{"product_id":"the-busy-body-isbn-9781496744562","title":"The Busy Body","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eVeep \u003c\/i\u003emeets Agatha Christie in this intelligent, wildly funny, literary mystery for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz, and Nita Prose!\u003cbr\u003eThe host of the \"All About Agatha\" podcast injects the spark and fizz of a Golden Age murder mystery into the present-day, as 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 . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"A\u003c\/i\u003e delight from start to finish. If you like Agatha Christie, you’ll love this.” - Alex Michaelides, # 1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Silent Patient\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e“I tell other people’s stories for a living. . . . I nip and tuck their excesses, soften their hard edges, polish whatever an armada of editors and publicists deem unsightly till it sparkles.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s a dream assignment. Former Senator Dorothy Gibson, aka \u003ci\u003ethat \u003c\/i\u003ewoman, 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer 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!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe best ghostwriters are adept at asking questions and spinning stories . . . two talents, it turns out, that also come in handy for sleuths. 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 . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Kemper Donovan’s voice is original, captivating, and assured.\" —Taylor Jenkins Reid, bestselling author of \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eDaisy Jones \u0026amp; the Six\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eThe Busy Body:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eA Publishers Marketplace Buzz Books Selection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eA January 2024 Library Reads Pick\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eA February 2024 IndieNext Pick\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"\u003ci\u003eThe Busy Body\u003c\/i\u003e is a thoroughly modern, Agatha Christie-esque mystery set in a sumptuous corner of moneyed, Maine wilderness. It's a delightfully escapist, page-turner.\" \u003cb\u003e—Kimberly McCreight, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of \u003ci\u003eFriends Like These\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Kemper Donovan has created a hugely entertaining character, a ghost writer and amateur sleuth, who is wry, gossipy and completely compelling. The investigation into a murder disguised as a suicide is full of twists and turns worthy of a classic mystery novel. \u003ci\u003eThe Busy Body\u003c\/i\u003e is a delight from start to finish. If you like Agatha Christie, you’ll love this.”\u003cb\u003e—Alex Michaelides, # 1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Silent Patient\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Given Kemper’s knowledge and admiration of Agatha Christie—he cohosts the podcast \u003ci\u003eAll About Agatha\u003c\/i\u003e—it isn’t surprising that he displays a similar flair for clever cluing and crafty characterization, not to mention the ability to throw in a killer plot twist at the end that would make Dame Agatha proud. Fans of David Handler’s equally entertaining Stewart Hoag series or those in search of a modern take on classic crime fiction will snap up this stellar mystery debut, which delivers an addictive mix of Dorothy Parker’s waspish wit and Agatha Christie’s deft hand at ingenious plotting.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal \u003c\/i\u003eSTARRED REVIEW\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A gripping and highly entertaining mystery, with ingenuity and flair aplenty, and a wonderful detective character that readers will be dying to meet again.” \u003cb\u003e—Sophie Hannah, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Lively, clever storytelling with outsize energy.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “There are overtones of Agatha Christie and\u003ci\u003e Knives Out, \u003c\/i\u003eboth in the unlikeliness of the mystery and the\u003cbr\u003e cleverness of its solution. This is, I guess, no surprise as Donovan hosts the podcast ‘All About Agatha.’” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Readers will love this witty, fast-moving story that ends with the typical Christie gathering of subjects.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Sometimes it’s the setting that grabs you. Often it’s the plot. But here, it is two fabulous characters who come together and through sharp dialogue create a story that both cozy and traditional-mystery readers will love.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003efirstCLUE\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Given Kemper’s knowledge and admiration of Agatha Christie, it isn’t surprising that he displays a similar flair for clever cluing and crafty characterization, not to mention the ability to throw in a killer plot twist at the end that would make Dame Agatha proud..” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal, \u003c\/i\u003eSTARRED REVIEW \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003ePraise for Kemper Donovan’s \u003ci\u003eThe Decent Proposal:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “As clever as it is hopeful. Whether talking about the secret menu at In-N-Out or matters as grand as life and death, Kemper Donovan’s voice is original, captivating, and assured. This book is both a moving love letter to Los Angeles and a thoughtful rumination on what people can mean to one another.” —\u003cb\u003eTaylor Jenkins Reid, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eDaisy Jones \u0026amp; the Six\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Delightful…Peopled by appealing characters and filled with lush descriptions of the diverse L.A. landscape, Donovan’s winning first novel offers up a page-turning tale brimming with heart.”—\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e, STARRED REVIEW\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A romantic tale with a heart and a brain—and a mystery that will keep you turning the pages.” —\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eW Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A sharp, wise, and hilarious novel. Think ENTOURAGE meets Tom Wolfe with a touch of INDECENT PROPOSAL. . . We loved it!” —\u003cb\u003eLucy Sykes \u0026amp; Jo Piazza, authors of \u003ci\u003eThe Knockoff\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Full of heart and humor, Donovan’s debut is a classic LA love story.” —\u003cb\u003eJ. Ryan Stradal, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eKitchens of the Great Midwest\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Impossible to put down, this character-rich, breakout novel will make your heart burst with love. You’ll turn the pages so fast you might get a paper cut.” —\u003cb\u003eClaire Bidwell Smith, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Rules of Inheritance\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Donovan takes what might have been a derivative tale and colors it with poignancy and self-discovery . . . Artful and arresting.” —\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Smart and observant. . . A strong, omniscient narrator anchors Donovan’s deconstructed, opposites-attract love story where emotional stakes deepen as the story unfolds. References to pop culture, classic literature and movies—along with snappy dialogue and well-drawn characterizations, especially in the cast of supporting players—infuse a clever plot filled with surprising twists that will keep readers entertained and in suspense.” \u003ci\u003e—\u003cb\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eKemper Donovan\u003c\/b\u003e is an acclaimed author and host of the “All About Agatha” podcast. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, he worked at the literary management company Circle of Confusion for a decade before transitioning to writing full-time. He is a member of the New York Bar Association, PEN America, and Mystery Writers of America. He lives with his husband and daughters in Los Angeles and can be found online at KemperDonovan.com.","brand":"A John Scognamiglio Book","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300292481253,"sku":"NP9781496744562","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781496744562.jpg?v=1767738573","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/the-busy-body-isbn-9781496744562","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}