The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann: Book Review

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp is the first book in the Miss Sharp ermittelt Series by Leonie Swann. Originally published in May 2020 in the author’s native German, the English translation will be available on August 29, 2023. Agnes Sharp lives with her friends in her childhood home, when their quiet village is suddenly ,the center of a murder investigation. With secrets to hide, can Agnes and her friends solve the mystery without becoming the next victim?

I want to thank Soho Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp. All opinions presented here are solely mine.

Synopsis from Goodreads

It has been an eventful morning for Agnes Sharp and the other inhabitants of Sunset Hall, a house share for the old and unruly in the sleepy English countryside. Although they have had some issues (misplaced reading glasses, conflicting culinary tastes, decreasing mobility, and unruly grandsons), nothing prepares them for an unexpected visit from a police officer with some shocking news. A body has been discovered next door. Everyone puts on a long face for show, but they are secretly relieved the body in question is not the one they’re currently hiding in the shed (sorry, Lillith).

It seems the answer to their little problem with Lillith may have fallen right into their lap. All they have to do is find out who murdered their neighbor, so they can pin Lillith’s death on them, thus killing two (old) birds with one stone (cold killer).

With their plan sorted, Agnes and her geriatric gang spring into action. After all, everybody likes a good mystery. Besides, the more suspicion they can cast about, surely the less will land on them. To investigate, they will step out of their comfort zone, into the not-so-idyllic village of Duck End and tangle with sinister bakers, broken stairlifts, inept criminals, the local authorities, and their own dark secrets.

My Opinions

Agnes Sharp may be one of the best amateur detectives I have ever encountered, even better than Miss Jane Marple. She’s witty and decisive, with a bit of mystery surrounding her. Agnes and the rest of the residents of Sunset Hall have mysterious backgrounds. There are references to Agnes being part of the murder squad and working to solve such crimes. Edwina seems to be part tracking dog. Marshall was a military man. Bernadette seems to scare housemates with her mannerisms. Even Hettie has secrets, and she’s a tortoise!

I’m not sure if it was the formatting of the e-book I read, or if it was due to the translation from German to English, or the author’s writing style, but parts of the story felt choppy and disconnected. What I mean is that sentences felt like they cut off abruptly. That said, I could use the story’s context to keep up and not lose anything.

This is not a book to pick up if you can’t focus on reading. I say this because while the book is 360 pages, it took me over a week to finish reading it. Why? Because it was hard to immerse myself in the book entirely. I didn’t want to stop reading on the occasions I could do that.

While I guessed the culprit, I wasn’t 100% correct. I will leave it at that, as I don’t want to spoil anything. Just remember to keep an open mind as you read.

Do you enjoy reading books with older main characters who have secrets in their past? Or books set in sleepy English villages? What about books that feature twists, turns and a fair number of red herrings? Then you should give The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp a read.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.