Ever feel like a fictional character was just too good to be believed? Check out my blog post on Kenzie Kirsch, secondary character in the Zachary Goldman Mysteries series and the protagonist in the spin-off series Kenzie Kirsch Medical Thrillers. Some people might think that Kenzie is a saint, but she has her own flaws!
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme. Read the rules and more teasers at The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along.
Retirement Homes are Murder is the first book in the Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series by Mike Befeler. This book is a fun and lighthearted mystery that follows several senior characters in an old age home who become embroiled in a murder investigation. The protagonist, Paul Jacobson, suffers from a unique form of amnesia that causes him to forget anything that happened in the past five years if he falls asleep. His fellow residents also struggle with various afflictions of old age, including macular degeneration and incontinence.
The plot centers around Paul, who becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a man he knew before moving into the retirement home. The police believe that Paul had a strong motive for the murder, and he must work to clear his name and find the true culprit.
While Retirement Homes are Murder is often classified as a cozy mystery, readers should be aware that it contains some explicit language and an explicit sex scene. However, the book is still humorous and features an amateur sleuth, making it an enjoyable read for fans of the genre. Overall, this book is a unique and entertaining addition to the world of geezer-lit mysteries.
“I’m Paul Jacobson,” I said.
Mike Befeler, Retirement Homes Are Murder
“I know,” the white-bearded man said. “We met yesterday.”
What is “geezer lit”?
The term geezer lit may have been coined by Mike Befeler. I don’t see it being used on many other books. As you might guess, geezer lit refers to books that feature older male protagonists dealing with the challenges and joys of aging. Geezer lit explores themes such as retirement, loss, illness, and relationships with family and friends. It is often characterized by a wry sense of humor and a focus on the everyday struggles and triumphs of older men.
Books shelved on Goodreads as Geezer lit
Interview with Mike Befeler: Older People Make Great Characters
I previously wrote about Martha’s Vineyard, another mystery with an elderly protagonist, this one a woman. Maybe they are becoming more popular.
Summary
Remembering nothing from the day before, crotchety octogenarian Paul Jacobson must become an amateur sleuth to clear himself as a murder suspect when he finds a dead body in the trash chute of a retirement home.
As Paul’s snooping and short-term memory loss get him in trouble with the local police, his new friends and granddaughter Jennifer help him solve an expanding list of crimes. Paul finds romance as he struggles to escape a murderer intent on a repeat performance.
