Getting old isn't for sissies. Apparently it is also difficult for serial killers.

Lottie Jones is an elderly retired serial killer.

When she decided to go straight, she changed her identity and moved to a small town - to live a small life. A life where not a single soul knew about her past. That is exactly what happened and she lived there peacefully with her son for decades.

That peace she enjoys is shattered when an investigative journalist knocks on her door and says she is working on a documentary. Lottie can't allow that to happen.

What happens next sets the stage for an exceptional tale filled with both horror and hilarity.

Sure, there are moments where the story is extremely serious, but author Samantha Downing somehow made even those scenes humorous.

Lottie and her two best senior citizen friends play bingo at the church every week. That seems to be the extent of her recreational activities. The author writes about the aches and pains of aging and how they make it so much more difficult for her to get rid of a body than when Lottie was young and actively murdering her victims.

There are so many social themes touched upon in this book that it makes the story feel entirely plausible.

If you like elderly people with snark, believable characters and a mystery that you can't put down, TOO OLD FOR THIS should be at the top of your tbr (to be read) list.

Lottie is my absolute favorite senior citizen character I have encountered in a very long time.

TOO OLD FOR THIS is the first book I have read by author Samantha Downing, but it will not be my last. She has a flair for drama, humor and for creating a tale that comes across as so absurd that it feels real, as do her characters.

I rate TOO OLD FOR THIS as 4 out of 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆

I am excited to read whatever Samantha Downing writes next.

Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy of this upcoming book which is set for release on August 12th, 2025.

I have loved all of Samantha Downing’s previous books because they are all just twisted, creative, and absolutely bingeworthy with her latest being no different!

This particular story follows the life of a “retired” serial killer, Lottie Jones, who was found not guilty decades ago. Now she’s just an elderly lady who just likes playing bingo at her local church and gossiping with her friends. But when a young woman who knows about her past comes knocking on her door asking to make a documentary, it forces Lottie’s hand it she finds herself doing what it takes to cover her secrets, even if that includes going back to killing.

This book reads super quickly because the chapters are so short that it’s very easy to get engaged with and not put down. As for Lottie herself, while yes, she is a serial killer, I felt myself actually rooting for her to pull things off! Yes it sounds kind of twisted, but I feel like that’s what this author excels at —creating some morally grey villains you can't help but love!

There was also a bit of a cat and mouse like element to it too once things from Lottie’s past really started to manifest in the present. However things were done so cleverly that it did feel like a game unfolding and I was always curious to see what other tricks Lottie had up her sleeve.

Overall I would say I was pretty satisfied with how everything wrapped up in the end and I cannot wait for others to eventually get their hands on this one once it hits shelves this summer!

A humorous take on the challenges faced as an elderly, female serial killer's past drags her out of retirement body after body after body. How will this vicious spiral end? The main character manages to be simultaneously likeable and despicable. Not a book for squeamish readers.

I thought I had it all figured out: a retired serial killer living out her golden years in a quiet town, indulging in bingo and tea with friends. But Samantha Downing had other plans. Downing masterfully weaves tension and dark humor, creating a protagonist who is as chilling as she is captivating. Lottie's internal dialogue is sharp, witty, and occasionally unsettling, making her both relatable.. and a bit terrifying.

The pacing is relentless with twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. While the premise might seem familiar, Downing's execution is anything but ordinary. The exploration of aging, memory, and the lengths one will go to protect a secret adds depth to the narrative. If you're a fan of morally ambiguous characters and thrillers that blend suspense with dark comedy, Too Old for This is a must-read! Thank you, NetGalley!

When I saw the description, I was wondering if this would veer more towards the spoofy side but that didn’t happen. This is exactly how I would picture a serial killer who is getting up there, to be. I wanted Lottie to win, to get away with everything and it’s some real talent to make me root for a killer. I felt her pain, physically and mentally. This was fast paced and completely engaging. Downing has a deft wit and I really, really enjoyed this. She is an auto-read author for me! Thank you , @berkleypub for my gifted e-copy!

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing is an absolute adrenaline rush from start to finish. If you’re craving a book that combines dark humor, clever plotting, and twists you’ll never see coming, then look no further — this novel delivers all that and more. The story kicks off with Mac Elliott, a retired hitman who’s decided to swap the deadly profession for a quieter life. But retirement isn’t as peaceful as he hoped. When his wife, Lori, pushes him to finally settle down and get serious about their future, Mac’s attempts at a normal life quickly spiral into chaos. Enter their daughter, Paige, a rebellious teenager who’s got her own secrets, and their quirky neighbor, Ned, whose odd behavior hides a dangerous secret. Things take a thrilling turn when Mac’s past suddenly comes crashing back in the form of an old rival eager for revenge. As threats mount and secrets unravel, Mac is forced to confront whether he can really leave his dark past behind—or if it will drag him back into the shadows. The tension doubles when family secrets emerge, alliances shift unpredictably, and Mac’s own moral compass is pushed to its limits. Downing masterfully weaves humor into the chaos — there are hilarious moments of Mac trying (and failing) to fit into suburban life, contrasted sharply by intense scenes of danger that keep your heart pounding. The characters are richly developed, especially Mac, whose dry wit and rugged charm make him impossible not to root for, even as he navigates some truly perilous situations. What sets this novel apart is how it challenges the notion of “too old for this.” Mac might be seasoned in the art of survival, but he's still learning how to handle love, family, and the ghosts of his past. The plot is packed with clever twists, and the ending left me breathless — I couldn’t put it down! If you love thrillers that serve up surprises, laugh-out-loud moments, and complex characters battling their own demons, Too Old for This is a must-read. Samantha Downing has once again proven why she’s a queen of suspense — don’t miss this electrifying ride!

I hesitate to call a book about a serial killer light-hearted, but TOO OLD FOR THIS is exactly that: a cheeky, wildly entertaining read with a body count.

Lottie Jones thought her days as a (suspected, never convicted) serial killer were long behind her. These days, she plays church bingo by day and keeps her decades-old secrets buried deep. That is, until a nosy investigative journalist threatens to dig them up. Lottie handles it the only way she knows how: swiftly and unapologetically.

I couldn’t get enough of Lottie. She’s like your unfiltered great-aunt with a dark past and a sharper knife. This is a devilishly clever story with a spirited kick, perfect for readers who like their mysteries with bite and dark humor.

READ THIS IF YOU:
👵 Have ever muttered, “I’m too old for this…”
🖤 Loved For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing
🔪 Crave a Miss Marple type… but with a don’t ask about 1986 energy

RATING: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars)
PUB DATE: August 12, 2025

Many thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publishes August 12th and follows a retired serial killer named Lottie who has changed her name and moved on until one day she unintentionally becomes entangled into the life she thought she put behind her.

I ate this up. Think Vera Wong meets Dexter. Lottie is a diabolical menace of a character that simultaneously charms and is impossible not to root for.

This book while blood filled is also darkly humorous and somehow delightful. It was gripping, absurd in a fun way, and I could binge an 8 book series following Lottie easily.

I’m obsessed, I have no notes. If you like diabolical FMCs, serial killers, twisty, fun, bloody thrillers then this is for you!

3.5 ✨ I LOVED the idea of this book and the overall story, I just felt like the pacing was too slow for this type of pov. Still a really enjoyable and unique read though

This book was a sonder! I love books about a marginalized, underestimated group and elderly women definitely fit the bill. Add in an unreliable narrator and a serial killer past and you have a book that I stayed up all night to read. I am definitely a fan of Samantha Downing now. I want to read everything she writes.

I had so much fun reading this book! I giggled and thought so many times of how I relate to this! Lottie just comes to life right there before your eyes, and just when you thought whew!, we done – nope – highly recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC #SamanthaDowning #TooOldForThis #NetGalley

Too Old for This follows Lottie who is a retired serial killer. She has moved to a new town changed her name and no one knows what she did. That is until an investigative journalist named Plum shows up on Lottie’s doorstep. She wants to interview her for a new doc series. But Lottie can’t have that. So she does what she can to protect herself. This might just leave more people dead.

If Samantha Downing writes it I am going to read it. This is one of my favorites by her. This book started off so wild and just kept getting more wild. I will say I did feel like the book dragged on quite a bit. But I really did enough this one. I was hooked from the very start. If you like thrillers I highly suggest this one.

Thank you so much, Samantha Downing and Berkley for the ARC of this book. This comes out on August 12!

Too Old For This follows 75-year-old, retired serial killer, Lottie, whose peaceful life of bingo and church is upended by a journalist knocking on her door. Getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young!

I really, really enjoyed this. Samantha Downing excels at twisty thrillers with the perfect touch of satire. Her main character’s voice always stands out, and Lottie is no exception!

Super fun, extremely fast-paced, with lots of twists and turns. The action starts in chapter 1 and doesn’t stop! There is lots of good conversations about aging as well.

Highly recommend picking this one up when it comes out in August (the 12th). & in the meantime, you should most definitely check out Samantha Downing’s other works, specially My Lovely Wife & For Your Own Good.

Thank you Net Galley & Berkley for letting me read this early !!!

Very interesting concept of an older woman serial killer. I loved the concept not so much the execution.. if felt a bit unrealistic having an older lady dragging bodies around.

I know everyone is LOVING this. I made it a little over halfway, and I am just so uninterested. Im sure others will love this.

Absolutely loved! Another twisty thriller by Downing. She is one of my favorite authors and each book keeps proving why.

Samantha Downing is back and wow every single book she writes is 5 stars for me. She knows psychopaths like no other author. This one had my head spinning from the first chapter and it had many laugh out moments! Samantha is the queen of thrillers!!! Highly recommend ALL of her books!!!!! This is definitely a top favorite of hers!!

Now.... this is how you write a book. I know it's been done before to write from the perspective of the killer- I've read books like that myself, but the difference is that with this one, you know from the beginning that Lottie is a killer. That aspect was fun to me, as the reader. I also liked the fact that Lottie was 75, so everything she did or encountered had to be adjusted due to her age. It was interesting to see how she adjusted to the times, balancing her social life, son, soon-to-be daughter-in-law.... cops. The kills were just gory enough, without being gratuitous, and I didn't want to ever put this one down to sleep at night. Absolutely will recommend, Absolutely will look for future titles by Damantha Downing. Loved this book!

4⭐
Genre ~ serial killer thriller
Setting ~ Oregon
Publication date ~ August 12, 2025
Publisher ~ Berkley
Est Page Count ~ 400 (73 chapters)
Audio length ~ 11 hours
Narrator ~ unknown
POV ~ single 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ killing (obvi)

Lottie (75) is a sweet old church going lady on the outside and a cold blooded killer on the inside. But she's supposed to be retired from killing, so why are some people presumed missing after visiting her? Hmm, maybe it's too hard to retire from something you're so good at.

You can't help but love Lottie even though she does despicable things. She has surprising strength for a 75 year old quite honestly. Lady Dexter if you will.

Overall, fast paced, entertaining and engaging. Fans of this author, and serial killer thrillers, will definitely want to add this one to your list.

I love this book! This fast paced thriller has quite a few moments of dark humor and the most engaging 75 year old main character.

Lottie is a retired serial killer, content with her church bingo/potluck dinner on Thursday evenings and church services on Sunday mornings. Until Plum contacts her regarding interviewing her for a documentary series about her former life. Then things really begin to go sideways.

Short chapters, fast paced, darkly witty and with a main character I found myself rooting for from the very beginning, this book comes together to form an outstanding and unique thriller. I actually gasped at the end of several chapters.

Samantha Downing has a new fan in this reader. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted thriller and has a slightly dark sense of humor. It’s truly a wonderful book.