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itsnotalakeitsanocean's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Honestly kind of meh and could have been vastly improved with several more drafts and a more critical editor.
Unfortunately I fell ill when I was reading this so I don't remember how I felt enough to give a more in depth review. I do remember skimming over parts that were really drab and having trouble suspending my disbelief that they'd let a bunch of pensioners have access to confidential material from old police cases among other spoilery things.
Unfortunately I fell ill when I was reading this so I don't remember how I felt enough to give a more in depth review. I do remember skimming over parts that were really drab and having trouble suspending my disbelief that they'd let a bunch of pensioners have access to confidential material from old police cases among other spoilery things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Grief, Gun violence, and Dementia
tiffthelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Took me three tries, but finally got stuck in and really started caring about the characters and story. Will read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, and Suicide
agathajanemaud1908's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wish I had read this sooner because the hype is warranted! I put the second book in the series on hold when I was only halfway through this one. The main characters are the kind that I want to visit over and over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, and Dementia
Moderate: Drug use and Grief
oxfordcommas91's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? No
3.5
A perfect cozy mystery that you want to read while curled up with a steaming hot mug of tea. (British of course, with milk and sugar). Much in the same vein as “Only Murders in the Building,” or “Vera Wang’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers,” this book follows a group of four friends (and a large supporting cast, which honestly could have been cut down some…) living in a swanky British retirement village as they try to solve murders. Little do they know that they’ll be up to their necks in dead bodies in just a wink.
With plenty of witty banter and heartwarming moments, this book was generally enjoyable and hit the right notes. I loved all the characters and the author did a beautiful job of really bringing them to light. We’ve all known retirees like Elizabeth, Ibrahim, Rob, and Joyce. Each with their own spin on their detective work, the murder club follows the twists and turns of the bodies piling up around them.
There are some decent red herrings and good twists throughout, but I wasn’t in suspense. I wanted to know what happened to our fabulous foursome more than I cared about who the murderer was, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a terrible thing.
The short chapters and fast pacing of this book made it easy to read and make quick work of. There were some unexpected heartwarming moments and a decent number of sweet conversations that happened as a result of the age and life experiences of our characters, a unique and lovely addition.
I didn’t know when I started reading that this was a series. I’m not sure I desperately need a second book but I’m going to read it anyway, and will look forward to visiting Coopers Chase retirement village again in the near future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Death, Grief, Suicide, Murder, and Medical content
bzliz's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was a surprisingly charming whodunnit featuring a cast of elderly amateur detectives. If you’re looking for a high octane thriller with shootouts and car chases, this is not the book for you. It really captured the parts I love about mysteries- the intrigue and the clue following- without the stress of being genuinely concerned for anyone’s health or safety. There were so many little threads that tied up into a beautiful bow by the end. I was giving some running commentary to my fiance and I even cheered out loud at the end of part 1 when Ian Ventham was killed. He sucked so much and I was so bummed that Tony was the initial murder victim rather than Ian.
The world feels rich and well populated around our four heroes- Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim & Ron- and their two police contacts, Donna and Chris. They all have distinct voices and bring something special to the crew. That said- this book has a lot of side characters. Despite reading this in essentially one sitting, I had a tough time keeping some of them straight. From other residents of the retirement community to family members to cops and suspects and possible set ups for later books in the series, it was a lot to keep straight.
And I was honestly shocked by how many deaths that factor in to the plot even just a little bit (full spoilers):Annie (the cold case from the beginning), Tony, Ian, the extra body in the grave (that turns out to be Peter, the boyfriend who killed Annie), Bernard’s wife, Bernard, Sister Maggie (Father Mackie’s pregnant nun lover), the boy Tony killed, the cab driver Johnny killed, Johnny himself (maybe), Penny & John. I guess that’s what you get when the cast has 7-8 decades of secrets they’re keeping. I can’t wait to continue this series!
The world feels rich and well populated around our four heroes- Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim & Ron- and their two police contacts, Donna and Chris. They all have distinct voices and bring something special to the crew. That said- this book has a lot of side characters. Despite reading this in essentially one sitting, I had a tough time keeping some of them straight. From other residents of the retirement community to family members to cops and suspects and possible set ups for later books in the series, it was a lot to keep straight.
And I was honestly shocked by how many deaths that factor in to the plot even just a little bit (full spoilers):
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Grief
pellkat's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is laugh-out-loud funny! It’s written how elderly people talk and it’s lovely to identify people you know in that. Mixed in with tender reflections on ageing and end of life, a beautiful read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death
Minor: Animal death
sunny_bumblebee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Violence, Death, Grief, Terminal illness, Murder, Suicide, and Gun violence
rowiash's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Thoroughly entertaining. Lures you in with comedy and mystery, punches you in the gut with reflections on loyalty, love, and the eventual death that comes for us all. The only thing bringing down the rating for me was a bit of off-screen mystery-solving by the gang, so the reader can’t pay careful attention and figure it out from what’s presented.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Suicide
Moderate: Dementia and Grief
Minor: Sexism
lmoran46's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Death, Suicide, Murder, Pregnancy, and Grief
ladythana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Grief
Moderate: Death and Dementia
Minor: Gun violence, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Violence