An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good (Elderly Lady #1)

by Helene Tursten

It had now been about forty years since Maud’s sister died, leaving her with no living relatives. Maud lived alone, and she went on vacation alone. That was the way she wanted it. Freedom, no idle chatter, and no problems. Idle chatter and problems were the worst things she could think of, and now she was faced with one of the biggest problems she had ever encountered. And she just couldn’t see a way out.

Among other reasons, Jasmin wanted the apartment because it was fairly large—around 450 square feet.

But she had learned that it was smart not to reveal that all her senses were in full working order; instead, she allowed people to act in accordance with their own preconceptions. This was often a useful source of information, and Maud could form her own opinion of the person and the situation. But

It’s easy to criticize the patriarchy and the upper classes when you come from a privileged background and expect to inherit a fortune,

“No,” she said again, just because it felt good to say no to this person.

Through the wooden spokes Maud could see that Jasmin’s skull had been crushed by one of the bronze penises. The patriarchy strikes back, she thought.

It was quite lonely traveling that way, but it didn’t bother her; it was the way she wanted it. No pointless chatter and no complaining. She made her own decisions.

Zazza Henrix was called Siv Hansson back in the days when Maud was her teacher, and even then Maud thought she was a full-fledged trollop. She

Charlotte had died thirty-seven years ago. Only then had Maud’s own life begun. Better late than never, she thought.

Congratulations, little Maud. You got away with it, Embla said to herself with an ironic smile.