4.5 rounded up. Old suburbanites do murder - hilarious!

Premise: A group of down-on-their-luck, unhappily married old folks would be on the cusp of retirement, if it weren't for Hank's bad investment tip. Now they're all stuck working to the end of their supposed golden years (ahhhh an All-American tale).

That is, all of them except for Marlene - after her husband, Dave, dies in a freak garage door accident (if only he'd listened to her nagging) she cashes out his seven figure life insurance and peaces out for the sweet life. That makes the other ladies start to think. If their husbands are the only thing standing between them and wealth, happiness, etc. etc. maybe someone should do something about their husbands...

The ladies take out a hit with Hector, the bad boy barber who does their husbands' hair. At the same time, the husbands are sure Dave was murdered for his involvement in their stealing-from-their-employer scheme. They turn to Hector, as well, asking him to kill whoever is out to get them. Tricky, tricky...

The cat and mouse nature of this was so fun! It's absolutely unhinged in a hilarious way, the Thelma & Louise style characters are sooo funny to follow along with. I love stories about ordinary people being pushed by extraordinary circumstances and boy oh boy was this that!

Additionally, this was *exactly* the kind of romance I'm into. I know it isn't pitched as a romance novel, but it was super romantic! Give me relationships that have been through ups and downs, give me falling out of love, and then make me see how they fall back in love. I tend to avoid romance because it either leads with the body stuff (and smut just isn't all that compelling to me on its own) or it's over-the-top in its description of what sounds more like obsession and limerence than an adult love to me. I love love that can stand the test of time.

What I didn't love? Well, the casino scam wouldn't work in real life and that's a pity... they don't move more than 10k per day to avoid triggering automatic reporting, but that rule extends for up to a *week* not just a day. Additionally, if the bank sees repeated high deposits in a way that looks like tax structuring that's also a major tax no-no (read: felony), so if these guys were stealing 10k a day from the casino via ATMs they'd be getting a visit from the FBI, not prepping for a cozy retirement.

Part of the fun of heist stories is the clever plots/strategies, so it's a bummer when the scam would very clearly not work in real life, especially when they use part-truths (the 10k daily max). I was also a little uncomfy with who the bad guys were (felt a bit Americans vs aliens) but on further reflection it's great when we're at the point that minority villains can be villains not because they're minorities but in spite of it. I believe that's what was happening here.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Kiiri Sandy and John Pirhalla. They were great! This sort of zany, larger than life story is a great fit for an audiobook, it's like watching a movie but you get to choose the visuals yourself.

Thanks, NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun read! I was flipping the pages so quickly.. I really enjoyed the narrator. It was easy to listen to. Thank you!

3.75 star review of The Retirement Plan

Four wives, one outrageous idea, and a retirement plan no one saw coming. When a bad investment tanks their golden years, longtime friends Pam, Nancy, Shalisa, and Marlene start eyeing their husbands’ million-dollar life insurance policies—and Florida starts looking a lot more appealing. But with the husbands hiding secrets of their own, this turns into a wild, high-stakes comedy of errors filled with mishaps, double-crosses, and plenty of surprises.

This book is totally over-the-top in the best way. The premise is far-fetched, but it leans into the absurd and delivers a funny, fast-paced ride. I could definitely see this as a movie—think popcorn thriller meets suburban mayhem. It took a bit to sort out all the characters and remember who was married to whom, and I wish the character development had landed earlier. But once I was in, it was entertaining with a few solid twists and a satisfying, neatly tied-up ending.

If you’ve ever joked about offing your husband over dinner, this one’s for you 😆

The only thing more dangerous than a man with a bad investment scheme is a wife with nothing left to lose — and in “The Retirement Plan,” there are three of them, and it's surprising how easily they find a hitman. Sue Hincenbergs’ debut is more “Golden Girls” than “Gone Girl” — a murder plot wrapped in a comedy of errors, soaked in margaritas, and held together with a box of donuts. These women aren’t here to solve crimes. They’re here to create them. And while they’re no one’s idea of cold-blooded killers, they’ve hit the end of their patience, their budgets, and their tolerance for mediocre husbands — and honestly? I get it.

We start with four lifelong best friends: Pam, Nancy, Shalisa, and Marlene. Their less than impressive husbands flushed away the retirement fund five years ago on a garbage fire investment, and things have been rotting ever since. The big catalyst? Marlene’s husband Dave dies — in their garage — in what might be a freak accident... or might be a mob hit. Either way, Marlene cashes a massive life insurance check and bounce-moves to Boca Raton like a queen. That’s when the rest of the women find out their husbands took out identical million-dollar policies. Retirement Plan 2.0? Kill the husbands.

Enter Hector. Barber by day, part-time hitman by necessity, and the only person in this book who knows how to actually execute a plan — literally and metaphorically. He gets approached by both the wives and the husbands, and instead of turning one down like a normal assassin with boundaries, he decides to double-dip the murder contract and figure it out later. It’s morally questionable, logistically nightmarish, and 100% on brand. Hector is jaded, efficient, and — plot twist — kind. Especially to Elmer (the dog), which tells you everything you need to know about his soul. He peppers his conversations with movie quotes like a man trying to stay amused while the world burns around him, and somehow, it works. And the real kicker? His wife is just as sharp, grounded, and emotionally intelligent as he is. Together, they’re the stealth power couple of this whole mess. Honestly, if the book were just about the two of them, I’d preorder an entire series.

Then there’s Padma, the newly minted casino boss with a mob-matriarch mother who treats emotional manipulation like an Olympic event. Padma wants independence, success, and maybe a sliver of actual respect — but instead of setting boundaries, she keeps folding herself into smaller and smaller shapes, hoping her mother might finally say something kind that isn’t transactional. She’s polished on the outside, unraveling underneath, and constantly contorting herself for approval that’s never coming. And yet, there’s something deeply satisfying about watching her realize — slowly, painfully — that she doesn’t have to keep playing nice. Her arc isn’t the loudest in the book, but it hits hard in all the right places.

And the husbands? Their secret retirement plan is surprisingly solid — they’ve managed to rig casino slot machines to pay out just enough under the radar to skim real money without triggering alarms. It’s actually clever. The problem is they’re not clever enough to keep their cool. As the stakes rise, so does their collective blood pressure, and watching them try to handle the fallout is like watching a group of dads sweat through a middle school talent show. They’ve pulled off the hard part; now they’re just too paranoid, guilty, and emotionally stunted to see it through without imploding. Add in a casino boss with mob ties (hi, Padma) and a barber-hitman who’s already double-booked, and yeah — it’s not looking great for team testosterone.

This book runs on chaos math: miscommunication times coincidence, divided by how-many-people-you-can-trust, multiplied by Elmer the dog, raised to the power of “why is everyone trying to commit murder at the same time?” And let’s take a minute for Elmer — because he deserves it. He watches. He judges. He knows. He’s the furry Greek chorus to everyone’s suburban breakdown — dragged into the mess but never lowering himself to participate in the nonsense. Honestly? Every belly rub he gets, he earned. And if you finish this book and you’re not fully Team Elmer, I don’t trust your judgment.

Let’s be real, this whole plot could’ve been avoided if even one of these couples had tried therapy or learned to communicate like functional adults. But where’s the fun in that? What we get instead is a glorious mess of missed signals, midlife desperation, and weapons-grade side-eye. It’s chaos by design — and watching these women, fed up and underestimated, spiral into a murder-adjacent meltdown is wildly satisfying.

Is it messy? Absolutely. Twisty? Delightfully. Fun? Mostly. “The Retirement Plan” is a laugh-out-loud, wine-spitting 3.5-star ride — the literary equivalent of realizing your group chat could land you in court and still choosing the group chat every time.

Whodunity Award: Lifetime Achievement Award in Remaining Unbothered to Elmer, the Dog

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for access to the audiobook.

trying to read more books off my physical tbr but i will gladly make an exception for this book.

this book follows three women who are sick and tired of their husbands and decide to hire a hitman to dispose of them so they can claim their life insurance. only issue. their husbands have hired the same hitman and have devised a plan of their own.

this has the miscommunication trope in the best way. it was fun reading the wives povs and then also getting to read the hitmans full knowledge of the situation.

i can definitely see how this could be compared to finally donovan (another fave). would definitely recommend for anybody looking for a fun mystery to read this summer!

This is a delightful romp without being so tame as to be a cozy. The plot is ingenious and the narrator is great -- really keeps your interest. I look forward to more from this author and will recommend to those who like their mysteries with a good helping of laughs.

The Retirement Plan offers a clever premise with a mix of suspense, dark humor, and a touch of satire that makes for a mostly entertaining read. Centered around a group of retirees who band together in a surprising scheme. I enjoyed most of the characters - each one is a retiree and I felt there was enough backstory to make their motivations believable. Some witty, dry moments that were fun. The pacing starts strong and is intriguing. About halfway through, some twists felt a bit far-fetched and it started to fall flat. Overall, it is enjoyable and a little different than your normal crime/mystery.

So many characters! Four couples who’ve been lifelong friends, their kids and partners, the barber and his wife, Padma who runs the casino, her mother, the matchmaker, Padma’s many dates… and I’m probably still forgetting someone. Padma’s storyline didn’t really connect to the main plot—it felt like setup for a future book.

That said, if you enjoy a light and humorous mystery, this is a fun and entertaining read. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

The narration was excellent.

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

The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs was a really fun mystery that had so many twists and turns. I never knew where the story was going next.
Pam's retirement plans have been destroyed after her husband made a bad investment and lost everything. It doesn't help that he also got his 3 best friends to invest as well, who are married to Pam's best friends. When one of the men die after an accident, they learn that he had a million dollar life insurance policy. The wives start to question whether its' in their best interests for their husbands to stay alive.
This book had the feeling of Golden Girls mixed with a traditional mystery. It was so much fun.

I thought this made for a good, light-hearted read. I found the story really interesting, and I enjoyed seeing how everything played out and how different storylines intersected.

THE RETIREMENT PLAN is one fun read. Hincenbergs gifts her readers with a humorous, honest, and bingeable look at how far some people would go when pushed to the edge in a relationship.

When you first meet this cast of uniquely engaging characters, they are at a funeral. When the widow's payday is discovered, Nancy, Shalisa, and Marlene contemplate something they never thought they would—the murder of their husbands. And this is just the beginning of a plot involving a hitman, stolen money, and secrets.

What makes this story so good is two things. First is the characters. They are wonderfully real, candid, and at times laugh-out-loud funny. Their struggles with their marriages are honest and ground the wildly outlandish actions the wives and husbands take. The second is the author’s ability to weave together a narrative that takes the extremes of a situation and the heartfelt emotions of a relationship.

I have to say. THE RETIREMENT PLAN is more fun than a murder plot should be. It was entertaining and completely addictive. And if this doesn’t become a TV series or movie, someone is missing out. I cannot wait to read what Hincenbergs has in store for us next.

Audiobook Note: Narrators Kiiri Sandy and John Pirhalla did a fine job with this book. The diction was good, and the pace as well as the flow from the two narrators worked with the story.

After thirty years of marriage, and one unfortunate tragedy, three friends plot the murder of their husbands. They are fed up with their crumbling marriages and want to be able to retire in style...with the help of life insurance policies, of course. Meanwhile, the husbands have been up to their own mischief, and somehow, their barber ends up in the middle of it all. Will any of them get the relaxing beachside retirement they hope for, or will they all be in prison, hunted by hitmen, or dead?

Listen, most of this book is absolutely freaking ridiculous in the way that it would never happen, but it was SO funny to read. I honestly imagined this as a Golden Girls Gone Criminal episode. It's super funny yet serious and tense at times, too. Also, it's so so corny. But it was a fun read overall if you are looking for something lighthearted but still a little murdery.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio for this ALC.

This book is the perfect summer read. It is so much fun. It has more twists and turns throughout the story then a hula-hoop contest. A comedy of errors and miscommunication and very fast paced. The narrators, Kiiri Sandy; John Pirhalla, did an amazing job with this production.

Totally enjoyable with many twists and laugh out loud moments.

I was definitely needing something different and am so happy I picked this up. I enjoyed the story — three middle aged women sick of and disappointed in their husbands and their lives — decide to hire a hit man to get rid of the men so that they can head off on exciting adventures like their newly widowed friend Marlene. Things don’t go quite as expected. There’s drama, intrigue, and twists in the plot as the women discover exactly what they’ve set in motion.

I enjoyed the characters and the anticipation of what was coming next in the story. The author kept me guessing and the dialogue made me chuckle. Who says late middle age has to be dull and that your marriage is as bad as you think. It was just a fun read.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The narrators, Kiiri Sandy and John Pirhalla, did a fantastic job voicing all the characters and bringing them to life. Their accents and dramatic flair really added to my enjoyment of the book as the production was very well done.

In this story, three wives—Pam, Nancy, and Shalisa—are disillusioned with their dreary lives and unsatisfactory marriages after their husbands’ failed investment ruins their retirement dreams. When one husband's surprising death leads his widow to a new life fueled by a large life insurance payout, the wives discover their own husbands have similar policies. Inspired by the opportunity, the women plot to hire a hitman to secure their financial freedom. Meanwhile, the husbands, unaware of their wives' plans, are dealing with their own secret retirement scheme that starts to unravel.

I was irresistibly drawn in by the clever cover that promised a delightful blend of dark humor, unexpected mysteries, and, even better, a satisfying resolution!

Meet Pam, Nancy, and Shalisa—three unforgettable characters who leap off the page with their spunky charm and infectious fun. Honestly, if I can channel even a fraction of their vivacity as I age, I’ll consider it a win! As we gradually get to know these ladies and their husbands, we become invested in the unfolding drama surrounding their friend Dave. It’s fascinating how a seemingly simple freak accident can unravel a web of deeper issues.

We often say that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes that reason can save your life—or at least your marriage!

This book is a whirlwind of fast-paced dark mystery, friendships, and betrayal, all intricately woven together. You’ll find yourself pondering how it all spiraled out of control in the first place. So, keep reading—there’s a revelation waiting for you at the end!

This novel would make an excellent choice for book clubs, tackling relatable themes of aging, friendship, and the delicate balance of marriage that often teeters on the edge. Grab your copy and prepare for a delightful ride!

The narrator was a delightful blend of fun, enthusiasm, and charisma. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance; it was a perfect match that kept me captivated from start to finish!

Thank you, Harper Audio and William Morrow, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you so much to Harper Audio for the gifted audiobook!

I was so excited for this one- I'm a huge cozy mystery fan and this sounds right up my alley!

Unfortunately, it ended up not being for me. While the plot itself was so fun, the writing really caused me to struggle with wanting to continue reading.

I still think this will be a hit for many!

The narrator did a great job!

This was a fun read with a lot of ridiculous actions and chaos with a good mix of humor and friendship thrown in. It was a little too much and over the top at times, which kind of became a little frustrating. This would make a great movie. I really liked the narration of this story.

This was an interesting take on the murder mystery! The book takes the listener on a journey through multiple POV and lots of questions as to what the end goal would be. I love the friendships that this book showcased!

This audio book was an easy listen and a decent debut novel!

Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC copy of the audio book!

Happy pub day to The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs! I’m so grateful to @williammorrowbooks for this gorgeous copy (scroll through my pictures to see the amazing end papers!) and to HarperAudio for an ALC of this twisty, dark comedy.

Pam, Nancy, Shalisa, and Marlene have dreamed of retiring together, but after their husbands make a bad investment, those plans might have to be put on hold indefinitely. Their financial situation puts a strain on all their marriages, and then a real tragedy occurs and the women discover their husbands have million-dollar life insurance policies. It only makes sense that they consider getting rid of the men to get that money and finally live out their retirement dreams. But their husbands have plans of their own the wives don’t know about and things go hysterically off the rails.

This was a funny book that had many plot twists I didn’t see coming. This year I’ve read some great books that feature older couples, and I really like the trend. It’s hard to say too much without giving anything away, but there were many times I laughed out loud reading, and there were specific moments (Pad Thai, for anyone who’s read it) that felt very true to being married to someone for decades. While this is a very different book, there’s something about it that I would put in the same category as Jane and Dan at the End of the World. Maybe older couple heist book? Is that a thing?

While I really enjoyed this one, in the interest of complete honesty, I did have trouble getting past the murder plot. Nothing the husbands did seemed to warrant that. I get that the book is a comedy, possibly even pushing into satire, but I can’t imagine wanting to have the father of my kids killed and nothing in the set up pushed me to be able to make that leap.

The audio book was really well done with a male and female narrator dividing the multiple POVs in the book. There were a lot of characters in the beginning, so I really appreciated having a hard copy, but it didn’t take long before I knew who everyone was. The narrators did a great job helping me to differentiate and I’d definitely recommend the audio.

This audiobook is madcap fun! Bravo to the narrators for bringing these many zany characters to life.

I will never again look at a take away container of pad Thai without thinking that’s the straw that broke the camel’s back. Ridiculous situations had me laughing out loud several times.

And Elmer is the best boy ever!

Highly recommend if looking for something light, cozy and incredibly funny. Great debut by Sue Hincenbergs! Look forward to reading her next novel.