A SENIOR CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO LIFE ON THE RUN

Dark doings at a “planned community" for "active adults.”

Timeless Pastures occupies a special niche in the world of over-55 living. Its pastel prefab duplexes at the edge of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens are too far from specialized medical care to be suitable for what are politely called “frail elderly.” Nor does it have the golf courses and elaborate exercise facilities wealthy seniors demand. Vietnam veteran George Sterling, a former high school principal, winds up at Timeless Pastures after having spent most of his savings on his late wife’s cancer treatment. Mia Sullivan never earned enough as a personal trainer to put much by for retirement. Ex-realtor Sasha Coverdale seems to relish the community’s unfussy amenities. And Alice Sanders finds it a perfect place to fly under the radar—until her next-door neighbor Babs Stevenson gets herself killed on Alice’s patio while Alice is away at a lake-house holiday with Mia, Sasha, and George. Once the police are on the scene, Alice lets her three friends in on a little secret that makes them realize returning to Timeless Pastures might not be their safest option. Florio pumps up the pace with a series of flash-forwards featuring the local police grilling the four friends about their possible involvement in Babs’ murder. But who killed Babs isn’t the only puzzle Florio hatches to tantalize readers. Why does the Timeless Pastures management keep raising lot fees until more than half the units are vacant? Will Alice ever come to grips with her past? And will friendship win out over caution at a time of life when most people just want to play it safe?

“Active” may be an understatement in describing Florio’s fearsome foursome.