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Rated 
of 5
by Mark S. (Blauvelt, NY)
Uncomfortably Enjoyable Joseph Heller said that he wanted readers to laugh at Catch-22 and then to be appalled at what they were actually laughing about. This book made me feel the same way. How else can one explain rooting for a cold-blooded murderess? Lottie is equal parts cunning killer and typical grandma who occasionally struggles with evolving technology. Other than the gruesome killings (which is in itself ironic to say), she comes across as someone who really does fit in at church groups and bingo while also juggling the dynamics of a son in the process of remarrying a younger woman who is desperate for her approval.
When Lottie's "colorful" past is in danger of catching up to her, she is almost forced to return to what she seems to do best -- eliminate problems. What makes it even more entertaining is watching her have to account for those technological advances that both make it easier for her to track people but also so difficult to avoid being tracked herself.
Brilliantly conceived by Downing, this combination of traits provided ample opportunity for plot twists that caught me completely off guard. It also provided a stark reminder that it may be impossible to ever outrun the past. If dark humor is your thing, Downing's latest book is a great read!
Rated of 5
by Laurie M.
Too Old for This Samantha Downing's new novel, Too Old for This, is such an enjoyable read! It's smart and witty with enough twisty suspense to keep the reader turning pages. Our narrator, Lottie Jones, cleverly uses ageism to her advantage as she's forced out of "retirement". Go ahead and pour yourself a cup of tea (Earl Grey or Peppermint?) and soon, you too, will be fully invested in her story. In fact, you may even find yourself cheering her on!
Rated of 5
by Dawn Z. (Canton, MI)
"I always cry at funerals and memorials. It doesn't matter who it is or if I'm responsible for it." Lottie Jones is not your typical retiree. She plays bingo, prepares stuffed chicken roll for the church potluck, and critiques bridal gowns over text. She's also a former serial killer. These days, her biggest concern should be choosing a retirement home—but unfortunately, her past isn't finished with her yet.
Told in Lottie's sharp, first-person voice, this novel is a darkly funny meditation on aging, guilt, and reinvention. The humor is biting—after one early killing, she wakes up with "a bit of regret," noting, "I don't use that term lightly, because regret is one of the most insidious things out there. Arthritis is a close second."
Surrounding Lottie is a wonderfully nosy supporting cast: Glenda, who judges her for bringing store-bought spinach dip to bingo night; Bonnie, who spikes the punch from her flask; Sheila, who teaches her to cook; and her son Archie, whose upcoming wedding to a much younger woman with questionable fashion sense gives Lottie plenty of material for commentary.
Woven between church drama and family dysfunction is a thread of quiet menace—Lottie is still tying up loose ends, and people are still dying. The less said about that, the better.
This genre-bending book defies easy classification. Part mystery, part black comedy, part character study, it also reads like a coming-of-age novel—just one centered on someone in her seventies. Lottie isn't discovering who she is for the first time; she's deciding what she can live with, and what (or who) she needs to erase to get there.
Whether you're here for the blood or the bingo, this story delivers both—with a wry smile and a body count.
Rated of 5
by Charity M. (Herndon, VA)
Delightfully Deviant I enjoyed this book WAY too much. It is a wild ride from the very first chapter all the way to the end. I loved the main character and her observations about people and life. Just an absolute delight of a horrifying book.
Rated of 5
by Jennie R. (Plymouth, MN)
A Sweet Little Old Serial Killer I had a great time reading this one. Even though you know you really shouldn't, you can't help but root for Lottie. Lottie is a retired serial killer, now in her 70s, she's put her past behind her; literally, after being accused and exonerated of murder. These days she goes by the name Lottie Jones, church bingo and gossip aficionado. Then nosy Plum Dixon shows up at her door, and wants to do a docuseries on Lottie's past….a wrongfully accused murderer who's had to change her name and move to a new hometown. This is the last thing Lottie wants, but she plays along offering Plum tea (chamomile or peppermint?) and cookies while she decides what to do about this nuisance.
What follows is a hilarious, and gruesome, story as Lottie finds it necessary to come out of retirement and learn to navigate with new challenges such as surveillance cameras and smart phones that track every move. Lottie's sarcastic humor somehow makes her an endearing character.
Very entertaining read by Samantha Downing!
Rated of 5
by Jennifer W. (Cambridge, MA)
Funn A smart, darkly funny thriller with razor-sharp wit and unexpected twists. Too Old for This delivers a fresh take on revenge and reinvention, proving that age is just a number when it comes to getting even. Samantha Downing is at her best—clever, wicked, and utterly addictive. As a person who feels to old for many things, this story was ageless!
Rated of 5
by Jayne S. (Ocala, FL)
Great Book I loved this book. I found it an easy read. The words flowed. The subject was a bit unique an elderly serial killer (74 years old) who has been at it for at least 50 years. This book had lots of twists and turns. This is one of the few books I've read that I found myself rooting for the serial killer. Some of the forensic information was not entirely accurate, but I didn't mind. I would absolutely recommend this book.
Rated of 5
by Kenneth T. (Chapel Hill, NC)
Fun Cozy Thriller I loved this light-hearted page turner story of an adorable and wicked woman "of a certain age" who is doing things beyond expectations. Unexpectedly it is a tale, told in the first person, of a semi-retired serial killer in a cozy thriller. Killing occurs but no graphic violence.
Samantha Downing has done the improbable, turned a serial killer into a lovable, very intelligent curmudgeon with plenty of spunk. Years ago, Lottie Jones has fled notoriety in Spokane with her young son, changed her identity, and purchased a home with money from a lawsuit for "false" accusations. She has a quiet life when a very perky, aspiring true-crime documentarian pushes into her home to bring back her past. When it becomes apparent that the young woman means to do the documentary over Lottie's objections, elimination seems the only solution.
The sudden killing of a young woman in Lottie's kitchen leads to a cascade of cover-up acts as a web of deceit predictably grows more complicated. Along the way we gain insight into the mind of a mother who loves her grandchildren and son in spite of his poor choices in women. Downing has captured the views and concerns of an older person humorously as Lottie's plans are upset by family and well-intentioned friends. We can't help but love the character and pull for her to get away with her awful and rather clever acts.
Don't try this at home. As a scientist I can tell you that you would not get away with murder using Lottie's clever methods but this is a very fun story if you suspend your disbelief just a little.
Rated of 5
by Sharon P. (San Diego, CA)
Who knew murder could be so entertaining?? What fun! The book opens with a panache with our main character coming into "full swing" so to speak. The book does not discipline with action, intrigue and surprise. I enjoyed every minute and found the book a fast paced, thrilling read.
Rated of 5
by Linda V. (Independence, KY)
Great chapter cliff hangers! What a read! The author takes you to the curmudgeon aspect of getting old and spicing it up with hilarious dark humor. Just when you think you are tsk tsking her choices, you find yourself thinking, "yeah, s/he deserved it!" Delightful at every turn and teasingly makes you wonder about that "sweet old lady neighbor" down the street. Great read!
Rated of 5
by Liz B
Great Thriller This novel has an unexpected heroine….who is a serial killer. Self-confessed and no nonsense, we know who we’re dealing with right from the start. And we still root for her! Samantha Downing has created a mature female Dexter, if you will, and I couldn’t get enough. Loved the plot, it moved right along, and all of the characters were interesting to me. Great thriller!
Rated of 5
by Catherine O. (Altavista, VA)
Murder is Hard Work I didn't expect to have so much in common with a serial killer. We both are mature women who like to problem solve. We both enjoy church activities. We both are experiencing the invisibility that comes with aging. We are both handy with tools. I found this novel to be delightfully original. I am not obsessed with true crime podcasts or books, but I do enjoy the occasional well written mystery and this fits the bill. Lottie is so matter of fact as she goes about her killings, always justified of course, that it does not become gruesome.
This novel held my interest from beginning to end. I will be recommending Too Old For This it to all my reading friends. I look forward to reading more novels by this author.
Rated of 5
by Kevin H. (Littleton, CO)
A New Kind of Protagonist Lottie Jones is in for a surprise. I won't give away the surprise, but you'll know what it is by the end of the first chapter.
Lottie is an anti-hero, one who does not fit the mold of a typical protagonist, but one you just can't help rooting for nonetheless. The novel consists of a series of cat-and-mouse games that keep you guessing from one to the next. I had a difficult time figuring out where the novel was going.
I had a hard time putting this novel down and looked forward to restarting my reading whenever I could, and for this reason, it ended up being a quick read for me. I've read uncountable thrillers and mysteries, and this one was unlike any I had read before. It kept me guessing all the way up to the very end. The story was very balanced by disturbing thoughts and actions along with dark humor.
Rated 
of 5
by Kristen H. (Lowell, MA)
Be ready to laugh and be on the edge of your seat. Lottie Jones, the main character, drew me in from the beginning and is so perfectly described in both physical appearance and mentality for the cat and mouse plot with a bit of humor mixed in that is featured in this story. While reading the question asked wasn't "whodunnit?" but what will she do next? There was enough suspense to hold my interest and keep me wondering as Lottie Jones revealed her story.
Rated of 5
by Molly A. (Pryor, OK)
Not Too Old For This "Too Old For This" by Samantha Downing is the narrative of fictional serial killer Lorena "Lottie Jones" Mae Lansdale. Lottie is retired from her secret life, and her only drama is amongst the ladies at church and her son's unexpected second marriage. That is, until the day that docuseries producer Plum Dixon arrives at her doorstep.
The psychological thriller details Lottie's efforts to thwart the ever-stalwart detective from her younger years, Kenneth Burke. As the plot thickens and more characters are thrown in her path, asking questions, Lottie must choose how she wants to be remembered in her golden ones.
The characters are fully fleshed-out and the situations feel genuine. One finds oneself feeling the rollercoaster emotions of the aged serial killer, and even sympathizing with her when she must make a life-altering decision. The writing was well-organized and not too wordy, and the story seemed to flow well, keeping the reader engaged in the story until the very end.
Rated of 5
by Marybeth T. (Bellingham, WA)
Another winner This is only the second book by Samantha Downing I have read and I need to read the others. This was fun and darkly humorous. It wasn't really fast paced which I appreciated. Being a little younger than Lottie, I chuckled when she complains about all the aches and pains and the limitations that come with aging. This was a fun book and I'm glad I read it.
Rated of 5
by Suzi S. (The Villages, FL)
Serial fun Lottie is very likeable and entertaining, despite her admission early on that she is a retired serial killer. Her personality and wit are so engaging that I forgot I was supposed to find her repulsive. Well done! I did grow a bit weary of her by the end, but overall this was an enjoyable light read.
Rated of 5
by Betcei B. (Huntsville, AL)
Serial killer's want normal lives also How does a serial killer stop killing and live a quiet life? Oh wait, that's impossible because there is always one more that must be taken care of or something bad will happen. Lottie Jones is a character you know you should dislike, but her reasoning for her decisions makes sense in a way and you might start seeing life through her eyes and sympathizing for her. There are some hard sections to read, but skimming those to get to Lottie's life and thoughts is not a problem in following the story.
Rated of 5
by Cheri M. (Rome, GA)
Great Twisty Fun A retired grandma serial killer? Sign me up! Grandma Lottie comes out of retirement, so to speak, when someone shows up on her doorstep trying to make a documentary about her. It's crazy, yes, but it also hilights the aging process quite well. Lots of fun.
Rated of 5
by Cheryl W. (Zimmerman, MN)
It begins again A retired serial killer is approached by a reporter who wants to do a documentary on her. She wants to keep her past behind her and needs to fix the situation. Does she commit another murder?
Rated of 5
by Nancy B. (Rochester, NY)
The Invisibiity Cloak Sharing Lottie's invisibility cloak of a certain age but fortunately, not sharing her history, I am mercifully not haunted by the possibility of someone waiting to document a life-history best forgotten.
My junk drawer, filled with tools, has never looked so sinister...and the walk-in shower, so treacherous. And the murders...increasingly outrageous, somehow give rise to an inappropriate smile...but surely not laughter!
Initially a seemingly innocuous tale, the tension quickly rises as the bodies pile up and Lottie is forced into more devious methods to avoid detection.
How could a book about murders be so entertaining...and how could I be nodding in appreciation of this clever septuagenarian? I'm not sure, but I am heading to my library to find more by this clever author.
Rated 
of 5
by Linda S. (Castle Pines, CO)
Are we ever too old?? It's not often that I read a book where the killer is a senior citizen woman whom I actually like! The church-going, bingo playing gray haired grandma is forced to cover up her past life of crime by "coming out of retirement " to kill again. I enjoyed all of the colorful characters who are a part of Lottie's everyday life. Too bad for those who come knocking at her door to expose Lottie's past crimes! I really enjoyed reading and giving my candid review of this book to be released on August 12, 2025.
Rated of 5
by RN
Appearances can be deceiving.. When I started to read Too Old for This by Samantha Downing I was initially entertained and amused. The main character Lottie Jones is a 75 year old mother and grandmother who lives on her own. Lottie is often written off as a doddering old lady but some are (correctly) not fooled by her act. Against all odds I found myself liking Lottie. She is certainly creative, resourceful, and extremely good at keeping up with appearances. Unfortunately the further I read the harder it became for me to remain engaged with the story. The plot got a bit monotonous and a whole lot preposterous. Overall it was most definitely a wild ride that would have benefited by the author leaving out some extraneous scenes.
Rated of 5
by Ann H. (Boulder, CO)
Too Old for This The book demanded the reader to have an open mind. It appeared to have two themes - murder and old age trials. This reader couldn't justify the continuous murder of people the main character didn't like. I know we sometimes might think we might kill someone because of irritating situation but we don't follow through or should we. Actually that phrase about killing is so inappropriate when we should offer grace instead of murder.
The trials the main character experienced with getting older certainly sound familiar and author justified. If this reader concentrated on that then the book was readable.
Rated of 5
by Barry E. (Boynton Beach, FL)
Is she really that smart? This mystery author has a great idea, create a female age approximately 70 yrs old who has been a serial killer for the past 40 years. What has been her motivation, how has she evaded being arrested when some very capable people have investigated her, and what has she had to endure in her life that drives her. This is who Lorena Mae Lansdale, our main character, alias Lottie Jones, septuagenarian.is about. Although a quick read, I found the book somewhat lacking in energy and pace. As a recently minted 75-year-old. who is very active feeling in great shape this book (believe it or not) made me think about getting older in a negative way, possibly tainting how I feel about the book.
Thanks to the publisher, Berkley, and book browse for providing this ARC in return for an honest review..
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