A review by thenovelmaura
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I was torn between 3.5 and 4 stars for this one; it was a fun read despite its flaws. My book club enjoyed it as a whole, and we particularly enjoyed the New Orleans setting and the candid discussions of menopause. Honestly, it was refreshing to read a book where the main characters weren't in their 20s or 30s, especially when the main characters were assassins who had some very creative ways of killing people.
The characterization left something to be desired, as Billie was the only one of the women with a distinctive voice. I did like Mary Alice and Naomi's relationship dynamic and how that ended up playing into the story. While I enjoyed the training flashbacks at the beginning, they were pretty drawn out towards the end, and Billie's love interest felt highly superfluous. But again, if you can stop yourself from overthinking it, this ends up being an entertaining and action-packed read (with a clear warning not to underestimate the retirees in your life).
The characterization left something to be desired, as Billie was the only one of the women with a distinctive voice. I did like Mary Alice and Naomi's relationship dynamic and how that ended up playing into the story. While I enjoyed the training flashbacks at the beginning, they were pretty drawn out towards the end, and Billie's love interest felt highly superfluous. But again, if you can stop yourself from overthinking it, this ends up being an entertaining and action-packed read (with a clear warning not to underestimate the retirees in your life).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Sexual harassment and Grief