"Saving Bessie's Worms," by Lynne Murphy, in Mesdames of Mayhem: Thirteen, edited by
M.H. Callway, Donna Carrick, and Joan C. O'Callaghan, Carrick Publishing, 2013.
What we have here is a collection of crime stories by Canadian women. So far, this is my favorite. It is an example of what has been called "geezer noir," which seems to be a growing field as my fellow baby boomers head into retirement. Not that this particular example is exactly noir.
The setting is the Cottonwoods Condo, a senior residence, and home to Bessie Bottomly. A few days after she is hospitalized with a broken hip her neighbors realize that no one is taking care of her worms. She raised them to make compost for the building's plants.
The Sisterhood rushes to form Operation Worm Rescue, but it turns out that there is one resident in the Condo who is not a fan of invertebrates. Can the Sisterhood save the worms?
Each of these ladies has a distinct personality, and their own way of talking. I like 'em.