***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that’s their secret weapon.
They’ve spent their lives as the deadliest assassins in a clandestine international organization, but now that they're sixty years old, four women friends can’t just retire – it’s kill or be killed in this action-packed thriller by New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn.
Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. Now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates what they have to offer in an age that relies more on technology than people skills.
When the foursome is sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. Only the Board, the top-level members of the Museum, can order the termination of field agents, and the women realize they’ve been marked for death.
Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization, relying on experience and each other to get the job done, knowing that working together is the secret to their survival. They’re about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman—and a killer—of a certain age.
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn is a madcap adventure that is just pure fun. If you like espionage, mystery, and laughing out loud, Killers of a Certain Age is for you.
Four women, Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie, were recruited forty years ago to become assassins for a secret organization known only as “the Museum”. They have finally reached retirement age and are mostly ready to move on to their next phase of life. But, being an assassin isn’t always an easy career to shed.
When the four women go on a retirement cruise to celebrate, they realize that someone is out to get them, and worse, it’s their former employer, The Museum that is trying to kill them. But why?
Oh my goodness, this was just so much fun. It’s like a spy novel, and a mystery and a hilarious comedy all got together and birthed one amazing book. After looking at the cover and reading the blurb, I was a bit worried that this might be a bit silly or over the top, but I was wrong. These women are professionals, and they know their jobs very well, so although this is not silly, there is plenty of humor in the book. These women are smart, crafty, and very well trained, and I love how they fully enjoy their careers and the work they do.
There is a bit of backstory that was just enough, and not too much. How did these women find jobs as international assassins? So I was glad that the author went and explained how they were recruited and got their jobs, and of course, it was explained all in an entertaining and humorous way.
Some of the book is a bit over the top, but that adds to the charm in my opinion. This is a caper, a thrilling spy chase, and it’s just a lot of fun. I couldn’t figure out why they were targeted or how they would get out alive, until the end. This is humorous, without being silly, and exciting without being intense.
I highly recommend Killers of a Certain Age to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Deanna Raybourn
New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation Texan with a degree in English and history from UTSA. Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including the Edgar, RT Reviewers’ Choice, the Agatha, two Dilys Winns, and the Last Laugh. She launched a Victorian mystery series featuring intrepid butterfly-hunter Veronica Speedwell in 2015. This Edgar-nominated series is ongoing. Her first contemporary thriller, KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, chronicles the adventures of four female assassins who must band together against the organization that would rather see them dead than let them retire.
Wonderful review, Wendy. This is one I am definitely looking forward to. I love this line in your review, ” This is a caper, a thrilling spy chase, and it’s just a lot of fun.” It tells me exactly what I am in for and I am ready.
Your review makes me think of RED with Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, and Morgan Freeman. It was such a funny movie about retired CIA/MI-6 operatives. Have you seen it?
I’ll have to check out Killers of a Certain Age. Thanks for the review.
I’m glad this story was just as entertaining as the blurb. I hadn’t heard of this one before. I need to see if my library will have the audio of it. Great review!
We’re review twins with the same rating even. I really enjoyed this it was fun action and smart strategy. There were deeper issues underlying everything too.
I love mysteries and this sounds like such a fun book. I like how there’s also humour in here. I’m glad it wasn’t a silly or over the top book. I can’t wait to check this out. Awesome review!
I am currently reading/listening to this one and loving it! I have the ARC but I’m so behind and have a ton of things to do today on my day off that I’m listening while doing chores hoping to get it done and reviewed for a post tomorrow. Why did I sign up for so many books in August ?! My behindness is spilling over into September. At least I’m loving it, lol. Glad you loved it, too, Wendy!
This totally sounds like a book I would absolutely love. I don’t know how I missed it in NetGalley (other than being distracted by the massive number of books already on my Read Now shelf). Excellent review, Wendy!
Great review, Wendy! Killers of a Certain Age does sound like a really fun story. Sometimes you just need a book that will make you laugh out loud and I’m sure this one would do the trick!
Great review! This sounds like such a fun read and I love that it’s older women who have taken advantage of their invisibility.
Wonderful review, Wendy. This is one I am definitely looking forward to. I love this line in your review, ” This is a caper, a thrilling spy chase, and it’s just a lot of fun.” It tells me exactly what I am in for and I am ready.
Your review makes me think of RED with Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, and Morgan Freeman. It was such a funny movie about retired CIA/MI-6 operatives. Have you seen it?
I’ll have to check out Killers of a Certain Age. Thanks for the review.
This sounds like os much fun! Sometimes you just need a book that’s going to make you laugh your butt off!
Humor and main characters that are a little older! I’m looking forward to this one!
I’m glad this story was just as entertaining as the blurb. I hadn’t heard of this one before. I need to see if my library will have the audio of it. Great review!
We’re review twins with the same rating even. I really enjoyed this it was fun action and smart strategy. There were deeper issues underlying everything too.
I love mysteries and this sounds like such a fun book. I like how there’s also humour in here. I’m glad it wasn’t a silly or over the top book. I can’t wait to check this out. Awesome review!
Thank you!
Yay!!! I’m so glad you liked this one! I chose it as my BOTM pick! I can’t wait to read it. Great review!
Oh, it was so good!! I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
Great review. You’ve convinced me. I’ve enjoyed her Veronica Speedwell series, so I’m going to give this one a try for sure.
She writes with such a great sense of humor. I hope you enjoy it.
Darn….! This sure does sound like the most fun ever!! Will definitely get a copy as soon as I can!
Elza Reads
I hope you enjoy it!
Yay..so glad to see you had fun with this as well.
It sure was a fun one!
I am currently reading/listening to this one and loving it! I have the ARC but I’m so behind and have a ton of things to do today on my day off that I’m listening while doing chores hoping to get it done and reviewed for a post tomorrow. Why did I sign up for so many books in August ?! My behindness is spilling over into September. At least I’m loving it, lol. Glad you loved it, too, Wendy!
I’m so glad you loved it too!
Based on your review, this book seems quite humourous! I don’t usually read mystery books, but maybe I will check this one out!
It’s very funny, I don’t read many mysteries either.
This does sound fun, great review 😊
Thank you, Jenny
I’m so glad this turned out so good Wendy. I have this waiting on my TBR and am all the more excited to get to it after reading your thoughts
I hope you enjoy it, Mallika!
This sounds so good Wendy. Excellent review.🤗📚💕
Thank you, Susan
Definitely picking this one up soon! I love Deanna Raybourn’s books.
This was just so good, I hope you enjoy it.
This one sounds so good!
It is! Thank you, Kristi!
This does sound like a fun one. I’ve got it on my TBR list and hopefully can get a copy of it soon. Great review!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I seen several great review for this one. I am glad to see you also had a good time with it. Great review, Wendy.
Thank you, Nadene. It’s really worth those great reviews.
I always enjoy entertaining mysteries. Great review, Wendy!
Thank you, Yesha!
I love the sound of this one! Like Tessa, I’m not sure how I missed it on NetGalley. Awesome review, Wendy!
It’s so much fun, I think you would like it.
I haven’t seen this one around yet but it definitely has piqued my interest. Great review!
Thank you, Joanna
This totally sounds like a book I would absolutely love. I don’t know how I missed it in NetGalley (other than being distracted by the massive number of books already on my Read Now shelf). Excellent review, Wendy!
I think you would love it, Tessa. I was invited to read it, otherwise, I would not have noticed it.
Great review, Wendy! Killers of a Certain Age does sound like a really fun story. Sometimes you just need a book that will make you laugh out loud and I’m sure this one would do the trick!
Yes, it sure did make me LOL!
Sounds wonderful. Great review, Wendy
Thank you, Cathy