It’s like Golden Girls meets the First 48! This was such a good book! It’s a fast paced thriller that keeps you guessing! Most chapters ended on little cliffhangers which made me want to keep reading! There are a lot of twists and turns! This book was so good!

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing

Don't ever get attached to Samantha Downing characters because the body count in her stories can be amazingly high and anyone is libel to meet their end before the last page. Lottie Jones is a retired serial killer. Decades ago she and her son changed their names and moved away from all the hubbub of the notoriety when she was accused of killing multiple people. She did kill them but she got off and decided she'd better get over her addiction to the feel of a skull cracking, the thrill of the kill, the satisfaction of snuffing out the life of someone who irked her. It can be even the slightest (to others) snub that can put a person on Lottie's hit list. She takes no prisoners, when she's after you, it's for keeps.

Now septuagenarian Lottie is involved in playing bingo at her church, gossiping with her church friends, and aggravating the bossy church women by bringing inferior dips and store bought food to the church events. She also has decided she'll dress the way she wants so there is the side eye at her dressed down look, lately. But she has things on her mind. Someone wants to do a documentary about her serial killing...oh, I mean, wrongly accused crimes...snicker. Such a documentary would ruin the life Lottie has created for herself so now she has a excuse to kill again and once she gets started, there just isn't a good stopping place.

I read a lot of violent and gory stories but this one really sent chills down my spine. Seeing a 70 something year old lady, whose body is aching and failing, kill people and clean up the enormous messes killing makes and doing it so gleefully and expertly is creepier than most stories I read. You do not want to be in the line of sight of Lottie, she likes what she does too much for me to think it will ever be over. Once again the author has written a book where I want to look away while trying not to laugh at the same time.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.

4 stars

Lottie Jones. Senior citizen. Bingo player. Retired serial killer. And it looks like the retirement might be over…

She thought it was all behind her. She changed her name and hid herself in a small town, but then journalist Plum Dixon shows up at her door asking questions. What is Lottie to do?

And, unfortunately, the knocks, and questions, just keep coming.

I requested this because I saw several favorable reviews on Goodreads and it sounded like fun…and it was. You are better off knowing nothing more than what is written above when you are going into it, just immerse yourself in Lottie’s world. She’s a great character…not a sweet, granny type, but practical, yet sympathetic. You may not quite get where she’s coming from, yet you’ll find it hard to fault her. Highly recommended for a nice time with a non-taxing read.

This was a fun, lighthearted read, which was unexpected since the protagonist is a serial killer. Lottie is engaging and witty and very matter of fact when explaining why someone needs to die at her hands. The story moved quickly and kept me engaged, as Lottie tackled both her aging and her murder cover-ups.

Lottie Jones may be getting older but some habits are hard to kick--like murder! Believing that she's left the past behind her, Lottie spends her days puttering around her house, gossiping with her friends and attending church functions. She has a strong sense of right and wrong and when someone "wrongs" her, she gets revenge. Fearing that after 40 years the detective on the original case has sent investigative reporter Plum Jones to her house, Lottie does what she does best--makes tea, offers cookies and ends the discussion with a hammer.

Blending the maladies of old age, the desire to put an end to people who trouble her and the thought process that goes into not only killing someone, but the "chores" that await afterwards while cleaning up the crime scene and disposing of the body, Lottie's mind is a thing to behold. Readers will laugh out loud at some of her comments and marvel at how good an actress she has become.
Strap on your tool belt, Lottie is coming your way! Don't miss this one!

Lottie Jones lleva décadas escondida bajo una nueva identidad, disfrutando de la tranquila vida de una jubilada en un pequeño pueblo. Pero cuando una periodista aparece en su puerta con intenciones de destapar su oscuro pasado, Lottie se ve obligada a volver a hacer lo que mejor sabe: matar. Lo que empieza como un intento de proteger su anonimato se convierte en una cadena de crímenes tan ingeniosos como escalofriantes. Con humor negro, giros sorprendentes y una protagonista tan entrañable como peligrosa, esta historia demuestra que el retiro no siempre significa el fin… al menos no para todos.



No fue lo que esperaba, pero me gustó.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

I'm not sure exactly what to think about this one. I personally couldn't write a book to save my life, so I always want to give kudos to authors who do!
As a reader who likes diving into a story blindly, I'm torn between liking it or saying "eh". It's written well. I almost want to consider it humorous, yet a YA feel, and sort of cozy. It took me a long while to read as I was looking for more thrilling aspects. But I'll still discuss it with others!
Thank you to the publishers for an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I definitely rooted for the antihero in this one. I like reading stories with older mature villains. This was a blend of dark comedy and suspense. Definitely will recommend.

Lottie Jones is in for a surprise. I won't give away the surprise, but you'll know what it is by the end of the first chapter.

Lottie is an anti-hero, one who does not fit the mold of a typical protagonist, but one you just can't help rooting for nonetheless. The novel consists of a series of cat-and-mouse games that keep you guessing from one to the next. I had a difficult time figuring out where the novel was going.

I had a hard time putting this novel down and looked forward to restarting my reading whenever I could, and for this reason, it ended up being a quick read for me. I've read uncountable thrillers and mysteries, and this one was unlike any I had read before. It kept me guessing all the way up to the very end. The story was very balanced by disturbing thoughts and actions along with dark humor.

Lottie Jones seems like a typical old lady- she goes to church regularly, brings homemade goodies to bingo, and struggles with joint pain. At seventy-five, she has been retired from the bank for several years, and her biggest concern is her son’s midlife crisis involving a young pregnant fiancee. She’s tired as well as retired. Into this quiet existence an independent producer named Plum Dixon appears on Lottie’s doorstep. Plum is going to be doing a series on Lottie’s past when she was accused of some terrible crimes. Plum’s angle is the trauma inflicted on innocent people wrongly accused, tried in the press if not the courts. Lottie was forced to change her and her son’s names, and move to an entirely different area. Lottie does not want her past reopened, and when Plum announces she’s going ahead with or without Lottie’s cooperation, there really was only one thing to do: murder her. Technically, Lottie was guilty of those crimes (and over the years many more) and this idiot isn’t going to bring all that amateur nonsense she did them back up. Serial killers often want to retire after all. But sometimes, people just need silencing. And as they say, it’s not the crime but the coverup that leads to the problems.
This novel is a dryly humorous as the sweet little old lady image is turned on its ear. There is some definite commentary on ageism – just because someone is old, doesn’t make them a trustworthy person. However, there is also much sincere musing on the humiliation of aging, misunderstanding technology, being treated with condensation or disrespect, and real fears of dementia. There’s also a reminder of how one can feel abandoned by one’s family in age as children and grandchildren see spending time with you as a burden. Additionally, Lottie is frustrated by the limitations of her body -it’s so much more difficult to move corpses now, and the disposal process needs to be spread over days. Definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys a twisty mystery and cranky old ladies everywhere. Advisory for some gory descriptions. I received a free egalley for an honest review.

Lottie Jones changed her name and moved. She has been enjoying her retired life playing bingo at the local church and her few friends. Plum Dixon is an investigative reporter who shows up unexpectedly at her door and she knows her real name and wants to do a documentary on her. Lottie is a gracious hostess and offers her tea and cookies but since Plum won't take no for an answer she is forced to end her life.

This one act snowballs out of control and leads to so many more deaths. Lottie is smart and calculating and she has been getting away with it for years. You can't help but love her character and end up rooting for her the whole way through the book. There is someone who wants to see her pay for her crimes and he will pull out all the punches trying to put her away.

This book was funny, action packed and twisty and I enjoyed that Lottie's character was older.

Although I do not normally read “mysteries”, I thoroughly enjoyed Too Old for This by Samantha Downing. It may seem disrespectful to her victims but I found Lottie, the septuagenarian serial killer who is pushed out of retirement after 40 years, to be totally delightful. People start showing up at her door asking the wrong questions. Lottie serves them tea and cookies all while planning how she will murder them to keep her identity safe and dispose of their bodies. The inclusion of her church friends along with her son and his young, pregnant fiancé allow the reader to get insight into Lottie’s everyday life. There are several satisfying twists along the way. You will enjoy this journey!

I truly enjoyed this book. I read it in two days. I loved that the main character was an elderly female serial killer. In my experience that's unusual. I found her train of thought that she used to justify each murder fascinating. Also, I liked that the author showed both the murderous side and the elderly church going lady side of the main character. The book could have been gruesome with details, but it wasn't. That was a plus in my book. Although, some aspects of the clean up after the deed was not factually correct, I did not feel it took away the enjoyment of reading the book. I found it easy to read. The words flowed. I find some books to be an effort to read. This one was not.

Review of Too Old For This by @smariedowning

Guys I am not exaggerating when I say that I SCREAMED out loud and jumped when I received an approval from Netgalley to read this one. Thank you so so much to @berkleypub for allowing me the opportunity and privilege to read this one. I have read every book this amazing author has written and this one is probably my favorite. The main character is one of my favorites ever written. I cannot tell you how obsessed I was with the entire story. The writing was so perfect. My mouth dropped more times than I can count and I even laughed a few times. This one is out August 12 and trust me when I say you’re gonna want to read it. 5 stars.

Synopsis:

Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her.

Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town. Her most exciting nights are the weekly bingo games at the local church and gossiping with her friends.

When investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past and specifically her involvement with numerous unsolved cases, well, Lottie just can’t have that.

But getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realizes this crime might just be the death of her

A delightful game of cat and mouse! Lottie is living a comfortable life when trouble comes knocking (literally). Lottie may be retired serial killer, but she still has a few tricks up her sleeve. Her exasperation with her aging mind and body will leave you chuckling as she outwits a whole cast of characters.

I loved this light-hearted page turner story of an adorable and wicked woman “of a certain age” who is doing things beyond expectations. Unexpectedly it is a tale, told in the first person, of a semi-retired serial killer in a cozy thriller. Killing occurs but no graphic violence.

Samantha Downing has done the improbable, turned a serial killer into a lovable, very intelligent curmudgeon with plenty of spunk. Years ago, Lottie Jones has fled notoriety in Spokane with her young son, changed her identity, and purchased a home with money from a lawsuit for “false” accusations. She has a quiet life when a very perky, aspiring true-crime documentarian pushes into her home to bring back her past. When it becomes apparent that the young woman means to do the documentary over Lottie’s objections, elimination seems the only solution.

The sudden killing of a young woman in Lottie’s kitchen leads to a cascade of cover-up acts as a web of deceit predictably grows more complicated. Along the way we gain insight into the mind of a mother who loves her grandchildren and son in spite of his poor choices in women. Downing has captured the views and concerns of an older person humorously as Lottie’s plans are upset by family and well-intentioned friends. We can’t help but love the character and pull for her to get away with her awful and rather clever acts.

Don’t try this at home. As a scientist I can tell you that you would not get away with murder using Lottie’s clever methods but this is a very fun story if you suspend your disbelief just a little.

How does a serial killer stop killing and live a quiet life? Oh wait, that's impossible because there is always one more that must be taken care of or something bad will happen. Lottie Jones is a character you know you should dislike, but her reasoning for her decisions makes sense in a way and you might start seeing life through her eyes and sympathizing for her. Their are some hard sections to read, but skimming those to get to Lottie's life and thoughts is not a problem in following the story.

I am not sure what it says about myself that I loved and was rooting for a serial killer. But Lottie Jones at age 75 just wants to be able to enjoy church bingo with her friends and forget her past, which so far she has hidden well. When a journalist threatens to reveal her true name and her past she has no choice but to return to her old ways of solving problems (think Dexter ) but instead of easily taking care of just one person things soon escalate. I enjoyed every word of this story about an elderly, supposedly retired, serial killer who tries to figure out how to get away with murder despite her age, her frailty, and her inexperience with modern technology.

✨Book Review✨

Too Old For This - Samantha Downing

📖 Lottie Jones was living a quiet life as a retired serial killer until she has an unexpected visitor. To protect her secrets and her new life Lottie is left with only one option, to come out of retirement to eliminate the problem. Getting away with murder is tough enough when you’re young, but when she gets another knock on her door she realizes that this crime might be the death of her.


📚 Lottie was a devious, lovable old lady, with a colorful past and lots of knowledge that she used to her advantage. I’ve read about plenty of serial killers, but reading about the challenges of aging while unaliving people was a new twist that I enjoyed. Lottie was also able to use her age to her advantage, which was fun to experience. This storyline was fun to follow and had me on the edge of my seat. The chapters were short but ended on great cliffhangers that kept me turning page after page. I, for one, will not be underestimating old people ever again.

🌟 You know it’s a 5 star book if you neglect all responsibilities and binge it! Samantha Downing is back and she will have you ensnared in these pages. Preorder this immediately.

Shoutout to @smariedowning @berkleypub and @NetGalley for the advanced reader copy! Thank you!

#BookReview #Bookish #Booksta #BookRecommendation

Stars: 5

Thank you to @netgalley, @berkleypub and @smariedowning for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review!

This book had me going THROUGH it. Chile, Miss Lottie is a WHOLE mess. Initially, I felt badly for her...I mean all Lottie wanted to do was live her best life in PEACE, and here comes Plum trying to get in her business. Why did Plum poke the sleeping bear? You shouldn’t have done that Plum.

Miss Lottie is a serial killer, and because serial means “repeatedly,” she can’t stop at just one murder! Lottie is trying to make it seem like she’s hesitant to come out of retirement, and the only reason she’s murdering again is because there are potential snitches still out there. Lottie is trying to stay out of jail by any means necessary. Besides, jail is not the place for a feeble 75-year-old woman, right?

Lottie understood the assumptions people have regarding the elderly and used them to her advantage! There’s no way this cookie-baking, tea-sipping, faithful church-going lady, can be a full-blown murderer!

The ending left me with more questions! Ms. Downing, we need a sequel because I have questions that require answers! Did Lottie change her ways, or is she still thirsty for blood 🤔

Check this book out if you are looking for a twisty thriller featuring an unlikely villian! Official release date is August 12, 2025.