Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #618: I'm Not the Only Murderer at This Wedding by Fergus Craig

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Fresh off a sentence for a murder she didn't commit (this time), retired serial killer Carol Quinn investigates a murder in the likeliest of places...a wedding.

Things are unexpectedly lively for the residents of Sherman Oaks Retirement Home. Carol's been wrongfully convicted and is back in prison, retired barrister Margaret is working to get her out, and ex-cop Geoffrey and ex-pathologist Catherine are set to marry. Luckily, Margaret gets Carol's sentence cut short just in time for her to attend the happy event.

Things don't stay happy for long, however, as the bride's disgruntled ex-husband, Nigel, turns up, warning her not to marry Geoffrey. Then, even more unfortunately, he's found murdered on the morning of the wedding with the spike used to hold the cake up. Can Carol and her friends solve the murder? Or will death do them part early?

I'm Not the Only Murderer at This Wedding by Fergus Craig is expected out February 16, 2027 from Berkley

Why am I waiting on this book? I enjoyed the first book, I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home. It had humor and suspense as the 4 friends investigate the murder that Carol Quinn, retired serial killer, is suspected of doing. This book sounds equally as good. I thought the walker falling off the cake on the cover was a nice touch too.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Book Review: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

 

From the publisher:

After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home...until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn't do it this time....

Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol's true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong...without killing anyone, for once.

I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig was released February 17, 2026 from Berkley.

My Thoughts: I thought the whole premise was interesting from a retirement home filled with law enforcement and government officials to a main character who was formerly a serial killer.

Carol, the retired serial killer, has to prove her innocence if she has any hope of staying out of jail and staying in her nice new digs. She uses her history and personal experience as a killer to suss out who it might be. Her new friends help her reluctantly. Simply put, they are wary of her, but want to solve the mystery. With their backgrounds as a cop, forensic pathologist, and barrister/government official, the group is well equipped with Carol to solve the mysteries surrounding the death she witnesses from her balcony. I especially like that while the characters are older, none of them fit the doddering old pensioner stereotype, but are instead forces to be reckoned with.

The plot moved along at a good pace and maintained my interest. My only complaint was that there was evidence the reader is not privy to as they try and solve along with the group. There were many suspects, but in the end it was down to one. 

I enjoyed the mystery and the characters and gave it 4 out of 5 stars. If you have enjoyed mysteries like The Thursday Murder Club mysteries and Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, then you will most likely enjoy this one as well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Happy Book Birthday to Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett and I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

 

Today is the book birthday for two books that couldn't be more different, but are both good reads.

The first is:

From the publisher:

A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montréal turns to a grouchy but charming magician to help save her shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.

Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life, and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for stray cats.

Now it’s the shelter that needs a new home. And the only landlord who will rent a space to a cat rescue is a mysterious man called Havelock—who also happens to be the world’s most infamous magician, running an illegal magic shop out of his basement. Havelock is cantankerous and eccentric, but not not handsome, and no, Agnes absolutely does not feel anything but disdain for him. After all, rumors swirl about his shadowy past—including whispers that his dark magic once almost brought about the apocalypse.

Then one day a glamorous magician comes looking for Havelock, putting the magic shop—and the cat shelter—in jeopardy. To save the shelter, Agnes will have to team up with the magician who nearly ended the world . . . and may now be trying to steal her heart.

Havelock is everything Agnes thinks she doesn’t need in her life: chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she discovers that he’s more than the dark magician of legend, and that she may be ready for a little intrigue—and romance—in her life. After all, second chances aren’t just for rescue cats. 

Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett is available today from Del Rey.

The second book is: 

From the publisher:

After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home...until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn't do it this time....

Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol's true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong...without killing anyone, for once.

I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig is available today from Berkley.

What book have you been waiting for? What are you reading?

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #589: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the Publisher: After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home...until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn't do it this time....

Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol's  true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward. 

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong...without killing anyone, for once.

I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig is expected out February 17, 2026 from Berkley. We don't have to wait long for this one!

Why am I waiting on this book? I want to see what Fergus Craig does with the idea of a retired serial killer. Why did she retire? Was it solely to stay out of jail? Or was it that it was getting to be too much trouble at her age? What happens when she realizes there are multiple retired law enforcement officers in her home? And how does she ferret out another killer to prove her innocence? Needless to say, I have questions and I'm looking forward to seeing what the answers are. 

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Reading!