Fergus Craig Wins October’s Puzzly with a Surprise Retirement Home Mystery

Fergus Craig’s I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home takes October’s Puzzly after surprising its reviewer with a clever mystery, memorable characters and genuine comedy. The monthly round-up considered eleven books, and the winner emerged from a crowded field that included new series entries, classic crime and several strong contenders.

The choice wasn’t straightforward. L C Tyler’s The Murder Planner came close, while Vaseem Khan, J S Savage, Ross Montgomery and Suzy Aspley also delivered books the reviewer especially recommends. In the end, Craig’s novel had the added pleasure of being an unexpected discovery from the reviewer’s to-be-read pile. That element of surprise helped carry it past titles the reviewer already expected to enjoy.

Why Craig’s mystery stood out

The reviewer describes I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home as both amusing and clever, with a strong central premise. Its appeal, in this account, rests on more than the novelty of its setting: the characters matter, and the mystery gives the comedy something substantial to work with. The reviewer is keen to distinguish it from other stories about crimes among older residents, suggesting readers shouldn’t dismiss it based on that familiar setup.

That mix of warmth, humour and puzzle-solving proved decisive. The reviewer calls it a “brilliant read,” praising the characters readers can care about as well as the ingenuity of the mystery. Those are personal judgments, but they explain why this book took the monthly prize over a lineup that included several established authors and series.

I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

Close contenders and returning series

Tyler’s The Murder Planner was the reviewer’s near choice. The novel is described as witty and full of twists, and its author had invited the reviewer to the book launch. The reviewer acknowledges that personal connections and invitations could make the month’s decision feel more difficult, alongside interviews, signed copies and another book dedicated to them. Still, the final selection rested on how the books read: Craig’s was the surprise that made the strongest impression.

Several other recommendations make clear just how competitive the month felt. In The Man With The Golden Compass, Vaseem Khan brings back Q for a story that blends espionage with mystery. The reviewer says this entry leans more toward the thriller side, while still making for an enjoyable read. J S Savage’s 7 Deadly Sins offers seven short mysteries, with the reviewer praising the author’s commitment to fair-play puzzles.

Ross Montgomery’s The Shadows Of Kensington Gore follows last year’s Grand Puzzly winner. Stephen and Miss Decima travel to London to investigate the apparent killing of a policeman by three suffragettes who vanish. The reviewer hints that the case grows more complicated than its initial description suggests, making it an option for readers who enjoy historical mysteries with an intriguing premise.

Suzy Aspley’s The Bone Mother closes the reviewer’s October reading with a darker story. After the events of Crow Moon, journalist Martha Strangeways is rebuilding her career while investigating the death and disappearance of young women walking the Cailleach Trail. The reviewer chose it as a fittingly spooky finish to the month.

Other books in October’s reading pile

The remaining titles show the range of the round-up. Paul Waters’s Death At The Elephant House is the second Delhi-set Haveli Hotel Mystery. The reviewer liked its impossible crime puzzle, though found the pacing slow and felt that starting with the second book left some context missing.

Simon Brett’s Bloodshed In The Bookshop returns to the Fethering Mystery series. Readers already fond of the books may enjoy another familiar instalment, but the reviewer found this one somewhat predictable and wondered whether the series might benefit from a change in direction.

Kelley Roos’s Made Up To Kill, one of only two older titles in the month’s reading, offered a different kind of pleasure. The reviewer found it entertaining and looks forward to reading more about Jeff and Haila Troy. Finding a copy may take extra effort, the article notes, unless readers have access to Kobo.

Mark Griffin’s The Head Collector launches a series with a serial-killer story. The reviewer raises a question about the plausibility of one supposed method, but still considers the book a decent read. Jonathan Stagge’s Murder By Prescription, also known as Murder or Mercy, is described as the second and perhaps rarest Hugh Westlake mystery. Its central subject is euthanasia; the reviewer found it interesting, while judging the culprit too easy to anticipate and some characters unusually drawn.

What to look for next

The October selection makes the reviewer’s preferences clear: an intricate puzzle matters, but so do character and tone. Craig’s win came from bringing those elements together in a book that exceeded expectations. Tyler’s The Murder Planner remains a strong recommendation, alongside Khan’s spy-and-mystery blend, Savage’s short cases, Montgomery’s historical sequel and Aspley’s atmospheric investigation.

The reviewer’s next monthly round-up is set to include another “Five Books” interview and new titles from Fiona Veitch Smith, Jeffrey Deaver and Andreina Cordani, with Christmas mysteries also on the reading horizon.