Customer Reviews

Getting Old Is Murder

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When Gladdy Gold's neighbor, Selma Beller, dies, Gladdy is saddened, but not concerned, at 75 and living in a retirement community, Gladdy is accustomed to death. But when her best friend Francie dies, Gladdy is heartbroken and begins to be suspicious since both Selma and Francie died around the time of their birthdays. Gladdy tries to convince the police that murder may have taken place, but they don't believe her so she starts investigating on her own. After two more deaths and a couple of autopsies that show the victims were poisoned, the police finally believe Gladdy. But will they be able to catch the murderer before Gladdy becomes the next victim?

"Getting Old is Murder" is a nice, humorous first entry in what looks to be an enjoyable cozy mystery series. Gladdy is a wonderful creation, very funny and still full of life (and romance) at 75. Her friends are all well written, with a nice touch of humor that makes them seem real but doesn't poke fun at the elderly. Each character stands out as an individual: the wisecracking Hy and his wife Lois; Gladdy's sister Evvie, a movie critic; Sophie with her slightly off-kilter cliches ("you're a broken record, play another"); Harriet who is young but lives there to take care of her elderly mother, Esther); Enya who never got over the loss of her family during the Holocaust; and Denny, the mentally slow handyman. Although the book is a cozy mystery and the elderly don't hesitate to solve the crime, it also shows the real problems of getting old, especially in the bittersweet case of Irving struggling to take care of his wife who has Alzheimer's. All of these characters are well written and come alive on the page.

The mystery itself is nicely done with some neat red herrings and when the murderer is finally revealed, there is a real motive behind the slayings. There are some minor flaws - Francie's death is well telegraphed (it's never a good sign when the heroine in a mystery wonders what she'd do if something happened to her best friend!). There's also some minor editing errors, such as when Gladdy remembers dropping a friend off at the dentist when she never did so. Not a major error, but enough to stop the flow of the story for a second or two. Rita Lakin takes you into the victim's minds as they are dying, which I found unsettling in a cozy mystery.

But these are indeed minor flaws and this is a very enjoyable, funny cozy mystery. It's worth buying just to read the scene in which Gladdy convinces a gang of teenagers to help her break into her car after she locks her keys in it. One of the funniest scenes I've ever read!

Laughter when sprinkled with suspence is an anti-aging formula, indeed. This book is a tiny treasure and I understand it's the first in a series...I am already eager for the next one. Rita Lakin is a rare talent who elevates ordinary human qualities of behavior into character studies that make even the simplest of people worth reading about. Ms. Lakin does this with love and skill-- a fine combination of qualities. I am buying many copies for Christmas gifts for special friends.

This book is a hoot. Gladdy Gold is funny and smart, with just the right touch of feisty. Her friends make the kind of mischief I want in my life now, let alone when I'm their age! This book is a good story, but it's a great read because these are people I want to spend my time with. Especially Gladdy--she's a character I want to meet again and again. This one will put some Florida sunshine into a wintery weekend. Dive in and snorkel for the answer to the mystery! Thanks, Rita Lakin, for Gladdy and all the great entertainment you've given me for years on the big and small screens. More, please!

A friend just gave me this book and I loved it! With well-developed characters, a fast-paced plot and engaging asides, this book will please any mystery lover. I'm looking forward to the next in this series coming out in April 2006.

This little book is just a hoot. It doesn't take long to know and love these gals. They are so typical Florida Condo types, Bingo on Monday, Swimming in the pool at 2:00 p.m. Dinner at the same place, same time, etc. So funny and enjoyable. A delightful book.

Based on thirty years of reading mysteries retired librarian Gladdy Gold believes a serial killer is murdering the residents of her Lauderdale Lakes retirement community. The cops assume that the increase in deaths is caused by the age of the residents, seventies and older for the most part.

However, she does nothing about this until her best friend Francie dies in a fittingly manner for her: death by chocolate. Unable to accept that the healthy Francie just keeled over due to age, Gladdy and her four remaining gladiators begin investigating though their joints hurt and they must be in bed by 9:00. As they get closer to the truth that a serial killer is cleverly murdering the residents, Gladdy concocts a plan to catch this murdering putz (universal usage) although the gladiators keep thinking oy! vey!

GETTING OLD FOR MURDER is a terrific cozy filled with elderly Yiddish chick lit humor. The story line is mostly told by Gladdy, but contains a host of other individuals with plenty of kvetches and of course Gladdy's GAS (geriatric amateur sleuths) gang. Fans of South Florida who-done-its starring septuagenarian and octogenarian retirees trying to keep their medicines straight will enjoy Rita Lakin's amusing tale.

Harriet Klausner

Ok, so I'm not (yet) a senior citizen - but Gladdy Gold is inspiration for those years yet to come. Gladdy is funny, sweet, smart, curious, and she takes no flack from anyone - I want to be just like her some day!

This book tells the story of a number of elderly ladies with quirky personalities and a zest for life. They embroil themselves in a murder mystery in their condo complex. Lots of characters, sometimes hard to keep them clear in your mind. An easy "beach read." Look forward to additional books with same heroine.

This is the funniest murder mystery ever! Clever too. You don't have to be a mystery fan to be a Gladdy Gold fan. Oy Vei!

Getting Old is Murder is fast paced, funny and furtive. Ms. Lakin has not only written a very good mystery book, she has also captured the feel and texture of the first wave of Floridians who left their homes up North to resettle in southern Florida. The characters are clearly drawn and treated with respect and humor -something many authors fail to do when writing about older people. I hope there will be other books starring Gladdy and her crew.