Editorial Review: “The Moaning Lisa” by Rosemary and Larry Mild

In Rosemary and Larry Mild’s The Moaning Lisa, Paco and Molly find themselves smack dab in the middle of a sinister plot as they begin a new life at the Gilded Gates, an assisted living facility for seniors.

Review

Being old is not an easy feat. Many of us think that life stops after sixty. This cannot be further from the truth. Paco and Molly are the perfect examples of this. Join Paco and Molly LeSoto as they unexpectedly find themselves in the midst of another heart-pounding adventure in Rosemary and Larry Mild’s The Moaning Lisa. 

In the fourth book of The Paco and Molly Mysteries, both our protagonists are now in their eighties. Being octogenarians has made them realize that they now need a change, especially with Paco’s heart condition and Molly’s diabetes due to which she is no longer able to walk without help. They decide to pack up their lives and move to an assisted living facility named Gilded Gates. On their very first day, Paco has another heart episode. After moving in, meet Jeff and Maryanne Amati. Jeff has been walking in his sleep, wandering the halls of the establishment and hearing feminine wails. The Amatis are perplexed. Molly, formerly the housekeeper and gourmet chef of renowned psychoanalyst, Dr. Avi Kepple, is intrigued. Paco, being a former police detective, offers to help. The LeSotos begin to notice other strange goings-on in the facility. They find out that a number of residents have gone missing with no explanation. Some residents are evicted from their high-end suites to dormitories with little explanation. 

What is going on in Gilded Gates? Are the missing people somehow connected to the wails heard by Jeff? Will the LeSotos be able to figure things out, even with the pains of their advancing age? 

Rosemary and Larry Mild are a dynamic writing duo. I love how the lead characters in this story are no longer in their primes. In 1998, they are octogenarians. No longer spry, they now have to face the aches and pains of their advancing age. This does not dull Larry’s wits or Molly’s zest for life. I love how the Milds portray the LeSotos’ gradual acceptance of their age. The way they adapt to their new reality is depicted in a realistic manner. The residents at Gilded Gates are also complex characters. They all have their stories and quirks that make them relatable. Being old did not halt life for them. I was especially intrigued by Bertha. I loved how she interspersed Polish in her dialogues. 

Molly is drawn from Dorothy, Rosemary’s father’s housekeeper. Dorothy must have been quite a lady if she was anything like Molly in real life. One word for Molly would be unique. She does not let anything stop her, not even her recent mobility issues. Molly is always there for Paco, his perfect partner in life and sleuthing. I love her Mollyprops, her misuse of words. These bring comic relief even in the most dire of situations. Paco is dependable. Even with his erratic heart condition, he is always there to help. His sharp detective skills did not diminish with age. Both he and Molly make an amazing detective duo. I would like to make a special mention for Paco’s pet macaws, Bobble and Fumble. They are delightful. 

Dr. Crisp and his wife, Irma, are wonderfully drawn.

The Moaning Lisa is masterfully written. Full of red herrings, I was kept on my toes till the very end. You would be kept guessing about the identity of the villain till the very end. Even though the protagonists in this story are in their eighties, it has its fair share of action. 

Rosemary and Larry Mild’s The Moaning Lisa made a special place in my heart. I highly recommend this charming mystery novel to fans of detective thrillers. I will definitely give a read to the first three books in this series. I hope the Milds pen a fifth book and take us on another rendezvous with Paco and Molly. 

About the Authors

Rosemary and Larry Mild write novels and stories together, including award-winning titles such as Kent and Katcha and On the Rails. Their work spans mysteries, Hawaii thrillers, and story collections. They live in Honolulu near their daughter and grandchildren and received Hawaii’s Cades Award.

Book Details

• Title: The Moaning Lisa
• Author: Rosemary and Larry Mild
• Genre: Mystery
• Theme: Aging, Thriller, Detective, Suspense
• Publication Date: July 18, 2025
• ISBN or ASIN: B0FJ4WVHYQ
• Number of Pages: 258
• Minimum Audience Age: 16+

Book Themes

(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)

• Sexual themes: 1
• Religious themes: 0
• Violence, self-harm, etc.: 2
• Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 2
• Other adult themes: 1

Rating

• Content: 5 stars
• Writing Style: 5 stars
• Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
• Uniqueness: 5 stars
• Editing: 4 stars
• Other factors: 5 stars
• Overall: 4.83 out of 5 stars

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