An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten

Maud is an 88-year-old Swedish woman who has lived a solitary life in her family's spacious apartment in downtown Gothenburg since her father's untimely death. With no family or friends, Maud has learned to enjoy her solitude and the good things that can come from tragedy. Over the years, she has traveled the world and surfed the net from the comfort of her father's ancient armchair. But Maud's peaceful existence is disrupted when a local celebrity sets her sights on Maud's apartment, and Maud must handle the crisis with her usual irreverent style. In this collection of darkly humorous stories, Maud foils the engagement of her long-ago lover and disposes of some pesky neighbors. But when the local authorities are called to investigate a dead body found in Maud's apartment, will Maud finally become a suspect?/n/nHelene Tursten, the author of the Irene Huss investigations, brings her unique brand of humor and irreverence to this collection of stories featuring two never-before-translated tales. Maud's adventures—or misadventures—will keep you laughing all the way to the retirement home. With her sharp wit and unapologetic attitude, Maud is a character you won't soon forget.

Reviews

A Writer's Window · 2023-06-26

delightful 4.00

The stories are engaging and humorously sinister, offering a unique perspective on an elderly woman's life. The reviewer enjoyed the creativity and precision in the narratives.

The reviewer found these five short stories about Maud, an elderly woman who plots and carries out murders, to be both engaging and humorously sinister. They appreciated the creativity and precision in the narratives, which offer a unique perspective on an elderly woman's life. The stories are well-crafted and entertaining, with a good balance of humor and mystery. The reviewer enjoyed the way the author plays with the idea of an elderly woman getting away with murder, making the stories both delightful and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

In these five stories we get inside the head of this spunky octogenarian as she plots and carries out the murders with creativity and precision.

The stories are well-crafted and entertaining, with a good balance of humor and mystery.

The author plays with the idea of an elderly woman getting away with murder, making the stories both delightful and thought-provoking.

Cannonball Read · 2021-06-15

entertaining 2.50

The book is memorable and entertaining, but not a must-read unless the storyline appeals to you. It's easy to read and has its moments, but it may not be for everyone.

This collection of short stories about Maud, an elderly woman with a penchant for murder, is certainly memorable. The reviewer found it entertaining in parts and easy to read, but they aren't sure they would recommend it to everyone. The storyline is engaging, but it might not be for those looking for a more conventional read. The book's humor and unique perspective make it stand out, but it's not a universal recommendation.

Quick quotes

Although this book was memorable, entertaining in parts, and not difficult to read, I'm not sure I would recommend it unless the storyline grabs you.

The book is a quick read and has its moments, but it's not for everyone.

The stories are unique and entertaining, but they might not be for those looking for a more conventional read.

Grab the Lapels · 2020-10-29

engaging 4.00

Each story is delightful in its own way, with Maud's actions driven by a sense of threat. The reviewer found the way the author plays with this elderly woman's perspective to be engaging.

The reviewer found each of the stories in this collection to be delightful, despite their similarities. Maud's actions are driven by a sense of threat, and the reviewer appreciated the way the author plays with this elderly woman's perspective. The stories are engaging and offer a unique look into the mind of an elderly woman who feels the need to take matters into her own hands. The reviewer enjoyed the humor and creativity in the narratives, making the book a enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

While the stories were similar — Maud feels threatened and kills someone — I found each one delightful.

The way Tursten plays with this elderly woman's perspective is engaging and thought-provoking.

The stories offer a unique look into the mind of an elderly woman who feels the need to take matters into her own hands.

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