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The Friday Night Mystery Club #03
Tuesday Trash and Trouble
Book #3 in a delightful new series.
Set in 1986, Joanna Campbell Slan’s latest cozy mystery— Tuesday Trash and Trouble --features a down-on-her-luck divorcée whose passion for solving crimes lands her in the arms of a secretive cowboy--and the cross-hairs of a vengeful killer.
The year is 1986, the place is…pitiful. It’s Decatur, Illinois, known for high unemployment, striking unions, the pervasive stink of soybean processing, and seven railroad crossings at one intersection.
A wrong turn along life’s marital highway has left Catherine “Cragan” Collins stuck in Decatur. With a mountain of post-divorce bills to pay, Cragan takes a job selling high-priced newspaper advertising. If she’s lucky, her commissions will cover the cost of her grandmother’s stay in a nearby retirement home.
After the divorce, Cragan swears off men, but she’s a sucker for a guy in a nice suit. She falls hard for a man who publicly snubs her. On the rebound, she accepts an invitation from Ross Gentry, a quiet hunk who favors pearl snaps and cowboy boots. Cragan reasons that her heart is safe, because she and Ross come from two different worlds. But one night in his arms might be enough to prove her wrong.
Without warning, everything blows up in Cragan’s face. Her boss threatens to take away her accounts, a friend’s little sister is kidnapped, and an overnight guest is shot. Cragan’s best friend, Pru, is accused of attempted murder. After all, Pru’s gun was used in the crime.
Cragan calls an emergency meeting of the Friday Night Mystery Club. These mystery-loving career women are a group of smart cookies. Can their combined talents prove that Pru is innocent? And will they find an answer in time to save Cragan from the wrath of a vengeful shooter?
It takes a club to solve a mystery!
Set in 1986, Joanna Campbell Slan’s latest cozy mystery— Tuesday Trash and Trouble --features a down-on-her-luck divorcée whose passion for solving crimes lands her in the arms of a secretive cowboy--and the cross-hairs of a vengeful killer.
The year is 1986, the place is…pitiful. It’s Decatur, Illinois, known for high unemployment, striking unions, the pervasive stink of soybean processing, and seven railroad crossings at one intersection.
A wrong turn along life’s marital highway has left Catherine “Cragan” Collins stuck in Decatur. With a mountain of post-divorce bills to pay, Cragan takes a job selling high-priced newspaper advertising. If she’s lucky, her commissions will cover the cost of her grandmother’s stay in a nearby retirement home.
After the divorce, Cragan swears off men, but she’s a sucker for a guy in a nice suit. She falls hard for a man who publicly snubs her. On the rebound, she accepts an invitation from Ross Gentry, a quiet hunk who favors pearl snaps and cowboy boots. Cragan reasons that her heart is safe, because she and Ross come from two different worlds. But one night in his arms might be enough to prove her wrong.
Without warning, everything blows up in Cragan’s face. Her boss threatens to take away her accounts, a friend’s little sister is kidnapped, and an overnight guest is shot. Cragan’s best friend, Pru, is accused of attempted murder. After all, Pru’s gun was used in the crime.
Cragan calls an emergency meeting of the Friday Night Mystery Club. These mystery-loving career women are a group of smart cookies. Can their combined talents prove that Pru is innocent? And will they find an answer in time to save Cragan from the wrath of a vengeful shooter?
It takes a club to solve a mystery!
- GenresCozy Mystery
334 pages, ebook
First published October 15, 2022
86 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Campbell Slan
165 books859 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
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 2, 2023
Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full below.
https://novelsalive.com/2023/03/02/4-...
Tuesday Trash and Trouble, the third book in the Friday Night Mystery Club series by Joanna Campbell Slan, is filled with an abduction, a shooting, angst and anger, secrets, amateur sleuths, shady characters, and so much more.
The Gazette is once again in the thick of things, and Cragan, Winnie, and some others are still filled with fear of what’s going on with their jobs. Management doesn’t seem to move quickly enough when changes are needed. Her boss constantly picks on Cragan, no matter where she is and who’s around. But hopefully, that will change before too long. Especially when a major client is sticking up for her in front of the right people! Ross and Cragan are still attracted to each other, and Ryder isn’t happy about it. But he created his own scenario where he and Cragan were concerned and now needs to suffer in silence.
Many stories are woven together and have several twists and turns. All details are important as members of the Friday Night Mystery Club help the police solve the crimes. They sort through the clues and connect the dots to help solve real crimes instead of simply discussing books at their book club meetings.
The mystery is well-written since the two whodunnits had to be revealed to me before I received the satisfaction of a well-done job.
There were some strained relationships, and friends weren’t always there for each other. There is some romance woven throughout as well. There is closure in solving the crimes, but other loose ends left me adrift. The story ended abruptly without a satisfactory conclusion on several fronts. I hope we’ll be back for a fourth book with the Friday Night Mystery Club to see what everyone is up to next!
Tuesday Trash and Trouble is a fantastic cozy mystery with a great group of friends, hard work, clues galore, and crimes to be solved, which had me turning the pages to see what everyone was up to!
https://novelsalive.com/2023/03/02/4-...
Tuesday Trash and Trouble, the third book in the Friday Night Mystery Club series by Joanna Campbell Slan, is filled with an abduction, a shooting, angst and anger, secrets, amateur sleuths, shady characters, and so much more.
The Gazette is once again in the thick of things, and Cragan, Winnie, and some others are still filled with fear of what’s going on with their jobs. Management doesn’t seem to move quickly enough when changes are needed. Her boss constantly picks on Cragan, no matter where she is and who’s around. But hopefully, that will change before too long. Especially when a major client is sticking up for her in front of the right people! Ross and Cragan are still attracted to each other, and Ryder isn’t happy about it. But he created his own scenario where he and Cragan were concerned and now needs to suffer in silence.
Many stories are woven together and have several twists and turns. All details are important as members of the Friday Night Mystery Club help the police solve the crimes. They sort through the clues and connect the dots to help solve real crimes instead of simply discussing books at their book club meetings.
The mystery is well-written since the two whodunnits had to be revealed to me before I received the satisfaction of a well-done job.
There were some strained relationships, and friends weren’t always there for each other. There is some romance woven throughout as well. There is closure in solving the crimes, but other loose ends left me adrift. The story ended abruptly without a satisfactory conclusion on several fronts. I hope we’ll be back for a fourth book with the Friday Night Mystery Club to see what everyone is up to next!
Tuesday Trash and Trouble is a fantastic cozy mystery with a great group of friends, hard work, clues galore, and crimes to be solved, which had me turning the pages to see what everyone was up to!
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 attempted murder of one of Cragan’s neighbor’s old friends. 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. She has also become involved with her new supervisor and noticed one of her new ad clients. 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!
October 18, 2022
As I found to be true with each of Joanna Campbell Slan's series, with each book in the Friday Night Mystery Club Series that I have read, I have come to love the characters and the books more and more. Mystery and danger abound when Pru's friend and mentor comes to town as special feature at the club. Cragan can't help being a little jealous of her "sister's" close connection with the old friend and mentor even though they include her in their time together. That time gets pretty intense when, after Cragen learns that Sharma reported the stepfather of a girl for molesting her, they have an encounter with that very angry man. Reminder: this book that place in the later 80's so child abuse was still more hidden and ignored than it is today. The action grows as someone gets kidnapped and someone else gets shot and Pru is arrested for it. Cragan and the Friday night book club dedicate themselves to finding the culprit and getting Pru released from jail.
As if Cragan's world is not complicated enough, Yakkie is still around trying to make her job impossible, Ryder keeps moving in and out of her life and a handsome good ol' boy turns out to be more than he seems and is more than ready to step in for Ryder. Our favorite detective is still waiting for his turn as the man in her life beyond being a great friend.
My only negative was that Cragan seemed to be recommending a school that we see as highly questionable.
As if Cragan's world is not complicated enough, Yakkie is still around trying to make her job impossible, Ryder keeps moving in and out of her life and a handsome good ol' boy turns out to be more than he seems and is more than ready to step in for Ryder. Our favorite detective is still waiting for his turn as the man in her life beyond being a great friend.
My only negative was that Cragan seemed to be recommending a school that we see as highly questionable.
October 24, 2022
When I first discovered this series was starting and it was set in the town I live in, I could hardly wait to read the first book. This is book 3, and my enthusiasm hasn't dimmed one bit! In fact I can hardly wait to read book 4. Why? Let me count the ways.
1. GREAT characters.
2. Terrific depiction of the town in the 1980's, and attention to details about the time period throughout every aspect from electronics to clothing and everything in between.
3. Excellent plot and sub-plots.
4. Plenty of viable red herrings.
5. Multiple surprises you don't see coming!
6. Toe curling attractions.
7. Did I mention characters? Not only are they great, but such a wide diversity of personalities.
8. Friendships and loyalty.
9. An ending that leaves you wanting more...and as soon as possible!
10. Best of all... you know what? Read it for yourself and find all the "best of all" possibilities!
I never thought anyone could make Decatur, Illinois into a perfect setting for a book, But Joanna Campbell Slan proves me wrong. I loved this book, the series thus far, and can't wait for book #4!
1. GREAT characters.
2. Terrific depiction of the town in the 1980's, and attention to details about the time period throughout every aspect from electronics to clothing and everything in between.
3. Excellent plot and sub-plots.
4. Plenty of viable red herrings.
5. Multiple surprises you don't see coming!
6. Toe curling attractions.
7. Did I mention characters? Not only are they great, but such a wide diversity of personalities.
8. Friendships and loyalty.
9. An ending that leaves you wanting more...and as soon as possible!
10. Best of all... you know what? Read it for yourself and find all the "best of all" possibilities!
I never thought anyone could make Decatur, Illinois into a perfect setting for a book, But Joanna Campbell Slan proves me wrong. I loved this book, the series thus far, and can't wait for book #4!
December 30, 2023
Three boyfriends, Two Lovers, and One Corpse
These are what I liked about this book. The filler, lots of time in the boring newsroom or delivering unexplained- so dull-ads.
Aside from the strippers, the men are the most well-described and interesting. They are steadfast til they aren't: deeper character development might make them human: neither steadfast nor disappearing, but somewhere on the spectrum. Their resemblance to red clay that gets rained on, softens, and lets them sink may be a customary device for romance novels.
The mystery itself is perplexing. That is great. As for the murderer, there is no hint of a connection between the victim and the killer, which is a flaw. But the red herring is masterful.
Now, this book is better than this review makes it sound! Good female friends, evil bosses, receptive or irritated customers, and a mechanic of one's dreams help make this series worth reading.
These are what I liked about this book. The filler, lots of time in the boring newsroom or delivering unexplained- so dull-ads.
Aside from the strippers, the men are the most well-described and interesting. They are steadfast til they aren't: deeper character development might make them human: neither steadfast nor disappearing, but somewhere on the spectrum. Their resemblance to red clay that gets rained on, softens, and lets them sink may be a customary device for romance novels.
The mystery itself is perplexing. That is great. As for the murderer, there is no hint of a connection between the victim and the killer, which is a flaw. But the red herring is masterful.
Now, this book is better than this review makes it sound! Good female friends, evil bosses, receptive or irritated customers, and a mechanic of one's dreams help make this series worth reading.
March 5, 2023
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
This is a great addition to this cozy series. Set in the 80s we get to visit the past with an interesting group of woman who are just trying to live their lives when they keep getting wound up in a murder investigation. Pru is accused of attempted murder making it necessary for them to call an emergency meeting where they combine their skills to find the truth. Makes for a fun well written cozy that will keep your attention until the very end to see how it all works out. A great choice for those looking for a good cozy set a little ways into the past. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
This is a great addition to this cozy series. Set in the 80s we get to visit the past with an interesting group of woman who are just trying to live their lives when they keep getting wound up in a murder investigation. Pru is accused of attempted murder making it necessary for them to call an emergency meeting where they combine their skills to find the truth. Makes for a fun well written cozy that will keep your attention until the very end to see how it all works out. A great choice for those looking for a good cozy set a little ways into the past. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
December 31, 2024
I started this series because I’ve enjoyed the author’s Kiki Lowenstein series. I like Cragan, her friends and some of her co-workers, although some of them are appalling human beings… which Cragan agrees with :) The mystery here was good, with several serious suspects to consider, but I was surprised when the killer was revealed. Although it was sad, the motive made sense.
If there were more books in this series, I would definitely want to read them. There are several storylines that I’d like to continue, but this is the final book in the series, so I’ll just have to imagine appropriate endings for those threads!
If there were more books in this series, I would definitely want to read them. There are several storylines that I’d like to continue, but this is the final book in the series, so I’ll just have to imagine appropriate endings for those threads!
October 31, 2022
Great book
Joanna, you can't just leave this like it ends....I'll be looking forward to book four! I'll give you six weeks, and you can give me as many book in this series as it flows! Cragan, Pru, Zee and Rosie have history's that need to be told and futures to be held! Anthony wants Pru, so that's a good start! I started this book two days after I got it and I spent all day reading because I needed to know who shot Sharma! And her story needs a finish along with Cragan and Ross' ! Anxiously awaiting the next book!
Joanna, you can't just leave this like it ends....I'll be looking forward to book four! I'll give you six weeks, and you can give me as many book in this series as it flows! Cragan, Pru, Zee and Rosie have history's that need to be told and futures to be held! Anthony wants Pru, so that's a good start! I started this book two days after I got it and I spent all day reading because I needed to know who shot Sharma! And her story needs a finish along with Cragan and Ross' ! Anxiously awaiting the next book!
October 5, 2023
Great series!
I really enjoyed Cragan, the main character in this book and the other 2 books before. I loved the mystery and I got some surprises along the way. The book club is filled with friends that are a family. There is also a lot of humor along with the mystery solving. My only problem is that this 3rd book was published in 2022 and I need more to read in this series!
I really enjoyed Cragan, the main character in this book and the other 2 books before. I loved the mystery and I got some surprises along the way. The book club is filled with friends that are a family. There is also a lot of humor along with the mystery solving. My only problem is that this 3rd book was published in 2022 and I need more to read in this series!
October 27, 2022
Riveting as Usual
Loved the story,many twists and turns. Difficult to put down but sad to get to the end because I have read all her books and wish there was another to start right away.
Loved the story,many twists and turns. Difficult to put down but sad to get to the end because I have read all her books and wish there was another to start right away.
Read
August 8, 2024Love this group of characters. Entertaining and interesting story .
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm hooked. I'm hoping this series will continue. The plot moves along quickly and holds your interest.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm hooked. I'm hoping this series will continue. The plot moves along quickly and holds your interest.
June 20, 2025
Girls club, I love it!
The characters had such great back stories, I really liked them all. I can’t wait to see who the next book will feature. What a cliff hanger, where’s Ross going & will he be back?
The characters had such great back stories, I really liked them all. I can’t wait to see who the next book will feature. What a cliff hanger, where’s Ross going & will he be back?
October 29, 2022
Great writing
Ms. Slan is one of my favorite authors. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I couldn’t put it down. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Ms. Slan is one of my favorite authors. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I couldn’t put it down. I’m looking forward to the next book.
November 2, 2022
Exceptional Read
Tasteful, intriguing, a great mix of all good things in a book. The book flowed very well. I want more.
Tasteful, intriguing, a great mix of all good things in a book. The book flowed very well. I want more.
December 15, 2022
I really enjoy this series. You never know what Cragan will get herself into. There’s never a dull moment in this girl’s life! This book was full of many wonderful twists and turns. You’ll be turning the pages to try to guess what will happen next.
August 9, 2023
Tuesday Trash and Trouble
I enjoyed this book but again didn't like the repeat information. Not sure if there will be a sequel. Hopefully there will be.
I enjoyed this book but again didn't like the repeat information. Not sure if there will be a sequel. Hopefully there will be.
August 13, 2024
This is one fantastic series I love it!!! The book ended too soon I just wanted to go on and on!!
April 7, 2025
Life Happens
More Adventures of Cragan! When Pru’s friend comes to visit, Cragan is feeling like a third wheel. 🛞
She finds out Ryder is going to a gala with the office floozy, and decides he isn’t worth it. Ross and her see each other again! Yakky is still being,well,himself!
More Adventures of Cragan! When Pru’s friend comes to visit, Cragan is feeling like a third wheel. 🛞
She finds out Ryder is going to a gala with the office floozy, and decides he isn’t worth it. Ross and her see each other again! Yakky is still being,well,himself!
May 6, 2025
Tuesday Trash and Trouble
Good story. All the characters are like real people telling a story. Great fun.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Good story. All the characters are like real people telling a story. Great fun.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Read
June 15, 2025Very enjoyable! Interesting characters and storyline!
July 3, 2025
Friday Night Mystery Club Book 3
Loved this book as much as the first two. I hope there are more to come. Again, kidnapping, attempted murder, and romance. Perfect!
Loved this book as much as the first two. I hope there are more to come. Again, kidnapping, attempted murder, and romance. Perfect!
December 8, 2023
Cannot be the end!!!
Smashing books from 1st to 3rd! Love the characters, plots are twisty and satisfying.
Only downer- this book CANNOT be the last in the series! Too many questions remain!!
Smashing books from 1st to 3rd! Love the characters, plots are twisty and satisfying.
Only downer- this book CANNOT be the last in the series! Too many questions remain!!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews