The Senior Sleuths: Dead In Bed

by M. Glenda Rosen

This series of murder and mayhem is written in a modern noir style.Like Nick and Nora Charles from “The Thin Man” series, Dick and Dora Zimmerman from “The Senior Sleuths,” solve crimes, especially murders in surprising locations such as when a dead body is found in an icebox with a note that says, “Contents rotten.” Dick and Dora Zimmerman, along with Zero the Bookie and a fascinating cast of other characters, strive for justice. That is not always an easy thing to accomplish when the bad guy is just as determined to strive for injustice!

Still in their early sixties, the Zimmerman’s not only have the time—but the money, the smarts and the chutzpah—to get involved even when they are warned by police and criminals to stay away. Moreover, other condo residents where they live in Manhattan and Las Vegas seek Dick and Dora’s help whenever they suspect any foul play! No hardboiled, hard-drinking detectives, these two are soft-boiled lovers of champagne and the good-life sleuths.

217 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2018

Reviews

[Lynda Birch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many people think that dying in bed, preferably during sleep, is a pleasant way to go. That thought doesn’t normally include a knife in the chest but that’s the unfortunate way things ended for tango instructor, Alphonse Romero, who was found most definitely dead in bed. Not an unusual way to start a murder mystery except that the murder takes place in an exclusive condo building, occupied by wealthy active seniors. The investigation into the murder is led by retired Dick and Dora Zimmerman and their motley cohorts, some with interesting names like Zero the Bookie or Frankie Socks. These names alone tell you to expect some humor and fun.

Overall, the book was a fun read and I finished it quickly. But I really believe the author tried to do too much. The story takes you through different areas of New York, such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Meatpacking area and the author includes historical background on these areas and some history on the “Mob” which is key to the story. She got somewhat preachy once or twice which I found strangely out of place. By the end of the rather meandering story, I disappointingly didn’t feel I knew the characters very well. Unlike other senior sleuths, these seniors are not put at a disadvantage or advantage because of their age (except for Bertie) – so why even bother to make them seniors?

This is definitely a cozy mystery, no graphic scenes here. Despite the book being less than what I was anticipating, I’ll still give the second book a try to see if things improve.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disjointed mess of a book that would create unnecessary mysteries to attempt to build intrigue that led to nothing, such as hiding the identity of certain characters even when the leads know who they are. The neighbor comes to mind.

Characters were bland and considering the prologue frames the story as one of the characters looking back on the story, it makes that character look very smug and unlikable.

[Alaina Maxam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. WAS REFRESHING TO SEE THAT THE SENIOR PEOPLE STILL HAVE A GOOD SOLID MIND. IT IS SO WELL WRITTEN THAT YOU WILL KEEP GUESSING UNTIL THE VERY END

[Susan Inman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contained too many characters that were too broadly drawn. There's no one relatable in this book, for me. It felt like an episode of "Murder, She Wrote". It's a quick read.