Mystery lovers gathered at the Oceanside Library last week for the debut of a new book club dedicated to whodunits, led by Adult Services Librarian Beth Paul.
The inaugural meeting, held Thursday evening, marked the launch of what Paul plans to make a permanent, bi-monthly program exploring a range of mystery subgenres — from cozy classics to darker, hard-boiled tales.
Paul said the idea for the club grew out of her lifelong love of mystery novels and frequent conversations with library patrons.
“I just absolutely love mysteries,” she said. “I’ve been a big fan since I was a kid. I’m always talking to adult patrons about mystery books, because a lot of them also read mysteries. But when you’re at the desk, you can’t really get into anything in depth.”
The book club, she said, offers a more intimate setting for thoughtful discussion and stronger connections among readers.
For its first selection, the group read “The Thursday Murder Club,” a lighthearted mystery by Richard Osman. Paul said she intentionally chose a book that was accessible and not overly long to ease members into the new club.
“I wanted to do something kind of light — something we could all just relax and enjoy,” she said.
Future selections will vary in tone and style. April’s pick is “The Word Is Murder” by Anthony Horowitz. Paul said she is also considering works by Agatha Christie, Ann Cleeves and Louise Penny.
The club will meet every other month, a schedule Paul said accommodates patrons who participate in multiple book clubs and allows ample time to finish longer novels.
“One comment I’ve gotten is that people feel like they have to rush when it’s monthly,” she said. “This gives them more of an opportunity to pick up the book and enjoy it.”
About a dozen patrons attended the first meeting, engaging in lively conversation about plot twists, character motivations and the novel’s surprise ending. Paul said mystery novels naturally lend themselves to discussion because readers are constantly forming — and revising — theories.
“You’re always guessing,” she said. “You think you know who did it, and then you find out you’re wrong. So you keep reading because you need to know.”
Paul prepares discussion questions in advance but said the patrons largely guide the conversation themselves, often offering perspectives she had not considered.
“I’ve read this book twice now, and people were bringing up thoughts on characters that I had never even thought of,” she said. “It really changes your perspective.”
As a first-time leader of an adult book club — after previously working in children’s services — Paul said she enjoys being part of the conversation rather than solely directing it.
“It almost feels less like I’m trying to lead a discussion and more like I’m part of it,” she said.
The club is open to new members at any time. Each meeting focuses on a new book, and participants simply need to read the selection and attend.
Beyond literary analysis, Paul said the program offers something equally important: community.
“It gives people a chance to get out of the house,” she said. “It’s giving them something to do. It’s giving them new people in the community to meet and discuss with. It’s really an opportunity to build a connection.”
With steady attendance at its first meeting, the club appears poised to become a regular gathering place for local mystery enthusiasts.
