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halept's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Death, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Terminal illness
jkeenereads's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Enjoyed this spy novel. Medium levels of graphic murder and sexual situations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Sexual content, Cursing, and Violence
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
"Who the hell are you people?' Thibodeau blurts out.
'Oh, we're just retirees,' says Lloyd...
'We may be retirees,' says Ingrid, but we're also rabid mystery fans. I mean, who doesn't love a good detective novel? That's what inspired this little crime-solving club of ours. If you read enough murder mysteries, you get quite knowledgeable about police work.'
'No kidding,' Thibodeau mutters...'And what do you call this, uh, club or yours?'
There's a silence. I think of the night we stood around Ingrid's fireplace, sipping drink as we discussed the mysterious Bianca.
'The Martini Club,' I say.
My friends nod and smile...
'And we're here to help,' says Ingrid. 'We may be retied, but we've picked up a few detecting skills over the years.'
'By reading mystery novels? Right.' Thibodeau looks at me. 'You must have some answers. Someone just tried to kill you. Do you have any idea who wants you dead?'
I look at the fallen saltshaker, representing Bianca'a corpse. She's just one more in a series of deaths, a series that is not yet complete. 'I don't know,' I answer. But I may know why."
A small group of retired spies in their 60s and 70s have created a community for themselves in a rural, coastal village in Maine. When one of their lives is threatened, their past, from an old operation gone wrong, comes back to haunt them.
You can't beat #pensionersinthepages especially when part of a Tess Gerritsen thriller. A long-standing fan, but not a recent reader, of this author, I needed to put that right and was not disappointed. The first in a new 'The Martini Club' series, protagonist Maggie Bird is a wonderfully complex character, as are her former-spy friends and her other neighbours. Local police Chief Jo Thibodeau, is another strong, female character, aware the former spies aren't being open about their pasts or their knowledge and experience tracking potential criminals. There's mystery, action and some comedy and romance as the present day narrative is interspersed with Maggie's past. With plenty of twists and turns, it's extremely readable, well-plotted and paced, as expected from an experienced author. Comes highly recommended!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence
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