A retired serial killer comes out of retirement when someone shows up on her doorstep trying to make a documentary about her. She wanted to stay hidden.

This was good, but I will admit it did not wow me like I thought it would based on all the reviews. I think the best part of this book is the uniqueness of the story. I don’t think I have ever read a book about someone over 70 being a serial killer.

It did highlight her limitation and aches and pains while trying to commit her crimes. But it also accurately portrayed how people underestimated her, as well. I thought it was really interesting.

The ending was a little wild and extreme for me. I think this book was more a 3.5 rounded up for me. I think this is another case where if I didn’t have such high expectations, I would have enjoyed it more. That is the problem with seeing a book with tons of 5 star reviews and thinking it’s gonna be life-altering. 😂

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved it so much I am concerned about my mental health.

One might argue that Plum Dixon brought her death upon herself.  As the producer of Reboot Productions, Plum wants to give someone like Lorena Mae  Lansdale who was wrongly accused of murder--so much so that the city paid reparation for the persecution suffered by Lottie and her son--a chance to clear her name.

While Lorena (now going by) Lottie Jones can appreciate the enthusiasm and hard work of this lovely young woman, she also knows that she literally got away with murder and doesn’t want the spotlight shining on her and especially the new anonymous life that she has been living for the last 40 years

It's been years since Lottie has retired.   Murder was just becoming too much work.  Now at the advanced age of 75, Lottie needs to brush off her serial killer skills to get rid of the body of the now deceased young Plum Dixon.

And now her quiet house on her quiet street has a revolving door for Plum’s boyfriend, her mother and of course the police.  While Lottie is certain she covered her trail well, there is always some young cop who is certain they can dig out the truth, just like Detective Burke tried back in the 80's.    He was certain that Lorena was his killer but he just couldn't find the evidence and Lorena was way to smart to confess.  This is why she and Archie had to move from Spokane to the quiet town of Baycliff and assume new names.

Before Plum came knocking on her door Lottie was content at this point in her life to just fantasize about how she would kill Glenda, the annoying bingo coordinator who was always judging Lottie’s pot luck contributions as not good enough, or maybe how she would get rid of the rude telemarketer.

Nowadays, Lottie just wants to sit in her aging recliner or hang with her friends at Thursday bingo so Plum really has no one to blame but herself for dragging Lottie out of her retirement.

THOUGHTS:
I like Lottie so much I was left with a dilemma--do I want her to get away with it and return to her quiet retirement or should she face justice?

Everything that happens really was Plum's fault.  Does she really think, especially tracking someone down who had to move away and changed their name, that that someone would be happy to re-open an old wound such as being accused of murder and having their face splashed on the news once again--especially if it turns out she got away with it?   And everything that happens afterwards is all Plum's fault, well mostly.  You know what I mean.

We don't just have murder and hiding bodies to contend with.  Lottie has bingo nights and what will she be bringing to pot luck and gossiping with her friends.  As an aging serial killer, she needs to contemplate living alone and is it time to find an assisted living facility and her son's upcoming second marriage/late in life baby/midlife crisis.  All while trying to figure out the best disposal of a body.  And speaking of bodies--at 75, her hip is going and all these late nights having to stalk her victims is exhausting for the older crowd.  This is why she retired in the first place.

Lottie also uses her age wisely--pretending to be a lot more feeble than she really is both mentally and physically. She plays the cops off against everyone else looking for Plum. Telling them one thing and then swearing that never happened, they are obviously lying to get some information. I really wasn't sure whether or not she could really pull this off -- or even did I really want them to catch her. Such a dilemma!

I had no idea what to anticipate with this story but I was sucked in.   I just loved Lottie and how well she handles growing older, all while still making sure all the bodies don't lead to her door.

Too Old for This comes out in August so make sure you put it on your list for this year's beach reading.

This book pulled me out of a reading slump, and saying it hooked me from the first page to the last would be an understatement. I finished it in just three days — though, to be fair, I didn’t have much else to do — but I genuinely couldn’t put it down. It felt different from the usual thrillers I’ve read. Instead of the typical storyline where people are out there, well, un-aliving others, here we had a old woman doing all the dirty work. I think Lottie was 75? Either way, she was old — like, very old — but somehow terrifyingly skilled. The way she manipulated and gaslighted people was almost impressive in the most twisted way.

I wouldn’t say the plot itself was groundbreaking, and honestly, the storyline and characters felt pretty predictable and, at times, a little tedious. But despite that, I still loved the book. It was wildly entertaining, and the fact that it helped me get back into reading makes me want to rate it even higher.

I went into this with zero expectations, especially since I wasn’t a fan of Samantha Downing’s last book. But this one? It completely surprised me in the best way. I’m even considering checking out more of her works to see if they catch my attention the same way.

It's Funny!
For some odd reason I like reading serial murder mystery books but I have never read a funny one; until now. It is LOL funny!
Lottie is in her 70's and she just wants to go to church bingo and enjoy her retirement with her friends. Forty years ago Lottie was investigated for suspicion of being a serial murderer in her hometown. She was found not guilty but nevertheless she & her son had to change their names and move far away to begin a new life.
One day, forty years later Plum Dixon shows up at her door wanting to do a show about how she has recovered from being an accused serial killer, but Lottie wants nothing to do with her or her show. The story goes on from there. The humor is refreshing and the writing is superb. I have never read a book by this author before but I certainly will be reading her other books.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for my ARC.

Women of a certain age make for the best demented main characters. It combines the intensity of your typical bad guy and the assumed innocuous nature of the elderly. The dichotomy makes for a world of fun. This was STRESSFUL, which is what I like from my thrillers. Lottie kept digging herself further and further into trouble and I was on the edge of my seat seeing how things would play out. All of the side characters were pretty minimal yet properly developed enough to keep them sorted. I am a big fan of how things turned out, no spoilers of course. I will continue to read any and every book Downing puts out.

Overall this was captivating, dark, unique, and fun.

Too Old For This is one of those books that hooks you from the first chapter. Lottie wastes no time and spares no one (except one particular character I really wanted to see snuffed out, but she never got him...)
This woman is on a rampage, ok? And it's not even intentional. She just wants to be left alone where she can enjoy her quiet life. Why was I cheering for a serial killer? I need to reevaluate myself.

This book is 400 pages, but you'd never know it because of how quickly you'll turn the pages. Samantha Downing writes brilliant thrillers - this one may be my favorite yet.

Who doesn’t love a murderous grandmother? Lottie has lived in her new life for several years when a young woman shows up at her door wanting to make a docuseries about her. Lottie can’t have that so falls back on her old murdering ways to keep her life safe. How does one murder cause so many problems though? Poor Lottie, between her arthritis and having to murder people, her life stays busy. Lottie is a fun character to follow and Downing writes a book that keeps you reading for hours. Another hit from her!

Samantha Downing’s Too Old for This is a delight. Lottie Jones, a seemingly somewhat dotty 75-year old, is actually a serial killer. She’s never been caught, even though Spokane Detective Kenneth Burke has been trying since 1985. When Plum Dixon, a young documentary filmmaker, shows up at her door wanting to make a series about Lottie’s past, hiding her past becomes Lottie’s present, and Plum’s demise. Things only get more complicated from there. First Plum’s boyfriend shows up looking for her, then the police, and eventually Plum’s fairly deranged mother. Lottie has to juggle all of these dangers in addition to keeping up her normal-seeming life at her church. Lottie’s soon-to-be daughter-in-law also shows up and finds one of her victims’ finger in the freezer. How she maneuvers around all of these roadblocks at 75 may stretch one’s incredulity just a bit, but it is a lot of fun to finally encounter a killer who has to deal with arthritis, a possible hip replacement, and general aches and pains-and keep on going. Highly recommended.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I was hooked from the very start, could not put the book down. The main character is super devious and cunning, you would definitely want her on your side if you were planning to commit murder.. It makes you realize to new judge a book by its cover, any age can accomplish anything they put their mind to.

Lottie is a retired serial killer who loves going to church bingo. Then a docuseries producer shows up who wants to end her anonymity and exonerate her. Lottie is then forced to come out of retirement to protect her privacy. Is she too old for the job now?
Hysterical, dark thriller that leaves you cheering for the killer.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

📖 ARC Review 📖

PUB Date : Aug 11th 2025

My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Killer Stars 🙌🏼

Don’t let the copious amounts of tea and plates of cookies fool you into thinking Lottie reminds you of your sweet grandmother 👵

Once a serial killer…. Always a serial killer 🔨

Samantha Downing has this way of writing these story’s that are more twisted than a pretzel 🥨 and are so dark & detailed …she doesn’t leave out a single component!!

Lottie is getting ready for Bingo when there is a knock on her door . 🚪

A young woman named Plum is wanting to do a docuseries on Lottie’s past surrounding unsolved murders 👀

Lottie can’t let this happen , but she’s getting too old and not as nimble as she used to be …but that isn’t going to stop her !

Things spiral 🌀 out of control after Plums visit leading to more crime .

Lottie must use her smarts and tack to keep herself out of the lime light 💡

Will Lottie get away with more killings or will she end up a victim of her own demise 🤷🏻‍♀️

You need to read this one for yourself to find out what happens !

If you like books with serial killers , unlikely events , some cringe 😬 and great pacing , then add this one to your TBR !

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group & @smariedowning for this thrilling ARC 🙌🏼

Samantha Downing is one of my favorite authors. Since reading My Lovely Wife, I have devoured every book and I anxiously await her release each year. To say I was excited to read her newest book, Too Old for This, early on @netgalley is an understatement. Especially since it’s a serial killer story.

And a unique one at that.

I loved this book. A retired female serial killer? Count me in! The protagonist is sharp, witty, and incredibly clever. The pacing of the story was expertly crafted, and the supporting characters were just as engaging.

And that cover! 🤩

I will most definitely be pre-ordering a copy for my bookshelf.

Lottie, Lottie, Lottie! To know her is to possibly get killed by her. Lottie is old and has had enough. She is tired and knows when it’s time to put an end to certain annoying things, or should I say people. She knows what it’s like to feel invisible as you age. Society tends to not notice women of a certain age and Lottie capitalizes on that fact. Watch what you do and say around Lottie Jones. Saying or doing the wrong thing could be deadly. Lottie would be a great friend to have, but definitely not an enemy. Samantha Downing masterfully crafts a macabre, unsettling thriller sprinkled with dark humor. I loved every shocking minute! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for my ARC.

Killer. Clever. Unstoppable.

Samantha Downing has done it again. A Twisted, Delightful Game of Cat and Mouse (if that were its title, which it isn’t) is a sharp, darkly amusing thriller that turns retirement into anything but restful.

Lottie Jones was living the dream—or at least, a very peculiar version of it. Small-town anonymity, weekly bingo, a close circle of friends who would never suspect a thing. But when a journalist comes knocking, asking too many very inconvenient questions, Lottie finds herself facing the one thing she thought she’d put behind her: murder. And let’s just say, it’s not as easy as it used to be.

What makes this book shine isn’t just its twisty, unpredictable turns (though there are plenty of those), but the way Downing masterfully plays with tone. Lottie is a retired serial killer, yes, but she’s also an absolute firecracker. Her exasperation at the complications of her old hobby creeping back into her life is as amusing as it is unsettling. And as if that wasn’t enough, encountering a character named Norma—a rare treat that felt like a personal wink—had me totally eating it up.

Tightly plotted, wickedly clever, and full of moments that had me chuckling at the audacity of it all, this is a thriller that doesn’t just keep you turning pages—it keeps you thoroughly entertained. Downing fans will devour this one just like I did.

Expected publication date: August 12, 2025. I know that’s a ways out, but of course, I couldn’t wait to read this one. I’ve loved every book Samantha Downing has written, and this was no exception.

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy.

Funny and mysterious at the same time, with twists and turns you won't see coming. I love Samantha Downing's writing and wit.

It kills me to write this, but Too Old for This was so bloody good! Seriously, Samantha Downing killed it with her tale of a retired serial killer who just wants to enjoy the later years of her life, going to church, playing bingo, and enjoying her quiet time. Sure, thoughts of killing annoying people in her life might creep into her mind, but she keeps them to herself....

Lottie thought her days of killing were behind her. She is a grandmother now and has Bingo to play. But when Plum Dixon, an investigative journalist, knocks on her door and begins to question her, Lottie knows that all those unsolved cases might come back to haunt her, and she can't have that!!!

Oh, how I enjoyed Lottie and her inner thoughts. She was a hoot, and I enjoyed reading about her moral compass on what is proper and what is not. She is not as young as she used to be and well, murder - let's just say it can be exhausting. But Lottie is not a quitter...

Samantha Downing has delivered another clever, gripping, shocking, fun, and thrilling page turner! I could not put this book down! I loved every second of it. Lottie is such a well-drawn character and Samantha Downing made me feel sorry for Lottie with her aches, pains, and struggles while doing what Lottie does best! Too Old for This reminded me of An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good which I also adored. Not in the storyline or plot, but with the aging female serial killer.

This book had a nice amount of tension, humor, wit, cat-and-mouse, and danger. Lottie is a bloody good killer, and some scenes may not be for everyone.

Addictive, clever, dark, and hard to put down!

This book is so funny and mysterious at the same time. The main character reminds you of a grandmother but has a dark and twisted vice. Too Old For This is one of those mysteries where the lies just keep building and you don’t know how it’s going to end. I did not see the ending coming at all. It was such a quick read that kept me thrilled throughout.

When a Samantha Downing arc comes on my kindle, I pause everything! I have read every single thing she has published and that will never change! This one was a little different than what we have read from her before and I loved that! It was fun and fresh and deliciously addictive. The main character, Lottie, is hilarious and unafraid to do whatever it takes to protect herself and her true identity. The dark humor that Samantha does like nobody else is spot on as always! It was such a fun reading experience that kept me turning pages and dying to know what happens next. Watching Lottie handle all the twists and turns is truly entertaining and has you on the edge of your seat at the same time! This one is sure to have a lot of buzz this summer, get it in your TBR now!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Too Old for This by Samantha Downing
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Thriller
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: August 12, 2025

✨️ Retired Serial Killer
🌿 Dark Secrets
✨️ Web of Lies

Lottie has retired from her serial killer ways and just wants to live the rest of her life in peace. However, this all changes when a young documentarian visits her home, hoping to collaborate on a documentary about her near-conviction. Lottie panics and kills her, but Plum doesn't just disappear. Lottie must navigate everyone who comes looking for her and avoid getting caught.

Have you ever wanted to read about Dexter after he retired, but as a woman? That's definitely the vibe I felt throughout this book! 𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 kept me on the edge of my seat! I felt bad for rooting for Lottie, but I guess that might just be because we're reading from her POV and she's literally an old lady now? I found the way Lottie manipulates situations to cast doubt on each lead interesting.

You will not be able to put this one down! I honestly loved Lottie, and 𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 was a true nail biter!

Thank you so much, Berkley Publishing and NetGalley, for the digital review copy!

*My Most Anticipated Psychological Thriller Read for 2025* and it Didn’t Disappoint!!

“Chamomile or Peppermint?”

Lottie Jones, a 75 year old retired serial killer, does not approve of guests knocking on her door UNINVITED, but she will still smile and invite them in, offering tea and cookies because she is nothing if not polite. 🫖 🍪

Decades earlier, she changed her name and moved to Baycliff, OR, where no one has heard about the crimes she has been acquitted of in Spokane, Washington.

Now, Thursday night bingo games at the local church and enjoying her favorite conversation with her new friends-debating whose children has screwed up the worst this week-qualifies as excitement. (not that they are keeping score or anything!)

But when the persistent Plum Dixon-an investigative reporter-shows up at her doorstep asking questions she would rather not answer-

SHE IS FORCED OUT OF RETIREMENT

Why wouldn’t Plum just take “NO” for an answer?

Getting away with murder was hard enough when she was young.

Now, there is DNA evidence, Cameras everywhere and Smart phones tracking your every move-in addition to the physical challenges like bad hips, and memory blips!

But, she isn’t about to let a murder (or two) tarnish her golden years!

I am a SUPER FAN of Samantha Downing’s work. I love her snarky, twisted sense of humor and am always eagerly awaiting her next book! They are pure entertainment from the first page to the last!

Lottie Jones-if loving you is wrong-I don’t want to be right! 😉

You can meet her on August 12, 2025.

Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC, provided through NetGalley. As always-these are my candid thoughts!