You’d never guess Lottie Jones had skeletons in her closet.
She’s lived in town for decades now. She’s getting older. She lives for the simple pleasures of weekly bingo games at church, and gossiping with her friends about their children’s love lives.
But when investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past, and specifically about her connection to numerous unsolved murders, well, Lottie just can’t have that.

‘Too Old For This‘ was on trend for the type of book that I’ve been enjoying recently. I ticked both the ‘Novels About Old People’ and the ‘Novels About Women Who Kill’ boxes, and it was infused with a grim humour that comes from looking at people and situations with more insight than empathy. 

The writing and narration were both well done. The plot was a nice balance of action, reflection, unexpected outcomes and observational humour. The depiction of old age and remembered youth, of anger that flares into rage, of coldly calculated and meticulously executed cover-ups was engaging and real.

Yet, I never really settled into the book. I didn’t figure out why until right at the end. 

It was Lottie, our I ‘d-like-to-be-a-retired-serial-killer-if-only-people-would-leave-me-alone heroine. The story is told from her point of view. 

Lottie is clever, sometimes self-deprecating, often witty and almost fearless. She’s loyal to her son. She enjoys the company of her friends. She’s realistic about the inevitability of her capabilities declining as she ages, without being overwhelmed by it. She’s also a monster. Someone who kills, again and again, with no remorse and little hesitation. Her only regrets are the mistakes she’s made that might have gotten her caught. 

So, there’s a level to this story where the impulse to cheer for Lottie as she slaughters her way through her problems feels like giving way to manipulation. Still, it was skilful manipulation, so although I didn’t cheer for Lottie, I couldn’t help but admire her honesty and her ruthless efficiency. 

Click on the YouTube link below to hear Elizabeth Wiley bring Lottie to life.