Killers of a Certain Age – Review

Hi everyone! I’m sharing another review today! Killers of a Certain Age is a new book from the author of the Veronica Speedwell series, and if you’ve seen any of my recent wrap ups, you’ll know that I’ve been absolutely loving that series and I’ve been binge reading it! When I saw the author was coming out with a new standalone about a group of retired assassins, I jumped on the chance to request an ARC!

Killers of a Certain Age
by Deanna Raybourn
Series: Standalone
Release date: September 6th 2022

Genre: Adult, Mystery/Thriller
Rating: ★★★★★

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.

So I absolutely ADORE the Veronica Speedwell series (I’ve been listening to them all on audiobook this year) so when I saw that the author had a new book coming out I jumped at the chance to get an early copy via Netgalley! And unsurprisingly, I adored this one too!

This story is told in two timelines, one being when the characters are young and just being recruited to the Museum, and one being current day where they are newly retired. I liked the idea of the Museum being created to hunt down Nazis and others who violate human rights and to return stolen art. The current day timeline starts with the characters going on a retirement cruise, only to realize that they are being targeted by the Museum. The four characters then decide the only thing to do to stay safe is to kill the ones who called in the hit on them.

I loved the balance between serious and funny moments, and the characters were so lovable, which doesn’t surprise me because the Veronica Speedwell series is the same way. I loved how different Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie were, and how they all had each other’s backs no matter what.

I also really loved all the spy stuff, it made me think of movies like Charlies Angels and Ocean’s 8, mixed with Golden Girls! This would make such a great movie, and hopefully someone will pick it up because I can see a lot of people enjoying this one. The action scenes were fast and intense, especially the last standoff. I could NOT put this book down, and was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read lately!

Fast-paced and funny with terrific writing, this is definitely a book to keep your eyes out for! Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early!

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Will you be picking up a copy of Killers of a Certain Age after it publishes on September 6th? It’s definitely worth the read!