Books With Characters in Their 70s

by Richard Osman
Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, & Ron, all 70-something

At Coopers Chase retirement community, there isn’t a lot of excitement. For fun, four residents meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes and talk through what could have happened. They figure they’ll stay younger by using their brains to solve crimes.

But then, a murder occurs near their community. A local developer is found dead, and an unexpected photo is next to the body. Before they know it, the quirky group of friends is investigating a crime in real-time…much to the dismay of the actual detective assigned to the case.

This book is the first in a newer series, with the third book released in September 2022.

The Book Girls Say…When we read about this book, we were both reminded of the hilarious and clever Hulu series Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. Steve Martin and Martin Short are both in their 70s, so if you haven’t seen the show, it would be a fun supplement to 70-somethings month!

by Jane Riley
Geraldine, 72 Years Old

Geraldine hasn’t left the house in three months since losing her husband of 50 years. Before he died, he made her promise to spread his ashes somewhere exotic and that she would not give up on life after he was gone.

Despite getting out her red suitcase, she can’t seem to fulfill either of her promises. However, an accident leaves Geraldine temporarily unable to do everything she needs around her house. She is mortified when Meals on Wheels arrives with food. However, young volunteer Lottie brings more than just food. Like Geri, she’s struggling to let go of something in her past.

Together, an unlikely friendship blossoms, and Geri begins the bumpy ascent out of her deep grief.

The Book Girls Say…Reviewers of this book often say that this is an uplifting read despite the themes of grief.

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of 8/12/22.

by Ann Patchett
Dr. Annick Swenson, 73 years old

State of Wonder is part adventure, part mystery. At the direction of the pharmaceutical company that she works for, Dr. Marina Singh travels deep into Brazil's Amazon rainforest. She is charged with uncovering what happened to her missing former mentor, Dr. Annick Swenson, who disappeared while developing a valuable new drug for women.

The Book Girls Say… This book deals with some complex moral issues, and some readers describe it as dark and gloomy. State of Wonder is also included on our list of books for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing. The environment of the Amazon is described vividly and plays a vital role in this book.

by Belinda Bauer
Felix, 75 Years Old

This clever British murder mystery is full of surprises. Felix has an unusual volunteer job. He’s an Exiter, helping people die with dignity and aiding the terminally ill in their last moments. The role requires careful adherence to the law, and Felix is there as a comfort but not to physically assist.

However, as he’s training a new Exiter, something goes horribly wrong. Soon, this 75-year-old pensioner is on the run from the police, simultaneously trying to solve the mystery before getting caught.

by Jane Gilley
Gloria, 70 Years Old

Gloria is a hoarder. She has 79 years of possessions in her home, from treasures to old magazines, cardboard boxes, and even rolls of carpet. She hasn’t left her home in years, but one day a major electrical issue forces her out, despite her desire to stay in her comfort zone.

Her son decides this is the perfect opportunity to sell her home and tries to take control of Gloria’s entire life in the process. But despite her cluttered house, Gloria is still more than capable of making her own life decisions. And she does, finding unexpected new friends and happiness along the way.

by Barbara O'Neal
Gloria Rose, 70-Something

Instagram influencer Gloria Rose lives the good life in her Upper West Side loft. But then she discovers a boyfriend from her past has been arrested for an old art theft. She was involved in his crime, so worries she’ll be the next one arrested if she stays put.

Before she can flee, she needs to protect her 30-something nieces from any fallout. That’s a tough job because the sisters are still struggling in life and constantly fighting with each other.

When Gloria Rose and her nieces are reunited, it’s the perfect chance to deal with decades of interwoven trauma.

The Book Girls Say…This new release from the author of the hit book When We Were Mermaids has high reviews for the rich characters and their relationships with each other. However, some readers are disappointed the art theft isn’t more of a plot point.

This book would also work well as a multi-generation read since the nieces are also prominent, but we LOVED that Gloria Rose is a 70-something influencer since that job title is usually applied to younger generations. It’s a great example of never being too old to try something new!

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of 8/12/22.

by Sarah Ladipo Manyika
Morayo, 74 Years Old

This quirkily titled novella is a glimpse into the life of a cosmopolitan Nigerian woman living in San Francisco. She’s independent, in good health, and loves road trips in her vintage Porshe. However, everything changes when she has a fall. Suddenly, she must rely on both friends and lucky encounters with strangers willing to help.

The character-driven novella moves between memories of her past world travels and her attempts at adapting to her present, and you’ll meet a host of interesting side characters along the way.

by Harper Lin
Barbara, 70 Years Old

Retired CIA agent Barbara is bored in her small New England town. When a man, Lucien, appears to have a heart attack at his book club meeting for seniors, she’s confident that he was poisoned. Suddenly, her CIA training becomes useful as she plays the part of a sweet grandmother while trying to figure out which member of the Cheerville Active Readers’ Society would want Lucien dead.

This cozy mystery is the first in the Secret Agent Granny series, which currently includes ten titles.

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of 8/12/22.

by David Biro
Gertie, Maria, & Corinna, 70-Somethings

For twenty years, three female friends have met weekly under the Verrazzano Bridge. Gertie is a feisty Norweigan divorcee, and on the eve of her 80th birthday, she realizes her time to travel the world is running out. Maria, an Italian-American widow, decides this is the perfect opportunity to reunite both Gertie and Corinna with their estranged families.

This character-driven story of friendship celebrates strong, mature women and is said to be inspirational and full of hope.

by Judy Leigh
Barbara, 77 Years Old

Sisters Barbara and Pauline couldn’t be more different. But, after a health scare, outspoken 77-year-old spinster Barbara moves in with quieter widower Pauline to recover. Unfortunately, the tension is already rising between them when another unexpected houseguest is added to the mix.

Pauline accidentally knocks down a vagrant named Bisto, and he also moves in to recover. However, the more they get to know Bisto, the more surprised by who he really is. Can the sisters improve their relationship with the help of this stranger?

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of 8/15/22.

by Beth Morrey
Millicent, aka “Missy,” 79 Years Old

Missy is 79 years old and lives in a stately London home alone. Her husband, Leo, passed away after a challenging illness, and her favorite child, son Allistair, broke her heart by moving to Australia. Daughter Melanie lives much closer in Cambridge, but they have a contentious relationship.

As Missy walks alone through a park, her primary mission is to experience something worthy of including in her next email to Allistair. While she prefers keeping to herself, she forces herself to interact with some interesting characters she encounters on her walk. When she faints, her new acquaintances not only help her in the moment, they invite her to a nearby coffee shop.

But is 79 too old for new friends and a new outlook on life?

by Bernardine Evaristo
Barry, 74 Years Old

Flamboyant Barry was born in Antigua and currently lives with his wife in the UK. He's a grandfather, but his wife doesn't know that he's been in a secret relationship with his childhood friend, Morris, for the past 60 years. Carmel does realize he's been cheating but has no idea the depth of his deception. As his long marriage begins to break down, he has some big decisions to make.

The book is a great peek into Britain's older Caribbean community.

The Book Girls Say…This literary fiction was written by the author of the bestseller Girl, Woman, Other. Some readers find the unlikability of the main character difficult to overcome, while others enjoy his cheeky nature.

by Kent Haruf
Addie and Louis, 70-somethings

Like the author's acclaimed book, Plainsong, this book is set in the rural community of Holt, Colorado. Neighbors Addie and Louis have known each other for decades. She lost her husband years ago, and it's been a year since Louis lost his wife. They have been incredibly lonely, alone in their homes. Addie pays an unexpected visit to Louis and proposes a deeper friendship.

As Addie and Louis begin to talk and share their histories, the town takes notice. They're forced to defend their new relationship while still dealing with their own real problems.

by Andrea Bobotis
Judith Kratt, 75 years old

Judith Kratt is an affluent 75-year-old woman living in her family's grand, but aging, mansion in South Carolina. It's the home she's known all of her life, and one she hasn't left since 1929. It's now the 1980s, and Judith and Olva, the old family maid, spend long, slow afternoons rocking on the front porch.

When Judith learns that her sister, Rosemarie, is coming for a visit for the first time in 60 years, she decides it's time to take inventory of the home. This includes everything she inherited from the Kratt family - the cut-glass letter opener, the pie safe, the copper clock, and the murder that no one talks about.

As Judith catalogs her possessions, the story is interwoven with chilling flashbacks from the fateful night in 1929 that changed everything. Through her list-making, she begins to piece together her family's influence on their small cotton town and to acknowledge the devastating effects of their dark family secrets.

The Book Girls Say... This book is a great choice for fans of southern fiction! Judith is an unreliable, and, at times unlikeable, narrator - just the way the author wants it. Some readers find that the story starts a bit slow since you may not connect with the characters immediately. But once it draws you in, you'll be hooked. This is not a mystery novel in the sense that, thanks to clever writing and foreshadowing, you'll likely unravel some of the family secrets before the characters unveil them - but this feels intentional and adds to the reading experience rather than detracting from it.

by Kirthana Ramisetti
Dava, 70 Years Old

Dava is one of the world's wealthiest women, and always makes decisions with her reputation in mind. When she receives a fatal diagnosis, it's time to find out if all her actions have led to the legacy she desires.

Dava invites her four adult children to her private island to share two shocking bits of news. First, she is dying. And second, she has arranged for the news of her death to be publicized before she dies so she can read her own obituaries.

Instead of seeing her epic levels of philanthropy praised as Dava expected, two devasted truths about her past are revealed to the public, and also her children...which is extra uncomfortable since they're all on the island together.

The Book Girls Say...If you loved the complicated family dynamics and extreme wealth of Crazy Rich Asians or the family drama of the TV series Succession, this could be a fun pick. Skip it if you don't enjoy reading about lavish lifestyles or dislike unlikable characters.