Death in Sunset Grove

Starred review from April 9, 2018
Finnish journalist Lindgren treats growing old with mordant humor in her memorable first novel and series launch, which centers on the residents of the Sunset Grove retirement community. Nonagenarians Siiri Kettunen and her best friend, Irma Lännenleimu, inspired by the coincidental color of their wardrobes, decide as a joke to form the Lavender Ladies Detective Agency to snoop into the goings-on at Sunset Grove. They soon have a chance to take the idea seriously after the apparent suicide of their facility’s cook Tero Lehtinen, a tragedy that presages other strange developments, including disappearing medical records and the suspicious dispensation of additional medications. Lindgren perfectly captures the universal confusions (Siiri and Irma attend the funeral of the wrong person) and uncertainties of old age (how many of their friends will still be alive in a week to attend a reunion luncheon?) in the service of a captivating plot. Readers will eagerly await the sequel. Agent: Elina Ahlback, Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

May 1, 2018

Best friends Siiri and Irma, both in their 90s, are active residents of Sunset Grove, a Finnish retirement home. They've outlived some of their children but have built satisfying lives. When they notice some of their fellow residents disappearing into a closed unit and an employee who dies suspiciously, Irma suggests they should start a detective agency to investigate. It's Siiri who realizes Irma is overmedicated, but she can't report it to the untrustworthy staff. It will take Irma's disappearance to push Siiri to team up with a taxi driver to discover what's going on at Sunset Grove. This debut by an award-winning Finnish journalist falls flat with a plodding, repetitive plot that offers little suspense. The attempts at humor don't translate well in light of the author's description of the bleak outlook senior residents face as they become increasingly dependent on uncaring attendants. VERDICT Readers looking for more cheerful mysteries involving senior sleuths may want to try Rita Lakin's "Gladdy Gold" or Cynthia Riggs's "Victoria Trumbull" mysteries.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

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