Too Old for This is author Samantha Downing’s wickedly funny novel about a female serial killer. She’s retired now, living under an assumed name, but then a journalist comes to her door. She knows things and intends to write about them, and she won’t be dissuaded; then, of course, a woman has to do what she has to do.

My great thanks go to NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for the review copy. This book will be available to the public August 12, 2025.

Lottie Jones is 75 years old, living the quiet life of a single retired woman. Her son, Archie, is grown; Lottie’s chief delights are the bingo nights at the church and a bit of gossip here and there. A quiet life. Years ago, she was suspected of killing three people. Her name was splashed on the fronts of tabloids; she became a local pariah. In the end, however, she wasn’t even arrested following all of the harassment, and she successfully sued the city for damaging her reputation. The settlement was enough to start a new life for herself and her little boy, including the purchase of her home.

After one gets to be a bit older, one’s priorities and pleasures begin to shift. She doesn’t date anymore, for instance, and
“Like so many other things, murder began to feel like a chore instead of a joy. So I stopped. And I hardly ever thought about it, except in that nostalgic way. I didn’t want to go back, but I enjoyed the memories.”

The whole story is just as droll. It’s a strange alchemy, creating a likeable murderer; in the same way, the dissonance between her homicidal activities and the humdrum routines into which she has settled creates a hilarious sort of mental whiplash. One minute she’s warming up her rechargeable chainsaw to dismember her victim; the next she’s stewing about the snide remark someone at church made about the potluck dish she contributed, and gossiping about that person to her more sympathetic friends. And then her future daughter-in-law surprises her by dropping in unexpectedly, and she is concerned about Lottie’s safety, what with living alone, so she brings her a stun gun. “This was very thoughtful of her. No one has ever bought me a weapon before.”

At some point, I realized that after seeing the back of her head on the book’s cover so many times, I had mentally edited in what Lottie’s face would look like if she turned around. I pegged her as a doppelganger for Camilla Parker-Bowles.

The book’s ending is pitch perfect. Highly recommended!

I've been a Samantha Downing fan from the beginning, but she has outdone herself with Too Old for This. Lottie Jones is the serial killer I've been waiting for, the one who isn't going to let the normal aches and pains associated with aging keep her from doing what she enjoys. After all, you ned to take care of those pesky problems before they cause more trouble! I'm not sure what it says about me that I love the dark sense of humor that Samantha brings to her characters, that I actually didn't want to Lottie to be discovered, but I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty take on getting older, and not at all gracefully. Grab a grocery store ready-to-go platter (IYKYK) and prepare to binge,

Lottie Jones is retired and wants nothing more than to enjoy her quiet life. That changes when a young woman, Plum Dixon, knocks on her door one day with plans of making a docuseries focusing on people wrongly accused of murder--she wants to tell Lottie's story. The problem is, Lottie is guilty of those murders and more. She impulsively kills Plum to stop her from making the series, but that quickly spirals into a much more complicated situation, and the body count starts going up.

This was a very fun, macabre read full of dark humor. It is about a serial killer so gruesome at times, but Lottie is a very entertaining character, and it speaks to the author's writing prowess that she makes you become so invested in someone who has committed such horrible crimes. Lottie's challenges with aging also make her interesting to read, and as the situation she finds herself in gets more and more untenable, I found myself compelled to keep reading to find out what happened.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I found myself actively rooting for the serial killer, but that’s exactly what happened here, and it was such a wild ride. This story manages to be fun and fast-paced while still delivering genuine tension, mystery, and a touch of terror. Definitely not a cozy mystery. There’s enough darkness, dread, and just the right amount of gore to keep the stakes high.

The characters were sharp, well developed, and full of intrigue, with just enough glimpses into their pasts to keep me hooked and constantly second guessing their motives. And the ending was absolutely perfect! Satisfying in a way that tied everything together while still keeping the chills alive.

Samantha Downing continues to prove she’s a master of twisty, darkly entertaining thrillers.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Samatha Downing, and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Tool Old for this is a PAGE TURNER! I could not stop reading this Kindle edition and will be recommending it for the foreseeable future. Dare I say this is one of my top books of the year?

In her old age, Lottie Jones has put her previous life as a serial killer behind her. Until Plum Dixon knocks on her door and begins asking questions about the things she's been so desperate to conceal. And honestly...Lottie just won't stand for that. Consequently, Lottie gets wrapped up in the investigation into Plum's "disappearance" all while trying to maintain the facade of the forgetful, feeble old lady next door. For Lottie, some secrets are just to die for...

This book was such a unique twist on suspense thrillers. Narrated by an antihero who fully embodies the duplicities of her life, you can't help but hope Lottie gets away with it all in the end.

I really enjoyed this thriller with an unlikely main character. It was attention grabbing from the beginning, and while it did become a bit repetitive and predictable, it was still a fun ride.

Lottie Jones is a mother, grandmother, and active in her local church. She’s also a serial killer who almost got caught.

This is one of those books where you don’t know if you’re rooting for the character to get away with it or to get caught. I didn’t necessarily like her, but I did like being in her head and witnessing her thought process.

Overall this was just a fun book. I would’ve rated it higher if it hadn’t felt repetitive and formulaic by the halfway point. But one I would still recommend, if only for the septuagenarian serial killer.

3.5 stars

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 12, 2025
I have been looking forward to a new Samantha Downing for so long, and then she delivers “Too Old for This”, a book about a geriatric serial killer? HECK YES.
Lottie Jones moved away from her hometown years ago, changing the name of herself and her son, to get away from the rumours that were flying about her. The police were accusing her of the murder of at least three people but, when they didn’t have any proof, they released Lottie and gave her a settlement, which she used to start over. But now, Lottie is living alone, attending Bingo and church with her elderly friends and helping her son plan his second wedding. When a young woman shows up at her door asking questions about Lottie’s past, Lottie takes drastic measures to cover up her secrets and soon, one murder leads to another and Lottie finds herself, once again, trying to get away with murder.
Lottie Jones is hilarious, spunky and an absolute gem and I adored her right away. Even though she had killed multiple people, I still somehow wanted her to come away unscathed. Similar to Dexter and Joe Goldberg in Kepnes’ “You”, Lottie was the serial killer who readers will root for. As a septuagenarian, Lottie is not the typical protagonist for any novel (serial killer or no), and putting her in the lead role is a risky move on Downing’s part, but it was the perfect choice.
Throughout the novel, as more bodies fall, the ultimate question is whether or not Lottie will be discovered. With Downing’s intense, suspenseful storytelling and smooth, flowing plot, “Old” was a definite page-turner. After cheering for Lottie, and laughing with her, throughout the entirety of the novel, the ending of “Old” was deliciously satisfying. Downing made it impossible to speculate how old Lottie would fare, as she had more than one close call and the suspense pulled right on through to the final pages.
“Too Old for This” is surprisingly heartfelt, as well as murderous and mysterious and it continues to show why Downing is one of those authors that everyone is talking about. She has the talent to elevate her from her peers in this genre, and “Old” should be devoured by Downing fans, and readers who enjoy a suspenseful novel with a charming serial killer at the helm.

4.5 Stars

This is my first book by Samantha Downing, and it was a good one. The book is about Lottie, a woman in her mid-seventies who lives in Oregon. She likes playing bingo at the church, chatting with friends, and spending time with her grandchildren. Sounds typical, right? Lottie has a secret, though. When she was younger, she was a serial killer. She was never convicted of her crimes, even though the police suspected her. Suddenly, an investigative reporter shows up and wants to do a documentary about Lottie. Lottie is petrified of her secret coming out, so she decides her only recourse is to eliminate the threat of exposure. That's when things begin to unravel.

I loved this cat-and-mouse game. This book was humorous and suspenseful in equal measure. It is told from Lottie's point of view, and I loved her internal thoughts and dialogue. She may be in her seventies, but her mind is sharp and her wit is quick. I loved how the author uses Lottie's age as both a positive and a negative. Lottie may seem like a mild-mannered senior and use this to her advantage, but her age also shows through her aches and pains and lack of technological knowledge. The chapters are short and punchy, which make the pages fly by.

This was an utterly unique premise that was executed flawlessly. As someone who recently turned 59, I loved that the book reflects my feelings about aging—you're never too old to get up to old tricks. Know what was great about this book? The killer is a bingo-playing senior citizen. Know what was even better? I was cheering her on despite her dark side. Downing deserves an extra half star for those two points alone.

Lottie Jones is 75 years old, cranky about her son’s fiancée, and really just wants to bake cookies, win at church bingo, and not get blood on her orthopedic shoes. Unfortunately, her past has other plans. Because surprise! She’s not just your average grandma. She’s a retired serial killer who made it through the 80s without getting caught, rebranded herself, and moved to a sleepy coastal town where the biggest threat used to be a judgmental potluck coordinator. Then comes Plum Dixon, a perky investigative journalist with the gall to knock on Lottie’s door and ask, “Hey, remember that string of unsolved murders?” Lottie’s response is somewhere between bless your heart and hand me the tarp.

The entire premise of "Too Old for This" is absurd in the best way. It’s like "The Golden Girls" meets "Dexter" if Bea Arthur had a kill room. Lottie is absolutely that girl; calculating, vicious, and way too smug for someone with a bad hip and a garage freezer she keeps needing to clean out. And yet... I adored her. She’s a narcissistic, manipulative menace and somehow? Weirdly relatable. I don’t want to say I’d help her drag a body, but I’d at least bring snacks and lie to the police.

This is "Too Old for This" giving us Samantha Downing at her most unhinged in the best way. Morally bankrupt protagonists who are just self-aware enough to be hilarious and terrifying at the same time. The pacing is whip-fast, the chapters are basically potato chips (short, salty, addictive), and the plot spins out like a blood-soaked version of "I Love Lucy". Every time you think Lottie’s in the clear, someone else shows up uninvited and she’s gotta murder her way through the guest list. At this point she needs a “No Soliciting, No True Crime Docs, No Breathing” sign on her porch.

And can we talk about the comedy? Because this book is funny. Dark, yes, but so snarky and twisted that I had to stop reading more than once just to laugh at a line about arthritis and body disposal logistics. It’s got the slapstick energy of "Home Alone", but with fewer booby traps and more “I guess I’ll just have to kill him too.” You know. Classic grandma stuff.

Now, it’s not flawless. There were a couple plot turns that felt like Lottie maybe should’ve taken the L and not, you know, committed more crimes. But hey, you can’t teach an old killer new tricks. Also, I could’ve used a little more depth in her backstory. I wanted to crack her open a bit more, see the trauma stew that birthed this human meat grinder in a floral cardigan. Still, the flashbacks we do get are spicy enough to explain her murder-hobby without dragging the pacing.

What sealed the deal for me was how self-aware the book is. It knows it’s over-the-top. It leans into it. Lottie straight-up monologues about how crime has gotten harder with smartphones and DNA everywhere, and I swear, if this woman had to sign up for two-factor authentication just to commit a felony, she’d rather die. The ending is fast and sharp and left me yelling, “Oh my god she did NOT just” out loud, which is the highest compliment I can pay a thriller these days.

Four bloody, bingo-stamped stars. Not life-changing, but absolutely delicious. If you want to root for a grandma who’ll offer you a cookie and then strangle you with the string from her teabag, "Too Old for This" is your next unhinged read.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Yell “YES, QUEEN” at a Woman Who Dismembers People in a Housecoat

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy of "Too Old for This" in exchange for an honest review. I may never look at bingo night or a well-organized tea tray the same way again.

I know this is kind of weird to say about a serial killer book, but this was fun!

I’m a fan of morally gray characters when done right, and that was definitely the case here. Yes, Lottie may be a serial killer, but the more she tried to reason with herself about why she did what she did, the more I found myself being swayed by her opinions😂 She was a really likable character, and I liked seeing the combination of her getting older but still having the mindset she did decades ago.

There’s thriller and mystery elements to the story. Mostly the thrill came from me being on the edge of my seat, wondering if Lottie was going to get caught. There are multiple side characters, and I enjoyed what they brought to the story and how they drove the mystery. The short chapters and cliffhanger chapter-endings made this easy to binge, and the ending ties things up nicely.

While this book was a bit far-fetched, it was easy to suspend belief and follow along on this wild ride.

Meet Lottie Jones. This 75-year-old grandmother was formerly Lorena Mae Lansdale, the infamous serial killer. Well, she was never convicted, so technically she's an alleged killer. But that was all in the past; she's retired now. Her son is getting remarried, and she's considering moving to a retirement community. That was until Plum Dixon, a young filmmaker, came to her house one day, advising Lottie that she was working on a docuseries about her. So much for retirement. In a flash, Plum is a goner. And Lottie discovers that getting rid of a body is a lot more challenging in your seventies. Matters become even more complicated when Plum's boyfriend and mother start looking for her. So much for bingo. 

Too Old for This was wickedly entertaining. Samantha Downing has created a darkly comedic mystery thriller that will have you rooting for a cold-blooded killer with a penchant for a good hot cup of tea with cookies, all while dealing with worsening arthritis. This was just the book I needed after some heart-wrenching stories. It's clever, sarcastic, and twisty. I'll never look at a garage freezer the same way again.

Too old for this, is a dark humor murder mystery. If you are murder mystery fan who is a little twisted, you will enjoy this book. Warning if you are an uptight, straight lace , and have no sense of humor, this book is not for you.

A special thank you to Berkley, NetGalley and author Samantha Downing for selecting me to receive an advanced readers copy of Too Old For This. This is my honest and voluntary review 🖤

✨Releases August 12, 2025✨

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Character rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A retired serial killer's quiet life is upended by an unexpected visitor. To protect her secrets, there's only one option left - what's another murder?

That opening, wow! 😮 This book had me hooked from the first chapter. 🖤 I really enjoyed the story and learning about Lottie and her past. The short chapters and fast-paced setting was a huge bonus, I felt like I flew through this book! I enjoyed the dark humor in this book and found it to be refreshingly clever.

This is my first book by Samantha Downing but I can't wait to read more of her work. ☺️ If you love a good serial killer book then you must add this thriller to your TBR!

super fun! gave me FINLAY DONOVAN x THE KIND WORTH KILLING VIBES (two books i love). it’s prob not my fave book of hers (hard to beat FOR YOUR OWN GOOD in my eyes!) but it grabs you right away and was creative (a grandma serial killer is the main character lol!!) and a quick binge

This book cannot be described in a mere paragraph or two - this is satire and thriller at its finest, showing fear has no age…

This was really a fun (and violent) read! Church bingo, murder, retirement home shopping, dismemberment, gossiping about potluck dishes, and evading police -- Too Old for This has it all.

Lottie is a thoroughly unique and engaging character, and this story is the perfect fast-paced, twisty one for anyone who's not put off by a bit of gory detail. I was going to give it four stars, but considering I often forget the details of books within days after reading them and I feel quite confident this one will stay with me, I've switched to five.

You can bet I'll be recommending it widely!

Thanks very much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in advance of publication.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 @berkleypub 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬!

I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 but I couldn’t wait to find out. Lottie, a seventy-five-year-old retired serial killer, just wants to live her quiet, peaceful life. Unfortunately, a knock on her door quickly threatens that. Forced out of serial killer retirement, Lottie will stop at nothing to keep her secrets from resurfacing.

Lottie is probably one of the most entertaining protagonists I’ve read in a bit! She’s unapologetically herself, even if that means others have to die for it. She took me on a ride, and I loved every bit of it. I kept thinking I knew what would happen next, but obviously, Lottie wouldn’t be that predictable. I loved the way the story was written, with the inner dialogues and the need to adapt her serial killer ways to the evolving technology. I also loved the flashbacks to 1985 and the relationship she had with law enforcement then. It was a brilliant game of cat and mouse, where the roles switched back and forth as the story progressed.

Too Old for This was so much fun - in the most deliciously twisted way imaginable. Samantha Downing delivers yet again with her signature dark humor and whip-smart writing, and this time she gives us Lottie Jones: a retired serial killer who now spends her golden years playing bingo and sipping tea with her nosy (but lovable) friends. I mean… iconic.

Lottie is such a fantastic character. She’s sharp, sarcastic, and absolutely terrifying, but in a way that makes you root for her anyway. Her aging body may not be as agile as it once was, but her mind is still razor-sharp and deadly. The way she analyzes every threat, especially when journalist Plum Dixon starts sniffing around her past, had me glued to the page.

Watching Lottie grapple with the realities of aging while contemplating murder was unexpectedly hilarious. Every moment of tension is laced with Downing’s signature dark wit, making even the most sinister scenes feel almost… cozy?

The plot is clever, fast-paced, and full of surprises. I was constantly caught between laughing and holding my breath. And the ending was just perfect.

If you love thrillers with morally gray leads, biting humor, and a story that never lets up, this book is an absolute must-read! Lottie Jones is a legend and I already miss her.

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Berkley for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5***
Lottie is a retired serial killer who just wants to enjoy a life of retirement filled with church and bingo. That is, until a true crime podcaster starts to ask her questions about her past. What unfolds is a fast paced story full of dark humor and twists. At times, it seemed some of the actions that Lottie made were a little unnecessary, but I think her personality didn't want to leave anything to come back to her. Definitely recommend if you like morally gray characters and crime fiction.

Oh this was so much fun ! Who would have thought I would be cheering for the serial killer narrator and hoping she doesn’t get caught ! So many twists and unexpected turns, and yet the story comes together so well in the end .

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫