What do you think?
Rate this book
The Friday Night Mystery Club #01
The Friday Night Mystery Club
Decatur, Illinois/1986 - A nasty divorce leaves Cragan Collins with a mountain of bills and her grandmother to support. She takes a job as an ad salesperson for The Gazette. The market is tough, but Cragan finds a mentor in business reporter, Robert Smithson. One icy January day, Robert is found dead in a city park. His murder is dismissed as gay-on-gay crime. Cragan asks The Friday Night Mystery Club to find justice for Robert. Will Cragan's quest for the truth land her on the obituary page?
348 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2022
589 people are currently reading
1461 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Campbell Slan
163 books857 followersNational bestselling and award-winning author Joanna Campbell Slan was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but she grew up in a small town in Indiana. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in journalism, she worked as a newspaper reporter, a newspaper ad salesperson, a television talk show host, a college teacher, a public relations professional, and a motivational speaker. In that capacity, she was named by Sharing Ideas Magazine as “one of the top 25 speakers in the world.”
Slan's work has appeared in five of the New York Times Bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and one of those became a television show. She is the author of nearly 80 books, nonfiction and fiction, including Death of a Schoolgirl, which won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence.
Joanna's personal essays have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and one was made into a television program on the Pax Network. The college textbook Joanna wrote—Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience—has been praised as an invaluable resource by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter and endorsed by Toastmasters, International.
RT Book Reviews has called Joanna “one of mystery’s rising stars.” Her first novel—Paper, Scissors, Death—was an Agatha Award finalist. It features Kiki Lowenstein, a spunky single mom who lives in St. Louis. The sixth book in that series will be released Summer 2013.
Kirkus Reviews has said, “Slan’s mysteries are most valuable for the well-developed characters and the issues they raise.” RT Book Reviews has said, “Kiki is so darn entertaining that she’ll keep readers hooked.” A series of short stories featuring Kiki are available on Kindle.
Joanna’s newest series—The Jane Eyre Chronicles—began with Death of a Schoolgirl (Berkley) and continues with the release of Death of a Dowager. The series features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth.
As “Lila Dare,” Joanna has penned the fourth book in the Southern Beauty Shop series—Wave Good-bye.
Joanna is married to David Slan. The Slans live on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Website: www.JoannaSlan.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaCampbel...
Twitter: @JoannaSlan
Slan's work has appeared in five of the New York Times Bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and one of those became a television show. She is the author of nearly 80 books, nonfiction and fiction, including Death of a Schoolgirl, which won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence.
Joanna's personal essays have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and one was made into a television program on the Pax Network. The college textbook Joanna wrote—Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience—has been praised as an invaluable resource by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter and endorsed by Toastmasters, International.
RT Book Reviews has called Joanna “one of mystery’s rising stars.” Her first novel—Paper, Scissors, Death—was an Agatha Award finalist. It features Kiki Lowenstein, a spunky single mom who lives in St. Louis. The sixth book in that series will be released Summer 2013.
Kirkus Reviews has said, “Slan’s mysteries are most valuable for the well-developed characters and the issues they raise.” RT Book Reviews has said, “Kiki is so darn entertaining that she’ll keep readers hooked.” A series of short stories featuring Kiki are available on Kindle.
Joanna’s newest series—The Jane Eyre Chronicles—began with Death of a Schoolgirl (Berkley) and continues with the release of Death of a Dowager. The series features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth.
As “Lila Dare,” Joanna has penned the fourth book in the Southern Beauty Shop series—Wave Good-bye.
Joanna is married to David Slan. The Slans live on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Website: www.JoannaSlan.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaCampbel...
Twitter: @JoannaSlan
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 19, 2022
The Friday Night Mystery Club is the first in a series by Joanna Campbell-Slan, author of the Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft and related series. Set in 1986 (at least this book is) this series centers on Catherine Cragan Douglas Collins, Cragan to everyone.
Cragan has a degree in journalism and works for the Gazette in Decatur. However, she's not a reporter, she sells advertising. She notes that it's one job where she controls how much she makes (salary, bonuses, commission, etc.) and one where she's paid as much as the men. She needs her job and works hard at it because her divorce left her with nothing but debt. (Her ex, Tim, is a local TV sportscaster, a local celebrity. Cragan describes him as an idiot, a con man, and a cheat.)
The story opens with the death Cragan's friend and mentor, Robert. Robert was gay and early on the police have decided that's why he was killed. Cragan doesn't believe that. He was a hard-hitting investigative reporter who had uncovered fraud, malfeasance, misconduct, and mistreatment of employees. She thinks the story he was currently working on is connected to his death and decides to do some investigating of her own. Add in some help from members of the Friday Night Mystery Club, all of whom are housemates (a building divided into four apartments) who like to get together to read and discuss mysteries. Along with Cragan, the group includes Zee (a Black woman who works at the bank); Pru (a White woman who works as a stripper); and Rosie (an Hispanic woman who runs an English tea room -- and her son, Julio). Later, Winnie, Cragan's Tupperware-loving coworker joins in.
Toss in some threats against Cragan (and her Grandmother), the possibility of a Japanese auto plant coming to town, a campaign by her boss that threatens her job, the appearance of an almost ex who's a police detective investigating Robert's death... Will Cragan be able to put the clues together and figure out who killed her friend? And, will she be able to do it before she becomes a victim herself?
While I liked this book, I found it disjointed (2.5 stars rounded up to 3). I liked the protagonist, Cragan, a lot. Of her friends, we really only get to know Zee and Minnie. The others, though they contribute, are more in the background in this story. (Not unexpected for a first-in-series.) The mystery was good, with red herrings and clues thrown in to keep readers guessing. However, Cragan doesn't do a lot of the investigating. I found it funny that she mentions she could investigate Robert's death as a chance to put that college degree to work in a new way because I knew how to do research, yet doesn't really do any research. Also, at one point she says, "How could I have missed so many clues?" That's what I wondered, too. We get more information from Zee and Minnie than we do Cragan; though she does find herself in peril.
I'll spoiler-tag some inconsistencies (editing issues??) and things I noticed that bothered me as I read.
**
Overall, I liked the book. I liked the characters and the cozy setup to the series. We're introduced to two men who may play romantic leads as the series progresses. Ryder works with Cragan at the paper and Kevin, an old friend -- almost boyfriend -- whom Cragan ran from six years prior, who moved to town and works as a police detective. Their "break-up" led her to her marriage to (and divorce from) Tim. Rounding out the group of "regulars" are Cragan's grandmother, who suffered a stroke and the only word she can articulate is "shit," and a few people who work at the paper or are clients of Cragan's. Plus, the mystery was just involving enough.
I'll continue with the series, but this entry doesn't have me champing at the bit to do so. It was okay to good, but not great. I look forward to the series getting better.
This book was not complimentary. I am reviewing it of my own free will because the book, or the experience of reading it, moved me to do so. All thoughts and opinions are mine, biased only by my experience(s).
#FridayNightMysteryClub; #JoannaCampbell-Slan; #CozyMystery
Cragan has a degree in journalism and works for the Gazette in Decatur. However, she's not a reporter, she sells advertising. She notes that it's one job where she controls how much she makes (salary, bonuses, commission, etc.) and one where she's paid as much as the men. She needs her job and works hard at it because her divorce left her with nothing but debt. (Her ex, Tim, is a local TV sportscaster, a local celebrity. Cragan describes him as an idiot, a con man, and a cheat.)
The story opens with the death Cragan's friend and mentor, Robert. Robert was gay and early on the police have decided that's why he was killed. Cragan doesn't believe that. He was a hard-hitting investigative reporter who had uncovered fraud, malfeasance, misconduct, and mistreatment of employees. She thinks the story he was currently working on is connected to his death and decides to do some investigating of her own. Add in some help from members of the Friday Night Mystery Club, all of whom are housemates (a building divided into four apartments) who like to get together to read and discuss mysteries. Along with Cragan, the group includes Zee (a Black woman who works at the bank); Pru (a White woman who works as a stripper); and Rosie (an Hispanic woman who runs an English tea room -- and her son, Julio). Later, Winnie, Cragan's Tupperware-loving coworker joins in.
Toss in some threats against Cragan (and her Grandmother), the possibility of a Japanese auto plant coming to town, a campaign by her boss that threatens her job, the appearance of an almost ex who's a police detective investigating Robert's death... Will Cragan be able to put the clues together and figure out who killed her friend? And, will she be able to do it before she becomes a victim herself?
While I liked this book, I found it disjointed (2.5 stars rounded up to 3). I liked the protagonist, Cragan, a lot. Of her friends, we really only get to know Zee and Minnie. The others, though they contribute, are more in the background in this story. (Not unexpected for a first-in-series.) The mystery was good, with red herrings and clues thrown in to keep readers guessing. However, Cragan doesn't do a lot of the investigating. I found it funny that she mentions she could investigate Robert's death as a chance to put that college degree to work in a new way because I knew how to do research, yet doesn't really do any research. Also, at one point she says, "How could I have missed so many clues?" That's what I wondered, too. We get more information from Zee and Minnie than we do Cragan; though she does find herself in peril.
I'll spoiler-tag some inconsistencies (editing issues??) and things I noticed that bothered me as I read.
**
Overall, I liked the book. I liked the characters and the cozy setup to the series. We're introduced to two men who may play romantic leads as the series progresses. Ryder works with Cragan at the paper and Kevin, an old friend -- almost boyfriend -- whom Cragan ran from six years prior, who moved to town and works as a police detective. Their "break-up" led her to her marriage to (and divorce from) Tim. Rounding out the group of "regulars" are Cragan's grandmother, who suffered a stroke and the only word she can articulate is "shit," and a few people who work at the paper or are clients of Cragan's. Plus, the mystery was just involving enough.
I'll continue with the series, but this entry doesn't have me champing at the bit to do so. It was okay to good, but not great. I look forward to the series getting better.
This book was not complimentary. I am reviewing it of my own free will because the book, or the experience of reading it, moved me to do so. All thoughts and opinions are mine, biased only by my experience(s).
#FridayNightMysteryClub; #JoannaCampbell-Slan; #CozyMystery
October 29, 2021
Getting together to discuss mystery books over a nice dinner, a group of friends find themselves involved in a real life mystery after their friend, Cragan, becomes the number one suspect in the death of a local reporter. This is The Friday Night Mystery Club by Joanna Campbell Slan.
The protagonist, Catherine Cragan Collins, otherwise known as Cragan, is an underdog you can’t help but root for. She is a bit naive at times, but it doesn’t take away from the all around caring and friendship she offers. Surrounded by great friends, Zee who works at the bank, Rose who has a son and owns her own tea shop, Pru who is an exotic dancer, and Winnie who works at the local paper with Cragan. The plot kept my attention and was entertaining. There are a few laugh out loud moments, especially involving Winnie and her Tupperware. I have always loved Ms. Slan’s writing style, it’s laid back, easy to read, and she always hooks the reader with very little effort. She is very good at tapping into the reader’s emotions and have them rooting for her protagonist whether she’s being bullied at work or having a bad day. Her books are hard to put down. Because it was set back in 1986, some readers may be offended by the attitudes of people in those days. Things were definitely different back then, and readers will need to understand that going in.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are my own.
The protagonist, Catherine Cragan Collins, otherwise known as Cragan, is an underdog you can’t help but root for. She is a bit naive at times, but it doesn’t take away from the all around caring and friendship she offers. Surrounded by great friends, Zee who works at the bank, Rose who has a son and owns her own tea shop, Pru who is an exotic dancer, and Winnie who works at the local paper with Cragan. The plot kept my attention and was entertaining. There are a few laugh out loud moments, especially involving Winnie and her Tupperware. I have always loved Ms. Slan’s writing style, it’s laid back, easy to read, and she always hooks the reader with very little effort. She is very good at tapping into the reader’s emotions and have them rooting for her protagonist whether she’s being bullied at work or having a bad day. Her books are hard to put down. Because it was set back in 1986, some readers may be offended by the attitudes of people in those days. Things were definitely different back then, and readers will need to understand that going in.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are my own.
July 29, 2022
Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.
https://novelsalive.com/2022/07/29/4-...
The Friday Night Mystery Club by Joanna Campbell Slan is the first book in the series by the same name.
It took a bit to get started since there were several characters to sort through, and some were difficult to like. The story is set in Decatur, Illinois, in 1986 in an area that’s hurting given the times. The Friday Night Mystery Club ties the inhabitants of the four apartments together where Cragan lives. Although they are all currently single, there isn’t much else connecting the residents except their friendship and Friday night book club, where they discuss what they are all currently reading.
There’s a mystery afoot when Robert, Cragan’s best friend, is found dead in a park. The two worked together at the local newspaper, and Robert had taken Cragan under his wing. Robert was a reporter, and Cragan sold ads to local businesses.
In addition to the mystery of Robert’s death, there is also the mystery of what he was working on at the time and why his bosses at the paper are saying he wasn’t actively working on anything. Of course, Cragan knows that’s not true, especially since there are rumors galore about a potential business coming to town that would change the entire landscape.
Cragan’s an amateur sleuth and invites her friends to brainstorm with her to help solve the mysteries. She’s not only trying to solve crimes but also protect herself, her grandmother, and her friends when bad things start to happen.
There are several clues sprinkled throughout that got my adrenaline pumping. Some characters are working hard and others hardly working, businesses to run, lots of interactions with the police, more and more crimes, injuries, lies, secrets, sadness, tears, people who are not as they seem, exes, and those who want to be more. Many characters have a connection that isn’t readily obvious, but as pieces fit together, more and more are revealed.
There were many twists and turns, and it flowed smoothly once I got into the book. After the danger escalates, things fall into place. Cragan always seems to be at the right place but the wrong time. However, she eventually solves the mystery.
There is closure, loose ends are tied up, and there’s also the potential for a couple of love interests for Cragan. The story seemed to end abruptly, but I’m glad we’ll be returning to this series and hope we can pick up where we left off. I like that books themselves played an important role.
Ms. Slan has penned a fabulous start for an entertaining series with The Friday Night Mystery Club. Cragan is a plucky and determined character, and the Mystery Club adds a fun twist to amateur sleuthing
https://novelsalive.com/2022/07/29/4-...
The Friday Night Mystery Club by Joanna Campbell Slan is the first book in the series by the same name.
It took a bit to get started since there were several characters to sort through, and some were difficult to like. The story is set in Decatur, Illinois, in 1986 in an area that’s hurting given the times. The Friday Night Mystery Club ties the inhabitants of the four apartments together where Cragan lives. Although they are all currently single, there isn’t much else connecting the residents except their friendship and Friday night book club, where they discuss what they are all currently reading.
There’s a mystery afoot when Robert, Cragan’s best friend, is found dead in a park. The two worked together at the local newspaper, and Robert had taken Cragan under his wing. Robert was a reporter, and Cragan sold ads to local businesses.
In addition to the mystery of Robert’s death, there is also the mystery of what he was working on at the time and why his bosses at the paper are saying he wasn’t actively working on anything. Of course, Cragan knows that’s not true, especially since there are rumors galore about a potential business coming to town that would change the entire landscape.
Cragan’s an amateur sleuth and invites her friends to brainstorm with her to help solve the mysteries. She’s not only trying to solve crimes but also protect herself, her grandmother, and her friends when bad things start to happen.
There are several clues sprinkled throughout that got my adrenaline pumping. Some characters are working hard and others hardly working, businesses to run, lots of interactions with the police, more and more crimes, injuries, lies, secrets, sadness, tears, people who are not as they seem, exes, and those who want to be more. Many characters have a connection that isn’t readily obvious, but as pieces fit together, more and more are revealed.
There were many twists and turns, and it flowed smoothly once I got into the book. After the danger escalates, things fall into place. Cragan always seems to be at the right place but the wrong time. However, she eventually solves the mystery.
There is closure, loose ends are tied up, and there’s also the potential for a couple of love interests for Cragan. The story seemed to end abruptly, but I’m glad we’ll be returning to this series and hope we can pick up where we left off. I like that books themselves played an important role.
Ms. Slan has penned a fabulous start for an entertaining series with The Friday Night Mystery Club. Cragan is a plucky and determined character, and the Mystery Club adds a fun twist to amateur sleuthing
September 20, 2021
An exciting mystery set in 1986 in Decatur, Illinois, which happens to be where I lived in 1986. I was enthralled to read the book which was focused around the city's newspaper called "The Gazette." Cragan Collins sold advertising for the paper, and much of the book involved her doing her job while trying to solve a murder of her friend who was an investigating reporter at the paper.
The book is filled with wonderful characters, good friends, and vivid descriptions, especially about the fickle Decatur weather. It was one of those books that the reader is easily absorbed by the story and it makes them feel like they are actually a part of what is happening. Well written without any sluggish parts or unrelated fillers. This felt like it could have been real...except I know Decatur didn't get a Japanese automobile manufacturing company. It will definitely keep your interest and keep you guessing until the end!
I hope there will be more books about these characters as I would enjoy reading more mysteries in this setting. Great mystery with surprises along the way!
The book is filled with wonderful characters, good friends, and vivid descriptions, especially about the fickle Decatur weather. It was one of those books that the reader is easily absorbed by the story and it makes them feel like they are actually a part of what is happening. Well written without any sluggish parts or unrelated fillers. This felt like it could have been real...except I know Decatur didn't get a Japanese automobile manufacturing company. It will definitely keep your interest and keep you guessing until the end!
I hope there will be more books about these characters as I would enjoy reading more mysteries in this setting. Great mystery with surprises along the way!
September 4, 2025
I liked the storyline, and the characters…good and bad. Setting, timeline, dialogue, conclusion…all of it.
The timeline errors killed the reality of it at times, hopefully the next one in the series corrects that.
The timeline errors killed the reality of it at times, hopefully the next one in the series corrects that.
October 27, 2022
A delightful story in need of a proofreader (or copy editor) - and a heroine who does not continually do stupid things. This author has been doing this long enough to at least have a decently edited and proofread final product. The errors really took away from the enjoyment. A more emotionally mature main character would have also been nice, but baby steps...
September 4, 2025
The Friday Night Mystery Club is the first book in the series by Joanna Campbell Slan. The characters are likable and there are some twists that kept the mystery interesting. Cragan Collins is divorced and moves to Decatur, IL. She works at the local newspaper selling ads. She is on a tight budget and takes care of her grandmother who is in assisted living so she needs her job. Cragan is friends with Robert who helps her learn the business but he ends up dead. Cragan suspects Robert knew something that got him killed. Robert was gay and that is a fairly big part of the story. Cragan is having problems with her boss Yakky and her ex husband Tim. Luckily she has her friends and the Friday Night Murder Club. Usually they discuss books but now they have a real murder to solve. Cragan reconnects with her former boyfriend Kevin who is a police detective. Ryder is the new boss at the paper and he is supportive and helpful. There are some great humorous moments which I really enjoyed. There is a little swearing and a lot of injuries. It is mostly a cozy mystery but a little bit outside the usual cozy guidelines. It is unique because it takes place in the 1980s before cellphones and electronics that we take for granted today. It gives the story a different perspective. I really liked Cragan, Winnie, the other members of the mystery club, Ryder and Kevin. There are secrets revealed and plot twists that made it hard to put down. I'm looking forward to the next book to see what trouble Cragan gets in next! I received a free audiobook from the author and I voluntarily leave this review. #TheFridayNightMysteryClub #SpotOnPublishing #JoannaCampbellSlan #cozymysteryaudiobook
July 1, 2025
This book took me back in time. I have always lived in Illinois. I went to college and grad school in downstate Illinois, in Macomb in the late 70’s and early 80’s. This book brought back lots of memories. I remembered what things were like back then at my first jobs and women’s rights back then. This book was well written with a wonderful heroine, Cragan Collins. I learned a lot about newspaper ad sales. Cragan had lots of bad luck with her boss and his treatment of her. Fortunately she had friends and support at work. The story revolves around a group of 4 women who have apartments in an old home. They became friends and start a club where they have dinner and drinks and discuss a book. After, things happened, they also discussed the murder and the implications. This story was about the murder of Cragan’s mentor, a reporter from the paper. After she tries to solve the mystery, she finds herself in a jam. Cragan also has bad luck with men. Her ex husband is a creep and now, her former love has arrived in Decatur. He’s the new homicide detective. When this was written, things were going well in the country for women since 1986. However, now in 2025, many of the women’s and minority rights have been stripped away by the republican regime.
I highly recommend reading this book. I love all Joanna’s books and this series is fabulous!
I highly recommend reading this book. I love all Joanna’s books and this series is fabulous!
August 12, 2022
The Friday Night Mystery Club by Joanna Campbell-Slan, is the first in a series set in the’80‘s. I love her Kiki Lowenstein series so figured this would be good too. I wasn’t disappointed. Cragan works at a newspaper as an ad rep. Her boss is setting her up to fire her. She is struggling to keep her job as she has to support her grandmother who had a stroke and is in a home. Then her best friend ends up murdered and she is blamed for it! After a surprising will reading everything changes for Cragan. She is put in physical danger time after time as she tries to find Robert's killer. She has to fight to save her job and her life. There are lots of twists and turns and even a few love interests to spice things up.
I really enjoyed reading this book and liked most of the characters. However, the editing was awful and there were a lot of contradictions in the story. Still, overall, a great story and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this ebook from the author and would like to thank her for the opportunity to read it.
I really enjoyed reading this book and liked most of the characters. However, the editing was awful and there were a lot of contradictions in the story. Still, overall, a great story and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this ebook from the author and would like to thank her for the opportunity to read it.
March 29, 2023
What could possibly be more fun than a ladies book club, that focus' on murder mysteries? Well, quite simply Cragan's whole life... Making her comback from a divorce Cragan takes a job as an advertisment salesperson at a local paper where she lives. Things begin to go downhill when her best friend and mentor, at the paper, is found murdered.
It seems her boss is out to fire her, her ex-husband wants her out of town, someone is hurting her grandmother (in the nursing home) and, her one solace is reading. She hopes the ladies in, the murder myster club will help her find who murdered Robert. The police believe it's her! SMH
I don't want to include any spoilers in my review, so you will have to read this wonderful book! BTW It's the first book in a series. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series. Ms. Slan had me from the first page.
My final thoughts, pick up this book, sit back, have a cup of coffee and get ready for the adventure! I was laughing and crying in parts of this story, it is a very relatable story!
It seems her boss is out to fire her, her ex-husband wants her out of town, someone is hurting her grandmother (in the nursing home) and, her one solace is reading. She hopes the ladies in, the murder myster club will help her find who murdered Robert. The police believe it's her! SMH
I don't want to include any spoilers in my review, so you will have to read this wonderful book! BTW It's the first book in a series. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series. Ms. Slan had me from the first page.
My final thoughts, pick up this book, sit back, have a cup of coffee and get ready for the adventure! I was laughing and crying in parts of this story, it is a very relatable story!
September 1, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
I've enjoyed this author's Kiki Lowenstein series, so I thought I'd take a chance on this series as well, and I'm glad I did. The MC spent a lot of time whining about winter in Illinois, and the Friday Night Mystery Club didn't really come into play until about halfway through the book, but I appreciated the MC's attitude toward her job and her circumstances. Instead of giving up, she rolled with the punches and fought for what she believed in. That's a refreshing change of pace.
It wasn't hard to figure out what was going on in the story, or who was behind it, but it was fun to watch Cragan put all the pieces together - with the help of her friends and, eventually, the Friday Night Mystery Club. I'll read the next in the series when I get my hands on a copy.
I've enjoyed this author's Kiki Lowenstein series, so I thought I'd take a chance on this series as well, and I'm glad I did. The MC spent a lot of time whining about winter in Illinois, and the Friday Night Mystery Club didn't really come into play until about halfway through the book, but I appreciated the MC's attitude toward her job and her circumstances. Instead of giving up, she rolled with the punches and fought for what she believed in. That's a refreshing change of pace.
It wasn't hard to figure out what was going on in the story, or who was behind it, but it was fun to watch Cragan put all the pieces together - with the help of her friends and, eventually, the Friday Night Mystery Club. I'll read the next in the series when I get my hands on a copy.
August 4, 2023
4 1/2 stars rounded up.
Great Mystery!
Pros:
This is a suspenseful mystery with a likeable main character who has to deal with a lot of difficult situations. I loved how Cragan worked hard to support herself and she cared for her grandmother (amongst others). There is also a lot of winter atmosphere with cold temperatures, snow and ice.
Cons:
There were numerous editing mistakes that were quite distracting such as “I thrusting my arms into my coat when my boss, Yakky, stormed out of his glassed-in office and past me.” and no question mark in “Speaking of outrageous. Did you see this morning’s headline.”
Excerpt I liked:
Even so, a library by any other name would still smell as sweet. There’s a distinctive fragrance to real books, a combination of the paper, ink, and binding plus a residue of human touch. I’ve never met a book I didn’t like. Ever.
Great Mystery!
Pros:
This is a suspenseful mystery with a likeable main character who has to deal with a lot of difficult situations. I loved how Cragan worked hard to support herself and she cared for her grandmother (amongst others). There is also a lot of winter atmosphere with cold temperatures, snow and ice.
Cons:
There were numerous editing mistakes that were quite distracting such as “I thrusting my arms into my coat when my boss, Yakky, stormed out of his glassed-in office and past me.” and no question mark in “Speaking of outrageous. Did you see this morning’s headline.”
Excerpt I liked:
Even so, a library by any other name would still smell as sweet. There’s a distinctive fragrance to real books, a combination of the paper, ink, and binding plus a residue of human touch. I’ve never met a book I didn’t like. Ever.
October 10, 2024
The Friday Night Mystery Club had it all for me--a likeable female lead character, an unlikeable ex-husband, a murder to solve, interesting secondary characters, dangerous situations, and hints of future romance. It's 1986 in Decatur, Illinois. Catherine Cragan Collins is an ad sales person at the Gazette. Her best friend was a gay man --Robert Smithson, who was an investigative reporter. She is shocked and saddened when he is found dead in a park. The detective on the case is her ex-boy friend, Kevin Stuart, who she hasn't seen in five years. With the help of the detective, the new retail ad manager--Ryder Hamilton, and the members of her Friday Night Mystery Club, she manages to survive long enough to solve the murder mystery. This book was very entertaining and it wrapped things up nicely at the end!
August 5, 2023
Cozy mysteries are my go-to for light reading. With so many on the market, they're easy enough to find. However, this is one that I found difficult to finish. The predicatable plot had enough unique twists to hold my interest.
But it was the editing, or lack thereof, that had me screaming inside every time I came across another misplaced pronoun, article or noun. In one paragraph the heroine prepared a cup of coffee and sat it on the table to cool. Three sentences later she "slowly sipped her TEA"!
Clearly, there was no professional editor involved with this publication. It appears as though the final draft was spell checked and sent to print. Unfortunately, I will not be spending any more Friday nights with the Mystery Club.
But it was the editing, or lack thereof, that had me screaming inside every time I came across another misplaced pronoun, article or noun. In one paragraph the heroine prepared a cup of coffee and sat it on the table to cool. Three sentences later she "slowly sipped her TEA"!
Clearly, there was no professional editor involved with this publication. It appears as though the final draft was spell checked and sent to print. Unfortunately, I will not be spending any more Friday nights with the Mystery Club.
May 7, 2024
I received this Kindle book from Goodreads.com in exchange for an honest review. Cragan is an ad salesperson in Decatur and living paycheck to paycheck after her divorce from the local TV sports reporter. Her best friend is found dead in a local park in the middle of winter. As she works to find out why he was murdered the town is in an uproar because of a possible car manufacturing plant that may come to town. It gets a bit convoluted as the story goes on.
It was weird that the Friday Night Mystery Club doesn’t appear in the story until half way through the book. Instead of discussing books they try to help finding information about the shady goings on in town that may have been the reason for her friend’s murder.
It was weird that the Friday Night Mystery Club doesn’t appear in the story until half way through the book. Instead of discussing books they try to help finding information about the shady goings on in town that may have been the reason for her friend’s murder.
September 21, 2021
Joanna Campbell Slan has done it again! With The Friday Night Mystery Club, she has created another series and character that I absolutely love! Cragan Collins is devastated when she learns of the death of her friend and mentor, one of the few newspaper reporters who treats her with respect. The year might be 1986 but sometimes she feels like she is working in the 1950's. Sexism, as well a a lot of other biases, abound but she is determined that they will not stop her from investigating his death. With help from a couple of surprises sources as well as her own experience and determination keep her going through challenges that keep coming!
October 31, 2025
Overall, the plot was ok. There were just quite a few issues that I dislike and will keep me from continuing with the series. The fmc continually did things that put her in danger, for no real reason. There were multiple clues to the killer(s) that were totally ignored. The fmc was almost continually mistreated by her boss(es) with no recourse or comment. I lost count of the number of times she cried or "teared up". The repetitive conversations and descriptions were distracting at best. Editing was not good and missing words or changed names, places, actions were frustrating. Lastly, it seemed (strongly) that there was a set up for a love triangle and I hate dealing with those.
August 12, 2023
Lots of twists and turns in this book. You never knew who to trust. While some people were clearly plotting something, others just seemed upset over the death of a friend. The main character is so overly concerned with keeping her job that she makes some reckless decision that nearly cost her everything. Thankfully she has good friends in her book club and a few co-workers who know the scoop on the conspiracies that are going on. I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book to see how things proceed with Kevin and Ryder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2023
A dangerous mystery
I was a kid in the 1980s, so I get most of the references in the book. Many of them I had forgotten until reminded. It was surreal to read a mystery set in the 80s because I'm so used to reading current day mysteries that my brain got stuck every time danger loomed and there was no easy backup. The rescue came from people caring about the main character and acting to help.
I enjoyed the story even though I was scared for the main character at least half the time.
I was a kid in the 1980s, so I get most of the references in the book. Many of them I had forgotten until reminded. It was surreal to read a mystery set in the 80s because I'm so used to reading current day mysteries that my brain got stuck every time danger loomed and there was no easy backup. The rescue came from people caring about the main character and acting to help.
I enjoyed the story even though I was scared for the main character at least half the time.
September 21, 2021
Joanna Campbell Slan has become one of my top three favorite authors. This latest read, “The Friday Night Mystery Club” kept me enthralled throughout the whole book. Having lived with the pluses and minuses of TIF’s, and hoping for manufacturing in our former two home towns in Illinois, was a great way to weave a murder mystery.
Thanks for another great mystery book with a fantastic female lead and friends.
Thanks for another great mystery book with a fantastic female lead and friends.
November 9, 2021
Fun read
If you want a laugh out loud book with a crazy main character, this is your read. Small town life mixed with murder and plenty of plot twists means this book won’t be easily put down. I am looking forward to the next installment. With two great men after the main character, I want to know who gets the lady. But more than that I want to know what trouble the ladies of the Friday night mystery book club can get into.a
If you want a laugh out loud book with a crazy main character, this is your read. Small town life mixed with murder and plenty of plot twists means this book won’t be easily put down. I am looking forward to the next installment. With two great men after the main character, I want to know who gets the lady. But more than that I want to know what trouble the ladies of the Friday night mystery book club can get into.a
October 30, 2022
Good book for a first start. Interesting plot, well-developed and likeable characters, but oboy does this author need a good editor! No typos per se but lots of dropped words, and in one scene the heroine makes a cup of coffee and then drinks her tea. Also, for me, who have a past life as a typesetter, there was way too much long-winded narrative about the function of the Heidelburg press, and how ads are created. Otherwise, good action, interesting women.
January 10, 2024
Fun story, lots of errors
I try not to be bothered by a few editing mistakes, but this story had a lot that interrupted the flow of an easy read (leading to 3 stars). But the characters were likeable and entertaining. The story moved forward at a nice pace. And while some of the answers were obvious from early, there were surprises along the way. It was also pretty clean with minimal swearing and no graphic intimacy. I will probably try book 2 and hope for better editing.
I try not to be bothered by a few editing mistakes, but this story had a lot that interrupted the flow of an easy read (leading to 3 stars). But the characters were likeable and entertaining. The story moved forward at a nice pace. And while some of the answers were obvious from early, there were surprises along the way. It was also pretty clean with minimal swearing and no graphic intimacy. I will probably try book 2 and hope for better editing.
June 3, 2024
Cragan solves the murders!
The whole story here is about whether or not a Japanese car manufacturer is going to build a factory in town and the people that are using the secret knowledge to line their pockets. As an ad sales person for a newspaper, Cragan gets around and hears a lot of gossip. Then her best friend is found murdered in a city park. This sets Cragan off on a hunt for the killer. Wait until you find out who the killer is!
The whole story here is about whether or not a Japanese car manufacturer is going to build a factory in town and the people that are using the secret knowledge to line their pockets. As an ad sales person for a newspaper, Cragan gets around and hears a lot of gossip. Then her best friend is found murdered in a city park. This sets Cragan off on a hunt for the killer. Wait until you find out who the killer is!
June 22, 2024
A really good read
A newspaper ad woman, divorced, living in a house of 4 apartments with friends, and her best friend, Ryan is found dead in a park. A book filled with friendship, problems with work, and a desire to know what happened to her best friend. This book has a lot of interesting people, things happening in Decatur, with police and new boss, and the Friday Night Book Club, which helps find the answers.
A very good read, with lots of plot twists.
A newspaper ad woman, divorced, living in a house of 4 apartments with friends, and her best friend, Ryan is found dead in a park. A book filled with friendship, problems with work, and a desire to know what happened to her best friend. This book has a lot of interesting people, things happening in Decatur, with police and new boss, and the Friday Night Book Club, which helps find the answers.
A very good read, with lots of plot twists.
April 4, 2025
Good read
I like mysteries. And I really liked this one. Murder, suspense, friendship, betrayal, lies, a fortune, maybe love, and more. It is all in this book. A hard-working divorcee struggling to prove herself to an employer with an attitude. Her friend Robert had been killed. She was determined to find his killer. She was constantly in trouble. I loved her faithful mystery club members and how they met on Friday nights. I had trouble putting it down.
I like mysteries. And I really liked this one. Murder, suspense, friendship, betrayal, lies, a fortune, maybe love, and more. It is all in this book. A hard-working divorcee struggling to prove herself to an employer with an attitude. Her friend Robert had been killed. She was determined to find his killer. She was constantly in trouble. I loved her faithful mystery club members and how they met on Friday nights. I had trouble putting it down.
November 11, 2021
This is a very enjoyable cozy mystery. As expected, the protagonist, Cragan, is a sweet, impoverished, hardworking young woman who takes crazy chances trying to solve the mystery of who murdered her best friend. Cragan’s girlfriends are great characters and there are two (count ‘em) TWO handsome hunks in her life!
June 13, 2022
Fun book
I really liked the book and the characters
As a former teacher(30years) what I found disturbing was the many print errors I found.
Did no one edit this? One example is when she was getting coffee at the station, a few lines later she was sipping her tea. May not be a big deal for some but for me, it's distracting.
Suzanne
I really liked the book and the characters
As a former teacher(30years) what I found disturbing was the many print errors I found.
Did no one edit this? One example is when she was getting coffee at the station, a few lines later she was sipping her tea. May not be a big deal for some but for me, it's distracting.
Suzanne
February 10, 2023
An entertaining mystery set in Decatur, Illinois in the year 1986 when newspapers were still in vogue and cell phones weren't the norm. Cragan's friend is murdered, and she is the number one suspect. With the help of her Friday night mystery club, she sets out to find the real murderer and the reason behind it. This is a good read for cozy mystery fans and those nostalgic for the good old day.
April 1, 2025
Friday night murder club
A murder mystery with a bit of a harder edge. A newspaper ad executive is determined to find out who killed her friend and co-worker. There is at the heart of the mystery a cover-up involving a automobile plant coming to town. Several suspects emerge. With Cragan confronting the killer and finding a second killer.
A murder mystery with a bit of a harder edge. A newspaper ad executive is determined to find out who killed her friend and co-worker. There is at the heart of the mystery a cover-up involving a automobile plant coming to town. Several suspects emerge. With Cragan confronting the killer and finding a second killer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews