I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig
Published: February 17, 2026 by Berkley
Buy this book at: Bookshop.org
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Synopsis:
After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home...until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn't do it this time....
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.
Rating:
Review:
Ever been in a situation where you’ve made some lovely new friends but now they’ve all found out that you’re a serial killer, and you’re worried they don’t like you anymore?
The title of this book alone would have made me pick it up, it’s funny and witty and invites someone into the narrative. I would describe this book as a mix between a cozy mystery and a thriller. First we meet Carol. She’s a retiree who lives in a senior living community after being paroled from prison after being convicted of multiple murders. She thinks there were seven, but she’s not sure because she never really bothered to count them all. But when someone ends up murdered, Carol must take things into her own hands to find out who the killer is before suspicion falls on her. Because, who is going to believe that the convicted serial killer isn’t guilty? No one will care that she only dispatched people who thoroughly deserved it.
Carol joins the retirement home book club to help put it together. She’s never really seen the appeal of crime fiction because she is very fluent in crime all by herself. But, she knows the retirement home book club is obsessed with it. So she leans on their expertise, only to be unimpressed with their skill set. Now Carol must take it on herself to teach them a thing or two about solving murders, all while rumors about jer past start flying.
There were a lot of characters but thanks to excellent audiobook narration from Joan Walker, it was easy enough to follow along. She was very good at giving all of the characters a unique voice that allowed the listener to tell them apart quite easily. And I found those characters absolutely delightful. They were fun and witty and had no limit of hijinks that I appreciated.
This was in the vein of other series like the Marlow Murder Club Mysteries or the The Thursday Murder Club. It even has a very Agatha Christie ending! The who-dun-it is fairly predictable but the cozy fun along the way was worth it.
I don’t have too many other thoughts, so no subscriber section on this review. Tomorrow I am starting a read along for Snake Oil by Kelsey Rae Dimberg that will be subscriber only. Chapters 1 and two will post tomorrow, so join me in the chat or the comments!