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Gladdy Gold #5
Getting Old Is a Disaster
Back from schlepping all over New York City, P.I. Gladdy Gold is happy to be on her Florida turf again. Especially now that she and boyfriend Jack Langford are officially an item. But no sooner has the yenta brigade gotten back to their routine--complete with poolside stretching and kvetching--than a notorious outlaw, a.k.a. the “Grandpa Bandit,” issues Gladdy’s detective agency a direct challenge: Catch me if you can.
The dapper thief has already knocked over six Fort Lauderdale banks, with no end in sight. It’s up to Gladdy and the girls to stop him before he hits the next one. But when a killer hurricane leads to the discovery of a fifty-year-old skeleton, they have to put the bandit on the back burner. With the storm wreaking havoc and a dark mystery swirling around the Lanai Gardens retirement community, Gladdy and the girls are about to confront a ruthless killer determined to bury the past—and them along with it...
The dapper thief has already knocked over six Fort Lauderdale banks, with no end in sight. It’s up to Gladdy and the girls to stop him before he hits the next one. But when a killer hurricane leads to the discovery of a fifty-year-old skeleton, they have to put the bandit on the back burner. With the storm wreaking havoc and a dark mystery swirling around the Lanai Gardens retirement community, Gladdy and the girls are about to confront a ruthless killer determined to bury the past—and them along with it...
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
20 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Rita Lakin
17 books104 followersAfter being widowed at a young age with three small children, Rita Lakin began an extensive writing career, which has included staff writing on television programs such as Peyton Place, Mod Squad, Dynasty, and Strong Medicine, as well as creating original series such as The Rookies. She has won an Edgar Allen Poe award for her screenwriting, as well as receiving several other award nominations, and her two original theatrical plays, No Language But a Cry and Saturday Night at Grossingers, are still being produced around the country.
Series:
* Gladdy Gold
Series:
* Gladdy Gold
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 4, 2023
Getting Old is a Disaster (Gladdy Gold, #5) by Rita Lakin.
Just when I thought R.L. couldn't dream up anything more exciting than her previous Getting Old books had...she writes this one. A major hurricane is targeting Ft. Lauderdale and that means the Lanai Gardens home of Gladdy, Jack and the girls. This was no wind storm. this was a most dangerous hurricane of epic proportions. The author provides detailed descriptions of the onslaught and all the aftermath that goes with it.
It's what the hurricane uncovers that brings us into a frightening development. A fifty year old skeleton that was buried under the foundation of the Lanai Gardens. Who that skeleton belongs to and how it got there takes us on a journey back into a time that should have never been!
This author gives me everything I could wish for in a series. Friendships, romance, mystery and humor. Highly recommended.
Just when I thought R.L. couldn't dream up anything more exciting than her previous Getting Old books had...she writes this one. A major hurricane is targeting Ft. Lauderdale and that means the Lanai Gardens home of Gladdy, Jack and the girls. This was no wind storm. this was a most dangerous hurricane of epic proportions. The author provides detailed descriptions of the onslaught and all the aftermath that goes with it.
It's what the hurricane uncovers that brings us into a frightening development. A fifty year old skeleton that was buried under the foundation of the Lanai Gardens. Who that skeleton belongs to and how it got there takes us on a journey back into a time that should have never been!
This author gives me everything I could wish for in a series. Friendships, romance, mystery and humor. Highly recommended.
January 13, 2016
I love the Gladdy Gold books! They have it all, humor, suspense, excitement and a good story. This fifth book is no exception to that! Gladdy and her gang start of with a letter they get from a "Grandpa Bandit" who claimes to rob banks and invites the girls to catch him. Eventually there is a hurricane passing Lanai Gardens and a skeleton is discovered in the foundations of a collapsed building. There are two storylines in this book and I loved both. They were written really well and with the second line we learn more about Enya and her past in Auschwitz. I think the book was written with respect to what happened back then, but still with the light touch that the Gladdy Gold books have.
I also like it that the characters are being described at the beginning of the book. You do get to know them when you read this entire series, but if you pause long between them, like I did, it helps a lot the reconnect with the characters again.
I highly recommend this series, they kind of remind me of "The Golden Girls"!
I also like it that the characters are being described at the beginning of the book. You do get to know them when you read this entire series, but if you pause long between them, like I did, it helps a lot the reconnect with the characters again.
I highly recommend this series, they kind of remind me of "The Golden Girls"!
September 21, 2022
The Gladdy Gold mysteries are so good. Imagine 5 Golden Girls with 5, rather than 4, humor, excitement, terrific storylines with a punch at the end. Welcome to their world. A cold case, a current mystery, a close clan, a blossoming romance, and one coming to a close but the strength of the five and their nosy neighbors has me glued to the book. So much so, I had to remind myself that the weather that I was reading about was not happening here when I took my little dog out to do her business. Very few books draw me in that way. Excellent book, and especially fun for seniors.
October 22, 2019
I love these books about a group of Senior Citizens, mostly female, living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who have become Private Investigators. The stories are laugh-out-loud funny while the plots and characters are very well written and very engaging. As an active Senior Citizen myself I can relate to the shenanigans and confusions of my age group. May Gladdy Gold and her entourages live on forever!
April 12, 2021
Lots going on in book 5. One of them is a "give to the poor" bank robber. They actually receive a letter from the "Grandpa Bandit" daring them to catch him. Can they pull it off? Possibly...in between trying to solve a 50 year old murder, a hurricane and uncovering a Nazi living living in their beloved Lanai Gardens.
July 21, 2015
#5 - Just finish another Gladdy Gold mystery. I just love this light hearted books. Gladdy and the girls are at it again. This time Jack has joined the girls in catching their bad guy! I love the fact this book ended in a "happy ending"....
September 11, 2021
Elderly people are still smart, funny, sexy, inquisitive and a little bit sad. A Rom-Com with an historical impact.
September 17, 2021
A great mystery
This is another fantastic story with Gladdy and the girls. But now they have Jack, Gladdy's hunky love, and Joe, Evvy's ex husband, joining them. There is a major story, very intense, regarding a very old skeleton that was unearthed during a huge hurricane. Which is another side story. And yet another mystery, The Grandpa Bandit, who teases them with letters advising them of upcoming bank robberies, taunting them each time with "Catch me if you can"! This makes for very busy ladies and gents. And this is just simply a really great book, one of my favorites of the series.
But on another issue, the Kindle book had sooo many typos! I actually randomly counted 20 times words were hyphenated, for no reason! Or just misspelled. So distracting from the intense fast pace of the storylines, very annoying. Again and again. I had purchased the paperbacks of all these stories years ago, and none of them were like that. If someone would've just reviewed and edited this story it would have completely changed the reading enjoyment. I know sounds petty, but so true.
Overall, I loved this story so very much. Can't wait to read the next one. Hopefully words won't be chopped up again.
This is another fantastic story with Gladdy and the girls. But now they have Jack, Gladdy's hunky love, and Joe, Evvy's ex husband, joining them. There is a major story, very intense, regarding a very old skeleton that was unearthed during a huge hurricane. Which is another side story. And yet another mystery, The Grandpa Bandit, who teases them with letters advising them of upcoming bank robberies, taunting them each time with "Catch me if you can"! This makes for very busy ladies and gents. And this is just simply a really great book, one of my favorites of the series.
But on another issue, the Kindle book had sooo many typos! I actually randomly counted 20 times words were hyphenated, for no reason! Or just misspelled. So distracting from the intense fast pace of the storylines, very annoying. Again and again. I had purchased the paperbacks of all these stories years ago, and none of them were like that. If someone would've just reviewed and edited this story it would have completely changed the reading enjoyment. I know sounds petty, but so true.
Overall, I loved this story so very much. Can't wait to read the next one. Hopefully words won't be chopped up again.
July 3, 2017
This is the 5th in the series, and I liked it better than several of the others. The pacing was excellent, and the plot(s) nice and convoluted.
The disaster referred to was a hurricane that devastated Ft Lauderdale, including the complex in which our protagonists live. Complications ensue!
And then there's the "Grandpa Bandit" who robs banks, and who has asked Gladdy and her cohort to catch him... not to mention the storm revealing an old murder with modern implications.
The "girls" have their hands full here!
The disaster referred to was a hurricane that devastated Ft Lauderdale, including the complex in which our protagonists live. Complications ensue!
And then there's the "Grandpa Bandit" who robs banks, and who has asked Gladdy and her cohort to catch him... not to mention the storm revealing an old murder with modern implications.
The "girls" have their hands full here!
July 9, 2017
Gladdy and the gang really have their hands full this time. Not only are they on the trail of the Grandpa Bandit, who is holding up local banks for odd amounts, but a hurricane is headed their way.
The damage from the hurricane is a reason for Jack to move in with Gladdy, moving their budding relationship along, which makes the gang nervous, because it's a big change.
Finally the gang get caught up in their most dangerous case to date, catching a Nazi.
The damage from the hurricane is a reason for Jack to move in with Gladdy, moving their budding relationship along, which makes the gang nervous, because it's a big change.
Finally the gang get caught up in their most dangerous case to date, catching a Nazi.
March 18, 2020
Set in Florida, a senior citizen and her friends run a detective agency. Their latest challenge: a bank robber known as the "Grandpa Bandit" challenges them to catch him. In addition a hurricane destroys part of the condo complex and reveals a skeleton under the foundation. Can they solve a 50 year old murder?
Lovable characters. Nice cozy. I recommend this author.
Lovable characters. Nice cozy. I recommend this author.
July 31, 2021
Gladdy Gold and her team of detectives have been issued a challenge : to catch the Grandpa Bandit. They figure he is someone that lives around them as he seems to know them. But a hurricane reveals a skeleton as it demolishes the building it was buried under and has the residents helping each other. Gladdys tries to track down who was the skeleton.
May 14, 2025
I did certainly have suspicions about the “ Grandpa Bandit” that proved to be accurate. My murderer suspect was down to two, and one of suspicions was accurate. The messages from the “ Grandpa Bandit” were amusing.
I believe I have only one book in the series left to read, which makes me rather sad.
I believe I have only one book in the series left to read, which makes me rather sad.
July 28, 2022
Getting Old is not a disaster !
This book is a humorous mystery about older seniors in Florida investigating a cold case when a skeleton is found after a hurricane. Characters are sometimes fun. Some areNoT fun! Worth the time for a fun read.
This book is a humorous mystery about older seniors in Florida investigating a cold case when a skeleton is found after a hurricane. Characters are sometimes fun. Some areNoT fun! Worth the time for a fun read.
July 10, 2017
2nd one in this series I have read and still enjoyable
August 6, 2018
I enjoyed the mystery of this book. So happy for Gladdy. Hopefully her friends won't continue to be a problem. Ready to read more.
August 9, 2019
Oy that was INTENSE! So many good parts but so many bad and evil parts too. Emotions all over the place and man those ladies talk about food so much I'm in danger of having my dinner at 4:30pm☺
January 5, 2020
I enjoyed this book and series as light mysteries.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
May 24, 2021
Such a fun group of characters! I am enjoying this series!
January 21, 2025
3 1/2 ⭐️
July 20, 2017
I had no idea that seniors were so obsessed with sex. Other than that this was a charming cozy starting with a body that was buried like a time capsule.
May 20, 2013
Well now, here’s something those of you who know my reading tastes well will be surprised at: a review of a cozy mystery! I am not really much of a cozy reader—I find most to be sort of cookie-cutter quality, much alike with interchangeable lead characters that have quirky names, own quirky businesses, with predictable plots and outcomes—and often, way too much romancey stuff for my taste. There are, however, a few series I tried and surprisingly liked and stuck with, and this is one of them.
Perhaps part of the reason for that is that the main character is old. Like, 75. So even older than me. Gladdy Gold, a Jewish widow originally from New York, lives in a condo in Ft. Lauderdale and has three dear friends and a sister who live in the same complex. The girls have a detective agency, run by Gladdy but they all help out, and often are quite successful because nobody notices old people so they can observe without arousing suspicion. They have their routines, and though they’re as different as can be from one another, they obviously care for each other. These characters have become like friends over the course of the series, and many other secondary characters are familiar as a well-worn shoe as well. Even though they’re elderly, they aren’t senile—well, mostly. The stories are funny, yet respectfully done such that people who are old (or care for the elderly) will smile in recognition at problems and quandaries that younger folks just don’t think about.
Gladdy and her “boyfriend” Jack have been trying to get together to consummate their relationship for two or three books now. Something—usually something to do with one of Gladdy’s friends—always seems to get in the way. This book, it’s Jack’s bridge club, and then some bad storms and a hurricane bearing down on the city that stirs up trouble—including knocking down part of one of the buildings that exposes a decades-old skeleton buried under the foundation.
Meanwhile, an elderly bank robber sends the girls a challenge letter, basically telling them to ‘catch me if you can’ and signs it “Grandpa Bandit.” He’s already robbed six banks, changes his looks every time such that there’s not a good description, but he’s giving the GG detective agency some clues about his next planned hit, so Gladdy feels compelled to report it to Jack’s son Morrie, who’s a detective for the Ft. Lauderdale police. Grandpa gets the better of them though, and then is forgotten for a few days as the brunt of the storm hits.
This is a sweet, light, enjoyable mystery series and this book was no exception. It’s not all cozy goodness, though—it deals with some very dark things (in this book for example, the storms trigger a PTSD-like reaction in one of the residents whose family was all taken from their home and executed during a storm during the Holocaust) and present some realistic hurdles that the elderly have to overcome. If you’re looking for something a little lighter and aren’t a big fan of most cozies, I recommend trying this series out.
Perhaps part of the reason for that is that the main character is old. Like, 75. So even older than me. Gladdy Gold, a Jewish widow originally from New York, lives in a condo in Ft. Lauderdale and has three dear friends and a sister who live in the same complex. The girls have a detective agency, run by Gladdy but they all help out, and often are quite successful because nobody notices old people so they can observe without arousing suspicion. They have their routines, and though they’re as different as can be from one another, they obviously care for each other. These characters have become like friends over the course of the series, and many other secondary characters are familiar as a well-worn shoe as well. Even though they’re elderly, they aren’t senile—well, mostly. The stories are funny, yet respectfully done such that people who are old (or care for the elderly) will smile in recognition at problems and quandaries that younger folks just don’t think about.
Gladdy and her “boyfriend” Jack have been trying to get together to consummate their relationship for two or three books now. Something—usually something to do with one of Gladdy’s friends—always seems to get in the way. This book, it’s Jack’s bridge club, and then some bad storms and a hurricane bearing down on the city that stirs up trouble—including knocking down part of one of the buildings that exposes a decades-old skeleton buried under the foundation.
Meanwhile, an elderly bank robber sends the girls a challenge letter, basically telling them to ‘catch me if you can’ and signs it “Grandpa Bandit.” He’s already robbed six banks, changes his looks every time such that there’s not a good description, but he’s giving the GG detective agency some clues about his next planned hit, so Gladdy feels compelled to report it to Jack’s son Morrie, who’s a detective for the Ft. Lauderdale police. Grandpa gets the better of them though, and then is forgotten for a few days as the brunt of the storm hits.
This is a sweet, light, enjoyable mystery series and this book was no exception. It’s not all cozy goodness, though—it deals with some very dark things (in this book for example, the storms trigger a PTSD-like reaction in one of the residents whose family was all taken from their home and executed during a storm during the Holocaust) and present some realistic hurdles that the elderly have to overcome. If you’re looking for something a little lighter and aren’t a big fan of most cozies, I recommend trying this series out.
September 29, 2012
#5 in the Gladdy Gold series. All the usual elements in this series are here and deliver reliably. Gladdy and her geriatric "girls" with their Florida Jewish schtick; Gladdy and her romance with retired cop Jack Langford; and, the eccentric residents of the Lanai Gardens retirement community. The new elements of this entry are not strong enough to bring it above an average rating. The first half has the girls tracking the "Grandpa Bandit" - at his invitation. It drags. Then the murder from the prologue is exposed when a hurricane uncovers the burial site of the victim. There is some good detective work here to uncover the victim's identity, but the identity of the killer is telegraphed. Also, the threatening finale has an impossible task - how can a showdown be truly threatening in a humorous cozy mystery. It comes off as vaguely slapstick.
Gladdy Gold series - No sooner has Gladdy's detective agency gotten back from a trip to NYC, than the "Grandpa Bandit," issues them a direct challenge: Catch me if you can. The thief has already knocked over six Fort Lauderdale banks. It's up to Gladdy and the girls to stop him before he hits the next one. When a hurricane uncovers a fifty-year-old skeleton, they have to put the bandit on the back burner. With a dark mystery swirling around the retirement community, Gladdy and the girls are about to confront a killer determined to bury the past--and them along with it...
Gladdy Gold series - No sooner has Gladdy's detective agency gotten back from a trip to NYC, than the "Grandpa Bandit," issues them a direct challenge: Catch me if you can. The thief has already knocked over six Fort Lauderdale banks. It's up to Gladdy and the girls to stop him before he hits the next one. When a hurricane uncovers a fifty-year-old skeleton, they have to put the bandit on the back burner. With a dark mystery swirling around the retirement community, Gladdy and the girls are about to confront a killer determined to bury the past--and them along with it...
June 26, 2015
Honestly, I'd say 2 1/2 stars. First, a cast of characters at the start of the book usually waves a red flag that the author can't be bothered to write them well enough so we can keep track. And, with such a huge number of characters, it foreshadows confusion to someone (me) new to the series. My book club chose this book, and I did finish it. Also, at least half the book was spent without anything significant happening other than looking at the way these women (and a few men) lived. By having the prologue, the reader knows there's going to be the discovery of that body, so I kept waiting ... and waiting ... for it to appear in the plot. I thought the characters were stereotypes. Maybe if I'd started at the beginning, I'd have cared more about these characters, but I'm not sure I'd have finished it if it wasn't a book club choice (and a lot better than some the group has picked).
The writing was clean enough, although I don't like present tense. It distances me from the story, although I can't explain why. All in all, an average book.
The writing was clean enough, although I don't like present tense. It distances me from the story, although I can't explain why. All in all, an average book.
December 18, 2013
Actually, I refuse to read this book. I did start reading the list of characters that is part of the book. I dislike it when the author talks of how funny the characters...personally, I'd rather find that out for myself. Then after reading how the characters are described according to their personalities, (such as " funny, adorable, logical, stubborn, forgettable, master of disguises), I came to Tessie Spankowitz, who is described as 56, and chubby. No personality, I guess. We are supposed to make assumptions just because she's chubby? And then there's Spankowitz, who's described as "married to Tessie". Guess that's supposed to tell us about him, too, right?
No thanks to the book.
No thanks to the book.
December 25, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
March 8, 2021
Gladys Gold and her troop of aging ladies are hired to capture a bank robber. But their client (via anonymous letters) is the robber himself! When a hurricane strikes their Fort Lauderdale condos, detection is on the back burner while the ladies, and Jack--Glady's handsome beau--fight for survival. The hurricane clears, having revealed a fifty-year-old body, which Gladys and the girls find more interesting than a mere robber.
January 5, 2009
This is the 5th book of the GLADDY GOLD series by Rita Lakin.
Gladdy and their gangs are PIs. But they are special because they are all beyond 70 years old.
It is again a smart and funny read.
After reading all these books I wish I would be like them when I reach their age.
Look forward to next book.
Gladdy and their gangs are PIs. But they are special because they are all beyond 70 years old.
It is again a smart and funny read.
After reading all these books I wish I would be like them when I reach their age.
Look forward to next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews