Senior Moments Are Murder

Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery #3

by Mike Befeler

Imagine waking up in a place you didn t recognize, not remembering anything from the day before and then finding a dead body. Or consider a male Miss Marple enmeshed in a lighthearted Memento with a dash of Fifty First Dates .


In this, the third of the Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery Series , cantankerous octogenarian Paul Jacobson must solve a series of murders while struggling with the problems of his short-term memory loss. Paul learns about the homeless community, disreputable art dealers and the beach scene in Venice Beach, California, and must dance a geezer two-step to stay out of the clutches of the police and the bad guys.

Genres: Mystery, Humor, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook

268 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Mike Befeler writes the humorous Paul Jacobson "Geezer Lit" mystery series featuring an ocotgenarian protagonist with short-term memory loss. The series includes: Retirement Homes Are Murder, Living With Your Kids Is Murder, Senior Moments Are Murder, Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder, Care Homes Are Murder and Nursing Homes Are Murder. His other books include Unstuff Your Stuff, Death of a Scam Artist, The Tesla Legacy, The Best Chicken Thief in All of Europe, Court Trouble, Murder on the Switzerland Trail, Mystery of the Dinner Playhouse, The V V Agency, The Back Wing, The Front Wing, Paradise Cort, Coronavirus Daze, and Old Detectives Home. Mike retired from the computer data storage industry to write full time. He's past president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Jacobson is a rather forgetful octogenarian - in fact, he has his moments - we call 'em Senior Moments. But otherwise he's an alert, Grumpy Old Man, so he's always up to a challenge!

It's gotten so bad that old Paul utterly blanks out each new morning with regard to all the people and predicaments he's encountered only the day before. But, being a newlywed (no, I kid you not!) he has his wonderful bride to fill him in - and fit him in to her bedtime schedule...

You see, whenever he gets some of her nocturnal TLC, he's fine. His memory works that way.

Or doesn't.

But, WHEN it doesn't work - watch out! - and when one of his bad blotto senior moments hits as a result, the result is literally a proximate MURDER. Third party murder. Because Paul's blackouts somehow trigger someone else's committing MURDER ONE.

I guess you get the picture now - old Paul's never in any police department's Good Books for too long...

And as a result, the entire series of Paul Jacobson mysteries is a Best-Selling HOOT!

Senior moments haven't been unknown to me either. In fact, ever since I retired from gainful employment. And being adamantly autistic, they hit me often, meds or no meds!

That's why I joined Goodreads. Oh, sure, it's a barrelful of fun, but to me it's eminently gainful employment with regard to my past - which, like Paul's, constantly blacks out.

In psychological terms, my blackouts follow my mental paradigm shifts, of which our liberalized world produces millions. In other words they're unavoidable for us all.

As a result, republishing my many reminiscent reviews in daily random rotation reconnects me with my past life. And my loss is therefore GR's gain.

And that's another reason I adore this book -

It shows me, like Paul's wonderful new bride shows him -

That memory loss is NOT unfixable.

So don't be shy, fellow seniors - why not make Paul's acquaintance this weekend?

But don't FORGET to do it!

And, BTW, can you guess the hidden MORAL of Mike Befeler's Senior Mysteries?

It's this:

Friends, while your powers may be fading -

The Fun is in Being YOUR GRUMPY OLD SELF!

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

For an octogenarian, Paul’s world is very swift moving. Within less than a day, he gets married, stumbles across two deaths, and knowing him, is on the brink of so much more. Trouble just seems to find him as he unwittingly stumbles into a crime scene (or two or three). Despite his memory challenges, it doesn’t take long for this self-deprecating jokester to realize he’s in some hot water and he’ll need to gather his wits and set about solving the mystery.

This easy read offers a novel amateur sleuth with a unique slant, succeeds at blending the old with the new, and in general offers a story where you more often enjoy the main character’s personality than the mystery itself. Paul’s adventures combined with his memory issues make for a light, although repetitive plot. Once you’ve read one book in the series, you can expect the rest to be much the same.

We all know an old-timer like Paul and a visit to his world is an amusing diversion with a language and outlook all its own. I enjoyed the words and expressions you don’t hear so much nowadays as they remind me of a different time and place, and even a simpler way of life. A time and a place where settling in with a good book is a great way to pass a quiet afternoon and where such a simple, unhurried life is the ideal.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this third entry in the Geezer Lit series, Paul and his fiancée are in Venice Beach, California, preparing for their wedding. When Paul decides to take an early morning walk, he discovers a body floating in the canal, and once the police discover that the victim is someone Paul had argued with, the cantankerous old geezer has his hands full getting himself off the Most Wanted list.

The books in this series are, by design, formulaic. The only way Paul Jacobson has of combating his memory loss is to sit down each night and write down the events of the day so he can read them in the morning. To keep on an even keel, Paul has to stick to a regimen-- a formula-- that works for him, and thankfully it's a formula that works for me most of the time. Author Mike Befeler has created a main character who's smart, observant, and usually sees the bright side of life-- but his temper can get him in hot water.

It's easy to care about Paul Jacobson, even though I've never seen a man more prone to tripping over dead bodies. He also has a sharp-witted little granddaughter who loves him to bits and is always willing to help him out of his legal difficulties. You'd think that most police would look at a man in his eighties who has a few mental problems and then move on to the next person on their suspect list, but Paul doesn't have that kind of luck. The fun of these books is watching Paul extricate himself from these difficulties and go on to unmask the killer. There are always plenty of laughs along the way, too.

I think the thing I like the most about this series is that it shows that no matter our age, no matter our physical or mental condition, we are all capable of making a difference. Paul Jacobson may shoot off his mouth at all the wrong times, and he may find too many corpses, but he has a lot to show us about perseverance, and honesty, and humor.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you solve mysteries when you can't remember what happened yesterday? And how do you prove your innocence if you don't know if you are innocent? These are the problems that our feckless protagonist runs into in this book. I enjoyed almost everything about this book from the Paul with his short term memory problems to his interactions with his family. I enjoyed the homeless community and the art community. The characters were engaging and the premise was quite amusing. I can't imagine having to read a diary every morning in order to understand life. I didn't love the actual mystery. It didn't work for me, but everything else did.

[Maryann Lucero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore Mike Befeler's geezer-lit mystery series. Since I've entered geezer-dom myself, these books give me hope. And make me laugh. His hero, Paul Jacobson, epitomizes making the most of what you've got. This one also made me want to go to California and explore Venice Beach. A good, and fun, read.

[Lizzytish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light romp with dementia. Nice break from any heavy kind of reading. Third in the series.

[Kara Whipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

What you’d expect from a dime store mystery. But also wonderful bc narrated by a man in his 80s and I love my seniors

[Eleise Kinch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unrealistic, but funny old man, loved his sense of humor in the face of adversity.

[Patt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. I loved the first two in the Geezer Lit series, but this one was too much of the same thing. Not enough excitement in this book. Just how often can an elderly man with memory loss be in the place where murders take place and become the suspect. Not reading any more in this series if they are published.

[Ken Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

From my retirement-aged view, this was a fun book to read - the protagonist's issue with short term memory and his handling of it may become a process more of us Baby Boomers take. Resolving multiple murders (particularly from a suspect's role) with the memory challenge makes this a good read.

[Dani Ballew · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the immortal words of Bambi's Thumper, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all."

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

I didn't like this book as much as the first two in the series, but it was still entertaining enough to keep me reading (listening) past my bedtime.

I like Paul - despite his short-term memory loss (every time he falls asleep, he forgets everything that has happened in the recent past), he is smart and snarky. He has good people around him who, with the help of a journal, keep him more or less out of trouble and on a relatively even keel.

Even so, if it wasn't for bad luck, Paul would have no luck at all. Being the person to find not one or two but three bodies in a very short time puts him at the top of the suspect list of the local police department, especially since he had words with each of the victims before their demise. With the help of his wife Marion, granddaughter Jennifer and a few others, Paul starts to piece everything together way before I did. The motive was obvious, even though the police barely listened to anything he had to say.

There are a few more books left in this series, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, when Paul and Marion are on their honeymoon cruise. Imagine the possibilities!

[Toni Perreira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit for the old geezer. By book three the only thing that I wish would change is some of the repetitiveness- specifically how stupid each detective is (different ones in each book) are and how similar their behavior is in each book. It’s not as if there isn’t years of documentation about Paul’s condition so why do they constantly come across as unyielding and bull headed about believing him? Also- since Marion knows the temporary fix for Paul’s memory loss, why does he wake up so often without his memory? Wish we could see more of him working with his granddaughter and his friends from book one.

[Elizabeth Kane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can you give 1/2 start? I would if I could. This author will be coming to our library bookclub this month. The writing is 5th grade level...maybe....geriatric potty humor, and bad humor at that. Terrible writing ....cannot imagine how he has made a series of this...
enough said. I will be interested to see what the conversation is....

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder Is Always Discovered By This Old Geezer"

I love these stories by Mike Befeler. As a very senior person myself, I find them very humorous and entertaining. Paul Jacobson is an old geezer with memory problems. However, he can't help doing his own investigations when there is a suspicious murder. Very entertaining to read. Highly recommend.

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the first three in this series and have loved the characters that surround this loving old man. This geezer just keeps finding all of the dead and always seem to be at the police list.. of course top of the list.

[Ruby · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not like this book, I’m not sure if it’s because a lot of the plaza recycling but it just felt like a poor attempt at a third book

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good concept, but mediocre execution -- neither the dialogue nor the narrator's memory loss seem authentic.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine not remembering what happened the day before. Waking up and having to read a jouurnal to remember who you are and what happened like discovering bobies and being implicated in their murders.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this character

Paul Jacobson, the Geezer, is a delight, and the story has enough twists to keep any reader happy. I recommend spending time in Paul's world,

[Patrice Gouin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The comedy in this book won't be to everyone's liking. It's definitely full of Dad jokes But I love it! Paul is always irritated about something or another, and I love that too. Some parts of the storyline are unrealistic, which is why I give it 4 stars instead of 5.
Other than that, it's a nice, funny, light, read that keeps me smiling.

[Orio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good adventure by author Mike Befeler. I particularly enjoyed those the most (so far) because of the underground Venice art scene storyline. Well crafted plotlines and a great thrilling finale.

Nicely done, Mike B.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is the third in a series about a man living with short-term memory who simply tries to live his life and crime seems to 'happen' wherever he is.

Paul Jacobson awakens in a strange bedroom, next to a lovely, but strange woman, and doesn't know to look around to find clues there. Instead he gets dressed quietly and heads out to the beach. Wait a minute...this isn't Hawaii? Where am I?

Paul is able to remember events six years older and back, so he quickly realized he was in Venice Beach, CA. He meets a person who directs him back to where he awakened to find a wife, and her family. Using a journal keeps Paul aware of what he forgets when he drops off to sleep.

Walking is how Paul, well in his eighties, manages to keep fit. So, he takes a walk and finds a dead body floating in one of the Venice canals. As in prior books, the detectives see Paul as a person of interest. Crimes keep happening around him that further implicate Paul and it is obvious that he needs to solve these crimes or not go on his honeymoon cruise to Alaska.

With the help of the homeless community, new friends, one an attorney, his granddaughter, and new grandson-in-law the crimes get solved.

It was a careful study of the disability of short-term memory loss and how to live with it. I was quite impressed.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 in the Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit mysteries. This 2011 entry follows directly on the heels of Living with Your Kids Is Murder (2009). Entry #2 immediately followed #1, Retirement Homes Are Murder (2007). Having the series entries follow each other by weeks is probably a good idea when your protagonist is an octogenarian, especially if you plan on an ongoing series. Jacobson has a short term memory problem; he forgets the prior five years whenever he falls asleep and only reboots his memory by reading notes he has made in his journal. The gimmick has drawbacks and repetitively explaining his problem is sometimes tiresome. The three entries have been placed in Hawaii, Colorado and California, but the police detectives could be triplets - some imagination is needed in this area. In spite of the drawbacks, the series is a fresh concept and fun to read.

Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit mystery - Imagine waking up in a place you didn't recognize, not remembering anything from the day before and then finding a dead body. Cantankerous octogenarian Paul Jacobson must solve a series of murders while struggling with the problems of his short-term memory loss. Paul learns about the homeless community, disreputable art dealers and the beach scene in Venice Beach, California, and must dance a geezer two-step to stay out of the clutches of the police and the bad guys.

[John Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third in the series and although still enjoyable I felt that it lacked something that the others possessed.

Maybe the novelty of nightly memory loss
Is starting to wear a bit thin. In this third book you start to ask questions about things that you had taken for granted. Like, as anyone who has written a diary containing as much detail as Paul's notebook must contain knows, it isn't a two minute job. Also how much of this has to be read each morning to remind him of everything that has gone on?

Maybe it's a bit of the ' but would he really do that?', creeping in for example when he goes snooping in his suspects office when he has already been made suspect aware that he is in the building asking awkward questions.

Maybe its that the stories are all running the same template. I don't know if it is one or more of these

However, the ongoing story is as cozy and even 'feel good' so it can't be all that bad. The story ends as Paul and his wife set off for their honeymoon Arctic cruise which is the background for the next in the series.
As it was this title that originally caught my eye and brought me to the series, having just returned from our own cruise, I will move on to that one although, I will take a break first and see if that helps me recapture my earlier enjoyment level.

6th June 2025

[Bonnie Ramthun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the Geezer-Lit series by Mike Befeler, though I'm a big fan of all of them. This tale of Paul Jacobson, an octogenarian who suffers from short term memory loss, is fast paced, witty, laugh out loud funny and totally charming. Paul can't remember who he is when he wakes up and though he occasionally remembers to read the notes he leaves by his bedside, he often wakes and sees in amazement that he's snuggled next to a gorgeous young chick in her seventies. (He always finds out to his surprise that she is his bride of just a few months.) Paul is a one-liner gold mine and as the bodies pile up -- and around Paul Jacobson, they always manage to pile up -- he infuriates the police homicide detective assigned to the case. There are a lot of engaging twists and turns that keep the plot ticking along beautifully while Paul ambles along, trying to keep out of trouble but somehow always landing right in it. Paul Jacobson is a very elderly man but his wit and his joy in life makes the whole novel shine. I highly recommend this book.

[Donnell Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have added anything by Mike Befeler to my to be read list. He's an ingenious plotter and I love his protagonist Paul Jacobsen who's a hoot. A crusty old man with a quick temper, Paul also has another problem. While he ordinarily has a high I.Q. with a photographic memory, he has what Paul himself calls “foggy brain cells.” Meaning if he goes to sleep, the unthinkable happens and he loses his memory of what happened in the days before. One thing, and one thing only, keeps him from losing his memory.

This book is loaded with surprises and lots of empathy for senior citizens. A book every mystery and cozy reader will enjoy.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul Jacobson is about to remarry--that is, if his problem--awakening with no memory of the previous several years--doesn't get him in trouble with the police. Of course, being the one to find three dead bodies is not the way to avoid trouble. Paul's charming wife, her teenaged grandson, and Paul's own granddaughter, safely home in Colorado, give advice, but it's Paul whose fractured brain has to put the puzzle pieces together.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book three, Paul Jacobson copes better with his short-term memory issue, with the help of his new bride Marion, and an assortment of sympathetically drawn homeless people. As he stumbles onto murder, Paul discovers the cut-throat art world of Venice Beach, CA. Senior Moments Are Murder was another fun read in this series.

[John Worthington · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful book that has a good mix of humor and mystery. This book is about an 80+ year old man that wakes up "almost" every morning without his short term memory. On top of that, he keeps finding dead bodies. How would you like to wake up each morning to a women (his new spouse) you don't recognize?