THe title and the cover sold me on this book, but it is not as it appears. Yes, there are old girls in it, and yes, they are driving, at one point, a quad bike, but there is a lot more going on than that. From the cover and title, you would think they were being naughty, and having fun while doing so.

Gina is looking for work, since her husband left her, and she is selling the family home, and so she answers an ad for a companion, and she thinks that is what it is. But what starts out as heling Dorothy around during a wedding at a family estate, turns into a mystery of a stolen painting, and blackmail, and other underhanded sort of stuff.
I went into this thinking it would be sort of a madcapped dashing about story, and it sort of was, but Both Gina and Dorothy follow clues, and weird things, and notice that the other guests at the house have secrets, and what about the Priest in the local parish.

The way it is written, it sounds like the beginning of a series of adventures of Gina solving mysteries, not quite a modern Miss Marple, but perhaps something more.

Despite it not being quite what I expected, I did enjoy it, and if there is another book in this series, I will probably read that as well.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on the 13th of May 2024.

Old Girls Behaving Badly by Kate Galley is a feel-good, cozy mystery/ fiction that follows octogenarian, Dot, and her 71 year old companion, Gina, as they both navigate being newly single. In this novel about friendship and living life to the fullest, we watch these two women not only search to uncover a crime but also form a friendship that they both desperately need and start to help each other heal.

I liked the storyline but definitely would have appreciated a little humor mixed in with the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for early access to read Old Girls Behaving Badly in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are mine.

It’s an easy ready and had my attention from the first few pages.
There’s a lot to love it’s not just a romance, it’s about love and family, loss and healing, learning to live again and accept.
Aside from that it’s pure escapism and I loved the characters, though sometimes I found them infuriating at times, but it all comes together and they’re well developed and their actions make sense as the story goes on.

As a woman (only slightly) over 60, I gravitate toward novels about older women taking hold of the reins of their lives.
But this one was only so-so for me. I like "quirky" characters.....but this book had "caricatures" instead, so overblown that they were more ludicrous than endearing.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Bravo!
As a reader who will hit 71 very soon (April 2024) this delightful tale has boosted my (somewhat waning) enthusiasm for reaching my 70s. Growing 'old' it seems doesn't have to be something to dread, (although with arthritis and Glaucoma it isn''t all it is cracked up to be!) Gina and Dot have given me new hope!

Apart from two absolutely splendid lead characters, a riveting plot, superb writing and that all important turn-the-next-page readability, the story was great fun from start to finish.

I do hope there'll be a chance to meet these two 'old girls' again!

Meanwhile - I wonder if I should get a quadbike...?

71 year old Gina’s life has suddenly been turned upside down when her husband leaves her to rediscover himself — and she needs to find a job and a place to live — she takes a short term position as a caregiver for 89 year old Dorothy -but Dorothy has ulterior motives for hiring Gina — as these two ladies get into mischief.

This mystery story is also a cozy light read with comedic moments — with an Agatha Christie feel to the story as well. I enjoyed that the characters were elderly showing that no matter your age you can still do exciting things. The story was good and you could get invested in the outcome. A light entertaining read — with the potential for a series.

Thank-you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC . This is my honest review.

1 star
I got 20% in and found I couldn't possibly make myself care enough to finish.
It's just a dull book

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
An endearing, quirky mystery!
Well-written with some delightful characters. I enjoyed being a part of Gina and Dorothy’s adventure. Hoping with that ending there will be a sequel!!

Old Girls Behaving Badly by Kate Galley is an intriguing contemporary novel that kept me amused for a few hours.
The leading ladies are seventy one and eighty nine. They suddenly find that their twilight years are anything but calm and peaceful as the pair search for a stolen painting. Add a thirteen year old into the mix and the action ramps up as her enthusiasm knows no bounds.
We follow the characters to a family wedding in Norfolk where an uncle has thrown open his large, old house. There are elements of Agatha Christie as the family descends and three members are practicing their amateur sleuthing skills.
Society has written off ladies of a certain age, meaning they are practically invisible in their antics. Women over sixty are seen as beige, boring and staid – but they prove themselves to be far from this assumption. A sense of adventure is awakened in them as they prove that life is for living, whatever your age.
This was my first book by Kate Galley and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought Old Girls Behaving Badly would translate marvellously into early evening cosy mystery viewing. This was light-hearted amateur sleuthing at its finest. A most enjoyable read.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Two woman reinventing themselves and solving a mystery at the same time.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

So far a very cute read one I'm enjoying very much.
This novel will make you want to laugh, cry, get mad at the injustice of it all.
Life's so not fair Gina thinks.
I liked Gina a,lot. She's so laid back and I love her interest and knowledge in art.
I loved all the characters except one.
I thought the way that he done things was downright sneaky and dirty. Men!
Grie can be sneaky too. It can come from nowhere.
I felt each of the characters feelings coming up t me from the pages of the book. I'm actually still thinking about them. Mostly Gina and Dorothy.
I finished this cute story in one evening it was so good. I didn't want it to end because I felt that these characters became my friends.
5 stars for an entertaining read. I really recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own

This book had me in tears, laughing so hard. I really enjoyed it. Grandmas behaving badly, what could be better. Thank you NetGalley.

Gina has had enough. Her husband of forty years is off “finding himself” and wants a divorce and hence they are having to sell the house- not great when one of his ideas was to equity release a while ago. She sees an advert for being a companion to an elderly lady just for a week but may lead to a more permanent position, which interests her. When she meets Dorothy they get on well and she gets the job, however it appears Dorothy has another job for Gina, one that wasn't mentioned in the interview- to find out if the wedding host stole a picture from Dorothy’s husband that led to his death. Is Gina in over her head or can she play sleuth without being detected?

I really enjoyed this from the off and would love it to be a series. It's a light-hearted read with a smile and a cozy type crime/mystery with lots more thrown in. It’s about being true to yourself and that at any age your light can still burn very brightly if you let it and not letting things get in your way- be it age or relatives! A wonderful, charming read I most thoroughly enjoyed. Different, upbeat and entertaining.


For more reviews please follow me on Twitter (X) or Threads @nickisbookblog
----------------------------------------------------------