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Hit & Mrs.
Four lifelong friends who live in Montreal are all going to turn forty, so they decide to take a trip to New York together. But at the LaGuardia airport washroom, when one of them accidentally switches bags with a young mother who's actually smuggling diamonds for the mob, and things start going terribly wrong. A series of miscommunications and mishaps entangles the friends even further into the criminal underworld of New York. But out of all the bad luck and bad people emerge four forty-year-old avengers of truth and justice. A wildly entertaining comedic romp.
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2009
26 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Crewe
18 books740 followersLesley grew up in Montreal, PQ. After graduating from Concordia University with a degree in English and Education, she and her hubby settled down in Homeville, Cape Breton and raised a family.
From 2000-2005, Lesley was a features writer and columnist (Home Fires) for Cape Bretoner Magazine, and from 2005-2009, a columnist (Lesley's Letters) with the on-line magazine, Cahoots.
In 2005 her first novel, Relative Happiness, was published by Vagrant Press, the fiction imprint of Nimbus Publishing. It was an instant bestseller, and was shortlisted for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. She has since written nine other novels.
In 2012, Relative Happiness was optioned for film, and in 2014, Lesley's characters came to life on the big screen. The movie was produced by Wreckhouse Productions, directed by Deanne Foley, and stars Australian Melissa Bergland (Winners and Losers), and homegrown Canadian talent like Susan Kent (This Hour has 22 Minutes), Jonathan Torrens (Mr. D, Trailer Park Boys), and Rob Welles (Trailer Park Boys).
From 2000-2005, Lesley was a features writer and columnist (Home Fires) for Cape Bretoner Magazine, and from 2005-2009, a columnist (Lesley's Letters) with the on-line magazine, Cahoots.
In 2005 her first novel, Relative Happiness, was published by Vagrant Press, the fiction imprint of Nimbus Publishing. It was an instant bestseller, and was shortlisted for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. She has since written nine other novels.
In 2012, Relative Happiness was optioned for film, and in 2014, Lesley's characters came to life on the big screen. The movie was produced by Wreckhouse Productions, directed by Deanne Foley, and stars Australian Melissa Bergland (Winners and Losers), and homegrown Canadian talent like Susan Kent (This Hour has 22 Minutes), Jonathan Torrens (Mr. D, Trailer Park Boys), and Rob Welles (Trailer Park Boys).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
August 7, 2023
This was Stephanie Plum times 4. Four lifelong friiends head to New York City for a long weekend. From the moment they land things start to go wrong and the craziness just keeps going.
This is a light read and if you need some belly laughs Lesley Crewe delivers. I will definately try more of her books.
This is a light read and if you need some belly laughs Lesley Crewe delivers. I will definately try more of her books.
August 28, 2014
Definitely a page turner, even though silly and ridiculous. I enjoyed it, fun and fluffy.
January 20, 2024
A fun, laugh out loud read that goes from crazy to crazier
December 3, 2025
god i hate the miscommunication trope!!
regardless, this book was fun and ridiculous and i don’t regret picking it up — i just don’t think i’ll be reading another Lesley Crewe any time soon..
regardless, this book was fun and ridiculous and i don’t regret picking it up — i just don’t think i’ll be reading another Lesley Crewe any time soon..
December 13, 2025
This was like the Hallmark movie of books. Each character was so ridiculously stereotyped that it bordered on offensive, but on the other hand, it was a mildly fun read.
July 12, 2023
Devangana: Linda, Bette, Gemma, and Augusta are four friends featured in this novel. They are best friends who decide to take a vacation to New York to celebrate their 50th birthdays and Linda's separation from her ex-husband. But this isn't your typical vacation when everyone is eating nice cuisine, shopping, and touring; instead, it becomes a "kidnapping, mugging, unexpected death, vehicle theft, property damage, gun stuff." Bette inadvertently exchanges bags with a young mother smuggling jewels at the airport. As a consequence of a series of miscommunications and tragedies, the friends get even more involved in New York's criminal underworld. As if things weren't already terrible enough, Linda's husband and his new girlfriend are staying at the same hotel as the friends. Yikes!
This book represents the importance of the people in your life and how friendships can go a long way. Each page held a fresh surprise, and the number of twists in this novel made it much more unique.
The characters' names were amazing! The names made it more fun and distinct. Every character had a strong impact on me since they were all dealing with personal issues. It wasn't only a comedy novel; it also addressed issues such as disability, body shaming, bullying, and the hardships of a young mother, among others. I like how the book addressed these themes to balance out the comedy.
The age of the major protagonists was something I found really interesting. Normally, in a book like this the primary protagonists would be between the age of "18- 25". I liked how the author had the friends in this novel turn 50, because every age has its own attractions.
This book was a celebration, and as I already stated, it was the ideal book to close 2022 with. I rate this book 5/5 stars since it is just amazing! Everything was great, from the plot to the characters. I debated giving this book 5/5 stars. If you appreciate stories that represent friends, incorporate travel, have a lot of drama, humour, and shadow deeper topics, this is the book for you. I believe that everyone should read this book because it’s just perfect.
This book represents the importance of the people in your life and how friendships can go a long way. Each page held a fresh surprise, and the number of twists in this novel made it much more unique.
The characters' names were amazing! The names made it more fun and distinct. Every character had a strong impact on me since they were all dealing with personal issues. It wasn't only a comedy novel; it also addressed issues such as disability, body shaming, bullying, and the hardships of a young mother, among others. I like how the book addressed these themes to balance out the comedy.
The age of the major protagonists was something I found really interesting. Normally, in a book like this the primary protagonists would be between the age of "18- 25". I liked how the author had the friends in this novel turn 50, because every age has its own attractions.
This book was a celebration, and as I already stated, it was the ideal book to close 2022 with. I rate this book 5/5 stars since it is just amazing! Everything was great, from the plot to the characters. I debated giving this book 5/5 stars. If you appreciate stories that represent friends, incorporate travel, have a lot of drama, humour, and shadow deeper topics, this is the book for you. I believe that everyone should read this book because it’s just perfect.
February 12, 2016
This book was honestly one of the funniest things I have ever read. Imagine your mom and three of her friends going on a trip to the Big Apple, NYC. And when they get there guess what happens? They accidently kill someone. Oops. And boy, do they ever freak out about that. The plot thickens and just keeps on getting more hilarious. Linda, Gemma, Augusta, and Bette are all turning 50, so to celebrate this fact (and to just have a nice time due to Linda's two-faced cheating husband) they decide to go to New York. Not only are these ladies sassy but are they ever classy. They had the most unexpected vacation ever but they did it in the most badass way. I really think that anyone would enjoy this book. Also they were all from Montreal, Canada. So it was a nice shoutout to my home country. Canadians can be awesome. Mostly sarcastic, but very awesome.
August 6, 2023
This was fun to read. The characters, including the bad guys, were delightful. This is the whatever can go wrong will go wrong girl trip. Their New York trip certainly did not go as planned. In the end they proved that friendship and family can overcome the odds. The crazier the family the more supportive they become. This is a great book for an interesting and amusing read.
March 14, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book! It was definitely a laugh out loud page turner!
February 8, 2025
I think I would’ve enjoyed it more as a movie rather than a book.. just not my genre. Gave something new a try but I think when it comes to reading I’ll stick to the genres I know and love.
October 29, 2023
Hit & Mrs. by Lesley Crewe had moments when I just wanted to throw the book against the wall, but I just had to see how to see how it all ended. There were some laugh-out-loud moments along with the shake-your-head moments. All in all, it was an entertaining book.
I loved that they called their book club group the book bags and that they chucked an Oprah book club selection out the window.
I loved that they called their book club group the book bags and that they chucked an Oprah book club selection out the window.
August 27, 2023
A funny light read about 4 childhood friends, now 50 going to New York on vacation. Everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. Many laughs and of course the glue that holds them together is friendship. Each person learns a life lesson.
October 13, 2021
Very quick, humorous read. I can picture it as a farce of a play or even movie with over the top pratfall comedy. Just a perfect fun read. #indigoemployee
December 14, 2021
Very cute and funny. I laughed out loud while reading and couldn’t stop myself from sharing my favourite parts with me fiancé. Loved it!
October 5, 2022
Was “meh”. Not a great read but mindless which is what I needed. Wasn’t one of her best
June 19, 2024
This was a non-stop comedy of errors masquerading as a suspense crime drama. It was completely ridiculous and I loved it from start to finish. Even with all the outlandishness, Crewe always hits home with the perfect blend of family, friendship and personal desires for her characters. This story was no different. I cheered on for these women and hoped they would find their happiness at the end of the story, even if it wasn't a perfect ending. I was left with a number of questions, but if everything was completely summed up, there wouldn't be room for interpretation. It's nice to be left wondering where the characters might go from there.
If you want a good laugh at someone else's expense, this is the story to do it. I can absolutely imagine this book as a movie and I'd definitely pay to watch it with the right casting of 50 year old Women.
If you want a good laugh at someone else's expense, this is the story to do it. I can absolutely imagine this book as a movie and I'd definitely pay to watch it with the right casting of 50 year old Women.
September 5, 2021
I don't usually write reviews, just owning my 2 star rating of Hit and Mrs. I've been reading a lot of Lesley Crewe's more recent novels, and they've been among my favorites. This one did not hit the mark by any means, but I can see where the author has grown and improved greatly over the years, fine-tuning and perfecting her craft. I found this book silly, and unfocused at times. The "comedy" seemed forced, and I found some of the storylines unappealing. That being said, Crewe is one of my favorite authors, just not a fan of her earlier style.
November 4, 2019
It was cute but sometimes too silly. I have loved her other books.
May 14, 2024
This book follows Augusta, Bette, Gemma, Linda who are lifelong friends living in Montreal. This year, they're turning fifty years old, so they decide to take a trip together to New York to celebrate. But when Bette accidentally switches bags with a mother who's smuggling diamonds for the mob, things start going terribly wrong. This comedic read takes readers along the four friends’ wild journey.
This fast-paced read was very unique and different from other books I’ve read. It was a novel with an engaging plot with humorous characters. The most unique feature was the older age of the protagonists and other characters in this story. I'd never read a novel before where almost all the characters are above 50 years old. I found it creative, and it added an imaginative element to the book. Each page held something new to discover and an abundance of plot twists. At the start of the book, it was a little challenging to keep track of the information provided about the backgrounds of all the characters and other things. However, as the book went on, that wasn’t an issue and I enjoyed this light-hearted read. However, this book had too many explicit words for my liking.
The positive morals in this book included forging strong friendship bonds and being caring. This book also dealt with various serious issues, such as violence, abduction, murder, etc in a light-hearted manner. The descriptive language was also well-crafted. Readers can easily visualize scenarios, and it really helped the characters come alive. On the other hand, this book’s storyline was not realistic at all. It had many wild moments, and although I typically like fiction books that are more realistic, I enjoyed this book. I believe this is my third book by author Lesley Crewe, and I continue to enjoy her writing.
Overall, I found this book to be a fun read that I expect would be especially entertaining for readers around the same age as the protagonists. This book is a perfect read for those looking for an amusing, laugh-out-loud, mystery read.
This fast-paced read was very unique and different from other books I’ve read. It was a novel with an engaging plot with humorous characters. The most unique feature was the older age of the protagonists and other characters in this story. I'd never read a novel before where almost all the characters are above 50 years old. I found it creative, and it added an imaginative element to the book. Each page held something new to discover and an abundance of plot twists. At the start of the book, it was a little challenging to keep track of the information provided about the backgrounds of all the characters and other things. However, as the book went on, that wasn’t an issue and I enjoyed this light-hearted read. However, this book had too many explicit words for my liking.
The positive morals in this book included forging strong friendship bonds and being caring. This book also dealt with various serious issues, such as violence, abduction, murder, etc in a light-hearted manner. The descriptive language was also well-crafted. Readers can easily visualize scenarios, and it really helped the characters come alive. On the other hand, this book’s storyline was not realistic at all. It had many wild moments, and although I typically like fiction books that are more realistic, I enjoyed this book. I believe this is my third book by author Lesley Crewe, and I continue to enjoy her writing.
Overall, I found this book to be a fun read that I expect would be especially entertaining for readers around the same age as the protagonists. This book is a perfect read for those looking for an amusing, laugh-out-loud, mystery read.
January 17, 2026
This is another fun filled story by Lesley Crewe, one of her few not based in Atlantic Canada. This time the setting is Montreal where four friends, Linda, Bette, Gemma and Augusta all about to turn fifty, decide to celebrate together. They plan a trip to New York which will include lots of shopping and attendance at a few Broadway shows, all funded by Linda’s husband’s credit card, payback for his unfaithful behavior. But a series of events get in the way of their plans and things go terribly wrong. It starts in the washroom at the La Guardia airport when Bette inadvertently picks up the wrong bag, switching hers from the one carried by a young woman smuggling diamonds for the mob. As expected, things go downhill from there as the women encounter an aggressive taxi driver who they pepper spray and who dies on the spot, catch sight of the philandering husband staying at their hotel with his “twenties-something” young thing and bounce from one crisis to the next. There is no time for shopping or shows as they spend their time running from danger.
The story is filled with all the miscommunications and misunderstandings characteristic of slapstick humor, delivering a lighthearted and wildly entertaining caper that never stops.
Crewe always creates great characters and this time is no different, as she includes some not so smart henchmen and a nervous mob boss. The narrative moves at a quick clip, giving readers an easy, entertaining read and tops it all off with a very clever title. Those who enjoy Crewe’s work will enjoy this one!
The story is filled with all the miscommunications and misunderstandings characteristic of slapstick humor, delivering a lighthearted and wildly entertaining caper that never stops.
Crewe always creates great characters and this time is no different, as she includes some not so smart henchmen and a nervous mob boss. The narrative moves at a quick clip, giving readers an easy, entertaining read and tops it all off with a very clever title. Those who enjoy Crewe’s work will enjoy this one!
August 12, 2023
From the start I loved this novel. I became an instant fan of this author and her ability to play with words.
Her four main characters were women of a certain age, all of them exaggerated examples of myself and others I know. Although way over the top, all of them were quite relatable.
Linda’s venom towards her husband was palpable and her desire to get revenge well earned.
Bette’s back and forth with her parents was so funny.
Augusta’s grief felt so real while her sarcasm was hilarious. Gemma was the ultimate mama, no matter the circumstance.
I could visualize their interactions and antics as if I was there. The four ladies in New York had me laughing out loud many times and often sharing a scene with family.
I really liked this story. I have already started reading another novel written by this fantastic Canadian author.
Her four main characters were women of a certain age, all of them exaggerated examples of myself and others I know. Although way over the top, all of them were quite relatable.
Linda’s venom towards her husband was palpable and her desire to get revenge well earned.
Bette’s back and forth with her parents was so funny.
Augusta’s grief felt so real while her sarcasm was hilarious. Gemma was the ultimate mama, no matter the circumstance.
I could visualize their interactions and antics as if I was there. The four ladies in New York had me laughing out loud many times and often sharing a scene with family.
I really liked this story. I have already started reading another novel written by this fantastic Canadian author.
March 1, 2024
Lesley Crewe struck gold with this one. The main characters are 4 women who became fast friends in grade 5 when they bonded over an adverse event. Years later, after marriages, separations, death they still get together and support each other. This time they decide that they need to get away from all the demands of others & go on a trip. They decide Manhattan should be their ultimate destination.
Lesley's descriptions & plot twists are both realistic, laugh inducing, gasp worthy and simply brilliant.
Lesley's descriptions & plot twists are both realistic, laugh inducing, gasp worthy and simply brilliant.
July 1, 2019
I didn't mind Hit & Mrs. (it was a quick read)...I did laugh out loud in a couple of spots but also found myself rolling my eyes at some of the absurdnesses of the story. In all fairness though, it wasn't much different than others in the same sort of vain (thinking The 100 Year Old Man and The Old Woman who Broke all the Rules). But, even with that being said, the novel Mary, Mary by the same author will remain my favourite.
September 20, 2022
Not my kind of book. If it wasn’t that my book club chose this author for our next meeting, I would not have finished this book. Silly plot that would please fans of slapstick humour. I had really liked The Spoon Stealer and Amazing Grace so I just picked this one at random. One can see the author’s talent.
February 1, 2024
I loved this book from the first chapter. I could visualize the characters with her carefully crafted dialogue! I belly laughed so much. Just how so much bad luck could follow them was carefully woven through the book! I’m sure anyone can identify with the four ladies in their friend group! Definitely, a great read. It would make an awesome movie!!!
April 8, 2024
A comedy, that was a bit over the top for me. I kept thinking that it was more like a script for a movie.
At one point I decided I wouldn’t finish it, but I like the author so much that a few hours later I was reading it again.
I definitely laughed out loud a few times, but definitely enjoy Lesley Crewe’s later works.
At one point I decided I wouldn’t finish it, but I like the author so much that a few hours later I was reading it again.
I definitely laughed out loud a few times, but definitely enjoy Lesley Crewe’s later works.
March 18, 2025
This book was the lighthearted book that I needed while in the middle of a heavy read. Lesley Crewe is one of my favorites, so I knew this would be a great interlude. This one was a wild ride, so silly, but made me laugh so much. Although not my favourite Crewe book I did thoroughly enjoy it. It is a funny story of a girls vacation gone awry.
May 13, 2017
This by far is my favorite of Lesley's books. I don't think I have ever laughed so much while reading a novel. I must find it on my shelves and reread Hit And Mrs. once again.
This was a gift from my amazing Mom. Reading it makes an expat Cape Bretoner's heart soar
This was a gift from my amazing Mom. Reading it makes an expat Cape Bretoner's heart soar
December 25, 2018
Maybe more 3.5. Writing was great and wonderful character development as always. Just the storyline was a bit lacking for me personally. I've put off reading this last Lesley Crewe book as I was fairly sure it wasn't my cup of tea.
December 4, 2024
Not my usual type of book, but if you are looking for a light-hearted mad cap type of comedy, this book is for you. Having said that I did enjoy the story even though it was a bit unbelievable. Just a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews