Maud is an irascible 88-year-old Swedish woman with no family, no friends, and… no qualms about a little murder. This funny, irreverent story collection by Helene Tursten, author of the Irene Huss investigations, features two-never-before translated stories that will keep you laughing all the way to the retirement home.Ever since her darling father’s untimely death when she was only eighteen, … was only eighteen, Maud has lived in the family’s spacious apartment in downtown Gothenburg rent-free, thanks to a minor clause in a hastily negotiated contract. That was how Maud learned that good things can come from tragedy. Now in her late eighties, Maud contents herself with traveling the world and surfing the net from the comfort of her father’s ancient armchair. It’s a solitary existence, and she likes it that way.
Over the course of her adventures—or misadventures—this little bold lady will handle a crisis with a local celebrity who has her eyes on Maud’s apartment, foil the engagement of her long-ago lover, and dispose of some pesky neighbors. But when the local authorities are called to investigate a dead body found in Maud’s apartment, will Maud finally become a suspect?
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This book was so much fun to read. I enjoyed seeing how 86yo Maud took it upon herself to make the world – or at least her world – a better place by removing despicable people from it. Highly recommended!
This is a dark comedy about Maud, an 88 year old Swedish woman with no family, no friends. Maud has lived in the family’s spacious apartment in downtown Gothenburg rent free alone since her father died when she was 18 years old.
Maud is happy with herself with traveling the world and surfing the net from the comfort of her father’s ancient armchair. It’s a solitary existence, but she likes it that way. Maud handles a problem with a local celebrity who has her eyes on Maud’s apartment, pesky neighbors and others that have bothered her over the years.
Things get Maud use her wits when the local authorities are called to investigate a murder in her apartment complex and things get very interesting.
Well, I will never look at another older woman the same again! Very interesting and intriguing stories about the 88 year old Maude. One minute I’m shocked and the next I laugh because she is an interesting character that has had an unusual life of heartache and loneliness but, Maude has lived her retirement just as she pleases. An entertaining read.
Had read positive reviews and thought I would enjoy it. It was clever, of course, but I just didn’t engage with the “elderly lady.”
Wouldn’t want her for a neighbor!
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten is a book with short stories about Maud, an elderly lady that deals her own justice. I can’t help but like her even if she is technically breaking the law. I silently cheer for her not to get caught because they really had it coming! Who would expect a sweet little old lady of murder? In the back of the book it says that in Sweden, this is a tv series! I would love to watch it!
A Wonderful little collection of stories about a feisty little old lady who takes care of business in her own unique way, while remaining invisible to the world! Go Maud! I Love her and these stories!
I really don’t know what to say about this book (a collection of short stories). My understanding was that they’re about the funny happenings of a cranky old Swedish lady.
**SPOILER ALERT**
It’s actually stories of the people (plural!) this woman kills. They aren’t necessarily bad people (one is); she just doesn’t like them. That’s not to say her victims are pure and holy, but good grief — if she even thinks you might be up to something, you’re dead. I really don’t see the humor in that.
If you’re a fan of dark comedies, perhaps this is something you’ll enjoy. It was just a little too weird and too off color for me.
Rated R for violence and language.
Well that was weird.
A hilarious, quick read – I loved Maud and all of her machinations!
Dark humor featuring an octogenarian equally adept at theft and murder. Don’t cross Maud, because she comes up with devious ways of revenge–and death. A series of short stories, quick read,