The Busy Body

By: Kemper Donovan

Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky

In this fresh, fast-paced modern murder mystery—the first in a wildly funny and inventive new series—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 …

“I tell other people’s stories for a living. … I’ve always been a snoop where other people are concerned, and I discovered in my late twenties I have a knack for spinning tales about them, and for making these tales sing.”

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 come in handy for sleuthing. 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 …

©2024 Kemper Donovan (P)2024 Recorded Books

Page turner!

Excellent read! Really drew me in and I love how it played in various ways with the conventional murder mystery and especially tropes of golden age work.

Torn on how to rate this one

The performance is stellar. Eva Kaminsky is one of the best narrators I've ever listened to ever. She made the story come to life with absolutely perfect representation for each character. I will purposely seek out books narrated by her.

The Author is an excellent writer: witty, sassy, snarky and fun. The author obviously pulled in the current political climate into the story but handled it without being preachy or giving too much attention positive or negative to either side. That was done masterfully.

Here's what was a bit lacking for me:
1. You really have to suspended your disbelief. That's okay, I'm able to do that, but it's a push and an obstacle that needs to be overcome over and over and over and more and more as the story goes on encompassing every facet of the story.
2. The political line: While the author really walks a tight rope with the politics involved in the story and handled it very well by pretty much making all sides look bad, I still would rather not have politics involved at all. That's my personal preference. I'm just worn out by it all.
3. The ending. To be honest, I'm not completely sure what actually happened. I'm more than a bit confused. I'll leave it at that so as not to spoil it.

Entertaining

This book was well written, funny, fast-paced, entertaining, and wonderfully narrated. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Enjoy fun, escapist fiction without feeling stupid!

The plot is far-fetched, consistent with the genre, yet offers insightful observations about human nature, clever asides, and a sense of hopefulness about women’s capacity to right the wrongs of the world.

Cool idea

I liked the book but worked hard to like the main character. Just a little too acerbic for me. Hoping she is humanized a little more in future books.

Loved it!

The narration, the story telling, the characters… it’s all so well done! Plus I’ve known (of) Kemper for a while now thanks to his podcast (All About Agatha (Christie)) so, naturally, I loved that, and it makes sense that I’d love this, too!

enjoyed this book

very detailed and i felt like i was there with these too silly ladies. And i never would have guessed the crazy twists!!

worth it

the story line was even better than I thought it was going to be. perfect amount of twists and unexpected aha moments

Hard to put down - I loved it.

The perfect balance of suspense and comedy, set in our modern day chaos. I recommend to murder mystery gurus and new fans alike. Enjoy.

Disappointed

Obviously launched from reality— a woman loses the Presidential race to a man vaguely described as awful, incompetent, a nightmare. She retreats to a cabin in the north, hires a ghostwriter, and then together they solve a murder. Prose is competent, but ending disappointing. New info half-revealed about narrator’s past torpedoes her budding relationship with a security guard (which seemed kinda junior high and extraneous all along) but sets up possible sequel.