Retirement Homes Are Murder

Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery #1

by Mike Befeler

Remembering nothing from the day before, crotchety octogenarian Paul Jacobson must become an amateur sleuth to clear himself as a murder suspect when he finds a dead body in the trash chute of a retirement home. As Paul’s snooping and short-term memory loss get him in trouble with the local police, his new friends and granddaughter Jennifer help him solve an expanding list of crimes. Paul finds romance as he struggles to escape a murderer intent on a repeat performance.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Humor, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Cozy

291 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Mike Befeler writes the humorous Paul Jacobson "Geezer Lit" mystery series featuring an ocotgenarian protagonist with short-term memory loss. The series includes: Retirement Homes Are Murder, Living With Your Kids Is Murder, Senior Moments Are Murder, Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder, Care Homes Are Murder and Nursing Homes Are Murder. His other books include Unstuff Your Stuff, Death of a Scam Artist, The Tesla Legacy, The Best Chicken Thief in All of Europe, Court Trouble, Murder on the Switzerland Trail, Mystery of the Dinner Playhouse, The V V Agency, The Back Wing, The Front Wing, Paradise Cort, Coronavirus Daze, and Old Detectives Home. Mike retired from the computer data storage industry to write full time. He's past president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every day is a brand new adventure for Paul Jacobson. He has a condition that causes him to lose his short term memory every time he sleeps. So each day he wakes only to find that he can’t recall the day before – not any of it – not the people he met, what he did, or the fact that he has just moved into a retirement home. And he certainly can’t recall killing anyone, yet he learns he is the main suspect in the murder of another resident. With the help of a friend or two, he sets out to clear his name and bring the real killer to justice.

This cozy mystery with its unique setting and original amateur detective was a fun, fast read. I wasn’t sure about Paul in the beginning, I found his rough language unnecessary, but it was all part of his character building. His memory problem can’t be easy to live with so maybe he gets a bit ornery at times. I can sympathize with that. His grumpy nature, paired with his negative attitude toward retirement home living and more, makes Paul an off-putting yet somehow endearing character. In the end you can’t help but root for him to solve the mystery and improve his attitude toward life, even if he does claim “My attitude is one of my best attributes.” (p 109).

This was a light and humorous read that kept me turning the pages. It was nicely paced with a bit of suspense leading up to the conclusion.

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this “geezer mystery”. It was laugh out loud funny and sad at the same time.

Paul becomes the main suspect in a murder case and has to clear his name. This is quite difficult since his memory leaves him with a blank page every morning he wakes up. The last thing that he can remember is at least 5 years ago.
To keep track of what is going on and trying to find the real killer he has to keep a journal that he needs to read every morning when he wakes up….if he sees the note that tells him to do just that.

I absolutely adored this story and will read more of Paul’s adventures - I love this grumpy old hoot.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a 4 star book, but close. It was a quick, light murder mystery, but the characters tickled me. The main character is an 80 year old man who can't remember anything for the past 5 years once he falls asleep unless he's had sex, in which case he can remember for a couple of days. That makes his predicament that much tougher to figure out & adds more humor.

I thought the ending was a bit weak. I hate it when the crook confesses all completely, but that didn't ruin it. Everything wrapped up nicely.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very entertaining, described as "old geezer with memory problems" just about covers it, but as he struggles with memory he manages very well to assist the police with a crime wave in his assisted living home. I hope to read more from this series in the near future as I found it to be great fun.

Library Loan

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paul Jacobsen is 80 years old and recently incarcerated (by his son) in an assisted senior living center. Everything functions the way one would hope when you're 80 years old (even if they do need a little chemical assistance), except for one thing: every morning, he wakes up having forgotten everything that has happened in the last 5 years, including everything that happened yesterday (or even earlier the same day, if he takes a nap). Now that he's the number one suspect in a murder, that could pose a problem.

I didn't love this book. The premise is clever, and the author definitely highlights the downside of living long enough to see yourself fall apart, one way or another. I didn't like (and never do) that the police investigator was so single-minded in his approach. I like to think that cops recognize there are multiple possible solutions to any crime, and investigate each one until the most correct solution presents itself. I also doubt that any lawyer is going to completely spill his guts to an accuser, no matter how confident he is that the listener won't be around to tell anyone else.

I didn't love Paul. Apparently, I'm in the minority on Goodreads --and I should probably judge gently, since my own twilight years aren't as far away as I'd like them to be-- but crotchety isn't appealing to me. I like my young children innocent, and my seniors jubilantly dignified. I actually found his friend (with the white beard) a much more appealing character.

I've definitely read worse, but that isn't the most ringing endorsement.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed the first book in the series, it’s interesting and a little weird but definitely worth the read, I love his granddaughter and I think that the people you meet at the retirement village are definitely unique and interestting

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retirement Homes are Murder by Mike Befeler

I am giving this author an A+ for his originality and creativity in writing a cozy mystery focusing on the end of life with a sense of humor. A big thank-you to him from this baby boomer and former worker at a nursing home and case manager for the elderly.

And just how did this author get away with this topic without offending me, the reader? By using a cantankerous old geezer by the name of Paul Jacobson as his main character. That's how!
Paul Jacobson awakes in a room he's never been in before...that is doesn't remember being in before. But just what does Paul remember. Basically...not a single thing. Each day he awakens to a blank. Paul's memory is going on him at this late stage of his life. How in the world can he cope with this situation? That's where his new friend Meyer comes in. They meet in the retirement homes' cafeteria. Once Meyer realizes that Paul can't remember him from one day to the next he suggests that his friend start keeping a journal next to his bed. That way Paul can read just what he did the day before. And so a friendship begins.

After breakfast Paul takes his garbage to the trash chute and finds it to be blocked. He can't get the trash down the chute. He thinks he sees something blocking the way so he uses a flashlight to find out what the problem is. It's a body...a dead body glaring back at him .

The story begins with Paul's discovery of a dead body in the trash chute which turns out to be a murder.
I so thoroughly enjoyed this book that I cannot recommend it enough. The content is so completely original and beautifully thought out by this author that I'm happy to say I've just brought home the 2nd book in this series. While most cozy mysteries or any mystery for that matter usually never has the sleuth going beyond 50's in age-this author has brought us, the reader, into the reality of our older years. Be warned-Paul Jacobson is anything but a diplomat. His sarcasm has made this reader laugh at loud on several occasions.
Mike Befeler has made the unacceptable-acceptable with Paul Jacobson as his Sherlock and Meyer as his Watson.
Ellen
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[Linda Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Retirement Homes are Murder, the first in the Geezer-Lit series by Mike Belfeler, a murder mystery, is a fun, fast, easy read; a good break from heavier cerebrial reads. If you are a geezer with any of the conditions most geezers know well, then you will get a good laugh from this relatable book. Geezer conditions are covered in this fun book; dementia, incontinence, physical ailments, life idiosyncrasies worsened by old age, are all covered with loving humor. I believe this is Mr. Belfeler’s first book so I am very forgiving of all criticisms – I will read another of his many books; perhaps Murder on the Switzerland Trail since it is in my backyard. I liked that there were teenagers in this book, along with his underlying empathy and clear understanding of all people, whatever their condition. The stage is also set for Paul Jacobson's further adventures.

[Janiska nordstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it's funny and a nice light read. It gives you a lighthearted insight in the lives of people that are in retirement homes....with a twist of course

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul Jacobson is living a good life in a retirement home in Hawaii. It's just too bad he can't remember how good it is. He has short term memory loss. He has also discovered the body of a man suing him in the trash chute the day after he gets into the home.

Since he can't remember what happened yesterday at all, when he is accused of the murder and the beer bottle with blood on it is found in his trash, all evidence points to him.

Paul much become a mature amateur sleuth to save himself.

I found this a good book in some ways but in others very trying. I think the author did a good job of showing Paul's frustration with his memory loss and his coping mechanisms but after a while, Paul got a bit repetitious in his protestations of his frustrations. There were some good characters, but all seemed to be gone at the end of the book. I thought that was a bit short sighted in a series.

Not sure if I will carry on with the series or not.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had some serious problems, but ... I'm willing to listen to the sequel. Here's what you can expect if you're curious:

Widower Paul Jacobsen cannot remember anything from the previous five years once he feels asleep - nothing - zip, zero, zilch; he's had this condition for a while as our story opens at the retirement home in Hawaii where he's just moved in at the urging of his son. He finds some trash in his flat, goes to dump it in the trash chute, where he finds a corpse blocking his contribution.

Detective Saito begins by harassing Paul, scoffing snottily at his "condition". Until the murderer is caught at the end, Saito is about as obnoxious a cop as I've ever encountered, as well as stupid. Well, co-stupid with Paul (and his family) who apparently haven't had Paul's doctor confirm the condition. Incident after incident happens where circumstantial evidence keeps pointing at Paul, with Saito urging him to "confess" like an Inquisitor of a heretic at the stake, an example: Paul goes to buy stamps at the complex office, the receptionist on the phone asks him to bring the cash box over to her, he gets his prints on it, money is later stolen, so Saito goes nuts.

At one point in the book, Paul goes out for the day with his visiting family to a Sea World-like place. After a while they're "munching hamburgers" before they see more stuff there, and then they "have lunch" -- were the burgers a late breakfast? The end is fairly wild, almost James Bond-like.

Secondary characters include Meyer, a former D. A. and judge going blind from macular degeneration, and Henry, a math genius with Aspergers Syndrome, who are at at his table for meals. Meyer is a good guy, ever patient with Paul's memory lapses, stumbling on the "solution" of having Paul keep a daily journal with a MUST READ: IMPORTANT! note on top to see every morning. (Apparently, no one had thought of this before.) Henry is toad-like and nasty, tossing insults while hovering over his plate like Scrooge McDuck over a pot of gold, while tossing out insults.

Other faces include Marion, who becomes Paul's girlfriend/lover right away (the book takes place over a period of roughly a couple of weeks I think), as well as Paul's son, Denny, who visits a couple of times from the mainland. More than once he has to deal with "situations" caused by Paul's memory loss, and charge-ahead approach. Paul's 11 year old grand-daughter is also brought into the story; he's horrified that she's found out about his screwing Marion, but she's fine with it. Okay.

In addition to his blindness, Meyer suffers from incontinence ... which unfolded in a rather bizarre manner I thought. Not long into the story it's mentioned that issue isn't really a big deal exactly. But, as soon as we hear of it the problem seems to escalate exponentially, so that near the end, Meyer is having serious episodes regularly. In addition to the timing here, I had a major problem that there's never a mention of ... say ... seeing a doctor before deciding "that's just the way it is (or is gonna be)." Moreover, the book was written in 2007, yet when Paul asks if he listens to audiobooks, Meyer responds, "I can't. I tried, but I get the tapes all mixed up cuz I can't see well enough!" Did visually impaired clients still use cassettes then? Even so, tapes and CD's aren't that difficult to keep straight, and Meyer says elsewhere he can read some things with a magnifying glass - maybe including "Cassette 1"? Finally, as a former "D. A. and judge" he's there at times when Saito abuses Paul, yet never says a word, except one offhand comment (without Saito) that maybe Paul should think about a lawyer.

So, after all that, why would I be willing to give the series another chance? Well, the narration's pretty good, and despite his gruff (sometimes obnoxious) manner Paul is loyal and means well. Besides, according to the blurb of the next book, Paul leaves Hawaii, so no more Saito.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a kick out of this book: it’s poignant and funny, respectful and compassionate. The protagonist, Paul Jacobson, is in his 80s and suffering from short-term memory loss. When he wakes up in the morning, unless he’s spent the night with his love interest, he can’t remember anything that happened the day before. At the suggestion of his new friend Meyer (who he has to meet again, every day), Paul writes everything down. But writing stuff down only works if you remember that you wrote it down and remember to read it.

It’s challenging to have a protagonist who can’t remember anything, and when Paul finds a body in the trash chute at his new retirement home, every day he has to figure out what he did yesterday to move the crime-solving forward. Mike Befeler does this with charm and humor; creating unforgettable characters everyone can relate to. What more could you want in a book? Laugh-out-loud humor, quirky characters, great location, and a mystery that will keep you guessing. I know there’s more books in the Paul Jacobson geezer-lit series; they’re on my to-read list!

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun and witty, yet sometimes sadly touching, cozy mystery. As a Caregiver, I love Paul and Meyer, both who could be representative of seniors who can't quite live alone, but don't yet need the full care of a skilled-nursing facility. I laughed out loud at some of Paul's attitudes (some of which I have felt, some of which I could appreciate based on his current life), and was saddened by the truths of the changes in health for Paul and his table-mates. I very much appreciated the courage that Paul had to learn to journal his days so the next day he would have an idea, even though not a memory, of the prior days. Meyer was a terrific friend and very even-tempered and accepting of his health changes. Marian was a real kick! What Paul is able to do to help save his friend and partner-in-crime-solving is amazing! (You'll have to read it - won't spoil it for you) I wish I hadn't left this on my to-read stack for so long - well worth the read!!!

[Libtechgurugoddess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a real hoot! The main character is feisty and funny, and the story is richly plotted with ingenious situations. Paul Jacobson is 80 years old and has short-term memory loss, so he wakes up every day and doesn't remember anything from the last 5 years. He finds a dead body in the garbage chute at the retirement home he's just moved into and, after he reports it to the police, the homicide detective accuses him of the murder. The detective is so set on Paul as the murderer that he won't even look for any other suspects. To clear himself, he's got to solve the mystery even though he can't remember from day to day what he learned in his investigation the day before. He develops some coping mechanisms—like keeping a journal and writing notes to remind himself to, "Read before taking a piss"—and makes new friends that help him become a first-class senior sleuth.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

How creative! The storyline is hysterical - no insult intended to anyone dealing with this issue.

Paul Jacobsen has a short term memory problem...really short and unlike any I have heard of. Every time he goes to sleep, even for a short nap...he forgets everything that happened prior to his falling asleep. Now, this is bad, but made worse because there is a murder in the retirement home and Paul ends up a suspect! Of course the problem is, he cannot remember where he was or what he was doing to clear his name...and this is the setting for the story.

This is the 1st in series and I can't wait for more!

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for my mystery discussion group. The premise is interesting, Paul Jacobson,the 80ish main character, has short term memory. Every morning he wakes up and doesn't know where he is or who the people are that he encounters. When he finds a body in the trash chute of his retirement home, he doesn't expect to find himself the prime suspect, but that's exactly what happens. Paul knew the murdered man, but he doesn't remember him. Paul turns amateur sleuth with the help of friends at the retirement home and his 11-year-old granddaughter. I liked the setting in Hawaii and the quirky characters. Very cozy and character driven.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A laugh out loud book that somehow makes growing old look like fun but at the same time mixes in the pathos and problems of the elderly in assisted living and nursing homes. Set in Hawaii (with lots of local color) we follow Paul Jacobson who suffers from short term memory loss and must keep a detailed journal to help him remember his day to day happenings. He is falsely accused of murder and theft and struggles to absolve himself. He is aided by Meyer,a fellow retirement home resident.
Real fast read!

[Sharon Mensing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this might be a book based on Alzheimer's, but it really isn't. The premise is that a 70+ guy who has just moved into a retirement home can't remember anything that happened in the last five years or so once he goes to sleep. He gets involved in a trying to solve a murder and has to reset his memory every morning. It's a clever premise and this light diversion is well done. A quick read, but fun. Set in Hawaii, and it does have a good sense of place.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous "Mystery"

Looking for some light, quick reading? This is fun, and I'd guess it would make a good "kitchen" book to read aloud, since the mystery doesn't have enough suspense that you couldn't let it go for a day or two. I like how it humanizes nursing home folks, who need relationships, even sex, and having an amateur detective with a short term memory problem actually adds to the humor and his humanity! Well done Mr. Jacobson.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very amusing! Main character is male and older than the first book I read in this genre, so different kind of "geezer" challenges, like very short-term memory loss. Pacing was good and characters well crafted. Went through this book quickly -- a page turner. Looking forward to the next novel in this series.

[Bob Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warm, funny mystery set in a nursing home with a hero who suffers from memory loss so severe he can't remover what he did the previous day. Then, he discovers he is the prime suspect in a theft and a murder. I really enjoyed getting to know this character and look forward to visiting with him again in other installments of this series.

[Mike McClanahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one poised on the brink of geezerdom, I found Paul Jacobson to be a delightful character. A good, fast-paced story with witty dialog and a good plot. It's a fun, light read that captures some of the poignancy of aging without bringing the reader down. And the thought of having one's memory refreshed by a roll in the hay makes me happy.

[Lacrecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful mystery with a somewhat crotchety old protagonist. Despite dealing his unique form of memory loss and with the problem of "being stuck living among a bunch of old people", Paul Jacobson, whom someone called "a male Miss Marple", manages to find some good-hearted companions and manages to solve an intriguing murder mystery. It is a fun read.

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, as if getting older and having memory issues isn't enough... This poor soul seems to be in the muck for everything. Could see him being locked up forever. With humor, mysteries, and a great group of characters. Good book.

I love this book, even the second time around. Glad I reread it.

[Jlkempen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a unique old curmudggon(?) as a protagonist. Moves quickly and gives a really humorous but true view of retirement home living. Author has made of study of the elderly and captured it well. A good summer read.

[Mickey Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! This book is humorous without being cute or more talkie/clever than I like. The protagonist has an interesting memory loss disability and the things he does to compensate help propel the story along.

[Courtney Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geezer Lit! What a great concept! Love the character's optimism in the face of short term memory loss. Just the right amount of cantankerous; just the right amount of mystery. and suspense. I can relate to the characters.

[Karyn Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick paced despite repetition of memory issues. Good insight to being older and not wanting to hang it all up.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the premise. Didn't like the implementation.
Paul Jacobson wakes up in a strange place with no memory of where he is or the previous day. He's gruff with the nurse that comes to give him his daily medications and eventually finds his way to breakfast in the retirement home dining room with his table companions from the day before, who fill him in on some of the who, where and what of his new situation. Then he discovers a dead body and winds up the main suspect in the murder.
That's a cool set up. And it could have been the foundation of a both an interesting mystery and an interesting examination of geezer-life. Except... The prose and dialog are as wooden as can be and riddled with ancient cliches and comebacks instead of any attempt at reality. In this reality, a patient that clearly belongs in memory care is living independently, nobody has empathy, and garbage chutes have locks (?!). Most attempts at humor were also passe and trite. Several chapters in, I hoped it would get better and kept grinding through, hitting more and more reality breaks and improbable behavior. Finally, I simply started skimming to get the main points and make it to the revelation of the killer and their motive. Unfortunately, even that is disappointing and barely makes it to the level of a mediocre detective show from the sixties.
Obviously, that's what this is. A mediocre detective story from a time gone by. Except this was written in the 21st Century and misses the mark of modern story-telling.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

I don’t remember why I added this one to my to-read list, and I was a bit hesitant to read it because of its Goodreads rating, but I ended up liking this book more than expected. I count it as a cozy, although there is occasional language that might cause other readers to disagree.

Paul, the MC, suffers from short-term memory loss – he can remember events of five years ago, but he can’t remember anything from the previous day. When he wakes up every morning, he doesn’t remember where he is, who the people around him are or what happened the day before. This puts him in a bad spot when he becomes a murder suspect, but he has made some friends, even though he can’t remember anything about them (not even their names), and they help him figure out how to remember things from day to day – and figure out who the guilty part is.

There were a few serious potential suspects, but I couldn’t decide which one I thought was most likely to be the murderer, and I was surprised when the killer was revealed, but the motive made sense given that character’s identity. I look forward to reading the next book in this series to see what Paul and his friends get up to next.