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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Maybe 2.5 stars; more campy/goofy than cheeky but did appreciate the details of what will happen when you're old.
funny
mysterious
I really enjoyed this group of madcap seniors, who banded together in order to live out the end of their lives as they wish. The story opens with a murder and more deaths quickly follow. As a reader, I was not certain of, although I quickly suspected, the nature of the first murder.
The mystery unfolds, complicated immeasurably by the incredible swiss cheese memories of these seniors. These are elder investigators, police workers, and possibly criminals, and yet their physical bodies and mental acuity function only intermittently. My favorite part comes when Agnes, the titular character, runs through a list of suspects in her mind, including herself: her memory is so bad that she is her own suspect. I also appreciated the introduction of Nathan, the Grandson, who at first is unwelcome, but quickly integrates into this household, creating some really lovely intergenerational moments.
There are break-ins, wild suspicions, an escape from a nursing home, and murder throughout. There are old friends, self-doubt, intrusive memories and failing bodies. I found the whole story fairly ridiculous, but incredibly fun.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Fun, witty, suspenseful all the way through. I've seen some other reviews and the switching of character POVs (and there are many of them) can be a bit confusing in the beginning but you catch on quick, and for me this ends up being a Plus! The characters and story ARE SO ALIVE. I felt like I was there laughing and crying along with the cast.
Not a daunting scary mystery. But a fun interesting one. definitely recommend for those who like to laugh one minute and gasp at a plot twist the next.
Not a daunting scary mystery. But a fun interesting one. definitely recommend for those who like to laugh one minute and gasp at a plot twist the next.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I ended up enjoying this, but almost DNF’d a few times. I paused halfway through and read another and then picked this back up. It’s a quirky murder mystery with geriatrics. There was a lot of fun, but at points it leaned too heavy on the quirk and I was ready to get on with the story. The last third of the book picked up and it ended up being fun.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this was going to be a cozy mystery, and it went so much deeper. It's both a lighthearted whodunnit story and a deep exploration of aging and end of life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Kidnapping
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes