Death By Bingo: A Senior Sleuths Cozy Mystery Series (Short Reads)

by Cathlyn Sweets

DEATH BY BINGO

A Sunset Manor Mystery

Violet Hartwell thought six weeks of physical therapy at Sunset Manor would be boring. She was wrong.

When the retirement home's insufferably dramatic bingo caller Harold Finch is found dead with a bingo cage on his head, everyone assumes it's a tragic accident. After all, who would murder someone over bingo night commentary? But retired high school principal Violet smells something fishier than Tuesday's tuna casserole.

Armed with her "investigation kit" (a vintage purse containing a magnifying glass, emergency cookies, and fierce determination), Violet teams up with an unlikely crew of amateur Frank, whose souped-up mobility scooter doubles as surveillance equipment; Agnes, the drama queen who treats every conversation like Shakespeare; and Dolores, a former Vegas showgirl with mysterious connections and a bedazzled flask.

From corn syrup sabotage to geriatric surveillance missions, Death by Bingo proves that murder mysteries aren't just for the young. Sometimes the best detectives are the ones with nothing left to lose and everything to prove.

Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, senior sleuths, and anyone who's ever wanted to throttle someone over a game of bingo. The first in the Sunset Manor Mystery series featuring Violet Hartwell and her band of retirement home rebels.

May cause uncontrollable laughter and an urge to investigate your local bingo night.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

27 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 14, 2025

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death by Bingo
The Sunset Manor Cozy Mystery Series, Book 1

I Picked Up This Book Because: The cover and title were cute.

Media Type: eBook
Source: Kindle
Dates Read: 1/5/26 - 1/7/26
Rating: 3 Stars
Narrator(s):

The Characters:

Violet Hartwell:
Harold Finch (victim),Nurse Bradley Chancy, Delores Martinez, Ethel Kowalski, Agnes Pemberton, Frank Morrison

The Story:

An interesting start to a new adventure. I didn’t feel a real connection to the characters but that somehow didn’t detour me from enjoying the story as it usually would. I’m open to continuing the series however it is not a priority.

[Angela (angie's cozy corner) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5⭐️

This could've been fun and interesting, but it was much to short for me to get even acquainted with the characters 

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story opens with bingo night at Sunset Manor Retirement Home. 73-year-old Harold was calling the numbers when Ethel said “bingo.” Harold didn’t believe her, as this was the first time in 3 years she had won. Harold was upset and picked up the bingo cage. He held it over his head. It slipped from his hands and bonked him on the head. He fell on the floor and died. After a brief investigation, we discover his death was not accidental.
Differing personalities make this short story interesting.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you seen the cover? This has to be one of the best covers I have ever seen. The entire series has covers like this, which draws you in immediately and then you get to the story which was by far the best short story I have read ever!

The characters are hilarious and the mystery was actually good. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short story, but I thought it was such a fun read. The mystery was well thought out and the characters were quirky and quite likeable. Recommend reading. I am looking forward to reading more.

[Jessica Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this was a little longer, so that I could get to know the characters more, but the mystery was still interesting and I did laugh a good bit at a few zingers contained within.

Also, Frank is who I aspire to be when I grow up.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, if murder can be called cute, story about a bunch of quirky senior living residents thinking one co-resident's death wasn't the accident the police thought it was. Very quickly moving but well-organized and fun to read.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute short story

This is a cute short murder mystery set in the sunset manor home. When the bingo caller suddenly dies the residents band together to find out how it happened. A fun quick read.

[Jen Dodrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun cozy!

This short read cozy mystery has all the elements a great cozy needs! I enjoyed the characters so much, and the humor was great! I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute! I think I need more senior citizens mystery stories in my life 🤣

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story. The characters are so funny and I can picture all of the seniors saying everything as I read it. 10/10 would recommend.

[Lee Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read

I started reading and enjoyed the book. I like the characters and loved the way the story unfolded. It was a quick read. Thanks so much

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little story that wraps up nicely. Very quick read and I feel worth your time!

[Dawn Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining little story

Wasn’t much to it, but it was a cute story. The investigation team was a hoot. Those old geezers figured things out.

[Erica Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this short story. It was funny and cute. My favorite character is Frank!

[Karla Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it.

[Book Chronicles · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's just stupid enough to be funny

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but good

I liked the idea of of a short story. Not too completed. Not too many characters. Mystery solved in 2 nights.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story and the first in the series. The main characters are all members of a seniors retirement group at Sunset Manor. They are all from different backgrounds and decide to investigate what they think is a murder. The murdered person is Harold Finch who no one likes but he always calls the bingo numbers and he is driving everyone nuts. It doesn't take this group to figure out who must have done it. Now they have to figure out what to do. Do they turn her in or just forget about it ?