I was sent a copy of The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher to read and review by NetGalley. This is an enjoyable, friendly and easy novel set in an assisted living Manor House estate, Babbington Hall. Protagonist Florrie wants to get to the bottom of a tragic death that she believes may have been murder. Florrie is an unlikely sleuth, being as she is 87 and in a wheelchair due to the fact that she only has one leg. Much of Florrie’s backstory is scattered throughout the book, but though interesting I became to find it rather tedious. It was a well written story with some great characters but I did feel that it went on far too long, hence the 4 stars.

Florrie Butterfield is a resident of Babbington Hall care home. When her friend dies and a terrible incident follows, she feels certain that something is amiss, and sets out to investigate. Like many elderly people she is overlooked and underestimated, both of which prove helpful. Susan Fletcher does not send Florrie off on a comedy caper, this novel is a thoughtful exploration of how experience shapes us throughout our lives, and how wonderful it is to have friends and be loved. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed spending time Florrie, getting to know her and hear about her life whilst also uncovering the mysteries that run throughout this book. Just a wonderfully written book with lots of heart. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Susan Fletcher is a wonderful storyteller who has covered a wide range of genres and subjects in her novels. The Night in Question is one of her best. A murder mystery at its heart, this a tale overflowing with joy and zest for life. The elderly protagonist, Florrie Butterfield, is a delight from start to finish. As Florrie’s concerns grow over the two recent deaths at her nursing home, she reluctantly but resolutely begins investigating, seeking the help and support of fellow resident, Stanhope. As the two make slow and gentle progress towards the truth, Florrie also begins a reflection on her own long and remarkable life. Much more could be said about this enchanting book but far better to read it for oneself. Very highly recommended!

Given how many books I read, I tend to make snap judgements. Sometimes it saves me time, sometimes it might even make me lose out on things. I am glad I stick to reading a certain amount of a book before giving up on it as a policy.

This story begins with our lead protagonist and narrator, Florrie Butterfield has only recently moved into an assisted living facility. When the book opens, we know that one of its members died due to an accident. In the aftermath of that, Florrie has a conversation with the manager. This conversation sends her down memory lane and we get to travel with her.

I think my initial reluctance to enjoy the book was the pacing and the writing style. It felt slow and clunky. But, by the time we get to know Florrie, the style seems natural and part of the reading experience.

Once I felt like I saw the reason for the way things were being described and introduced, I was able to move faster myself. Overall I found the mystery interesting, although I did not expect the backstory to be exactly the way it had happened. I even relished the writing style by the time I finished!!

I would highly recommend this book to fans of the slower mystery genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This novel offers a heartfelt exploration of Florrie Butterfield’s life, a woman who has harbored a significant secret for 70 years, known only to her best friend, Pinkie. Now 87 and living in an assisted living community, Florrie has led a life full of adventures, sorrows, and unwavering optimism.

The story takes a turn when tragedy strikes their manager, Renata, a day Florrie had planned to discuss past loves with her. The incident, which appears accidental, prompts Florrie to investigate, aided by new friend Stanhope.

As Florrie delves into the mystery of whether Renata’s fall was deliberate, she reminisces about the important people and loves in her life, with a special emphasis on her cherished friendship with Pinkie.

Beautifully written and moving as well as entertaining. I enjoyed this book and will look out for more of Susan Fletcher's work. Thank you for the opportunity.

This was such a great read that I didn't want it to finish! It was the story of a murder mystery at its best. The characters were wonderful and easy to get drawn into, An absolute compelling read that I would highly recommend

I loved this cosy story! The main character of Florrie is just so delightful to read about and a very memorable character who jumps off the page. I was really excited to see what would happen next for this character and what she would get up to. The plot is easy to follow but still has enough twists and turns that makes it interesting and compelling to read!

What a beautiful and charming story. Florrie Butterfield is a wonderful character who makes us remember that just because someone is of an older generation it doesn't mean they haven't lived a full and interesting life, and indeed, that they haven't got more living to do.

Babbington Hall is Florrie's new home. Since losing a leg, Florrie could no longer live alone, but at Babbington she retains some independence. She's a quieter character with hidden depths. When a tragic incident occurs, Florrie finds a new lease of life in investigating what happened to the manager, Renata. She forms a beautiful friendship with fellow resident Stanhope and they become quite the sleuths.

Alongside this plot line, we go back in time to learn more about the life Florrie has lived, and the people she has loved. There is a mystery to her life that is hinted at throughout but not fully revealed until much later in the book.

Florrie is such a rich and complex character that I fell in love with. It's very refreshing to read an older character's story and it not be cutesy or patronising, but rather gutsy and determined. A brilliantly crafted story with a massive heart.

Florence, or Florrie, has lived a long life and now lives in a retirement/care home. She’s lost a leg. One night something awful happens which leads to secrets becoming unfolded she enlists the help of Stanhope and things are not what they seem.

A mix of cosy mystery and a reflection on age and being human. Loved the plot and the characters
A more extensive review will follow
Recommended.

Suspicions are raised when, following the death of a resident, Renata the manager of Babbington Hall Care Home supposedly takes her own life. With the help of a fellow resident the irrepressible Florrie decides to investigate. But it’s not just Renata who has secrets to hide. Will Florrie have to face her own demons in order to unmask the killer. This book is a beautiful story of both ageing and a life lived to the full.

I am afraid that I did not enjoy this book at all. It was very slow moving with little happening. There were two mysterious accidents early on, but even they could not keep my attention.

The Night in Question is an incredible book, written so beautifully and superbly with fabulous characters who are given so much depth. I absolutely loved Florrie Butterfield - an extremely strong lady who despite how own personal health issues, goes out of her way to help others. Florrie is so inspiring, such a legend who, now the book is finished, I miss!

When a mysterious tragedy occurs in the sheltered housing complex, Babbington Hall, the home of Florrie and many other residents, Florrie is determined to find out what has happened and why. Was it a pure accident or was there more going on then it originally appeared? Florrie is on the case to find out!

The clever and skillfully way the story was told, I felt as if I was a resident at Babbington Hall, helping Florrie find the answers, she so desperately was looking for. It was wonderful to hear all about Florrie's incredible life. Despite all the heartbreak and problems she has had, Florrie still looks forward in a positive light, doing her very best every day. I loved the friendship she had with her childhood friend Pinky, who did so much for her and I loved the new friendships that she made at Babbington Hall. Everyone had a story to tell, and it is vital that their own past was heard and listened to. I thought Stanhope was great and I found the sister-in-laws very quirky! There is so much to say about all the characters as they were all fascinating in their own right.

I loved Florrie's memory box - memories are not only physical items, but they are memories which stay with you too, close in your heart. Florrie tells us so many stories from her life. I always find it fascinating reading and listening to stories from the older generation - they have so many interesting times and stories to tell and share.

The Night in Question is a 5 star book - a wonderful powerful cosy crime, full of hidden secrets, suspense, surprises and so much more! I would love another book featuring Florrie (and the other residents!) as Florrie is such an amazing character - the star of the book!

This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

An interestig book, in which you amble through the life of Florrie. She is now nearing 88 and living in a carehome when the manager falls out of a top floor window and sustains major injuries. In the next few weeks Florrie and another resident, Stanhope come to believe that it was not an accident. Their investigation alternates with the history of Florrie herself, what she has done in life and where she has lived. A fascinating read . The pace is fairly slow moving, but this book hooked me in little by little. I predicted a couple of the twists, but the major one was a suprise. The tone of the book is at times chatty, dreamy when Florrie is remeniscing about the men in her life but also at times sad as not everything has been plain sailing. If you are looking for an unusual book, this may be it !
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

The Night in Question was the perfect book to look forward to each night as I prepared for bed. Nestled amongst my pillows I was enchanted by Florrie and the life she had led. Yes, she may be an 87-year-old amputee in an old folks' home in this gentle novel, but her spirit sang to me.

The adventures she had were bright and vivid and well recounted. We cover a fair few vignettes of Florrie's life but it didn't drag for me as memory-reflecting books sometimes can. Each story felt vital as we learned more of Florrie's history. Her time in Kenya could easily have been my time in Kenya as it opened her heart as it did my own. Her appreciation and love of people, different cultures and ways of life felt a balm in this brutal and bruised world. This was the right book for me at the right time and I loved it with my whole heart.

A delight to read from start to finish.
Although this is a cosy murder mystery at its heart it is also a celebration of humanity as we age. It celebrates both how we change (within ourselves and how society’s perception of us changes) and how we stay the same.

The characters are wonderfully drawn and the story is a joy, highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.

The Night in Question is a beautifully written and reflective novel with 87 year old Florrie, a resident of Babbington Hall care home, the main character,
The novel starts slowly and continues to move at a slow and gentle pace but I found myself completely immersed in Florrie’s present day world and her past. There is a mystery and this novel partly falls into the cosy crime genre, but it’s so much more. Florrie is a wonderful character and Susan Fletcher writes empathically and insightfully about growing older. A gorgeous read that I’d recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

A one-legged, wheelchair-bound octogenarian living in a home isn’t the most obvious candidate for a protagonist, even for those who have enjoyed encounters with Richard Osman’s Fab Four. Inevitably, there will be comparisons because of the age of the central character, the genre and the setting. However, Florrie is very much her own woman and her story, past, present and future, is laid out more starkly and is much more moving.

Living her final years in Babbington Hall, Florrie keeps to herself in her accessible room. Plump and average (in her own estimation), she has often been overlooked and underestimated. But there is more to Florrie than meets the eye and amongst those that recognise this is Renata, the general manager.

It is this burgeoning relationship that leads Florrie to question the general narrative when an accident occurs at the home. Interspersed with her investigation into what really happened are trips into Florrie’s past and one of the book’s most compelling themes - that the young forget that the old were once their age.

This is a lovely, thoughtful book and, much like its protagonist, it is easy to overlook its depth, charm and strength if you think of it only as a cosy(ish) crime novel. It’s much more and I loved it.

With thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.