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The Retirement Plan

The most entertaining and deliciously dark debut of 2025

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About this listen

 Dark humour, dirty deeds, marriages and murder . . . The perfect new read for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, How to Kill Your Family and The White Lotus
'An absolute scream from the first page to the last' Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal
'Certainly a match for Richard Osman' Daily Mail
'Incredibly funny with plot twists you won't see coming' Stylist

Their husbands are driving them mad, and murder is on their minds . . . but the men have a plan of their own.

Pam, Nancy and Shalisa once imagined retirement would mean setting aside their worries, picking up their margaritas, and lying back in a hot tub. Right up until their husbands lost all their savings in a reckless investment.

Now, collecting their husbands' life insurance is starting to sound more appealing than growing old with them. But enlisting the help of the local barber/hitman isn't merely the most daring thing the friends have ever done - it's also where the trouble really begins.

Because they don't realise their husbands have some tricks up their sleeves. And there's no turning back now . . .

From the first laugh to the final twist, The Retirement Plan is full of characters who will steal your heart while plotting their dark deeds.
'Clever, funny, tender. A triumph' Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things

'Blending Desperate Housewives and White Lotus vibes, this is a darkly funny crime novel' My Weekly

'Funny, twisty, deviously dark!' Sarah Pearse, author of The Sanatorium

'If crazy, switcheroo mysteries with a dark comic edge are your thing, then The Retirement Plan is the summer read for you' Irish Independent

'A total riot' Clare Pooley, author of The Authenticity Project

'Hincenbergs knocks it out of the park' Publishers Weekly, starred review

'Thoroughly addictive' Ian Moore, author of Death and Croissants

'A triumphant crime caper' Irish News

'Relentlessly entertaining' Chris Brookmyre, author of The Cracked Mirror

'Absolutely hilarious' Jessica Bull, author of Miss Austen Investigates

'Packed full of humour and charm' Amy McCulloch, author of Breathless

'Deliciously funny and unpredictable' Keith Stuart, author of A Boy Made of Blocks©2025 College Fund Productions Inc Crime Crime Thrillers Mystery Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Marriage Exciting Funny Heartfelt Murder

Critic reviews

The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs is jaw-droppingly hilarious, but that's just the start. This wild story is meticulously plotted with wonderfully vivid characters and is an absolute scream from first page to last. So slick I can't believe it's a debut - strong contender for my cosy crime book of the year! (Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEAL)
The Retirement Plan is a razor sharp, clever, funny novel which is also surprisingly tender. I gulped it down over a couple of days and found myself both laughing, and gasping out loud at the twists and turns the story took. I defy you not to be rooting for these characters. It's a triumph (Jennie Godfrey, author of THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS)
A wonderful cosy crime novel with a sharp edge. Ingenious, twisty and often hilarious - with a neat ending - this debut from a former TV producer is certainly a match for Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club
Incredibly funny with plot twists you won't see coming
A sure-footed and deeply funny debut. Readers will turn the pages with glee as the interests of the desperate husbands and determined wives collide with a pack of Mumbai gangsters and a dog-loving private investigator. Hincenbergs knocks it out of the park on her first time at bat
Blending Desperate Housewives and White Lotus vibes, this is a darkly funny crime novel about three women and their three useless husbands
This funny, twisty read about three girlfriends who turn to murder (husbands watch out!) had me turning the pages late into the night. Razor-sharp and deviously dark! (Sarah Pearse, author of THE SANATORIUM)
Relentlessly and rambunctiously entertaining. A feel-good crime caper that could put a smile on the face of any hitman (Chris Brookmyre, author of THE CRACKED MIRROR)
Sharp, wicked and thoroughly addictive! (Ian Moore, author of DEATH AND CROISSANTS)
If crazy, switcheroo mysteries with a dark comic edge are your thing, then The Retirement Plan is the summer read for you . . . A triumphant crime caper that is funny and exciting
Twisted, unexpected and a total riot. The most fun I've had with a book in ages (Clare Pooley, author of THE AUTHENTICITY PROJECT)
This crime romp is full of characters who will make you laugh out loud even while they are plotting their dark and dastardly deeds. Riotously funny and twisty
The story carries the same darkly humorous vibes as Apple TV's Bad Sisters, as the wives and husbands struggle with their decisions to do very bad things for somewhat good reasons, in very funny ways. A perfect read for those who are looking to lose themselves in a world of likable, flawed characters and are up for some wildly over-the-top hijinks
All stars
Most relevant
Liked all the rogues and felt satisfied with the outcome. Could have been unbelievable but story worked its way through and enjoyed very much.

Satisfyingly predictable but entertaining storyline.

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Great story. Made me laugh out loud and made cleaning my house whilst listening less boring!

Loved the story, it would make a great film.

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If you read only one book this year, make sure it's this one. Pam, Nancy, and Shalisa are fed up with their husbands and decide it's time for a change. Together, they devise a plan to rid themselves of both the men and their financial troubles.

Unbeknownst to the women, the men have also been concocting a scheme of their own.

This book is filled with fun, entertainment, and plenty of laughs. It's perfect for a holiday read or for simply relaxing.

I give it a solid 5 stars. Well done, Sue!

5/5

Best Book of 2025 so far, by a country mile.

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I can recommend this book. It’s well worth the listen
Amusing with good characters. Excellent narration too.

Great storyline, very original

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Loved it! Some laugh out loud moments too .. definitely worth a read .. great narration .. great characters

Great characters .. great story

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