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Mystery Series with Older Protagonists
Trivia: Which crooner was nicknamed “The Velvet Fog”?
RetireHub
November 05, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Wednesday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on Mystery Series with Older Protagonists, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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What We’re Reading
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 | By: Christopher Amato Four retired detectives living in a quiet Florida community take matters into their own hands when a neighbor’s teenage granddaughter goes missing and the local police dismiss the case. As they dig deeper, they uncover a dark web of drugs and human trafficking, far more sinister than they expected. Blending suspense, heart, and humor, this thriller explores whether seasoned instincts and old-school grit are enough to save a young girl from unimaginable danger. |
Dear Joanne
Your questions, her wisdom — Joanne’s here with thoughtful advice, warm humor, and a listening ear for whatever’s on your mind.
You’d think retirement would be all about sipping coffee on the porch (which I do a lot of), traveling the world (which I try to travel pretty often), and finally catching up on those romance novels which I now feel too old to read. But for many retirees, there's a bittersweet chapter that sneaks in before the fun begins: downsizing. That conversation and reality crept into my life this week.
It sounds simple on paper—find a smaller house, less space, less stuff, less stress. But in reality, it’s more like getting less sleep, more tears, and a whole lot of cardboard boxes.
A house popped up for sale in my emails from Zillow. A two-bedroom, pretty cute single floor house about five blocks from my youngest son. There was an open house the following day. I mentioned it to my husband, although we had not seriously had a conversation about downsizing. Big mistake – I give my husband a “maybe” idea and he is off to the races with it. Before I know it, the next afternoon we are in the car driving to the open house.
All the way there, I was secretly wanting to hate the house. I was even holding back tears about the thought of moving out of my current house. I have such an emotional connection to my current house. When I pull down my street, it makes me smile. What more can you ask for?
We get to the open house and as we walk in, I at once “kind of” like it. I keep suppressing any excitement even though the rooms are a good size and I can see myself being comfortable there.
Then I start to think… what if we are serious about moving? What am I going to do with all my stuff? Going from a five-bedroom, two-story home down to a two bedroom one floor level is not going to be easy.
What about that old rocking chair? It’s not just furniture - it’s where I rocked my kids and grandkids to sleep. My big dining room table that fits the entire family? Where will I sit everyone on Thanksgiving and Christmas? I have a treadmill that doubles as a coat rack. I have at least 40 bath towels because I love towels. There are two people in my house. You do the math.
The garage full of my husband’s tools? I don’t really care about those – give them away. (Sorry honey, just kidding.)
Letting go of possessions isn’t just about space - it’s about identity. You’re not just clearing out a house; you’re untangling yourself from a lifetime of memories.
And let’s not forget the guilt. My sons and daughters-in-law say, “Don’t worry, Mom, we don’t want the dining room set.” But you remember the laughs around that table for every holiday. Friends say, “It’s just stuff.” But it’s not. It’s my life in snapshots and souvenirs. Everything I own has a memory. The next generation thinks of my things as vintage. Or maybe garbage.
Let’s be honest—downsizing is basically emotional exercise. You’re lifting heavy memories, doing mental gymnastics over what to keep, and sweating through every decision. And just when you think you’re done, you find a box labeled “miscellaneous cords” that’s followed you through three decades and still doesn’t plug into anything. Also, why do I own 47 Tupperware lids and no containers to match them up to?
And then I can foresee the arguments with the hubby: “We’ll just keep the essentials.” Three hours later, we are arguing over whether the fondue set I used once in 2020 during Covid is a “core memory” or a fire hazard.
And don’t even get me started on the junk drawer. How many junk drawers do you have? That thing is like a time capsule and a black hole rolled into one. You’ll find expired coupons, a mysterious key, and at least one AA battery that may or may not work—but you’ll keep it. Just in case.
Even when you know it’s almost time to make the right move - less maintenance, lower costs, closer to the kids - it still feels I am creating a loss that I am not ready for. People say, “Wait until you’re ready.” But when are you ever truly ready to say goodbye to the place where your life happened? There’s no perfect time. There’s just the moment when the stairs feel steeper, the lawn feels larger, and the idea of a simpler life starts whispering louder than nostalgia.
If you have downsized, I would love to hear about your emotional rollercoaster. Email me at [email protected]. I promise to respond to each and every one of you.
Have a great week everyone!
Ciao for now!
Joanne
Downsizing to me: |
On this day in 1872, Susan B. Anthony cast an illegal vote in the U.S. presidential election and was subsequently arrested and fined—over four decades before the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. This event was historic in the fight for women's suffrage and remains a powerful symbol of determination and change.
Mystery Series with Older Protagonists: Why They Captivate
If you love a good mystery but feel like the heroes are always too young, it’s time to discover stories where wisdom, experience—and sometimes retirement—are the secret weapons. These series place protagonists in their 60s, 70s or even older, who bring life experience, sharp instincts, and a fearless curiosity to each case. They don’t just stumble into crime scenes—they methodically unravel them, often because they can.
What makes these series so compelling for mature readers? First, the protagonists feel relatable. Mature sleuths show us that getting older often means getting better, as years of observation and reflection become powerful assets. Rather than hyper-fitness or wild coincidences, these characters rely on their networks, persistence, and intuition—qualities that many readers recognize in themselves.
Second, the tone often blends comfort with intrigue. In a world that sometimes sidelines older characters, these mysteries place them at the center, giving agency, humor, and depth to people who’ve lived rich, full lives. The stories highlight not only the puzzles, but the warmth and realism that come from protagonists who have decades behind them.
Third, the settings and stakes often align with your interests. Think small-town charm, active retiree communities, or second-act careers—plots rooted in places and situations older readers might recognize or appreciate. These aren’t high-tech thrillers with constant chases; they’re intelligent, character-driven stories where the hero might pause for tea, chat with neighbors, or reflect on what matters.
So if you’re looking for your next read, consider extending the genre to include detectives who are older than their sidekick or their car. Whether it’s a retired spy, a widow turned amateur sleuth, or a fixer-of-problems in a retirement village, these protagonists prove that curiosity doesn’t fade—and age sure doesn’t mean reading less.
What draws you most to mysteries with older protagonists? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: What would you be most interest in learning online?
Technology takes the top spot in our online learning poll, with 22% of readers eager to brush up on basics like smartphones, computers, and internet safety. Creative pursuits like photography, gardening, and cooking were also popular at 20%, tied with those currently not interested in online learning. Health and wellness topics earned 17%, followed by artistic endeavors like music and writing (9%) and personal finance (4%). It’s clear there’s a strong appetite for practical and enjoyable learning at any age—with many of you wanting to grow both skills and hobbies from the comfort of home.
TOP COMMENTS
“Learning Italian”
“Spanish”
“All of them have some appeal. Learning more about computers is probably top on my list.”
“I love learning new languages and local cultures. Before we travel to a country, I try to learn some basic phrases and read about the history and culture. For languages with which I am familiar, I brush up so I can converse (sometimes simply). I am conversant in French and Italian. Now I am learning Spanish.”
“Hobby classes (such as art, gardening, cooking) are all fun and I am interested in those, but I am also interested in learning topics that I didn't have time to explore in college - such as math, science, history, etc.”
“I’m interested in in-person learning.”
“Would like to learn sign language.”
“The good news on health and wellness changes so regularly that I think it would be beneficial to pay attention to it online.”
“Textile arts (crochet, needlepoint, macrame).”
“I would love to learn another language. So that I could communicate with more people.”
“History and philosophy lectures would be great.”
Anticipation Isn’t Just for Big Events — It’s a Quiet Joy Waiting to Be Embraced
As we age, the kind of future we look forward to often changes. Once, major milestones like birthdays or promotions kept us excited. Today, looking ahead might mean applying to a craft fair, planning a leisurely morning walk, or simply imagining a meaningful chat with a friend.
True anticipation isn’t about perfection or grand plans—it’s about having even the slightest belief that something good lies ahead. Focusing on the small joys—sunrise, a favorite cup of tea, or a friendly phone call—plants seeds of hope and opens us to a richer sense of life.
When we expect the best (not the flawless), we give ourselves permission to feel joy now, not just later. And even if the outcome isn’t exactly what we hoped for, we build resilience, stay connected to possibility, and keep our hearts tuned in to the promise of what’s next.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Thirst
Meaning: In slang, “thirst” refers to someone showing obvious desperation or strong desire—often for attention, affection, or validation. It originally described romantic or sexual longing, but it’s now used more broadly (e.g., “thirsty for compliments” or “thirsty for likes”).
In a sentence: "When Harold posted three shirtless photos after his pickleball win, Mabel said, ‘Look at you, Harold! That’s some serious thirst for attention.’”
Good News of the Day
4MOST Telescope Unlocks the Secrets of 2,400 Cosmic Objects Every 20 Minutes
A new astronomical instrument called the 4 MOST, recently installed in Chile, is now capable of analyzing the light from 2,400 celestial objects simultaneously—splitting that light into 18,000 “color” components to reveal each object’s chemical makeup, temperature, and movement. The ambition is enormous: the data collected over the next decade will catalog tens of millions of stars, galaxies, and other celestial bodies, dramatically expanding our understanding of the universe.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which crooner was nicknamed “The Velvet Fog”? |
Which city hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics? |
The Okavango Delta—one of the world’s great inland deltas—is in which country? |
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