Review: Don't Ever Get Old

Don't Ever Get Old by Daniel Friedman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book Info: Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Anyone who likes a good story

Disclosure: I received a free eGalley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: When Buck Schatz, senior citizen and retired Memphis cop, learns that an old adversary may have escaped Germany with a fortune in stolen gold, Buck decides to hunt down the fugitive and claim the loot. But a lot of people want a piece of the stolen treasure, and Buck’s investigation quickly attracts unfriendly attention from a very motley (and murderous) crew in Daniel Friedman's Don’t Ever get Old.

My Thoughts: So, I just finished a YA fantasy based on an ancient legend and jumped straight into a book about an elder retired cop involved in a mystery – what a jump!

And this book was hilarious! Buck Schatz is a real hoot – after returning from the hospital, afraid of catching something from the trip: “I went into the kitchen, scrubbed my hands with hot water, and washed down a multivitamin with a glass of orange juice and a cigarette.” His grandson is nicknamed Tequila by his frat brothers, so is known as Tequila Schatz. I was sitting outside reading for awhile and probably most of my neighbors wondered what was going on over here, because I kept shrieking with laughter as I was reading this.

Not to say it is all fun and games – Buck and his group in WWII were taken to a German POW camp and when the man in charge, named Zeigler, realized Buck was Jewish… things got ugly. Buck deals with his memories with humor and a sardonic nature, but you can sense how deeply these things affected him. Additionally, it seems that everyone and his brother has been convinced that Buck will be going after Nazi gold (“Nazis don’t have gold, Buck, you’re thinking of leprechauns.”) and they want a slice of it. Additionally Buck is 87 and then 88 in the book, so he’s having to face old age, infirmity, the loss of his independence – the story actually covers a multitude of themes.

But mostly – it was incredibly funny. Buck is a grumpy old man, cantankerous and bad-tempered, but deep inside he has a heart of gold. I can’t think of anyone who would not enjoy reading this terrific story. Check it out.



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