Crimes Against a Book Club

by Kathy Cooperman

Annie was a short science nerd with strong opinions, weak social skills, and a quick sense of humor. Sarah was a tall, gorgeous redhead with impeccable manners and an almost pathological need to please people.

Annie recognized herself in Gene, the bookish introvert who befriends the effortlessly popular star athlete Phineas at a posh New England prep school. Phineas’s sunny disposition and genuine goodness make Gene’s secret, burning envy for him even more shameful.

Priscilla made the book club read Queen Bees and Wannabes. She’d seen a TV spot talking about the book, about the subtly brutal culture of female teen cliques and bullying. As president of the Gillespie PTA, Priscilla felt bullying was a very important subject, and she made sure that the other book club members agreed with her.

Harry was like a sun worshipper who moves to Alaska and then walks around in a permanent fit of pique because of the goddamned snow.

Joan Collins once said that being beautiful was like being born rich and getting poorer every day.

Keeping up with the La Jolla set required a constant round of pedicures, manicures, facials, hair appointments, exercise sessions, lunches, and on and on. Who knew vanity and self-absorption could be so time-consuming?

of Espie. Valerie found Carson’s gallery easily, smack