The Night in Question

By: Susan Fletcher

Narrated by: Jenny Funnell

A lyrical and emotionally engaging novel infused with mystery and wisdom about love, friendship, and the power of forgiveness.

Florrie Butterfield—eighty-seven, one-legged, and of cheerful disposition—believes there can't be any more adventures or surprises in life to experience. Yet one midsummer’s evening, there’s an accident at Babbington Hall—the adult residence where she lives—so shocking and strange that Florrie is suspicious; is this really an accident? Or is she being lied to? Is she, in fact, living alongside a potential murderer?

In her efforts to learn the truth, Florrie is forced to look back on her own life, with all its passions and regrets; she must confront her own bloody secret—and, at last, forgive herself. Above all, Florrie learns, through the help of her new friend, Stanhope, that you’re never too old to have the life you’ve always dreamed of. When it comes to love, it’s never too late.

Fans of moving fiction about late-in-life second chances such as Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove and Rachel Joyce’s The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry will love this un-putdownable book.

©2024 Susan Fletcher (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

Couldn't put it down

At last, a book where elderly characters are well rounded humans, neither caricatures nor super-human. Like real people with stories and lives which made them who they are. People who still have things to learn about life and love and forgiveness.

It was also refreshing to find a main character who is allowed to grow and change, without starting out with a miserable, empty existence.

I'm not usually fond of novels where the protagonist has secrets which aren't shared with the reader, even when the story is told from their point of view, but in this case Susan Fletcher makes it work.

Jenny Funnell does a fine job with the narration, bringing the story to life without calling attention to herself, except for one brief, badly done accent. She seems like the perfect voice for this story.

Beautiful reflection disguised as a mystery novel

A beautifully written, heartfelt reflection on a life well lived, disguised as detective fiction. In a culture where older women get remarkably little attention, 87-year-old Florrie speaks of living by your own standards, of feeling younger than your age, of trauma that lasts a lifetime, and of the power of sending love across space to those who need it. The first mystery novel ever to make me cry. Highly recommend.

Lovely contemplation of life

Beautifully written and well narrated story of love and loss and grief and the choices we make.

Very nice story!

I really enjoyed the looking back over Florie’s life. The reflection and observations as well as the mystery definitely kept my interest piqued. Had it only had one (reflection or mystery), it would not have been such a page turner!

Mystery, life affirming, late life romance

Excellent combination of mystery story and the life story of an unconventional woman. Heartwarming, insightful, engaging, and reflective.