If you have read books from this author before, you know the style - cheeky, funny, unique and light. This was exactly that and i enjoyed it as always. It’s both a mystery and a comedy, with characters you truly grow to love and hate without taking anything too seriously. If you’re looking for a knockout drag down thriller, this is not it, but it’s a great casual read for someone who wants something a bit different. Lottie is such a great main character, she’s quick and funny and while she’s not necessarily relatable, you somehow find yourself rooting for her. At 297 pages, this is the perfect length for any book. In my opinion. Great job Samantha Downing!

This book was so much fun in the darkest, most twisted way. Lottie Jones is not your typical retired lady. She’s a former serial killer who’s been living a quiet life, playing bingo, and minding her own business until a nosy journalist comes knocking, asking all the wrong questions. Samantha Downing is a master of dark humor, and Lottie is the kind of antihero you shouldn’t root for, but totally do. The story is fast paced, sharp, and filled with tension as Lottie tries to cover her tracks while also dealing with the fact that she’s not as spry as she used to be. It’s like Dexter meets Golden Girls, and I was completely hooked. If you love thrillers with a wicked sense of humor and a lead character who’s equal parts terrifying and hilarious, this one’s a must read!

𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓? 𝑶𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍?

A mix of dark humor and absolutely sobering moments that reflect on the aging process, TOO OLD FOR THIS was everything I hoped for and so much more.

Lottie Jones became a serial killer quite by accident. But her crimes are far behind her, and the detective who thought he would apprehend her is a fading memory. Decades before, she moved with her young son, changed her name, and raised him in anonymity. The only attention she got came from the pointed stares and whispers about her son's lack of a father.

Today, Lottie fills her time attending church bingo, taking ibuprofen, and irritating the Mean Girl at church potluck by bringing spinach dip and store-bought party trays. She's also starting checking into retirement homes, planning for the inevitable time when she can no longer navigate her rambling home. But the quiet life she's made for herself is shattered when investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep announcing that she's filming a docuseries, and she wants Lottie to tell her story. Lottie is the epitome of a graceful elderly woman when she invites Plum inside, but she quickly turns into Dexter to rid herself of this nuisance.

Lottie has no idea that's she put into motion a chain of events that just may lead to her undoing after all this time. I so enjoyed Lottie's wry humor, her moments of exasperation (usually regarding her smart phone), and her peace with her mortality. Additionally, there were heartbreaking layers to this story that spoke of how invisible women feel when they reach a certain age, and how often, all their small gestures at being included are ignored.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this stunning early copy. This book is expected to release August 12, 2025.

It’s been a long time since Maddie worked, she’s retired now and her days as a serial killer are long behind her. She’s made a new life in a small town with her biggest excitement is her weekly bingo game. But then one day a reporter arrives in town, and she has more than an inkling what Maddie used to do . Will Maddie be forced to resume her old career to keep living her murder free future?