Baby Boomer Carol Andrews dreads her husband Jim's retirement more than a root canal without Novocain. She can't imagine anything worse than an at-home husband with time on his hands and nothing to fill it, except interfering in the day-to-day activities of the household and driving her crazy. Until he's suspected of murdering his retirement coach.
Retirement Can Be Murder (Every Wife Has a Story) is the first in a series of
cozy mysteries that takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the issues facing the
fastest-growingdemographic in United States history -- the 78.2 million
Baby Boomers now hitting retirement age and grappling with problems
they're unprepared to face. The series "stars" Carol and Jim Andrews, a
typicalBoomer couple, along with their two adult children, Jenny and Mike,
Carol's best buddy girlfriends, and two adorable English cocker spaniels --
Lucy and Ethel. The second in the series, Moving Can Be Murder,
will be released in May 2011. It's fun to write this series, and lots of fun to
read. Believe me, every wife does, indeed, have a story.
Excerpt
Chapter 1.
The hardest years of a marriage are the ones following the wedding.
Here's an amazing weight-loss tip for all the women in America: an out-of-body experience makes you look thinner. Forget about vertical vs. horizontal stipes. I'm telling you, an out-of-body occurrence does the trick. Plus, it can be quite a pleasant sensation to look down and see a movie starring...you. What's not to like?
Of course, there's a down side to my weith-loss tip. Oout-of-body expereiences are triggered by a traumatic event, like the panicky phone call I'd just gotten from Jim, My Beloved Husband of 36 years, telling me he'd found his retirement coach, Davis Rhodes, dead at his kitchen table.
Professional Reviews
Booklist Review
Santangelo has come up with an intriguiging premise, drawing on the much-publicized fact that the baby boomer generation will soon be facing retirement, and she develops it cleverly. Not wasting any time, she delivers a murder victim on the first page. It turns out to be a 'retirement coach,' hired by boomer Jim Andrews' wife, Carol, to advise him on whether to take the plunge. Unfortunately, Jim becomes the prime suspect in his coach's death. The supporting cast includes a group of life-long friends of the Andrews and the couple's two grown children. About halfway through the book, Carol stops obsessing with retirement and sets out to solve the murder by snooping (oops, sleuthing) for real. Especially enjoyable features of this debut are the little humorous headings that begin each chapter. We'll look forward to more Boomer mysteries in the years to come, as the Andrews work through the joys and pitfalls of retirement. Pure fun -- and don't be surprised if retired sleuths become the next big trend.
Midwest Book Review
Susan Santangelo uses great characters, humor, and sort of a 'Desperate Housewives' backdrop to create a hilarious mystery. An entertaining and light-hearted read from a real pro. The Baby Boomer mysteries promise to be as germane as 'Murder She Wrote.' It would make a great television series.
Harriet Klausner Review
This is a fun chick lit investigative tale starring Carol Andrews super sleuth supported by an eccentric bunch of BBs (baby boomers), the cop and the daughter. Carol tells the tale in an amusing frantic way that adds to the enjoyment of a fine lighthearted whodunit that affirm that 'every wife has a story' and Carol's first is entertaining.
The third book in the funny Silver Sisters Mysteries series. The twins and their 80 year-old mother and uncle get into trouble sleuthing in Sin City.
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