In The Retirement Plan, Sue Hincenbergs serves up a darkly comic tale about friendship, betrayal, and a murder-for-money scheme that spins hilariously out of control. Set against the backdrop of broken dreams and beachfront condos, the novel invites readers to laugh, gasp, and question just how far someone might go for a second chance. This review breaks down the plot, characters, and what makes the book worth reading.
Plot Overview: A Cat-and-Mouse Game Between Spouses
After decades of marriage and lifelong friendships, Pam, Nancy, Shalisa, Marlene—and their husbands—are finally looking forward to a peaceful retirement. But a disastrous joint investment derails their plans and leaves them scrambling. That is—until one husband, Dave, dies in an alarming freak accident. His widow, Marlene, walks away with a multimillion-dollar insurance payout and a beachfront condo in Florida.
When Pam, Nancy, and Shalisa discover that all the husbands hold identical seven‑figure life insurance policies, the idea of a fresh start suddenly seems within reach. The women hatch a shocking plan: hire a hitman to rid themselves of their husbands and collect the payout.
Meanwhile, the husbands—Hank, Andre, and Larry—have been cooking up their own clandestine plan involving casino thefts. Fearing that Dave’s death may be connected to their risky venture, they scramble to protect themselves. Enter Hector, the enigmatic barber-turned-contract killer, whose loyalties and methods drive the twisting tension.
The result? A hilariously dark, high-stakes game of cat and mouse that races through miscommunications, shifting alliances, and deadly misunderstandings. By the end, everyone’s plans have been exposed, no one emerges entirely unscathed—and the final twist ties together absurdity with unexpected emotional resonance .
Characters & Relationships: Laughable, Lovable, and Occasionally Loathsome
The Wives
- Pam: The closest we get to a protagonist. Thirty-five years into marriage with Hank, her emotional detachment is palpable—and her desperation painful. Her bond with Elmer, her rescue dog, provides poignant moments amid the chaos.
- Nancy: Hurt by Larry’s rejection of their son’s sexuality, her simmering resentment fuels her willingness to entertain murder as salvation.
- Shalisa: Childless and sidelined, she carries hopes broken by Andre’s secret struggles, making her plot to eliminate him feel both brazen and heartbreaking .
The Husbands
- Hank, Andre, and Larry: Though initially dismissed as hapless, they are characters with layers—caught between a botched investment and casino heists. Their fears of lethal repercussions add a strong counterpoint to their wives’ murderous schemes.
Hector the Hitman
Hector serves as a devilish pivot: barber by day, killer by night. Yet he’s grounded by devotion to his wife Brenda. Critics compare him favorably to minor characters in The Thursday Murder Club, yet many agree Hector wins as a more fully realized antihero.
Across the board, Hincenbergs wins with dialogue that zings and emotional undercurrents that anchor her quirky caper. Each major and minor character feels as real at a backyard barbecue as on a crime scene.
Tone & Pacing: A Balancing Act of Humor and Hysteria
The novel is a comedic thriller—dark, yes, but shot through with madcap energy. Reviewers highlight the madcap setup, pacing like a roller-coaster, and expertly timed twists. The narrative shifts between wives, husbands, Hector, and even casino boss Padma, blending sympathy, satire, and sheer ridiculousness.
While some early reviewers mentioned that the large cast takes a few chapters to settle in, most agree that once the wheels are rolling, the plot steams ahead, “laugh‑out‑loud funny and unbearably tense”. A few coincidences strain credulity—like Hector’s overlapping roles or timely surprises—but in a story about planned murder and casino fraud, most readers are willing to go along for the ride.
Themes & Takeaways: Money, Marriage—and Morality
Miscommunication runs rampant. Unlike the serene retirement they anticipated, most chaos could have been avoided with honest conversation—adding a satirical sting to the laughs .
Middle-age angst and financial insecurity are real drivers here. The story taps into genuine fears about aging with dwindling resources, roles, and respect .
Female friendship shines in unexpected ways. These women support each other through life’s bitterest moments—even when they plot murder. That loyalty, even if misdirected, is touching .
Ethical gray areas abound: who rightfully deserves sympathy? The women for their long-kept disappointments, or the men for their own secret sins? Hincenbergs forces readers to confront moral ambiguity at every twist .
Strengths and Quibbles
Strengths
- Vivid, layered characters across genders and generations.
- Sharp, witty dialogue—sometimes politically incorrect, often hilarious .
- A plot that keeps evolving—insurance, schemes, hitmen, casino thefts—yet wraps everything up satisfyingly.
Minor critiques
- The initial setup introduces many characters at once, which may feel overwhelming .
- A few coincidences—like marital ties between villain-ish characters—test plausibility in a tale already improbably outrageous .
Regardless, the consensus is that these minor flaws don’t derail the fun.
Final Verdict: A Must-Add to Your TBR
Sue Hincenbergs’ The Retirement Plan is a knockout debut. It straddles genres with ease, delivering a tightly plotted dark comedy, a domestic thriller, and a character-driven drama all at once. Readers who loved The Thursday Murder Club, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, or Liane Moriarty’s wit and wisdom will find plenty to savor here.
It’s a novel that will have you laughing, wincing, and shouting “don’t do it!” as the plot careens toward an ending that’s both logical and delightfully twisted. In a market flooded with cozy mysteries and thrillers, Hincenbergs stands out as a fresh, bold voice.
Also Read: The Bright Years: By Sarah Damoff (Book Review)
