“An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed” by Helen Tursten

The last one of these was more fun than this one. Somehow it didn't bother me so much to watch an old lady plan and execute cold-blooded murder just because it suited her (though I don't know why that should be). But in this second book, which includes reminiscences interleaved with what was happening in the present, suddenly Maud was given a conscience that I hadn't been previously aware of. 

The latter half of this second book is consumed by an obvious attempt at redemption, with Maud's incredibly thoughtful generosity a stark contrast to the insensitive narcissism she'd always shown before. It was hard to decide whether to see it as straightforward reformation, an incongruous impossibility, or interesting character development. But whereas her motives in the first book were of the basest human emotions (jealousy, selfishness and greed, or even just wanting to eliminate an annoyance), suddenly Maud's crimes are a result of protecting her sister or saving a young stranger from a rapist.  

That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy reading this book. It was still quite fun and I enjoyed the mysteries and suspense. But I was surprised that Tursten found the need to take a deliciously unscrupulous character and give her a heart.