Fergus Craig’s Retirement Home Mystery Wins October’s Puzzly

Fergus Craig’s I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home takes October’s Puzzly after surprising its reviewer with an amusing mystery, a clever central idea and characters worth caring about. L C Tyler’s The Murder Planner came close, but Craig’s book had the edge precisely because it was such an unexpected pleasure.

That choice came after a crowded month: eleven books, several familiar authors and a varied run of crime fiction. The reviewer also had personal connections to a few of the writers, including interviews, an invitation to a book launch, signed copies and a dedication. Those gestures made the decision harder, the reviewer admits, even if they weren’t intended to influence the award. In the end, the book that most caught them off guard won out.

The October shortlist

The month’s reading ranged from series entries and short mysteries to a spy thriller, a historical investigation and a spooky finale. Several titles were enjoyable while leaving the reviewer with reservations; others stood out for their wit, premise or particular kind of puzzle.

• Death At The Elephant House by Paul Waters is the second Delhi-set Haveli Hotel Mystery. The reviewer liked its impossible-crime puzzle, though the pacing felt slow, and starting with the second book left them feeling they had missed some context.
• Bloodshed In The Bookshop by Simon Brett is another Fethering Mystery. It should suit readers who already enjoy the series, but this instalment struck the reviewer as familiar in its approach. A shake-up might be welcome, though some series readers value that steadiness.
• Made Up To Kill by Kelley Roos, one of just two books in the roundup that wasn’t a new release, offered plenty of fun. The reviewer found it difficult to track down unless a reader has a Kobo, but came away keen to follow Jeff and Haila Troy’s further escapades.

• 7 Deadly Sins by J S Savage collects seven short mysteries. The reviewer praises the stories and their fair-play approach, and adds that the book is dedicated to them.
• The Head Collector by Mark Griffin begins a series with a serial-killer story. The reviewer found a moment of explanation about the unlikely mechanics of a death distracting, but judged the novel a decent read overall.
• The Man With The Golden Compass by Vaseem Khan brings Q back in a blend of spy thriller and mystery. This time, the balance leans more towards the thriller, but the reviewer still found it a great read.

• The Murder Planner by L C Tyler was a leading contender: the reviewer calls it witty and full of turns, and notes that Tyler invited them to the book launch.
• The Shadows Of Kensington Gore by Ross Montgomery follows last year’s Grand Puzzly winner. Stephen and Miss Decima investigate an apparent killing in London involving three women who vanish. The reviewer hints that the case proves more complicated than its initial outline suggests.
• Murder By Prescription by Jonathan Stagge, also known as Murder or Mercy, is the second and possibly rarest Hugh Westlake mystery. Its focus on euthanasia makes for an interesting read, though the reviewer found the culprit predictable despite an attempt at a clever turn, and thought two characters were odd.
• The Bone Mother by Suzy Aspley closes the month on a spooky note. Journalist Martha Strangeways is rebuilding her career after the events of Crow Moon when she investigates the death and disappearance of young women walking the Cailleach Trail.

Why Craig’s book won

Tyler’s The Murder Planner nearly took the prize, and the reviewer also recommends The Man With The Golden Compass, 7 Deadly Sins, The Shadows Of Kensington Gore and The Bone Mother. Yet Craig’s novel combined the qualities that proved hardest to resist: comedy, a strong mystery and a cast the reviewer cared about.

The award also makes a useful recommendation for readers wary of familiar setups. The reviewer specifically advises against dismissing Craig’s book as just another mystery about older residents: its appeal, in their view, lies in the execution and its genuinely funny moments. That personal response is the heart of the Puzzly decision. A month with established favourites and several worthy contenders still left room for a book that arrived without expectations and made its case on the page.

Next month’s reading plans include another Five Books interview, titles from Fiona Veitch Smith, Jeffrey Deaver and Andreina Cordani, and the start of the reviewer’s seasonal mysteries. For readers choosing their next crime novel, Craig’s surprise win is the clearest place to begin.