Book Review: Getting Old Is Murder

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Getting Old Is Murder     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Rita Lakin
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Senior Sleuths   Cozy
Series: Gladdy Gold Detective Agency # 1
Dell, Nov 2005, $6.99, 336 pp.

Based on thirty years of reading mysteries retired librarian Gladdy Gold believes a serial killer is murdering the residents of her Lauderdale Lakes retirement community. The cops assume that the increase in deaths is caused by the age of the residents, seventies and older for the most part.

However, she does nothing about this until her best friend Francie dies in a fittingly manner for her: death by chocolate. Unable to accept that the healthy Francie just keeled over due to age, Gladdy and her four remaining gladiators begin investigating though their joints hurt and they must be in bed by 9:00. As they get closer to the truth that a serial killer is cleverly murdering the residents, Gladdy concocts a plan to catch this murdering putz (universal usage) although the gladiators keep thinking oy! vey!

GETTING OLD FOR MURDER is a terrific cozy filled with elderly Yiddish chick lit humor. The story line is mostly told by Gladdy, but contains a host of other individuals with plenty of kvetches and of course Gladdy’s GAS (geriatric amateur sleuths) gang. Fans of South Florida who-done-its starring septuagenarian and octogenarian retirees trying to keep their medicines straight will enjoy Rita Lakin’s amusing tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner