Maud Looks Back and Forward
Review of the Highbridge audiobook (October 5, 2021) released simultaneously with the Soho Crime hardcover, translated by Marlaine Delargy from the Swedish language original "Äldre dam med mörka hemligheter" (An Elderly Lady With Dark Secrets) (October 8, 2020).

The sequel to An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good finds Maud setting out on her planned South African safari vacation which had been in the planning stages in the earlier book. She is getting away from her home in Gothenburg, Sweden where the number of suspicious deaths in her apartment building had attracted the attention of Inspector Irene Huss.

During her airplane flight Maud reminisces about her earlier life. There is a story of her childhood, a story about her relationship with her sister, a story about how she helped a friend who was burdened with a wastrel son. All of these paled in comparison to the edgier stories in the first book where she was defending her home and belongings. Then when she lands in South Africa, for the longest time it seems as if we are just going along on a tame safari vacation with seniors. Finally there is a dramatic event which sets the stage for what seems to be Maud's retirement.

So if you are curious about the Elderly Lady series, I'd say to stick with the first book. This sequel was a letdown after the shock of the introduction.

Trivia
The audiobook edition does not provide the recipes for Maud's cookies ("nice" and "naughty" versions) but you can find them in the appendix of the hardcover book.
See photo at https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/442372229_26373181522280617_5...
The ingredients for the "nice version" of Maud's Gingerbread Cookies. The "naughty version" includes nuts. ( )

This had a lot of the qualities of An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good that I loved, but a few others that gave me pause. For instance, one woman she murders is kind of terrible, but among her sins appears to be that she is heavy, unfashionable, and has visible upper lip hair, and that is what is first used to signal that she is an unlikable character. There is also a little white saviorism at the end that gets a little thick. But most of the time there remains something refreshing and charming about her, using other people's preconceptions agains them and cold-heartedly doing the things that need doing. ( )

Aptly titled, An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helene Tursten (translated by Marlaine Delargy) is the follow up to An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good by the same author, featuring Maud, the smart, independent, no nonsense octogenarian who you would definitely never want to go up against.

We catch up with Maud a few months after the events in the previous book. She’s on a plane traveling to South Africa where she will be a part of a tour group .This is a trip she has been looking forward to for a long time. She's also glad to be going so as to avoid local law enforcement who are not quite convinced of her account of the events surrounding the death of the local antiques dealer whose body was discovered in her apartment. Though they do not have any concrete evidence implicating Maud, it seems they are no longer fooled by the helpless, frail and unassuming old lady act Maud puts on for their benefit. Through six interconnected stories some of which are based on her real time travels and some told as memories that are triggered by her adventures, we get to know more of Maud’s past , her life as a child, as a young woman embarking on a career in teaching , the people in her life and of course her unique methods of ‘solving’ problems , both her own as well as those she deems to be in need of her ‘help’. We see shades of Maud that project her in a newer light and though her antics will still have you gasping in disbelief, you can’t help admiring her spunk, wit and wisdom.It was so much fun spending time with Maud again!

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first in the series. With no frills storytelling and one of the most interesting (that’s an understatement!!!) protagonists I’ve come across in a long time , this funny , heartwarming (yes ,read it to believe it!) collection of stories is a perfect read for anyone in who is in need of a good laugh or a break in between more serious reading. This is a light read meant to be taken lightly. So, as long as you don’t overthink it, you should be able to enjoy it.

I sincerely hope this isn't the author’s final instalment in her series of stories about this sharp and crafty elderly (only in age, I might add!) lady. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more stories featuring Maud in the future. ( )

I very seldom read a book twice, but Helene Tursten provides a humorous and amusing story with Maud. Maud, an eighty-eight year old self-appointed judge of despicable individuals swiftly carries out justice. Tursten employs short stories to display Maud’s punishment. Many of the stories seem cruel and show Maud in an unpleasant way, but the last story redeems Maud. Maud has worked hard throughout her life taking care of an elder, frail sister and her helpless mother. Now, Maud has enough money to take a return trip to Cape Town and to meet with friends. The adventure displays Maud’s many skills and strength. A lovely story that enhances laughter and concern. ( )

what's better than one collection of short stories about an elderly sociopath who gets revenge on those that wrong her? two collections of short stories about an elderly sociopath who gets revenge on those that wrong her! genuinely a fun read with a happy ending ( )