Golden Girls (and Guys): Five Mysteries Starring Seniors
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By Lida Sideris
As a fan of mysteries with quirky characters, I set my sights on those featuring quirky, older characters who play a big role in solving crimes. They may appear as harmless chair-rockers, when in fact they’ve still got plenty of rocking to do out of their proverbial rocking chairs, with minds that function with a good amount of precision. Here’s a small sampling:
1) The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman introduces four eccentric septuagenarians (a former nurse, a police inspector, a shrink, and a Union boss), living at an upscale retirement community in Kent. For kicks, they meet every Thursday as members of a murder club to ponder cold cases that are surreptitiously shared with them by former inspector, Elizabeth. When a real murder happens close to home, it seems only natural that the four investigate. Lively, entertaining, and with plenty of antics, this is an offbeat and fun read, proving you never know what’ll happen when you have an energetic band of bored seniors.
2) A Clue for the Puzzle Lady (Puzzle Lady #1) by Parnell Hall features senior citizen and national crossword puzzle columnist, Miss Cora Felton, and her niece, Sherry, who’ve recently moved to a small town where not much happens… until a murder shakes things up. When the police chief finds the unidentified body of a young woman., he discovers a crossword puzzle clue in her pocket. Naturally, he consults Miss Cora Felton. Set in the 1990s, this is a different sort of cozy with a stubborn protagonist who likes to drink to the point of oblivion, which allows for a few surprises. A quick read for those who like a good puzzle, take note that there are 18 books in this series. Word is, they get better and better.
3) Bless Her Dead Little Heart (A Southern Ladies Mystery #1) by Miranda James. It’s summertime in Athena, Mississippi, and the aged Ducote sisters are relaxing in their family home, when former sorority sister Rosabelle Sultan, drops in with a bombshell: she needs refuge from her family. She claims they’re trying to kill her. The sisters aren’t sure they believe Rosabelle and aren’t keen on inviting her to stay; Rosabelle’s been problematic in the past. But Southern hospitality wins out. Soon, one guest turns into ten when Rosabelle’s adult kids, in-laws, and grandkids show up. Family members die under mysterious circumstances, and the sisters end up sleuthing. How else will they get the crazy family out of their house? Murder and mayhem is infused with Southern charm in this cozy mystery.
4) Grey Mask (Miss Silver #1, a British Country House Mystery) by Patricia Wentworth, was published in 1928. Miss Silver, the elderly protagonist, is a former governess turned P.I. Presented as a quiet and diminutive knitting enthusiast, Miss Silver may seem unassuming, but she proves herself strong and independent with a sharp mind that never quits. The story opens with Charles Moray returning home after a four-year sojourn taken to relieve his heartache upon being jilted at the altar. Former fiancée, Margaret still figures big in his life, as he returns to find her involved with a rather nefarious group. When he discovers the group’s plot to murder an heiress, Charles realizes he still has feelings for Margaret and doesn’t go to the police. He does the next best thing: he goes to Miss Silver for help.
5) The Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin Mystery, #1) by M.C. Beaton features the youngest of the golden girl sleuths. At 53-years-young, Agatha is not exactly likable; she’s pushy and a bit rude, moody and lonely, but she exhibits enough dry humor to keep the reader engaged and, as the story progresses, we discover a very real heroine. After early retirement from a P.R. firm which she’d founded, Agatha retreats to a cottage in the Cotswolds, where she doesn’t fit in and doesn’t have much to do. She decides entering a baking contest might help things along. She’s no baker, so she buys a quiche, enters, and loses; it doesn’t help matters that the baking judge keels over after eating her quiche. To clear her name, Agatha goes into sleuth mode, and finds her new calling...and the killer. With plenty of twists and charm, this first installment was published in 1992. There are now 34 books in this popular series.
Photos by Silvia Rita on Pixabay (top) and Alexandra Lowenthal on Unsplash (middle)