Best Book Club Books with a Twist (2026): 4 Compared

A book club hunting for the best book club books with a twist wants a book everyone argues about after the last page. We compared each listing’s premise, publication details, print length and series position.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Readaholics Poirot Puzzle by DiSilverio	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	The Last Party by Mackintosh	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	It Ends at Midnight by Tyce	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Baby Doll by Overton	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Readaholics Poirot Puzzle by DiSilverio

Laura DiSilverio·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A book club mystery where Amy-Faye and the Readaholics investigate a murder while debating Poirot; for clubs that enjoy reading about book clubs, but it is Book 2 of 3.

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Pros

• The club in the story reads Murder on the Orient Express
• 336 pages and Book 2 of 3 stated
• Publisher Berkley, December 2015 stated

Cons

• Book 2 of 3, so start with the series opener
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• The description states a murder, so check themes before the group votes

2

The Last Party by Mackintosh

Clare Mackintosh·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The first DC Morgan mystery, set in a Welsh border village where a midnight death makes everyone a suspect, suited to a reader who likes atmospheric series starters.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3 in the DC Morgan series
• 496 pages, the longest here
• Published July 11, 2023 by Sourcebooks Landmark

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• Series starter means more books to buy
• Rural Wales setting may not suit all

3

It Ends at Midnight by Tyce

Harriet Tyce·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A twisty New Year's Eve murder mystery in Edinburgh; for thriller clubs that like buried secrets, not for readers who avoid dark themes.

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Pros

• The publisher describes a twisty plot with a confessional finale
• February 2023 publication from Sourcebooks is stated
• No series stated, so nothing to catch up on

Cons

• The description states a double murder; check themes before buying
• No page count is stated
• No reading age or grade level is stated

4

Baby Doll by Overton

Hollie Overton·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A captive-escape thriller about a woman held eight years; for clubs that want intense discussion, not for readers who avoid abuse themes.

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Pros

• The description gives a clear, high-stakes premise
• Redhook, 1st edition, July 12, 2016 is stated
• No series numbering stated, so nothing to catch up on

Cons

• The description states abuse; check themes before buying
• No page count is stated
• No reading age or grade level is stated

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More picks to compare

• Plot Twist in the Bay by BelgariBook 2 of 5 in a completed series, for readers who like romance twists.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for an adult book club, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level; no listing here states one. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best book club books with a twist

Start with the twist tolerance of the group

Baby Doll describes captivity and abuse, and It Ends at Midnight a double murder at a New Year’s Eve party. The Readaholics and the Poirot Puzzle keeps the mystery lighter and centers on a book club: a safe vote for a mixed group. For more, browse the thriller books with twist endings list.

Check the series position before voting

The Readaholics and the Poirot Puzzle is Book 2 of 3 in A Book Club Mystery, so start with Book 1 for the full arc. The more pick Plot Twist in the Bay is Book 2 of 5 in a completed series, which suits clubs that read a series straight through. The other two picks state no series numbering, so nothing needs catching up. See all the book club books for more series options.

Before you buy

• Confirm the edition: Baby Doll lists a 1st edition from Redhook, July 12, 2016, and It Ends at Midnight lists Sourcebooks, February 21, 2023.
• For a series, buy Book 1 first: The Readaholics and the Poirot Puzzle is Book 2 of 3, and the more pick Plot Twist in the Bay is Book 2 of 5.
• Read the description for themes: Baby Doll and It Ends at Midnight both describe violent crimes, so check them before the group votes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these books is about a book club?

The Readaholics and the Poirot Puzzle: the club reads Murder on the Orient Express while investigating a murder; it is Book 2 of 3.

Which pick states a page count?

Only The Readaholics and the Poirot Puzzle states one: 336 pages.

Are any of these books too dark for some readers?

Baby Doll describes captivity and abuse; It Ends at Midnight a double murder. Preview both before the group votes.

Still deciding? Our top pickReadaholics Poirot Puzzle by DiSilverio

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Related lists

See every book club list and all fiction lists.

More lists: mystery book club picks, new book club books, mystery books with a twist.