Review: Too Old for This by Samantha Downing
8 December 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, fiction, reading, Review, Samantha Downing, Too Old For This
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Morally Grey and Darkly Humourous
I must say that I enjoyed Too Old for This much more than I thought I should! I mean this is a story about a serial killer after all and it feels like you really shouldn’t like the main character, and yet, here I was rooting for her and liking her almost instantly!
Lottie has retired from her days of murdering. She’s moved and started a new life in a different part of the country. She has a house that is too big and old age is really catching up with her giving her good and bad days. But, she’s quite content in her retirement, she plays bingo at the church and has a couple of close friends. Her son is about to remarry and she has a third grandchild on the way. Lottie expects to live the rest of her life peacefully and there’s no reason why she shouldn’t until an investigative reporter called Plum arrives unannounced on her doorstep. Plum plans on dredging Lottie’s past back up for content on her podcast – obviously to showcase how innocent Lottie is – but Lottie has no intention of going through the horrors of infamy again and so it’s back to business.
From here onwards, and although Lottie really shows just how cold and clinical she can be, things really do start to spiral in the most wonderfully chaotic and over the top fashion.
I will say that I haven’t read this author before but on the strength of this I would like to take a look at her backlist for sure.
What I really liked about this.
Well, it’s a conundrum because the author really does suck you into Lottie’s life from the outset and you find yourself, dare I say, rooting for her. I love the way her backstory unfolds and the way her mind works. It does make me think to myself be careful who you’re being rude to! Lottie certainly has a temper and isn’t afraid to act on it.
The writing is great and the humour is absolutely spot on not to mention the tension. It’s one of those slow build stories where you’re getting more and more hyped up as things begin to descend into chaos. At first you think Lottie has a handle on everything, and she’s staying in control, then she starts to make mistakes.
Lets have a look at Lottie. You have to hand it to Downing for coming up with such a compelling character. She’s intelligent and cunning and I loved her narration. She’s not above really hamming it up when it comes to hoodwinking others using her age shamelessly and hobbling around but then at other times she really isn’t acting, her age really has become an encumbrance. One minute she’s figuring out gifts for her grandchildren and looking at retirement homes and the next she’s disposing of bodies and breaking into people’s houses.
I really enjoyed the almost comedic feel to the story – which the out of control tension feeds into. It reaches a point where you can’t imagine how things will ever work out and yet the author pulls you on relentlessly in Lottie’s wake.
In conclusion, I had an unexpectedly good time with this story and can’t wait to read more by this author.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Monthly Wrap Up/What’s On My Plate: October/November/December
3 December 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, book-blog, Books, Books Bones & Buffy, Monthly Wrap Up, October/November/December, reading, TBR, What's on my Plate
I’m trying to post a wrap up for the end of each month, mainly to help me to keep track of my reading and at the same time look at what I’m intending to read during the month ahead (inspired by Books Bones and Buffy’s What’s on My Plate.
I’ve missed one of my monthly wrap up posts so I’m going to try and give a quick update for October and November and what I’m planning to read in December.
My Monthly Wrap Up: October
The following is the list of books I posted in September that I was hoping to complete in October. Lets take a look:
- Cinder House by Freya Marske
- Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
- The Cold House by A.G. Slatter
- House of Splinters by Laura Purcell
- Ring the Bells by CK McDonnell
- The Last Witch by C.J. Cooke
- The Possession of Alba Dias by Isabel Cañas
- Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason
- King Sorrow by Joe Hill
- The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah
- The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow
I’ve linked the books with reviews. The Possession of Alba Dias I set aside because it was a period when my reading mood wasn’t good and so I shall be going back and picking that one up. Murder Most Haunted I also made a start with – I’m not totally sure this one is going to work for me but I’d like to give it another shot. The Last Death of the Year I’ve not picked up yet but I am excited to do so.
My Monthly Wrap Up: November
The following is the list of books I was hoping to complete in November. Lets take a look:
- The Blackfire Blade by James Logan
- The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry
- I’ll Make A Spectacle of You by Beatrice Winifred Iker
- Outlaw Planet by MR Carey
I have read The Place Where They Buried Your Heart – which I loved and already reviewed. I’m currently reading The Blackfire Blade and Outlaw Planet is my next planned read. It doesn’t look as though I read many books in November but I think some of my October reads were actually read in November but because I wasn’t posting weekly wraps it’s difficult to place everything! This is why I need to be more organised. Anyway. It is what it is.
What’s On My Plate: December:
I’m hoping to catch up with review books that I’ve carried forward from October and also complete my last books from November (plus a late addition that went onto my September shelf:
- What Stalks the Deep by T Kingfisher
- The Possession of Alba Dias by Isabel Cañas (Carried over from October)
- Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason (Carried over from October)
- The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah (Carried over from October)
- The Blackfire Blade by James Logan
- I’ll Make A Spectacle of You by Beatrice Winifred Iker
- Outlaw Planet by MR Carey
If possible I’d love to complete these by the end of December but I recognise that I’m not reading quite as much at the moment as there are too many other distractions at the moment. We’ll see. Maybe I’ll have a strange burst of reading. Never say never.
I’ve been terrible with this challenge this year – I think I’ll just declare this year a failure and start again next year with a proper list to try and get myself into gear.
Bookforager‘s Picture Prompt book bingo.
and the text version:
PICTURE PROMPT BOOK BINGO 2025 (TEXT VERSION)
| 1. A prehistoric flint knapped stone knife | 2. A lighthouse | ||
| 5. A very large mechanical telescope | 7. |
||
| 9 |
|||
Today, I’m ticking off: No. 7 A Stag – which I’m using Clockwork Boys by T Kingfisher for (you’ll know why if you’ve read it). I’ve also gone back through my list and I’m using The Vipers by Katy Hays for No.15 – A stylized sun with a human face – because the setting is the beautiful and dazzling island of Capri and the season is Summer – so plenty of sunshine and sparkling seas. For No.4 – the Archery Target with Arrows in it – I’ve chosen the Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford because one of the female raiders is an expert shot with bow and arrow.
So, three more prompts left – not sure I’m going to make it this year, these last three are tricksy, a flint knife, a lighthouse and a telescope. I might have to do some creative thinking.
The prompts I’ve crossed off so far:
No. 16 – A Roman helmet – and I’m using This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara.
No. 3 – an apple on a leafy branch – Hemlock and Silver by T Kingfisther
No.10 – A Sheaf of Wheat – The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst –
No. 11 – An Old Mechanical Typewriter – The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno Garcia
No.8 – The ruins of a temple-like structure – I’m using Daughter of Chaos by A S Webb
No. 12 – A cluster of four mushrooms – I’m using Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
No. 13 – A fringed umbrella/parasol – I’m using A Fortune Most Fatal by Jessica Bull
No.14 – A chemistry set-up of bottles and tubes – I’m using Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis
No.9 – A Crab – I’m using The Devils by Joe Abercrombie – if you’ve read this already you’ll be able to guess why. There are some very unusual creatures in this story.
No.6 – A Human Skull – I’m using The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North – because this is about a serial killer and there are definite human remains included in this one.
Number of books read this year: 78 (well below target – boo!)
Countdown to 2026
24 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: blogging, Book Reviews, Books, Countdown to 2026, reading
A short and sweet post to let you all know that once again I am doing my December Countdown where I tick off the days to the new year by spotlighting a book from the present one. This is a one per day prompt where I will literally post the prompt and the book I think fits the prompt. I’m hoping to use books read during 2025 where possible and use this as an opportunity to shine the light on some good reads (although some of the prompts may require books from the year before or after). Books will be linked to reviews where possible or Goodreads. If you fancy joining me feel free to dip in and out. This is not meant to be hard work, a little fun and the chance to highlight some good books – post, or do not post, or, post five prompts in one post, or ignore some of the prompts, etc. Just enjoy yourself. Starts on 1st December and concludes on 31st.
Here are the prompts: 31 days of December and 31 opportunities to give a very quick shout out to a book you’ve loved or are highly anticipating.
Prompts:
- Snow – a book set in a cold or wintry climate
- Shopping – the last book added to your wishlist
- Wrapping paper – a lovely cover
- Gifts – a book you enjoyed more than you expected to
- Chocolates – a book that was simply delicious
- Christmas stocking – stocking fillers – a novella or short story
- Christmas Tree – a winter read
- Baubles – these add some colour, a very colourful and striking cover
- Fairy Lights – something magical
- Under the Tree – a book you forgot you owned
- Mistletoe – a little bit of romance
- Holly and Ivy – a book with great world building
- Feast – a book that was magnificent
- Christmas pudding – if you could squeeze in just one more book this year
- Mince pies – a little sweet something
- Turkey Dinner– eye’s too big for your belly? A chunkster
- Glitter – A book that you simply have to have
- Christmas Cards – a book with a message
- Christmas Carols – a book with musicians, song or instruments
- Eggnog – a book that was out of your comfort zone
- Santa’s Snack – a book that was a ‘light read’ between heavier books
- Reindeers – a book with memorable critters
- Sleigh bells – a series that you want to ring out the praise for
- Christmas Eve – One of your most anticipated books for next year
- Christmas Day – a book you received as a gift
- Boxing Day – feeling bloated, a palate cleanser
- Christmas Crackers – Ended with a bang
- Candlelight – a book that kept you up into the early hours
- A roaring fire – a book that was heartwarming
- Family and Friends – a book with great characters
- Bottle of Bubbly – your first read in the New Year
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
23 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: book-blog, Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up, Books, Caffeinated Book Reviewer, fiction, reading, Sunday Post
Weekly Update
Hey everyone. Hope you’re all doing well. I’m starting to tentatively ease back into blogging and I’ve started to catch up with reviews although I still have a few to post. My reading is good though and I’m enjoying the books I’m picking up very much. This week I have been busy with lots of going out and socialising – it’s that time of year – so slightly less reading than normal but I read The Austen Christmas Murders by Jessica Bull, I’m enjoying this series of books very much and this was a very intriguing read. I’ve also started Too Old For This by Samantha Downing which I’m really enjoying – oddly enough as it’s about a retired serial killer – the dark humour is very good (thanks Tammy).
Next Week’s reads
I’d like to finish reading Too Old for This and then my next read will be The Blackfire Blade by James Logan. I’ll also be posting on Monday about my ‘Countdown to Christmas’ which I will be once again hosting if you care to join in – there’s a list of prompts and no rules!
Reviews Posted:
The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow
Outstanding Reviews
- Play Nice by Rachel Harrison
- The Naked Light by Bridget Collilns
- The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry
- Ragwort by Sam K Horton
- The Austen Christmas Murders by Jessica Bull
Top Ten Tuesday: Modern Books You Think Will Be Classics In The Future
18 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, reading, That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday
Today is the first Top Ten Tuesday I’ve participated in for a while, mainly because of being busy and personal reasons, but, I’m getting back on track and, I love this topic. So, here’s my take on modern books (which I’m taking to mean recently written as oppose to contemporary setting – although, obviously, you could interpret it either way) that I think could be classics in the future:
King Sorrow by Joe Hill – I haven’t written my review for this one yet but I absolutely loved it. It’s a chunkster of a book but it’s so good that it doesn’t feel that way.
The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow – this is another recent read that I loved. Again, I haven’t posted my review yet (which will follow shortly) but this was so good. The writing is fantastic, the story is totally absorbing, literally a story that spreads across the ages.
Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow – yes, two books by the same author on this list. It probably seems a little indulgent but I love her books and this particular book is like a love letter to readers.
Station Eleven, the Glass Hotel and Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandell. This is not a series as such but the books all interconnect in ways that you wouldn’t be aware of without having read the others. Basically, each book is a standalone and brilliant in it’s own right but if you have the pleasure of reading all three, well, it’s really quite mind blowing.
The Justice of Kings, The Tyranny of Faith and The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan. Fantasy books with murder mysteries, epic in their scopo but with a more modern feel in terms of ease of reading, great writing and totally gripping. I would love to see these books become recognised for the scope, writing and originality.
A Dowry of Blood by ST Gibson. I’m not always a fan of classic retellings but this story works. Told from the point of view of one of Dracula’s ‘bride’s this is a dark tale of doubt and seduction and based itself on a ‘classic’ I would love to see it last the test of time.
A Boy and His Dog at the end of the World. Such a fantastic tale, told in a way to deliver a really powerful twist. I loved it and didn’t see it coming.
The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar. Oh dear me, how much did I love this book? Ridiculously so. It’s an absolute keeper. A new story told in a way that brings all the charm of many older classics but easily readable and with hints of fantasy.
The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden. The Bear and the Nightingale, The Girl in the Tower, The Winter of the Witch. This series is so good, beautiful writing, fairytale fantasy and Russian Folklore. Quite mesmerising.
Finally, The Broken Empire series by Mark Lawrence. This series definitely falls into the ‘grimdark’ genre (and, as such, maybe isn’t for everyone) but being the first of it’s kind that I read it felt so unique and unusual, plus the writing is superb and the overall scope, of not only this series, but all the following series by this author, well, it really is impressive.
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Books and travelling with Lynn 