Thank you to Net Galley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher!

A novel that involves friendship with a sprinkling of mystery. The main character is Florrie, an elderly woman, who lives in an adult residence. When another resident has a deadly accident, she is suspicious of whether something bad happened to him or not. As she tries to sort out what actually happened, she starts to go through her own past.

This was a lot less mystery than I was expecting based on synopsis! It was a lot more about Florrie. I think if I had realized that going in, I would have enjoyed it more.

The Night in Question is simply a stellar read. Part mystery / part romance / all parts excellent. Follow along with Florrie as she "solves" a mystery at the assisted living facility where she currently resides after an amputation put her into a wheelchair and in need of domestic help. She knows something is not quite right about recent events at the home, but convincing others of that fact (without being considered age-addled) is no easy feat. And layered throughout is Florrie's own traumas and the subsequent adventures she was compelled to take around the world rather than face what had happened to her when she was 17 - each memory is tantalizing doled out by Fletcher in clever interludes. Highly recommended for fans of strong characters, clever plots, British mysteries, and great books. Thank you to Union Square & Co and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

I’m naturally drawn to ornery so Florrie is my new favorite character! After eighty-seven years of life, she believes she has seen it all and done it all. And she doesn’t give a care what anyone thinks. Go Florrie!

When faced with a tragedy in the retirement facility she calls home, she settles in to solve the mystery. Along the way, Florrie learns that sometimes you must look back to move on. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, this story is not one to miss. You’re never too old to live – a lesson we can all learn, at any age. I need this to become a movie. Soon. I highly recommend and would most definitely read more by this author.

"Florrie learned, long ago, that society forgets an old person was ever young."

Florrie was a remarkable old lady. She has seen much in her eighty-seven years. She has loved many, travelled afar, and experienced many losses. Also... Florrie holds a secret which she has kept from everyone for over seven decades.

Now, after a tragic accident, she has lost her left leg and is confined to a wheelchair. She leaves her beloved home and moves to Babbington Hall, a care home and assisted living facility in the Oxfordshire countryside. She takes everything life doles out to her with equanimity and positivity.

Renata Green, the manager of Babbington Hall, has expressed a wish to confide in Florrie which gives added optimism to the old lady. Finally, a friend who 'sees' her as a viable and able person. The following day, when they were meant to meet up, Renata falls from her third storey window.... Florrie witnessed the fall from her unit in the old apple store. The police deem the fall a suicide attempt. Florrie, after the brief talk she had with Renata, disagrees.

Distraught about Renata, Florrie seeks solace in the garden - where she encounters Stanhope Jones, a fellow resident. Stanhope hasn't lived at Babbington Hall for very long, but he proves to be an intelligent, kindly, like-minded, man. He too thinks that there is more to Renata's fall than they are led to believe...

The two elderly amateur sleuths put their considerable brains together to solve the mystery.

"We don't leave the children we were. We simply grow around them like a tree will, in the end, grow around a bicycle that's been left against them..."

Yes, this is indeed a mystery novel - but it is also a poignant and empathetic portrayal of aging - as we examine Florrie's life via her reminiscences. It is these very reflections on her own life that aids Florrie in solving the mystery surrounding Renata's fall. Her life was richly portrayed and had many highs and lows - as life always does.

The story shows how many people are patronizing of the elderly - deeming them 'lesser than'. It speaks to love and friendship in all their myriad permutations. How one love does not diminish another. How secrets can wound. Sometimes they wound the secret holder most of all.

A mystery story that is more 'Uplit' than mysterious, it nevertheless kept me engrossed. I admired Florrie and Stanhope and immensely enjoyed my time spent in their company.

Already in my Top 10 novels for the year. Delighted to include this title in the April edition of Novel Encounters, my column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national lifestyle and culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

I think this book is being marketed wrong. This is not a big mystery thriller. Sure there is a death (two actually) and there is a mystery to uncover, but this book doesn't have the pacing and focus that a reader expects from books considered thrillers. Instead, this is another story of an older person reflecting on the life they've led and what there is still to come. The mystery really just provides a reason for the main character Florrie to start considering all this. For a mystery, it was much too slowly paced and too long and meandering. For a book about a woman giving herself a second chance at life it was much better! Had I started it with that expectation in mind, I would have enjoyed it more and rated it higher.

When a crime is committed in her senior living residence, Florrie is troubled by the lack of response of investigators and decides to take it on herself. In doing so, she gets a renewed interest in life and learns a lot about herself, including the origins of a negative secret from her past. For readers who enjoy quirky characters and a good mystery. I look forward to recommending this title!

When I read the summary of The Night in Question and realized that the main character tasked with solving the mystery of the book was a one legged 87 year old, I didn't need to know anymore about the book. I've found that mysteries are better when they are solved by the elderly and The Night in Question is no exception. But this isn't your usual elderly people solves a mystery type of book. Think more of the quiet reflection found in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry instead of the quick wit that's found in the Thursday Murder Club.

Florrie Butterfield is a true gem of a character. She feels like she could come right out of the pages and I wish she would. Rarely does one find a character so complex and real. Throughout the book as Florrie goes about her search for answers, she unveils the story of her life. The writing is phenomenal and Florrie's outlook on life is refreshing. She strives to be kind, curious, forgiving, and loving despite her eight decades of ups and downs. Days later I caught myself saying, "Florrie Butterfield wouldn't think that for too long. She'd try to find a way to make this work to her advantage even though it's hard and it might now work. At least she'd try." There are too few characters written nowadays that will stay with readers for the rest of their lives and I believe Florrie is one of them.

Florrie didn't just feel like she could roll out of the pages, I also felt like I could fall right into the book. The settings are so well described, the characters that populate Florrie's lifetime are all so fleshed out, and the mystery so intriguing that I'm not 100% convinced that Susan Fletcher didn't visit an assisted living home and write down a resident's tale.

Honestly, if The Night in Question doesn't become the next big thing, I will be so disappointed! I want to see this book rise to the top of bestseller lists and fly into the hands of readers of all ages everywhere!

This book was just okay to me. I enjoyed it but maybe wasn't fully invested in the story or characters. I feel I just probably wasn't the best reader right now for a slower story line

This was such a vivid and descriptive book about a mystery surrounding a mysterious death in a nursing home. Touching on the subjects, and importance, of friendship, love, and memories, this book hits the spot on comfort

Despite having lost a leg, 87-year-old Florrie Butterfield turns sleuth in her assisted living facility, a former grand British country house, while reminiscing about her life and past loves. One of Florrie's friends is found dead on the grounds, and the caretaker of the home is hospitalized in critical condition after falling from the top window. In both cases, Florrie suspects foul play. Fellow resident John Stanhope is happy to assist in Florrie's investigations at Babbington Hall.

An utterly lovely mystery, gracefully written, and I really enjoyed it.

What a delightful read! I enjoyed Florrie's storyline and found her incredibly likable as a main character. i enjoyed this read!

My heart! What an utterly enchanting novel about second chances later in life and what a wonderful FMC. I need a minute to recover

Oke, Florrie is that type of octagenarian old lady that does not give a fluff and you really don't want to mess with. She is living in a retirement facilitiy and faced with a tragedy on the grounds, she buckles up and gets her sleuth on! The truly heartwaming (and heartbreaking) factor in this book is how Florrie looks back on her life in order to move ahead. Reflection on a whole new level


The book is written with grace, dignity, humour and a wit sharper than cut glass. Being aged is not a stumbling block for Florrie, it's an excuse for a whole new lease of life! Florries reflections frame the mystery well and flesh out a truly wonderful cozy

Flipping loved this book!

Thank you to Netgalley, Union Square & Co and Susan Fletcher for this truly beautiful ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I enjoyed this book. Florrie, a strong determined woman who also happens to be a disabled older woman living in a care home was a slightly mysterious protagonist, The book had lots of layers to it with mystery carefully interwoven throughout. Love and hate juxtaposed as the main themes in the book. I liked how by the end all the mysteries were solved. A enjoyable read with a strong female lead character. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I liked this book. Florrie was a very interesting protagonist, and I enjoyed getting to know her while I was reading. In a sense, it was a little like reading someone's biography, and I did feel very connected to her. Initially, the writing had a lighthearted tone, but there was something that made me want to take it very seriously. As I suspected, there was a darker element to Florrie's story that became evident as the book progressed. This reminded me a little of Emma Healey's Elizabeth Is Missing, so I wonder if fans of that book will like this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

"The Night in Question" is a beautifully written, complex narrative including a murder mystery, a long-hidden secret, and love. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Absolutely outstanding! This was an exceptional read on all levels. Loved every minute of it and will undoubtedly be a huge success! Can't wait to read more by this author!

In Susan Fletcher's captivating novel, "The Night in Question," we are introduced to Florrie Butterfield, an eighty-seven-year-old woman with a cheerful disposition and a prosthetic leg. Florrie firmly believes that her life has reached its limit on adventures and surprises. However, her perspective is about to be shattered when a shocking and peculiar accident occurs at Babbington Hall, the adult residence where she resides. This incident raises suspicions within Florrie; could it be an accident, or is she being deceived? Could there be a potential murderer living alongside her? Determined to uncover the truth, Florrie delves into her own past, confronting her deepest passions, regrets, and even her own dark secret. As she embarks on this journey, she discovers that forgiveness is crucial, particularly towards oneself. Alongside her new companion, Stanhope, Florrie learns that it is never too late to pursue the life she has always dreamt of, especially when it comes to love. "The Night in Question" is a novel that skillfully weaves together mystery, introspection, and the unwavering spirit of resilience. Fletcher's writing effortlessly transports readers into Florrie's world, allowing them to experience her doubts, fears, and determination firsthand. Through vivid descriptions, the author brings Babbington Hall to life, immersing us in its enigmatic atmosphere and making us question the true intentions of those residing within its walls. Florrie's character development is a highlight of this novel. As she navigates the twists and turns of the investigation, we witness her transformation from a seemingly ordinary elderly woman to a tenacious seeker of truth. Fletcher brilliantly explores the complexities of Florrie's emotions, as she confronts her own past mistakes and learns to forgive herself. It is within these moments of introspection that the true essence of the novel shines through — reminding us that regardless of age, it is never too late to find redemption and pursue our dreams. The chemistry between Florrie and Stanhope adds another layer of depth to the narrative. Their friendship blossoms organically, providing solace and support as they navigate the unsettling events unfolding around them. Stanhope's unwavering belief in Florrie's abilities and his encouragement to pursue her desires serve as a reminder that love and companionship can be found at any stage of life, rekindling hope in the hearts of readers. Susan Fletcher's storytelling prowess is on full display in "The Night in Question." Her ability to craft a suspenseful plot while delving into the inner workings of her characters is truly commendable. The narrative unfolds at a steady pace, effortlessly keeping readers engaged and eager to discover the truth alongside Florrie. By intertwining themes of mystery, forgiveness, and the pursuit of one's dreams, Fletcher creates a compelling and thought-provoking read. In conclusion, "The Night in Question" is a mesmerizing tale that skillfully explores the complexities of life, love, and self-discovery. Susan Fletcher's writing captures the essence of Florrie's journey, taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster filled with intrigue and redemption. This novel serves as a reminder that no matter our age, we should never stop seeking the adventures and dreams that have always resided within us. "The Night in Question" is an exceptional work of fiction that will resonate with readers long after the final page is turned.