the moment, Rob and his ex-wife, Lori Corvino Staunton, who assaulted Valerie two days earlier, are both on the suspects list. Lori meets with friends Beth, Margot, and Janet at the town’s old Greek coffee shop, Callie’s Place, where she enlists their support in an effort to identify the real killer. Apparently, more than one person close to Lori, including Janet’s husband, may have had good reason see Rob take the fall. Meanwhile, Lori stays focused on priorities such as protecting her 13-year-old daughter, reviving her catering business, cultivating a new love interest, and, of course, enjoying Callie’s hot apple pie. Some unexpected surprises will keep cozy fans turning the pages. (Feb.)