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Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery #4
Cruising in your Eighties is Murder
Mike Befeler’s Paul Jacobson series “is a humorous example of the new sub-genre ‘geezer-lit.’ Sometimes, sad, but mostly funny, his tale of a plucky sarcastic ‘old fart’ will win your heart.” *(Mystery Scene Magazine)
In this entry, the fourth of the Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series, crotchety octogenarian Paul Jacobson becomes involved in a series of crimes while struggling with the problems of his short-term memory loss.
On a honeymoon cruise to Alaska with his bride, Paul must deal with mayhem, missing people and murder. He has to use all his geezer resources to solve a case of international intrigue.
In this entry, the fourth of the Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series, crotchety octogenarian Paul Jacobson becomes involved in a series of crimes while struggling with the problems of his short-term memory loss.
On a honeymoon cruise to Alaska with his bride, Paul must deal with mayhem, missing people and murder. He has to use all his geezer resources to solve a case of international intrigue.
282 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2012
12 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Mike Befeler
26 books58 followersMike Befeler writes the humorous Paul Jacobson "Geezer Lit" mystery series featuring an ocotgenarian protagonist with short-term memory loss. The series includes: Retirement Homes Are Murder, Living With Your Kids Is Murder, Senior Moments Are Murder, Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder, Care Homes Are Murder and Nursing Homes Are Murder. His other books include Unstuff Your Stuff, Death of a Scam Artist, The Tesla Legacy, The Best Chicken Thief in All of Europe, Court Trouble, Murder on the Switzerland Trail, Mystery of the Dinner Playhouse, The V V Agency, The Back Wing, The Front Wing, Paradise Cort, Coronavirus Daze, and Old Detectives Home. Mike retired from the computer data storage industry to write full time. He's past president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 27, 2020
What a fun book! I am so glad I attended a talk at my local library by the author, otherwise, I wouldn't have discovered his books. He started writing books after he retired & proudly took on the wonderful new genre he's mastered, 'geezer lit.' The audiobook reader does a great job too.
April 18, 2025
A finalist for the 2012 Lefty Award for the Best Humorous Mystery!!!!
My wife tries to get my goat by telling me I'm a vieux bonhomme. An amiable geezer who just goes with the flow! A harmless old goon.
Well, I admit to her I am - most of the time.
You see, like my fictional six year senior Paul Jacobson, I simply try to relax and smile. Until modern reality throws me for a loop!
Big time. Just like Paul, I find modern life is harmful to my health in any but the lowest dose of it.
Remember Chesterton's little rhyme about triblodites? It was an undersea life form that went extinct hundreds of thousands of years ago.. To whit:
If you find me on dry land -
Oh, throw me into the Sea!
That's me. And that's old Paul!
Except Paul is a snoopy human. In Especially deep water now. And very Cold as well.
He's (as per usual) cruising for numerous very real bruisings - On an Alaskan cruise, to be more exact. Such is the dangerous undercover life of an Octegenarian.
Shoulda stayed at home, Paul.
More so as his senior moments cause his brain to blank out the past. His wife fills his pockets with his helpful notes to self. Like "where was I???" Oh, well, Paul, let's say you were just marooned on a deserted island by a Mafioso you helped cross.
This dude has a powerful gun too...
***
If you like the sound of the story, go buy yourself a copy. They're all dirt cheap - all of Mike's geezer lit books are, in fact:
A Pensioned-Off Geezer's Dream!
Think I'm gonna still enjoy such seniors lit into my 80's?
You're right -
So thanks for thinking my vision 'n mind'll still be as nimble then -
And Bless You for thinking I'll still even be alive!
At my age that's a compliment.
My wife tries to get my goat by telling me I'm a vieux bonhomme. An amiable geezer who just goes with the flow! A harmless old goon.
Well, I admit to her I am - most of the time.
You see, like my fictional six year senior Paul Jacobson, I simply try to relax and smile. Until modern reality throws me for a loop!
Big time. Just like Paul, I find modern life is harmful to my health in any but the lowest dose of it.
Remember Chesterton's little rhyme about triblodites? It was an undersea life form that went extinct hundreds of thousands of years ago.. To whit:
If you find me on dry land -
Oh, throw me into the Sea!
That's me. And that's old Paul!
Except Paul is a snoopy human. In Especially deep water now. And very Cold as well.
He's (as per usual) cruising for numerous very real bruisings - On an Alaskan cruise, to be more exact. Such is the dangerous undercover life of an Octegenarian.
Shoulda stayed at home, Paul.
More so as his senior moments cause his brain to blank out the past. His wife fills his pockets with his helpful notes to self. Like "where was I???" Oh, well, Paul, let's say you were just marooned on a deserted island by a Mafioso you helped cross.
This dude has a powerful gun too...
***
If you like the sound of the story, go buy yourself a copy. They're all dirt cheap - all of Mike's geezer lit books are, in fact:
A Pensioned-Off Geezer's Dream!
Think I'm gonna still enjoy such seniors lit into my 80's?
You're right -
So thanks for thinking my vision 'n mind'll still be as nimble then -
And Bless You for thinking I'll still even be alive!
At my age that's a compliment.
March 7, 2021
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February 3, 2013
Really good !!
August 6, 2017
Overall, I enjoyed the book, I just had a problem with "suspension of belief" at the number of accidents that befell the MC. It also seemed to me very unlikely that the people surrounding the MC--his wife and friends--didn't do more to help prevent some of these accidents. The MC kept being accused of wrongdoing by the cruise ship's security chief, but the wife, instead of sticking to him like a limpet to make sure he didn't get into trouble, was always running off to do her own thing. If I had been his wife, I would not have let him out of my sight.
April 18, 2020
Oh goodness, Paul is just an unlucky guy. Murphy's Law fits this old geezer.
I love the characters that are originals in this series and even the new characters have a great flow in the story.
I don't think i would ever leave my home. lol
I love the characters that are originals in this series and even the new characters have a great flow in the story.
I don't think i would ever leave my home. lol
November 21, 2012
This has all the elements of an enjoyable comic whodunit:
1. The detective is a fun and memorable character - in this case, Paul Jacobson, a geezer who takes his short-term memory loss and his propensity for discovering dead bodies in stride;
2. A collection of helpful sidekicks;
3. A series of clues, coincidences, and plot twists that keep everything moving at a quick pace;
4. Short and uncomplicated enough to read in a few hours.
The hook is that Paul can remember everything over the course of a day, but forgets the previous day when he goes to sleep. Fortunately, with the help of his long-suffering wife, this isn't much of an impediment to his crime-solving.
The plot was occasionally over the top but the dialogue was solid - Paul talks in the same ridiculous puns and good humor as my grandpa did.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book as part of Goodreads First Reads program.
1. The detective is a fun and memorable character - in this case, Paul Jacobson, a geezer who takes his short-term memory loss and his propensity for discovering dead bodies in stride;
2. A collection of helpful sidekicks;
3. A series of clues, coincidences, and plot twists that keep everything moving at a quick pace;
4. Short and uncomplicated enough to read in a few hours.
The hook is that Paul can remember everything over the course of a day, but forgets the previous day when he goes to sleep. Fortunately, with the help of his long-suffering wife, this isn't much of an impediment to his crime-solving.
The plot was occasionally over the top but the dialogue was solid - Paul talks in the same ridiculous puns and good humor as my grandpa did.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book as part of Goodreads First Reads program.
June 21, 2014
In Befeler’s mystery novel, Paul Jacobson is on his honeymoon with his seventy-something bride when a body is found in Seattle—the body of someone Paul had words with. Cruising through Alaska, there is another murder on the ship and suddenly Paul finds himself in the middle of another mystery. Now if he can just stay out of jail he just might solve it.
A witty mystery and great addition to the A Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery series.
A witty mystery and great addition to the A Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery series.
July 1, 2013
Another fun romp with Paul while on his honeymoon on a cruise ship. Dead bodies, missing bodies, Latvian mafia...and more! Lots of fun! All aboard!
April 16, 2013
Laugh out loud! too funny for words - especially if you have been on a cruise!! This series gets better with each one. Love them
April 30, 2013
My first introduction to author Mike Befeler and Paul Jacobson. Definitely to be shared with family.
May 26, 2022
Let me preface by saying that I did not finish this book. I tried - I really did. The whole time I kept saying to myself, "I wonder how many poor trees had to die in order to make these crappy books." I was not sure if I was supposed to be taking this book seriously, or if it was just a goof. The writing was terrible and not funny, at all.
The protagonist in the story, am 80-something-year old miscreant, keeps being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I can understand if 1-2 misfortunes occur while this man is on his trip, leading to antics at sea, but there were so many incidents of mishap that it got really old really quick.
Seriously, this book was just plain awful, unfunny and unwitty.
The protagonist in the story, am 80-something-year old miscreant, keeps being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I can understand if 1-2 misfortunes occur while this man is on his trip, leading to antics at sea, but there were so many incidents of mishap that it got really old really quick.
Seriously, this book was just plain awful, unfunny and unwitty.
April 20, 2013
"Cruising in Your Eighties is MURDER"
This fourth book in the old geezer series is, in my opinion, the best. I had a smile on my face starting from the first chapter until the very end.
Elements for success have appeared with the marriage of Paul & Marion. All of Paul's short comings (and there are more than one) are resolved by his new bride.
In this adventure, and I mean adventure, Paul & Marion are on their honeymoon. It's a honeymoon cruise to Alaska. The first murder occurs prior to their departure when Paul finds the body of a homeless man in a garden. Of course Paul was the last person seen talking...I mean arguing with the victim.
And then the cruise begins. The chaos begins and Paul stumbles over, gets entangled with one dead body/missing person/Latvian gangster mob boss and every other mishap known to man. Can all the blame be Paul's or is there more behind it.
The other element that kept me chuckling throughout Paul's cruise was his positively hilarious sense of humor and at the most inappropriate times. well, as they say... you can't keep a good man down.
This was one fun read and highly entertaining.
This fourth book in the old geezer series is, in my opinion, the best. I had a smile on my face starting from the first chapter until the very end.
Elements for success have appeared with the marriage of Paul & Marion. All of Paul's short comings (and there are more than one) are resolved by his new bride.
In this adventure, and I mean adventure, Paul & Marion are on their honeymoon. It's a honeymoon cruise to Alaska. The first murder occurs prior to their departure when Paul finds the body of a homeless man in a garden. Of course Paul was the last person seen talking...I mean arguing with the victim.
And then the cruise begins. The chaos begins and Paul stumbles over, gets entangled with one dead body/missing person/Latvian gangster mob boss and every other mishap known to man. Can all the blame be Paul's or is there more behind it.
The other element that kept me chuckling throughout Paul's cruise was his positively hilarious sense of humor and at the most inappropriate times. well, as they say... you can't keep a good man down.
This was one fun read and highly entertaining.
June 30, 2014
#4 in the Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit mystery series. Finalist 2013 Lefty Award. I rated this entry 4 stars (but barely), the fault isn't the novel which is very entertaining on its own merits but with the series. The setting of each novel differs but the set pieces are too similar. Paul discovers a body - there's a premise for the series. Paul has short term memory loss and forgets the last 6 years after he falls asleep. He overcomes this by keeping a journal that he must re-read each morning. However, this journal is growing each day and must be taking more time to read. When he recalls reading some bit of trivia from the prior day, I wonder how detailed this journal is. It's not enough for all law enforcement agents to suspect him of the murder (and all manner of other coincidences) but they are unfailingly obnoxious and hostile.
Paul Jacobson runs afoul of the police and ship security while on a honeymoon cruise to Alaska with his bride. Paul must deal with mayhem, missing people and murder. He has to use all his geezer resources to solve a case of international intrigue.
Paul Jacobson runs afoul of the police and ship security while on a honeymoon cruise to Alaska with his bride. Paul must deal with mayhem, missing people and murder. He has to use all his geezer resources to solve a case of international intrigue.
December 20, 2021
I read this one on a cruise ship. The author captured the cruise experience pretty well. The central character reminded me of my father which is probably the objective. He said a lot of the funny things my dad used to say.
This poor old fart was always in the wrong place and the wrong time. It was supposed to be funny and the first couple of times it was funny; however, it soon became absurd, which may have also been the point. He was also being blamed for every unfortunate incident and accused on murder so regularly that it became tiresome and frustrating. The humor wore thin quickly.
The mystery was okay; nothing special.
I had never read this series or author before and would not go out of my way to read either again. My interest in the book was purely situational.
This poor old fart was always in the wrong place and the wrong time. It was supposed to be funny and the first couple of times it was funny; however, it soon became absurd, which may have also been the point. He was also being blamed for every unfortunate incident and accused on murder so regularly that it became tiresome and frustrating. The humor wore thin quickly.
The mystery was okay; nothing special.
I had never read this series or author before and would not go out of my way to read either again. My interest in the book was purely situational.
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May 8, 2013Loved this book!! It had humor, murder, kidnapping and elderly characters all on an Alaskan cruise. What a fun read.
This is my first time reading this author's work, but I am definitely a fan of Mr. Befeler's work.
I am looking forward to reading his previous novels with the character, Paul Jacobsen attracting all kinds of trouble!
I would definitely recommend this book to all mystery lovers.
This is my first time reading this author's work, but I am definitely a fan of Mr. Befeler's work.
I am looking forward to reading his previous novels with the character, Paul Jacobsen attracting all kinds of trouble!
I would definitely recommend this book to all mystery lovers.
March 19, 2016
Another fun adventure for our elderly hero. You have to enjoy the humor - most of it makes you want to groan. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the cruise to Alaska which was exactly like the one I took. So it brought back good memories of the place.
December 27, 2017
Good book.
May 5, 2023
Advertised as a "Geezer-Lit Mystery" our protagonist Paul Jacobson is an octogenarian who has a habit of coming across dead bodies and getting himself suspected of murder. What sets Paul apart from a certain other AARP member with a Cabot Cove address is that Paul has severe short term memory loss.
Every morning Paul wakes up and has no memory of the last decade, a bit of a 50 First Dates situation. Each morning Paul has to reflect on his journal and rely on his new bride to keep him up to date on what has been going on in his life. The only work around to this, and I'm not joking, is if he gets some geriatric nookie the night before, then he can remember the previous day (and night) with nary a problem.
You would think this would be more of an obstacle while in the middle of solving a mystery but other than a few "Have we met before?" encounters Paul gets along with the sleuthing as good as any dime store detective.
The cruise ship setting was fun, the gimmick helped carry the story through what would be it's slower spots. I enjoyed this for what it was but I don't foresee myself setting sails once again with Mr. Jacobsen any time soon.
Every morning Paul wakes up and has no memory of the last decade, a bit of a 50 First Dates situation. Each morning Paul has to reflect on his journal and rely on his new bride to keep him up to date on what has been going on in his life. The only work around to this, and I'm not joking, is if he gets some geriatric nookie the night before, then he can remember the previous day (and night) with nary a problem.
You would think this would be more of an obstacle while in the middle of solving a mystery but other than a few "Have we met before?" encounters Paul gets along with the sleuthing as good as any dime store detective.
The cruise ship setting was fun, the gimmick helped carry the story through what would be it's slower spots. I enjoyed this for what it was but I don't foresee myself setting sails once again with Mr. Jacobsen any time soon.
August 26, 2019
This book features an 85 year old man who forgets what happens yesterday. Paul Jacobson has a habit of bumbling into trouble from accidents that anger others to discovering dead bodies. Paul is innocent but his smart mouth makes authories suspect him and believe that he is guilty. Fortunately, his seventies old bride, Marion, keeps him focused.
The book is a humorous read but this reader became a little tired of Paul's antics and although short in page length it began to seem too long. However, readers who enjoy humor with a bit of mystery and murder will probably enjoy it. It's a quick read.
The book is a humorous read but this reader became a little tired of Paul's antics and although short in page length it began to seem too long. However, readers who enjoy humor with a bit of mystery and murder will probably enjoy it. It's a quick read.
September 24, 2023
Just finished the fourth book in the series and the storylines get better and better. I am still not a fan of the main character, too rude and unbelievable, but this one had a host of characters that were both funny and out there. The male characters in the whole book series seem to have a lot of misplaced anger. The ending was hysterical. I have been to Buchart gardens, and I could picture it in my mind.
I do not know what it is about this series that makes me keep buying the next one, lol. Just waiting for book number 5 to arrive.
I do not know what it is about this series that makes me keep buying the next one, lol. Just waiting for book number 5 to arrive.
April 6, 2025
A Paul Jacobsen Geezer-Lit series. A man in his 80s is on his honeymoon but has short-term memory problems. He finds and reports a dead body, then boards a cruise ship with his new bride. She's in her 70s. Trouble seems to follow him everywhere. A different kind of cozy. I love books that take place on cruise ships and I really enjoyed this story. I will check out other "geezer-lit" books by this author. C. 2012.
January 13, 2025
I think this was the cutest one of the series so far. It had a lot of excitement. I love how Paul and Marion worked together to clear all his "mishaps". I'll definitely read it again when I need something light and funny to read.
October 13, 2020
Same formula as the first, but still amusing.
July 31, 2021
This is a guilty pleasure book. The plot is a bit silly but I love the series.
March 10, 2022
Another great sequel in the Paul Jacobson saga.
August 14, 2022
Lots of murder,mayhem and fun. Eighty year old guy with short term memory problems goes on a honeymoon cruise to Alaska with his bride
March 9, 2013
Octogenarian Paul Jacobson has a problem: His short term memory loss means that falling asleep wipes out his recent past. But he's learned to use a journal to help him remember what he needs to know. He's now newly-wed, and going on an Alaskan cruise, though he hates the water. But unfortunately the head of security on the ship thinks he's a troublemaker, possibly a criminal, and now that Paul has found a body, he's marked as a murderer. The security chief will never find a murderer if he keeps looking in Paul's direction, so it's up to Paul, his wife Marion, and some chance-met acquaintances to clear his name. Befeler does a terrific job (now through four books) of maintaining Paul's difficult condition and his adaptation to it.
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June 8, 2017Miniseries: A Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery
January 5, 2014
This is another series I love. If you like laughter with your mysteries, read these books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews