Deanna Raybourn’s Kills Well with Others is the sequel to her popular book, Killers of a Certain Age. You can order copies of both books through the Webstore at The Poisoned Pen. https://bit.ly/4iqwb6V
Oline Cogdill recently reviewed Kills Well with Others for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Maybe her review will convince you to pick up a copy of the book.
Book review: Senior women refuse to be underestimated in action-packed ‘Kills Well With Others’
In “Kills Well With Others,” author Deanna Raybourn brings back Billie, Mary Alice, Natalie and Helen, who refuse to have their skills disparaged or be overlooked because they are women in their 60s. The foursome were first introduced in “Killers of a Certain Age” (2022). (Holly Virginia Photography/Courtesy)
‘Kills Well With Others’ by Deanna Raybourn. Berkley, 368 pages, $29
For some, retirement is an undefinable word. Oh, we know what it means, but many of us don’t adhere to the traditional views that retirement means doing as little as possible and, sadly, sometimes being ignored by others.
Others of us use this time to sharpen our skills, redefine ourselves and find satisfying work, sometimes working harder than when employed full time.
Deanna Raybourn’s “Kills Well With Others” brings back Billie, Mary Alice, Natalie and Helen, who refuse to have their skills disparaged or be overlooked because they are women in their 60s. Introduced in “Killers of a Certain Age” (2022), the foursome were trying to retire as the first all-female elite assassin squad working for an “extra governmental” organization called the Museum. That alleged retirement didn’t go well.
Raybourn continues with these themes in “Kills Well With Others” — senior women refusing to be underestimated, the power of female friendship, and belief in themselves and their skills. They might move a bit slower, but don’t mess with them.
“Good training never dies,” is a recurring refrain in “Kills Well With Others.” Raybourn also shows how a commitment to a career continues: “… some jobs you leave, but they never leave you,” says Billie.
In “Kills Well With Others,” the four reunite to find who murdered another retired Museum member and who may be targeting them. This time, they want to be overlooked, so they disguise themselves several times during their investigation, which takes them across Europe and to Egypt. The job is off the books, so instead of the usual first-class travel, they face flights in coach, second-rate hotels — reserved with a Groupon, of all things — and crowded trains. Gourmet dining also is off the table.
The four are an appealing group who bicker and zigzag from serious to jokes, but their respect and love for each other are never in doubt.
Since being recruited in 1978, the women learned the utmost in the life/work balance with husbands, wives, widowhood and legitimate jobs filling the months or years between assignments. Yes, these women are killers — excellent killers — but Raybourn keeps the reader totally on their side as the Museum only targets the worst of the worst (arms dealers, sex traffickers, the occasional dictator, cult leaders and corrupt judges).
Raybourn balances her action-packed plot with wry humor, often about that life/work balance. The four just want their pensions, which are stuck in bureaucracy. They meet their younger former boss, Naomi, at Colonial Williamsburg, discussing the assignment while Naomi breastfeeds her baby while her husband takes their toddler to the restroom. Naomi wants the briefing to go quickly so she and her family can get to a theme park where there’s “a funnel cake with my name on it.” The women have great fun with their disguises.
Raybourn also writes two Edgar-nominated series set during the Victorian era and a third series set during the 1920s. We hope she also continues with more stories about this foursome — and that Billie, Mary Alice, Natalie and Helen get their pensions.
Check out the video from The Poisoned Pen Bookstore if you’d like to hear Deanna Raybourn discuss her books.