Infinite Books

I enjoyed reading the first book in the Agnes Sharp series and found the second one even better. The elderly residents of Sunset Hall – Agnes, Edwina, Bernadette, Charlie, Marshall, and Winston – go on vacation to a fancy, secluded Cornish hotel, partially because Edwina won a romantic gateway for two and everybody wants to go with her,  and partially because the heater in their home doesn’t work. As in the first book, they become senior detectives investigating the murder.

This kind of mystery book has become very popular recently, emphasizing that the golden years can be fulfilling and fun. However, in the Agnes Sharp series, one can’t escape to see that it’s not always fun and games. The group of friends is really impacted by their age and unwelcomed consequences: a painful hip, a walking stick, a wheelchair, obesity, and a mind fog. And yet, the novel is quirky and funny, with each character being distinct. I especially liked Edwina (the part when she decides to teach yoga is very funny) and her unusual sidekick, a white boa constrictor named Oberon, who is still very young. Edwina hopes he’ll soon learn to behave like a grownup snake under her care. Oberon offers his POV; he is a brilliant snake indeed.

This mystery might not be to some people’s liking, but I immensely enjoyed it. It has that unique, slightly self-deprecating sense of humor. If you like series like “The Thursday Murder Club” and “The Marlow Murder Club,” you should invite Agnes Sharp and her friends to your home. You may be pleasantly surprised how much fun they can offer!

AGNES SHARP AND THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME by Leonie Swann, Soho crime, 2024