I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Killers of a Certain Age: A Novel by Deanna Raybourn Series: Killers of a Certain Age #1
Also in this series: Kills Well With Others: A Novel
Published by Berkley on September 6, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Review
Ever wonder what James Bond would be like as a 60-year-old woman? Deanna Raybourn’s Killers of a Certain Age answers that question with style, wit, and a body count.
Meet Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie – four assassins pushing 60 who’ve spent four decades eliminating the world’s worst people for a shadowy outfit called the Museum. Just as they’re ready to trade their garrotes for gardening tools, someone decides these retirees need a permanent retirement. Big mistake.
What follows is a masterclass in why you should never underestimate women of a certain age. These ladies turn society’s tendency to ignore older women into their secret weapon. Need to plant a bomb in broad daylight? No one looks twice at a woman fumbling with her purse. Want to slip past security? Just act like someone’s confused aunt.
Raybourn’s writing crackles with humor and heart. One minute you’re laughing at the women’s banter about knee replacements and hot flashes, the next you’re holding your breath as they execute a hit with surgical precision. It’s like Golden Girls meets John Wick – and somehow, it works brilliantly.
The novel isn’t perfect – some side characters feel a bit thin, and a few plot twists are telegraphed early. But these are minor quibbles in what’s otherwise a knockout story about friendship, aging, and the satisfaction of proving that experience beats youth every time.
4/5 stars
Perfect for: Anyone who’s ever been underestimated, fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, and readers who like their thrillers with a side of sass.
