Rita Lakin

Praise for Getting Old is Criminal

PUBLISHER’S WEKLY
MARCH, 2007

Getting Old Is Criminal
Rita Lakin. Dell, $6.99 (384p) ISBN 978-0-440-24386-1
Florida retiree Gladdy Gold; her sister, Evvie; and their outspoken friends at the Gladdy Gold Detective Agency return (after Getting Old Is the Best Revenge) to tackle a pair of puzzlers: the case of a peeping tom haunting their Fort Lauderdale retirement community, and the case of one Alvin Ferguson, who's hired them to prove that his elderly mother didn't die of natural causes, but was murdered at the hands of her suave lover. The latter investigation sends Gladdy and Evvie, in disguise, to take up temporary residence in the ritzy development that the alleged murdering paramour, Philip Smythe, has made his home. There's no sign that he profited from the death, but some sleuthing uncovers a suspicious pattern of similar entanglements—and similarly "natural" deaths—in his past. When Evvie begins to fall for Smythe, to her sister's dismay, she becomes convinced of his innocence even as she edges closer to danger. Beyond the skillful blend of Yiddish humor, affectionate characters and serious undercurrents—note especially the way Lakin pulls off a tricky, funny-sad scene at a grief therapy session—the simple story picks up speed and flavor with some twists worthy of Agatha Christie's archetypal dame detective, Miss Marple. (May)

"When seventy-five year old Gladdy Gold reported that she thought a murder took place the police basically patted her on the head and then ignored her. She and her five friends not only proved a homicide occurred, they proceeded to find the killer. Realizing that senior citizens are invisible to much of the population, Gladdy and her friends formed the Gladdy Gold Detective Agency.

Readers who believe life slows down after seventy don’t know Gladdy and her friends. They have more energy then many people in their forties as they live life to the fullest, going places and working as detectives. This is a cleverly thought out mystery and readers will not be able to figure out how the deaths and old murders are linked until the author chooses to reveal it. This senior citizen chick lit cozy is a funny yet exciting geriatric mystery."
--Harriet Klausner

This was such a fun book to read. Though it's the second Gladdy adventure in the series, it stands on its own as a rich and intriguing story. It's filled with colorful characters who will have you laughing until your sides ache. I'm so glad to have started this series, and I await the next installment with great anticipation.
--Reviewed by Jory Reedy
March 15, 2006

"This bouncy tale with Gladdy’s amusing difficulties as a P.I., also has its serious side. Jack keeps pressing her to wed. (Wow! Old folks like sex too, folks.) And we learn some information about Gladdy’s deceased husband. The humor is anchored in believability, as Lakin presents a group of amusing, clearly delineated, understandable elderly women, all of whom have a lust for adventure.

Welcome, Gladdy, to the world of Private Eyes. If I ever need help, you will be the first person I will call."
--Reviewed by Janet Overmyer
April 2006

"Imagine Miss Marple wielding bronzer, a sure command of Yiddish profanities and a mean elbow on the Early Bird Special buffet line, and you've got Gladdy Gold."
--Maureen Corrigan. Washington Post Jan. 8, 2006

"The comic relief allows Lakin to tackle the issues she once set aside, from the value of friendship and community among the aged to the tough realization that 'old' often means 'marginalized'...Gladdy and the Gladiators, meanwhile, seem to have taken on a life of their own. Condo life may never be the same again."
--Karen Lipson. Newsday. Nov. 12, 2005

"Getting Old Is Murder is a terrific cozy filld with elderly Yiddish chick lit humor. The story line is mostly told by Gladdy, but contains a host of other individuals with plenty of kvetches and of course Gladdy's GAS (geriatric amatuer sleuths) gang. Fans of South Florida who-done-its starring septuagenarian and octogenarian retirees trying to keep their medicines straight will enjoy Rita Lakin's amusing tale."
--Harriet Klausner
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"Young and old, Jewish, Protestant, Atheist, all will love this tale told with clarity, wit and interesting characters. This is a must-read mystery. Miss it and you'll be sorry."
--Janet Overmyer. I Love A Mystery Newsletter. November 2005

"This story is filled with fun characters and lots of humor. It's the first book in a new mystery series featuring Gladdy Gold. I await the next book, Getting Old Is The Best Revenge, with great anticipation."
--Jory Reedy
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"The characters who live in the apartments of her complex are bigger than life but so human, the horrible joke teller, the dutiful daughter who takes care of her aging wheelchair bound mother, widows and two couples with MAJOR problems in their lives - you fall in love with each and every one of these flawed human beings."
--Patricia Byron

"If getting old is this much fun, maybe I won't mind! Miss Marple, move over. Gladdy's Gladiators are a hoot! Rita Lakin's witty romp through a Florida retirement community is just the thing for what ails you!"
--Parnell Hall

"My great aunt once told me 'getting old is no fun.' She obviously had never met Gladdy Gold! A fine debut mystery, full of humor, pathos and even romance. I hope to see many more."
--Robin Hathaway