The Armchair Detectives by Matt Dunn Summary
The Armchair Detectives by Matt Dunn. I picked this up because it’s considered a cozy mystery, and I was like, “Huh, all right, let’s give it a go.” It is supposedly the first of a series—I’m assuming that, though it’s not guaranteed. There are two listings for The Armchair Detective by Matt Dunn, and the one I clicked seems to be the one most people have reviewed. The second one might say “the first in the series,” but anyway, let’s continue into the summary.
They might be over the hill, but they’re far from six feet under—and now there’s a murder to solve. Meet Martin Maxwell. As a former government operative at 84 years young, he’s always pictured retirement sipping shaken-not-stirred martinis on a far-flung island.
But in need of some care after a new hip, he finds himself at Twilight Lodge on the decidedly cloudy English coast. From the outside, it’s a picture-perfect place to recuperate. But when popular resident Elise dies unexpectedly, Martin suspects foul play. She’s the third death in less than two weeks and always had a clean bill of health.
Armed with a walking stick and his trusty notebook, Martin decides to investigate. While nobody believes him—after all, death is an inevitable part of care home life—Martin is convinced something sinister is afoot. With his wheelchair-bound sidekick and former nemesis, Albi, in tow, they begin questioning the residents. Soon they learn that there are several suspects.
When they discover Albi’s love interest, Barbara, is next in the killer’s sights, Martin knows time is running out. Will Albi’s heart be broken forever, or can they battle the effects of old age and each other, outwitting a murderer before it’s too late?
The book is described as an absolutely hilarious and heartwarming cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood, Jesse Q. Sutanto, and Only Murders in the Building. It releases October 1st, 2025, and is about 340 pages in the Kindle edition. The audiobook is approximately 11 hours long and went very quickly.
Now, let me start off by saying—the summary paints us a picture, but the story we get inside is slightly different. I hope what I’m about to say isn’t too spoilery. I don’t plan to reveal the ending, but I was very intrigued by this cozy mystery. It’s not out of left field, but it’s certainly unique compared to others I’ve read recently.
I’m familiar with cozy mysteries that feature elderly characters, often in duos—two individuals, sometimes more, but two is common, especially when you think of Sherlock and Watson. However, in this case, they’re even older than Miss Marple. Martin and Albi are in a care facility. Martin is there by choice while he recuperates from hip surgery, not wanting to be a burden on his daughter Dion, who seems to be a constable with the local police.
Here’s the funny thing—and maybe a mild spoiler—there’s no real proof that Martin was actually a secret agent. From the beginning, he talks about his past missions and the things he could do, but he never actually demonstrates these supposed spy skills. The company he worked for was supposedly more secret than MI6—completely off the books, with no evidence.
When he tells his daughter later, she says, “Dad, you were a hotel inspector.” He insists otherwise, but she reminds him of a surgery from when he had an aneurysm—one he doesn’t even remember. So there’s a lingering question about whether Martin has early dementia. Throughout the book, you’re left on the fence about whether to believe him or not.
Now, about Albi—the summary calls him Martin’s wheelchair-bound sidekick and former nemesis. In the book, we’re led to believe Albi was once Martin’s partner who went rogue decades ago. Albi doesn’t remember this at all, but he also has memory loss, so again, you’re wondering if either of them are in their right mind.
Another thing—there’s uncertainty about whether a crime has even been committed. That’s a big part of the book. For a long time, you’re wondering if they’re just grasping at straws. Still, the story is funny and charming. I laughed often at their banter and situations.
I recently read a horror-thriller about a retirement home massacre, but this book is nothing like that. This is a cozy, comedic version—a geriatric detective seeing crime where others don’t. I haven’t read another story quite like it.
Overall, The Armchair Detectives is humorous and surprisingly lighthearted. I didn’t realize how funny it would be at first, but it quickly won me over. Even without any definite proof of espionage or murder, the story remains engaging because of the quirky characters and the comedic tone.
If you’re looking for something light, funny, and cozy—not a heavy hitter but still entertaining—this could be a good one. It’s not specifically set in fall, but it fits perfectly for the season if you’re in the mood for something mysterious yet heartwarming.
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