RETIREMENT CAN BE MURDER, by Phil Edwards, is the first book in the Jake Russo mystery series.  Newspaper reporter, Jake Russo finds himself transferred from New York City to Sarasota Florida where he covers the less than exciting world of retirement communities.

Jake is an ordinary guy; he’s not that thrilled with his job; he berates himself for his lack of aggression and believes, with some justification, that his editor doesn’t listen to him.  He is not the only one with issues.  His photographer, Gary, has issues of his own.  After 45 years on the job he should be looking for a retirement community himself—or a mental institution.

When Jake reports to the retirement community of Sunset Cove for a follow up story, he is approached by Charlotte, one of the residents who insist she has a “scoop” for him.  At the appointed time Jake arrives with notebook in hand to question the elderly lady.  He has no expectation of a “real story” and it seems that he is right.  After swearing him to secrecy Charlotte reveals that she has been banned from the weekly bridge card games.  Even more mysterious she is the only member of the retirement community’s board that opposes a new charity being championed by the board president, Sheryl Goldfein.   Charlotte is afraid because she has received a threatening phone call that she’s being watched.

It’s not much of a story until Charlotte is found dead.  Foul play?  If so, to what end—to stop her from playing bridge?

Jake is sure that there is more to Charlotte’s web of intrigue and he is determined to get to the bottom of it.  He learns more about Goldfein, her questionable charity, and the ugly rivalry between the two retirement communities, Sunset Cove and Palmstead Homes.  He is convinced that he has uncovered a real mystery.

RETIREMENT CAN BE MURDER stands out as a crisp story whose characters are very intriguing and definitely funny.  The book is available on Kindle and in print.

I GIVE IT A THUMBS UP!

Review by L. Barnett Evans