This was such a surprising novel and definitely a different take on the classic who dunnit murder mystery.

I really loved this unique book.

Lottie is an elderly woman living in Oregon, her adult son and his family live in California. She spends her days with her friends at church functions and bingo games. However Lottie is hiding some dark secrets, and when Plum Dixon knocks on Lottie's door and announces plans to make a documentary about Lottie's life, Lottie does what any serial killer would do--she kills Plum. What happens next will shock and surprise everyone who underestimates this woman.

This was such a fun read, I was rooting for Lottie all the way even though she does things that I'd want someone in "real life" to be caught and jailed for. She has the best sense of humor and her mind works 10 steps ahead of most people, so it was really entertaining to see how she would get out of tricky predicaments.

I was captivated by this book from start to finish, I found the entire read to be refreshing and unique. I've never read a book quite like this before! This is definitely a dark book, some of the things Lottie does will leave readers shocked, so it's not for the faint at heart. Lottie may be elderly but this is not a cozy mystery. Definitely recommended!

I can’t quite put my finger on how I feel about this one.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for my gifted copy of Too Old For This by Samantha Downing!

I’ve been a Samantha Downing fan for years, so when I saw this title pop up on NetGalley, I didn’t hesitate to hit request. Her books are usually such a ride.

This one wasn’t my favorite from her, but it also wasn’t bad. For me, 3 stars simply means middle-of-the-road, not “don’t read it.” There are plenty of glowing 5-star reviews out there, so what was a 3 for me might easily be a 5 for you.

I really liked that the protagonist was older, which felt refreshing, and in true Downing style, the premise was unique. Still, I found myself wanting more—more twists, more intensity, more moments that really made me hold my breath.

Would I recommend it to friends? Maybe, depending on their reading preferences. Either way, I’ll definitely be picking up whatever Samantha Downing writes next.

I was hooked from the start! Lottie is the FMC and she is absolutely diabolical lol and I loved it! She sees a problem and takes care of it....not the legal way 😬 but its her way lol. I loved the short chapters.
-📖

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

Samantha Downing pens deliciously mind-bending thrillers like her debut, My Lovely Wife, and He Started It. She followed those scintillating and perverse tales with For Your Own Good and A Twisted Love Story. With each successive release, Downing has demonstrated that she is a master at crafting tales replete with fully developed, fascinatingly diabolical characters, unimaginable plot turns, and shocking revelations. And left readers anxiously pondering what she will come up with next.

Finally, the wait is over. And Too Old for This was well worth it.

Downing wisely chose to tell the story of Lottie Jones – not her real name — through her first-person narrative. She is living a quiet, but full life that she finds satisfying. An anonymous life. And that’s just the way she wants it. At seventy-five years of age, she is content attending First Covenant Church regularly and socializing with her small tribe of gossipy, judgmental friends from whom she anticipates criticism of the dishes she brings to potlucks or bingo games. (“Homemade is preferred. Anything store-bought is frowned upon.”) The book is worth reading solely to savor their interactions. Not only are the supporting characters Downing has created thoroughly believable, their banter is often hilarious, providing context to the tale Lottie weaves and insight into her psyche. Lottie is very set in her ways and quite cantankerous. Her friends often try her patience. Downing recalls her own grandmother’s devotion to bingo and wanted her characters to “feel like real people and not be infantilized. . . . They are adults with seven decades of life behind them, so they are a little funny, self-deprecating, and they want a drink at bingo, . . . but that’s not allowed in church. . . . They realize they are being talked down to.” And they don’t appreciate it, but they return week after week.

As the book opens, Dottie’s life is upended by Plum Dixon, who has located her through “public records.” Plum is producing a documentary series about Lottie and the crimes she was accused of committing years ago – before the internet. Lottie was tried and convicted as a serial killer in the media and by the public, but she was never criminally convicted, nor did she serve time in prison. She had a particularly good lawyer. She was able to adopt a new identity, move from Washington to Oregon with her son, Archie (now a forty-six-year-old divorced father of two practicing law in California and on the verge of marrying his pregnant girlfriend who is half his age), and start over. But now Plum, with her inquisitiveness and eagerness to interview Lottie, threatens to disrupt the peaceful existence Lottie has long enjoyed. Worse, she insists that she will produce the series with or without Lottie’s cooperation because she is intent on exonerating Lottie “once and for all.” Lottie simply will not have her history splashed all over the internet. The thought of it infuriates and terrifies her.

So she is forced out of her decade-long retirement.

Lottie grew tired of killing, and “all the work involved. The cleanup, the body, the lull, the anxiety about when or if someone would show up at my door . . .” When she was younger, she only killed when three things were true. As with sex, she had to be in the mood. And there had to be an opportunity. “But the most important thing was the anger. I had to be very, very angry.”

Downing was inspired to write Too Told for This when she experienced health challenges that limited her mobility and she was forced to adapt to her changed circumstances. She created Lottie and “channeled all of that into her. She needs to change and adapt to so many things now. Not only her age and her condition, but also technology. The world has changed; science has changed. . . .I channeled all those frustrations into her and made them her frustrations instead.” Lottie has to take all of that into consideration as she devises ways to conceal her latest crimes. A few years ago, she took a free class at the library about modern technology, so she assumes that “every device is being tracked.” And people like Plum have a lot of devices that Lottie needs to account for. Plum also has people who become concerned if she doesn’t check in with them, respond to messages, or post on social media. And they come looking for her.

Lottie’s greatest fear is “being caught and exposed, and her family and friends finding out about her past,” according to Downing. But she doesn’t see any other available option if she wants to preserve the life she has cultivated for herself and retain her freedom. She is aggravated at having to consider the numerous technological, forensic, and scientific advances since her last killing. She’s highly intelligent and very clever, but covering up a crime often requires committing yet another crime . . . Yet as tiring as it all is, Lottie’s spirit is buoyed by how skilled she is at what she does. Killing “makes me feel invincible.”

“The key to writing a protagonist like this is to be in their mind, in their worldview,” Downing says. She has made Lottie extremely and credibly self-aware. She takes readers into Lottie’s “mind the whole time” because there is no other narrator, so no other perspective is presented. Lottie reveals her justifications for her behavior and, to her, her reasons are perfectly rational and logical. She details the various ways over the years in which she was mistreated, judged (“The only thing worse than being judged is being dismissed”), and why her responses were appropriate. She never second-guesses herself or wavers in her viewpoint. She compartmentalizes expertly. Killing is separate and apart from her ordinary, everyday life as a mother, grandmother, and good friend. And, ironically, it is those roles for which she wants to be remembered fondly.

Crafting a story like Too Old for This requires extraordinary storytelling talent. Downing deftly balances the horrific acts in which Lottie engages (and parts of the book are gruesomely graphic) with very dark humor which never goes so far that it becomes off-putting or transforms Lottie into a mere caricature of a serial killer. She also keeps the pace of the tale moving briskly with no lulls as Lottie scrambles to evade detection of either her past or her recent crimes. And she injects shocking twists and revelations at expertly timed intervals that make it nearly impossible to stop reading.

Perhaps most surprisingly, Downing manages to make Lottie sympathetic and relatable. Readers, especially those enjoying retirement, will identify with Lottie’s reluctance to disrupt the routines she is accustomed to and return to her time-consuming, exhausting avocation, no matter how satisfying she found it years ago and does again. Downing also describes Lottie’s search for a retirement community to move to because she is all-too aware that she is physically slowing down, tires easily, and definitely does not want to be dependent on anyone else, especially Archie. (It’s much harder for her to move dead bodies now and she has to devise new methods to get that done. And her memory isn’t as good as it used to be so she worries that she will forget about or overlook evidence that could lead to her capture.) She is concerned about whether she can afford to live in her preferred senior living facility, an issue many senior Americans grapple with. Older female readers will relate to Lottie’s fury about not being seen. Downing says she did not realize when she began writing the book that Lottie, “like so many elderly women, had become invisible.” Who would suspect that an unobtrusive elderly lady playing bingo in the church social hall just savagely murdered a young woman and disposed of her body in a most callous and nightmare-inducing manner?

Too Old for This is engrossing, frequently laugh-out-loud funny, and outrageously entertaining. Downing again demonstrates her unique ability to create twisty thrillers populated with pathologically twisted protagonists and supporting characters who bring dimension and depth to the story. Downing tells her creative story in an inventive, absorbing way. In any other author’s hands, Too Old for This could have been just a ho-hum mystery or campy crime fiction. But Downing’s skillful construction of Lottie’s narrative and restraint make it one of 2025’s best thrillers.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if your grandma ditched knitting for murder, “Too Old for This” is your answer, and it’s a riot. Samantha Downing has written a darkly funny thriller that proves retirement doesn’t mean retiring your secrets or your hammer.

Lottie Jones is 75, cranky, and absolutely iconic. She’s a former serial killer turned bingo queen who thought she’d left her murderous past behind—until Plum Dixon, a nosy investigative producer, knocks on her door. Oh Plum, you should’ve stayed home.

Lottie has arthritis, a bad hip, and zero patience for modern tech, but don’t let the walker fool you. She’s sharp and still knows how to dispose of a body (though it’s a bit more complicated these days). Her commentary on aging is hysterically funny and painfully relatable. And her banter is absolute gold.

Downing nails the balance between twisted and tender. Lottie’s dry humor, nostalgic reflections, and unapologetic grit make her one of the most entertaining protagonists I’ve read lately. I adored “My Lovely Wife”, but this one might be a tie. It’s like “Golden Girls” meets “Dexter”, and I was hooked from page one!

If you’re into thrillers with bite, sass, and a side of bingo, Lottie Jones is your girl!

This was a buddy read with @bookmarked.by.becky, and it was a blast.

Thanks to the author and Berkley Publishing for providing this gifted ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I just adore a thriller that keeps me focused on it! Too Old for This by Samantha Downing is just that book. She masterfully creates a story that is so captivating that I could not put this book down. All the twists and turns kept me so intrigued! Imagine being retired from your career as a serial killer and you just want some peace and quiet to the rest of your days. All was going as planned for Lottie until that pesky journalist showed up asking questions. Lottie had to take care of business with the journalist so she could resume her peaceful life. Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for such an awesome advanced copy!

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! In my opinion, this book is Samantha Downing's best book ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lottie is an amazing character, and I was enthralled by her and her diabolical mind and life!!!!!!!!! I have loved all of Samantha Downing's books, and this one is definitely my favorite ever. Can't wait to see what this author gives us next!!!!!

Samantha Downing has become an auto-read author! I was so excited for an egalley of her newest book. I found myself rooting for the villain in this one - I bet everyone does! Lottie is a retired serial killer who just can't seem to fully retire. I love badass older women characters and while she's the anti-hero, I still think she's awesome. There was a good web of characters going on for a bit and it seemed like the loose ends would be Lottie's undoing. Loved it to the very end! Highly recommend!!

I appreciated that the author waited to include the protagonist’s past, giving us plenty of time to get situated in the present timeline. This led to a balanced read. It’s also a fast paced read, making it easy to keep turning pages.

There was a lot of suspension of disbelief with this one. While I don’t mind some, especially with books like this, it felt a little excessive to believe that Lottie had that level of luck in so many different situations. Also, since there’s no mystery or “whodunnit” element to this, it was lacking some oomph. I think I wanted a bit more from the characters. Obviously Lottie’s actions are awful, but I felt relatively ambivalent the whole read to everything that happened.

I like the premise of this one, but I do feel like the execution was a little weak. Still a fun read with an older and interesting protagonist, violence, and plenty of aches and pains. My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I never thought I’d be cheering on a serial killer, but Lottie is truly unique. In her mid-seventies and active in her church, her killing days from her 40s are long past—though referenced in the story. These days, her biggest stressor is Glenda, who critiques the food Lottie brings to the weekly bingo potluck.

That all changes when Plum Dixon arrives, wanting to create a docuseries portraying Lottie as someone falsely accused of a crime. The problem? Lottie was guilty. What follows is a complicated yet funny adventure as she scrambles to hide the truth, only to find things getting messier.

I loved how Lottie uses her age and people’s assumptions about a 70-year-old to her advantage, while her inner dialogue reveals she’s nothing like the image she projects. A fun, quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Samantha Downing book, and I am now hooked!

In Too Old for This, Lottie Jones is a church-going septuagenarian who, in her younger days, was a serial killer! She managed to avoid getting caught and was living her older years peacefully until investigative journalist Plum Dixon showed up at her door wanting to do a documentary about the ‘wrongful’ murder charges that had been placed upon her years prior. Fearing that her cover would get blown, and charges reopened, Lottie came out of ‘serial killer’ retirement.

I was captivated by this book from start to finish. I could not decide if I was rooting for Lottie to get away with her crimes or hoping she would get caught! Right up until the end of the book, I wondered which way things would go and waivered on my preference. I was hooked. It was a great plot line.

The writing style also drew me in: short chapters, fast paced, witty writing and told from the perspective of Lottie herself… It was fascinating to be in the mind of an elderly serial killer whose mind and instincts are sharp, but whose body can’t always keep up.

It’s an original story that I highly recommend! Just make sure to clear your calendar… binging this book in 1 or 2 sittings is highly likely!

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley and the author for this arc!

What a guilty pleasure this book is! And what a hoot it was to cheer for this serial killing grandma! I said what I said. 😆

Poor 75 year old Lottie just wants to retire her hammer, live in peace with her gossip girls, drink tea & attend bingo nights at her church … but circumstances force her back into her old ways … and from there the ride gets crazier & crazier!

This book is unhinged, twisty & twisted, darkly humorous, addictive & 100% bingworthy! I loved it!

Too Old For This was such a fun and entertaining read! I flew through it in just one day. I loved experiencing the story from Lottie’s POV which kept me hooked from start to finish. Downing did an excellent job balancing humor and suspense. It was fascinating to see how Lottie’s age worked both to her advantage and disadvantage. The cat-and-mouse game had me constantly guessing and some twists caught me off guard. I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a sharp, binge-worthy thriller.

Ringing Lottie Jones' doorbell may be the last thing you do.

Well, she might offer you tea and cookies for your last meal.

She really isn't a fan of unexpected visitors.

Samantha Downing has done it again. She has given us a compelling read without getting into the realm of the ridiculous. That's what makes Lottie Jones quite frightening. You can see her at Thursday night Bingo or at the grocery store. And she is a grandmother!

I think it is best to go into this one knowing as little as possible. All you need is the cover and the title. Enough said!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Available today -- August 12, 2025.

I’m Too Old For This somehow had me rooting for a serial killer for the first time in my life. Being told from the POV of a serial killer who is aging rapidly, it’s surprisingly endearing. I especially loved Lottie’s tone throughout—it made me forget about the bodies for a moment.

Apparently, I’ve reached the age where I’m cheering for fictional serial killers.

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing was intense—and not just because I was holding my breath every time Lottie picked up the phone, went to bingo night, or God forbid, answered the door.

She’s a retired serial killer who’s been living her best low-key life until a nosy journalist decides to stir the pot. And by “stir the pot,” I mean poke a very sharp stick into a hornet’s nest wearing a meat suit.

Do I condone murder? No.
Did I still root for Lottie to make sure this pesky reporter didn’t blow her cover? Absolutely. At one point I was mentally handing her duct tape and a shovel.

Fast-paced, darkly funny, and just the right amount of “yikes,” this book proves that murder might be harder on the joints when you’re older, but determination never ages.

Perfect for readers who like their thrillers with a side of sarcasm, and their antiheroes with a bingo card.

TOO OLD FOR THIS
by Samantha Downing

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

What’s one more murder, anyway?

Lottie Jones has spent decades hiding from her past, living a quiet life in a small town where Bingo nights and church gossip are the highlights of her week. But when a journalist shows up asking questions about cold cases, her peaceful retirement is suddenly at risk.

This is a fast-paced, darkly funny thriller with a refreshingly unconventional protagonist. Lottie is sharp, sarcastic, and absolutely not the sweet old lady people take her for. The short chapters make it a breeze to read, and while it’s not a traditional mystery full of whodunit questions, the story unfolds with sly twists and unexpected turns that keep things interesting.

This is my second read by Samantha Downing, and I enjoyed this fun, clever ride with just the right touch of wickedness.

Oh my goodness, this was nothing like I though it was going to be even though I should have from the cover. I wasn't sure that I would like this because serial killers are not usually my thing but this serial killer being a little old lady piqued my curiosity. And I am glad it did.
It was so bizarre and so funny. Even though this old lady was a serial killer, the reader, at least not this reader, could refrain from rooting for her. She had a sense of humor and her own sense of values, albeit warped. No one who stores body parts in her freezer can be all there, but it was okay. And there was one time, I seriously thought I was going to lose it; I just had to stop and tell my husband was what going on in this book. He just looked at me as if I was crazy. I told him only someone who read this book would understand. Moreover, I would just love to sit down with this woman and have a cup of coffee with her. Only it would have to be in a public place.
So, this lady is old. But I think she still have enough life left in her for a sequel. Please.
I seldom give five stars to books like these but I must here. I read it almost in one day and when I finished, I just shook my head and asked myself, "what did I just read." My husband is now looking over his shoulder and sees me differently now...
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for this wonderful and very different novel, provided to me in exchange for my honest opinions.

What a freakin fun read this was!!!! Absolutely loved it. Thank you so much @berkleypub for the free book!! #berkley #berkleypartner

This is my first book by Samantha Downing and now I need to go back to all her others. I shouldn't be rooting for Lottie, but I am! 🤣 I just loved her. She was smart, whitty, sly, fierce, and strong AF for an older woman. Also, unintentionally hilarious. "chamomile or peppermint?"

Such a bingeable read!!