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Sunset Gardens
"Because every life deserves a beautiful sunset"
Welcome to Sunset Gardens, where the beds are comfortable, the tea is hot, and the residents don't tend to stay long. And yes, sunset is a euphemism for dying.
After a nasty fall over the winter, ornery Ernest Whitaker finds himself moving into the esteemed nursing facility for his own long-term care. But once you check in, you can never check out. And before long, Ernest has to face the harsh reality of exactly what people are expected to do in a place like this. They die.
But when Ernest forges an unlikely alliance with Dorothy "Dot" Pemberton, another of the home's residents, they begin to suspect something sinister is afoot, and that the occupants of Sunset Gardens may be meeting an unfortunate end sooner than anticipated.
It's up to Ernest and Dot, together with the rest of their unlikely group of silver sleuths, to find out the truth, and solve the mystery before death comes knocking at the door for them next.
Welcome to Sunset Gardens, where the beds are comfortable, the tea is hot, and the residents don't tend to stay long. And yes, sunset is a euphemism for dying.
After a nasty fall over the winter, ornery Ernest Whitaker finds himself moving into the esteemed nursing facility for his own long-term care. But once you check in, you can never check out. And before long, Ernest has to face the harsh reality of exactly what people are expected to do in a place like this. They die.
But when Ernest forges an unlikely alliance with Dorothy "Dot" Pemberton, another of the home's residents, they begin to suspect something sinister is afoot, and that the occupants of Sunset Gardens may be meeting an unfortunate end sooner than anticipated.
It's up to Ernest and Dot, together with the rest of their unlikely group of silver sleuths, to find out the truth, and solve the mystery before death comes knocking at the door for them next.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2025
4 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. McKenna
5 books14 followersPeter J. McKenna, the author of tales such as, "The Black Lotus" and “Misperception,” was born and raised in Albany, NY. He enjoys all kinds of fiction, but with a particular interest in mysteries and thrillers. Although immune to most human diseases, Peter caught the writing bug at an early age and has been enamored with the craft of storytelling ever since. In the fifth grade, he managed to fill up two whole notebooks with short stories. Currently, he's improved to writing at a sixth-grade level, which is pretty impressive for someone at his advanced age. Peter lives in Albany with his girlfriend, Lauren, and their cats, Pancake and Pop Tart, where he is working on future publications.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 15, 2026
Sunset Gardens was one of the most perfect cozy mysteries I’ve read in a while. I’ve been blessed with a large family and surrounded by many older relatives, and as I read through the chapters, I was reminded of people I’ve known throughout my life. Aside from the mystery itself, it was those small details of later life that truly resonated with me.
Ernest and Dot were absolutely lovely characters. I enjoyed their conversations and found myself smiling at their banter more than once. The other characters were equally well written and memorable. The story reflects different phases of later life along with a variety of relationships. Some stories felt realistically lived-in while others felt as though they deserved more light and joy in their lives. I appreciated how the mystery surrounding Sunset Gardens unfolded. It was engaging, well-paced, and thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.
This was a wonderful read, and I would happily recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good book.
Ernest and Dot were absolutely lovely characters. I enjoyed their conversations and found myself smiling at their banter more than once. The other characters were equally well written and memorable. The story reflects different phases of later life along with a variety of relationships. Some stories felt realistically lived-in while others felt as though they deserved more light and joy in their lives. I appreciated how the mystery surrounding Sunset Gardens unfolded. It was engaging, well-paced, and thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.
This was a wonderful read, and I would happily recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good book.
January 4, 2026
Five stars, all around. Sunset Gardens is a beautifully written, gripping story that I genuinely could not put down. From the first pages, I was hooked—and I stayed on the edge of my seat right up until the very end (though admittedly I had a suspicion of who the killer was about 75% through the book!).
Peter J. McKenna’s storytelling is outstanding: creative, immersive, and perfectly paced. The characters are especially memorable—some deeply lovable, others wildly detestable—and that balance makes the character development feel rich and real. You’re invested in them whether you want to be or not, which is exactly what great fiction does.
Overall, this was a wonderful, easy read that still packed emotional depth and tension. Without a doubt, this is Peter J. McKenna’s best book yet.
12/10 recommend. Would read again. Will absolutely annoy friends by telling them to read it immediately.
Peter J. McKenna’s storytelling is outstanding: creative, immersive, and perfectly paced. The characters are especially memorable—some deeply lovable, others wildly detestable—and that balance makes the character development feel rich and real. You’re invested in them whether you want to be or not, which is exactly what great fiction does.
Overall, this was a wonderful, easy read that still packed emotional depth and tension. Without a doubt, this is Peter J. McKenna’s best book yet.
12/10 recommend. Would read again. Will absolutely annoy friends by telling them to read it immediately.
January 10, 2026
"Sunset Gardens" by Peter J. McKenna is a crime mystery novel following the suspicious circumstances surrounding deaths at an old folks' home. Or are they suspicious? They're old, right?
In this novel the author explores difficulties faced at the end of one's life, when relationships falter and the value placed on a life is put to question. Centering elderly characters as our main protagonists allows us to explore these problems from the perspectives of the people affected most by the solutions.
While that may seem very depressing, Peter J. Mckenna's humor is what keeps this book fun and light without minimizing the themes or dehumanizing his elderly protagonists. In fact, the main characters of Dot and Earnest had well-rounded personalities that you may recognize in someone in your own life.
I highly recommend giving this one a read if you enjoy trying to solve a mystery and want to read from the perspective of an underrepresented portion of the population.
In this novel the author explores difficulties faced at the end of one's life, when relationships falter and the value placed on a life is put to question. Centering elderly characters as our main protagonists allows us to explore these problems from the perspectives of the people affected most by the solutions.
While that may seem very depressing, Peter J. Mckenna's humor is what keeps this book fun and light without minimizing the themes or dehumanizing his elderly protagonists. In fact, the main characters of Dot and Earnest had well-rounded personalities that you may recognize in someone in your own life.
I highly recommend giving this one a read if you enjoy trying to solve a mystery and want to read from the perspective of an underrepresented portion of the population.
January 11, 2026
I really enjoyed Sunset Gardens, the first cozy mystery that I’ve had the pleasure of reading by author Peter McKenna. Cozies are one of my favorite genres to read and I was sucked in right away by the setting and the characters. Ernest is none too pleased that his daughter and son-in-law are moving him to a nursing home. He’s even more suspicious when he notes a body bag coming out of the room he’s being moved to on the day of their arrival. Dot was one of my favorite characters, and reminded me so much of my grandmother—always in charge and lots of sass. She, Ernest and the other residents are convinced someone at the nursing home is up to no good, that the deaths that are occurring at Sunset Gardens aren’t natural in the slightest. And of course, it would be the perfect crime. Who would suspect or even investigate when an elderly man in his nineties passes away? But can they track down the killer before they’re next? I loved all the characters in this and hope Peter McKenna writes more in this genre. Such a treat! 5/5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews