The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This wildly entertaining debut is equal parts dark comedy, suburban drama, and murder mystery, with just the right dash of raunchiness to keep things spicy. It all kicks off with a freak garage door accident that leaves one man dead and his widow holding a million-dollar life insurance check. Suddenly, what seemed like a tragic mishap becomes a tantalizing opportunity for three of her close friends—Pam, Nancy, and Shalisa—each stuck in a lifeless marriage with husbands who are lazy, inattentive, and clinging to pipe dreams that have already crashed and burned.

The women, longtime neighbors and friends, are united by more than their zip code; they’ve all endured years of disappointment and frustration. When they realize their husbands are similarly insured, a dangerous idea begins to take shape: why not hire a hitman and retire rich instead of bitter? But their not-so-better halves are busy spinning their ill-conceived retirement scheme, and before long, the whole neighborhood is tangled in a web of secrets, betrayals, and murder plots gone sideways.

What makes this novel stand out is its delicious blend of over-the-top antics and razor-sharp observations about marriage, aging, and the quiet desperation that can bubble beneath the surface of any "perfect" suburban life. The characters—especially the three would-be widows—are hilarious, audacious, and refreshingly unapologetic. Their friendship is the heart of the story, pulsing with loyalty, exasperation, and perfectly timed snark.

From the irresistible cover art to the twist-filled final chapters, this is the kind of book you race through and immediately want to discuss. Book clubs will have a field day unpacking the moral questions, relationship dynamics, and absurd situations. The audiobook narrator brings just the right energy, delivering every punchline and plot twist with panache.

A wickedly fun read—highly recommended!










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