Absolutely loved it. This story is a delicious exploration of exactly how much can go wrong behind the scenes of a true crime podcast production. I didn’t think I was capable of sinking so comfortably into the point of view of a murderer, but Samantha Downing made this serial killer tale…horrifyingly fun?

Samantha Downing's new novel, Too Old for This, is such an enjoyable read! It's smart and witty with enough twisty suspense to keep the reader turning pages. Our narrator, Lottie Jones, cleverly uses ageism to her advantage as she's forced out of "retirement". Go ahead and pour yourself a cup of tea (Earl Grey or Peppermint?) and soon, you too, will be fully invested in Lottie's story. In fact, you may even find yourself cheering her on!

Thank you to BookBrowse, NetGalley, Samantha Downing, and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read and share my opinions on this novel.

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

I absolutely love a good murder mystery and this one is no different. I haven't read any books by Samantha Downing but now I am going to read all of her other books she has published! I loved her writing style and the character arcs. I could not put this book down.

Too Old For This by Samantha Downing, Lotty Jones is sitting at home contemplating her only son’s upcoming wedding to a much younger woman. This is when she hears a knock at her door it’s a girl named plum wanting to do a documentary series on Lottie who hasn’t always been named Lottie. as a matter of a fact she was a much different animal to the kindly grandmother Plum meets and Lottie wants to keep it that way. In trying to stop plum from exposing who she used to be Lotty opens up a whole barrel of fish and almost blows her own cover by her dastardly deeds. at the same time she has unwelcome visitors juggles her friends from the church and grapple with getting older and all that entails. has Lottie going too far or will she once again be saved by her own cunning and intelligence. I really wanted to dislike this book because I mean she’s killing people but OMG not gonna lie I’d loved Lottie I thought she was smart I like the way she treated Morgan I loved her friend Bonnie and Sheila from the church and I really hope the ending scene means there’s going to be another book because I would so be down to read that. This was such a clever intelligently done funny read and if I could I would’ve gave it 10 stars but a last I can only give five.#NetGalley, #BerkeleyPublishing, #BlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #SamanthaDowning, #TooOldForThis,

Lottie is a retired serial killer at 75 years old. Lottie is a blast and such a refreshing and fun mfc. She's cunning, funny, witty, and ruthless when needed to be. She has hidden her past successfully decades even a knock at her door by a journalist/documentary producer with questions and accusations that might change all of that.

This was a fast-paced, fun, and entertaining read. I didn't want to put it down. This was the kind of thriller thx is been waiting for and needed.

Samantha Downing has never let me down, so I'm excited to receive this arc.

A big thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Expected publication August 12, 2025

This story is told from the perspective of the main character who just so happens to be an elderly serial killer. I found it rather far fetched in that although she suffers from a bad hip, she can lift and move bodies. When she's not deliberating about which food to bring to the bingo or church event she is methodically planning the demise of anyone who may have crossed her. Some of her victims do. not even know she was unhappy with them- they just wind up dead. This book was just "ok". I found the constant obsession with killing to literally be the storyline. It was tiring and hard to stay interested in due to the repetitive circle of planning, killing and coverup.

I've enjoyed all of Samantha Downing's books, and this one is no different! I love reading from the perspective of the "bad guy" and seeing what crazy decision they're going to make next. This one was a lot of fun since the main character is a "retired" serial killer who has been called back to work by a series of unfortunate events, and I flew through it!

I don’t know if this was supposed to be a funny thriller or not BUT THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I LAUGHED IS UNMATCHED.
This book is hilarious. It’s so witty, so fun, but also a thriller at heart- it was compelling and twisty and in my mind there are two very distinct storylines here and they both DELIVERED. Hilarious read, great for a twist on a classic thriller tale - would definitely have book club or a girls night yapping about this one.

This story follows Lottie Jones, a retired serial killer who has successfully hidden her past for decades—until an investigative journalist comes knocking. What follows is a, suspenseful, and surprisingly humorous story about aging, reinvention, and, well… tying up loose ends.

Lottie is a fascinating woman for sure! She is cunning, unapologetic, witty and a quick thinker for sure. She is kind of relatable in her frustrations with nosy people and her bingo friends as she navigates the chaos of keeping her secrets buried. There were times in the story that I kept thinking how can she keep this up? She has more stamina than I could ever imagine having.

While the pacing is pretty good, some moments feel slightly predictable, and a few plot twists don’t land as believable as expected. But it was a fun ride for sure. If you enjoy thrillers with morally complex leads and a touch of wit, this one is worth picking up.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for my honest reveiw.

Samantha Downing does it again! My Lovely Wife is one of my all-time favorite books, so I had high hopes going into Too Old for This and it absolutely delivered.

I read all 400 pages in one sitting. It’s fast-paced, darkly funny, and full of clever twists. Lottie Jones is such a fun character! she’s a retired serial killer just trying to live a quiet life, but when a journalist starts digging into her past, things get messy in the best way.

This book is smart, suspenseful, and wildly entertaining. If you loved My Lovely Wife, don’t miss this one!

I absolutely loved this book! I found Lottie to be such a refreshing and entertaining protagonist—her sharp wit, her experience, and the way she handled trouble made every moment so much fun. I appreciated how the story balanced humor with suspense, making me laugh one minute and gasp the next. I felt completely drawn into Lottie’s world—the quiet small-town life she crafted for herself, the lingering secrets from her past, and the sudden chaos that Plum Dixon brings to her doorstep. I loved seeing her navigate this mess with charm, cunning, and a touch of exasperation. The idea of an older main character in a crime novel was such a fantastic twist, and I enjoyed every second of it. I finished the book with a huge smile on my face. The clever writing, the unexpected turns, and Lottie’s unforgettable personality made this such an entertaining read.

I would recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries with a side of humor and a truly unique lead character.

🔨 Senior Discount
🔨 Serial Killer
🔨 Annoying Detectives
🔨 Uninvited Visitors Galore
🔨 Busy Body Church Ladies

Downing is back in superb form. I never expected to experience that same "WTF did I just read?" shock I had with My Lovely Wife—but here I am. I've been eagerly awaiting her next book, and it did not disappoint. 👏👏

At 75, Lottie enjoys a quiet life, with her biggest plans being bingo night at the church with her gal-pals. Potlucks and gossip top her list—no need to fill her calendar with anything more. Hip surgery? Meh. Recliner and TV shows? Absolutely.

But everything changes when a relentlessly cheerful documentary producer shows up at her doorstep, determined to dredge up her past, when she was accused of murder. And that’s when all hell breaks loose.

I loved how unexpected Lottie was—surly, quick-witted, and ruthless. The cast of characters was perfectly chosen, and I was thoroughly pleased with how everything wrapped up. As always, Downing masterfully weaves in her signature dark humor.

Old is just a state of mind right?
If you put your mind to it you can do anything. That is what Lottie finds out when she is forced to pick up some old habits that she never thought she would have to tab into again.

While this is was not my favorite Samantha Downing book, this was still a good read and I enjoyed the story.

I love a middle aged or older heroine, and Lottie is a fantastic heroine. This novel would be great friends and shelf mates with the Thursday Murder Club series, Deanna Raybourn's Killers of a Certain Age, or The Change by Kristen Miller. Badass older women doing badass things is my favorite. This one is darkly funny, which the cover alludes to, and I want to see more books like this.

Delightfully Deviant!

I enjoyed this book WAY too much. It is a wild ride from the very first chapter all the way to the end. I loved the main character and her observations about people and life. Just an absolute delight of a horrifying book.

As Lottie dives back into murder and cover-ups, she quickly realizes that it’s not as easy as it once was, thanks to her aging body and the frustrations of modern technology. I thought I had the ending figured out, but I was completely off! The writing is fantastic, and the author does a great job of tying up all the loose ends for a truly satisfying conclusion. 4.5 stars rounded up!

Lottie has a big secret, her ordinary life, going to church social events, dealing with her son's second marriage, is being disrupted and she falls back on old habits, murder. She is a strong, smart, ingenuous senior and no one is going to outsmart her. Yes we end up rooting for her to succeed, told in a humorous voice with insights on how seniors are perceived and determined to make it against all the odds. This was an enjoyable fast read. 4.5

Fun read! Although I have seen Downing books before, this was my first read of hers. Clever, fast moving, and kept my attention.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly rate this book!

Lottie Jones is a 75-year-old retired murderer who just wants to live a quiet life. When Plum knocks on her door one night, Lottie is not pleased but still lets her in and offers her tea and cookies. Plum is an investigative reporter about people that have been wrongfully accused of murder and starts asking questions about Lottie’s past.
Decades earlier, Lottie moved to Baycliff and changed her name to escape her past. But now that Plum shows up on her doorstep, Lottie wonders if she’s really escaped her past or not.
The story from picks up at this point and doesn’t stop until the very end. I read this book in 2 days. Very twisty and a great read!

Solid 4/5. I always enjoy this author’s books and this one totally delivered. Telling a story from the perspective of an elderly, female serial killer was new for me. There’s no lull in the plot as the tension remains throughout the story. Would definitely recommend for those who like a thriller from the perspective of the killer.