What readers think of Killers of a Certain Age, plus links to write your own review.

This book about retiring women assassins being stalked is delightful. It is refreshing to read about dynamic women of a certain age that remain clever, agile, funny, cunning, strategic, and collaborative. Huzzah! To the moral assassins ridding the world of evil doers. Love the premise of the story and the well written execution (pun intended)

"Killers of a Certain Age" by Diana Rayborn is a true testament to the timeless power of courage, resilience and unwavering spirit of women who refuse to be defined by their age. In a world that often marginalizes and undermines those who have seen it, even after the decades have passed, this gripping thriller demonstrates the extraordinary power that comes from a lifetime of experience.

As Billy, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie walk a treacherous path of danger and betrayal, they exemplify the immense power of determination that can only come from overcoming years of obstacles. Their journey is a reminder that life's challenges can never extinguish the fire within those who have weathered the storms of time. These women redefine the meaning of bravery and prove that, it is not the number of years that matter, but the depth of one's will and tenacity to fight for what is right.

'Killers of a Certain Age' invites us to rethink traditional notions of strength and competence. These four assassins challenge not only their opponents but also the institutions that wanted to control them. The story beautifully depicts that every stage of life is an opportunity for growth, empowerment and unexpected victory.

“’I wasn’t expecting that. I should have stretched first.’ The truth was, it had been some time since I’d wrapped myself like a pretzel around someone I was trying to kill, to say nothing of choking someone out. It’s more a matter of leverage than brute strength, but you always feel it in your biceps and traps as soon as you’re finished if you’ve done it right.”

Killers Of A Certain Age is the first contemporary novel by best-selling American author, Deanna Raybourn. After forty years as highly-trained assassins, Billie Webster and the three other women who make up Project Sphinx surely deserve the Caribbean Cruise they’ve been given on their retirement from The Museum, an extra-governmental organisation targeting Nazis, drug dealers, sex traffickers and other nasty types.

But while she has turned sixty, Billie hasn’t lost an ounce of her training, so she instantly spots the assassin. She and her friends quickly act to learn who his target is (them!!), then efficiently neutralise him. Shock that they are being taken out after their loyal service only galvanises their actions: they ensure that innocent souls will not be lost and make their way to safety. The aftermath includes a rather large explosion.

“For all our experience, we were used to the luxury of an entire organization at our disposal, ready to pluck us out of the field if we were in danger, prepared to clean up our messes, remove us from the line of fire. For the first time in forty years, we were on our own.”

Putting their talents and resources to good use, the four make it to Billie’s New Orleans safe house where they regroup and then work out what next. Learning the why of it is a priority; they contact one person they believe they can trust, only to soon find out they can’t. But they do find out that there’s a bounty on their heads. Quite why takes some more investigation, and they quickly realise that running and hiding is not really an option: they have to fight back.

It's truly enjoyable to watch these women being underestimated, both as old and as women, and then robustly proving that neither is a valid reason. This is a novel that will especially appeal to readers of a certain vintage, who will be pleased to see that these older women still have it, in spades, thank you very much! And the twist is excellent.

Any novel that starts with “AUTHOR’S NOTE Some of the dates are misleading; some of the names are lies. I’m not trying to protect the innocent. I’m trying to protect the guilty. You’ll understand soon enough” promises a very entertaining read, and Deanna Raybourn certainly delivers.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton.

This is a fun romp through assassinations – although these are assassins with scruples – they only kill those who deserve to die to make the world a better place. That is-- until someone puts a hit on them!
Four women assassins who have spent their whole lives working for “the good of humanity” have reached retirement age only to discover they themselves have been targeted. Will they become victims or will their “advanced age and unique skills” actually work to their advantage? This mystery is almost a cozy with a bit of humor thrown in. The flashbacks are interesting and give a portrait of each woman. The situations are believable – sort of. Although a bit long (nearly 350 pages) it held my interest. The plot is detailed and intricate. Thoroughly enjoyable.
5 of 5 stars

While female readers of a certain age will find plenty to love in this celebration of four 60-year-old female assassins who take on the unexpected post-retirement assignment of saving their own lives with skill and savvy, this fast-paced revenge of the Bond "girls" (all grown up) has plenty of enjoyment packed in it for everyone.

From taking down a muscle-bound much younger man sent to assassinate them with a garrote masquerading as a bead necklace strung on piano wire, to a synchronized phone app featuring personalized kitties called "Menopaws", even Bond's "Q" did not create such witty and effective toys as these four women possessing very particular skills wield in their final mission. Long on experience in human nature, effective and thorough planning skills and creative ways in which tobacco and powdered dairy substitute can be used as weapons of destruction, Deanna Raybourn's four heroines more than make up for the better years behind them. Each has lived long enough to have welcomed both the joys and sorrows that molded their characters. When the stakes are highest, they perform at their best as a team - albeit one in which sniping at each other does occasionally get in the way.

Refreshingly funny with a clever timeline and creative use of point of view.

While murder is never amusing, if ever it was, this is the book that would make it so. Four women of a "certain age" have been assassins throughout their working lives. Now the tables are turned and they must outsmart the killers who are pursuing them. A fine tale of female bonding, cooperation, and mutual success. A fun read.