The Tuesday Night Survivors' Club Mystery (Survivors' Book Club Mystery #1), by Lynn Cahoon

I've become a huge fan of Lynn Cahoon. This book only made me more of a fan. Skillfully centered about a cancer survivor book club, Cahoon deftly weaves in introductions to new characters and new mysteries without either making cancer the central theme or ignoring it. As someone who was a bit wary of reading this book given my own family's losses from the disease, I have to admit to almost passing it up. I'm glad I didn't. With nods to the worries and concerns that all survivors have, Cahoon, who has survived her own cancer journey, doesn't try to pretend the disease doesn't exist. Instead, she uses it to pull people together, form and strengthen friendships, and, oh, yes, solve a murder. I had no real clue who the murderer was until the reveal, so it definitely will keep you guessing.

The characters were likeable and it was interesting to see the dynamics of friendship and, hmm, maybe romantic relationships developing. I was actually sorta meh on Archer until the end, maybe because it didn't seem like we got to know him as well as we did Drew the detective, but he won me over when he showed up with flowers after Rarity's regular cancer checkup. This was in sharp contrast to her last boyfriend who pretty much ignored than left her while she was ill. Her best friend Sam, who it took me a moment initially to figure out was probably a Samantha, not male, has always had her back and despite a brief flair of jealousy on Sam's part, still had Rarity's back. We all need friends like that who will tamper down their own emotions to support us. Drew, of course, seemed like a winner from the time he told Rarity about the now owner-less dog, Killer. Dog lover that I am, I had to admire Rarity for agreeing to take in Killer even when she was most likely envisioning a large, scary dog. It didn't take Killer long to worm his way into her heart, however.

I liked the characters and how well the medical issues surrounding potentially fatal illness was worked smoothly into the story. This also included doctors who may or may not be real doctors promoting miracle cures, treatments, while pushing their products on the most vulnerable. Grr, but enough said on that topic, The key theme here isn't medical. It's friendship. It's good to have friends and Rarity is slowly but surely finding friends and making her own place in Sedona, New Mexico. I'm looking forward to following this series.

Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #LyricalPress for introducing me to Rarity and the rest of her growing circle of friends, not to mention Killer. Treats for Killer!