I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home

Judith D Collins
Jan 25
6 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

By: Fergus Craig

Narrator: Joan Walker

Penguin Audio

IBBN: 9798217189052

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: 02/17/2026

Format: Other

My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)

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SPOTLIGHT

After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home...until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn't do it this time....

Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol's true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong...without killing anyone, for once.

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Praise

I’M NOT THE ONLY MURDERER IN MY RETIREMENT HOME has already earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus and was selected as AARP’s “27 of Winter’s Best New Books.” With its blend of warmth, wit, and wicked humor, it’s perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Killers of a Certain Age, and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

“Witty, fast-paced, and plenty surprising, Craig’s cracked cozy goes down smooth. It’s a delightfully twisted romp.” —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

"In this winning mixture of humor and seriousness, baking and bingo, Carol does her very best to end up on the right side of justice, even if she has to commit murder to stay there."

— FirstCLUE

"AARP’s 27 of Winter’s Best New Books."

About the Author

In addition to being an author, Fergus is a multi-award-winning actor, comedian, and writer for television. 

I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home is his third novel.

He lives in London. READ MORE

Blog Tour Stop

Feb 17, 2026

Meet Carol, a 75-year-old former serial killer

A sharp, laugh-out-loud whodunit with surprising heart, the novel follows Carol—a former serial killer newly released from prison—who just wants a quiet life in a luxury retirement home. Unfortunately, when a fellow resident turns up dead, and Carol’s past is exposed, she must solve the murder to prove she didn’t do it this time… all while living among former cops, barristers, and government officials who are very sure she did.

#ImNottheOnlyMurdererinMyRetirementHome

My Review

In Fergus Craig's witty and engaging comedic whodunit, I'M NOT THE ONLY MURDERER IN MY RETIREMENT HOME, the enigmatic story revolves around Carol Quinn, a feisty 75-year-old woman with a shadowy past as a retired serial killer.

With her razor-sharp wit and an undeniable charm, Carol navigates the complexities of life in a seemingly peaceful luxury retirement community, where the facade of tranquility is shattered by unexpected twists and dark secrets lurking behind closed doors. As the plot unfolds, readers will be drawn into a delightful blend of humor and suspense, questioning the nature of crime and morality among the elderly.

Highlights...

A Fresh Start:

After 35 years in prison for seven homicides, Carol is released and moves into Sheldon Oaks, a luxury retirement home in Hampstead. She plans to keep her past a secret and enjoy quiet hobbies such as baking.

The Incident:

While sitting on her patio, Carol witnesses fellow resident Sir Desmond Crisp fall to his death from the roof.

Blown Cover:

The victim was a former police commissioner, and soon Carol’s true identity as a serial killer is leaked to the entire facility. She immediately becomes the prime suspect for the murder.

Unlikely Allies:

To clear her name, Carol teams up with a group of "bored" residents who have their own law-related backgrounds, including an ex-cop named Geoffrey, a former pathologist named Catherine, and a former Home Secretary named Margaret.

The Investigation:

Carol uses her "expertise" as an actual killer to help the group snoop around and develop theories, though her new friends are understandably nervous that she might murder them too.

The Reveal:

The mystery culminates in a dramatic "performance" at a karaoke night, where the identity of the real killer is finally unmasked.

My thoughts...

A cleverly crafted whodunit, Fergus Craig masterfully weaves a tapestry of humor and intrigue, guiding readers through a labyrinth of suspense and wit. With a comedic lens that both entertains and engages, he delves into profound themes of the elderly and justice. This delightfully amusing mystery is punctuated by a darker undercurrent, offering a unique blend of laughter and contemplation that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

You can't help but adore Carol! Carol Quinn is a complex character driven chiefly by self-preservation. As a retired serial killer with a troubled past, she finds herself entangled in a murder mystery that threatens to tarnish her hard-won freedom. With an urgent need to clear her name and evade the grim prospect of returning to prison, her actions unfold in a tense blend of intellect and instinct.

Her "moral compass" operates on a pragmatic level; she’s more concerned with survival than with notions of right and wrong. Against this compelling backdrop, a cast of quirky and eccentric characters springs to life, adding layers of humor and intrigue to the narrative. This captivating tale promises to keep you thoroughly entertained from start to finish!

A major theme is the underestimation of older women. Carol is frequently ignored or patronized because she looks like a harmless 75-year-old, yet she possesses a lethal "skill set" that makes her the most capable person in the building. Carol’s new "friends" (ex-cops and government officials) are loath to trust her, and Carol herself is amused by how quickly they turned her into a pariah once her past is leaked.

Can a person can truly move past their history? Carol has "done her time" and wants a fresh start, yet she finds that society (and her neighbors) struggle to see her as anything past her crimes. There is a constant tension between Carol’s history of illegal acts and her current quest for justice. The story suggests that even someone who has broken the law can still be on the "right side of justice" when it counts.

The book explores how society views older people, often treating them as "done" or past their prime. By featuring a cast of former high-level professionals—cops, pathologists, and even a serial killer—it highlights the agency and hidden "badass" nature of the elderly.

While standard cozy mysteries feature retirees with law enforcement backgrounds, Craig flips this by making the lead, Carol Quinn, an actual convicted serial killer.

Charming yet deadly, this is supposed to be a "safe" setting, a luxury retirement home, pointing out the irony of its contents. Carol observes that after decades of being denied metal cutlery in prison, her new home is a "playground" filled with potential weapons.

Themes...

~Redemption and "Moving On."

~The Invisibility of the Elderly

~Justice vs. Legality

~Unlikely Friendships & Community

~Class and Snobbery

The title is significant both as a literal plot point and a satirical commentary on the "cozy crime" genre.

I'M NOT THE ONLY MURDERER IN MY RETIREMENT HOME is a captivating blend of dark humor and intriguing mystery, crafted for fans of the author. This engaging narrative appeals to the spirited senior boomer audience, proving that life still holds endless possibilities for those with a zest for adventure. At its heart is an unstoppable heroine, whose vibrant personality and tenacity shine through, making for a thrilling and entertaining read that celebrates the strength and resilience of life at every age.

Recs...

If you enjoyed the "cracked cozy" style of "I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home," here are my recommendations that also feature dark humor, the older crowd, or subverted mystery tropes.

"Mad Mabel" by Sally Hepworth (2026), Samantha Downing's "Too Old For This." Richard Osman’s “The Thursday Murder Club,” Netlfix’s “A Man on The Inside,” Tess Gerritsen's "The Martini Club series," Phillip Fracassi's "The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre," Joy Fielding's "Jenny Cooper Has A Secret," Elle Cosimano's "Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave," (Mrs. Haggerty), Mark de Castrique's "Secret Lives Mystery series," "An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good" by Helene Turstenand, "Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers" by Jesse Q. Sutanto, "Killers of a Certain Age," by Deanna Raybourn, and Rebecca A. Keller's "You Should Have Known."