Too Old For This (by Samantha Downing)
I discovered Samantha Downing through her novella Sleeping Dogs Lie on Audible and instantly fell in love with her sharp, darkly funny style. So when two different authors recommended Too Old for This during The Back Room events, I immediately placed my library hold. The wait was several months long—but trust me, it was absolutely worth every single day.
This book is an absolute blast. It’s a darkly humorous thriller that follows Lottie Jones, a sharp-witted woman in her mid-seventies who leads a seemingly quiet, retired life. However, her carefully constructed peace is shattered when an unexpected visitor arrives and begins digging into her past. Faced with this new challenge, Lottie must confront whether she still possesses the resilience and strength to handle the situation. The novel skillfully blends wit, tension, and social commentary, exploring themes of aging, motherhood, and societal perceptions of older women.
But here’s what made me obsessed: I adore a good geriatric protagonist, and Lottie is an all-time favorite. She’s clever, calculated, strategic, and utterly charming—even when she’s doing very un-charming things. This story is so wildly creative and unique that it somehow had me rooting for a retired serial killer to stay one step ahead. I couldn’t help but fall completely in love with her.
Samantha Downing has an incredible talent for making you laugh out loud one moment and lean forward in tense anticipation the next. I’m officially hooked and can’t wait to devour more of her work.
Bonus praise for the audiobook: I borrowed the Libby version, and narrator Elizabeth Wiley was perfect. She brought Lottie to life so vividly—I felt like I was right there with her the whole time.
If you’re looking for a fresh, funny, and thrilling read with a protagonist who refuses to be underestimated, run (don’t walk) to pick up Too Old for This.
You’re welcome to take a look at my review of Sleeping Dogs Lie, which is linked below.
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