Florrie Butterfield has led a long and colourful life. Losing her leg has led to a level of dependence which can only be met through assisted living in a rather unusual establishment, managed by a rather unusual lady. Florrie has secrets. There have been a number of men in her life and there are secrets which she isn't ready to share yet with anyone, including the reader who waits patiently! Flashbacks to her past begin to build a fuller picture, whilst in the present there are some other mysteries to solve.
I really enjoy books about older characters and Florrie is a welcome addition to this genre of writing. The author has a really gorgeous lyrical style and a unique world wisdom which I very much appreciated. However, I didn't feel that this was consistent and I am afraid that I found that things started to move too slowly and this felt like a long audiobook.
The narrator was lovely and perfect for the part. Her voice reminded me very much of Judi Dench!

Thank you very much to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for my copy of the audiobook.

In this intriguing blend of mystery and heartfelt reflection, Susan Fletcher crafts a narrative that transcends the boundaries of its genre. At its core, the novel revolves around the enigmatic fall of Renata, but its true strength lies in the poignant portrayal of aging through the eyes of Florrie.

Florrie, the protagonist, emerges not just as a solver of mysteries but as a symbol of resilience and wisdom gained over a lifetime. Through her introspective reminiscences, we witness a life replete with both joys and sorrows, navigating themes of love, friendship, and the enduring impact of secrets.

The novel deftly challenges societal perceptions of the elderly, exposing the patronizing attitudes that often diminish their worth. Instead, it celebrates the richness of experience and the complexity of relationships, demonstrating how love can coexist in myriad forms without diminishing its essence.

While classified as a mystery, the narrative leans towards 'Uplit' (uplifting literature), offering more than mere intrigue. It delves into the depths of human emotions and the profound connections that shape our lives. The mystery itself serves as a backdrop against which Florrie's character shines brightly, alongside her steadfast companion Stanhope.

Ms. Fletcher's prose is evocative and compelling, drawing readers into Florrie's world with each turn of the page. The pacing is steady, maintaining suspense while allowing ample room for character development and introspection.

Overall, I found it to be a captivating read that balances mystery with profound insights into life's complexities. Florrie and Stanhope are characters who linger in the mind long after the final chapter, leaving readers enriched by their company and the truths they uncover.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to read/listen to the advanced reader's audio copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

Overall, I did enjoy the story. With so many books, the main characters are either twenty-somethings or 30's/40's with families. This one takes place nearly exclusively at a care home for the elderly. The only non-senior turned out to be one of the victims. The main character is reminiscent of an Angela Lansbury in a wheelchair. We learn a great deal about her life as the story unfolds, but little real backstory on anyone else, except what is necessary to make the victim the target and the would-be killer, well, a killer.

To be honest, I grew to like Florrie, the 87-year-old heroine. It did take a large part of the book to get there. The tangents into her history felt quite odd. Ultimately, they were important in Florrie's character development, but not to the mystery itself. The memories were fragmented, jumbled, and a bit baffling. The detail in the present became overwhelming and distracting, not because they led you down a false trail but because I found myself thinking about going to scrub dishes instead of attending the book. These odd bits of detail slowed the book terribly and nearly ended it for me.

That said, by the end, I did quite like Florrie. I think she would be a great friend to visit and see much of life through her eyes, just accepting that she gets a bit dull sometimes.

I don't know if I would recommend this book or not, frankly. There were so many spots that just drug along I very nearly did not finish, but having finished, I did quite like it.

I feel like this was right on the edge between clever and formulaic.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Florrie Butterfield, described as 87, one-legged, and of cheerful disposition, seeks to find answers following a tragic event at the care facility she resides at. She teams up with another resident to discover what really happened. While this may seem like a cozy mystery, it is more a retelling of Florrie’s life and loved ones. Florrie had a very interesting life so it is enjoyable to read about her past. She is thoughtful and great at amateur sleuthing, so we get many points to ponder as well as backseat to her investigation. The insights into human behavior and aging made the story heartwarming and bittersweet—if we all could have some of her wisdom! There is a traumatic incident from her past that affects what Florrie has chosen in the past and this unravels very slowly although there are quite a few breadcrumbs to that as well. The characters were wonderfully drawn. I especially liked Stanhope and the teamwork between him and Florrie. I did not guess the ending which is always a welcome surprise. Worthwhile reading experience in my opinion. Narration by Jenny Funnell was an excellent voice for Florrie. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to read and review.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"So walk into your life. Do what you want to do, Florrie, always – because a timid, obedient woman is quite the tragedy… Life. What a shame we only get one shot at it.”


The Night in Question was entertaining from start to finish. In this, you will meet Florence, aka Florrie, and she is around eighty-seven years old. She is currently living in a care home called Babbington Hall after she had her leg amputated. Even though she's wheelchair-bound now, it doesn't mean life will ever stop surprising her. For example, a recent death (or two) within the home.

Life can throw you some curveballs and boy did Florrie get her fair share. Not only does one of the residents die, but the manager of the home does too! And right before she was going to spill some necessary tea to Florrie! Tea about her own life, but dang - tea is tea!

Anyways, long story short - the police suck at doing their job and Florrie is convinced she can out sleuth them with one leg and both arms tied behind her back. She's not alone though, oh no, she has help from Stanhope Jones. Together, they are unstoppable.

Now while I enjoyed this book, the pace did seem a bit off here and there. And yet, I still continued on with the audiobook because I did enjoy the characters. The wit and humor throughout the book definitely put a smile on my face.

In the end, I'm not surprised that I ended up liking this book one bit. Give me amateur sleuths any day of the week and I'll be a happy reader.

The cover was so cute. The book description was very intriguing and I was excited to read it but calling this book a thriller is a mistake. After the main event occurs towards the beginning, it’s not all that thrilling. The flashbacks were long winded and I just found myself bored. If this book was marketed correctly and I knew what I was getting into I might have enjoyed it better.

This one was surprising, i knew i was signing myself up for a mystery set in an adult home in England, but i didn’t know i would enjoy learning about Florrie’s adventures as much.

We get to know Florrie through her memories and the things she has lived through were what really helped her uncover the truth behind Babbington Hall’s recent accidents. I really liked how the friendships in this whole story blossomed and how we got to see, through the authors words, the different personalities of the residents and staff at the house, kind of makes you wonder, if dear Florrie had this amazingly interesting life, what are the stories behind the rest of the quirky residents?

The Mystery aspect was amazing, it had me speculating along with Florrie and Stanhope, i was running my own parallel investigation on this side of the screen, they were an amazing team and i’m glad they could find each other through all of this, after all, life is too short to stop living it after certain age.

Oh but I LOVED this story! I am very pleased to see the recent spate of older protagonists. There are so many possibilities for reflection, hilarity and character evolution when a character has actually lived decades of life, and it is a pleasant change in our youth-obsessed culture to start seeing some recognition of this in fiction. Flurrie was a delight and I loved the way the story blended life lessons, personal growth, humor, friendship, and mystery into a beautifully coherent whole that was definitely more than the sum of its parts.

The narrator was phenomenal and definitely brought the story even more to life for me. She sounded like Judi Dench, and her plummy narration captured and held my attention as strongly as the lovely words of the novel itself. This was a fabulous read and I'm definitely looking for more from Susan Fletcher!

I was drawn in by the cover and premise right away. Florrie is a unique character with depth. This isn't your run-of-the-mill cozy British mystery. Its cast of characters are interesting and Florrie will win you over with her complicated past and her quest for the truth. The narrators for this audio version were very pleasant to listen to...Florrie's reader reminded me of Judy Dench.
I recommend this for fans of Thursday Murder Club, but it is still unique in its own right.
Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

A cozy mystery with an octogenarian MC set in England? I am so in! I loved this book so much and the narration was top notch.

The audiobook narrator, Jenny Funnell, sounds like Judy Dench. Between the perfect voice for 85 yo MC, Florrie Butterfield, and the beautiful writing, this was a 5⭐️ book for me. Florrie switches between present tense in the middle of a mystery she takes on with ever-the-gentleman, Stanhope, and recalling her past- loves, family, friends, happiness & heartbreak. Florrie is a gem, and the author exudes some of the most beautiful insights from her that remind me why I love to read. This one will stay with me- listened to the audiobook & bought the book to mark up.
Thank you #Netgalley & #DreamscapeMedia for the ARC audiobook. Left this review on Goodreads & 10/10 will recommend.

What a story!! I really enjoyed the narrator as well. Very well developed characters and although it could be slow at parts, the overall story was captivating. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook. I throughly enjoyed it! Publication date June 18, 2024.

"The Night in Question" by Susan Fletcher is primarily women's fiction, a fictional memoir. There is a mystery to be solved as well, but it's kind of a subplot. There's a slow build-up of a romance, as well as learning about all the past romances and loves of Florrie's life.

Florrie is an 87 year old woman in an assisted living home. She has one leg. While watching a storm out her window one night, she sees a woman fall to the ground from several floors above her. Everyone thinks she jumped except Florrie. The story alternates between the present in which she is trying to figure out what happened and her past, in which she shares about all of her relationships.

The characters are all well developed. The plots are well done. The narrator, Jenny Funnell, did a great job with all of the voices. The pacing was much slower than expected, but it is interesting to hear about Florrie's past.

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 4/5
Pacing - 2/5
Unputdownability - 2/5
Enjoyment - 3/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 3/5
Overall -27/8= 4 3/8 rounded to 4 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Susan Fletcher for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this book. This is the best book that I have read in years. I know this book will haunt me for a long time. Flory Butterworth is now in her 80’s in a care facility but she is mobile. She looks out her window on a thunderous night and sees the manager fall from her window. Flory doesn’t believe it was an attempt at suicide. She believes Renata was pushed. This is not just the story of if Renata was pushed or not, this is the story of Flory. All the people she has loved, the places she has been, and the woman she is now. If you liked The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Caravan, or Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club, this book is for you. The release date is mid-July so it will be a beach read. It would be absolutely brilliant for a book club. The narrator sounded, a bit to me, like Dame Judy Dench. This book will stay with you long after you are done with it. Go get a copy and get one for a friend. Thank me later

The Night In Question by Susan Fletcher was rather slow in places. But overall, it's an interesting story.

Florrie Butterfield is 87, wheelchair bound, and missing one of her legs. She looks into some events that are happening at her residence, Babbington Hall. She believes there is foul play involved. When “accidents” happen to some residents.

We learn quite about Florrie, but I would have liked to have learn more about her travels and those experiences when she was younger. There are many residents and visitors that we also learn about. Some of them are more interesting than others. It is quite a cast of characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced reader copy.

Susan Fletcher's THE NIGHT IN QUESTION is a gripping, quirky, lyrical, and emotional novel that stands out with its unique blend of an elderly woman's past and a present-day mystery. This distinctive narrative will hook readers from page one to the end, exploring themes of regret, loss, love, forgiveness, and second chances.

About...

Florrie Butterfield is a lovely eighty-seven-year-old woman with one leg and a cheerful personality. She believes there can't be any more adventures or surprises in life to experience. However, one evening there is an accident at Babbington Hall near Oxford—the senior assisted living residence where she resides. Florrie is shocked and suspicious, thinking it may not have been an accident. Was she murdered?

Do they have a murderer in residence?

With the assistance of others, they start their own investigation and sleuthing. While gathering facts, Florrie is forced to look back and reflect on her own life. She has lived a full life with regrets and passions—a life of loss and love.

She also has secrets and must forgive herself. Above all, Florrie learns, through the help of her new friend, Stanhope, that you're never too old to have the life you've always dreamed of. When it comes to love, it's never too late.

My thoughts...

I loved THE NIGHT IN QUESTION! Unputdownable, charming, cozy, and endearing. This emotional journey of self-discovery and forgiveness is a testament to the power of second chances.

THE NIGHT IN QUESTION is a lyrical, thought-provoking, and emotionally engaging novel that delves deep into the human experience, weaving a tale of mystery and wisdom about universal themes such as love, friendship, and the power of forgiveness. These themes will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds, making this book a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Introspective, absorbing, and reflective! Beautifully written, I loved Florrie and her childhood friend Pinky, her past adventures (heartbreaking and heartwarming), and the present-day mystery and sleuthing with a fun cast of characters and lively humor. I also enjoyed Stanhope Jones, a charming man.

I enjoy stories of women and men late in life, whether in senior independent living, assisted living, or nursing homes. There are so many interesting seniors and elders that people and society overlook who have led full and fascinating lives. Some think they no longer matter. Indeed, they do. The younger generation could learn much from these mature, remarkable adults, their wisdom, vast knowledge, and their adventures of the past. You would be surprised. I love their stories.

I enjoyed Fletcher's captivating writing style and her well-developed characters, and I look forward to reading more. My first book by the author.

Audiobook...

I listened to the audiobook narrated by the talented Jenny Funnell for a fun, lively, and thought-provoking performance bringing the characters alive.

Recs...

For fans of uplifting late-in-life stories, mysteries, and literary fiction. For fans of authors Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth Berg, Rachel Joyce, Catherine Ryan Hyde, and Gillian Jackson. In particular, I would recommend Gillian Jackson's A Measure of Time, which has similar themes, secrets of the past, mystery, regrets, and reflections upon life. Also, Rebecca Keller's You Should Have Known. (all favorites)

THE NIGHT IN QUESTION is not as lively or as action-packed as Mark de Castrique's Secret Lives series with zany former FBI agent-turned-boardinghouse landlady Ethel Fiona Crestwater (age 75); however, THE NIGHT IN QUESTION is a mystery, but more introspective, literary fiction and reflective.

Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for introducing this fabulous author, title, and an advanced listening audio copy.

Blog review posted
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: June 18, 2024
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This was a very sweet and enjoyable book. I loved the main character, setting, and the bit of mystery. I recommend to anyone who likes a cozy mystery.

Fantastic! I am a big Thursday Murder Club fan, and was a little worried this might be too close to those stories, but I was so wrong! This is so original, wonderful characters with such depth. The mystery is great too, but the humanity and love make this such a joy.

Amateur and armchair detective stories are my jam as of late. The guessing games, singular POVs, and longevity world views spun into whodunits with a twist or two wholeheartedly satisfy me. "The Night in Question" is no exception.

Florrie Butterfield, our eighty-seven-year-old protagonist, is set up in Babbington Hall, an accessible care home, when she immerses herself in not one but two mysteries to solve. Along the way, the reader discovers a third mystery that is both heartbreaking and life-affirming.

The love that Florrie sends out, she receives, although begrudgingly at times. Her relationships with family, friends, lovers carry the plot along, as it's her relationships that ultimately bring resolution to the mysteries at hand.