Devi Nair
š¢ Listened in audio š§ Narrated by Joan Walker ā± Duration: 6 hours š·ļø Publisher: Books on Tape and Berkley Genre: Cozy Mystery
The concept of this book immediately caught my attention. After Too Old for This, I wasnāt sure if Iād enjoy another retirement-home cozy with murder, but Iām glad I gave this one a shot. Carolās character remains the highlight. Sheās no longer a serial killer, and the story gives her a satisfying sense of growth and resolution.
The other residents, Margaret, Jeffrey, and Catherine, are all trying to play amateur sleuths alongside (or against) Carol. I get why Carol feels fiercely loyal to them, but honestly, I wasnāt fully sold on their loyalty to her. They contribute some good moments, but their devotion feels slightly overplayed.
Where the story loses momentum for me is the ending. The last 1.5 hours dragged heavily, and the narrative could have ended much earlier without losing impact. About 75% of the audiobook is engaging and fun, but that last quarter made me question whether this was a 3 or 4-star listen.
Joan Walkerās narration didnāt help either. Her deliberate, slowed-down tone might have been meant to match Carolās age, but it drained the sharp wit and vitality from these women. I appreciate her attempt to embody older characters, but Carol, Margaret, and Catherine are lively, spirited women, and the narration sometimes muted that energy, which threw me off.
Would I recommend it? A creative premise, some strong character work, and plenty of dark humor to keep it entertaining but pacing issues and flat narration held it back. Still, cozy mystery fans will find it an intriguing listen. Maybe read it in print to really feel the humor and bite. Itās a quirky, occasionally slow cozy mystery with a fun premise and a strong lead. Not as punchy as Too Old for This, but still worth a listen for fans of mischievous seniors and light murder mysteries.
š¢ Listened in audio š§ Narrated by Joan Walker ā± Duration: 6 hours š·ļø Publisher: Books on Tape and Berkley Genre: Cozy Mystery
The concept of this book immediately caught my attention. After Too Old for This, I wasnāt sure if Iād enjoy another retirement-home cozy with murder, but Iām glad I gave this one a shot. Carolās character remains the highlight. Sheās no longer a serial killer, and the story gives her a satisfying sense of growth and resolution.
The other residents, Margaret, Jeffrey, and Catherine, are all trying to play amateur sleuths alongside (or against) Carol. I get why Carol feels fiercely loyal to them, but honestly, I wasnāt fully sold on their loyalty to her. They contribute some good moments, but their devotion feels slightly overplayed.
Where the story loses momentum for me is the ending. The last 1.5 hours dragged heavily, and the narrative could have ended much earlier without losing impact. About 75% of the audiobook is engaging and fun, but that last quarter made me question whether this was a 3 or 4-star listen.
Joan Walkerās narration didnāt help either. Her deliberate, slowed-down tone might have been meant to match Carolās age, but it drained the sharp wit and vitality from these women. I appreciate her attempt to embody older characters, but Carol, Margaret, and Catherine are lively, spirited women, and the narration sometimes muted that energy, which threw me off.
Would I recommend it? A creative premise, some strong character work, and plenty of dark humor to keep it entertaining but pacing issues and flat narration held it back. Still, cozy mystery fans will find it an intriguing listen. Maybe read it in print to really feel the humor and bite. Itās a quirky, occasionally slow cozy mystery with a fun premise and a strong lead. Not as punchy as Too Old for This, but still worth a listen for fans of mischievous seniors and light murder mysteries.