The Alphabet Sleuths

by Laura Jensen Walker

Disposing of a body is as easy as A, B, C! Introducing the Alphabet Girls, four senior gal pals turned accidental sleuths— The Thursday Murder Club meets The Golden Girls, with a splash of Killers of a Certain Age

At sixty-nine years old, Claire Reynolds is changing things up. She’s volunteering. Learning to rollerblade. She’s rescued a shelter dog. And today, she’s killed a man. It wasn’t on her to-do list, but stuff happens.

Besides, the man in question was strangling her good friend Daphne, and what’s a gal to do? Scream, possibly. Call the cops. Or—at retired officer Daphne’s insistence—call in the rest of their senior gal pals, roll up the body in a blanket, and toss it off a cliff.

The dead man is a member of the local crime family, and if the police get involved it’s not just Daphne at risk, it’s them all.

But the body’s just the start. Soon the Alphabet Girls—Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne—must transform into the Alphabet Sleuths, if they’re to keep both their liberty . . . and their lives.

Meet Atsuko Kimura (75, retired journalist), Barbara Wright (age redacted, retired actress), Claire Reynolds (69, retired paralegal), and Daphne Cole (62, retired cop) in the first funny, fast-paced Alphabet Girls Mystery from award-winning author Laura Jensen Walker.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery

256 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

Award-winning author Laura Jensen Walker has written several books, including the Lefty nominated historical fiction, DEATH OF A FLYING NIGHTINGALE. Dubbed "riveting and affecting" by NYT bestselling author Susan Elia MacNeal, this book spotlights a group of real-life overlooked women heroes--the Flying Nightingales--from WWII. An Air Force veteran formerly stationed in the UK, Laura had the great honor of interviewing the last living Flying Nightingale, before she passed.

Bibliophile Laura fell in love with mysteries after reading Trixie Belden in the fourth grade, Her cozy mystery debut, MURDER MOST SWEET (2020) was nominated for an Agatha Award, and her next cozy, THE ALPHABET SLEUTHS, releases in Feb. 2026. Publishers Weekly says about the book: "Walker's feisty, funny, and fully realized seniors easily sit beside the casts of THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB and THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB in the coy pantheon. Readers will be charmed."

THE POSTMISTRESS OF PUDDLINGTON, Laura's second historical novel, features women on the home front in WWII England and releases in August 2026. She is currently at work on a women's fiction novel (aka book club fiction.)

Laura flew a typewriter across Europe in Uncle Sam's Air Force in her twenties, and lived in England for three years where she became a lifelong, tea-loving Anglophile. Shenow lives in Northern California with her Renaissance-man husband and their two rescue pups.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alphabet Sleuths by Laura Jensen Walker

Synopsis /

At sixty-nine years old, Claire Reynolds is changing things up. She’s volunteering. Learning to rollerblade. She’s rescued a shelter dog. And today, she’s killed a man. It wasn’t on her to-do list, but stuff happens.

Besides, the man in question was strangling her good friend Daphne, and what’s a gal to do? Scream, possibly. Call the cops. Or—at retired officer Daphne’s insistence—call in the rest of their senior gal pals, roll up the body in a blanket, and toss it off a cliff.

The dead man is a member of the local crime family, and if the police get involved it’s not just Daphne at risk, it’s them all.

But the body’s just the start. Soon the Alphabet Girls—Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne—must transform into the Alphabet Sleuths, if they’re to keep both their liberty . . . and their lives.


My Thoughts /

'There has to be some benefit to getting old.' 'There is. The benefit of not giving a damn.'

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Severn House and author, Laura Jensen Walker for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

If you are a reader and have NEVER, EVER, EVER, NOT EVEN ONCE, been drawn to a book simply because of the cover, can you really call yourself a reader?

I'm not gonna lie – two things initially drew me to this book – the title and the cover. As a lover of cozies, that title imbibed major cozy mystery vibes; and, when I saw the cover art, my cozy mystery imagination went into overdrive! Now that I've finished the one, I'm happy to say that there are now more things I can add to the list of things I enjoyed.

Author, Laura Jensen Walker has managed to create a set of four main characters you will want to visit with regularly. Meet 75-year-old, retired journalist, Atsuko Kimura; Claire Reynolds, a 69-year old retired paralegal; 62-year old Daphne Cole who's a retired cop; and lastly Barbara Wright – retired actress. Barbara refuses to be defined by her age…….whatever that is………..because her friends have never been able to pry that information from her!

All four ladies are residents at the Cedar Glen retirement community in Santa Bonita, California. It took time for the women to bond, but watching out for each other during the difficult days of COVID helped them forge a deep friendship. Now, five years later, and known locally by most of the Cedar Glen residents as the Alphabet Girls — Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne are rarely found on their own; rather, choosing to spend their time with each other.

Sometimes things happen that are out of your control, and you just have to make the best of it. Recently, Claire had been teaching Daphne how to plant out a garden, but due to a recent shoulder injury, Daphne hasn't been able to finish it. So today, Claire decided she would surprise her friend by coming over and finishing the planting for her. Arriving at Daphne's patio, imagine Claire's surprise when she looked up and saw a hooded figure with his hands around her friend's throat, choking her! Without thinking, and grabbing the first thing available to her, Claire charged into her best friend's living room and hit the intruder over the back of the head. Claire's thoughts were only for the safety of her friend and it wasn't until she had confirmation Daphne was okay that the pair turned their thoughts to the unmoving body on the floor. He was dead.

Claire Reynolds hadn't planned to kill a man that day, but stuff happens.

In true cozy mystery fashion "stuff" continues to happen.

🤩 Laura Jensen Walker's characters are great fun to be with. Despite their differences, the quartet share a strong bonding friendship. It's their complementary differences that make the friendship work.

🤩 The case of secondary characters are worth mentioning. A mixture of other Cedar Glen residents, including Lenny Fink, Cedar Glen's most flirtatious resident and Vince Merlucci, his partner-in-crime. Daphne's (ex)police partner Detective Rick Bartlett is assigned to the case of the missing man (the one lying in Daphne's living room! Shhh!).

🤩 The author has included witty dialogue and humorous banter between our protagonists which made for engaging and entertaining reading.

🤩 It turns out that this is book #2 of the series (An Alphabet Girls Mystery). I have to say that I didn't have any trouble following along (thankfully) and I'm definitely going to source out book #1 toot-sweet!

I loved spending time with the Alphabet Girls and am looking forward to seeing them again soon. 💗

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publishers, Severn House 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for February 03, 2026.

[Kristen Cook - A Book Ninja · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Alphabet Sleuths is typically my type of book. A unique set of characters especially of an advanced age and some sleuthing.

I was not familiar with Laura Jensen Walker's work so I wasn't sure what to expect. Unfortunately, story fell flat for me. There were some points when I enjoyed the book but it felt like it dragged to the point of misery. The story was fine but the writing was lackluster in my opinion.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun!!! This new series is a wonderful addition to the cozy mystery genre. Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne refer to themselves as the "alphabet girls," then later, the "alphabet sleuths" as they find themselves in the middle of an attempted murder, accidental murder, and other suspicious criminal activity occurring on the grounds of their retirement community. Each of these women have vastly different personalities, but the heartfelt, often hilarious friendship they share adds warmth and depth to the mystery not often found in a debut. I can't wait to see what's next for this fabulous foursome! Highly recommend this well-plotted adventure for lovers of The Golden Girls, Rita Lakin's Gladdy Gold mystery series, and cozy mystery readers everywhere. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atsuko Kimura (75, retired journalist)
Barbara Wright (age redacted, retired actress)
Claire Reynolds (69, retired paralegal)
Daphne Cole (62, retired cop)

Combined age = 206++
Previous experience = Investigations, legalese, theatricals, organisation, and noses for details!

Four friends, inquisitive, independent, and loyal, who live at the Cedar Glen retirement community in Santa Bonita, California, find their lives take a sudden turn for the dangerous, exciting, and little bit scary when one of them is attacked. Of course, there is no doubt her three friends will help work out what actually happened, but then a resident dies, and they have to be linked, don't they? Add in a missing gangster, two unsavoury old guys with secrets to keep, and a bent cop, and their days are soon full of activities they had no idea they wanted to partake in. As heartbreaking long-held memories rise to the surface, the danger increases until they realise just how serious everything actually is.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Severn House, but the opinions expressed are my own. The first in a new series by author Laura Jensen Walker, this is a good read, back stories are explored and, as this is written from the pov of the main characters, the information flows seamlessly. The four protagonists are all completely different and have things to hide, but together, they make a great team and compliment each other. It's definitely a series worth giving a try.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable! A group of retired ladies are all good friends and live in the same community. Their names, conveniently, each start with one of the first four letters in the alphabet. They call themselves the Alphabet Girls.

But when Claire walks up on Daphne being strangled by a strange man, she clubs him with a pan, we know the mysteries have just started! This group is so fun! I loved their hijinks and silly banter. I loved how they defended and respected each other and how they also had each other's back.

I liked the introduction to more than one mystery and the way that each one of them handled the twists thrown at them but also made sure to rely on each other. Such a fun, cute, fast read. I really liked it!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows four women (Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne) as they work to solve the murder of one of their neighbors. The women are more on the senior side of life, so this book is quite similar to The Thursday Murder Club, however, I enjoyed this book a bit more! I liked the subplots surrounding the main murder and really appreciated the friendship between these women. Each character was unique, and I felt that I could really relate to Claire!

This book was a feel good, cozy mystery. I liked that the book had a solid conclusion, but still left room for a sequel.

Also, I absolutely adored the title and how the characters fit so well with one another, the story, and the title!

Goodreads - 4
Fable - 3.75

[Literary Redhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this fun and funny mystery with its Golden Girls/Jessica Fletcher vibe. Sequels, please!

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#TheAlphabetSleuths #NetGalley is one of the funniest cozy mysteries I've read in a while.
The Alphabet Girls include Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne, a wonderful group of women who find themselves having to dispose of a dead body.
Claire didn't mean to kill the guy, but what else could she have done when she found him strangling her good friend Daphne?
Hitting him over the head seemed like a good idea, but now what do they do? Hide the body, of course!
This cozy mystery is so well written., the characters are all so unique and colorful, it was a blast to read this book.
I hope there will be other books in this fantastic, new series.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGally and the author Lauren Jensen Walker for allowing me to read this arc. One of my favorite sub genres in a Cozy Murder mystery is “older” sleuths. I can’t wait for more books in this series. The story and writing just flows. . Fast pace. The characters development and plot setting is fabulous. It has mystery, humor, friendship and heart

[Beth Gerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was cute, light, and fluffy, and generally well-written. It is the combo of Osman and Raybourn and Golden Girls as advertised, and things end satisfyingly, like you want them to. The mystery is set up well, the relationships between characters are clear but nuanced and the ending is just surprising enough to do the job. This was a palate cleanser of a book that I enjoyed very much and will happily read more of as they come out.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

[Sanni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall an enjoyable mystery featuring a group of older ladies. Quite funny, with even a few laugh-out-loud moments.

I liked at least three of the four Alphabet Girls. They each had a distinct voice and backstory.

At times the story was quite fast-paced and adventurous. I did expect some frequently mentioned storylines to play a larger role, so maybe the book ended up falling a bit flatter for me in the end.

I just read a review which mentioned the overuse of the phrase "afternoon delight", yes, thank you!

I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

[Tini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisterhood of the traveling body bag, and other mysteries.

"Claire Reynolds hadn't planned to kill a man that day, but stuff happens."

With that formidable opening, Laura Jensen Walker kicks off a new cozy mystery series that's equal parts clever, heartwarming, and delightfully unhinged. Part "The Golden Girls", part "The Thursday Murder Club"'s American cousins, meet Atsuko Kimura (75, retired journalist), Barbara Wright (age redacted, retired actress), Claire Reynolds (69, retired paralegal), and Daphne Cole (62, retired cop). The four women have named their group the Alphabet Girls, but will soon be collectively known as "The Alphabet Sleuths".

At sixty-nine and finally widowed, Claire Reynolds is determined to reinvent herself: volunteering, learning to rollerblade, adopting a dog... and, apparently, committing manslaughter. When a scuffle ends with a dead body on the floor, Claire and her three best friends find themselves in the unenviable position of having to dispose of a corpse. But that's only the beginning - and further proof that life after sixty can be anything but boring.

Capitalizing on the current craze of retirees moonlighting as detectives, "The Alphabet Sleuths" holds its own with a group of formidable women who share a deep friendship, sometimes accidentally kill a bad guy, and prove surprisingly adept at solving crimes. They rely on each other, their unique talents, and a healthy dose of gallows humor while navigating a multitude of mysteries in this cute, heartwarming first installment of this new series.

Walker strikes the perfect tone: brisk and breezy, yet grounded in genuine warmth. The novel is lighthearted and laugh-out-loud funny in places, but it also captures the quiet, tender bonds that form between women who've shared both heartbreak and hilarity. The story bounces effortlessly between the four women's voices, each distinct, funny, and full of personality. Atsuko brings journalistic savvy, Barbara brings flair (and drama), Daphne's got cop instincts, and Claire... well, she's the glue that holds them together.

"The Alphabet Sleuths" is charming, witty, entertaining, and pure joy from start to finish - a cozy crime novel with heart, sass, and just enough chaos to keep you turning pages well past bedtime. I'll absolutely be following these fabulous ladies wherever their next misadventure leads - looks like it might be England!

Many thanks to Severn House for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

"The Alphabet Sleuths" is slated to be released on February 3, 2026.

[Emily Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flew through this book! I love the Alphabet Girls (Atsuko, Barbara, Claire and Daphne), and I really enjoyed the mysteries in this book. Yes, there is more than one! I have been almost exclusively reading murder mysteries this year (primarily of the cozy variety) and I am so pleased to add this to my Read pile, and I'm already looking forward to what the author will deliver next! (A sequel? More crimes for them to solve, pretty please?)

What did I love about this book? Well...

Each of the ladies are distinct from the other, with their flaws and their strengths. I love how they clearly respect and support each other, and have frank conversations where they hold themselves and each other accountable, while also giving space. It was a very healthy dynamic. I also appreciated that they formed their friendship in the pandemic and we are now seeing the solid bonds they have, vs spending time in the story building the bonds. That way we, the audience, could devote more time to the mysteries and how the ladies work together to solve them.

I also enjoyed all of the side characters. Some were frustrating, and the rest were characters I'd hope to see again. The format of their introductions, along with having a foursome in the middle, reminded me a lot of The Thursday Murder Club, but was unique enough to hold my interest. Perhaps I'm on something of a trend with older-mystery-solvers? (See also Killers of a Certain Age).

There were some things I struggled with though. Namely, the pacing. This book is fast . Very very fast. I flew through this book, but also it felt like the characters were rushing to the conclusion. You didn't get a lot of time to really sit with them as they processed what was happening to them. There could have been about 30 more pages to really sit with some of the plot points. Speaking of the plot, I was able to guess the murderers pretty early. Maybe because it's the first book in a (hopefully) series, and it was more formulaic as a result, but I hope the next one has a bit more twists.

Overall, this book was just fun! I was metaphorically kicking my feet in glee at the shenanigans. I'm excited to see what the Alphabet Sleuths get up to next.

Big thanks to #NetGalley and #SevernHousePublishing for the ARC!

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action starts early in this book with the following first sentence: "Claire Reynolds hadn't planned to kill a man that day, but stuff happens." Stuff does indeed continue to happen after that as the self-described Alphabet Girls, Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne, become the Alphabet Sleuths. The women are residents of a retirement community in California and became close friends during the COVID pandemic. They're very different in temperament, life histories, and attitudes to aging and life, but they're a close and supportive group of friends. As the book opens, Claire is gardening and looks up to see Daphne, who is recovering from surgery on her arm, being strangled by a strange man. Claire rushes up to help her friend and inadvertently kills the guy. Plot ensues from there. I want to avoid spoilers so won't say much more about the plot here.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. The characters are fun to be with and their relationships with each other are lovely. They can each be exasperating in their own ways and are often funny. Some of the other characters in the book are quirky in the ways you'd expect in a cozy mystery and some were more sinister. The story kept me interested from that opening sentence through to the end. There are a couple of other mysteries that occur as the book goes on and it's unclear at first whether they're all related or not. All loose ends are tied up by the end of the book in a satisfying ending. If I had one quibble with the book it's a very minor one and that was what seemed like an overuse of the phrase "afternoon delight." This is a fun read that touches on some serious topics along the way, but with a light touch. Some of these involve the backstories of the characters, which are seamlessly inserted into the narrative. If you like cozy mysteries with older women protagonists and some humor, this may well be a book for you. It's a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚The Alphabet Sleuths
✍🏻Laura Jensen Walker
Blurb:
Disposing of a body is as easy as A, B, C! Introducing the Alphabet Girls, four senior gal pals turned accidental sleuths— The Thursday Murder Club meets The Golden Girls, with a splash of Killers of a Certain Age

At sixty-nine years old, Claire Reynolds is changing things up. She’s volunteering. Learning to rollerblade. She’s rescued a shelter dog. And today, she’s killed a man. It wasn’t on her to-do list, but stuff happens.

Besides, the man in question was strangling her good friend Daphne, and what’s a gal to do? Scream, possibly. Call the cops. Or—at retired officer Daphne’s insistence—call in the rest of their senior gal pals, roll up the body in a blanket, and toss it off a cliff.

The dead man is a member of the local crime family, and if the police get involved it’s not just Daphne at risk, it’s them all.

But the body’s just the start. Soon the Alphabet Girls—Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne—must transform into the Alphabet Sleuths, if they’re to keep both their liberty . . . and their lives.

Meet Atsuko Kimura (75, retired journalist), Barbara Wright (age redacted, retired actress), Claire Reynolds (69, retired paralegal), and Daphne Cole (62, retired cop) in the first funny, fast-paced Alphabet Girls Mystery from award-winning author Laura Jensen Walker.
My Thoughts:
This was an easy to read mystery, with a group of retired friends who'd do anything for each other - even if that 'anything' includes hiding a body. I found the friendships to be believable, and I was wholly invested in finding out about Evelyn's hidden life. I loved the way diary entries from the past were incorporated into solving it. If you like cozy mysteries with older women protagonists and some humor, this may well be a book for you. It's a great read.
Thanks NetGalley, Severn House and Author Laura Jensen Walker for the advanced copy of "The Alphabet Sleuths" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SevernHouse
#LauraJensensWalker
#TheAlaphabetSleuths
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Margie Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Jensen Walker's The Alphabet Sleuths feels like the start of a new series, building on the popularity of books about seniors who solve crimes. Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne, each living in a separate home in a retirement complex, have become fast friends, although their backgrounds are quite different. Atsuko was a journalist, Barbara an actress, Claire a paralegal and medical office worker, and Daphne a cop. Their ages range from 62 to"not telling," but they are still full of life and savoring new experiences.

One night, Claire enters Daphne's house to find a man trying to strangle her friend, and she reacts quickly, hitting the man from behind with such force that he dies instantly. He was a criminal apprehended by Daphne years earlier and just released from prison, having threatened revenge on her. The ladies put their heads together to figure out how to dispose of the body where it will never be found. But the story is just taking off at that point. There are also some thefts among the residents, some loud arguments and petty disagreements, and then another murder, thickening the plot further.

Each one of the Alphabet Sleuths is clearly portrayed, with details about her history, her family, spouses and romances, and what she wants from her retirement, making them easy to root for. Was what they did legal or advisable? Of course not, but was it understandable? Definitely. A couple of the male residents are portrayed as slimy, but at least one man may be true romantic partner material. It's a quick read, but a lot of fun. I hope there are further adventures for the Alphabet sleuths.

My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.

[Selah Grae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alphabet Sleuths was a very quick, quirky, and entertaining read that kept me turning the pages. It’s the kind of murder mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously and leans into fun, personality, and momentum instead of heavy serious tones.

Much of the story felt far-fetched and fairly superficial, jumping from one happening to the next with quick wrap-ups that sometimes left noticeable gaps. At times it felt like the book was skimming the surface of several ideas instead of fully diving into any one of them, almost like multiple mini storylines stitched together with the same cast of characters.
That said, the final 20% really elevated the book for me. The story gained more depth and meaning, tying together some loose threads and giving the overall narrative a stronger emotional payoff. It suddenly felt more cohesive and intentional, which made the earlier chaos more forgivable in hindsight.

Some of the language and activities didn’t feel entirely realistic for the older adult characters, and the high-energy antics were a bit over the top. However, the internal dialogue and "frisky" behavior did fit the Golden Girls–style reference, and I genuinely appreciated the variety in personalities among the characters.

Overall, The Alphabet Sleuths kept me entertained and delivered a fun, lighthearted murder mystery. While it may not be the most grounded or deeply developed story throughout, its charm, humor, and stronger ending made it an enjoyable read.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and may differ from the final published version.*

[Deborah Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have made my first delightful discovery of my reading year. This is a new author and a first in a new series for me, and I am grateful to #Netgally, #SevernHouse, and the author for an opportunity to discover. The Alphabet Sleuths tells a story of friendship developed among four ladies of a certain age who are neighbors in a condo complex for seniors. Very different people, ranging in age from 62 to high 70's, with one doing non-disclosure, Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne are fascinating ladies first thrown together by the pandemic, then developing deep friendships. When Daphne, a retired policewoman, finds herself in a very scary situation, the ladies pitch in to make things right! Just when they think they have handled a huge obstacle, Claire finds another neighbor Evelyn dead in her condo, and when it turns out she was murdered the ladies decide to find answers. This book was enjoyable for several reasons. First, I love that these ladies, despite their ages, are vital and relevant. Probably because of my age, I can relate to their backgrounds and life stories! Next, the ladies have former professions that lend you to believe what and how they investigate, including a policewoman, an investigative reporter, and a paralegal. Finally , despite their differences, you can really feel the bond and commitments these ladies share. I loved everything about this tale and can't wait for more! #TheAlphabetSleuths #SevernHouse #LauraJensenWalker #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think Golden Girls meets Thursday Murder Club, all set in a small California town. It's a cost murder mystery that's filled with older mc's and them defying the stereotypical "retiree".

Between them they had careers as a journalist, a cop, a paralegal and actress. They bring together a collection of starkly different but rather useful set of skills. They were brought together during Covid and their friendship grew stronger, Cedar Glen is usually a quiet and boring place to live but with one of the girls attracting trouble, it doesn't look like it will stay that way for long.

Poor Claire. She is the most timid of the bunch, thanks to her odious and plainly misogynistic, abusive a-hole of a late husband) but she grows a spine when she sees her friend in a fight for her life. She never thought she's end up living out an episode of one of her favourite TV dramas.

With Daphne's past coming back to haunt her, she's in for a shock when her old partner turns up too! There's also the new handyman/retired Teacher Mark, who is taking tentative steps to befriend Claire and her dog. There are plenty of madcap senior citizens filling the secondary character roster and the banter is witty. There are actually a few mysteries to be solved along the way, all leading to solving the main crime so it really felt that you got your money's worth!

The friends may have nothing very much in common at first glance but they actually share a deep bond and their differences are actually what makes them such good friends. Daphne may be my favourite but Barbara has some of the best lines and scenes (she is so Blanche Deveraux - my gen x is showing!!!)

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute cozy mystery featuring four clever, savvy and strong women - over 60! I love these kinds of books. It’s refreshing to have protagonists that are older - not necessarily wiser - and who are fast friends.

Atsuko, Barbara, Claire and Daphne live in a senior community in California and become accidental sleuths over a few events!!! I don’t want to give too much away because the story is so cute and clever, you really need to read to enjoy. Suffice it to say, though, they get involved in investigating the murder of one of their neighbors as well as a local crime family (to protect themselves). The four are resourceful, intelligent and get the job done (maybe). Along the way, the women get to enjoy perhaps some worthy male attention.

I think the author did a good job of character development. Each of the women is different and has complimentary talents. They make a great team - and care for one another as well. I also found the story binge-worthy so I finished it quickly. I hope there is another book.

If you like the Thursday Murder Club or even How to Age Disgracefully by Claire Pooley, this one’s for you.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn Books for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Melissa-Sue Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Claire Reynolds hadn't planned to kill a man that day, but stuff happens". The story hooked me from this very first line and kept me well and truly gripped the entire way through.

The Alphabet Sleuths is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and wholesome cosy mystery story about four mature-women that live in a retirement complex, and are faced with multiple mysteries to solve, including murder! The story is very cleverly plotted and will keep you wanting to know what happens next. I dare you to try NOT to read it all in one sitting!

Along the way you get a deeper insight to each of the women and their pasts, you can't help but root for this bada** quartet that demonstrate you're truly only ever as old as you feel.

Fans of The Thursday Murder Club and Golden Girls will love this cosy mystery. I absolutely loved it and I hope it becomes a series - I'm dying to know what the Alphabet Girls get up to on their next adventure!

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Severn House, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this better than average cosy. Set in a retirement community in Southern California, Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne meet during the covid era. Though all quite different, they bond through shared difficulties. Now they have another difficulty, disposing of a dead body. Benny Popov, just out of prison has come to exact his revenge on Daphne, the retired cop who sent him down. Claire happens by to discover Benny choking the life out of Daphne. She goes to help her friend and accidentally kills him. Soon robberies and a neighbor is found murdered, and the four friends discover they have a talent and a taste for solving crime.
This book will appeal to fans of Richard Osman. The characters are well formed and quite believable. Minimal mention of sex, violence or bad language, the book shouldn’t offend any sensitive readers. Humorous and light hearted, it is an easy read. I would recommend this book.
Thank you Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[BonLivre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy pub day #TheAlphabetSleuths! This delightfully light cozy mystery did not disappoint. While a pretty hefty allowance of suspended disbelief was required from the reader, author Laura Jensen Walker delivers a charming community of fearless friends who do not shy away from intrigue, suspense...or even murder. Admittedly, the mystery itself seemed to only be a slow simmer at first, but actually resolved in a satisfying way that only a cozy mystery novel can offer. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the cultural easter eggs throughout the book - from Escape to the Country, Queen songs, and literary references - there was something for everyone. In fact, this level of quilted plot and character detail earned a full star. I agree that avid readers of this sub-genre - spunky seniors getting into shenanigans - will be glad to meet the endearing "A, B, C, and D" sleuths as they hopefully continue together on more adventures. Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Kellie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book description had me hooked. Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, & Daphne are the Alphabet Girls and they’re tons of fun.

The book is very well written and packed with twists and turns I genuinely didn’t see coming. The girls quickly graduate from committing a crime to solving them. It was a quick read and impossible to put down once I started.

The character dynamics really did it for me. Claire and Barbara are both natural comedians bringing levity to their situation. Daphne and Atsuko are more of a no nonsense variety bringing the perfect balance to the group. I love how fiercely independent each of the girls is, with every character’s voice coming through distinct and strong.

The ending was a complete surprise to me, and I can’t wait to pick up the next volume in this cozy mystery series. (I'm so happy to see Daphne isn't ready to hang up her gun just yet.)

I appreciate the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher Severn House.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covid at the Retirement Home Village brought the Alphabet Girls-Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne-together but murder and their attempt to get rid of the body bonds them as #TheAlphabetSleuths. Each gal is about as different as The Golden Girls but my favorite character was Atsuko, a retired journalist and so is the practical one who ponders on the repercussions of her part in the crime and had had a loving marriage and had moved to Santa Bonita to be closer to her children and grandchildren after her husband died. The characters in the Village include some wacky persons plus a caring manager.. Will they get by with the crime or will the dead victim, a notorious crime boss, family discover their identity? Love the witty dialogue in this quick read. I’m hoping prolific author #LauraJensenWalker already is busy writing the second or third book in this new series. Thanks to NetGalley and #SevernHouse for an e-digital ARC of this book; the opinions are solely my own.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Claire Reynolds hadn't planned to kill a man that day, but stuff happens." When Claire accidentally kills the man that was trying to kill Daphne, they hide the body and try to keep it quiet especially after Daphne's former partner shows up. After a resident of Cedar Glen is murdered in her condo the women join forces to figure out who the murderer is.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are likeable and I love a good senior sleuth story. Other than the murder we had the previously mentioned hiding of a body, a possible thief in the retirement community, and some questionable behavior from Daphne's former partner. There's a lot going on but it's easy to follow and there are enough red herrings to keep you guessing as to whodunnit.
Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Mythical Bookwrym · Rating 3 out of 5]

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This was an easy to read mystery, with a group of retired friends who'd do anything for each other - even if that 'anything' includes hiding a body. I found the friendships to be believable, and I was wholly invested in finding out about Evelyn's hidden life.

That said, the pacing is all over the place.

There where some chapters that had good pacing, with well described details that allowed me to guess at the solution to the developing mystery. And there where some that felt rushed and disjointed, especially towards the end of the book. The POV would snap from one character to the next, and I found it hard to keep track of who was where.

All in all, an enjoyable read that'll keep you entertained throughout.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had enjoyed Laura Jensen Walker's earlier works, which were written with Christian fiction publishers, so grabbed The Alphabet Sleuths when I saw it available.
The mystery is similar to if the Golden Girls decided to solve mysteries. Four women live at a nursing home (Atsuko, Barbara, Claire, and Daphne) and they find themselves having to hide a body after one of them kills him. OF course, that's not the end of the story as more adventures arise due to his demise.
I had a lot of hope for this book, but it did disappoint. While the book was not published as Christian, I was hoping for cleaner language since I loved the author's earlier works. I do love that it was retired women as the main characters and the friendship they had.
I received a complimentary copy of this mystery thanks to NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapter of this story hooked me from the beginning since I didn't expect an accidental murder in the first few pages. Wow!

Four women of a "certain age" are friends in the Cedar Glen retirement community. Atsuko, Barbara, Claire nd Daphne are each unique in personality and life experiences; but they blend well together in this community after having weathered the pandemic together. The story is smoothly paced as more mysteries emerge with another murder, theft and more all within the community that they call home. I confess that I did feel like the story did drag some in the middle but the end picked up quickly and the dramatic conclusions really pulled everything together.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever pictured the Golden Girls in a cozy mystery this is what you get. Though set in California. Four retired women became friends during Covid and are still going strong. Who else are you suppose to rely on when you kill someone trying to kill your friend and one insists for everyone's safety you need to get rid of the body. Well, Claire, Daphne, Barbara and Atsuko have each other's back. Then another member of the community is murdered. Something is rotten in town and the Alphabet Girls, now the Alphabet Sleuths are determined to find out what is going on.

This was a lot of fun. Intelligent, witty, great characterization, plenty of action and most important strong friendships make this a winner. Never mind that it is a decent mystery too.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for and ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.