this was overall a cosy, enjoyable mystery but i‘m not sure i would pick up another book in this series again or recommend it to a friend. while the audio book version was ver well narrated and i did like the setting and idea, i felt that the pacing was a little off at times, which left me losing interest a little bit rather than being on the edge of my seat, waiting for the murderer to be discovered.
the elderly characters are quite charming, but also feel like types without too much depth to them, which i don’t think is essential for a mystery like this but would’ve been nice to have. some details like oberon the snake and even the death of the verger at the start of the novel sparked my interest initially, but ended up seeming a little pointless and random as the novel went on. all in all, not really 100% my cup of tea, but still a pleasant read!

I enjoyed this book but it did drag at points. I am almost wondering if it is something in the translation for this book, as the first book didn't have the same pacing.
I also found Oberon's POV a tad laborious, and didn't add in the same way that Harriet's POV did in the first book! (An animal POV in a mystery is quite rare, so I do appreciate the creativity.)

Moira Quirk's narration was fantastic, though!

Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime was an entertaining listen. This made me think of the secret lives of old people. There were moments I was laughing aloud during my commute.

Book 191 of 300 ~ 2024

🌟🌟🌟💫

From the looks of the reviews, something seems to have been lost in translation as the reviewers who read this in its original language have high praise for it while those who have read the translated version... well... not so much.

I listened to the audiobook version, and while the narrator was excellent, the story itself felt like a poorer copy of the Thursday Murder Club and the like.

It's not too bad, but it's not that great. Maybe I needed to read the first book to get to know the characters better?

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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What a fabulous book. Agnes Sharp and her fellow retirees go on holiday to a remote fancy hotel. There is a storm that washes out access to the hotel and people start dying. Agnes, former cop that she is, decides to solve the murders with the help of her fellow retirees. I loved the quirky characters. I love the elderly investigators. I even loved the snake. This is a really fantastic cozy mystery. If you enjoy mysteries, you will enjoy this books.

I was initially hesitant to pick up this book, even though I was eagerly anticipating it. My fondness for the first book in the series made me worry that the sequel might not live up to the high standards set by its predecessor. Thankfully, I needn’t have worried—this book is just as delightful as the first.

As the title suggests, Agnes and her friends venture further out of their comfort zones and embark on a vacation. Along the way, we meet even more intriguing characters and experience memorable incidents, deepening our affection for this lovable gang.

Once again, the narrator, Moira Quirk, does a splendid job of bringing each character to life with her remarkable voice talent.

Thank you to Leonie Swann, Moira Quirk, RB Media, and NetGalley for providing me with this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime by Leonie Swann, narrated by Moira Quirk, is a delightful and suspenseful mystery that combines humor, intrigue, and the charm of an elderly sleuth. This audiobook is a follow-up to Swann’s previous work, The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp, and it continues the adventures of Agnes and her quirky group of friends from Sunset Hall.

The story begins with Edwina Singh winning a vacation to the luxurious Eden eco-hotel in Cornwall. However, instead of taking her housemates, she chooses to bring along the ashes of their recently deceased friend, Lillith. Feeling left out, Agnes decides to book rooms for herself and the rest of the group, leading to a series of unexpected and dangerous events.

Moira Quirk’s narration is a highlight of this audiobook. Her expressive and engaging voice brings each character to life, capturing their unique personalities and quirks. Quirk’s ability to convey the humor and tension in the story enhances the listening experience, making it entertaining and immersive.

Swann’s writing is witty and clever, with a plot that keeps listeners guessing until the very end. The setting of the Eden hotel, with its picturesque yet eerie atmosphere, adds to the suspense. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, as Agnes and her friends find themselves entangled in a mystery involving a series of unexplained deaths and a storm that cuts off the hotel from the outside world.

One of the strengths of Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime is its character development. Agnes and her friends are portrayed with warmth and depth, making them relatable and endearing. Their interactions and the dynamics within the group add a layer of humor and heart to the story. The book also touches on themes of aging, friendship, and resilience, making it more than just a simple mystery.

Overall, Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime is a thoroughly enjoyable audiobook that will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and character-driven stories.

I received this audiobook from RBMedia on NetGalley - thank you!

Having read “Three Bags Full” many years ago, I was excited to discover another book by Leonie Swann. I haven’t read “The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp”, but it didn’t seem to be a problem, as in my opinion “The Trip of a Lifetime” can be read as a stand-alone, too.

I really like the idea of a group of elderly people being the protagonists. Each of the characters has a unique, quirky personality and a complicated past - including the snake! I enjoyed Oberon’s POV and I also loved the setting - a remote hotel on a cliff in Cornwall - which added to the mysterious atmosphere.

In my opinion the book could have been shorter, but even the stretched-out fragments were nice to listen to, because Moira Quirk did a great job as the narrator. I managed to guess who the murderer was pretty early on, but it didn’t take away from the fun.

It was definitely an enjoyable, lighthearted read and I recommend this book to all fans of Miss Marple, Poirot and other classic detective stories.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and RB Media for my copy of Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime by Leonie Swann Narrated by Moira Quirk in exchange for an honest review. It published September 3, 2024.
First off, I want to mention that Moira Quirk did an excellent job narrating another Agnes Sharp book. I couldn't read this book without her voice!
Secondly, this was a very solid sophomore book in this album. I may go so far as to say I enjoyed it even more. There is very solid character development for several characters, and it's got me excited for the next installment. This was a great mystery with lots of red herrings, misdirection, clues, twists, and turns. I loved the setting and I could picture it very vividly! All-in-all, I really enjoyed this one!

I have loved the slate of mysteries that feature senior citizens in the last 5 or so years. Leonie Swann brings us back to Sunset Hall where the residents are looking for a little excitement on cold winter days.

Featuring the same heartwarming cast of characters and full of hijinks and mysteries, Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime is an excellent sequel and a great read for the second half of the year. The audiobook version was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the narration and would recommend this format to others.

Another super fun mystery with Agnes Sharpe and the gang! This time the Sunset Hall residents are off on a relaxing vacation, but it’s not all sunny days. This is a great take on a locked room mystery, with lots of twists and turns, a “cold case” murder and a few fresh bodies turn this vacation into a working holiday. I only figured out half of the mystery which was a nice surprise. The reveals were smart and the new characters were all great additions. Overall this was a really fun read and the narrator again does a great job with all of the character voices.

Thanks to Netgalley, RB Media and Leonie Swann for this ALC

I enjoyed reading the first book in the Agnes Sharp series and found the second one even better. The elderly residents of Sunset Hall – Agnes, Edwina, Bernadette, Charlie, Marshall, and Winston – go on vacation to a fancy, secluded Cornish hotel, partially because Edwina won a romantic gateway for two and everybody wants to go with her,  and partially because the heater in their home doesn't work. As in the first book, they become senior detectives investigating the murder.

This kind of mystery book has become very popular recently, emphasizing that the golden years can be fulfilling and fun. However, in the Agnes Sharp series, one can't escape to see that it's not always fun and games. The group of friends is really impacted by their age and unwelcomed consequences: a painful hip, a walking stick, a wheelchair, obesity, and a mind fog. And yet, the novel is quirky and funny, with each character being distinct. I especially liked Edwina (the part when she decides to teach yoga is very funny) and her unusual sidekick, a white boa constrictor named Oberon, who is still very young. Edwina hopes he'll soon learn to behave like a grownup snake under her care. Oberon offers his POV; he is a brilliant snake indeed.

This mystery might not be to some people's liking, but I immensely enjoyed it. It has that unique, slightly self-deprecating sense of humor. If you like series like "The Thursday Murder Club" and "The Marlow Murder Club," you should invite Agnes Sharp and her friends to your home. You may be pleasantly surprised how much fun they can offer!

This is the second book following the same cast of characters from 'The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp'. A book that I swear by as cozy old detective mystery, one can read over and over.

This time the house mates have decided to go on a little trip to avoid the freezing discomforts. But, wherever they go, trouble follows & if only Agnes & her housemates were a little less conspicuous, they wouldn’t be the target. The mystery is setup in a hotel which is considered a relaxing retreat, though the recent events have left both the residents and workers alarmed.

The mystery element is on the lighter end, whereas the descriptions of sparky characters & the challenges of navigating through an old age is fairly put up. Read this if you are looking for less complicated things in life that are entertaining but not taxing on your mind.

Genre: Murder Mystery
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime: Agnes Sharp Mysteries #2
Leonie Swann, Amy Bojang
The residents of Sunset Hall need a vacation. They are tired of the Christmas music and cold bedrooms, the boiler is broke down. Plus, there are the murders. They went thirty years with hardly any crime but that has changed. The elderly residents at Sunset Hall have no desire to be where there are such crimes committed.
Edwina used Marshall’s computer without his permission and won a trip to Cornwall. Her friends don’t want her to travel alone so they decide to accompany her. They arrive at Eden the Cornish Spa/resort and begin to settle in, hoping for a relaxing vacation. Retired police officer, Agnes witnesses two people dressed in raincoats with the hood up, as they walk from the hotel toward the cliffs, but she only saw one return. What happened to the second person? Could Agnes be a witness in a murder case. Her friends doubt she witnessed a crime. Agnes can’t let it go and is caught snooping. The group take advantage of the hotel’s beautiful landscape and delicious food. A storm isolates the senior group at the resort along with the other guests. There is no internet, no phone service and the road wash out. Agnes and her friends become suspects in the murders as they investigate.
The characters in this book are eccentric to say the least. For the most part the characters are funny and loveable. The story is told from several points of view. The best part of this book is the humor. Of course there are clues as well as red herrings throughout this book. This is the first book I’ve read in this series.
Thank you NetGalley.

I’ve become quite the fan of septuagenarians and octogenarians solving mysteries. I wasn’t sure the concept would quite work, but I was quickly proven wrong with Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club. When I ran out of books to read in that series, I stumbled upon Agnes and her unruly bunch at Sunset Hall last fall. Agnes, Marshall, Winston, Edwina (oh how I love her), Bernadette, and Charlie are all so wildly different, and each of their personalities ensures the reader is in for a good time. I received an advanced audio copy of Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime in exchange for an honest review.

Cozy mysteries have a special place in my heart. They are a small piece of quiet away from a busy life. What I love about Leonie Swann’s book is that while this does fall into the genre of a cozy mystery, there are still thriller elements, there is still comedy, there are still lessons learned and tender moments of love and loss. I find myself reading/listening with my breath held at certain moments, immediately exhaling with audible laughter…. And here is how Leonie so brilliantly does this.

She gives us Edwina, a very sweet, albeit odd character, for comedic relief. She gives us Winston and Bernadette, two characters with physical disabilities, to demonstrate that with determination comes possibility, and that having limitations need not stop you from being fully, wholly, and boldly yourself. She gives us Charlie to remind us to look for the “fabulous” in life no matter what. She gives us Marshall as a memento that love is a powerful thing in life. And lastly, she gives us Agnes to remind us of the preciousness of time and memory. It is through these 6 characters that we are able to receive one beautiful masterpiece, full of love, loss, overcoming, tender moments, and above all else, a smashing good mystery.

This time around the clan of Sunset Hall embarks on a getaway, courtesy of a prize won by Edwina and Edwina’s inability to pick who gets to join her (sadly Hettie the tortoise and Lilith in her screw-top urn are not viable options). While on the getaway, we encounter a cast of new colorful characters, outlandish adventures (one involving a new snake friend for Edwina), and some questionable spotted on the horizon (or should I say cliffs?). But never fear, Agnes and the Sunset Crew are here! Stranded at the hotel along with all the other guests, Agnes must convince the others of the murder she believes she witnessed and find the killer before it’s too late!

I enjoyed this group of octagenarians and their shenanigans at an eco-resort. This series is similar to the Thursday Murder Club but not quite as good. The characters are a bit stereotyped, and the point of view switches to a snake at one point. I would rate the book 3.5 stars, but rounded up to 4 because I really needed to find out what happened.

I received an advance reader's copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review, and my honest opinion is that cozy mystery fans will enjoy this book.

I loved the first one and I loved this one. Agnes Sharp doesn't always know what's going on, but she has a unique way of thinking and an intuition that helps her figure things out. I enjoy these pensioners and their relationships with each other, and I laughed out loud a few times. These books have such a unique voice. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook, which has just the right narrator to stay objective even when things are going a little crazy

Thanks NetGalley for an advanced audio copy of this book. Agnes and her roommates all head off to Cornwall for a romantic getaway that they won online. Of course, things are crazy at their home-the boiler’s out and they all need to get away. Agnes decides they must go after she finds the verger hanging from the cord of one of the church bells. The Eden luxury eco-friendly resort is the place to be, until bodies start showing up. Did Agnes really a woman being carried while dripping wet? Who owns the snake, now named Oberon? Who is Howard really interested in? This is a good book with sly humor, it’s not the laugh out loud kind of The Thursday Murder Club and that’s ok. It should be noted that this is the second in a series and I did not read the first one. I felt like I might be missing a few things, but the story continues on just fine. This book would be good for a book club or your favorite aunt. Read it soon, you can thank me later!

European pensioners on vacation? Sign me up! Most of my favorite books are about elderly people with dry senses of humor and this one fit in well with the bunch. I will admit that the plot was not that gripping to me but I stuck around for the witty banter and internal dialogue. The story is a locked room mystery and while I got a bit distracted at times while listening to the audiobook, it felt low stakes and easy to follow so it wasn’t hard to get back on track. I didn’t realize this was a sequel until about halfway through but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything and I’m interested in checking out the first if I can get the audio for that as well.

Thanks to netgalley for the review copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you're going through withdrawal symptoms while waiting for the next Thursday Murder Club, consider giving this series a go. The cast is just as delightful and quirky, the adventures galore and the humour aplenty. I myself have found a new cast of elderly sprightly protagonists to root for.
In this particular installment, we're following our troupe who's facing a bleak cold winter due to various reasons (read: money issues), when of them gets offered a romantic getaway for 2 with a stay in a swanky hotel à la clé. To avoid said freezing temperatures, the other ones follow through and decide they would rather enjoy the balmy weather and the hotel stay (courtesy of one of them having deeper pockets than anybody suspected). Of course, once they do get there and the champagne is opened, all manner of mayhem and shenanigans ensue. While the pacing could do with a little tightening up, the mystery is not the main reason I was reading this for,
I just loved the idea of of elderly people still being able to take in their stride whatever life throws at them, and having fun while solving a mystery or two. Count me in for more of this.


Thank you Netgalley for this ARC