What do you think?
Rate this book
Almost Criminal
Not yet published
Expected 24 Mar 26A disenchanted husband and wife. One reckless move. With a little luck, a tank full of gas, and an unexpected accomplice, they’ll go far in this funny and exhilarating novel about friendship, redemption, and reinvention on the run.
Tina and Markus Michel are an unexceptional couple with a mountain of debt and dead-end jobs. Until Markus impulsively robs a gas station (with a toy gun) and goes on the lam with a blindsided Tina and an accidental octogenarian hostage, Oskar Krauss.
But Oskar is far from the frail nursing home resident he’s portrayed as in the media. In fact, the spry and shrewd ex–petty criminal is in his element again, helping the anxious, middle-aged Bonnie and Clyde navigate an escape plan that turns a not-so-run-of-the-mill day absurdly on its head. The world is watching. The police give chase. And with every mile and exhilarating new day, Tina and Markus realize that leaving the conventional life behind for the thrilling unknown could be the best thing that ever happened.
As for Oskar, he has a destination and a lost love in mind—and surprises in store as a cross-country getaway becomes the adventure of a lifetime.
Tina and Markus Michel are an unexceptional couple with a mountain of debt and dead-end jobs. Until Markus impulsively robs a gas station (with a toy gun) and goes on the lam with a blindsided Tina and an accidental octogenarian hostage, Oskar Krauss.
But Oskar is far from the frail nursing home resident he’s portrayed as in the media. In fact, the spry and shrewd ex–petty criminal is in his element again, helping the anxious, middle-aged Bonnie and Clyde navigate an escape plan that turns a not-so-run-of-the-mill day absurdly on its head. The world is watching. The police give chase. And with every mile and exhilarating new day, Tina and Markus realize that leaving the conventional life behind for the thrilling unknown could be the best thing that ever happened.
As for Oskar, he has a destination and a lost love in mind—and surprises in store as a cross-country getaway becomes the adventure of a lifetime.
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 24, 2026
26 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 28, 2025
📖 THE STORY
Almost Criminal takes an ordinary, exhausted couple and throws them into the wildest, most unexpectedly heartwarming adventure of their lives. Tina and Markus, buried under debt and disappointment, end up on the run with Oskar — an octogenarian who is absolutely not the fragile “victim” he appears to be. What begins as a chaotic mistake quickly becomes something far more meaningful: a chance for all three of them to rediscover who they are, what they want, and how much life they still have left to live. It’s funny, warm, chaotic, and surprisingly tender.
♥️ WHAT I LOVED
What really stole my heart in this story was the second-chance love for Oskar — watching him reconnect with a lost love was such a tender, beautiful thread. I also adored the way Tina and Markus found their way back to each other through sheer chaos; seeing them rediscover their connection was surprisingly moving. The theme of new beginnings born from mess and mayhem hit perfectly for me, the idea that sometimes life has to fall apart to make room for something better. And of course, the found-family dynamic absolutely shone — I’m always a sucker for it, and this trio delivered peak chaotic–heartfelt bliss. Oskar completely stole the show too; mischievous, sharp, and full of life, he was hands down my favourite character. I’ll never say no to an older character who brings humour, wisdom, and just the right amount of trouble.
🤔 WHAT DIDN’T QUITE LAND
Some pacing dips: A few scenes linger longer than they need to, but the charm makes up for it.
💡 OVERALL
This story is warm, funny, chaotic in all the right ways, and full of heart. I loved the way second chances — in love, in life, in relationships — are woven through the narrative. Tina and Markus will never go back to their old lives and honestly? That’s the beauty of it. Almost Criminal is a delightful reminder that sometimes the best things come from the messiest moments, and that found family (especially when it includes a mischievous old man like Oskar) can make all the difference.
A lovely, heartfelt read with charm and humour in every chapter. a paints him to be. Sharp, mischievous, and more than a little too comfortable with crime, he slides right back into old habits and becomes the unlikely mastermind of their getaway. As the trio races across the country, the police close in, the public becomes obsessed, and Tina and Markus start to realise that ditching their dead-end lives for the unknown might be the best decision they’ve ever made.
And Oskar? He has his own mission — a destination, a lost love, and a few surprises that turn this impulsive escape into the adventure none of them saw coming.
💫 Thank you to NetGalley and AmazonCrossing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review💫
Almost Criminal takes an ordinary, exhausted couple and throws them into the wildest, most unexpectedly heartwarming adventure of their lives. Tina and Markus, buried under debt and disappointment, end up on the run with Oskar — an octogenarian who is absolutely not the fragile “victim” he appears to be. What begins as a chaotic mistake quickly becomes something far more meaningful: a chance for all three of them to rediscover who they are, what they want, and how much life they still have left to live. It’s funny, warm, chaotic, and surprisingly tender.
♥️ WHAT I LOVED
What really stole my heart in this story was the second-chance love for Oskar — watching him reconnect with a lost love was such a tender, beautiful thread. I also adored the way Tina and Markus found their way back to each other through sheer chaos; seeing them rediscover their connection was surprisingly moving. The theme of new beginnings born from mess and mayhem hit perfectly for me, the idea that sometimes life has to fall apart to make room for something better. And of course, the found-family dynamic absolutely shone — I’m always a sucker for it, and this trio delivered peak chaotic–heartfelt bliss. Oskar completely stole the show too; mischievous, sharp, and full of life, he was hands down my favourite character. I’ll never say no to an older character who brings humour, wisdom, and just the right amount of trouble.
🤔 WHAT DIDN’T QUITE LAND
Some pacing dips: A few scenes linger longer than they need to, but the charm makes up for it.
💡 OVERALL
This story is warm, funny, chaotic in all the right ways, and full of heart. I loved the way second chances — in love, in life, in relationships — are woven through the narrative. Tina and Markus will never go back to their old lives and honestly? That’s the beauty of it. Almost Criminal is a delightful reminder that sometimes the best things come from the messiest moments, and that found family (especially when it includes a mischievous old man like Oskar) can make all the difference.
A lovely, heartfelt read with charm and humour in every chapter. a paints him to be. Sharp, mischievous, and more than a little too comfortable with crime, he slides right back into old habits and becomes the unlikely mastermind of their getaway. As the trio races across the country, the police close in, the public becomes obsessed, and Tina and Markus start to realise that ditching their dead-end lives for the unknown might be the best decision they’ve ever made.
And Oskar? He has his own mission — a destination, a lost love, and a few surprises that turn this impulsive escape into the adventure none of them saw coming.
💫 Thank you to NetGalley and AmazonCrossing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review💫
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2025
Ever feel like you’re wasting your life away working at your mundane job where you’re barely getting by? Where everything seems to be falling apart and no matter how hard you try, it’s one step forward and two steps back? Where there’s literally no more edges to “trim-the-fat” as they say. Well that is where Almost Criminal starts!
After being at their wit’s end, Tina discover’s Markus, her husband, robbing a gas station. To her dismay, she now not only finds herself to be an accomplice to the robbery, but an abductor of an elderly man as well.
While they aren’t bad people, just ones who drew the short in of the stick in life, Tina and Markus are stuck with their new travel companion Oskar as he has zero intentions of returning to the nursing home.
This books is a wholesome, morally grey, story portraying their journey on a way to a new life.
Oskar is the star of the show, undoubtedly, as he has plenty of witting, blunt, and hilarious things to say. It’s true in real life, as well in this book - the older you get, the less filter you have!
While I don’t condone robbery or thief, I sense the plot more or less wants to persuade people that if you aren’t happy where you are in life, it’s up to you to change it. Step out of your comfort zone. Otherwise, nothing will change.
This is a quick easy read at a little over 200 pages. Definitely recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and AmazonCrossing for the ARC and thank you Ulrike Herwig for allowing me to read your book!
After being at their wit’s end, Tina discover’s Markus, her husband, robbing a gas station. To her dismay, she now not only finds herself to be an accomplice to the robbery, but an abductor of an elderly man as well.
While they aren’t bad people, just ones who drew the short in of the stick in life, Tina and Markus are stuck with their new travel companion Oskar as he has zero intentions of returning to the nursing home.
This books is a wholesome, morally grey, story portraying their journey on a way to a new life.
Oskar is the star of the show, undoubtedly, as he has plenty of witting, blunt, and hilarious things to say. It’s true in real life, as well in this book - the older you get, the less filter you have!
While I don’t condone robbery or thief, I sense the plot more or less wants to persuade people that if you aren’t happy where you are in life, it’s up to you to change it. Step out of your comfort zone. Otherwise, nothing will change.
This is a quick easy read at a little over 200 pages. Definitely recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and AmazonCrossing for the ARC and thank you Ulrike Herwig for allowing me to read your book!
November 24, 2025
Almost Criminal by Ulrike Herwig is a funny, cozy novel. I loved it. The characters were endearing and you will love them. Oskar was my favorite. I read this in a couple hours. It's a quick read at 207 pages. It is scheduled for release March 24 2026. You definitely need to mark your calendar to get your copy.
Synopsis-" Tina and Markus Michel are an unexceptional couple with a mountain of debt and dead-end jobs. Until Markus impulsively robs a gas station (with a toy gun) and goes on the lam with a blindsided Tina and an accidental octogenarian hostage, Oskar Krauss."
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon crossing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Don't forget to look for this book March 24 2026
Synopsis-" Tina and Markus Michel are an unexceptional couple with a mountain of debt and dead-end jobs. Until Markus impulsively robs a gas station (with a toy gun) and goes on the lam with a blindsided Tina and an accidental octogenarian hostage, Oskar Krauss."
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon crossing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Don't forget to look for this book March 24 2026
January 9, 2026
Almost Criminal is a light, clever story about what happens when one bad decision turns into the best kind of adventure. It finds humor and heart in chaos, showing how letting go of the everyday grind can wake you up again and make you grateful for the little things in life that really matter. The chemistry between the main characters gives everything an extra spark. They’re partners in both minor crimes and discovery of themselves, and that’s what makes it such an enjoyable ride.
Almost Criminal is funny and full of charm — a reminder that sometimes making a mess is exactly what we need to feel alive again.
Almost Criminal is funny and full of charm — a reminder that sometimes making a mess is exactly what we need to feel alive again.
December 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Crossing and Ulrike Herwig for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
Almost Criminal is amazing. The characters are just the right amount of morally grey. I fell in love with Oskar right from the start. For what starts out as a chaotic mess, turns turns into something completely different... something meaningful. The world building is excellent. The flow is a perfect pace.
I truly recommend that y'all get y'alls hands on this one.
Almost Criminal is amazing. The characters are just the right amount of morally grey. I fell in love with Oskar right from the start. For what starts out as a chaotic mess, turns turns into something completely different... something meaningful. The world building is excellent. The flow is a perfect pace.
I truly recommend that y'all get y'alls hands on this one.
December 16, 2025
Quirky and a bit far fetched but the themes of found family, second chances, and society’s response to aging all resonated. It is a delightful book. Very enjoyable. Thank you to the publisher and Rachel Reynolds,the translator, for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
absolutely wild ride. when our protag discovers her husband stole a car and robbed a gas station, she did not expect Oskar, the lovable retired criminal, to be the frail man in the trunk. With his guidance, they go on a wild, wild ride. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley & the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Quick, entertaining, heartfelt, absolutely adorable, and a great escape read!
Quick, entertaining, heartfelt, absolutely adorable, and a great escape read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews