Getting Old is to Die For [Mass Market Paperback]

Rita Lakin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 26, 2007

Gladdy Gold may have gone from dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker to South Florida retiree, but she’s loving every minute of it. Between poolside gossip, a hot-to-trot boyfriend, and a booming detective business, life couldn’t be sunnier—until a trip back north with her sister Evvie leads to murder and mayhem starring the usual suspects.

Unbeknownst to Gladdy, her fellow detectives are hot on her trail. Sophie, Bella, and Ida no sooner land their tootsies in the Big Apple than trouble promptly finds them. But while the girls go deep undercover, posing as bag ladies to catch a criminal, there’s another surprise awaiting Gladdy. Her boyfriend, Jack, is in town too—and he’s reopening a forty-seven-year-old cold case: the murder of Gladdy’s husband. Can Gladdy and Jack join forces to solve a decades-old crime—and maybe heal some wounded hearts in the process?

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Golden Girls play Nancy Drew in their own funny and creative ways...colorful and Meshugeneh.”—Mystery Scene

“Condo life may never be the same!” —Newsday

“Gladdy Gold is a treasure, Miss Marple in Yiddish. Salty. Sassy. Sunny.” —Carolyn Hart

About the Author

After being widowed at a young age with three small children, Rita Lakin began an extensive writing career, which has included staff writing on television programs such as Peyton Place, Mod Squad, Dynasty, and Strong Medicine, as well as creating original series such as The Rookies. She has won an Edgar Allen Poe award for her screenwriting, as well as receiving several other award nominations, and her two original theatrical plays, No Language But a Cry and Saturday Night at Grossingers, are still being produced around the country.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dell (December 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440243874
• ISBN-13: 978-0440243878
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

RITA LAKIN
Rita Lakin spent twenty-five years in Television as a writer on numerous series, movies, miniseries, created a number of dramatic series, finally becoming producer/show runner on her own shows. She is now writing comedy mystery novels featuring Gladdy Gold and her zany geriatric partners in crime-solving. She won first place for her IMBA bestselling Getting Old is a Disaster. Same novel won Left Coast Crime LEFTY AWARD for most humorous mystery published in 2009.

Her many other awards include Writers Guild of America, MWA Edgar, and the Avery Hopwood award from the University of Michigan. Visit www.ritalakin.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars humorous mystery, December 29, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Getting Old is to Die For (Mass Market Paperback)

Gladdy Gold and her sister Evie Markowitz have lived in phase II in Lanai Gardens in Ft. Lauderdale for over a quarter of a century. They are very active and with their friends Ida, Bella and Sophie have an informal detective agency. Their latest case involves parents who want their daughter, who they have a close relationship with, to attend their seventieth wedding anniversary. Gladdy, who doesn't know where her boyfriend Jack is, decides to take the case.

The daughter refuses to answer her calls but they find a way to get her to meet with them. When they see her, they understand and so accompany her for moral support to see her parents. Unknown to Gladdy, Jack is in New York trying to find out who killed his girlfriend's husband over five decades ago. He is delighted that his family and Gladdy's family get along so great but he is scared of what Gladdy will do when she finds out what he is up to.

GETTING OLD IS TO DIE FOR shows readers that senior citizens can have rich productive lives filled with fun and romance. Jack is a real hero, putting his needs on the back burner so that Gladdy can gain a sense of closure. It is fun reading how he conducts his own investigation while Gladdy is worried that her refusal to commit to him ruined their relationship. This humorous mystery has protagonists and a secondary cast that is easy to understand what motivates them.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rita Lakin's Books are Fabulous....., May 19, 2008

By 

Kris Radish - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Getting Old is to Die For (Mass Market Paperback)

Getting Old is hilarious, fun, well-written and a teriffic ride for readers of any age. Rita not only "gets" her characters but she can weave them in and out of a tale that will keep you up all night. Hurry....write another one...!!!

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars even gloomier than the last book, January 22, 2008

By 

alpha_grrl (Olympia, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Getting Old is to Die For (Mass Market Paperback)

I struggled to finish "Getting Old is to Die For." Gladdy's always had issues with loneliness, the dependency her friends have on her and widowhood, but she always seemed strong and positive. Starting with the last episode and gaining strength in this one, the humor and positive attitude seem to have vanished and been replaced by grimness and depression. I'm not enjoying it. Gladdy's "girls" and the other tenants of Lanai Gardens are some relief, but even their bickering seems to have become mean spirited. I realize the author's got a story arc that spans multiple volumes, but I would definitely enjoy more of the fun, upbeat flavor of the early volumes in the future!