The Armchair Detectives
- Judith D Collins
- Sep 29
- 5 min read
The Armchair Detective Mysteries #1
By: Matt Dunn
ISBN: 9781805500964
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 10/01/2025
Format: e-book and audio
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
They might be over the hill, but they’re far from six feet unde,r and now there’s a murder to solve!
Meet Martin Maxwell. As a former government operative, at eighty-four years young, he always pictured a retirement sipping shaken-not-stirred martinis on a far-flung island. But in need of some care after a new hip, he finds himself at Twilight Lodge on the decidedly cloudy English coast.
From the outside, it’s a picture-perfect place to recuperate. But when popular resident Elsie dies unexpectedly, Martin suspects foul play. She’s the third death in less than two weeks and always had a clean bill of health. Armed with a walking stick and his trusty notebook and pen, Martin decides to investigate.
While nobody believes him – death is an inevitable part of care home life after all – Martin is convinced something sinister is afoot. With his wheelchair-bound sidekick and former nemesis Albie in tow, they begin questioning the residents. Soon, they learn that there are several suspects in the frame.
When they discover Albie’s love interest, Barbara is in the killer’s sights, and Martin knows time is running out. Will Albie’s heart be broken forever, or can they battle the effects of old age and each other, outwitting a murderer before it’s too late?
An absolutely hilarious and heartwarming cozy mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood, Jesse Q. Sutanto, and Only Murders in the Building.
My Review
From the acclaimed and bestselling author Matt Dunn, known for his delightful fifteen comedy novels, comes an exciting new venture into the realm of cozy British mysteries with the launch of his first series, The Armchair Detective Mysteries. Get ready for a delightful ride with THE ARMCHAIR DETECTIVES!
This story is not just fun; it’s a captivating blend of wit, mystery, and sharp storytelling that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
About...
Meet Martin Maxwell, an 84-year-old with a life full of unexpected turns. While he once envisioned himself lounging on a sun-soaked island in retirement, sipping martinis, reality has other plans. Following a hip replacement surgery, Martin finds himself at the Twilight Lodge, a nursing home by the sea on the English coast (St. Leonards-on-Sea), where he’s meant to spend three weeks recuperating.
Once a secretive operative, Martin cleverly masqueraded as a hotel inspector even to his family. However, he never imagined that he would need to dust off his old skills to unravel the mystery behind a series of murders that have begun to unfold around him.
What seemed to be the perfect place for recovery quickly turns sinister as residents start to die—first George, then Diana, and now the seemingly healthy 93-year-old Elsie. Who is next?
Despite the indifference of authorities and families toward the deaths of seniors, Martin's instincts tell him that there’s more to these incidents than meets the eye. He knows all too well that once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, but three times? That’s a clear sign that something is amiss.
As it turns out, Elsie's death is just the beginning. With the help of his former partner in crime, Albie—who, at 83, is now a permanent resident of Twilight Lodge and navigating life in a wheelchair after a stroke—the duo embarks on a humorous yet serious investigation. Their relationship may have ended on rocky terms, but they both possess the determination to uncover the truth.
Adding another layer of complexity, Martin's daughter works for the police. Could the killer be among the staff, a fellow resident, or even the owner with plans to sell the estate and dispose of the residents? Greed, money, or something more sinister? What is up with the premium care plans? Who benefits from killing the aging residents?
The mystery deepens as it becomes apparent that those with the best views are the ones being targeted. With an array of suspects and a murder to trap, time is running out. Martin and Albie must dig deep to outsmart the killer before they become the next victims.
Armed with a notebook, a cane, and a can-do attitude, Martin realizes that they have only a few days left to uncover the truth and thwart the malicious intent lurking in their midst. A room with a view could be deadly. Down to the wire, Martin may have to resort to using himself as bait.
My thoughts...
A gripping murder mystery whodunit, it's brimming with mystery and unexpected twists, presenting a delightful mix of fright and fun through the lens of an engaging cast of octogenarians who prove that age is just a number.
As a proud member of the senior boomer club, I find it refreshing to see more stories that highlight the brilliance and vibrancy of older characters, showcasing that they still have plenty of life left to live, and most have intriguing careers in their past. While this is a fictional narrative, it sheds light on the unfortunate reality that seniors often become targets, with the assumption that their cases won’t be thoroughly investigated due to their age.
THE ARMCHAIR DETECTIVES is simply irresistible! It’s a charming take on retirement featuring two seasoned spies whose bones may creak, but whose minds are as sharp as ever. Prepare yourself for a delightful mix of mystery, action, and humor.
This was my first encounter with Matt Dunn's writing, and I was thoroughly impressed by his strong character development infused with British wit, charm, and suspense in this highly entertaining cozy mystery. I am looking forward to the next in the series!
Audiobook...
As for the audiobook experience, I had the pleasure of both reading the book and listening to the talented John Hopkins, narrator. His engaging performance, complete with a captivating British accent, truly brings the characters to life with passion and humor. I wholeheartedly recommend giving the audiobook a try!
Recs...
For those who love engaging narratives that resonate with spirited senior boomers, this story proves that life is filled with endless possibilities for those who embrace adventure.
Also for fans of cozy mysteries such as Richard Osman’s “The Thursday Murder Club,” Netlfix’s “A Man on The Inside,” Samantha Downing's Too Old For This, Tess Gerritsen's "The Martini Club series," 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," Paul Cleave's "Trust No One," "An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good" by Helene Turstenand, "Killers of a Certain Age," by Deanna Raybourn, Rebecca A. Keller's "You Should Have Known," "I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home," by Fergus Craig (Feb/26), and "The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre" (but not bearly as dark).
A special thank you to Bookouture, Hachette UK, and NetGalley for providing me with advanced reading and listening copies in exchange for my honest thoughts. Happy reading!
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 1, 2025
About the Author
Matt Dunn is the author of fifteen comedy novels, including the bestselling The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook (which was shortlisted for both the Romantic Novel of the Year Award and the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance), A Day at the Office (one of Amazon's Top Editor Picks for 2013, and a #1 bestseller across several categories), and 13 Dates (shortlisted for the RNA Comedy of the Year). He's also written about life, love, and relationships for various publications including The Times, Guardian, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle, and The Sun.
His latest novel, The Armchair Detectives, is the first in a new comedic cozy mystery series.
Previously, he's worked as a professional lifeguard, fitness-equipment salesman, and most recently, an I.T. head-hunter (where his success in re-writing other people's CVs made him think he might have a talent for fiction), but he prefers writing novels for a living, so please keep buying his books! WEBSITE
