This post is sponsored by Penguin Random House but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
Sure, summer beach reads are great, and there’s something so magical about a holiday read in the wintertime, but in my opinion, nothing compares to fall reading. As someone who absolutely loves a thriller year-round, there’s just something extra special about diving into a twisted story when the weather outside reflects the eerie atmosphere you’re reading about—especially a book as dark, twistedly funny, and completely addicting as Too Old for This by Samantha Downing.
Samantha Downing’s latest release has been on my radar since it was announced, and once it finally hit the shelves, I picked up a copy ASAP and devoured it in one sitting. You’ve probably seen the iconic cover of a sweet old woman rocking a gray bob, wielding a hammer behind her back by now, but if you’ve somehow avoided the Too Old for This buzz, let me catch you up to speed.
A retired serial killer’s quiet life is upended by an unexpected visitor. To protect her secret, there’s only one option left—what’s another murder? From bestselling author Samantha Downing.
When new releases are aplenty, especially thrillers during spooky season, it’s rare for one to break through the noise. But Samantha Downing’s new novel does just that. Lottie, our main character, has—despite her serial killer tendencies—captured the hearts of readers everywhere. At 75, Lottie is exhausted. She may have a shady criminal past (OK, I guess being a suspected serial killer is a little more than shady), but in her old age, she’s too tired to return to her old ways. That is, until journalist Plum Dixon comes knocking on her door, bringing with her news of a docuseries covering Lottie’s past crimes and “wrongful” arrest and a wave of chaos.
You may be reading this thinking, “I could never root for a serial killer…” but with Downing’s signature darkly hilarious voice, knack for creating suspense, and perfect pacing, you’ll find yourself crossing your fingers that Lottie somehow comes out on the other side of her (many) crimes unscathed. All of this works together to make the perfect fall thriller. And if you’ve read any of Samantha Downing’s other works, like My Lovely Wife or He Started It, you know this book will keep you guessing until the very end. Keep reading for my full Too Old for This review.
You may be reading this thinking, ‘I could never root for a serial killer…’ but you’ll find yourself crossing your fingers that Lottie somehow comes out on the other side of her (many) crimes unscathed.
When I think “thriller,” I don’t necessarily expect to read a book with surprisingly funny moments. And my expectations for humor drop even lower when I read “serial killer thriller.” But Downing manages to perfectly marry her wit with her ability to craft a truly wicked story in Too Old for This. Its sharp, delightfully unhinged tone will have you laughing on one page and your heart racing on the next, making it such a layered, fun reading experience.
That humor-meets-horror angle works so well when you’re already dealing with a campy, over-the-top premise. Lottie is 75, and like everyone enjoying retirement, she’s exhausted after years of work. All she wants is some peace and quiet (me too, girl). That sweet old lady persona, combined with a bloodlust and revenge streak that has resulted in plenty of homicides, is already so out of the box that leaning into the dark comedy aspect makes the book such a standout. I mean, who can’t relate to being so exhausted from work that the thought of cleaning up after yourself is truly your final straw? Sure, that usually applies to doing the dishes after a long day, but for Lottie, it’s the grueling work of freezing, cutting up, and burning a body. Despite her murderous tendencies, Lottie honestly feels less like a villain and more like a grandmother you shouldn’t cross, unless you want to end up six feet under.
When I picked up this book, I was teetering on the edge of a book slump, and the wrong read could have thrust me into one. But this book is such a page-turner, it completely remedied my impending slump. The short, snappy chapters keep you glued to every sentence. While procrastinating my IRL responsibilities, I kept telling myself, OK, I’ll put it down after this chapter, over and over, until I’d blown through 100 pages and was reading straight through my workout class.
With each chapter, Lottie works herself deeper and deeper into a blood-soaked hole that has you wondering what possible way she could ever dig herself out of the mess. Without giving anything away, just know that while she may not look too intimidating on the outside, you should never underestimate her abilities. Lottie is full of contradictions: she’s a dedicated, loving mother who can also murder people without a second thought. She’s an ailing old woman who can still kill and dispose of a fully grown man. These contradictions, while extreme, force you to consider your own assumptions. They push you to look at the many flawed characters in this book and play with your empathy, making you forgive Lottie despite everything she’s done.
The wit and character-driven style also make it a fabulous spooky read for fans of Only Murders in the Building or Knives Out who love a mystery but don’t necessarily want to sleep with the lights on.
Another hallmark of a great fall read is a quaint, small-town setting. You may not expect to get that with a thriller, but Downing combines sinister secrets with small-town charm for a setting that feels completely immersive. The scenes of Lottie gossiping with her church friends were honestly some of my favorites because they almost felt like scenes from your favorite comfort watch. Emily Gilmore may not have had literal skeletons in her closet like Lottie, but the backhanded compliments and constant one-upping at these meetups felt straight out of a DAR scene in Gilmore Girls.
If you spend all of October listening to true crime podcasts, watching every documentary on unsolved murders, and want that same exact thrill in book form, you should definitely pick up Too Old for This. The wit and character-driven style also make it a fabulous spooky read for fans of Only Murders in the Building or Knives Out who love a mystery but don’t necessarily want to sleep with the lights on. Now’s the time to pick it up so you can enjoy all of its fall, atmospheric glory—preferably curled up on the couch with a glass of wine in hand. It’s also a great book club pick if you’re looking for a thriller you’ll want to discuss at length with your besties.
Too Old for This is proof that you’re never too old—or too retired—for trouble. Get ready to dive into Lottie’s chaotic world, navigating nightmare situations for us that are just another day on the job for her. If you’ve ever rooted for the villain just a little too much, this one’s for you.
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
This post is sponsored by Penguin Random House but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
