Bellevue Book Club

Join us for this month's Thursday Thriller at Mercury Coffee in Bellevue off of Northup Way.
Book of the month: Butter by Asako Yuzuki

Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Center convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors. That is, until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew and Kajii can’t resist writing back.

Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a masterclass in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii but it seems that she might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body, might she and Kaji have more in common than she once thought?

Inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, "The Konkatsu Killer," Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.

* Please be considerate of other members and only RSVP if you are able to make it to the meeting.

📘 Book of the Month: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
📍 Location: Bellevue Library (Tentative)

Join us for our March Book Club Meetup as we dive into The Housemaid, a fast-paced psychological thriller packed with twists, secrets, and suspense. Whether you’ve finished the book, read a few chapters, or just want to listen in, you’re warmly welcome.

📝 Brief Book Summary (from Goodreads):
The Housemaid follows Millie, a woman looking for a fresh start who accepts a job working for a wealthy family with a seemingly perfect life. As unsettling rules and strange behavior emerge, dark secrets come to light. What begins as a simple opportunity quickly turns into a gripping psychological mind game.

🗓 Agenda:
11:00 – 11:30 AM: Meet & Greet
11:30 – 12:30 PM: Book discussion
12:30 – 1:00 PM: Socialize and connect with fellow members

🏛 Location Note:
This meetup is tentatively planned at Bellevue Library. Final confirmation and room details will be shared closer to the event.

Please be considerate of fellow members and RSVP only if you are able to attend.