Step into the cozy, thrilling world of the Ashton Corners Book Club series, where Southern charm meets amateur sleuthing in the quaint town of Ashton Corners, Alabama! Penned by Erika Chase, this delightful cozy mystery series follows reading specialist Lizzie Turner and her book club pals as they unravel murders, sip sweet tea, and dive into literary adventures. With five books brimming with heart, humor, and suspense, it’s a must-read for fans of small-town whodunits.
Whether you’re drawn to the tight-knit community, the clever mysteries, or the bookish references sprinkled throughout, the Ashton Corners Book Club series offers a warm invitation to curl up with a good mystery. Let’s explore how this charming series came to life, its key stories, and why it continues to captivate readers!
How Ashton Corners Book Club Began
Erika Chase, the pseudonym of Canadian author Linda Wiken, launched the Ashton Corners Book Club series in 2012 with A Killer Read. A former mystery bookstore owner, Wiken drew inspiration from her love of cozy mysteries and her experiences recommending books to avid readers. Published by Berkley Prime Crime, the series was crafted to blend her passion for literature with the allure of small-town intrigue. Wiken’s background in journalism and short story writing, coupled with her knack for creating vivid characters, set the stage for a series that feels like a warm chat with old friends.
The Heart of Ashton Corners Book Club
The series kicks off with A Killer Read, where the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society hosts its first meeting at Molly Mathews’ mansion. A stranger’s murder with Molly’s antique gun pulls Lizzie and her book club into a web of secrets. In Read and Buried, a visiting novelist’s death in Lizzie’s home sparks another investigation, revealing hidden pasts. Cover Story sees the club rallying to clear a member’s name after a publisher’s murder, while Book Fair and Foul unfolds at a mystery book fair with a deadly twist. The final book, Law and Author, tackles a murder tied to a surprise family reunion.
Themes of friendship, community, and the joy of reading weave through each novel. Set in the fictional Ashton Corners, the series captures Alabama’s Southern hospitality with “y’alls” and cheese straws, though some readers note the setting feels lightly sketched. Lizzie, a literacy advocate, brings heart to the stories, balancing sleuthing with her teaching career. The book club’s diverse reading lists, featured at each book’s end, add a delightful touch, inspiring readers to explore new titles alongside the characters.
Chase’s style is light yet suspenseful, with twists that keep you guessing. The ensemble cast, from flamboyant Teensy Coldicutt to police chief Mark Dreyfus (Lizzie’s romantic interest), adds depth and charm. While the series leans on cozy mystery tropes—like the amateur sleuth ignoring police warnings—it stands out for its bookish focus and relatable characters.
Why Ashton Corners Book Club Resonates
The Ashton Corners Book Club series has carved a niche among cozy mystery fans for its blend of literary love and small-town drama. Its nomination for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel in 2013 for A Killer Read highlights its early acclaim. Readers praise the series for its engaging plots and the way it celebrates reading as a communal joy. Though it concluded after five books, its focus on friendship and clever sleuthing keeps it alive in the hearts of fans who cherish its cozy vibe.
For those new to the genre, the series offers an accessible entry point, with relatable characters and just enough suspense to keep pages turning. Its Southern setting and book club premise make it a standout, even among more famous cozy series.
- Publication Years: 2012–2015
- Number of Books: 5
- Award: Agatha Award nomination for A Killer Read (2013)
- Author’s Other Name: Linda Wiken
Grab A Killer Read and dive into the Ashton Corners Book Club’s cozy mystery world! Whether you’re a seasoned sleuth or a newbie to the genre, Lizzie and her book-loving crew promise a delightful adventure.