Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol's true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.
Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong...without killing anyone, for once. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)
Carol is such a fun character! I had a blast reading her inner thoughts, particularly because she doesn’t hold back and doesn’t shy away from her impulses. It’s true that she is a former serial killer, but you can’t take the serial killer out of the girl. The difference for her now is acting on her impulses, and after finding her place in a retirement home where she gets to live free, she wouldn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize that freedom.
She also understands the need for friendships, a concept she didn’t experience when she was in prison. So when one of the residents at the retirement home is murdered and all fingers point to her, Carol has a lot to lose–not just her freedom, but her newfound connections. It’s enough to spur on the need to investigate the murder herself, not only to clear her name, but to find peace again.
Who would know a killer better than a killer? Carol and her friends embark on finding the true culprit, and try not to die themselves. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most is that the characters are not your typical characters–they are older, they are severely flawed, and it made it all that much more exciting and enjoyable. As much as Carol’s friends fear her, they also embrace her, hopeful that it really isn’t her that’s causing all the trouble.
When Carol has “her moment” and releases the final reveal on whodunit, it was absolutely amazing! And she insisted on having that moment, particularly because no one wants to believe that she’s not the killer. The steps she takes with her friends in order to find the murderer is a lot of fun, too. This is not your typical retirement home, and Carol and her friends prove that there is a lot of life to live, even in your golden years. It was a refreshing perspective!
Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase it here!
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