Wonderful subject, Reda. "Murder, She Wrote" is my default TV show. When I watch the legendary Angela Lansbury, I'm obsessed with her beauty. She began the series at the age of 59, which begs the question, now, how old is "elderly"? The Golden Girls cast were also all in the late 50s, early 60s, but looking back, we thought they were all old ladies. My Louise Moscow spy thriller series follows the sassy female sleuth over 30 years and she is now post-menopausal, but still sexy AF. I'd love your feedback about that.
When I was 12, I thought The Golden Girls were old, and I thought Jessica Fletcher was old (mainly because she was retired and widowed, though), and yet I wanted to be like all of those ladies! Now that I’m 48, someone at 60 or even 65 doesn’t seem elderly. When I think of someone being much older, I think of 70+ truthfully. I don’t know how anyone thinks Agatha Raisin is on the older side!
As a 62 year old myself, I can attest, you are correct, it is not old. I still play beach volleyball with folks 20 years younger. At 48 that makes you a young whipper snapper.
My hubby is 70 and no one would know it. Times have definitely changed.
Oh I'll have to check out Agatha Raisin. I just upgraded to paid on your substack and look forward to more of your recommendations!
P.S. Thanks so much for subscribing, Lorraine! It means a lot to me! I’ve been following you and reading your work for a long time, it’s a huge compliment to have you here!
Going back even further than Orczy, there's Anna Katharine Green's middle-aged amateur detective Miss Amelia Butterworth, introduced in 1897's "That Affair Next Door." It's generally believed, though there's nothing down in black-and-white confirming it, that Miss Amelia was one of the influences on the creation of Christie's Miss Marple. She was definitely an influence on the creation of my own Mrs. Meade Mysteries (though Miss Butterworth is a *far* more assertive personality than my Mrs. Meade!).
Actually, Green had introduced a middle-aged professional in Mr. Ebenezer Gryce all the way back in "The Leavenworth Case" in 1878, and he was in his seventies by the time he appeared as a character in the three novels starring Miss Butterworth around the turn of the century!
Great article! Cheers to The QUINTESSENTIAL Miss Marple: Joan Hickson any others who tried just were not up to snuff , which includes the beloved Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote. I own MM , MSW and GG. Great women who proved over and over that "age is just a number baby". ♥️🌻
Wonderful subject, Reda. "Murder, She Wrote" is my default TV show. When I watch the legendary Angela Lansbury, I'm obsessed with her beauty. She began the series at the age of 59, which begs the question, now, how old is "elderly"? The Golden Girls cast were also all in the late 50s, early 60s, but looking back, we thought they were all old ladies. My Louise Moscow spy thriller series follows the sassy female sleuth over 30 years and she is now post-menopausal, but still sexy AF. I'd love your feedback about that.
When I was 12, I thought The Golden Girls were old, and I thought Jessica Fletcher was old (mainly because she was retired and widowed, though), and yet I wanted to be like all of those ladies! Now that I’m 48, someone at 60 or even 65 doesn’t seem elderly. When I think of someone being much older, I think of 70+ truthfully. I don’t know how anyone thinks Agatha Raisin is on the older side!
Exactly, Reda!
As a 62 year old myself, I can attest, you are correct, it is not old. I still play beach volleyball with folks 20 years younger. At 48 that makes you a young whipper snapper.
My hubby is 70 and no one would know it. Times have definitely changed.
Oh I'll have to check out Agatha Raisin. I just upgraded to paid on your substack and look forward to more of your recommendations!
P.S. Thanks so much for subscribing, Lorraine! It means a lot to me! I’ve been following you and reading your work for a long time, it’s a huge compliment to have you here!
Going back even further than Orczy, there's Anna Katharine Green's middle-aged amateur detective Miss Amelia Butterworth, introduced in 1897's "That Affair Next Door." It's generally believed, though there's nothing down in black-and-white confirming it, that Miss Amelia was one of the influences on the creation of Christie's Miss Marple. She was definitely an influence on the creation of my own Mrs. Meade Mysteries (though Miss Butterworth is a *far* more assertive personality than my Mrs. Meade!).
Actually, Green had introduced a middle-aged professional in Mr. Ebenezer Gryce all the way back in "The Leavenworth Case" in 1878, and he was in his seventies by the time he appeared as a character in the three novels starring Miss Butterworth around the turn of the century!
Thanks so much for reading!
love this. and just watched Episode 1 of the new Matlock. i'm all in.
Yay! Thanks for reading!
Great article! Cheers to The QUINTESSENTIAL Miss Marple: Joan Hickson any others who tried just were not up to snuff , which includes the beloved Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote. I own MM , MSW and GG. Great women who proved over and over that "age is just a number baby". ♥️🌻
Love Joan Hickson!
What an enjoyable read, Reda! Thanks for sharing it.
I love Jessica Fletcher and Miss Marple! Jessica Fletcher was my favorite woman (after my mum!) when I was a kid.
Can't wait to dive into The Thursday Murder Club! I admit I've never read Richard Osman's books. Shame on me.