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Busy Body: A Witty Literary Mystery with a Stunning Twist
Busy Body: A Witty Literary Mystery with a Stunning Twist | Kemper Donovan
5 posts | 5 read | 1 reading | 6 to read
Veep meets Agatha Christie in this intelligent, wildly funny, literary mystery for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz, and Nita Prose! The host of the "All About Agatha" podcast injects the spark and fizz of a Golden Age murder mystery into the present-day, as a ghostwriter is chosen to collaborate on a presidential candidate's memoir, only to discover just how much trouble a smart woman with time on her hands can get up to . . . "A delight from start to finish. If you like Agatha Christie, you'll love this." - Alex Michaelides, # 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient "I tell other people's stories for a living. . . . I nip and tuck their excesses, soften their hard edges, polish whatever an armada of editors and publicists deem unsightly till it sparkles." It's a dream assignment. Former Senator Dorothy Gibson, aka that woman, is the most talked-about person in the country right now, though largely for the wrong reasons. As an independent candidate for President of the United States, Dorothy split the vote and is being blamed for the shocking result. After her very public defeat, she's retreated to her home in rural Maine, inviting her ghostwriter to join her. Her collaborator is impressed by Dorothy's work ethic and steel-trap mind, not to mention the stunning surroundings (and one particularly gorgeous bodyguard). But when a neighbor dies under suspicious circumstances, Dorothy is determined to find the killer in their midst. And when Dorothy Gibson asks if you want to team up for a top secret, possibly dangerous murder investigation, the only answer is: "Of course!" The best ghostwriters are adept at asking questions and spinning stories . . . two talents, it turns out, that also come in handy for sleuths. Dorothy's political career, meanwhile, has made her an expert at recognizing lies and double-dealing. Working together, the two women are soon untangling motives and whittling down suspects, to the exasperation of local police. But this investigation--much like the election--may not unfold the way anyone expects . . . "Kemper Donovan's voice is original, captivating, and assured." --Taylor Jenkins Reid, bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six "Kemper Donovan has created a hugely entertaining character, a ghost writer and amateur sleuth, who is wry, gossipy and completely compelling. The investigation into a murder disguised as a suicide is full of twists and turns worthy of a classic mystery novel." --Alex Michaelides, New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient "A gripping and highly entertaining mystery, with ingenuity and flair aplenty, and a wonderful detective character that readers will be dying to meet again." --Sophie Hannah, New York Times bestselling author "The Busy Body is a thoroughly modern, Agatha-Christie-esque mystery set in a sumptuous corner of moneyed, Maine wilderness. It's a delightfully escapist, page-turner." --Kimberly McCreight, New York Times bestselling author of Friends Like These
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review
alecia3dixie
The Busy Body | Kemper Donovan
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Mehso-so

I really loved the dynamic between the two main characters. The way they got along, I really liked. The mystery aspect was very okayish. I guessed pretty much the whole thing. But the romance was just very dull. No build-up at all, just boom bam. Also, there were some fatphobic comments I did not appreciate. 3/5

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Abailliekaras
The Busy Body | Kemper Donovan
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Pickpick

A really fun murder mystery, with a knowing wink to Agatha Christie and the genre. I loved the tone, sense of humour and contemporary references, not least Dorothy who is a failed presidential candidate, leaving the reader to guess who inspired her character. I found it hard to believe she would investigate the murders & I‘m still curious about the bodyguard but otherwise a light, engaging read with setting, twists & elements of classic crime.

CarolynM I‘ve just bought a copy of this. Glad to see you enjoyed it. I‘m looking forward to reading it even more now🙂 1mo
Abailliekaras @CarolynM let me know what you think! 4w
24 likes1 stack add2 comments
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keepingupwiththepenguins
The Busy Body | Kemper Donovan
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Pickpick

The Busy Body is a solid locked-room mystery with plenty of suspects, a couple of good twists, and very evocative prose. Donovan even leaves a nice little thread dangling for the next book in the series without leaving this one feeling unfinished, a very tricky balance to achieve. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/the-busy-body-kemper-donovan/

47 likes1 stack add
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S3V3N
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Mehso-so

It was just ok.

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julesG
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Pickpick

The narrator of this book is a professional ghostwriter - or as she describes it, a professional bullshitter. She's written several books for different celebrities.

She's staying with senator Dorothy Gibson (the woman who just lost the presidential election to "you know who" - and I guess you know which real life personalities might have inspired the characters) to draft her memoirs. Their drafting sessions are put on hold when the lovely lady ⬇️

julesG they met at the shops the other day is found drowned in the bathtub. It seems to have been suicide, maybe accidental; definitely well worth investigating. So, the ladies start sleuthing, much to the detriment of the local (incapable) police force. 3mo
Librarybelle Sounds interesting! 3mo
See All 6 Comments
julesG @Librarybelle I should have added, I enjoyed the humour and the many references to TV series, film and books - parallels are being drawn to (among others) Austen, Holmes, Miss Marple and Poirot. 3mo
Librarybelle Oh! That‘s awesome…I‘m stacking this! 3mo
Dragon Miss Marple , Poirot - you‘ve convinced me - stacked ❤️🐉 3mo
68 likes4 stack adds6 comments