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Äldre dam #2
Фрекен Мод просила ее не беспокоить
Годы идут, годы берут свое... у всех, но только не у нее.
Попробуйте что-то забрать у фрекен Мод, и вам не поздоровится.
Ей 89, и она еще поторгуется со смертью, «малышка».
Мод только распробовала жизнь и расставаться с ней точно не намерена. У нее полно планов, и лучше вам ей не мешать.
Ведь фрекен Мод настоятельно просила ее не беспокоить. Разве это так сложно? Просто оставить пожилую фрекен в покое, чтобы она могла доживать свой век, наслаждаясь прелестями одиночества.
Но нет, назойливые людишки привыкли во все совать свой нос.
Попробуйте что-то забрать у фрекен Мод, и вам не поздоровится.
Ей 89, и она еще поторгуется со смертью, «малышка».
Мод только распробовала жизнь и расставаться с ней точно не намерена. У нее полно планов, и лучше вам ей не мешать.
Ведь фрекен Мод настоятельно просила ее не беспокоить. Разве это так сложно? Просто оставить пожилую фрекен в покое, чтобы она могла доживать свой век, наслаждаясь прелестями одиночества.
Но нет, назойливые людишки привыкли во все совать свой нос.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2020
513 people are currently reading
11089 people want to read
About the author
Helene Tursten
53 books944 followersHelene Tursten (born in Gothenburg in 1954) is a Swedish writer of crime fiction. The main character in her stories is Detective Inspector Irene Huss. Before becoming an author, Tursten worked as a nurse and then a dentist, but was forced to leave due to illness. During her illness she worked as a translator of medical articles.
Series:
* Irene Huss
Series:
* Irene Huss
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,957 reviews
March 18, 2024
Certain problems have only one solution. That's just the way it is.
Maud, our favorite octogenarian, is back. And she's as ruthless and murderous as she's always been. This time, we follow her as she takes the trip of a lifetime to South Africa. Along the way, she reminisces about her past and all the problems she's had to solve.
Honestly, I have so much fun with this series. It's unusual, irreverent, and completely surprising. We've all had experiences where someone's just a thorn in our side and we wish they'd disappear. Well, Maud more than just wishes. And it's a real hoot to see her take care of them as if she's just taking care of business.
Obviously, this isn't a book to be taken seriously and it certainly isn't advocating for murder as a way to solve problems. But if you're able to suspend your disbelief, spending a few hours with this little pocket-sized book feels like a delightful treat.
I don't know what it is with me and reading about old people living their life to the fullest (and using a little murder to get their way), but I just can't get enough. I hope we'll meet Maud again before too long.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
April 11, 2023
I do enjoy author Helene Tursten’s stories about her elderly protagonist, Maud. Her newest work, “An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed” is a compilation of six stories following 89-year-old Maud and her luxury vacation to South Africa.
I’ve read one of Tursten’s novels featuring Inspector Irene Huss, which I did enjoy. Well, Tursten includes the intrepid detective at the beginning of the story. I love these two wonderful protagonists pitted against each other. Maud held her ground, yet Huss remained suspect of Maud’s last adventure, involving a death in her apartment. This last adventure is in another group of short stories, and Tursten has some fun bringing in Huss on the case.
Maud is a clever and tough old goat, and she’s made a good life for herself. She took care of her ailing sister once her parents died. She kept the finances going through the wars. She suffered no fools in all her 8 plus decades. God help the fool who crosses her!
If you haven’t had the opportunity to read any of Tursten’s stories involving Maud, treat yourself and pick up one of the story collections. Maud is hilarious and amazingly resourceful. I hope I’m like Maud in my eighties, sans the body count. 😂
I’ve read one of Tursten’s novels featuring Inspector Irene Huss, which I did enjoy. Well, Tursten includes the intrepid detective at the beginning of the story. I love these two wonderful protagonists pitted against each other. Maud held her ground, yet Huss remained suspect of Maud’s last adventure, involving a death in her apartment. This last adventure is in another group of short stories, and Tursten has some fun bringing in Huss on the case.
Maud is a clever and tough old goat, and she’s made a good life for herself. She took care of her ailing sister once her parents died. She kept the finances going through the wars. She suffered no fools in all her 8 plus decades. God help the fool who crosses her!
If you haven’t had the opportunity to read any of Tursten’s stories involving Maud, treat yourself and pick up one of the story collections. Maud is hilarious and amazingly resourceful. I hope I’m like Maud in my eighties, sans the body count. 😂
July 1, 2022
Aptly titled, An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helene Tursten (translated by Marlaine Delargy) is the follow up to An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good by the same author, featuring Maud, the smart, independent, no nonsense octogenarian who you would definitely never want to go up against.
We catch up with Maud a few months after the events in the previous book. She’s on a plane traveling to South Africa where she will be a part of a tour group .This is a trip she has been looking forward to for a long time. She's also glad to be going so as to avoid local law enforcement who are not quite convinced of her account of the events surrounding the death of the local antiques dealer whose body was discovered in her apartment. Though they do not have any concrete evidence implicating Maud, it seems they are no longer fooled by the helpless, frail and unassuming old lady act Maud puts on for their benefit. Through six interconnected stories some of which are based on her real time travels and some told as memories that are triggered by her adventures, we get to know more of Maud’s past , her life as a child, as a young woman embarking on a career in teaching , the people in her life and of course her unique methods of ‘solving’ problems , both her own as well as those she deems to be in need of her ‘help’. We see shades of Maud that project her in a newer light and though her antics will still have you gasping in disbelief, you can’t help admiring her spunk, wit and wisdom.It was so much fun spending time with Maud again!
I enjoyed this book just as much as the first in the series. With no frills storytelling and one of the most interesting (that’s an understatement!!!) protagonists I’ve come across in a long time , this funny , heartwarming (yes ,read it to believe it!) collection of stories is a perfect read for anyone in who is in need of a good laugh or a break in between more serious reading. This is a light read meant to be taken lightly. So, as long as you don’t overthink it, you should be able to enjoy it.
I sincerely hope this isn't the author’s final instalment in her series of stories about this sharp and crafty elderly (only in age, I might add!) lady. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more stories featuring Maud in the future.
We catch up with Maud a few months after the events in the previous book. She’s on a plane traveling to South Africa where she will be a part of a tour group .This is a trip she has been looking forward to for a long time. She's also glad to be going so as to avoid local law enforcement who are not quite convinced of her account of the events surrounding the death of the local antiques dealer whose body was discovered in her apartment. Though they do not have any concrete evidence implicating Maud, it seems they are no longer fooled by the helpless, frail and unassuming old lady act Maud puts on for their benefit. Through six interconnected stories some of which are based on her real time travels and some told as memories that are triggered by her adventures, we get to know more of Maud’s past , her life as a child, as a young woman embarking on a career in teaching , the people in her life and of course her unique methods of ‘solving’ problems , both her own as well as those she deems to be in need of her ‘help’. We see shades of Maud that project her in a newer light and though her antics will still have you gasping in disbelief, you can’t help admiring her spunk, wit and wisdom.It was so much fun spending time with Maud again!
I enjoyed this book just as much as the first in the series. With no frills storytelling and one of the most interesting (that’s an understatement!!!) protagonists I’ve come across in a long time , this funny , heartwarming (yes ,read it to believe it!) collection of stories is a perfect read for anyone in who is in need of a good laugh or a break in between more serious reading. This is a light read meant to be taken lightly. So, as long as you don’t overthink it, you should be able to enjoy it.
I sincerely hope this isn't the author’s final instalment in her series of stories about this sharp and crafty elderly (only in age, I might add!) lady. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more stories featuring Maud in the future.
February 7, 2023
2.5 stars
This is much, much different tone than the 1st Elderly Lady book.
Probably most people will like it because Maud seems more human and less psychotic in this one.
I don't know.
I miss the stabby Maude.
Another reason I wasn't all that in love with this second book is that a lot of page time is devoted to this being a travelogue about South Africa. And that's great, except that's not what wanted.
I thought I was getting a story about an 89-year-old woman who killed folks that pissed her off, and what I was actually reading was about the beauty and culture of South Africa intermingled with stories that made Maude more loveable.
Do you see my problem?
But like I said, I think most readers will like this one because she makes friends, saves a few people, and does some good stuff this time around.
The writing is good, but it is not what I wanted.
This is much, much different tone than the 1st Elderly Lady book.
Probably most people will like it because Maud seems more human and less psychotic in this one.
I don't know.
I miss the stabby Maude.
Another reason I wasn't all that in love with this second book is that a lot of page time is devoted to this being a travelogue about South Africa. And that's great, except that's not what wanted.
I thought I was getting a story about an 89-year-old woman who killed folks that pissed her off, and what I was actually reading was about the beauty and culture of South Africa intermingled with stories that made Maude more loveable.
Do you see my problem?
But like I said, I think most readers will like this one because she makes friends, saves a few people, and does some good stuff this time around.
The writing is good, but it is not what I wanted.
January 18, 2022
“On an evening like this she could almost imagine meeting Jack the Ripper. If I did, he’d be the one who’d make out worse, she thought with a grim smile.”
Our killer octogenarian is back. It’s only been a few months since 88-year old Maud has a brush with the police following one of her homicides. They’re still sniffing around and it makes her nervous. Luckily, she has a multi-week trip to Africa to look forward to.
On the long journey to Africa, memories from the past start resurfacing…ones that Maud would rather forget. It becomes quite clear that even before she was an elderly lady, Maud has always been someone who should not be crossed!
This is the second collection featuring Maud, and it’s a hoot. Again, I was rooting for her throughout all six stories that are included. This collection is a bit more cohesive than the first, and tons of fun.
The last story, where Maud is actually on her African vacation, loses a bit of traction as it’s over 100 pages in and of itself…and not all of it is about her murderous tendencies. However, the ending wraps up nicely. I recommend this for those who read the first and got a kick out of Maud’s mayhem. I also hope we get more stories at some point.
Bonus: There’s two cookie recipes (a nice version, and a naughty version) for those of you who like to bake. I won’t be making them, as I barely know how to use more than my microwave.
3.5 stars. Available now.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Our killer octogenarian is back. It’s only been a few months since 88-year old Maud has a brush with the police following one of her homicides. They’re still sniffing around and it makes her nervous. Luckily, she has a multi-week trip to Africa to look forward to.
On the long journey to Africa, memories from the past start resurfacing…ones that Maud would rather forget. It becomes quite clear that even before she was an elderly lady, Maud has always been someone who should not be crossed!
This is the second collection featuring Maud, and it’s a hoot. Again, I was rooting for her throughout all six stories that are included. This collection is a bit more cohesive than the first, and tons of fun.
The last story, where Maud is actually on her African vacation, loses a bit of traction as it’s over 100 pages in and of itself…and not all of it is about her murderous tendencies. However, the ending wraps up nicely. I recommend this for those who read the first and got a kick out of Maud’s mayhem. I also hope we get more stories at some point.
Bonus: There’s two cookie recipes (a nice version, and a naughty version) for those of you who like to bake. I won’t be making them, as I barely know how to use more than my microwave.
3.5 stars. Available now.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
March 21, 2022
An Elderly Lady Must not be Crossed by Helene Tursten, Marlaine Delargy (Translator) is a 2021 Soho Crime publication.
Maud is back to regale us with more tales of her murderous escapades…
Maud hasn’t necessarily gotten away scot-free from her previous escapades, so she’s decided a little vacation is in order. While traveling to South Africa, Maud recalls, and shares with us, several of her previous interferences in the lives of others, dating back to her childhood.
Upon arrival at her destination, we see a more altruistic side of Maud. As she switches to the role of avenger, she turns more introspective, taking stock of her life, as she once more finds herself under interrogation.
At the end of the day, Maud decides she has no regrets and sets a new course for her life… and of course, puts a little distance between herself and a couple of pesky detectives…
Overall, I may have enjoyed this collection even more than the first. One can’t help but be charmed by such a cunning little old lady, but remember... It is very unwise to cross her! I hope to hear from Maud again someday!
Maud is back to regale us with more tales of her murderous escapades…
Maud hasn’t necessarily gotten away scot-free from her previous escapades, so she’s decided a little vacation is in order. While traveling to South Africa, Maud recalls, and shares with us, several of her previous interferences in the lives of others, dating back to her childhood.
Upon arrival at her destination, we see a more altruistic side of Maud. As she switches to the role of avenger, she turns more introspective, taking stock of her life, as she once more finds herself under interrogation.
At the end of the day, Maud decides she has no regrets and sets a new course for her life… and of course, puts a little distance between herself and a couple of pesky detectives…
Overall, I may have enjoyed this collection even more than the first. One can’t help but be charmed by such a cunning little old lady, but remember... It is very unwise to cross her! I hope to hear from Maud again someday!
June 7, 2025
Maud is a woman you do not want to cross as her vengeance will come when you aren't at all expecting it. When it comes to righting wrongs in her world, Maud plays the long and the short game equally well. There are no impulsive moves, just careful and meticulous planning. She seems quite heartless and unforgiving, but then she surprises you with her charity and benevolence. Perhaps Maud's latter actions redeem and give a different meaning to these lines: She had done what was necessary. Certain Problems have only one solution. That's just the way it is.
This delightfully dark and entertaining excursion ends on a lighter note enticing you to believe that Maud really is a dear sweet elderly lady, but I'll leave it up to you to decide.
This delightfully dark and entertaining excursion ends on a lighter note enticing you to believe that Maud really is a dear sweet elderly lady, but I'll leave it up to you to decide.
April 3, 2023
Seriously now, do I need to say anything? If the title dont get you, the story will. Still nothing? There is also a wonderful gingerbread cookie recipe inside the book. 😏
This time around, Maud is on a plane to reach one of her dream destination, its also an excellent reason for her to take a break since two detectives came to ask questions about a corpse that was found in one of her room a while ago.
On her way to Cape Town, Maud will remember some events and memories from her younger time.
I slightly liked the first one better only because our lady was crazier, she’d do murder like she’d do casual conversations. This time, its different she is more into finding something meaningful to do with the rest of her life. I mean don’t get me wrong, there will still be some «very unfortunate accidents» happening in the story. I would recommend for anyone looking for something funny and simple.
3.5⭐️
This time around, Maud is on a plane to reach one of her dream destination, its also an excellent reason for her to take a break since two detectives came to ask questions about a corpse that was found in one of her room a while ago.
On her way to Cape Town, Maud will remember some events and memories from her younger time.
I slightly liked the first one better only because our lady was crazier, she’d do murder like she’d do casual conversations. This time, its different she is more into finding something meaningful to do with the rest of her life. I mean don’t get me wrong, there will still be some «very unfortunate accidents» happening in the story. I would recommend for anyone looking for something funny and simple.
3.5⭐️
October 1, 2021
I wish to thank NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for this audiobook, engagingly narrated by Ann Richardson. I was very pleased to receive 'An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed', having enjoyed the cozy and witty previous book that featured the feisty, sweet but sinister Maud, a lady in her late 80s. The previous book, 'An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good', by Swedish crime writer, Helen Thurston introduced Maud who lived alone and had no hesitation scheming and carrying out murders. Told with wit and humour, Maud was living a comfortable lifestyle, with worldwide travels and visits to luxury spas. She is feisty and quick-witted and is presented as a lovable older woman, except for all her murders. Her victims are people she feels stand in her way or who simply annoy her, and killings carried out to protect others.
This story begins just a couple of months after an art dealer had been found dead in her apartment. He was murdered, and the police were suspicious of Maud. Now they are back, continuing to question her, but doubt that the elderly, intriguing, and delightful Maud had the physical or mental capacity to have carried out the killing. She is irritated by their questions but continues to have them fooled. Her mind is sharp, but she deceives them by pretending deafness and mental confusion. She appears feeble to the investigators and uses an unneeded walker in their presence. She now decides it would be an advantageous time to continue her many travels. She has chosen a tour of South Africa and on to Victoria Falls, mainly because it includes Cape Town, the favourite place she visited on her past journeys.
On the plane, she recalls and dreams about her past life; childhood schemes of revenge lead her to commit murders of those standing in her way at home and in the workplace. People who merely annoyed her also became her victims.
Once arriving in Johannesburg, she pretended to be too tired and weak to avoid tours of places she had visited in the past or sites that held no interest for her. When she pleaded with the tour leader that she needed to rest in the groups' luxury hotel, he was sympathetic and understanding. Once the group left for the daily sightseeing, Maud set out on her own to visit places that interested her. She later acquires a heavy walking stick, not that she needs it for a cane. Her physical stamina is strong for her advanced age. She carries it to bash anyone who might need it.
After touring the wildlife parks and a trip to Victoria Falls, there seems to be a rapist of young girls amongst those in the tour group. At last, they arrive in Cape Town, her beloved city. Again Maud excuses herself from the group excursions, starting off on her own. She remembers a hotel fondly where she previously stayed and how much she liked the couple who owned it. She is distressed to find the female owner is now widowed, and their house is being sold. The hotel has been turned into a residence for female Univesity students. While wandering around, she rescues a young girl who is being attacked. Taking her safely to her home, she finds her family living in reduced circumstances following a streak of tragedy and bad luck.
The story ends with Maud moving to an act of generosity that improves her life and those of others. This could be a move towards her redemption, at least, until she is compelled to commit further murders!
This story begins just a couple of months after an art dealer had been found dead in her apartment. He was murdered, and the police were suspicious of Maud. Now they are back, continuing to question her, but doubt that the elderly, intriguing, and delightful Maud had the physical or mental capacity to have carried out the killing. She is irritated by their questions but continues to have them fooled. Her mind is sharp, but she deceives them by pretending deafness and mental confusion. She appears feeble to the investigators and uses an unneeded walker in their presence. She now decides it would be an advantageous time to continue her many travels. She has chosen a tour of South Africa and on to Victoria Falls, mainly because it includes Cape Town, the favourite place she visited on her past journeys.
On the plane, she recalls and dreams about her past life; childhood schemes of revenge lead her to commit murders of those standing in her way at home and in the workplace. People who merely annoyed her also became her victims.
Once arriving in Johannesburg, she pretended to be too tired and weak to avoid tours of places she had visited in the past or sites that held no interest for her. When she pleaded with the tour leader that she needed to rest in the groups' luxury hotel, he was sympathetic and understanding. Once the group left for the daily sightseeing, Maud set out on her own to visit places that interested her. She later acquires a heavy walking stick, not that she needs it for a cane. Her physical stamina is strong for her advanced age. She carries it to bash anyone who might need it.
After touring the wildlife parks and a trip to Victoria Falls, there seems to be a rapist of young girls amongst those in the tour group. At last, they arrive in Cape Town, her beloved city. Again Maud excuses herself from the group excursions, starting off on her own. She remembers a hotel fondly where she previously stayed and how much she liked the couple who owned it. She is distressed to find the female owner is now widowed, and their house is being sold. The hotel has been turned into a residence for female Univesity students. While wandering around, she rescues a young girl who is being attacked. Taking her safely to her home, she finds her family living in reduced circumstances following a streak of tragedy and bad luck.
The story ends with Maud moving to an act of generosity that improves her life and those of others. This could be a move towards her redemption, at least, until she is compelled to commit further murders!
April 3, 2022
3.5 stars
In An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good we meet 88-year-old Maud, a Swedish woman with a penchant for murder. Maud gets away with her crimes because her act - creeping along with a walker, speaking in a quavering voice, acting confused, wearing unneeded hearing aids, etc. - fools most people into thinking she's weak and confused.
Maud doesn't dupe everybody, however, and her murder of an antiques store owner raises suspicions in the eyes of two police detectives.
The second book in the series, 'An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed', picks up where the first book left off. The police detectives keep questioning Maud about the antiques dealer's death, and - to get away from them - Maud books herself a luxury vacation in South Africa. On the way to her destination, Maud recalls some past incidents in her life, and when she arrives in South Africa, Maud racks up some new adventures. All this is told in six interconnecting tales.
🥀 - An Elderly Lady Begins to Remember Her Past
As Maud flies to South Africa, enjoying airplane food and wine along the way, she happily anticipates her tour with a Swedish-speaking guide.
The trip's itinerary includes five-star hotels, fine dining, a safari in the Kruger National park, visits to vineyards, a trip to Victoria Falls, a cruise along the Zambesi River, and a final week in Capetown.
Mauds's mind is distracted, however, by recollections of the annoying police officers who kept showing up on her doorstep to ask questions about the dead antiques dealer. Maud tried to fall back on her 'confused old lady' defense but sensed the detectives weren't buying it, and she's glad to be out of the cops' reach.
🥀 - Little Maud Sets a Trap
When Maud overhears a fellow passenger mention a boiler room, she's reminded of an incident from her childhood. Two mean brothers in Maud's building were tormenting her troubled sister Charlotte with a live rat.
Maud was infuriated and tricked the boys into searching the cellar for a cash-filled envelope her father had dropped. Maud wasn't yet a killer, but the experience wasn't pleasant for the boys.
🥀 -Lancing a Boil
During the war Maud had taken up a post at the local girl's grammar school teaching French, English, and Latin. Maud was a temporary replacement for the permanent teacher Greta Rapp, who was on leave to complete her Ph.D.
When Greta returned to the school Maud's hours and pay were cut drastically, and - since Maud liked the job and needed the salary - she decided to do something about it.
🥀 - “The Truth About Charlotte”
Maud's older sister Charlotte, who was mentally challenged, needed constant care for her entire life. A moment's inattention might result in Charlotte wandering off and putting herself in danger. After decades of helping to look after Charlotte - whose one enjoyment in life was playing the piano - Maud felt like she was serving a life sentence in jail.
Then Charlotte's death freed Maud from her sisterly responsibilities.
🥀 - "The Peter Pan Problem"
Maud had a seamstress friend called Elsa Petrén, who was devoted to her work and her little boy Johannes. In Maud's eyes, Johannes was a drooling unpleasant child who yelled when he wanted food or attention.
Johannes didn't improve with age, and even as an adult, relied on his mother to help support him. When Johannes' gambling lifestyle threatened to deprive Elsa of her home, Maud felt compelled to take steps.
🥀 - "“An Elderly Lady Takes a Trip to Africa”
Maud lands in Africa and joins her tour group, composed of couples and singles from Sweden. We follow Maud as she enjoys her vacation activities, deals with a violent man, and does a good deed.
Maud is an outrageous character we wouldn't applaud in real life, but she's fun to read about in a fictional narrative. I look forward to more of her exploits.
ou can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
November 27, 2023
If we have learned anything from An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good, Review is Here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..., Maud is not one that you should EVER turn your back on.
She is back again with more stories, and what is always interesting, is that this elderly killer doesn’t look for trouble, it always seems to find her.
For instance, a woman in her building meets a tragic untimely death. Hmmm…
And…
A dead body mysteriously appears in her very own apartment, prompting an investigation by the local Gothenburg authorities. This is such a coincidence, as far as Maud is concerned.
So, what does Maud do?
What any “innocent” person in this situation would do…
Skip town…right?
Off to South Africa Maud goes.
In 6 interconnecting stories, memories of unfortunate incidents from Maud’s past keep coming to the surface, triggered by some present event – it could be a taste, or an image or even a word. It’s tough after all being 88+!
Of course, landing in Johannesburg, trouble still follows her. And some cookie recipes, too.
How enticing, right?
Will there be any good deeds up Maud’s sleeve before she reaches age 90?
So, what is likable about a serial killing elderly woman with no conscience?
Maybe the fact that this is such a very unlikely character.
And in this way, it makes it a most interesting reading experience.
What we have come to experience as readers, is that Maud's tried-and-true method of solving problems is to eliminate the cause of the problem – permanently. Which makes Maud a bit of a guilty pleasure read. Surprisingly.
She is back again with more stories, and what is always interesting, is that this elderly killer doesn’t look for trouble, it always seems to find her.
For instance, a woman in her building meets a tragic untimely death. Hmmm…
And…
A dead body mysteriously appears in her very own apartment, prompting an investigation by the local Gothenburg authorities. This is such a coincidence, as far as Maud is concerned.
So, what does Maud do?
What any “innocent” person in this situation would do…
Skip town…right?
Off to South Africa Maud goes.
In 6 interconnecting stories, memories of unfortunate incidents from Maud’s past keep coming to the surface, triggered by some present event – it could be a taste, or an image or even a word. It’s tough after all being 88+!
Of course, landing in Johannesburg, trouble still follows her. And some cookie recipes, too.
How enticing, right?
Will there be any good deeds up Maud’s sleeve before she reaches age 90?
So, what is likable about a serial killing elderly woman with no conscience?
Maybe the fact that this is such a very unlikely character.
And in this way, it makes it a most interesting reading experience.
What we have come to experience as readers, is that Maud's tried-and-true method of solving problems is to eliminate the cause of the problem – permanently. Which makes Maud a bit of a guilty pleasure read. Surprisingly.
February 15, 2022
This is the second book in this series. This time Maud is going on vacation to South Africa. She really needs to get away after being investigated for murder a few months prior. This book wasn't as exciting as the first one, but I still got a kick out of her actions! The ending was a sweet surprise that absolutely loved!
May 15, 2025
Fills out the history of Maud and Charlotte. It also introduces new characters, which suggests there may be more books about Maud in our future. Quote: Certain problems have only one solution. That's just the way it is. Unquote.
May 29, 2022
This collection of interlinked short stories wasn’t for me. I was really glad that it was short. The blurb describes 88 year old Maud as “everyone’s favorite octogenarian killer” and I was expecting some amusing satire. There was nothing amusing about this book. The first part consisted of flashbacks to various situations in which Maud had killed or attacked people, including one poor school teacher who had the nerve to want her job back after a leave of absence. Maud was really just an awful person and as far as I was concerned, she didn’t redeem herself by becoming lady bountiful in the second half of the book. I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher. 2.5 stars
October 17, 2024
This second book is exciting, heartfelt, and ruthless.
Maud is easily in my top 10 best characters of all time. Although she’s not your typical granny next door, she is human too, after all. This book proved that.
I liked the tone of this second part of the series. I was able to fully understand Maud because we got glimpses of her past, her childhood, and her genuine love for her family.
Also, it felt like I was part of the safari tour! Oh my! I would love to travel to places like that someday.
Her kills are justified, I guess. Not condoning murder or anything, but some people have it coming.
Is there a book 3 in the series? I want to know more about Maud’s life in Cape Town.
Maud is easily in my top 10 best characters of all time. Although she’s not your typical granny next door, she is human too, after all. This book proved that.
I liked the tone of this second part of the series. I was able to fully understand Maud because we got glimpses of her past, her childhood, and her genuine love for her family.
Also, it felt like I was part of the safari tour! Oh my! I would love to travel to places like that someday.
Her kills are justified, I guess. Not condoning murder or anything, but some people have it coming.
Is there a book 3 in the series? I want to know more about Maud’s life in Cape Town.
October 5, 2021
Everyone's favourite octogenarian killer is back in this new collection of stories by Swedish crime writer Helene Tursten that is sure to have you in stitches. Eighty-eight-year-old Maud is never looking for trouble, but it always seems to find her. Just when she has settled back into her favourite armchair following the tragic and mysterious death of an antiques dealer--in her very own apartment of all places--Gothenburg inspectors Irene Huss and Embla Nystroem return to her doorstep, ruining a perfectly good afternoon. Even as Maud deftly dodges their pesky questions with the skill of an Olympic gymnast a fifth of her age, she wonders if suspicion has fallen on her, little old lady that she is.
Eager for a change of scenery and an excuse to skip town, Maud sells off some of her family heirlooms and splurges on a trip to South Africa. In these six interlocking stories, the past and the present collide in Maud's mind as she thinks back to a string of unfortunate incidents--from the terrible neighbourhood boys who tormented her sister, to a fellow teacher who jeopardized Maud's position at an all-girls school, to the ne're-do-well son of a friend, and more--all while attempting to move on from the bloody ordeal last spring. But when she lands in Johannesburg, she finds that certain problems seem to be following her. Luckily, Maud is no stranger to taking matters into her own hands.
After all, she has so many more trips to take, and she wouldn't want anyone to get in her way. This is another delightful, mischievous and compulsive collection of six interlinked short stories featuring the wonderfully irascible and acerbic Maud, the loveable, idiosyncratic murderess from Gothenburg city, Sweden, and she is every bit as charming, morbid and sprightly for her age on this second outing with her wicked side certainly still getting her into all manner of scrapes. Her methods of killing are as methodical and ingenious as ever, and her motives for committing the crimes just as sketchy. This is such a refreshingly original series with entertaining adventures full of both humour and tension, prose that keeps you reading, plenty of unexpected twists and a truly irresistible protagonist. More, please. Highly recommended.
Eager for a change of scenery and an excuse to skip town, Maud sells off some of her family heirlooms and splurges on a trip to South Africa. In these six interlocking stories, the past and the present collide in Maud's mind as she thinks back to a string of unfortunate incidents--from the terrible neighbourhood boys who tormented her sister, to a fellow teacher who jeopardized Maud's position at an all-girls school, to the ne're-do-well son of a friend, and more--all while attempting to move on from the bloody ordeal last spring. But when she lands in Johannesburg, she finds that certain problems seem to be following her. Luckily, Maud is no stranger to taking matters into her own hands.
After all, she has so many more trips to take, and she wouldn't want anyone to get in her way. This is another delightful, mischievous and compulsive collection of six interlinked short stories featuring the wonderfully irascible and acerbic Maud, the loveable, idiosyncratic murderess from Gothenburg city, Sweden, and she is every bit as charming, morbid and sprightly for her age on this second outing with her wicked side certainly still getting her into all manner of scrapes. Her methods of killing are as methodical and ingenious as ever, and her motives for committing the crimes just as sketchy. This is such a refreshingly original series with entertaining adventures full of both humour and tension, prose that keeps you reading, plenty of unexpected twists and a truly irresistible protagonist. More, please. Highly recommended.
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November 16, 2021An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helen Tursten is a cross between a dark comedy and cozy read, blending in a gratifying read. I'm almost ashamed to say that I was absolutely delighted with this second in the series, starring 89 year old Maud. Be warned that there is violence in these pages. Shame, shame. I forgave myself as I likened it to the comics or cartoons I loved as a child. Somehow I knew this tale though real in its telling was fiction just the same. The hero would inflict bodily harm on the villain, but each would rise again for another go at the end of the day or at the very least, justice would be served.
In this new adventure, Maud is off on holiday from her home in Sweden, for a long-dreamed trip, luxury tour to South Africa. She'd been there before but she'd do it right this time. Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, safaris (the big five), good food and wine, with the last stop, the icing on the cake, a week in her favorite city of all, Cape Town, no expense spared. After all, Maud is almost 90 and you just never know.
As those of us who listen to audio books know, the narrator plays an important part in our enjoyment of the book. A strong thumbs up to the narration of this novel by Ann Richardson. She brings the proper balance of little old lady or cunning elder woman the yin and yang of Maud to life.
A sweet inclusion, the opening print pages of the book which featured the Naughty or Nice versions of Gingerbread Cookies; both prepared by Maud to perfection (including their disclaimer for nut allergies).
My sincere gratitude to Highbridge Audio, a division of Recorded Books and Libro.fm for providing me with a recording of this gem through the Complimentary Audiobook Listening Copy (ALC) program for Educators, librarians, booksellers, and media/reviewers. It is a privilege I cherish.
In this new adventure, Maud is off on holiday from her home in Sweden, for a long-dreamed trip, luxury tour to South Africa. She'd been there before but she'd do it right this time. Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, safaris (the big five), good food and wine, with the last stop, the icing on the cake, a week in her favorite city of all, Cape Town, no expense spared. After all, Maud is almost 90 and you just never know.
As those of us who listen to audio books know, the narrator plays an important part in our enjoyment of the book. A strong thumbs up to the narration of this novel by Ann Richardson. She brings the proper balance of little old lady or cunning elder woman the yin and yang of Maud to life.
A sweet inclusion, the opening print pages of the book which featured the Naughty or Nice versions of Gingerbread Cookies; both prepared by Maud to perfection (including their disclaimer for nut allergies).
My sincere gratitude to Highbridge Audio, a division of Recorded Books and Libro.fm for providing me with a recording of this gem through the Complimentary Audiobook Listening Copy (ALC) program for Educators, librarians, booksellers, and media/reviewers. It is a privilege I cherish.
November 6, 2023
3.5 stars. reading vlog: https://youtu.be/yfOHztTQJs0
January 14, 2022
Enjoyed, but not quite as much as the first... Still, Maud is a trip!
December 31, 2021
Maud has done it again! This time she has booked a trip to South Africa to avoid those pesky police questions, and we are treated to some of her reminiscences of her past, and descriptions of her luxury tour. This 89 year old is perfectly healthy, loves gourmet food and wine (and anything else alcoholic) and is a role model for a perfect old age. Minus a few murders, of course. But then again, sometimes you just have to handle problems that crop up.
I love Maud, and may there be more stories starring her. And as an ode to Betty White, on the day of her death, she would have been perfect in this role.
I love Maud, and may there be more stories starring her. And as an ode to Betty White, on the day of her death, she would have been perfect in this role.
January 26, 2023
I found this interesting and entertaining, just not quite as much as I had An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good. The earlier book ended with Maud, the 88-year-old titular elderly lady, under suspicion for murdering an antiques dealer in her apartment in Gothenberg, Sweden (not a spoiler, trust me). This book begins with her getting out of town to let the dust settle, on a flight to South Africa to connect with a guided tour. The flight provides plenty of time for her to remember other murderous incidents of her long life. The last of the six chapters recounts the tour, taking up about a third of the book, and includes another violent episode, but culminates in a Hallmark Channel ending that I struggled to suspend my disbelief of. You might like it more than me if you don't overthink it.
October 23, 2021
The first book in this series is entitled [An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good] and it really should be read first to get to know this lady. Both books feature an 88 year old Gothenburg woman, who has a mysterious past. People close to her keep dying and local police officer Irene Huss has centered her interest on this elderly lady. This spirited senior citizen solves problems in her own way - permanently. In the first book she took on the Swedish police but in this one the South African police get to find out that they have a lot to learn and have lost before they even get started. Maud lives alone and has a penchant for using her age as a barrier to doing anything she doesn't want to do, like...talking to the detectives about a dead man found in her apartment who had been there for several days before being noticed. (Is that even possible?) When questioned by them, she immediately acts confused...saying that she has forgotten where her hearing aids were (they were fake anyway). She wonders if the detectives suspect she had something to do with the man's death. Heaven help them if the do. Death has always seemed to follow Maud, as the stories in this novella will show. There are 6 interlocking stories, featuring Maud's memories of her past, as well as something from the here and now that needs to be dealt with. The book is getting a reluctant 3 star rating, but the first book should have really been an only child.
October 17, 2021
Daring, thinking, avenging, deceiving
“An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed” by Helene Tursten is a collection of connected short stories that evolve into a cohesive narrative. Maud is almost eighty-nine years old, fit and healthy, with no family, but most importantly, she is a problem solver. She has fake hearing aids that allow her to hear what she is not supposed to hear and enable her to pretend that she did not hear what she actually did. She fakes confusion to cover her clear thinking, expert planning, and skilled deceiving.
Maud is taking a trip to avoid complications from a somewhat difficult incident and is looking forward to a wonderful vacation in South Africa. She has arranged for luxury guided expeditions, luxury accommodations, luxury everything. Her brain is always evaluating, calculating, and remembering. Readers go back and forth in time with Maud as she remembers what she has done that she perhaps should not have done. Since she cannot change the past, she focuses on her future adventures in Africa. When she runs into an old friend there, several new adventures, challenges and opportunities arise that need her special attention.
“An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed” is a humorous look at an unusual avenger – an octogenarian. The narrative moves at a measured pace and is constructed as a progression of associated anecdotes. It is quick to read with laughs on every page; it and gives a different view of “elderly life.” I received a review copy of “An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed” from Helene Tursten, Marlaine Delargy (who translated from the Swedish, Penguin Random House, and Soho Crime.
“An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed” by Helene Tursten is a collection of connected short stories that evolve into a cohesive narrative. Maud is almost eighty-nine years old, fit and healthy, with no family, but most importantly, she is a problem solver. She has fake hearing aids that allow her to hear what she is not supposed to hear and enable her to pretend that she did not hear what she actually did. She fakes confusion to cover her clear thinking, expert planning, and skilled deceiving.
Maud is taking a trip to avoid complications from a somewhat difficult incident and is looking forward to a wonderful vacation in South Africa. She has arranged for luxury guided expeditions, luxury accommodations, luxury everything. Her brain is always evaluating, calculating, and remembering. Readers go back and forth in time with Maud as she remembers what she has done that she perhaps should not have done. Since she cannot change the past, she focuses on her future adventures in Africa. When she runs into an old friend there, several new adventures, challenges and opportunities arise that need her special attention.
“An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed” is a humorous look at an unusual avenger – an octogenarian. The narrative moves at a measured pace and is constructed as a progression of associated anecdotes. It is quick to read with laughs on every page; it and gives a different view of “elderly life.” I received a review copy of “An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed” from Helene Tursten, Marlaine Delargy (who translated from the Swedish, Penguin Random House, and Soho Crime.
September 23, 2021
3.5 stars
I was surprised by how much I adored eighty-eight-year-old Maude in the 2018 short story collection An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good. The stories were quick, witty, and cozy.
The former teacher with a penchant for murder is back with more in An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed.
It’s only a few months after the final story in Up to No Good, where an antique dealer met an unfortunate end in Maud’s apartment. With a surprising amount of suspicion falling on the seemingly frail and confused woman, Maud decides to treat herself to a luxury trip to South Africa. During her travels, she is triggered by something in the present that reminds her of her past and gives readers six interlocking stories. After landing in Johannesburg, our favorite elderly lady must take matters into her own hands once again after a crime is committed.
Quirky, charming, and cozy - I loved revisiting Maud in this second story collection!
Thanks to Soho Crime and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed is scheduled for release on October 5, 2021.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
I was surprised by how much I adored eighty-eight-year-old Maude in the 2018 short story collection An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good. The stories were quick, witty, and cozy.
The former teacher with a penchant for murder is back with more in An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed.
It’s only a few months after the final story in Up to No Good, where an antique dealer met an unfortunate end in Maud’s apartment. With a surprising amount of suspicion falling on the seemingly frail and confused woman, Maud decides to treat herself to a luxury trip to South Africa. During her travels, she is triggered by something in the present that reminds her of her past and gives readers six interlocking stories. After landing in Johannesburg, our favorite elderly lady must take matters into her own hands once again after a crime is committed.
Quirky, charming, and cozy - I loved revisiting Maud in this second story collection!
Thanks to Soho Crime and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed is scheduled for release on October 5, 2021.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
February 27, 2022
This was the perfect book for me for right now. An entertaining delight in the form of a cozy murderer story—perfectly packaged in a hand-size 4 ¼ x 6 ¼ little hardback.
I'm generally a pretty practical person when it comes to problem solving. And I don't spend a lot of time wishing other people punishment let alone death. But the situation in Ukraine has brought up so much grief and a feeling of impotence that I've found myself wishing Putin dead. When I shared this with my best friend, she responded, "Oh, I can't do that because of my Buddhist beliefs." I dropped the subject.
Maude, the titular elderly lady of this wonderful book—called "Stories" but really it's a well-constructed novel in chapters with story titles—is a breath of fresh air right now, and certainly somebody with whom I could share my dark impulses. Maude, too, is practical about problem solving, but without any moral inhibitions.
I'm not going to kill anybody, but I think I, as well as most people, are capable of it—for instance, if we are facing death at the hands of a madman or his stooges. So it was therapeutic reading about a character with absolutely no qualms about acting as mad as any mad killers I can imagine and, in a weird way, as sane as the most heroic hero.
I'm generally a pretty practical person when it comes to problem solving. And I don't spend a lot of time wishing other people punishment let alone death. But the situation in Ukraine has brought up so much grief and a feeling of impotence that I've found myself wishing Putin dead. When I shared this with my best friend, she responded, "Oh, I can't do that because of my Buddhist beliefs." I dropped the subject.
Maude, the titular elderly lady of this wonderful book—called "Stories" but really it's a well-constructed novel in chapters with story titles—is a breath of fresh air right now, and certainly somebody with whom I could share my dark impulses. Maude, too, is practical about problem solving, but without any moral inhibitions.
I'm not going to kill anybody, but I think I, as well as most people, are capable of it—for instance, if we are facing death at the hands of a madman or his stooges. So it was therapeutic reading about a character with absolutely no qualms about acting as mad as any mad killers I can imagine and, in a weird way, as sane as the most heroic hero.
January 13, 2021
Äldre dam med mörka hemligheter (older lady with dark secrets) is the second collection of short stories about Maude who isn't as fragile and sweet as she seems, if you're not careful you might agitate her and that never ends well for the other person. I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the first collection, but I will re-read this time and time again and I would probably end up loving it's as much. This collection answers some question and follows a slight problem from the first. Definitely recommend this sets of books!
June 7, 2024
Meet Maud, an eighty-eight year old lady, on a fabulous trip to South Africa. During her travels, she has time to reflect upon the past.
Sounds cozy, right?
Well, not quite.
Maud isn’t your typical octogenarian. Over the years, she like anyone else has experienced her share of difficulties and unsavory characters. Unlike everyone else, Maud isn’t opposed to dealing with life’s challenges by inflicting grievous bodily harm or meting out the occasional homicide. She’s flexible like that.
An independent woman’s gotta have options, after all.
“Sometimes a person had to do certain things in order to survive the hard life of a single woman with a heavy burden of responsibility to bear.”
This is the second installment of short stories featuring Maud. The razor sharp wit, direct writing style, and crisp humor makes these well worth picking up. Although I enjoyed the first collection a bit more than this one, I still found it to be quite good. These six stories give readers a peak behind the curtain at Maud’s humanity, so there’s a different feeling that permeates the book.
It is brilliant the way Maud takes being underestimated and wields it as a weapon in her arsenal. Her diabolical thought process is always good for a few laughs in these tongue in cheek tales.
Revenge is a dish best served often if Maud is cooking!
Sounds cozy, right?
Well, not quite.
Maud isn’t your typical octogenarian. Over the years, she like anyone else has experienced her share of difficulties and unsavory characters. Unlike everyone else, Maud isn’t opposed to dealing with life’s challenges by inflicting grievous bodily harm or meting out the occasional homicide. She’s flexible like that.
An independent woman’s gotta have options, after all.
“Sometimes a person had to do certain things in order to survive the hard life of a single woman with a heavy burden of responsibility to bear.”
This is the second installment of short stories featuring Maud. The razor sharp wit, direct writing style, and crisp humor makes these well worth picking up. Although I enjoyed the first collection a bit more than this one, I still found it to be quite good. These six stories give readers a peak behind the curtain at Maud’s humanity, so there’s a different feeling that permeates the book.
It is brilliant the way Maud takes being underestimated and wields it as a weapon in her arsenal. Her diabolical thought process is always good for a few laughs in these tongue in cheek tales.
Revenge is a dish best served often if Maud is cooking!
September 2, 2022
Maud: Swedish, 88-years-old, spinster, retired teacher...AND a multiple murderer. She is on her way to South Africa on the trip of a lifetime. And she's leaving just in the nick of time too as two female police detectives seem determined to prove she killed the antiques dealer found dead in her Gothenburg apartment months ago!
As she travels to Africa, Maud thinks back on her life and all the other crimes she has gotten away with. She is one clever and remarkable lady! Now, what trouble could she possibly get into while on vacation?
This is a quick read--funny and very entertaining. The character of Maud is more fully fleshed out in this short novel. She has a bigger heart than she likes to pretend.
As she travels to Africa, Maud thinks back on her life and all the other crimes she has gotten away with. She is one clever and remarkable lady! Now, what trouble could she possibly get into while on vacation?
This is a quick read--funny and very entertaining. The character of Maud is more fully fleshed out in this short novel. She has a bigger heart than she likes to pretend.
March 15, 2022
Once I started picturing Maud as a Swedish Betty White, that image was basically stuck there. I can’t tell if that made me like this one more than I would have otherwise, but still a pretty good follow up!
*There is definitely is a white savior vibe in the last story and that bothered me. It didn’t ruin the book but I wish it was less heavy-handed.
*There is definitely is a white savior vibe in the last story and that bothered me. It didn’t ruin the book but I wish it was less heavy-handed.
November 17, 2025
I don't think this was a necessary sequel.. not as great as the first novella but it was fine
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